Austak2) Taraji P. Henson and Oprah Winfrey - Trailblazers in Entertainment
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In this Video, We Will Talk About Taraji P. Henson and Oprah Winfrey - Trailblazers in Entertainment
In the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood, certain figures transcend the screen, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and inspiring generations to come. Two such luminaries, Taraji P. Henson, and Oprah Winfrey, stand as pillars of empowerment and representation in the world of entertainment. Each woman brings her own unique charisma and storytelling prowess, contributing to the narrative of diversity and resilience in the realms of film, television, and beyond.
Taraji P. Henson, renowned for her magnetic performances and unapologetic advocacy for inclusivity, has become a trailblazer in an industry that has historically grappled with diversity. From her breakout role in "Hustle & Flow" to her iconic portrayal of Cookie Lyon in "Empire," Henson has consistently shattered stereotypes, proving that talent knows no boundaries. Similarly, Oprah Winfrey, a household name synonymous with success, has transformed her journey from a local news anchor to a global media mogul into a beacon of inspiration. Through her groundbreaking talk show, "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and her influential production company, Harpo Productions, Winfrey has not only set new standards for storytelling but has also paved the way for underrepresented voices in the entertainment industry. Together, these two formidable women have redefined what it means to be influential in Hollywood, leaving an enduring legacy that extends far beyond the silver screen.
Oprah Winfrey wants everyone to know that things between her and Taraji P. Henson are all good — an admission that came weeks after speculation about tension between the producer and “The Color Purple” star.
Setting the record straight Sunday, Winfrey said she supports Henson fully in all her endeavors.
During the press tour for “The Color Purple” — a film for which Winfrey served as a producer — Henson was outspoken about her experiences in Hollywood with pay disparity and later detailed how she had to argue to get drivers for the film’s stars during the production.
Naturally, online chatter turned to speculation and questions about why Winfrey wouldn’t personally step in to eradicate tension on the set.
On Sunday’s Golden Globes red carpet, the former daytime TV queen tried to dispel the rumors and confirmed that she and Henson are on good terms.
“People are saying that I was not supporting Taraji,” Winfrey told Entertainment Tonight. “Taraji will tell you herself that I’ve been the greatest champion of this film. Championing not only the behind-the-scenes production but also everything that everybody needed.”
She continued, “Whenever I heard that there was something that people needed — I’m not in charge of the budget because that’s Warner Bros., that’s the way the studio system works and we as producers, everybody gets their salary that’s negotiated by your team.”
Winfrey clarified that when she would hear of a problem on set, she would “step in” to do what she could to alleviate any issues.
As for her purported feud with Henson, Winfrey said outright, “There’s no validity to there being a thing between Taraji and I.”
In December, a tearful Henson, who plays Shug Avery in the film, expressed her frustrations about pay disparity in her line of work.
“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do, getting paid a fraction of the cost,” Henson told Gayle King on SiriusXM. “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 matching.”
She said entertainers often have a team behind them that shares in any paycheck — and that’s not to mention the chunk claimed by Uncle Sam.
“When you start working a lot, you know, you have a team,” the “Empire” star continued. “Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone. There’s a whole entire team behind us. They have to get paid.”
Henson said her previous accomplishments — which include several Emmy nominations and an Academy Award nomination — don’t carry weight when it comes time to negotiate a salary, a problem affecting many Black female actors.
“Every time I do something and I break another glass ceiling, when it’s time to renegotiate, I’m at the bottom again, like I never did what I just did and I’m just tired,” she explained. “It wears on you — ’cause what does that mean? What is that telling me? And if I can’t fight for [the Black female actors] coming up behind me, then what the f— am I doing?”
After her remarks, many quickly pointed a finger at Winfrey, who simultaneously went viral for appearing to dismiss a photo-op with Henson during the press tour. But Henson appeared to quash the online hubbub on Instagram just before the film was released on Christmas Day.
In an interview with the New York Times earlier this month, Henson said that her co-stars Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks got “a lot of the stuff” on “The Color Purple” set because of her advocacy.
“[The production] gave us rental cars, and I was like, ‘I can’t drive myself to set in Atlanta.’ This is insurance liability, it’s dangerous,” Henson said. “Now they rob people. What do I look like, taking myself to work by myself in a rental car? So I was like, ‘Can I get a driver or security to take me?’ I’m not asking for the moon. They’re like, ‘Well, if we do it for you, we got to do it for everybody.’ Well, do it for everybody! It’s stuff like that, stuff I shouldn’t have to fight for.”
Henson noted that encountering that level of struggle throughout her career has taken a toll.
“It wears on your soul because you fight so hard to establish a name for yourself and be respected in this town to no avail. With Black films, they just don’t want to take us overseas and I don’t understand that,” she said. “Black translates all over the world, so why wouldn’t the movies?”
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."
A few days following the interview, Henson took to Instagram to praise Winfrey for her support during the production of "The Color Purple."
As Taraji P. Henson and Oprah Winfrey continue to shape the narrative of empowerment and diversity in the entertainment industry, their impact is destined to resonate for generations to come. Through their indomitable spirits and unwavering commitment to breaking barriers, Henson and Winfrey have etched their names into the annals of Hollywood history, leaving an enduring legacy that extends beyond their cinematic achievements. Their journeys, marked by resilience, authenticity, and a relentless pursuit of inclusivity, serve as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. As the curtains close on each chapter of their remarkable careers, Taraji P. Henson and Oprah Winfrey stand not only as icons in the world of entertainment but as beacons of inspiration for those who aspire to redefine and revolutionize the narratives that shape our collective imagination.
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