Do Taraji P. Henson and Oprah Winfrey have beef? The former shuts down “disrespectful” rumors

During a June 6 episode of The Breakfast Club, Taraji P. Henson, while promoting her Netflix film, Straw, addressed rumors of a feud between her and Oprah Winfrey.

Rumors of a feud between the two actresses began amid The Color Purple's press tour. While promoting the film, Taraji, who plays the role of Shug Avery in the film, addressed pay disparity for black women in Hollywood. Since Oprah was one of the producers, Taraji P. Henson's comments caused fans to speculate that her comments came out of alleged tension the two had on set.

Previously, in January 2024, Oprah denied the rumors, and Taraji, during the recent podcast, said,

"When have you ever seen me drag another woman, particularly a Black women, ever? I'm 10 toes down for us."

While referencing the media coverage about the alleged feud, Henson said,

"I think it was just a campaign so that this Black movie wouldn't do well."

"I hope they can focus back onto this film": Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson's recent appearance on The Breakfast Club is not the first time the actress has denied feud rumors between her and Oprah. Earlier, in a January 2024 interview with NBC's Today, Taraji P. Henson alluded to the fact that rumors of a feud that reportedly doesn't exist were taking away attention from the film:

"I hope they can focus back onto this film, because right now, to me, it feels like what I said is now becoming louder than this beautiful film."

She went on to add,

"And that's not fair to me, or anybody in the film, because the film deals with women who are oppressed - who live in an oppressed system."

Oprah, while speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the time, also shut down feud rumors, saying,

"People are saying that I was not supporting Taraji. Taraji will tell you herself that I've been the greatest champion of this film. Championing not only the behind the scenes projection but also everything that everybody needed. So whenever I heard that there was something that someone needed...I'm not in charge of the budget because that's Warner Bros. That's the way the studio system works."

Oprah, while addressing Henson's pay disparity comments, said that as producers, "everybody gets their salary" and it is negotiated by the team. She added that whenver there was an issue, or a problem, for example with the cars or the food, she would "step in and do whatever" she could to make it right.

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