Oprah Winfrey has opened up about a devastating encounter she had with comedian Joan Rivers during her first appearance on 'The Tonight Show', where Rivers body-shamed her.
- Jul 3, 2024
AceShowbiz - In a candid recount during an episode of "The Jamie Kern Lima Show" podcast, Oprah Winfrey shed light on a pivotal and distressing moment early in her career. Speaking about her first appearance on "The Tonight Show" in 1985, the media mogul revealed how she faced body-shaming comments from then-host Joan Rivers.
The conversation, which was supposed to center around Winfrey's successful TV show "A.M. Chicago," unexpectedly shifted to her weight. "Joan Rivers turned to me and she says, 'Tell me, why are you so fat?'" Winfrey recalled, emphasizing that this uncomfortable moment happened on national television.
Taken aback and unsure of how to respond, Winfrey resorted to humor, saying, "Oh, I just love potato chips, Joan," only to be met with further admonishment from Rivers, who retorted, "Shame on you."
In a shocking ultimatum, Rivers told Winfrey she could return to the show only if she lost 15 pounds. Reflecting on the experience, Winfrey admitted that she initially internalized the shaming. "I accept that I should be shamed because how dare me be sitting up here on 'The Tonight Show,'" she said.
Following the encounter, Winfrey attempted to lose weight by attending what was then known as a "fat farm," a health retreat focused on slimming down.
During this period, Winfrey was also dealing with the fear that her weight might cost her a role in the critically acclaimed film "The Color Purple." However, fate intervened with a life-changing phone call from the movie's director, Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg told her, "You lose a pound, you could lose this part," encouraging her to accept herself without losing weight. This conversation marked a turning point for Winfrey, who decided to let go of the weight pressures, a decision that later helped her secure the part of Sofia in the film.
Winfrey's role in "The Color Purple" earned her an Academy Award nomination, and she described the experience of letting go as her "greatest life lesson." She shared, "Do everything you can, work as hard as you can, and then let it go." This philosophy has become a cornerstone of her career and personal life.
Over the years, Winfrey has battled with yo-yo dieting and weight fluctuations. She played a significant role on the board of WeightWatchers, though she resigned earlier this year to avoid a conflict of interest as she prepared for her special, "An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution."
In recent times, she has openly discussed using a medically approved weight-loss drug, emphasizing the relief and redemption it has brought her.
Winfrey's journey from publicly shamed to publicly celebrated epitomizes resilience. Her story is a testament to the importance of self-acceptance and perseverance in the face of adversity, serving as an inspiring lesson for young people navigating their own struggles.
