Introduction

Just when we thought the drama between Taraji P. Henson and Oprah Winfrey was winding down, new reports are revealing a shocking twist: Oprah allegedly blames Taraji for the massive failure of The Color Purple at the box office. Despite a hefty $140 million budget, the film has barely managed to gross half of that amount, with only $58 million to date. The blame game is on, and according to sources, the fallout could have a devastating effect on Taraji’s career.

The Film’s Struggles

The Color Purple, despite all the promotional efforts and its stellar cast, has been a box office disaster. Although it made a decent opening with $18 million on the first day, it quickly tanked, causing huge concern for the film’s investors. With an astounding $100 million budget and $40 million spent on marketing, the movie’s performance is nowhere near where it should be.

So, where did it go wrong? According to reports, producers are pointing fingers at none other than Taraji P. Henson, blaming her outspoken commentary during the promotional tour for damaging the film’s reputation.

Taraji’s Bold Statements

The drama began when Taraji called out Oprah for what she considered underpaying her for her role in The Color Purple. Taraji expressed her frustration, claiming she hadn’t received a salary increase in years and was insulted by the initial offer. She opened up about the systemic underpayment of Black women in Hollywood, revealing that she almost walked away from the project because of the disrespect she felt.

Taraji’s fiery statements didn’t stop there. During a candid interview, she also exposed the poor treatment she and her co-stars faced on set, including being forced to drive rental cars back and forth to the set every day, with no security, and low pay.

Oprah’s Attempt at Damage Control

Realizing that the negative press could doom the film’s chances of success, Oprah tried to step in and control the situation. She allegedly forced Taraji to backtrack on her comments and posted a photo with her, calling Taraji a “beacon of light” and praising her for her support. Taraji, in turn, shared her own praise for Oprah, trying to mend fences publicly.

But despite these efforts, the damage had already been done. The negativity surrounding the film was palpable, and the box office numbers continued to spiral downward.

The Fallout and Blacklisting Rumors

Reports from inside Hollywood suggest that producers are furious at Taraji for derailing the promotional efforts with her outspoken rants, and some are even considering blacklisting her as a warning to other Black actors. Industry insiders claim that Oprah should have intervened earlier, before Taraji’s comments became a major distraction.

In fact, sources allege that Oprah is facing blame for not controlling the situation and allowing it to escalate. Some even claim that Oprah fabricated the film’s opening day numbers to make the situation seem more promising than it was.

Oprah’s Struggles and the Bigger Picture

This failure has been particularly devastating for Oprah, as The Color Purple was meant to be her grand comeback into the film industry with her production company, Harpo Film Studios. After the underwhelming reception of her previous projects like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Beloved, The Color Purple was supposed to be the blockbuster hit that would revive her standing in Hollywood. Instead, it’s turned into a major embarrassment.

The Public Response and Career Implications

As for Taraji’s future, many fear that her bold stance on underpayment and mistreatment will backfire. With The Color Purple flopping, her comments about Hollywood’s pay disparity have overshadowed her career, and some worry that movie roles may dry up for her. However, others argue that speaking out about systemic inequality is a necessary step, even if it means facing industry pushback.

Conclusion

This saga between Oprah and Taraji P. Henson raises difficult questions about Hollywood’s treatment of Black actors, pay inequality, and the pressures of fame. While Taraji’s outspoken stance on the industry has earned her both praise and criticism, the impact on her career remains to be seen. As for The Color Purple, the film’s failure at the box office will likely go down as one of the biggest Hollywood flops in recent years, and it’s clear that the blame game isn’t over yet.

What do you think? Is Taraji’s career doomed, or will she rise above the drama? Let us know your thoughts below!