“I’m exhausted from pouring my heart into my work, always striving for excellence, yet being compensated unfairly. It’s disheartening to repeatedly hear my colleagues express the same frustration. It wears you down. People comment, ‘You work tirelessly,’ but the numbers don’t add up. Taraji P. Henson is fed up with the systemic underpayment of black women like herself. After collaborating with Oprah Winfrey, questions arose about Oprah’s treatment of Taraji. Was Taraji shortchanged by Oprah? Despite discussions with my husband, Oprah chose silence when I faced allegations of being difficult. Remember those images from ‘The Color Purple’ promotion? Look closely, Taraji’s strained expression hints at possible grievances with Oprah. Fans noticed Oprah’s subtle distance from Taraji, her widening smile as she posed with others, and her lack of physical support for Taraji. It’s evident in videos too—Oprah’s warmth towards others juxtaposed with her reserved demeanor towards Taraji.
As these videos circulated, it became apparent that tensions simmered backstage. It didn’t take long for Taraji to voice her frustration about being underpaid in Hollywood. During an emotional interview with Sirius XM, she shed tears discussing the challenges black women face in the industry. Taraji highlighted the financial strains, emphasizing that success is a team effort with substantial overheads. Despite reports of large earnings, she clarified that hefty taxes and team expenses significantly reduce the actual income. According to her, the reality of earnings doesn’t match public perception. Furthermore, Taraji lamented the cyclical nature of negotiation, where each achievement fails to secure better terms, leaving her perpetually undervalued.
In another interview with the SAG after Foundation, Taraji disclosed that following her role in “Empire” (2015-2020), she parted ways with her team due to a lack of post-show opportunities. Frustrated by the absence of roles or endorsements post-“Empire,” she cleaned house, seeking the deals and recognition she believed she deserved.
“Where’s my endorsement? What’s the plan after this? That’s why I’ve been out of the spotlight for so long. They didn’t have anything lined up.” She also expressed disappointment that her team wanted her to star in another show as her popular character, and she would have been interested if they had approached it correctly. However, she felt let down by her team, leading to their departure. “All they wanted was another Cookie show. I said, ‘I’ll do it, but it has to be done right. The fans deserve it. She’s too beloved for you to just…’ So, when they didn’t get it right, I was done. And then they had nothing else. You’re all fired.”
She drew a parallel between her situation and the controversy surrounding Oprah during Taraji’s recent interviews. “Wasn’t she the one who mistreated Mo’Nique when Mo’Nique was saying the same things I’m saying now? ‘If you don’t comply, we’ll jeopardize your livelihood.’ So, for eight years, my family and career have suffered because I refused to be bullied by those entities.” In Mo’Nique’s case, she has been vocal about how after the success of the movie ‘Precious,’ Tyler Perry and Oprah became executive producers. Mo’Nique explained that she had fulfilled her contractual obligations after filming the movie. However, Tyler Perry, Oprah, and Lee Daniels allegedly wanted her to attend festivals, award ceremonies, and events related to ‘Precious’ without additional compensation. Monique was not willing to work for free.
However, when she maintained her position, she was branded as difficult to collaborate with. Mo’Nique asserts that Oprah remained passive throughout the ordeal. When discussions about Monique’s potential blacklisting arose, Oprah was allegedly part of those conversations. Considering Monique viewed Oprah as a sister, she emphasized that she couldn’t forgive her until Oprah publicly acknowledged her wrongdoing. Monique expressed, “Until that woman says, ‘Let me apologize to you publicly,’ it’ll be to the day I leave this earth. Because what you did was malicious, and it was intentional, and it was ugly.” If Oprah were to witness this, what message would you relay to her? Monique would address Oprah, urging her to take responsibility and cease evading accountability by dismissing criticisms as mere negativity. Monique’s consistent assertion over the years has been that Oprah exploited their personal friendship to extract intimate family details, which were then broadcasted on her show without Monique’s prior knowledge, all in a bid to boost ratings at Monique’s expense.
It seems like there’s a lot of complexity and emotion surrounding the relationships between Mo’Nique, Oprah Winfrey, and other figures in the entertainment industry. Misunderstandings and conflicts can arise in any professional setting, and when high-profile individuals are involved, these issues often become public spectacles.
Mo’Nique’s perspective on her treatment by Oprah and others is undoubtedly influenced by her personal experiences and feelings of betrayal or mistreatment. On the other hand, Taraji P. Henson’s comments suggest a different experience and relationship with Oprah, one characterized by support and positivity.
It’s essential to remember that public personas often have multifaceted relationships with each other, and what we see in the media may not always reflect the full reality of those relationships. People can have disagreements or conflicts while still acknowledging each other’s positive qualities or contributions.
Ultimately, it’s up to the individuals involved to navigate and resolve their differences, and it’s encouraging to see Taraji P. Henson emphasizing the importance of solidarity and support among women of color in the industry.
She personally urged me to reach out to her whenever I needed anything, and I did. It only took one call, one conversation, and the wisdom of one decisive Black woman to make me feel truly heard. Thank you, Miss Oprah, for your unwavering support and all that you do. However, despite Taraji’s praise for Oprah as a beacon of hope, her comment section was flooded with skepticism. Many questioned the sincerity of Taraji’s words, suggesting she may have been motivated by fear of being blacklisted like Mo’Nique. Some followers even found Taraji’s attempt to clarify the situation through a posted picture to be unsettling.
In response, Oprah took to Instagram to express her admiration for Taraji, praising her versatility as both an actress and now a singer. Reflecting on Taraji’s portrayal of Avery, Oprah emphasized her ability to convey the depth of someone who has truly lived through the blues. She shared a touching anecdote about Taraji’s late father predicting her greatness as both an actress and a singer. Oprah eagerly welcomed Taraji into the fold, anticipating the standing ovations awaiting her.
However, amidst Oprah’s glowing praise, some fans remained skeptical, citing past controversies involving Mo’Nique. The question arises: was Taraji coerced into speaking positively about Oprah, or does she genuinely believe in Oprah’s support of Black women? Do you believe Oprah only uses Black women for her own benefit? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
