Taraji P. Henson denies rumors that she is feuding with Oprah Winfrey.
The rumors began earlier this week when a video shared by photojournalist Mickmicknyc went viral, which many fans see as evidence that there is tension between the two.
The clip was taken as the pair were busy promoting The Color Purple – which stars Taraji and is produced by Oprah – at the Empire State Building in New York earlier this month.
A TikTok user named openmichero analyzed the couple's body language and suggested that Taraji was “trying to hold back tears” while posing for photos with Oprah and her co-stars Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks.
They also said Oprah and Taraji displayed “closed” body language and accused the TV icon of deliberately “not looking” at the Oscar nominee.
But Taraji took to Instagram on Thursday to stand up for Oprah – who she called a “beacon of light” who gave her nothing but “unwavering support.”
Taraji P. Henson denies rumors that she is feuding with Oprah Winfrey
But Taraji took to Instagram on Thursday to stand up for Oprah – calling her a “beacon of light” who has given her nothing but “unwavering support”; seen on December 13th
She included a photo of herself and Oprah smiling and standing side by side during the same press conference at the Empire State Building.
“It's so important that black women and ALL women of color support each other.” “It's also essential to have women of color in decision-making positions in ALL industries,” Taraji's caption began.
She then referenced a recent interview she gave in which she expressed frustration over earning far less than some of her white co-stars in previous projects.
“Thank you for responding to my message with the compassion, understanding and support I received,” she continued.
Taraji then focused on the speculation about her and Oprah's relationship.
“Despite this, Ms. OPRAH has been nothing less than a steady and solid beacon for ALL THE CAST OF THE COLOR PURPLE!!!” she wrote.
“She provided ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE and unwavering SUPPORT to all of us. “She personally told me to turn to her for ANYTHING I needed and I did!”
Taraji thanked the legendary talk show host for helping to spotlight black female voices in the entertainment industry.
She included a photo of herself and Oprah smiling and standing side by side during the same press conference at the Empire State Building
'MS. OPRAH has been nothing less than a steady and solid beacon for ALL CAST members of The Color Purple!!!' She wrote; (LR) Taraji, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks and Oprah at the Empire State Building on December 12th
'MS. OPRAH has been nothing less than a steady and solid beacon for ALL CAST members of The Color Purple!!!' She wrote; (LR) Taraji, Oprah and Danielle Brooks at the Empire State Building on December 12th
“It took ONE CALL…A CONVERSATION…and A DECISION TO MET BLACK WOMEN for me to feel heard. “Thank you Ms. @OPRAH for EVERYTHING you do,” the Empire star concluded; (LR) Director Blitz Bazawule, Taraji, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks and Oprah, pictured December 12th at the Empire State Building
“It took ONE CALL…A CONVERSATION…and A DECISION TO MET BLACK WOMEN for me to feel heard. “Thank you Ms. @OPRAH for EVERYTHING you do,” the Empire star concluded.
On December 12, Taraji joined her co-stars Fantasia, Danielle and Oprah to light the Empire State Building purple in honor of the color purple.
The upcoming film – which also stars Euphoria's Halle Bailey and Colman Domingo – is an adaptation of the 1982 Alice Walker novel, the 1985 non-musical Steven Spielberg film and the 2005 musical.
The project was directed by Blitz Bazawule, who previously directed The Burial Of Kojo (2018) and Beyonce's visual album Black Is King (2020).
Taraji plays Shug Avery, who Fantasia played on Broadway from April 2007 to January 2008. For the new film, Fantasia plays the character Celie.
Oprah, Spielberg and music mogul Quincy Jones are listed as executive producers.
Oprah has a strong connection to The Color Purple, having originated the role of Sofia – played by Danielle in the new adaptation – in the 1987 film.
The upcoming film – which also stars Euphoria's Halle Bailey and Colman Domingo – is an adaptation of the 1982 Alice Walker novel, the 1985 non-musical Steven Spielberg film and the 2005 musical; Barrino and Henson pictured
This is Danielle's (pictured) first film for a major studio after she received a Tony nomination for her role as Sofia in the Broadway production
The stunning performance earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
This is Danielle's first film for a major studio after receiving a Tony nomination for her role as Sofia in the Broadway production.
It was recently announced that she was nominated for a Golden Globe.
The color purple comes to the cinema on Christmas Day.