Oprah Winfrey: Brand New Faces, Same Old Torch Passing
So, there’s a new crew in town for the musical film version of “The Color Purple,” and guess what? They’re on a mission to make Oprah Winfrey proud! Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks are stepping into the shoes of legends Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah from the 1985 film. It’s like a torch-passing thing, and these ladies are all about bringing a fresh vibe to the iconic characters of Celie and Sofia.
Oprah Winfrey: Chillin’ with the OGs
Barrino and Brooks are all about keeping it cool. They see taking on these roles as a sort of passing-the-torch moment. With the blessing of the original stars and even a cameo by Goldberg in the new film, the ladies feel the pressure, but they’re keeping the blueprint intact while adding their own flavor.
Oprah Winfrey: Surviving and Thriving
This film, based on Alice Walker’s classic and the Broadway musical, is all about Celie, a black American girl hustling through poverty in racially divided Georgia in the early 1900s. It’s a tale of survival, strength, and women supporting each other. Yeah, some scenes are pretty heavy, showing abuse and tough times, but the overall vibe is positive, according to Brooks.
Real-Life Feels
Barrino, pulling from her own life story laid out in her memoir, totally vibes with Celie’s journey. Her character faces it all – rape, teen pregnancy, and struggling with reading. Brooks sees the beauty in sharing pain on screen, finding joy and freedom in telling these stories. It’s not just about the struggles but also about the healing that comes from sharing experiences.
Timeless Tale
Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel from 1982, diving into racism and segregation in the early 20th century, is still hitting home today. For Barrino, being part of this honest story is a no-brainer. Brooks, who got hooked on the book in high school, is convinced there’s still so much to soak in from this timeless narrative.
Is America Still Dealing with Racism?
When Brooks gets asked if America is still wrestling with racism, she goes deep. It’s like a bad relationship, she says, with two races figuring out how to love each other. Barrino jumps in, saying things have changed a lot, and hate isn’t everywhere anymore.
New Film, Familiar Faces
Directed by Blitz Bazawule, the new “Color Purple” mixes Broadway musical vibes with gospel, blues, and jazz. With a cast stacked with stars like Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, and Corey Hawkins, the film’s making waves. Critics like Robbie Collin call it a “fun jolt of musical joy,” while Peter Bradshaw thinks it softens the original movie’s punch.
Oscars Buzz and Diverse Vibes
Even though it started slow at the box office and stirred up some on-set drama, the film’s riding high during awards season. Screen Actors Guild Award nods, Bafta and Golden Globe nominations for Barrino and Brooks – it’s becoming a contender. These ladies are feeling the love, appreciating the shoutouts for their work and seeing it as a step in the right direction. Brooks is just grateful for the diversity conversation sparked by the #OscarsSoWhite uproar in 2015, reminding everyone that they’re basically walking Oscars, whether they get the golden statue or not.
In a world where old meets new, “The Color Purple” keeps on telling powerful stories, connecting the past with the present. Whether it’s making Oprah proud or adding some spice to the diversity convo, these stars are shining bright in a musical journey celebrating resilience and triumph.
