In a fiery post, rapper and entrepreneur 50 Cent has reignited his long-standing feud with Oprah Winfrey, accusing her of exploiting black actors in Hollywood for personal gain. This is far from the first time 50 Cent has raised concerns about Oprah’s treatment of African-American entertainers, but his recent support of actress Taraji P. Henson has added a new layer to the controversy.
The tension between Taraji P. Henson and Oprah emerged when Henson publicly criticized the legendary TV mogul for her role in underpaying her for the new film The Color Purple. According to Taraji, she hasn’t seen a significant pay increase since her role in Proud Mary six years ago. In fact, she was so disillusioned with Oprah’s offer for The Color Purple that she almost walked away from the project. “Where’s my raise? I haven’t seen a raise in my income since Proud Mary,” she revealed during an emotional interview. For Henson, it was a painful realization that a fellow black woman in the industry—someone she thought would understand her struggles—had failed to support her financially.
This wasn’t just about money, though. Taraji also expressed frustration at the systemic issues that plague black actors in Hollywood, often underpaid and overworked, while their white counterparts receive far more lucrative deals. “Why am I doing this if it’s all just for me? We are here to service each other,” Henson said, emphasizing the need for solidarity among black entertainers.
50 Cent, never one to shy away from controversy, wasted no time in joining the battle. He reposted an article detailing the ongoing drama and added a fiery caption, signaling his readiness to work with Taraji. “They dropped the ball, F them. Taraji, I’m ready to work. Let’s get it,” he wrote, showing his support for her stance against Oprah.
This public feud between 50 Cent and Oprah has been simmering for years, rooted in the rapper’s accusations that Oprah, despite her public persona as a champion for women, has used black actors to build her empire, only to throw them away once they’ve outlived their usefulness. 50 Cent’s first major clash with Oprah occurred during his rise to fame in the early 2000s. He wanted to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show to help solidify his image as a successful artist, but Oprah reportedly refused, citing her disapproval of his music. This rejection sparked a bitter rivalry between the two, with 50 Cent accusing Oprah of being “against hip-hop” and aligning herself with a white, elite audience that did not understand or appreciate his style of music.
The animosity between the two deepened over the years, with 50 Cent making it a point to call out Oprah for her perceived mistreatment of black celebrities. He even named his dog after Oprah and his cat after Oprah’s best friend, Gayle King, in a clear message of mockery. 50 Cent also made waves when he supported actress Mo’Nique, who accused Oprah and Tyler Perry of blackballing her after she exposed their underpayment of her for the film Precious. 50 Cent took a stand for Mo’Nique, calling out Oprah and Perry for their treatment of the actress and vowing to help her get back on top.
While 50 Cent’s feud with Oprah may seem personal, it touches on deeper issues in Hollywood—the exploitation of black talent for financial gain. The lack of fair compensation for black actors is a topic that has been gaining more attention in recent years, with many voices calling for systemic change. Oprah, despite her wealth and influence, is not immune to criticism for perpetuating these inequalities, even as she continues to hold a powerful position in the industry.
In the case of The Color Purple, 50 Cent alleges that Oprah paid Taraji a mere $500,000 for her role in the film, a fraction of what she could have afforded, especially considering the film grossed over $18 million on its opening day. Critics argue that Oprah’s decision to pay black actors such low wages, while reaping the rewards of their labor, is part of a larger pattern of exploitation that has plagued the industry for years.
The controversy has sparked widespread conversation, with many social media users agreeing with 50 Cent’s assessment of Oprah’s role in these ongoing issues. One commenter wrote, “I absolutely agree with 50 Cent. This woman has been doing this for years—Dave, Ice Cube, 50, Ludacris, Michael Jackson… she’s even tried to get Michael Jordan to discuss his financial business on her show.”
While 50 Cent’s words have certainly struck a chord with many, the bigger question remains: Is Oprah truly an industry puppet, as 50 Cent claims, using her influence to control and exploit black entertainers? Or is this a case of a highly successful individual doing whatever it takes to maintain her empire, regardless of the cost to those who helped build it?
What is clear is that the fight for fair treatment and compensation for black actors in Hollywood is far from over. As Taraji P. Henson’s brave stance and 50 Cent’s support show, the battle is being fought on multiple fronts—and it’s one that demands attention.