BREAKING: Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey’s Emotional Reunion at Oscars 2025 Celebrates 40 Years Since ‘The Color Purple’ and Honors Quincy Jones, Whoopi Says, ‘Quincy Gave Us Wings to Fly’

Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey Reunite at Oscars 2025 to Honor Quincy Jones, 40 Years After ‘The Color Purple’

March 2, 2025 – Hollywood, CA – The 97th Academy Awards delivered a moment of pure Hollywood magic as Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey took the stage together, reuniting 40 years after their groundbreaking collaboration in The Color Purple to pay tribute to the legendary Quincy Jones. The Dolby Theatre audience rose to its feet, tears flowed, and the night became a celebration not just of Oscars glory, but of a musical and cinematic titan whose work shaped generations.

The reunion marked a full-circle moment for Goldberg, 69, and Winfrey, 71, who first shared the screen in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel. Goldberg’s Oscar-nominated turn as Celie and Winfrey’s debut as Sofia—both brought to life under Jones’ masterful score—catapulted them to stardom and cemented the film as a cultural touchstone. Four decades later, with Jones’ passing in November 2024 at age 91 still fresh in the industry’s heart, the Academy seized the opportunity to honor his unparalleled legacy, enlisting two of his most iconic collaborators to lead the tribute.

Dressed in coordinated purple ensembles—a nod to their shared history—Goldberg and Winfrey stepped out to a swelling orchestral medley of Jones’ greatest hits, from The Color Purple’s soulful melodies to Thriller’s electrifying beats. Winfrey, ever the storyteller, opened with a reflection on Jones’ genius: “Quincy didn’t just make music—he wove the soundtrack of our lives. He saw potential where others saw boundaries, and he lifted us all.” The crowd, including luminaries like Denzel Washington and Beyoncé, nodded in agreement as clips of Jones’ work played on the massive screen behind them.

Goldberg, never one to shy away from humor, followed with a lighter touch. “I told Oprah backstage, ‘Girl, 40 years later and we still look good in purple!’” she quipped, drawing laughs before her tone softened. “Seriously, though, Quincy gave us wings to fly. He took a chance on a comedian and a talk-show host, and he made us believe we could be more. This night is his, and we’re just grateful to be here celebrating him.” Her words, raw and heartfelt, visibly moved Winfrey, who reached over to squeeze her co-star’s hand—a gesture that sent X into a frenzy with posts like, “Whoopi and Oprah just broke me with that Quincy tribute. Legends honoring a legend.”

The tribute itself was a masterclass in emotion and reverence. A montage chronicled Jones’ seven-decade career: producing Michael Jackson’s record-shattering albums, scoring classics like In the Heat of the Night, and earning 28 Grammys, 7 Oscar nominations, and a Kennedy Center Honor. Archival footage showed a young Jones laughing with Spielberg on The Color Purple set, a reminder of his quiet influence on the film that launched Goldberg and Winfrey. The segment closed with a surprise performance by John Legend and Cynthia Erivo, who duetted on “Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister),” leaving not a dry eye in the house.

Backstage, the duo reflected on the milestone. Winfrey told reporters, “Forty years ago, we were just trying to make it through those scenes. Tonight, we stood there for Quincy, and it felt like he was right there with us.” Goldberg, meanwhile, kept it real: “I still can’t believe it’s been that long. Quincy’s music—it’s like time doesn’t touch it. It’s forever.”

The moment resonated beyond the auditorium. On X, fans hailed it as “the Oscars highlight of 2025,” with one writing, “Whoopi and Oprah honoring Quincy 40 years after The Color Purple is pure poetry.” Another noted, “That hand squeeze said it all—history, love, and respect in one frame.” Host Conan O’Brien even leaned into the nostalgia, joking earlier, “Quincy Jones scored so many classics, I half-expected him to conduct the orchestra tonight from the great beyond.”

As the night rolled on—with Emilia Pérez and The Substance dominating the awards—Jones’ tribute stood out as a testament to his enduring impact. For Goldberg and Winfrey, it was more than a reunion; it was a chance to say thank you to the man who helped them soar, proving that some bonds—and some legacies—only grow stronger with time.