Oprah Winfrey says ‘The Color Purple’ was ‘a blessing in’ her life

Oprah Winfrey has revealed that The Color Purple was “a blessing in” her life as she is an assault survivor.

The veteran star played a character called Sofia in the 1985 hit movie and for the Oscar-nominated, she only got paid $35,000.

On Thursday, Oprah introduced a new film based on Alice Walker's acclaimed novel.

After the recent screening in Los Angeles, she said, “From the very first time I read The Color Purple it was a blessing in my life -- because until that time I didn't know that there was language for what had happened to me.”

Oprah added, “I had been raped and had a child at 14, who later died, and I did not have any language to explain what that was. That book was the first time that there was a story about me.”

The Color Purple follows a story of a black girl living in rural Georgia, Celie.

Celie got raped by her father and forced to give away two children.

A few months ago, during the discussion with Essence magazine cover story, Oprah noted, “I can't even begin to tell you what it means to me -- a person who wanted nothing more in my life than to be in The Color Purple.”

She added, “And God taught me to surrender -- that was the big lesson for me. They were only offering $35,000 to be in this film, and it is the best $35,000 I ever earned. It changed everything and taught me so much. It is God moving through my life.”