Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has clarified her decision to forgo a cameo appearance alongside Whoopi Goldberg in the latest adaptation of Alice Walker’s timeless novel, “The Color Purple.”
While Goldberg, the original Celie, makes a cameo, Winfrey, who portrayed Sofia in the first film, opted not to make an on-screen appearance.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Winfrey explained, “A cameo would’ve been good in the church scene, but I thought it would also be distracting when Sofia is getting married.”
She added that with COVID concerns during filming, sitting in the church all day was not appealing to her. Winfrey believed that keeping the focus on Goldberg’s cameo as a midwife made the scene “more special” and allowed it to emphasize Celie’s journey.
Although Winfrey did not appear in the film, she played a pivotal role as a producer and has been a strong advocate for its release.
She expressed her excitement to People, stating, “It’s as big a miracle as my whole life has been.” Reflecting on the 1985 movie that earned her an Oscar nomination, she noted that it “continues to be a central theme in my life.”
“The Color Purple” marked Winfrey’s acting debut, and nearly four decades later, the project remains deeply personal to her. Throughout the production process, Winfrey supported the new cast members, showcasing her commitment to the film.
She recently surprised the cast by gifting them purple Telfar bags filled with Fandango movie tickets, a gesture she shared on Instagram.
Telfar, the brand featured in Oprah’s Favorite Things list, made its way into the heartfelt gift, underscoring Winfrey’s continued reverence for Steven Spielberg’s original adaptation.
Winfrey’s role in Spielberg’s 1985 film earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career.
