Oprah Winfrey looked back on how much starring in The Color Purple meant to her, as she produced the musical film adaptation.
In a cover story for Essence with the musical film’s cast and crew, Oprah shared how much she earned for her role in Spielberg’s 1985 Oscar-nominated film.
“I can’t even begin to tell you what it means to me—a person who wanted nothing more in my life than to be in The Color Purple,” Oprah said. “And God taught me to surrender—that was the big lesson for me. They were only offering $35,000 to be in this film, and it is the best $35,000 I ever earned. It changed everything and taught me so much. It is God moving through my life.”
The musical version also stars Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R., and Fantasia Barrino.
“To have all of you beautiful Black women bearing witness to the story, as the story moves forward, means so much,” Oprah added. “I believe that what Fantasia has said is true: Everybody who comes to see our film is going to be touched. They will be moved. And they will be healed.”
The original The Color Purpose earned Oprah an Oscar nomination for supporting actress, and the musical adaptation could get her another one as producer if it gets a best picture nomination.
The new The Color Purple is set in the early 20th century. It follows Celie (Barrino), a Black Southern woman who is abused by both her father and husband. She feels empowered after becoming friends with women in her community, like Shug Avery (Henson) and the fierce Sofia (Brooks).
The Color Purple releases in theaters on Dec. 25.
