Taraji P Henson is calling for a shift in focus with regards to all things “The Color Purple”.
During a recent interview the actress said that it’s “not fair” that her comments about pay disparity’s are over shadowing the film.
She said:
“I hope they can focus back onto this film, because right now, to me, it feels like what I said is now becoming louder than this beautiful film,”
“And that’s not fair to me, or anybody in the film,”
Taraji also made the point that The Color Purple is a story about sisterhood and that should be the main topic of discussion for media outlets.
Prior to these comments Taraji became very emotional when she was asked about her decision to possibly walk away from Hollywood.
The viral moment has been the topic of conversation ever since …….often distracting from her starring role as Shug Avery.
To be fair to the media, Taraji shaped the conversation often doubling down on her thoughts on pay even claiming that the set of the Color Purple was not up to par with what she expected as an established actress.
She said a lot of what they received after complaining was due to her calling Oprah to make sure they were treated properly.
Sadly the horse has already left the stable and subsequent interviews will have to be refocused by Taraji and her costars.
According to The Today Show In the Blitz Bazawule-directed adaptation based on Alice Walker’s classic novel, Henson stars as Shug Avery, a charismatic blues singer.
Shug ends up saving the film’s central character, Celie (Fantasia Barrino) from future abuse by her husband Mister (Colman Domingo) — while also introducing her to the thralls of romantic love.
While the film centers on Celie’s journey of self-discovery, it also highlights the bond between women as they deal with their own struggles and trauma.
About Sisterhood
In a Jan. 4 interview with W magazine, Henson said one of the most striking things in “The Color Purple” was the “angle of sisterhood.”
“Because if women stick together, we can change the world,” she said.
Henson has also been very vocal about the sisterhood felt between actors during filming, telling the New York Times in a Jan. 5 interview that she and Barrino supported each other on set.
“I’m very confident in my acting because I do the work, but I was nervous about my singing. Fantasia’s nervous about acting because singing is her thing, so we held each other’s hand and lifted each other up,” she said.
