Oprah No Longer Acting Reason Does Not Feed Her Soul

Photo: John Paul Filo/CBS/Getty Images.

The next time someone asks if you've had a chance to read their email or a roommate wants you to clean the kitchen, kindly inform them that particular activity does not "feed you anymore."

That's the answer Oprah Winfrey gave when The Hollywood Reporter asked about whether or not she'd be pursuing acting roles in the near future. The talk show host and public figure got her start in acting in The Color Purple in 1985, and most recently played Mrs. Which in A Wrinkle In Time. However, acting is not one of her many upcoming projects.

"I think to be really, really good at it, you've got to do it a lot," she told the outlet about being an actress. "You've got to work at it. And it's got to be something that you have true passion about. I don't think it's something you can dabble in. It was fun to be Mrs. Which, and I did that because I wanted to go to New Zealand and wear the costumes. But no, it doesn't feed my soul anymore."

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In fact, although she would get into specifics, the 65-year-old recently turned down a role on Broadway that was "really, really tempting."

Instead, here are some things that do feed Oprah's soul: a show about mental health with Prince Harry and her new, expanded book club. Both are a part of the host's work with Apple, the first being an Apple TV show that "will focus on both mental illness and mental wellness, inspiring viewers to have an honest conversation about the challenges each of us faces, and how to equip ourselves with the tools to not simply survive, but to thrive."

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We are excited to announce that The Duke of Sussex and Oprah Winfrey are partners, co-creators and executive producers on their forthcoming mental health series launching on Apple in 2020. The pair have been developing the series for several months and are looking forward to sharing such an important project on this global platform. The dynamic multi-part documentary series will focus on both mental illness and mental wellness, inspiring viewers to have an honest conversation about the challenges each of us faces, and how to equip ourselves with the tools to not simply survive, but to thrive. This commitment builds on The Duke of Sussex’s long-standing work on issues and initiatives regarding mental health, where he has candidly shared personal experience and advocated for those who silently suffer, empowering them to get the help and support they deserve. His Royal Highness has spent many years working with communities throughout the UK and young people across the Commonwealth to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and broaden the conversation of mental wellness to accelerate change for a more compassionate, connected and positive society. Quote from HRH: “I truly believe that good mental health - mental fitness - is the key to powerful leadership, productive communities and a purpose-driven self. It is a huge responsibility to get this right as we bring you the facts, the science and the awareness of a subject that is so relevant during these times. Our hope is that this series will be positive, enlightening and inclusive - sharing global stories of unparalleled human spirit fighting back from the darkest places, and the opportunity for us to understand ourselves and those around us better. I am incredibly proud to be working alongside Oprah on this vital series.”

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Apr 10, 2019 at 2:58am PDT

As for the book club, Apple is taking Oprah's original 1996 creation and multiplying it by 100.

“It is a club, imagine where Apple stores stream a conversation with the author and me live across all devices, across all borders, uniting people to stories that remind us no matter who you are or where you are from, every man, woman and child looks up in awe at the same sky,” she told the crowd at the Apple event back in March. “I want to literally convene a meeting of the minds, connecting us through books.”

Consider my soul fed.

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Oprah Says Acting Doesn't Feed Her Soul

Oprah Is Done With Acting Because It Doesn’t Feed Her Soul

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