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So we talked about it.

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Trusting that was the big breakthrough for me.

I created a career where Im being paid to be myself.

I was like, What is this?

And he said, You know, nobody reads more books than you.

Why dont you just produce your own movies, honey?

And it just didnt occur to me that I could do it.

How Far is Hollywood From Achieving Equality?

OW: Do you want it?

If you dont, well take it somewhere else.

RW: And wow, people are like, Thank you for doing this!

But you have to try.

You have to try.

They all looked exactly the same, and there was no one that even had passing resemblance to me.

I didnt remember even seeing any young African-American or other Asian comedy writers …

I was in an all-white, male room.

OW: They did not care about Indian girls.

MK: They do not care about Indian girls watching.

OW: Isnt that an incredible thought?

RW: Thats a limited imagination.

Why are they all white?

Why is there one woman in all the [original]Star Warsmovies?

Who gave birth to all those aliens?

Where are their mothers, their sisters, and their friends?

RW: Yeah, its very astute.

MK: This is whats amazing about this movie, the reinterpretation of the Mrses.

who were not described as we are.

Black Pantherdoing phenomenally well is a testament to that.OW: Oh, absolutely, thats what that is.

Reese, youve beendeveloping new TV showsto star actresses like Octavia Spencer and Kristen Wiig.

But I dont feel anything from awards.

And thats thrilling to me!

I wake up every day and I turn to my assistant and go, I love this company.

I walk in the door and Im like, What are we going to do today?

Where are we going to dream?

Who could we have?

What are we doing?

Its changed my whole life, in such a good way.

OW: Has it enhanced or fortified your acting?

What has it done to that part of you?

[Winfrey turns to Vulture.]

Im sorry, Im asking your question.

Thats a great question, though.

Go ahead, Oprah!OW: Do you feel a difference in your acting?

RW: I dont worry about the acting.

I know the power of movies.

Ive traveled the whole world, Ill go to China, Ill go to Australia.

This cast is unbelievable, and so I feel so much gratitude for it.

[Wrinkle] is great because Ava was the one who did it, and she just invited us.

Oprah, what was your journey to being able to ask for what youre worth?OW: Ooh.

RW: Oh, thats a good question.

OW: Oh boy, I didnt expect anything this good this late in the day.

My journey to asking for what I was worth?

Okay, let me sit up for that.

I wanted to doThe Color Purplemore than anything else in my lifetime.

I will use the next two years vacation to compensate for that.

So why not approach them with the idea of ownership?

And I was like, How are you going to do that?

How am I going to own it?

And he said, Well, you have to believe that youre worth the risk.

MK: Wow, wow.

OW: So I said I would rather own myself and take the risk of losing everything.

You could lose big, but you could also win big.

And that choice changed everything for me.