Essence Fest 2023: Oprah Winfrey, Fantasia, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson talk The Color Purple

On June 30, 2023 Oprah Winfrey, Fantasia, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson and Blitz Bazawule came to Essence Fest to talk about their upcoming film The Color Purple. God-is Rivera, Chief Content Officer of Essence Ventures, was the moderator.
ABFF 2023 The Color Purple panel discussion with Taraji P Henson, Danielle Brooks, & Blitz Bazawule
• ABFF 2023 The Color Pu...
Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones, the film is set to open in theaters in North America on December 25, 2023 and internationally beginning 18 January 2024.
Warner Bros Pictures invites you to experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond in The Color Purple. A musical adaptation of Alice Walker's novel about the life-long struggles of an African American woman living in the south during the early 1900s.
The Color Purple is directed by Ghanaian-American filmmaker Blitz Bazawule, of the films The Burial of Kojo and Beyonce's Black is King.
“The Color Purple” stars Fantasia as Celie Harris Johnson, Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, Colman Domingo as Albert "Mister" Johnson, Corey Hawkins as Harpo Johnson, H.E.R. as Mary Agnes ("Squeak"), Ciara as Nettie Harris, Halle Bailey as young Nettie Harris, Phylicia Mpasi as young Celie Harris Johnson, Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol' Mister Johnson, David Alan Grier as Rev. Samuel Avery, Aunjanue Ellis as Mama, Tamela J. Mann as First Lady, Deon Cole as Alfonso, Stephen Hill as Henry "Buster" Broadnax, Elizabeth Marvel as Miss Millie, Jon Batiste as Grady and Jamaal Avery Jr. as Young Harpo.
The screenplay is by Marcus Gardley, based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.
#thecolorpurple #essencefest2023 #fantasia

[@tonyashawvoiceandacting]

I loved hearing Oprah speak at the beginning about her faith in God. So many people use to think that she didn’t even believe.

[@Timmyjl25]

I was one of them. Thought she believed in the universe

[@SIMPSJF]

People don't like to see you do it differently outside of church so they made her a villain but I have followed her a long time I did not see anti God or demonic.

[@arvellgreen1]

@@SIMPSJF you’re absolutely right.

[@CharlesMcKinneyIV]

She never mentions Jesus Christ, however. I've always wondered about that.

[@user-cm4dc2rd2q]

I thought Oprah believed that one could get to heaven through good works. I hope that her religious beliefs have matured. You can't hide behind God just when it suites you. "I surrender all" means that you believe in Jesus Christ because he is the only way to God and heaven. One can't say that they believe in God's will and treat others disrespectful Money can't buy everything or everybody.

[@cc5200]

I am getting my purple outfit now! I look forward to seeing this work of art on the big screen again.

[@stephaniehall8969]

Same here and purple is my favorite color

[@Bridge3]

ME TOO ! I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT SEEING THE MOVIE !👍❤️🙏

[@grenebean]

Wow. Fantasia's commentary made me tear up. Yes we need to be proud of our resilient beautiful ancestors.

[@faafafineartist]

It's healing. It's therapy. It's Enlightenment.

[@andreacombs7605]

Danielle Brooks brought tears to my eyes!

[@champagnes5898]

I just love Fantasia..beautiful woman so gifted🫶🏽🫶🏽

[@syckindahead]

I love that Oprah shared some of the background story of the previous movie. Alfre Woodard as Celie,🤔 I can see it.

[@CeliniacForLife]

Alfre would have been perfectly cast as Celie!

[@user-cm4dc2rd2q]

Fantasia, Danielle and Taraji: I receive it. Thank you.

[@atlsuperstar]

It’s gonna be so good! The musical is phenomenal, this is the perfect team to bring it to the screen.

[@Bridge3]

SO EXCITED and looking forward to seeing The Color Purple movie 2023. The Color Purple cast was great at Essence Fest 2023 ! 👍❤️🙏

[@ordainfaithpublishing]

PURPLE T-SHIRT! YES, WE ARE DESIGNING OUR OWN TO HONOR COLOR PURPLE ! LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS AWESOME MOVIE!!! STAY SAFE EVERYONE GOD BLESS! ♥

[@syckindahead]

9:54+ that's what I was waiting for. They showed the previous part on Hulu then cut off the cast chat. Thanks for posting 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@infinitylyfe3813]

AMEN OPRAH, AMEN~I SURRENDER ALL❤ TO THE POWER THATS GREATER THAN YOU

[@debrastreeter6166]

God is awesome!💜💜💜

[@valeriewhitney6226]

I have all my journals too! 20+years

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

we need a interview with just Taraji and Tasia ALONE I would love to see their dynamic is in real life. I would love to see a talk show or show with all 3 ladies I want see Tasia doing something other than touring

[@beenhim9229]

I image we will being seeing Fantasia in more spaces after this movie comes out, you can just tell she is gearing up for her resurgence.

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

@@beenhim9229 I really hope so🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿. cause that no label stuff can be a hindrance

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

@@beenhim9229 she could've been doing more acting and other things a long time ago I wonder what happened🤔 [before she got married OF COURSE]. I just hope she dont become mo letting her BUM"daddy" run everything keeping her away from jobs

[@beenhim9229]

@@sarahb-rh9dd I don’t think Kendall is like that at all, in fact her husband had to convince her to even audition for The Color Purple, when producers called her.

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

@@beenhim9229 1st of all who said he convinced her? 2nd Why would she audition if they called her and she already played celie before. 3 If he did, he probably convinced her cause that tour money ain't cuttin it💯

[@inesrodriguez876]

So precious and touchable ...✨💎✨Thanks !!!

[@marshahinson6930]

Amazing!! 💖💖💖

[@superstarbeautyqueen4013]

Amen!!!

[@faafafineartist]

"our Shakespeare" ❤

[@renecianeneengland9014]

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@djm2985]

Where's part 2?

[@hardyzichel]

🎉

[@TheBobbyJarel]

I wanna see 7 mins. 😩

[@ahmedhabel2334]

hellooooooooooooo

[@user-cm4dc2rd2q]

Maya was a very hood mentor to Oprah. She was lucky to have Maya.

[@demontra29]

Where is Alice Walker ?

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

exactly

[@demontra29]

@@sarahb-rh9dd no of course she still getting a check. However, I feel like some people still just want to take credit for her work. I don’t care how many songs you added to this. What type of other characters you added to this this is the bodywork of Alice walker.

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

@@demontra29 a check? who said that? what is that for to silence her I see no reason for her not to be there this is her story no one would be up there, there wouldn't be a movie, there wouldn't be a Broadway production without her or because of her

[@maxlinder5262]

Is That a costume the first narrator has on ..???? Was this Halloween ,??? 😊

[@aberry10]

Taraj got dat Healthy thick weight on her Now 😍

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

EXACTLY😍😍😍😍 ppl equate weight gain on celebrities as a negative or "unhealthy" thing all that means is their HAPPY healthy and that bank account on fleek PERIOD

[@user-cm4dc2rd2q]

Oprah, Please keep passing the baton that Maya gave you.

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

Boy have they changed🤦🏿‍♀️

[@CeliniacForLife]

Skip to 9:44.

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

i know one thing they betta be kissing that movie i know that. you betta do her like you did tyresse and lucious

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

everything these 2 ladies have done with these men in the industry all these so called love scenes and all this sloppy kissing I want them to do to each other, except it wont be fake and forced cause when 2 women are in love it's the deepest realest love you'll ever receive. if these women on screen are comfortable and open enough to do all that with men then they should be comfortable doing to a fine @$$ woman. I want to see them kissing on the bet awards like they did jamie and Terrence and tyrese PERIOD

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

y'all black folks just quite don't know know the velocity of the inpact this movie has on the LGBT community, yall just don't understand what this means to a little black girl or boy or poc out there that loves the same gender and feels so uncomfortable being themselves and telling their parents who they are and this movie will show them that they're not alone YALL JUST DON'T GET IT. cause that's exactly what happened to me when I saw the movie and I saw those 2 BEAUTIFUL black women BEAUTIFUL dark skin chocolate women lovin on each other MY GOD😍😢 it was the first time I saw myself, and that's what's gonna happen to those kids out there ,they're gonna know that they're not alone🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙏🏿💖💗💓💕💞

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

why was doing the play so hard? because you were in love with Angela and had to hide it? look like yall were having a good time in the bts footage she must mean the throat tumors. 18:39 and how is different this time? you need to be specific sweetie 👀she was pointing to taraji

[@atlsuperstar]

For one thing she had never done the stage and it’s not easy coming from concert singing to doing 8 shows a week. And yes, I’m sure it was hard on her vocals.

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

@@atlsuperstar well that's your opinion I need her to be more specific and y'all can't deny their chemistry was bomb asf

[@bessiejones.831]

YOU ALL NEED TO STOP HATING ON FANTASIA BECAUSE SHE DON'T GIVE A DAME ABOUT YALL JEALOUS ASS

[@thomasclarrett1918]

WHAT ARE THESE PEOPLE DOING FOR OUR POOR BLACK COMMUNITY

[@812BrownSugar]

Taraji is ensuring that Black people who can not afford therapy are able to get mental health treatment. Oprah is ensuring that Black people who desire education are able to have access and to be able to pay for tuition, amongst other things. Not sure about the others but they may be giving back as well.

[@Timmyjl25]

What are you doing?

[@flashsanders1331]

Damn it's really not your business, the Bible says give in private and bragging isn't part of it. Just their presence and example of possibility, the professionalism, the dedication to developing their craft and work ethic is more than enough to inspire and motivate. Keep on pushing.

[@thomasclarrett1918]

@@flashsanders1331 ITS ON THE INTERNET, THEY MADE IT OUR BUSINESS ,AND WHY ARE YOU CUSSING

[@thomasclarrett1918]

@@Timmyjl25 DONT LOSE FOCUS , ITS ABOUT THEM ,THEY HAVE THE PLATFORM AND THE MONEY TO MAKE CHAGES IN OUR COMMUITY .LOOK AROUND ,WHAT DO YOU SEE ,NOTHING BUT ...SELF PERMOTION

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

18:40 That's her dude isn't it? her so called "husband" getting up and leaving, and she's over there pointing at Taraji this right here was the beginning saga of a beautiful relationship this whole time since then they've been putting up a front she put on the short black tupee lace front and they started all this dry tear crap and started lying even blitz switched up his style🤦🏿‍♀️🙄

[@tkalaamor]

wait i’m confused, can you elaborate a bit?

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

@@tkalaamor THEY'RE IN LOVE WHAT ABOUT THAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND. THEY'RE LYING TO THE WORLD AND THEMSELVES WHAT ABOUT THAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

Let's be clear this movie isn't only for the black community how dare you discredit the lgbt community that you are portraying in this film and half of you all are apart of👀

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

Ms tasia you know dam well you have some more things in common with Ms Celie👀🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈☕🤣

[@blessedmelan2547]

@@sarahb-rh9dd She did say that she is Cele because she is just like her

[@557Deola]

You are not going to highjack this from BLACK, Black Women in particular. I can't stand when everybody always trying to tell Black women what they should mean to say. GTFOH

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

@@557Deola I'm not HIJACKING anything girl what's wrong with you, everytime I mention the LGBT community yall catch an attitude and change the subject. OF COURSE this is about black women you dont see those BEAUTIFUL BLACK QUEENS sitting up there isnt Ms Celie black? isn't she in love with a WOMAN a BLACK WOMAN????

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

@@blessedmelan2547 you can't even spell the lady name right Ms CELIE. like i said she has many things in common with her

[@kathrynwandmacher3429]

No one is interested.

[@malaysiaa6200]

That's YOU.

[@sharonburkley604]

Why are you even on here?

[@FupawesleyGot8byWarren]

Horrible movie that tore up a lot of aboriginal homes in the early 80s it was a whole lot of single parent homes after this movie I hope it flops

[@Universe1626]

Ok. Let that be the reason for single parent home. A movie….

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

here we go another dumb dumb 🙄 THIS ISN'T AN ADAPTATION TO THE MOVIE IT IS THE MUSICAL WHICH IS GEARED MORE TOWARDS THE BOOK

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

the musical which was in 2005 and ,2009 which Ms Fantasia was in dumb dumb

[@ThinWaistedPrimaDonna]

How does a movie create single parent homes? If you can not logically explain this in 1 or 2 sentences…you’re just talking out the side of your neck.

[@nickj3513]

10:30-10:43 seeing Fantasia walking on to that stage was breathtaking because that woman is so DAM FOINNNEEE 🤤😋🤯😍🔥

[@nickj3513]

From 10:40-10:43 I was like babygirl you are showing out because you know dam well that you are SEXY 👀😱😁🔥🔥

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

yessss a fine azz disco ball. DELICIOUSO. they all look GOODT asf plump and healthy Danielle got the matching soul train shoes Taraji thicc as usual

[@sarahb-rh9dd]

and the fact we have 2 plump, voluptuous BEAUTIFUL MELANATED QUEENS in love on screen is the icing on the cake ppl just don't understand how important that is

[@nickj3513]

@@sarahb-rh9dd you are so righttttt 😃

[@ahmedhabel2334]

hellooooooooooooo