Oprah Winfrey Recalls Steven Spielberg Yelling ‘Cut’ After She Looked at Camera While Filming 1985’s Color Purple

Oprah Winfrey reflects on directing Steven Spielberg in her first film role.

During a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Showthe media mogul, 69, recalled being called out by Spielberg — who directed the 1985 classic — after she looked into the camera while shooting a scene.

“I had never made a movie, been in a movie, knew anything about filming, but I wanted to participate Purple more than anything in my life,” Winfrey said on the show.

Winfrey said she made the mistake of looking straight into the camera on her first day of filming alongside co-star Whoopi Goldberg.

The Drew Barrymore Show.

The Drew Barrymore/Ash Bean Show

Color Purple It eclipsed box office predictions by earning the second biggest Christmas opening of all time

“Steven yells, ‘Cut! Cut out! Cut out! What are you doing?’” Winfrey recalled. “[I said], ‘Uh. I was just performing my words.’ He said, ‘What are you doing looking at the camera?’ I say, ‘I’m not supposed to be looking at the camera?’ He says: ‘No! Mrs. Celie is done here!’”

“I did not know. I did not know. I have never been on a film set,” she added.

Despite an early hiccup on set, Winfrey’s performance as Sofia in the film earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Four decades later, Winfrey and Spielberg are co-producing the musical adaptation Purplewhich was released on Christmas Day.

Winfrey played the character of Sofia in the 1985 film ‘The Color Purple’. Warner Bros/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock Oprah Winfrey reveals she uses weight loss drugs as a ‘maintenance tool’: ‘I’m absolutely done with the shame’ (Exclusive)

“So, full circle!” Winfrey talked about her reunion with Spielberg on the show. “Look at God looking at me! I think that’s so amazing.”

The new movie musical, starring Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks and more, took the top spot on Monday, beating box office predictions and having the biggest Christmas opening since 2009, according to Diversity and The Hollywood Reporter.

Winfrey and Spielberg are co-producing the 2023 musical adaptation.

Eric Charbonneau/Getty

Never miss a story — subscribe to PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Winfrey has plenty to celebrate after the film’s success as she turns 70 in January.

Speaking to PEOPLE earlier this month about marking the milestone birthday, Winfrey said, “I will never be done until I take my last breath, and whenever that happens, it will be a peaceful breath.”

She added: “Gratitude is truly my religion.”

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Source: HIS Education