Danielle Brooks Considers Role As Sofia In ‘The Color Purple’ To Be A “Career Highlight”
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Danielle Brooks shares an emotional reflection on portraying the incomparable Sofia in Blitz Bazawule’s The Color Purple following her recent SAG Awards nomination.
The former Orange Is The New Black star says that “playing Sofia has been the highlight of my career.”
Accompanied by a compilation of clips from the recent musical adaptation, she continued, “Getting to live in the complexities of who she is — the quiet moments, the strong ones, the joy and sorrow — have all shaped me for this moment in time.”
Brooks then quoted Toni Morrison, adding that “the function of freedom is freeing someone else.” To which the mother of one shared, “Since first witnessing this story on Broadway at 15 which inspired me to go to chase my dreams at Juilliard, watching Ms. Oprah breathe life into Sofia on film, to being Tony nominated playing Sofia on stage at 25, to then opening myself up so fully in this film, she has led me to my freedom. If you haven’t already I encourage you to see the film and go get yours [freedom].”
Many believe the now 34-year-old is also a strong option for Oscars consideration. She was cast by Oprah—who became an Academy Award nominee in 1985 in her feature film debut as Sofia in Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple.
For Brooks, Corey Hawkins—who plays Harpo in the film—requested her. The two attended Juilliard together and Hawkins told executive producer Scott Sanders that he had to be the Harpo to Brooks’ Sofia.
Of the casting, Oprah knew that Brooks was “the one.”
Brooks later thanked Oprah for the passing of the baton for the cast’s recent ESSENCE cover from late 2023.
“I just want to thank you, Ms. Oprah, for surrendering to God and his plan for your life. You have shown me how to do that,” she shared. “Thank you for laying the blueprint for Sofia—because I know that she’s changed your life, and I can feel that mine is about to shift, too. Thank you for leaving space for me but also being there, to hold my hand and answer that phone call when I needed you. You have been such a light, such a beautiful soul.”
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