Taraji P. Henson has made more headlines over the last month for her gripes with decades of mistreatment in the entertainment industry than she has for her stellar performance as “Shug Avery” in the 2023 ‘The Color Purple’ musical – a circumstance the Academy Award nominee recently took to press to bemoan.
In an interview with Today, Henson waxed honest on her belief the media is letting her comments about pay inequity for Black women in Hollywood overshadow the importance of ‘Purple.’
Setting the record straight, the award-winning actress doubled down on her stance that the film’s producer – media mogul Oprah Winfrey – had been nothing but supportive throughout her experience with the movie which also stars Fantasia, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, and more.
“And what you’re not gonna do is pit two Black women together — not on my watch,” Taraji said about her rumored feud with Winfrey. “I hope they [the media] can focus back onto this film, because right now, to me, it feels like what I said is now becoming louder than this beautiful film.”
Continuing, Henson asserted the narrative shift takes the focus away from the purpose of ‘Purple.’
“And that’s not fair to me, or anybody in the film,” Henson relayed. “…the film deals with women who are oppressed — who live in an oppressed system. Men and women. And all the characters in that film except for the white people. So that movie is about healing. That movie is about sisterhood.”
Click here to read Taraji’s full interview.