Current:Home > NewsPoinbank:Oprah Winfrey denies Taraji P. Henson feud after actress made pay disparity comments -Wealth Evolution Experts
Poinbank:Oprah Winfrey denies Taraji P. Henson feud after actress made pay disparity comments
Johnathan Walker View
Date:2025-04-06 21:02:52
Oprah Winfrey has Taraji P. Henson’s back — and Poinbankyou can take that to the bank.
During a red carpet interview at the Golden Globes Sunday, the TV personality addressed rumors that she and "The Color Purple" actress had a feud after Henson made comments about her experience with pay inequality in Hollywood. Winfrey served as a producer on the musical drama starring Henson alongside Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks and Halle Bailey.
"People are saying that I was not supporting Taraji," Winfrey told Entertainment Tonight's Kevin Frazier. "Taraji will tell you herself that I've been the greatest champion of this film. Championing not only the behind-the-scenes projection but also everything that everybody needed."
Winfrey added that she was "not in charge" of the film's budget.
"We as producers, everybody gets their salary, everybody is negotiated by your team," Winfrey said. "And so, whenever I heard there was an issue or there was a problem – there was a problem with cars or the problem with their food – I would step in and do whatever I could to make it right. And I believe that (Henson) would even vouch for that and say that is true."
The "Oprah Winfrey Show" host also debunked a rumor that there was friction between the women during a photocall in New York City.
"There was something online about us being separated at the top of the Empire State Building," Winfrey said. "On that particular day, we were so cold, so I don't know what kind of body language people were talking about. I was literally just trying to stay warm and that was the fourth thing we had done. There's no validity to there being a thing between Taraji and I."
Henson opened up about navigating pay disparities in the entertainment industry during an emotional SiriusXM interview with Gayle King last month. The actress was asked if rumors about her possibly quitting acting were true.
"I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do (and) getting paid a fraction of the cost," Henson said during the Dec. 19 interview. "I'm tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired. I hear people go, 'You work a lot.' Well, I have to. The math ain't math-ing. When you start working a lot, you have a team. Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone. It’s a whole entire team behind us. They have to get paid."
A few days following the interview, Henson took to Instagram to praise Winfrey for her support during production on "The Color Purple."
"It is so important for black women and ALL women of color to support each other," Henson wrote in the Dec. 21 post. "With that being said… Ms. OPRAH has been nothing less than a steady and solid beacon of light to ALL OF THE CAST of The Color Purple!!! … She told me personally to reach out to her for ANYTHING I needed, and I did!"
Henson concluded: "It took ONE CALL… ONE CONVERSATION… and ONE DECISION-MAKING BLACK WOMAN to make me feel heard."
'The math ain't math-ing':Taraji P. Henson tearfully speaks out about pay inequality
'The Color Purple' movie review:A fantastic Fantasia Barrino brings new depth to 2023 film
Contributing: Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY
veryGood! (52)
Related
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- The Turkish president is to meet Putin with the aim of reviving the Ukraine grain export deal
- Georgia father to be charged with murder after body of 2-year-old found in trash
- What’s at stake when Turkey’s leader meets Putin in a bid to reestablish the Black Sea grain deal
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Kristin Chenoweth Marries Josh Bryant in Texas Wedding Ceremony
- Smash Mouth frontman Steve Harwell dies at 56
- Nightengale's Notebook: 20 burning questions entering MLB's stretch run
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Vermont governor appoints an interim county prosecutor after harassment claims led to investigation
Ranking
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Jimmy Buffett died of a rare skin cancer
- Radio broadcasters sound off on artificial intelligence, after AI DJ makes history
- Celebrating America's workers: What to know about Labor Day, summer's last hurrah
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- What to stream this week: Olivia Rodrigo, LaKeith Stanfield, NBA 2K14 and ‘The Little Mermaid’
- 4 things to know on Labor Day — from the Hot Labor Summer to the Hollywood strikes
- Breastfeeding With Implants? Here's What to Know After Pregnant Jessie James Decker Shared Her Concerns
Recommendation
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Turkey has failed to persuade Russia to rejoin the Ukraine grain deal
Spanish officials to hold crisis meeting as 40th gender-based murder comes amid backlash over sexism
Who are the highest-paid NHL players? A complete ranking of how much the hockey stars make
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
USA advances to FIBA World Cup quarterfinals despite loss to Lithuania
Good to be 'Team Penko': Jelena Ostapenko comes through with US Open tickets for superfan
Every Time Nick Lachey and Vanessa Lachey Dropped a Candid Confession