Taraji P. Henson Shuts Down Rumors She’s Feuding With Oprah Winfrey After Fans Speculated Tensions Arose During The Color Purple Press Tour

Taraji P. Henson shuts down rumors that she is feuding with Oprah Winfrey.

The rumors started earlier this week when a video was shared by photojournalist mickmicknyc went viral and many fans say this is proof that there is tension between the two.

The clip was taken while the pair were busy promoting The Color Purple – which stars Taraji and produced by Oprah – atop the Empire State Building in New York earlier this month.

A TikTok user named openmichero analyzed the couple’s body language and suggested Taraji was “trying to hold back tears” as she posed for photos with Oprah and her co-stars Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks.

They also said Oprah and Taraji displayed “closed” body language and accused the TV icon of deliberately “not looking” at the Oscar nominee.

But Taraji took to Instagram on Thursday to stand up for Oprah — who she called a “beacon of light” who has given her nothing but “unwavering support.”

But Taraji took to Instagram on Thursday to stand up for Oprah — who she called a “beacon of light” who has given her nothing but “unwavering support”; seen on December 13

She included a photo of her and Oprah smiling and standing side by side at the same press conference at the Empire State Building.

“It’s so important that Black women and ALL women of color support each other. It is also imperative to have women of color in decision-making positions in ALL industries,” Taraji’s caption began.

She then referenced a recent interview she gave in which she shared her frustrations over earning far less than some of her white co-stars in previous projects.

“Thank you for responding to my message with the compassion, understanding and support I have received,” she continued.

Taraji then shifted the focus to the speculation surrounding her and Oprah’s relationship.

“That being said… Ms. OPRAH has been nothing less than a steady and solid beacon of light for ALL CAST of The Color Purple!!!” she wrote.

“She has given us all ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE and UNWORTHY SUPPORT. She told me personally to contact her for EVERYTHING I needed, and I did!’

Taraji thanked the legendary talk show host for helping center black female voices in the entertainment industry.

She included a photo of her and Oprah smiling and standing side by side at the same press conference at the Empire State Building

‘Mrs. OPRAH has been nothing less than a steady and solid beacon of light for ALL CAST of The Color Purple!!!” she wrote; (L-R) Taraji, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks and Oprah at the Empire State Building on December 12

‘Mrs. OPRAH has been nothing less than a steady and solid beacon of light for ALL CAST of The Color Purple!!!” she wrote; (L-R) Taraji, Oprah and Danielle Brooks pictured at the Empire State Building on December 12

“It took ONE CALL… ONE CONVERSATION… and ONE DECISION TO MAKE A BLACK WOMAN to make me feel heard. Thank you Ms. @OPRAH for ALL you do,” the Empire star concluded; (L-R) director Blitz Bazawule, Taraji, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks and Oprah pictured on December 12 at the Empire State Building

“It took ONE CALL… ONE CONVERSATION… and ONE DECISION TO MAKE A BLACK WOMAN to make me feel heard. Thank you Ms. @OPRAH for ALL you do,” the Empire star concluded.

On December 12, Taraji joined her co-stars Fantasia, Danielle and Oprah to light up the Empire State Building purple in honor of The Color Purple.

The upcoming film – which also stars Halle Bailey and Euphoria’s Colman Domingo – is an adaptation of Alice Walker’s 1982 novel, Steven Spielberg’s 1985 non-musical film and the 2005 musical.

The project was led by Blitz Bazawule, who previously directed The Burial Of Kojo (2018) and Beyonce’s visual album Black Is King (2020).

Taraji stars as Shug Avery, who previously played Fantasia on Broadway from April 2007 to January 2008. For the new film, Fantasia plays the character Celie.

Oprah, Spielberg and music mogul Quincy Jones are listed as executive producers.

Oprah has a strong connection to The Color Purple as she reprized the role of Sofia – played by Danielle in the new adaptation – in the 1987 film.

The upcoming film – which also stars Halle Bailey and Euphoria’s Colman Domingo – is an adaptation of Alice Walker’s 1982 novel, Steven Spielberg’s 1985 non-musical film and the 2005 musical; Barrino and Henson in the photo

This is Danielle’s (pictured) first film for a major studio after her portrayal of Sofia in the Broadway production earned her a Tony nomination

The stunning performance earned her an Oscar nomination in the Best Actress category.

This is Danielle’s first film for a major studio after her portrayal of Sofia in the Broadway production earned her a Tony nomination.

It was recently announced that she is eligible for a Golden Globe.

The Color Purple hits theaters on Christmas Day.