Oprah Winfrey recently shared a painful memory from early in her career, detailing a negative encounter with the late Joan Rivers. The discussion arose during an interview on “The View” as Winfrey promoted her new book, “Enough: Your Health, Your Weight, and What It’s Like to Be Free,” co-written with Dr. Ania Jastreboff.
A Difficult Television Appearance
Winfrey described a 1985 appearance on The Tonight Show hosted by Joan Rivers as a “horrible moment.” Rivers reportedly questioned Winfrey about her weight, saying, “Shame, shame, shame on you for not losing the weight. How did you gain the weight?” Rivers then offered Winfrey a return invitation contingent on losing 15 pounds.
Winfrey explained that, surprisingly, she wasn’t initially upset by Rivers’ comments. Instead, she internalized the criticism and felt compelled to lose weight. She stated, “I thought, ‘I’ve got to get on it, I’ve got to lose those 15 pounds.’”
The incident occurred during a period when Winfrey’s daytime career was gaining momentum, but she was also facing consistent public scrutiny regarding her weight. She revealed she blamed herself for the jokes and believed she should have been able to maintain a different weight.
Winfrey also noted that this wasn’t an isolated incident involving Rivers and criticism of Black women’s appearances, referencing a “cringey interview” Rivers conducted with Whoopi Goldberg in the 1990s where Rivers suggested Goldberg wasn’t beautiful and needed to be thinner.
Winfrey’s current health journey, detailed in her new book, has involved GLP-1 medication and improved dietary choices. She has reportedly achieved significant weight loss in the last three to four years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What book did Oprah Winfrey recently release?
Oprah Winfrey recently released “Enough: Your Health, Your Weight, and What It’s Like to Be Free,” co-written with Dr. Ania Jastreboff.
When did Oprah Winfrey appear on The Tonight Show with Joan Rivers?
Oprah Winfrey appeared on The Tonight Show with Joan Rivers in 1985.
How did Oprah Winfrey react to Joan Rivers’ comments about her weight?
Oprah Winfrey stated she initially wasn’t upset by Joan Rivers’ comments, but instead felt compelled to lose weight and blamed herself for not being able to maintain a different weight.
How does experiencing public criticism shape an individual’s self-perception and relationship with their body?
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