Tag Archives: Oprah Winfrey

ILOSM family…in case y’all haven’t yet heard, Mo’Nique has just caused quite a stir on these social media streets again. In the latest chapter of their long-standing beef, Mo’Nique has once again thrown verbal jabs at media moguls, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry. During a recent performance (see video below) on Katt Williams’ tour, Mo’Nique let loose with a cuss-word-laced tirade, branding Winfrey and Perry as “coon mothaf*****s”.

Mo’Nique made her feelings abundantly clear, shouting, “F*** YOU OPRAH WINFREY, F*** YOU TYLER PERRY!!!” The crowd echoed her sentiments, adding a crude twist. But not everyone seemed eager to join the onslaught, with some audience members displaying hesitation. Mo’Nique wasted no time in calling out an Oprah fan, even encouraging him to “bring O back to Black” by engaging in intimate activities with her, if you catch my drift.

But Mo’ didn’t stop there. Amidst her barrage of bashing, Mo’Nique sarcastically expressed her love for Oprah while simultaneously referring to her as “simple-minded” and a “raggedy bit*h”. She then went on to question the nature of Oprah’s relationship with Gayle King, hinting at a romantic connection between the two.

Mo’Nique then proceeded to stir up the longstanding rumor that has followed Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey for most of their careers, by suggesting Gayle and Oprah are friends with benefits so to speak.

To solidify her points overall, Mo’Nique offered an explanation for her statements to the audience, stating “I’m too mothaf***in’ old to be scared of this bit*h. I’m too old to be intimidated by this bit*h. I’m too old to hold the mothaf***in’ truth.”

This ongoing feud between Mo’Nique, Oprah, and Tyler Perry traces back to Mo’Nique’s allegations of being “blackballed” in Hollywood after she refused to participate in certain press events for the film “Precious”, which Winfrey and Perry produced. Over the years, Mo’Nique has repeatedly accused both stars of actively sabotaging her career.

Notably, Mo’Nique previously appeared on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast, claiming to possess a recording of Tyler Perry bad-mouthing her, an allegation that Perry vehemently denied.

The animosity between Mo’Nique and these Hollywood powerhouses has persisted for over a decade, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down one bit. Despite the controversy surrounding their beef, Mo’Nique remains resolute, refusing to apologize for her remarks during her recent set. And based on Tyler’s and Oprah’s repeated public silence regarding Mo’Nique’s accusations throughout the years, it seems they refuse to apologize for any alleged wrongdoing toward her as well. So, I suppose…the saga continues.

 

Taraji P. Henson expresses gratitude to Oprah Winfrey for her guidance and support in Hollywood

Taraji P. Henson, the star of the upcoming musical film “The Color Purple”, has revealed the advice and encouragement she received from Oprah Winfrey, who also produced and starred in the 1985 film adaptation of the same novel. Henson, who plays the role of Sofia, said that Winfrey reportedly told her to “surrender to the process” and “believe” in her talent, as she faced the challenges and opportunities of working in the entertainment industry.

Henson also paid tribute to Winfrey for laying the “blueprint” for Sofia, a character who represents the strength and resilience of black women. She said that playing Sofia changed Winfrey’s life, and she felt that hers was about to shift too³. Henson added that Winfrey was a “woman who has done some great things but still can get down to earth with us” and that she was grateful for her mentorship.

Henson’s admiration for Winfrey comes at a time when she has also opened up about the pay gap and discrimination she faced in Hollywood, especially in her earlier roles. She revealed that she was paid less than 2% of what her co-star Brad Pitt received for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, and that she had to pay for her own accommodation and expenses while filming. She also claimed that she was passed over for a role that was written for her in favor of a white actress.

 

 

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Henson said that she had to “bite the bullet” and accept the low pay, as there were few roles available for black actresses. She also said that she chose her son’s education over fancy cars and other luxuries, and that she had to work hard to find another job after each project. She said that she never expected to get paid what her counterparts did, but that she deserved “a little more too”⁷.

Additionally, Taraji also confessed that she “almost walked away from “The Color Purple”, presumably for the same reason– the low pay.

Following Taraji’s admissions regarding the pay gap in Hollywood, many fans assumed she was referring to Oprah. Why? Simply because Taraji’s latest project, “The Color Purple,” is partially funded by Oprah. However, Taraji was quick to shut those claims down, when she posted the following message online:

“It is so important for black women and ALL women of color to support each other.

It is also imperative to have women of color in decision making positions across ALL industries.

Thank you for responding to my message with the compassion, understanding and support that I’ve received.💜🙏🏾💜

With that being said…

Ms. OPRAH has been nothing less than a steady and solid beacon of light to ALL OF THE CAST of The Color Purple!!!

She has provided ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE and UNWAVERING SUPPORT to us all.

She told me personally to reach out to her for ANYTHING I needed, and I did!

It took ONE CALL… ONE CONVERSATION… and ONE DECISION MAKING BLACK WOMAN to make me feel heard.

Thank You Ms. @OPRAH For ALL That You Do 💜💜💜”

Henson’s story is an example of the struggles and successes of Black women in Hollywood, who have to overcome barriers and stereotypes to achieve their dreams. Henson has proven herself as a versatile and talented actress, who can play roles ranging from a NASA mathematician in “Hidden Figures” to a music mogul in “Empire”. She has also won several awards and accolades, including a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination. She is now ready to shine in “The Color Purple”, which is set to release on Dec. 25, 2023. Hollywood, it’s about time for y’all to give this living legend her just due. 💪🏾

ILOSM family how many of you remember Hydeia Broadbent? You may not remember her name, but you probably remember her face and her very brave, yet disheartening beginning set the stage for a bright future and now she’s an activist for many others who are living with the same battle she’s endured her entire life. As a newborn, Hydeia was abandoned by her biological parents and left at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas. *Scroll down to see her recent interview*

A Lifelong Struggle:

But despite her ongoing battle with HIV, unfortunately, there are some people who believe she cannot relate to the struggle because she was born with it. However, she has a very different perspective of it all:

“People think because I was born with HIV my story does not apply to them. Well, this same disease I am living with is the same disease you can get if you don’t practice safe sex and know your HIV status and the HIV status of your sexual partner. I ask people to use my testimony as a warning of what you don’t want to go through.” Hydeia explained.

However, Hydeia was determined not to let the disease dictate how her life would turn out.

Defying the Odds:

At the young age of six, Hydeia became an activist and public speaker. Over the years, she has appeared on numerous talk shows including Oprah, 20/20, Good Morning America. The level of exposure she’s received has been tremendous. In addition to appearing on talk shows, she’s also been featured in prominent publications like New York Times, People, Essence, and Ebony magazines.

Most of us, Old Schoolers, remember watching in sorrow as the courageous 11-year-old Hydeia explained with precise clarity who she is and what her HIV status was at that time. America cried and clapped for that child, and now we’re rejoicing with her as we witness the incredible 39-year-old woman she is today…

Her Phase Of Depression & Resentment

In her interview on Oprah’s Where Are They Now, Hydeia teared up when recalling her tough teen years. She says that she became extremely depressed at the age of 15 when she was at the height of her career. The pressure of being a public figure at an age where most young people are trying to find who they are as individuals, was just too much for her to bear. Needless to say, Hydeia began to resent the fact that she was once the brave young AIDS/HIV activist.

However, things began to take a turn for the better. By the age of 16, Broadbent kept going with her activism and had become a notable speaker and HIV/AIDS activist who had the privilege of speaking at highly lauded educational institutions like Duke University, Spelman College, UCLA, and Howard University. She’s continue made it her mission to speak up and out, raising awareness about the importance of making sound decisions when it comes to avoiding “at-risk behaviors.” She is now considered a pioneer of African-American youth for having the courage to share her life story with the world in an effort to help others.

Her Dating Life

As far as her dating life, Hydeia made it clear that she is no different from her fellow thirty-something year olds. Sometimes it’s tough for her, but she does date, although she’s living the single life at the current moment, BUT that is by choice. Watch one of her more recent interviews below…

Overall, it is such a wonderful experience watching this young lady continue to defy the odds and flourish in life. We wish her many, many more years of success and cannot wait to see what’s in store for her and we salute her for her admirable work to help educate others.

When news spread, that the iconic Tina Turner passed away on Wednesday (May 24, 2023), fans and loved ones around the world began mourning. One very close loved one of Tina’s was her decades-long friend, Oprah Winfrey.

When Oprah got the news of Tina’s death, she was vacationing in Italy, and cut the trip short to join her friend, Gayle King, on the  “CBS Mornings” morning show to pay homage to – and share memories of – the “What’s Love Got To Do With It” songstress.

During the TV airing, Oprah and Gayle confessed that although they were aware Tina “wasn’t doing well,” her passing was still a “blow.” Oprah also recalled how in 2019, Tina Turner made a surprising confession to her– she was “ready to go.”

Oprah’s Revelations About Friend, Tina Turner

Via Daily Mail: “I certainly was aware that she was ill, but I had seen her in 2019 and gone… to visit her in the hospital… And she had said to me then that she actually was ready to go, meaning ready to leave the planet,” Oprah told the morning program. “And I expected then that was going to be the last time that I saw her.”

Oprah also credited Tina’s husband and German music producer Erwin Bach, who she described as “the most extraordinary person I’ve ever known,” for “literally [willing] her to live.”

“She’s been through, you know, one health crisis after another,” she said, with Gayle adding: “She just kept coming back.”

In spite of the many health issues Tina struggled with in recent years — including back surgery in February 2023, a kidney transplant from her husband in 2017, two strokes, high blood pressure, intestinal cancer in 2016, and more — Oprah says Tina’s husband, Erwin — whom Tina was with for four decades (wed in 2013 after 30 years of dating) — “never gave up” with his push to keep Tina alive and as healthy as possible.

Oprah went on to express her gratitude for the friendship she shared with Tina, stating she was also “big fan” of the songstress. She then admitted that not only was she a fan of her friend, she was initially a “full on groupie, following her from show to show across the country” to catch her performances. Gayle added that Tina had “a deep, deep affection” for Oprah as well.

“It’s incredible when you meet somebody that you’ve admired for a long time, and they not only live up to what you hope that they would be but they surpass, exceed and transcend. And that’s what Tina was,” Oprah told Gayle.

Following her friend, Tina’s death, Oprah took to her website, Oprah Daily, to pay a touching tribute to Tina, while also revealing more unknown details about the time Oprah thought Tina would sadly pass away in 2019, and more.

In her online tribute, Oprah stated she learned of Tina’s death from Gayle, and that the news ‘stunned [her] into immediate tears’:

“I had been expecting to hear this news four years ago in 2019 after visiting her at a hospital in Switzerland, where she told me she was ready to leave this earth,” Oprah wrote.

“She said she had a full life and was ‘tired.’ I’m always wary when someone who is ill says they’re tired. It often means they are tired of the work and energy it takes to stay alive. I left the hospital thinking that would be my last time seeing her.

“I was on alert for a full year afterward, waiting to get “the call” from her devoted husband, Erwin. Instead there were calls with news of improvements, new treatments, therapies, doctors. There were setbacks and stabilization. I even received an invite to celebrate her 80th birthday, then her 82nd.”

“Becoming her friend was a blessing of a lifetime,” Oprah wrote.

In conclusion of their “CBS Mornings” tribute to Tina, Oprah summed up just how most of the Tina’s worldwide fans view her:

“She is our forever goddess of rock ‘n’ roll, who contained a magnitude of inner strength that grew throughout her life. She was a role model not only for me but for the world. She encouraged a part of me I didn’t know existed,” Oprah stated.

“Once she claimed her freedom from years of domestic abuse, her life became a clarion call for triumph. I’m grateful for her courage, for showing us what victory looks like wearing Manolos and a leather miniskirt.”

Tina Turner Expressed Her Fearless Views Of Death

In a 2013 interview with Oprah, Tina Turner shared her fearless views of dying:

“Even when it’s time to leave and go to another planet, [I’m] excited about that, because I’m curious to know what it’s about. Nobody can tell you because nobody has come back. …

I’m not excited to die, but I don’t regret it when it’s time for me. I’ve done what I came here to do. Now is pleasure. I’ve got great friends. I have a great man in my life, now I have a great husband and I’m happy.”

Tina Turner…rest in power, sleep in peace, feel pain no more, as your legacy continues to live on through us all, beautiful queen. 👑🕊 

If I were to simply here the name, Anjelica Huston — like many of us ILOSM Old Schoolers  — I’d be like, ‘Come again now…Anjeli- WHO?’ And that’s understandable, given that I haven’t seen most of the actress’s work. However, when it comes to the name, “Morticia Addams,” many of us instantly recognize Huston for her role as the matriarch of the classic monster fam’ in the film adaptation of The Addams Family.

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That film brought back childhood memories for many…and apparently, Huston has some memories to rehash of her own. The only difference is that her recounted memories have nothin’ to do with The Addams Family, but everything to do with Oprah Winfrey, Eddie Murphy, and other celebs.

And uh…let’s just say the “Morticia Addams” actress didn’t necessarily have the fondest memories to share about her encounters with the aforementioned legends.

In a 2019 interview with Vulture, Anjelica Huston sounded off about how Oprah Winfrey was allegedly jealous of her; and how Eddie Murphy supposedly acted like a ‘diva’ toward her…but there’s more…

Check Out What Huston Says Oprah And Eddie Did To Her

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Huston Accuses Oprah Of Oscar Award Shade
According to Huston, Oprah has had issues with her since 1986, when Huston took home the “Best Supporting Actress” Oscar Award for her Prizzi’s Honor role. Oprah was nominated for the same category that year for her “Miss Sophia” role in The Color Purple…which she should have won in my opinion, but I digress.

Anyways, Angelica says Oprah has never gotten over that loss to her…and she also claims that as a result, Oprah shades the hell outta her every chance she gets. One of the “repercussions” Huston says Oprah gave her, is “She never had me on her show, ever. She won’t talk to me.”

Huston continued:

“The only encounter I’ve had with Oprah was when I was at a party for the Academy Awards, a private residence. I was talking to Clint Eastwood, and she literally came between us with her back to me. So all of the sudden I was confronted with the back of Oprah’s head.”

When the interviewer asked Huston if she thinks the reason behind Oprah’s shade stems from her 1986 Oscar loss, Huston replied:

“Well, nobody else would dislike me so much as to literally, physically come in between the person I was talking with that way. But I admire Oprah. God knows, she’s made some big steps.”

What’s Her Issues With Eddie Murphy?
As far as Anjelica Huston’s prob’ with comedian/actor, Eddie Murphy, it’s centered around time…literally.

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While co-starring with Eddie on the film, Daddy Day Care, in which Eddie was the lead character, Huston recalled hating that he required the cast to arrive to set 15 minutes before he did. And what she disliked even more, was Eddie’s reported response to her request to alter that rule:

“You’d be waiting for over 15 minutes in a California summer, so you’re not appetizing by the time you get on-camera,” said Huston. “Maybe he didn’t recognize that factor. So I requested to at least know when he was traveling to set. His reply, through the grapevine, was ‘Ladies first.’ Frankly, a lot of male movie stars behave in an offhand manner, like they’re just more important than you are.”

Wow! Gotta love the Old School memories.

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Most of us, Old Schoolers, remember when Cheech & Chong cracked us up, while getting high as a kite in their comedy movies back in the day. They were free spirits on camera and in real life, Tommy Chong is also a free spirited, outspoken dude. Apparently, he raised his daughter/actress, Rae Dawn Chong, the same way. That couldn’t be more evident after the brutal opinions she gave made about Oprah Winfrey.

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Though Tommy and Rae Dawn Chong share the same last name, most fans never knew that “Squeak” from The Color Purple a.k.a. “Harpo’s” high pitched voiced wife- was related to Tommy. She and her Pops are very close though…so close, that he defended her controversial bashing of her Color Purple co-star, Oprah Winfrey.

A few years ago, Rae caught major flack for the way she dragged Oprah Winfrey in on Matty P’s Radio Happy Hour internet radio show, as she recalled the tension between them and she took several low blows.

NOW See Why She Called Oprah A “House Ni&&er”

“Miss Sofia” & “Squeaky” Had Beef Real Life?…

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Rae Dawn Chong said everything was all good between her and Oprah Winfrey while filming the 1985 classic, The Color Purple, but that Oprah turned into a “total bee-yotch” after Rae filmed her next big movie, Commando, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger- also released in ’85:

“I starred in Commando. And she just wasn’t having me. She’s competitive. She didn’t like me. She just wasn’t having me.”

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During her slamming of Oprah, she called her everything from a “brown noser,” to a “fat chick” who would have been a “field nigger” instead of a house nigger during slavery…

– “If you look at the way [Oprah] looks, she looks like 60 years ago she would have been a house keeper luckily. She would have not been a house n**ger she would have been a field n**ger.”

– “She’s so enormously insecure. If you wanna distill Oprah Winfrey down to like her most basic components. She wants to be beautiful.”

-“Imagine being [Oprah]. She has all of the world. All the power in the world … and she only wants something that is only chemical, purely impossible.”

That Ain’t All She Had To Say Though

Rae Dawn Chong continued with more jabs…

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– “The thing that’s really great about Oprah that you can’t take away from her, is that she’s a great brown-noser. … If you were in a room with her, she would pick the most powerful person and she’ll become best friends with them.”

– “When we worked with her the one thing about Oprah, she was that fat chick that was the wannabe cheerleader in school, that was the student council president that was best friends with the principal.”

Rae also gave Oprah a nice-nasty compliment for being a self-made mogul:

“No matter how vile she is, you kinda gotta go, ‘hello hats off’ like, you’ve done an amazing thing you have actually shifted the DNA of the universe.”

After Backlash, Rae ‘Clarified’ Her Comments…

Following the backlash, Rae Dawn and her Pops spoke out in her defense and to offer further clarity into why she went at Oprah so hard.

In a now private Youtube response, Rae said she “regrets” some of her remarks about Oprah, but not all of them:

R.D. Chong: “I told my story about my experiences with O… Will I have to live under armed guard for ten years because of this? You know people think I just sat back and called O a bunch of ugly names and blasted her just because? It just isn’t true.”

Tommy Chong’s Response…
Tommy Chong also said his daughter’s statements were “taken out of context”:

“If you think of what [Rae Dawn] said, she said back in the day Oprah would be working in the field because she’s not that beautiful…whereas if you’re beautiful, you’re part of the master’s bedroom,” stated Tommy Chong.

Moral of the story: Don’t say something you may regret later…unless you’re bold enough to stand by it, no matter the consequences.

Oprah and Stedman have been happily unmarried for almost 30 years and through the years, their relationship has been tested by public perception more times than we could count. What’s also happened, is that the world doesn’t really know the mysterious, Stedman, outside of being “Oprah’s man.” But there are several interesting little-known facts about the brotha and his past that contradict certain rumors about their relationship and makes us see him as a standup guy…

HERE’S WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT STEDMAN GRAHAM

STEDMAN PROPOSED TO OPRAH IN 1992, BUT…
Although many people speculated that Stedman never wanted to marry Oprah all these years, it was actually Oprah who didn’t want marriage. Quiet as it’s kept, Stedman actually proposed to Oprah in 1992, at first she said ‘yes,’ but about a year later, she changed her mind and called off wedding plans. Oprah later revealed what her first thoughts were when he proposed:

“The moment he asked me to marry him, I was like ‘Oh God, now I actually have to get married?!!”

In a 2015 Super Soul Sunday episode, Oprah stated what she’s learned about herself as it pertains to marriage:

“What I realized is, I don’t want to be married, because I could not have the life that I created for myself…I couldn’t do it,” explained Oprah. “If you ever interviewed him [Stedman], he would tell that had we married, we would not be together today.”

HE WAS A PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYER

Stedman is a 6’6″ former basketball player for the professional European League. Who knew?!! He played pro ball in the 70’s.

HE WAS MARRIED
Stedman was married to his ex-wife, Glenda, in the early ’70s, but they divorced in the mid ’70s.

HE RESPECTS OPRAH’S CLOSE BOND WITH GAYLE KING
In a past interview, here’s what Stedman said when asked about Oprah’s and Gayle’s close bond: “It makes my life easier because I know that Oprah is talking with someone who cares about her, who she can trust,” he explained. A man who understands the value of female friendships? That’s a keeper.”

NOT INTIMIDATED BY OPRAH’S MULTI-BILLIONAIRE STATUS

“I’m not threatened by [Oprah’s] fame or her success or her money or all of that,” Graham shared in a behind-the-scenes clip from The Oprah Winfrey Show. “That’s who she is. It doesn’t have anything to do with how I define myself.”

Oprah also knows Stedman is genuine dude who would be there through thick and thin:

Oprah: “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo. But you want someone who’ll help you catch the bus.”

HE WROTE TWO BEST SELLING BOOKS
“You Can Make It Happen: A 9-Step Plan For Success” and “Teens Can Make It Happen” were Stedman’s best-sellers and he has written 9 other self-help and business books throughout the years.

HAS A MASTER’S AND A BACHELOR’S DEGREE
Stedman has a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in education.

HE’S A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

“My hope is to help people build value in their own lives,” Stedman once stated in a Forbes interview.

STEDMAN IS A PHILANTHROPIST
In 1995, Stedman founded, Athletes Against Drugs (AAD) foundation, which connects professional athletes with young inner city kids to teach and guide them toward a positive path: Stedman:

“Being in this business for 25 years has taught us that it’s not about the drugs, but about providing positive choices, keeping yourself active and keeping yourself busy with activities, the proper curriculum, and special events like taking kids to games. That’s how you keep our youth off drugs.”

He’s on the board of directors for the Chicago based non profit organization, Junior Achievement, which focuses on developing and incorporating new educational programs into the city’s schools.

HE’S AN ARMY VETERAN
In the 1970’s, Stedman served in the Army and credits that for changing his life:

“I was a basketball player at Hardin-Simmons University (in Abilene), but I had no clue who I was as an individual,” he said. “The Army gave me some structure, helped me organize my life and taught me how to scrub floors, wash pots, KP (kitchen patrol), all those things necessary to build character, create a work ethic, a can-do attitude, perseverance, dedication.”

Stedman and Oprah…a powerful couple indeed.
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ILOSM family, many of us knew Jamie Foxx and Oprah Winfrey went back like Cracker Jacks, but had no clue why they were so tight..until now. It turns out, Oprah saved Jamie from himself when he was at his lowest, most vulnerable point, even though it really should have been one of his highest moments in life. *Scroll down to watch Jamie explain his touching story*

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While interviewing on The Howard Stern Show, Jamie revisited a story he’d shared once before on The Steve Harvey Show a couple years ago about Oprah. Her help started in 2005, when Jamie was nominated for an Oscar Award for his phenomenal portrayal of music icon, Ray Charles, in the film, Ray (2004). Jamie says he was going WAY too overboard with his hardcore partying ways behind the scenes, so Oprah stepped in and staged an intervention…

The Much Needed Reality Check

Foxx admitted he was doing every “f*%kin’ think you could possibly imagine” at the point in his life, and Oprah called him out of the blue with a reality check, by telling him, “You’re blowing it.”
“[She said], ‘All of this gallivanting and all this kind of s**t, that’s not what you want to do… want to take you somewhere. Make you understand the significance of what you’re doing,'” Jamie recalled. But there’s more…

The Intervention

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Here’s the thing, Oprah didn’t just do an ‘intervention,’ she did it BIG…and it included music icon, Quincy Jones;  iconic actor/Oscar winner, Sidney Poitier; and many more Black acting legends from the old school era, who were all there hoping Jamie would get his mind right- a moment that he’ll never forget. Jamie said it wasn’t until Poitier spoke to him man to man, Oscar winner to then-Oscar nominee, that he broke down in tears right there in front of everyone. Watch Jamie explain why this made him cry and straighten up his ways in both of the clips below…

Jamie explained that he was taken by surprise when he showed up to Oprah’s home that day and he is forever grateful to all of them for that.”To this day, it’s the most significant time in my life,” Jamie admitted.  This reminds me of a quote Oprah once said:

“I don’t think you ever stop giving. I really don’t. I think it’s an ongoing process. And it’s not just about being able to write a check. It’s being able to touch somebody’s life.” -Oprah Winfrey

Most of us, Old Schoolers, remember when Cheech & Chong cracked us up, while getting high as a kite in their comedy movies back in the day. They were free spirits on camera and in real life, Tommy Chong is also a free spirited, outspoken dude. Apparently, he raised his daughter/actress, Rae Dawn Chong, the same way. That couldn’t be more evident after the brutal opinions she gave made about Oprah Winfrey.

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Though Tommy and Rae Dawn Chong share the same last name, most fans never knew that “Squeak” from The Color Purple a.k.a. “Harpo’s” high pitched voiced wife- was related to Tommy. She and her Pops are very close though…so close, that he defended her controversial bashing of her Color Purple co-star, Oprah Winfrey.

A few years ago, Rae caught major flack for the way she dragged Oprah Winfrey in on Matty P’s Radio Happy Hour internet radio show, as she recalled the tension between them and she took several low blows.

NOW See Why She Called Oprah A “House Ni&&er”

“Miss Sofia” & “Squeaky” Had Beef Real Life?…

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Rae Dawn Chong said everything was all good between her and Oprah Winfrey while filming the 1985 classic, The Color Purple, but that Oprah turned into a “total bee-yotch” after Rae filmed her next big movie, Commando, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger- also released in ’85:

“I starred in Commando. And she just wasn’t having me. She’s competitive. She didn’t like me. She just wasn’t having me.”

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During her slamming of Oprah, she called her everything from a “brown noser,” to a “fat chick” who would have been a “field nigger” instead of a house nigger during slavery…

– “If you look at the way [Oprah] looks, she looks like 60 years ago she would have been a house keeper luckily. She would have not been a house n**ger she would have been a field n**ger.”

– “She’s so enormously insecure. If you wanna distill Oprah Winfrey down to like her most basic components. She wants to be beautiful.”

-“Imagine being [Oprah]. She has all of the world. All the power in the world … and she only wants something that is only chemical, purely impossible.”

That Ain’t All She Had To Say Though

Rae Dawn Chong continued with more jabs…

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– “The thing that’s really great about Oprah that you can’t take away from her, is that she’s a great brown-noser. … If you were in a room with her, she would pick the most powerful person and she’ll become best friends with them.”

– “When we worked with her the one thing about Oprah, she was that fat chick that was the wannabe cheerleader in school, that was the student council president that was best friends with the principal.”

Rae also gave Oprah a nice-nasty compliment for being a self-made mogul:

“No matter how vile she is, you kinda gotta go, ‘hello hats off’ like, you’ve done an amazing thing you have actually shifted the DNA of the universe.”

After Backlash, Rae ‘Clarified’ Her Comments…

Following the backlash, Rae Dawn and her Pops spoke out in her defense and to offer further clarity into why she went at Oprah so hard.

In a now private Youtube response, Rae said she “regrets” some of her remarks about Oprah, but not all of them:

R.D. Chong: “I told my story about my experiences with O… Will I have to live under armed guard for ten years because of this? You know people think I just sat back and called O a bunch of ugly names and blasted her just because? It just isn’t true.”

Tommy Chong’s Response…
Tommy Chong also said his daughter’s statements were “taken out of context”:

“If you think of what [Rae Dawn] said, she said back in the day Oprah would be working in the field because she’s not that beautiful…whereas if you’re beautiful, you’re part of the master’s bedroom,” stated Tommy Chong.

Moral of the story: Don’t say something you may regret later…unless you’re bold enough to stand by it, no matter the consequences.

Gayle King and her bestie, Oprah Winfrey, appeared on the OG Chronicles, where they chopped it up about the time Gayle caught her then-husband having sex with another woman, who was also her friend.

Though Gayle’s former husband issued a public apology (view apology below) to Gayle in recent years, that didn’t stop Gayle from continuing to put his cheating history on full blast…and she came out with ALL guns blazing! Gayle broke down exactly what happened on that fateful day. While her ex-husband, on the other hand, kinda sounds like he wouldn’t mind getting back with Gayle (although he didn’t say that).

Oprah Thinks Gayle Is Now “Scarred”

In a past interview, Gayle revealed that she caught her then-husband and her friend butt naked in bed together! On the OG Chronicles ep,’ Oprah told Gayle, “I think you may be scarred,” from forming new friendships because of “that friend who slept with your husband.”

Gayle Admits She Has Problem Making Friends After What Mistress Told Her
During on of their episodes of OG Chronicles on Youtube, Gayle admitted she’s had problems making ‘new friends.’ Oprah interjected by mentioning that Gayle’s ‘new friend’ problem is because of the woman Gayle’s ex-husband cheated with.

Gayle: “I Thought You Were My Friend”
Gayle says she knew her ex-hubby’s mistress, telling the woman, “I thought you were my friend,” to which the mistress replied, “I never liked you.”

Can’t Forget When Gayle Got REALLY Real About Mistress
When Gayle was asked, in a 2016 Vanity Fair interview, “Which living person do you most despise?” she said: “Despise’ is a strong word. I’m not a huge fan of the woman I caught naked with my now ex-husband on June 24, 1990, at 9:16pm – but I don’t remember the details.”

Meet Gayle’s Ex-Husband

He’s A Successful Brotha
Gayle King’s ex-husband is Connecticut Asst. Attorney General, William Bumpus. They were married for 11 years (1982-1993) and have two children – a son and daughter- together.

26 Years Later, Gayle’s Ex Publicly Apologized:

It wasn’t until July 2016 — 26 years later — that Gayle’s ex-husband, William, publicly apologize for reportedly sexin’ up her former friend. Peep parts of his apology below…
“I’ve Been Haunted By This Life Altering Choice…”
“I have been haunted with this life altering choice. Though I have dealt with this privately . . . I publicly apologize for the major transgression that dramatically changed all of our lives. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Gayle and how she handled herself with grace.”

“Gayle Was A Great Wife”
“Despite the situation, she kept our children, as well as my relationship and involvement with them, as a clear priority. Gayle was a great wife, an excellent mother and a fantastic co-parent. I am eternally grateful for all that she has done and continues to do to enrich my life and the lives of our incredible adult children.”

“I Continue To Be A Work In Progress”
“I continue to be a work in progress and have spent the last 26 years striving to be a better man and father. I applaud Gayle’s continued phenomenal success and friendship!” -William Bumpus

Not sure if Gayle wanted to hear her ex-hubby’s apology 26 years later, but props to William for at least publicly owning up to his transgressions.