Fantasia's Reluctance to Reprise Role in 'The Color Purple': A Journey Not Yet Explored
Fantasia reveals her reasons for initially turning down the opportunity to return to her powerful role as Celie Harris-Johnson in 'The Color Purple' Discover why she felt unprepared to revisit the emotional journey in this revealing article
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Fantasia Barrino, who starred in the Broadway production, initially turned down the opportunity to reprise her emotionally demanding role as Celie Harris-Johnson in the new film adaptation of The Color Purple.
Stepping into her shoes and playing her role made me realize that I wasn't ready to go back to that, said the 39-year-old American Idol winner to Entertainment Weekly. Barrino was part of the Broadway musical from 2007-2008 and now joins a cast that includes Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey, H.E.R., and Danielle Brooks, who was also in the 2015 Broadway revival of The Color Purple.
The 1985 film was based on Alice Walker's novel and directed by Steven Spielberg. Whoopi Goldberg portrayed the character of Celie, a teenager in rural Hartwell, Georgia, who had two children born of rape by her abusive father. Barrino noted that director Blitz Bazawule's approach added a new dimension to Celie, prompting a change of heart about joining the new production.
Upon telling Barrino, "I'm providing her with an imagination so that audiences can envision certain things," she was immediately captivated.
"I told him, 'Well, you've got me. You've got me. I have to do it one more time,'" Barrino remembered. "What Blitz is bringing with this production of The Color Purple is essential for this generation."
Whoopi Goldberg as Celie in “The Color Purple” (1985) Cover Images
During her time on Broadway, Barrino faced significant financial difficulties that almost resulted in the foreclosure of her home in Charlotte, North Carolina. She reflected on how her personal challenges made her feel as though she was living a nightmare, similar to the character Celie. Barrino recalled, "When I was on Broadway, my life was falling apart and so was Celie's, so it felt very weighty. I wasn't just portraying her, I was living that life: young, without the proper support, making all the wrong choices, and seeking love in all the wrong places."
In 2007, Barrino expressed to the Associated Press that she empathized with Celie due to their shared lack of education, teenage motherhood, and experiences of sexual abuse.
"I can relate to her having [daughter] Zion at a young age, dropping out of school, and enduring unhealthy relationships and disrespect," she explained.
Now 16 years later, Barrino believes that like Celie, she has overcome her challenges and can serve as inspiration to her fans.
Taraji P. Henson, playing Shug Avery, reflected on a challenging period in her career. Despite the dark days, she persevered and found her breakthrough through her role as Celie. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity and shared that she sees herself as a vessel for the character of Celie.
Barrino says she is thrilled to work in the new version with so many stars she admires.
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“I was just honored to even be in the presence of some real actors and actresses who bring it,” she commented. “They gave me exactly what I needed to play Celie.”
The Color Purple opens in theaters on Christmas Day.
