Oprah Winfrey is currently experiencing a full-circle moment as a producer on the musical adaptation of The Color Purple. Originating the role of Sofia in the original 1985 film (despite her $35,000 payday) allowed Winfrey to reflect on her extensive time in the spotlight. The former talk show host decided to casually drop the incredible conversation she had with the late Maya Angelou about her decades-long career.
The media mogul and the late writer shared an undeniable bond that lasted until Angelou’s passing in 2014 at age 86. The Poetic Justice star served as a mother figure to Winfrey, so she would give the Oscar-nominated actress sage advice from time to time. The talk show icon spoke with People about the moment of clarity Angelou gave her after opening the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, saying:
