The controversy between Saraji and Oprah regarding the box office failure of “The Color Purple” has stirred significant drama in Hollywood. As new reports suggest, Oprah’s recent actions have only exacerbated the situation, leading to more tension between the two stars and the film’s production team.

The film, which had a substantial budget of $140 million, has been struggling to make an impact at the box office. Despite being released over a month ago and receiving considerable promotional efforts, it barely made half of its budget back. Producers and executives are now pointing fingers, with Saraji taking the brunt of the blame. Her outspoken criticism during the promotional tour, particularly regarding issues of pay inequality, is being cited as a major factor in the film’s underperformance.

Saraji’s initial outburst was triggered by what she perceived as unfair treatment by Oprah and the movie’s producers. She accused Oprah of underpaying her for her role in “The Color Purple,” stating that she hadn’t seen a significant raise in her salary since her work on “Proud Mary” six years ago. This revelation was shocking, especially given Saraji’s stature in the industry. Her frustration was further compounded by the long-standing issue of pay inequality for Black women in Hollywood, a topic she passionately addressed.

In a heated interview with The New York Times, Saraji exposed the poor working conditions she and her co-stars endured on set. They were given rental cars to drive themselves to and from the set, a situation that posed significant safety risks, especially after long, exhausting workdays. Saraji expressed her concerns about driving without security and the potential liability issues if anything happened to the rental cars. Her requests for better treatment, such as having a driver or security escort, were met with resistance, further fueling her frustration.

As the drama unfolded, Oprah attempted to mitigate the damage by encouraging Saraji to retract some of her statements. Saraji eventually posted a photo with Oprah from the press tour, praising her as a “beacon of light” and expressing gratitude for her support. Oprah also tried to smooth things over with a post of her own, praising Saraji and welcoming her into the “Sisterhood.” However, these efforts seemed more like desperate attempts to salvage the film’s reputation rather than genuine reconciliation.

Despite these attempts at damage control, the negative publicity surrounding the film persisted. The initial excitement for “The Color Purple” quickly waned as the film’s box office numbers began to plummet. While the film managed to make $18 million on its opening day, the momentum quickly died, and the film’s earnings dwindled. Reports indicate that the film grossed only $58 million, far short of what was needed to break even. With theaters taking a significant cut of the revenue, the studio is expected to recoup only about $24 million, resulting in a substantial financial loss.

The fallout from this situation has been severe for both Saraji and Oprah. Saraji is facing backlash from Hollywood executives, who are reportedly considering blackballing her as a warning to other Black actors who might speak out. Oprah, on the other hand, is dealing with the embarrassment of another box office failure under her production company, Harpo Film Studios. This was supposed to be her big comeback, but instead, it has turned into a major setback.

Critics have also weighed in on the situation, with some accusing Saraji of sabotaging the film for her personal gain. They argue that her actions overshadowed the movie and that her career could suffer as a result. Others, however, sympathize with her struggle against pay inequality and the challenges Black women face in the entertainment industry.

In the end, the controversy surrounding “The Color Purple” serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and power dynamics at play in Hollywood. The drama between Saraji and Oprah not only highlights issues of pay inequality and unfair treatment but also underscores the precarious nature of a career in the entertainment industry, where one misstep can have lasting consequences.