We’ve traversed numerous hurdles to reach this point, enduring struggles and receiving inadequate compensation along the way. Despite these challenges, we’ve handled them with grace, mindful of the consequences of speaking up too assertively. Currently, the drama between Saraji and Oprah appears to be escalating, fueled by rampant speculation and theories circulating online. Rumors abound, suggesting that Taji is preparing to take legal action against Oprah for allegedly blacklisting her and employing intimidation tactics. Sources indicate that Taji has grown weary of facing backlash for speaking out about being underpaid and mistreated. While their public interactions may seem amicable, tensions between Oprah and Taji have reportedly simmered beneath the surface, with Oprah harboring resentment towards Taji for her outspokenness, which she believes contributed to the lackluster performance of “The Color Purple” at the box office. In response, Taji is reportedly determined to fight back, even resorting to legal measures if necessary. As many are aware, the feud between Taji and Oprah has been ongoing for weeks, ignited by Taji’s criticisms of Oprah’s alleged underpayment for her role in “The Color Purple.” Taji revealed that she nearly declined the role due to the initial disrespectful offer, and despite prolonged negotiations, the compensation offered failed to meet her expectations.
You know, we carry ourselves with such poise, pouring our hearts into our work, yet receiving compensation far below our true value—it’s a struggle. My income has remained stagnant since “Proud Mary,” and I nearly had to walk away from “The Color Purple.” It’s exhausting to give my all, to be gracious, and still be paid a fraction of what’s fair. If I can’t advocate for those coming up behind me, then what’s the point? I apologize for venting, I know I shouldn’t. But hearing the excuse that our work doesn’t translate overseas, after over 20 years in the industry, is disheartening. We’ve faced countless hurdles, all while being underpaid. And yet, we handle it with grace, because speaking up too much is often seen as aggression. I’m trying to impart some wisdom here. Take Taraji for instance—she’s a Golden Globe winner and an Oscar nominee, yet even she faces the greed of Hollywood producers. And let me tell you about the nonsense they tried to pull on set, like expecting actors to drive themselves every day, even in rental cars, with the risk of paying for damages out of pocket. It’s ludicrous. When Taraji raised valid concerns about safety and insurance liability, she was met with pushback. It’s absurd that basic needs, like transportation to set, become battles. I remember fighting for decent trailers on the set of Empire, just to avoid bugs infesting them.
When Taji brought all of this to light, many people were furious because it wasn’t the first instance of a black actress enduring such treatment while working with Oprah. The first public criticism aimed at Oprah came from Mo’Nique back in 2009 during the making of “Precious,” a film co-produced by Oprah and Tyler Perry and directed by Lee Daniels. Initially, things went smoothly during filming, but trouble arose during award season when actors were expected to promote the film. Oprah and Tyler were unwilling to shell out extra money for Mo’Nique’s promotional efforts, despite paying her a mere $50k for her role, which was deemed low and disrespectful considering the film’s subsequent success. To demand unpaid promotional work, especially not stipulated in the contract, was outrageous. Naturally, Mo’Nique refused, and this refusal marked the beginning of Oprah and Tyler’s campaign to sabotage her career. They began spreading stories to the media about her being difficult to work with, dissuading other directors and producers from hiring her. Consequently, Mo’Nique has struggled to secure major film roles since then, relying heavily on her stand-up career for income. It’s evident that Oprah and Tyler punished her simply for speaking out about mistreatment. Despite Mo’Nique’s persistent calls for an apology and criticism of Oprah’s actions over the years, Oprah has remained silent, effectively shutting her out. Given recent events, many are drawing parallels between Oprah’s treatment of Taji and her treatment of Mo’Nique.
Initially, when Taji voiced her concerns, the PR team went into damage control mode to prevent her criticisms from tarnishing the film’s reputation. Allegedly, Taji was coerced into posting a tribute to Oprah to counteract the negative portrayal of her in the film. Taji shared a picture of herself and Oprah from the press tour, lauding Oprah as a beacon of positivity and praising her supportive nature. Taji expressed gratitude for Oprah’s unwavering support, recounting how Oprah encouraged her to reach out whenever needed, which she did. A single phone call and conversation with Oprah, a decisive and influential figure, made Taji feel valued and heard. Oprah reciprocated with her own post, commending Taji and extending a warm welcome into sisterhood. She admired Taji’s versatility as an actress and singer, remarking on her ability to evoke a range of emotions, particularly in her portrayal of Sh Avery in “The Color Purple.” Oprah reminisced about her father’s prediction of Taji’s greatness and expressed excitement for her future successes. Despite these efforts, the backlash persisted, leading to a boycott of the film. While the movie performed strongly during its opening weekend, grossing over $188 million, its earnings dwindled rapidly afterward. Instead of reaching its projected $140 million mark, it only managed to accumulate $55 million. Similar to Mo’Nique’s experience, reports suggest that Oprah is leveraging her connections to blacklist Taji.
Contrary to Mo’Nique’s approach, Taji isn’t set on bouncing from one interview to another to call out Oprah, as she anticipates Oprah’s denial. Although nothing has been officially confirmed, various media outlets hint that Taji might pursue legal action to resolve the situation. Rumors on the street suggest that the lawsuit might shed light on her meager pay and unfavorable working conditions. It’s undoubtedly a messy situation. If the rumors about Taji suing Oprah hold any truth, it could revolutionize the industry, empowering actors to speak up without fearing career repercussions.
In the midst of all this, there’s been an outpouring of opinions. One person commented, “Mo’Nique was spot on all along. I’m relieved Taji is standing up against this injustice. It’s disheartening that our own community isn’t supporting each other, contributing to the issue. Imagine if Oprah stood behind our actresses instead of being complicit in this.” Another admirer remarked, “I deeply respect Taji and Mo’Nique for their courage in speaking out, despite industry pressure. They’re shedding light on the truth behind Hollywood. Keep speaking truth to power, ladies.”
Now, I’m curious about your perspective. What are your thoughts on Taji potentially suing Oprah for blacklisting her? Do you believe this legal action will compel Oprah to reconsider her stance towards Taji? Share your insights in the comments below. And don’t forget to check out this other intriguing video by clicking here.