Oprah reveals measly salary from The Color Purple
Oprah Winfrey has shared the shockingly low salary she received for starring in the 1985 film The Color Purple.
Ahead of the release of the reimagined movie musical, Oprah opened up about the experience making the original film, and the measly salary she received for her role.
She revealed that “they were only offering $35,000 (A$55,500) to be in this film,” but she deemed it “the best $35,000 [she] ever earned.”
“It changed everything and taught me so much,” she said. “It is God moving through my life.”
The film was a global sensation, grossing nearly $100 million in 1985 dollars (the equivalent of $286 million when adjusted for inflation) and earning 11 Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Winfrey.
In an interview with Essence conducted between Winfrey, who is an executive producer on the upcoming film adaptation, and some members of the new cast before the SAG-AFTRA strike, Winfrey said that she couldn’t “even begin to tell [them] what it means to [her]” that they chose to take on this project.
“A person who wanted nothing more in my life than to be in The Color Purple,” she continued.
“God taught me to surrender — that was the big lesson for me.”
During the interview, Danielle Brooks, who is taking on Winfrey’s iconic role of Sofia in the adaptation, thanked Winfrey for “laying the blueprint for Sofia.”
“Because I know that she’s changed your life, and I can feel that mine is about to shift, too,” she added.
“Thank you for leaving space for me but also being there, to hold my hand and answer that phone call when I needed you. You have been such a light, such a beautiful soul.”
Image credits: Getty Images