The Color Purple Cast: Where Are The Stars Now? 7 Shocking Updates And 2024 Award Nominations

The 2023 musical adaptation of The Color Purple, based on the classic Alice Walker novel and the beloved Broadway show, delivered a powerful cinematic experience that has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike. Released in late 2023 and carrying its momentum into the 2024 awards season, the film introduced a new generation of talent while celebrating veterans who brought the iconic characters of Celie, Shug Avery, and Sofia to life.

As of today, December 10, 2025, the buzz around the cast remains strong, with multiple stars achieving career-defining milestones. From Oscar nominations to major box office success, here is a deep dive into the current status, recent awards, and full biographical profiles of the talented ensemble that made the 2023 film a cultural phenomenon.

The Color Purple 2023 Cast: Complete Biographical Profiles

The musical film, directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and Quincy Jones, features a star-studded ensemble. This section provides a brief profile of the main cast members, highlighting their careers before and immediately after this monumental film.

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• Fantasia Barrino (Celie Harris-Johnson)
  • Born: June 30, 1984, High Point, North Carolina, U.S.
  • Key Roles: Winner of American Idol Season 3 (2004), Broadway's The Color Purple (2007).
  • 2024 Update: Received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress for her feature film debut as Celie.
• Danielle Brooks (Sofia)
  • Born: September 17, 1989, Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
  • Key Roles: Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson on Orange Is the New Black, Broadway's The Color Purple (2015 revival).
  • 2024 Update: Earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, making her an EGOT nominee (Emmy, Grammy win, Tony nom, Oscar nom) for her work on the stage and screen.
• Taraji P. Henson (Shug Avery)
  • Born: September 11, 1970, Washington, D.C., U.S.
  • Key Roles: Cookie Lyon on Empire, Katherine Johnson in Hidden Figures, Queenie in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Oscar nominee).
  • 2024 Update: Was a major part of the film's awards buzz and made headlines for speaking candidly about the issue of pay disparity in Hollywood, revealing she almost passed on the role.
• Colman Domingo (Albert "Mister" Johnson)
  • Born: November 28, 1969, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
  • Key Roles: Victor Strand on Fear the Walking Dead, Ali Muhammad on Euphoria (Emmy winner).
  • 2024 Update: Received multiple nominations, including a Screen Actors Guild Award nod for the ensemble cast, and garnered significant awards attention for his dual roles in both The Color Purple and Rustin.
• Corey Hawkins (Harpo Johnson)
  • Born: October 22, 1988, Washington, D.C., U.S.
  • Key Roles: Dr. Dre in Straight Outta Compton, Eric Carter in 24: Legacy.
• Halle Bailey (Young Nettie Harris)
  • Born: March 27, 2000, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
  • Key Roles: Ariel in Disney's live-action The Little Mermaid (2023).

The 2024 Awards Season Domination: The Cast's Biggest Milestones

The 2023 musical film proved to be a critical darling, especially for its powerhouse performances, cementing the cast's status as major players in Hollywood. The film's success is a testament to the enduring power of Alice Walker's story and the talent of the ensemble.

The most significant and current news revolves around the recognition received by the film's leads, particularly the two actresses who reprised their roles from the Broadway stage: Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks.

Danielle Brooks: From Broadway to Oscar Nominee

Danielle Brooks' portrayal of the resilient and outspoken Sofia is arguably the most decorated performance of the ensemble. Brooks, who previously earned a Tony Award nomination for the same role in the 2015 Broadway revival, achieved a new level of acclaim in 2024.

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Her nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 96th Academy Awards placed her in an elite category. This nomination solidified her status as an EGOT nominee, having previously secured nominations for an Emmy and a Tony, alongside a Grammy Award win for her musical theater work. This is a rare feat that few actors achieve in their careers.

Fantasia and Taraji P. Henson’s Star Power

Fantasia Barrino's transition from American Idol winner to a major motion picture lead was a triumph. Her heartfelt performance as Celie, a role she also played on Broadway, earned her a coveted Golden Globe nomination in the Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category. She also secured an NAACP Image Award win, further validating her stunning acting debut on the big screen.

Meanwhile, Taraji P. Henson, as the glamorous and troubled Shug Avery, brought her signature star wattage to the film. While her performance was critically praised, Henson’s candid discussions about the financial struggles and systemic pay issues facing Black actresses in Hollywood became a major headline during the film's press tour in early 2024, sparking a necessary industry conversation.

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Behind the Scenes and Supporting Stars: The Depth of the Ensemble

The strength of The Color Purple (2023) lies not just in its leads but in the incredible depth of its supporting cast, which includes Grammy-winning musicians and rising Hollywood stars. These entities contributed significantly to the film's topical authority and emotional weight.

The Men of The Color Purple: Colman Domingo and Corey Hawkins

Colman Domingo delivered a nuanced and terrifying performance as the abusive patriarch, Mister. His ability to portray such a complex and evolving character earned him nominations alongside his work in the civil rights drama *Rustin*. Domingo’s high-profile awards season run in 2024 highlighted his versatility and cemented his position as one of the industry's most respected actors.

Corey Hawkins’ portrayal of Harpo, Mister’s son and Sofia’s husband, provided a necessary counterpoint to the male toxicity in the film. Hawkins is known for his dramatic range, and his performance added layers of vulnerability and eventual growth to the character.

Musicians on the Big Screen: H.E.R. and Halle Bailey

The film seamlessly integrated musical talent with acting prowess.

• H.E.R. (Squeak): The Grammy-winning R&B artist made her feature film acting debut as Squeak, a juke joint waitress who becomes a singer. Her involvement underscores the musical nature of the adaptation.
• Halle Bailey (Young Nettie): Fresh off her success as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Bailey played the younger version of Celie's beloved sister, Nettie. Her presence ensured the emotional weight of Celie and Nettie's separation was felt from the start of the narrative.

The collective success of the 2023 cast—from Danielle Brooks' Oscar nod to Fantasia's Golden Globe recognition—has firmly established this musical as a new, vital chapter in the history of The Color Purple, ensuring the film's legacy will be discussed for years to come. The film's robust performance at the box office and its sustained presence in the awards conversation prove that this star-studded ensemble brought a fresh, powerful energy to an already iconic story.