50 Cent Takes on Oprah: A New Chapter in Their Longstanding Feud

Recently, 50 Cent has once again entered the fray in his long-standing feud with Oprah Winfrey, intensifying the public drama involving actress Taraji P. Henson.

50 Cent has publicly criticized Oprah, accusing her of being a puppet of Hollywood and of exploiting Black actors for her own gain. This confrontation is just the latest in a series of high-profile conflicts involving Oprah and prominent figures in the entertainment industry.

50 Cent’s animosity towards Oprah isn’t new. The rapper and producer has been vocal about his grievances with Oprah for years. His criticisms center around the belief that Oprah has built a massive empire at the expense of Black actors, only to discard them once they are no longer useful to her. One of the earliest instances of his public criticism was in support of comedian Mo’Nique, who accused Oprah and Tyler Perry of blackballing her after she exposed being underpaid for her role in the film “Precious.”

Now, 50 Cent is rallying behind Taraji P. Henson, who has publicly criticized Oprah for underpaying her in the remake of “The Color Purple.” According to Henson, she has not received a pay raise since her role in “Proud Mary,” released six years ago.

She even contemplated turning down the role in “The Color Purple” due to what she deemed a disrespectful initial offer. Henson had hoped that, as a fellow Black woman, Oprah would be more understanding and fair. Instead, Henson claims Oprah’s offer was far from satisfactory.

Henson’s frustration was evident when she discussed her situation in interviews, expressing disillusionment with the lack of fair compensation and the pressures she faces.

In a conversation with Oprah’s close friend Gail King, Henson revealed that she had considered quitting acting altogether due to the lack of respect and proper remuneration she experienced.

50 Cent’s involvement came as a response to this drama. He took to Instagram, reposting an article about the situation and announcing his willingness to work with Henson.

His post read, “They dropped the ball. F them, Taraji. I’m ready to work. Let’s get it.” This show of support for Henson is in line with 50 Cent’s long-standing opposition to Oprah’s practices.

The feud between 50 Cent and Oprah dates back to the early 2000s. During his rise to fame, 50 Cent sought to appear on Oprah’s show to further establish his career and impress his grandmother, a fan of Oprah.

However, Oprah reportedly showed no interest in featuring him. 50 Cent accused Oprah of being opposed to hip-hop and compared her to an “Oreo”—Black on the outside but white on the inside. He suggested that Oprah’s platform catered exclusively to older white women and that she was dismissive of his music and success.

The animosity deepened when 50 Cent took his disdain to another level by naming his dog Oprah and his cat Gail, in reference to Oprah’s best friend, Gail King. This pet naming was a pointed jab at Oprah and her close circle.

The criticism Oprah faces isn’t limited to 50 Cent. Ludacris, another prominent Black artist, accused Oprah of undermining him during an interview promoting his film “Crash.”

Oprah allegedly focused on questions about Ludacris’s use of the N-word in his music rather than discussing the film. Ludacris felt that Oprah’s questions were inappropriate and that she had edited his responses to make him appear foolish.

Similarly, comedian Dave Chappelle had a fraught encounter with Oprah during an interview. Chappelle, who had rejected a $50 million deal with Comedy Central and left for Africa, discussed shady aspects of the deal and the pressure he felt.

Oprah, however, dismissed Chappelle’s concerns as mere stress and paranoia, ignoring his claims about being forced to take psychiatric medication by Hollywood executives.

The pattern of Oprah’s interactions with Black entertainers has led to ongoing criticisms. The rumors about Taraji P. Henson receiving only $500,000 for her role in “The Color Purple” have fueled accusations that Oprah is hoarding wealth while underpaying actors.

The film grossed over $18 million on its opening day, raising questions about why Oprah could not offer fair compensation to the actors.

The public reaction to these accusations has been mixed but largely critical of Oprah. Many people have rallied behind 50 Cent and his calls for justice, agreeing with his view that Oprah has exploited Black talent for her own gain. Commentators have pointed out that Oprah has a history of mistreating Black entertainers, noting that other high-profile figures such as Ice Cube and Michael Jackson have also had contentious interactions with her.

In summary, the ongoing conflict between 50 Cent and Oprah Winfrey highlights deeper issues within the entertainment industry regarding the treatment and compensation of Black actors.

50 Cent’s vocal support for Taraji P. Henson and other Black entertainers is a continuation of his criticism of Oprah’s practices. As this feud continues, it brings to light the broader struggles that Black artists face in an industry where power dynamics and exploitation remain prevalent.