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 about a rift between her and Oprah Winfrey. On the Friday, June 6 episode of The Breakfast Club while promoting her new Netflix film Straw, Henson addressed what she called “BS” claims that she and Winfrey were ever at odds.
The alleged feud was sparked amid The Color Purple’s press tour. Henson, who plays the iconic role of Shug Avery in the 2023 remake, spoke out about pay disparity for Black women in Hollywood while promoting the film. Winfrey was one of the producers and had previously starred in the 1985 film adaptation — both projects are based on the stage musical of the same name. Henson’s comments caused some to speculate that Winfrey and the Empire alum had tension on set.
“When have you ever seen me drag another woman, particularly a Black woman, ever? I’m 10 toes down for us,” Henson said when co-host Charlamagne tha God brought up the reported discord between her and Winfrey.
“I think it was just a campaign so that this Black movie wouldn’t do well,” Henson added, referencing media coverage about the rumored feud.
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Winfrey denied any issues between her and Henson at the 2024 Golden Globes while speaking to Entertainment Tonight, saying she noticed “people are saying that I was not supporting Taraji.”
“There’s no validity to there being a thing between Taraji and I,” Winfrey said at the time. “Taraji will tell you herself that I’ve been the greatest champion of this film. Championing not only the behind-the-scenes projection but also everything that everybody needed.”
Touching on Henson’s comments about pay, Winfrey added, “I’m not in charge of the budget because that’s Warner Bros., you know? That’s the way the studio system works.”
During Henson’s The Breakfast Club interview, the actress mentioned seeing reports that she negatively impacted The Color Purple‘s box office performance. The film surpassed expectations with an $18 million domestic opening, marking the largest Christmas Day opening in over a decade and the second-biggest Christmas Day opening of all time. However, the film’s performance dropped in the following days and weeks, overall earning $60.6 million domestically before ending its run.
When told the box office drop was reportedly connected to her and Winfrey’s drama, Henson quipped, “You know that’s BS right?”
“Me and Oprah, I just have a love and a fondness for her,” Henson reiterated. “She just texted me the other day, commending me on a job well done in Straw. That was all fictitious, to draw a wedge between me and her.”
“I went to her defense right away. You’re not going to do this to that woman,” Henson continued, calling any coverage about her and Winfrey having issues “disrespectful.”
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The cast of The Color Purple.
Arturo Holmes/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
In another portion of the interview, Henson discussed the importance of Black women supporting one another.
“We are more powerful when we support each other,” she said. “Do not air your grievances with another sister in public. You got a problem with her? Pull her to the side. That’s between you and her to fix. That is not for the public to weigh in with their shallow opinions. As Black women, we take way too many bullets from society. Why would I be another obstacle for another sister to get over. I’m just not going to do it.”
