The Color Purple – Here’s why Oprah Winfrey chose THIS original cast member to make a cameo in the musical remake

The musical remake of the 1985 film, The Color Purple, continues to rake in millions after its record-breaking Christmas day opening. Apart from impressive songs and dance sequences, fans were also swooning over the unexpected cameo of Whoopi Goldberg. Now, Oprah Winfrey broke down the real reason why her cameo was skipped from the revival film along with the backstory of Goldberg’s appearance.

Also Read: The Color Purple - Plot, cast, trailer, and more 

Oprah Winfrey about the special cameo appearance

The latest rendition of The Color Purple in 2023 garnered rave reviews from theatre audiences and critics. It also featured a short cameo of the Oscar-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg, who also played a key role of Celie in the original adaptation of the 1985 film with Oprah Winfrey featured in the stellar cast. The actress appeared in the second musical adaptation as she played the role of a midwife, helping Celia (portrayed by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi) deliver her second baby.

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Oprah Winfrey, who directed the stage musical and appeared in the previous rendition, revealed that the casting call was considered keeping the fans’ delight in mind.

“Just thought it was a wonderful Easter egg for audiences who have appreciated the film over the years, for the diehards. And we also thought it was a lovely homage to Whoopi,” she told the Hollywood Reporter.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, the new film gets the previous crew together with Spielberg and Winfrey returning as the producers for the collaboration.

The TV personality also emphasized why she skipped doing a cameo role and explained the ‘distraction.’

“ I thought about it, would’ve been good in the church scene, but I thought it would also be distracting when Sofia is getting married that if the old original Sofia was just one of the people in the church, and then they were shooting that in the middle of Georgia when COVID was [spreading] like. And also I just think it’s more special that it’s just Whoopi,” she concluded.

About The Color Purple

The story centers around the struggles of a troubled African American woman as she navigates life in the early 1900s. Fantasia Barrino portrays the leading role of adult Celia.

It also stars Taraji P Henson, Colman Domingo Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Corey Hawkins, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Louis Gossett Jr., Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Ciara, and Jon Batiste in pivotal roles.

This Warner Bros. film released theatrically with smashing numbers at the Box Office as it raked in $25 million within two days of the December 25 release. The movie also received numerous nominations, including for the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Critics Choice awards for coveted titles.