‘The Color Purple’ Star Danielle Brooks on Finally Feeling Worthy of Praise After Emmy and Tony Disappointments
variety.comClayton Davis Senior Awards Editor Danielle Brooks is having one of the most significant moments in her career, playing Sofia in “The Color Purple.” It’s a role that she portrayed on Broadway and received her first Tony nomination — but it wasn’t easy for the critically-acclaimed performer to get here.
As the spirited and no-nonsense wife to Harpo (Corey Hawkins), Brooks’ Sofia is positioned as the hopeful and joyous anchor in a narrative that, at times, carries a thematic weight, craving moments of levity.
Brooks achieves this with aplomb in sequences like “Hell No,” reminiscent of the impactful “Cell Block Tango” from the best picture-winning musical “Chicago,” which showcased the goods of future supporting actress winner Catherine Zeta-Jones.
On this episode of the award-winning Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Brooks talks about landing the role once portrayed by Oprah Winfrey in the 1985 version.
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