In the midst of the ongoing feud between Taji and Oprah, things took an unexpected turn as Mo’Nique and 50 Cent joined the conversation, shedding light on Oprah’s alleged attempts to manipulate and control those around her. Reports surfaced of Oprah’s coercion tactics, including a supposed threat towards Taji to retract her previous statements and participate in a damage control interview on Oprah’s show.
For those unaware, 50 Cent and Mo’Nique have been at odds with Oprah for years, accusing her of sabotaging their careers within the industry. Their grievances against Oprah have been public knowledge, with both stars openly criticizing her for what they perceive as manipulative practices aimed at bolstering her own empire at the expense of others.
Mo’Nique recently recounted a conversation with Tyler Perry, revealing the challenges faced by black entertainers in negotiating fair compensation. Despite Perry’s incentives tied to awards, Mo’Nique stood firm on the principle of not working without proper compensation, highlighting the disparity faced by black artists in an industry often reluctant to pay equitable wages.
In case you’ve been out of the loop lately, there’s been quite a stir surrounding Taji’s recent revelations about Oprah and her compensation for “The Color Purple.” Taji aired her grievances, shedding light on the meager payment she received for her role, which almost led her to decline the opportunity altogether. She expressed disappointment, particularly because she expected solidarity from Oprah as a fellow Black woman. Taji emphasized her struggle, highlighting the lack of salary growth since her involvement in “Proud Mary” and the near departure from “The Color Purple.” She questioned the importance of taking a stand, stressing the need to pave the way for future generations like Fantasia, Danielle, and others. Taji emphasized the interconnectedness of humanity, urging everyone to support each other in navigating life’s complexities. Despite the challenges, she remained optimistic, advocating for a positive outlook and unity in service to one another.
Taji exacerbated the situation when she granted an interview to Oprah’s close friend, Gail King, delving into the specifics of Oprah’s treatment of her and other black actors. “I’ve heard whispers, ‘Taj, how dare you.’ Did you mention considering quitting acting? We advised to stop discussing. Are you contemplating it? I’m simply fatigued from exerting immense effort, maintaining grace in my work, yet receiving a mere fraction of fair compensation. I’m weary of hearing my colleagues echo the same grievances repeatedly. It becomes exhausting. People say, ‘You work tirelessly.’ I must. The numbers don’t add up. After over two decades in the industry, I’m tired of the same rhetoric. I witness preferential treatment elsewhere, and what about us? It’s time to address this. When you lack financial backing, they toy with you. And I’m expected to grin and bear it, to endure. Enough is enough.”
Amidst the turmoil, observers couldn’t help but notice the parallels between Taji’s ordeal and Oprah’s treatment of 50 Cent and Mo’Nique. When 50 Cent rose to fame in music, he sought to appear on Oprah’s show to reshape his image from a former drug dealer to a successful rapper. This move would have delighted his grandmother, an avid Oprah fan. However, Oprah declined, bluntly expressing disinterest in 50 Cent’s endeavors. Feeling personally slighted, 50 accused Oprah of disregarding black music, particularly his own, and labeled her as inauthentic: “I believe she panders to older white women. She completely opposed everything in my music, so she’ll never invite me on her show. I’ll never attain that level of success.” Consequently, he adopted a confrontational stance, even naming his pets after Oprah and her friend Gail King as an act of petty retaliation. However, 50’s attempts to confront Oprah proved futile, as she later inflicted even harsher treatment on Mo’Nique by ostracizing her.
The rift between Mo’Nique and Oprah traces back to 2009 when Mo’Nique starred in “Precious,” a film produced by Oprah and Tyler Perry and directed by Lee Daniels. Trouble brewed when Mo’Nique was pressured by Oprah and Tyler to embark on a promotional tour for the movie without compensation, a departure from her contractual agreement. Unwilling to comply without proper remuneration, Mo’Nique stood firm, citing her meager $50k paycheck for the entire project. Despite this, she was expected to traverse the globe promoting the film at her own expense, a demand she found unacceptable.
Mo’Nique’s refusal didn’t sit well with Tyler and Oprah, who began tarnishing her reputation within the industry, painting her as difficult to work with. Mo’Nique alleges that Tyler even went as far as sabotaging her professional relationships to hinder her career prospects. Disputing claims of unreasonable demands, Mo’Nique clarifies that she simply declined invitations to events like the Cannes Film Festival to prioritize her family and other commitments, despite subsequent attempts to entice her with upgraded accommodations.
We acknowledged understanding because little did people know, I was compensated $50,000 for my role in ‘Precious.’ However, it wasn’t solely about the money; it was about honoring a commitment to a friend. “So, you’re saying this because you were financially constrained, right? You needed to provide for your family and meet your obligations? That’s what America tells us,” someone remarked. “Yes, we all have to acknowledge our worth, don’t we? We can’t work for free,” I responded. When the studio declined to meet our request for compensation, we respected their decision without issue.
During this discourse, Monique faced criticism from many in the industry, except for 50 Cent, who stood by her side. He took to Instagram, sharing a photo of Monique with a rallying cry: “All those in favor of Mo’Nique reclaiming her spot at the top, say ‘make it happen 50, stop messing around.'” He praised her stand-up performance and pledged to support her comeback. Additionally, he called for apologies from Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, vowing to use his influence to restore her career.
And his support extended further; when Taji faced similar treatment from Oprah, 50 Cent echoed his support, reposting an article about Taji and expressing his readiness to collaborate. “They missed out. Let’s work, Taji,” he declared. 50 Cent consistently stands up for the black community, unafraid to challenge even figures like Oprah herself.
You won’t believe this twist: After Taji publicly criticized Oprah, gaining widespread support, she suddenly changed her tune and began praising Oprah as a guiding light. Yes, the same Oprah she just accused of not compensating her. It’s like something out of a movie. Taji stated, “Miss Oprah has always been a source of inspiration. Regarding ‘The Color Purple,’ she personally encouraged me to reach out for help, and I did. One conversation with her, and I felt understood.” However, many saw through this sudden change and suspected Oprah and the studios coerced Taji into making this statement to salvage the film’s reputation. Not stopping there, Oprah went a step further, posting a photo with Taji on Instagram, praising her talent and welcoming her into the “purple sisterhood.” Oprah’s swift actions seemed calculated to regain public favor. But wait, there’s more. Oprah hinted at a sit-down interview with Taji on her show, leading many to question if this was just another PR move to repair her tarnished image in Hollywood.
After landing the role, I prayed to find belief in myself. It might sound strange, considering I’m Taraji P. Henson, known for iconic roles like Cookie. Yet, I seek roles that challenge and scare me because overcoming fear transforms both me and the audience. If it doesn’t scare me, it’s too easy. I must challenge myself to challenge the audience.
Regarding Oprah’s PR move, there’s chatter online. Some think Oprah roped me in for damage control, fearing being sidelined like 50 Cent and Monique. My discomfort in the clip is palpable. Sources allege Oprah orchestrated this to save herself, manipulating me and others, much like her alleged history of using people as stepping stones. Criticism isn’t new for Oprah; many who’ve worked with her share negative experiences.
The public response is fierce, with many dragging Oprah, expressing shock over Tyler Perry’s involvement, and feeling let down by Oprah’s alleged self-interest. People question whether this controversy will tarnish Oprah’s legacy. What’s your take on 50 Cent and Monique’s criticism? Is this the beginning of Oprah’s downfall? Share your thoughts below.