‘The Color Purple’ Star Danielle Brooks Was Initially ‘Terrified’ to Ask Oprah About Playing Sofia

Actress Danielle Brooks is setting into some big shoes with her role in the upcoming musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,” filling a role played on-screen initially by Oprah Winfrey. During an interview with TheWrap’s editor in chief Sharon Waxman at this year’s Power Women Summit, Brooks discussed having Winfrey guide her through finding the character of Sofia, a role Brooks herself played on Broadway at the age of 25.

“I got to meet her when I did the Broadway show but we didn’t establish much of a relationship because I was terrified,” Brooks said. “I was really shy…[to] even ask her about the character.”