Fantasia Barrino commemorated the occasion of her 39th birthday in a very particular manner, and with a very special group of individuals.
While in New Orleans for the 2023 Essence Festival, the actress and singer was presented with a cake and serenaded by her co-stars from The Color Purple, Oprah Winfrey, Taraji P. Henson, and Danielle Brooks. The event took place on the actress and singer’s birthday. On Friday, Winfrey, who is 69 years old, posted a video of the heartwarming encounter on her Instagram page.
Barrino was seen grinning and applauding as Brooks, 33, and Henson, 52, carried the cake toward her while dancing and performing an upbeat version of “Happy Birthday.” The former contestant on American Idol became noticeably upset as the song progressed, and tears began to stream down her cheeks. This was particularly noticeable when Winfrey entered the camera and hugged the former contestant.
“You have our affection. When Barrino was done blowing out her candles, a voice from behind the camera stated, “We love you so much.”
“Our Celie in the new @thecolorpurple, turned 39 today — so we had to celebrate it while part of the Purple family is at @essencefest @daniebb3 @tarajiphenson @essence,” Winfrey said on Twitter. “We had to celebrate it while part of the Purple family is at @essencefest.”
Barrino will make her debut as Celie in the forthcoming movie musical version of the Alice Walker book. The movie will be released later this year. Henson takes on the role of Shug Avery, while Brooks plays Sofia.
Halle Bailey, David Alan Grier, and Louis Gossett Jr. are also starring in the movie, which is produced by Winfrey. Winfrey played the role of Sofia in the 1985 film, which Whoopi Goldberg starred in as Celie. Winfrey is the film’s producer.
In May, Warner Bros. released the first trailer for the movie, which provided audiences with their first look of Barrino acting in character. The movie was described as a “bold new take on the beloved classic” in a press release accompanying the teaser. The movie is about “the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond.”
Winfrey said in her speech at CinemaCon 2023 in April that being in charge of the new production felt like a “full-circle moment” for her and “holds great personal meaning” for her.
She said it on stage, “The Color Purple in 1985 was the biggest and most important thing that ever happened to me, and it continues to be,” and she continued to emphasize its significance. “Now we’re doing a brand-new version that could only come because of the most perfect director” in Blitz Bazawule, who made his debut as a filmmaker with 2018’s The Burial of Kojo.
In April, Winfrey and her friend Gayle King, who is 68 years old, traveled to Georgia to see the set of the movie. Winfrey later wrote a piece for OprahDaily.com in which she described how emotional the event was for both of them.
“At the very first sight of the talented Danielle Brooks, who played Sofia on Broadway and is now playing the role in this reincarnation, I unexpectedly burst into happy tears,” the author says. During one of the most meaningful times of my life, I had the distinct impression that the torch was really being handed on. We both held one other, and then we sobbed our hearts out together,” Winfrey wrote.
“When Gayle and I saw the cast perform the finale, we were unable to help but give a standing ovation,” she said. “We couldn’t help but give a standing ovation.” Because they were so fantastic, it was almost like we were at a concert, but we almost wrecked the mood with our applauding and yelling.