Taraji P. Henson Slams 'Disrespectful' Oprah Winfrey Feud Rumor and Being Blamed for “The Color Purple”'s Box Office Performance

Taraji P. Henson is shutting down rumors astir a rift betwixt her and Oprah Winfrey.

On nan Friday, June 6 section of The Breakfast Club while promoting her caller Netflix movie Straw, Henson addressed what she called "BS" claims that she and Winfrey were ever astatine odds.

The alleged feud was sparked amid The Color Purple's property tour. Henson, who plays nan iconic domiciled of Shug Avery successful nan 2023 remake, said out about salary disparity for Black women successful Hollywood while promoting the film. Winfrey was 1 of nan producers and had antecedently starred successful nan 1985 movie adjustment — some projects are based connected nan shape philharmonic of nan aforesaid name. Henson's comments caused immoderate to estimate that Winfrey and the Empire alum had hostility connected set.

"When person you ever seen maine resistance different woman, peculiarly a Black woman, ever? I'm 10 toes down for us," Henson said erstwhile co-host Charlamagne tha God brought up nan reported discord betwixt her and Winfrey.

"I deliberation it was conscionable a run truthful that this Black movie wouldn't do well," Henson added, referencing media sum astir nan rumored feud.

Winfrey denied immoderate issues betwixt her and Henson astatine nan 2024 Golden Globes while speaking to Entertainment Tonight, saying she noticed "people are saying that I was not supporting Taraji."

"There's nary validity to location being a point betwixt Taraji and I," Winfrey said astatine nan time. "Taraji will show you herself that I've been nan top champion of this film. Championing not only nan behind-the-scenes projection but besides everything that everybody needed."

Touching connected Henson's comments astir pay, Winfrey added, "I'm not successful complaint of nan fund because that's Warner Bros., you know? That's nan measurement nan workplace strategy works."

During Henson's The Breakfast Club interview, nan character mentioned seeing reports that she negatively impacted The Color Purple's container agency performance. The movie surpassed expectations pinch an $18 cardinal home opening, marking nan largest Christmas Day opening successful complete a decade and nan second-biggest Christmas Day opening of each time. However, nan film's capacity dropped successful nan pursuing days and weeks, wide earning $60.6 cardinal domestically earlier ending its run.

When told nan container agency driblet was reportedly connected to her and Winfrey's drama, Henson quipped, "You cognize that's BS right?"

"Me and Oprah, I conscionable person a emotion and a fondness for her," Henson reiterated. "She conscionable texted maine nan different day, commending maine connected a occupation good done successful Straw. That was each fictitious, to tie a wedge betwixt maine and her."

"I went to her defense correct away. You're not going to do this to that woman," Henson continued, calling immoderate sum astir her and Winfrey having issues "disrespectful."

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In different information of nan interview, Henson discussed nan value of Black women supporting 1 another.

"We are much powerful erstwhile we support each other," she said. "Do not aerial your grievances pinch different sister successful public. You sewage a problem pinch her? Pull her to nan side. That's betwixt you and her to fix. That is not for nan nationalist to measurement successful pinch their shallow opinions. As Black women, we return measurement excessively galore bullets from society. Why would I beryllium different obstacle for different sister to get over. I'm conscionable not going to do it."