Taraji P. Henson is firing back at what she calls “BS” rumors of a feud with Oprah Winfrey, slamming speculation that their alleged tension hurt The Color Purple‘s box office success.
During a candid interview on The Breakfast Club to promote her new Netflix film Straw, Henson dismissed gossip about discord with Winfrey, who produced the 2023 Color Purple remake. The rumors stemmed from Henson’s viral comments about pay disparity for Black actresses during the film’s press tour.
“When have you ever seen me drag another woman, particularly a Black woman, ever? I’m 10 toes down for us,“ Henson told co-host Charlamagne tha God. “I think it was just a campaign so this Black movie wouldn’t do well.”
Oprah’s Previous Denial
Winfrey had already shut down the rumors at the 2024 Golden Globes, telling Entertainment Tonight:
“There’s no validity to there being a thing between Taraji and I… I’ve been the greatest champion of this film.”
She clarified that studio budgets—not producers—determine salaries, responding to Henson’s pay equity remarks.
Box Office Backlash Debunked
Despite a strong $18M Christmas Day opening (the second-highest ever), The Color Purple’s subsequent dip led some to blame the “feud.” Henson scoffed: “You know that’s BS, right?”
The film ultimately grossed $60.6M domestically, with Henson emphasizing her close bond with Winfrey:
“She just texted me the other day commending me on Straw… That was all fictitious to drive a wedge.”
A Call for Unity
Henson doubled down on Black women’s solidarity:
“We are more powerful when we support each other… As Black women, we take way too many bullets from society. Why would I be another obstacle?”
