Oprah Winfrey Says ‘The Color Purple’ ‘Changed Everything’ for Her Career (Exclusive)

It was a big night in Hollywood on Wednesday as the long-awaited musical version of “The Color Purple” enjoyed a star-studded premiere.

Producer Oprah Winfrey stunned in a purple long-sleeve dress by Dolce & Gabbana.

Melvin Robert of “Extra” spoke to the icon and said, “You look so beautiful. Do you feel as good as you look?”

She answered: “I feel better…no matter what I look like, I feel 100 times better.”

Oprah played the role of Sophia in the 1985 film The Color Purple, and was nominated for an Oscar for her performance. She also produced Broadway musical versions in 2005 and 2016, and is currently producing a new film directed by Blitz Bazaul.

She called the remake a “full circle” moment.

Melvin said to her, “Here comes this woman with the story of “The Color Purple,” and “What do you know now about “The Color Purple” that you didn’t know before?” Asked.

“I know this story is still going on,” she added of Alice Walker’s novel. It resonates with everyone else. ”

Here’s what she had to say about the new film, which stars Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooks. If you can have it within yourself and express it to the world in a way that we can see and know that you are saved, it will be needed forever. Not even AI can change that! you know what i mean? As long as humans exist, what The Color Purple tells us will continue to be needed, so I’m happy about that. ”

Playing Sophia changed everything for Oprah, with Melvin saying, “You’ve said you wouldn’t be where you are today without this story.”

Oprah said, “This movie really changed everything for me. Everyone says it was about being in the movie and everything surrounding the movie. It was about surrendering, getting the role. It was about the decision to be around Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones and Alice Walker every day and be like, “Oh. it is How your job should feel. Don’t feel like you’re working while you’re working…! It’s like having such a passion that you want to go to work every day and can’t wait to get there, and that’s what I did on that set. It makes you feel like you own it. The idea that he could own Harpo Studios came to mind when he saw that Steven Spielberg owned Amblin. ”

she continued. “When I say it changed my life, what did it actually do…I had to give up three years of vacation to do it, and after I finished it… The first time my lawyer said, “You never want to change” in that position again. So you have to own yourself. So instead of being a paid talent, I ended up actually owning The Oprah Winfrey Show. ”

Mel said the actors told him they gave him space to do his own thing on set. “There were a couple of ‘okay’ moments where I went up to the director and whispered…I was on the sidelines, but my job as a producer is to keep things moving and make sure everyone’s on track. Make sure that’s what they need. I love being in a position at this stage in life to help someone else get that. ”