Oprah Winfrey is addressing rumors that she is feuding with “The Color Purple” star Taraji P. Henson.
After Henson, 53, burst into tears last month over the unfair pay gap black women face in Hollywood, claiming she had to “fight” to get production to hire drivers who would Transporting cast members to the set of the film, social media users began accusing the billionaire businesswoman of failing to intervene.
In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, Winfrey, 69, who is also an executive producer of the musical adaptation, talked about the “whole Taraji thing” at the Golden Globes.
“I heard I was trending yesterday. People said I don't support Taraji,” said Winfrey, who also played Sofia in Steven Spielberg's original 1985 film adaptation, based on Alice Walker's 1982 novel. “Taraji will tell you himself that I was the biggest supporter of this film and I was involved not only in the production behind the scenes but also in everything that everyone needed.”
She continued: “Whenever I heard that people needed something – I'm not responsible for the budget because that's Warner Bros., that's how the studio system works and we as producers all get their salary, which is negotiated by them .” your team.”
Winfrey insisted to ET's Kevin Frazer that any time she “heard there was a problem with the cars” or concerns about “the food” on set, she would “step in and do whatever she could to make it right.” bring to.”
She doubled down, claiming that Henson would “vouch for it and say it's true.”
She added: “I'm all for everyone being the greatest and experiencing the rise of their own life.”
The former talk show host further addressed rumors that she and the “Empire” alum had static during a photo call for the film's cast at the Empire State Building last month.
Winfrey said that what social media users interpreted as an awkward moment between the two in the viral clip was due to the cold weather that day as everyone was trying to stay warm.
“There is no validity to them being a thing between Taraji and I,” Winfrey shared.
Representatives for Henson did not immediately respond to HuffPost's request for comment.
Henson, who plays jazz singer Shug Avery in 2023's “The Color Purple,” also cleared up the hearsay after raving about Winfrey's leadership on Instagram.
“MS. OPRAH has been nothing short of a steady and solid beacon for ALL THE CAST OF The Color Purple!!!” she wrote last month. “She has provided ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE and unwavering SUPPORT to all of us.”
“The Color Purple” is currently in theaters.
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