Oprah Winfrey also noted in her Entertainment Tonight interview that Warner Bros. — the studio that released “The Color Purple” and who obviously handled the film’s budget — is fully responsible for any salary issues. She says that actors’ agents and teams are responsible for how much pay they ultimately take in. “That’s the way the studio system works, and we, as producers — everybody gets their salary negotiated by your team.”
She added that whenever she heard there were problems on the set, she stepped in and took care of them herself. Winfrey also stated that she felt Taraji P. Henson would step up and agree with her claims, stating, “I believe that she [Henson] would even vouch for that.” She also advocated for Henson’s choice to be honest about her situation. “I am all for everybody being the greatest and meeting the rising of their own life.”
As of press time, Taraji P. Henson has not released a statement affirming or denying Winfrey’s claims. Time will tell if further conflict flares to life — or if one even existed in the first place.
