Soon to hit theaters on Christmas Day,  The Color Purple has brought a lot of attention to the strength of a woman and the power of sisterhood. The film-adapted musical is an adaptation of Alice Walker’s original book published in 1982, which was made first into a film in 1985, and presented later in 2005  on Broadway. 

 In an exclusive interview with some of the star-studded cast, the central themes of standing together as women shined through. Phylicia Pearl, who plays young Celie in the film shared that the support of her castmates on and off screen was the key to success. 

“We all came together because of a shared dream and a shared vision–we would always try to celebrate each other, empower each other, and uplift each other.”

Taraji P. Henson, who plays Shug Avery, credits the director Blitz Bazawule for putting together such a cast.

“I think Blitz was very masterful, he says he picked auras of people that he wanted to be in this project. I remember when he called me and I got excited with each name…it felt like family before I even got on set… It’s real for us, that’s how you can feel it.”

The Color Purple is known for several iconic lines and scenes. For these women stepping into the shoes of Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, and Margaret Avery, one would think that filling these shoes would be intimidating. Danielle Brooks, who plays Sophia, who was originally played by  Oprah Winfrey says that although she performed in the Broadway adaptation, being on set with Winfrey was intimidating yet she had to believe in her abilities to deliver a compelling performance. 

“Miss Oprah was on set a lot and  for all of the iconic parts, she left us to it, so I had to work through that and get out of my own way.”

For  Henson, the most intimidating part for her was singing multiple genres throughout the film. To get over her fears, two months in advance of shooting she began working with her vocal coach Stevie Mackey. 

Singer and Entertainer Fantasia Barino-Taylor, who plays adult Celie, shared that the acting was the hardest part but her cast mates gave her lots of tips.

“Singing is my thing, but acting was like acting, and acting with these two women along with Corey [Corey Hawkins who plays Harpo], and Coleman [Coleman Domingo who plays Mister], they helped me through and I did it.”

Although this film is an adapted musical it still highlights heavy themes and societal struggles such as sexual abuse, domestic violence, racism, gender inequality and so much more. Heavy topics as such can weigh on the mind and impact mental health. When asked about her mental health Pearl explained the importance of self-care before every work week. 

“I really got into a self-care routine, and I would do it every Sunday and took really good care of my hair—-when I was not filming I watched a lot of reality TV so I would not have to put a thinking cap on ”. 

 With the struggles highlighted in the film along with personal struggles within the industry, the motivation to keep going stems from a deeper place. For Taraji P. Henson, who was significantly paid less than her co-stars in 2008 for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, When asked about this and what brought her here she says, 

“That’s why I fight, that’s why I am still here…I want the women coming up behind me to have a better experience than the ones I’ve had and those that have come before me because I wouldn’t be here if my sisters didn’t fight their fight. I am going to fight until the narrative changes.” 

The Color Purple emphasizes the importance of the fight that black women face daily just on another level yet there is hope that this film will touch the lives of generations to come as these powerful women continue to break barriers and tell stories through film.