Oprah Winfrey is spilling deets about the all-new The Color Purple movie, including how she burst into happy tears when she first saw Orange Is the New Black alum Danielle Brooks as Sofia.
This week, the media mogul revealed that she and her best friend, Gayle King, visited the film’s set for the very first time. (Not only did Winfrey star in the original film version of The Color Purple, but she also served as an executive producer on the Broadway musical—and now the new movie.)
In a candid blog post on Oprah Daily, Winfrey admitted that she cried during her first set visit. “I unexpectedly burst into happy tears at the very first sight of the gifted Danielle Brooks, who played Sofia on Broadway and now in this reincarnation,” she wrote. “It felt like the baton was truly being passed on in one of the most special moments in my life. We both hugged and ugly cried together.”
The new movie is an adaptation of the beloved stage musical (which was an adaptation of the O.G. film). Winfrey promised the latest version will be well worth the watch. “I can tell you for sure this version ain’t your mama’s Color Purple. But I bet you, your mama, and the whole family are gonna love it,” she explained. “It’s full of magical realism and visual surprises. It is beautiful and joyful. It’s hopeful and proud. And it carries iconic depth and meaning. All the things I believe people will feel when they see the film come Christmas 2023.”
Winfrey continued, “If you liked the original, I guarantee you’re going to be rejoicing when you see this version.”
We’re taking your word for it, Oprah.
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