Oprah Winfrey, the acclaimed media mogul, opted not to appear on ABC’s popular daytime talk show, “The View,” during her promotional tour for the latest adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel “The Color Purple.”
The decision has reportedly caused disappointment among the show’s staff and audience.
“The View,” known for its vibrant discussions and high-profile guests, had anticipated a reunion between its co-host, Whoopi Goldberg, and Winfrey. Both stars appeared together in the 1985 screen version of “The Color Purple,” which was directed by Steven Spielberg.
The show’s hopes for a nostalgic segment were dashed when Winfrey was notably absent from the episode that aired on December 13, 2023.
The absence was particularly conspicuous as the cast of the new film adaptation, including Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, and director Blitz Bazawule, was present on the aforementioned episode of “The View.”
Winfrey’s absence raised questions, especially since she was seen making appearances on several other television shows around the same period.
Her promotional rounds included visits to “CBS Mornings,” hosted by her close friend Gayle King, “The Drew Barrymore Show,” and “Sherri,” hosted by Sherri Shepherd.
Additionally, she found time to discuss her dramatic weight loss journey with “People” magazine, revealing the role of medication in her regimen.
Sources close to the matter revealed that the December 13 episode of “The View” had been pre-recorded on November 27, when Winfrey was reportedly unavailable.
To mitigate her absence, Oprah Winfrey recorded a special promotional video for “The View’s” “Favorite Things” segment.
A spokesperson for Harpo, Winfrey’s production company, explained that as one of the producers of “The Color Purple,” there were instances where Winfrey did not participate in appearances with the cast.