Oprah: ‘They Were Only Offering $35,000’ to Star in ‘The Color Purple,’ and It’s the ‘Best $35,000 I Ever Earned’
variety.comZack Sharf Digital News Director The upcoming release of “The Color Purple” musical film marks a full circle moment for Oprah Winfrey, who is producing the new adaptation 38 years after playing Sofia in Steven Spielberg’s take on Alice Walker’s seminal novel.
Oprah earned an Oscar nomination for supporting actress, and now “The Color Purple” musical could earn her another one as a producer if it lands a best picture nomination.
Oprah produced the film along with Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones. In a new Essence cover story with the musical film’s cast — Taraji P.
Henson, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R. and Fantasia Barrino — Oprah revealed the salary she earned for her Oscar-nominated role in Spielberg’s “The Color Purple.” It was low, but it was the only shot Oprah had at achieving her life goal of starring in the 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.
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