For several decades Oprah Winfrey has been one the utmost influential and prosperous television personalities throughout the history of television talk hosts. Oprah has paved the way for several women and African Americans because of her dedication and prominent leadership aptitudes, and according to Everett, (2014) “The most successful BAMM and twenty-first-century media powerhouse is Oprah Winfrey. As the personification of a trans media brand across television (The Oprah Winfrey Show, Oxygen Network, OWN Network, Oprah's Next Chapter [OWN, 2012-]), print (Q The Oprah Magazine), film (The Color Purple [Steven Spielberg, 1985]; Beloved [Jonathan Demme, 1998], Precious), and the Internet (Oprah.com) (Everett, 2014).” This impeccable woman is …show more content…
However, there were numerous of rumors and negative accusations about Oprah opening a school for just African girls, and according to Burgess-Wilkerson, Barbara, (2015), “I a mama bear when it comes to protecting my children" (Burgess-Wilkerson, 2015). These were the words of the billionaire media mogul Oprah Winfrey following the tragic announcement that allegations of sexual abuse were made against the school matron by 15 female students at the prestigious Leadership Academy for Girls founded by Winfrey (Burgess-Wilkerson, Barbara, 2015).” Although, various people did not agree with the denunciations and reports on sexual abuse about this prestigious school, and according to Press, 2007 “Tiny Virginia Makopo, 27, said she was "not guilty" of the 13 charges of indecent assault, assault, and criminal injury against six students ages 13 to 15 and a 23-year-old fellow dormitory matron …show more content…
Therefore, these children have hope and options, instead of being made to become caregivers and child-minders, they can finally, make their dreams come true and be whatever that they are destined to become in life. However, the great leader and CEO of this establishment, most people would not think that business mogul Oprah Winfrey, would just let someone come and destroy this legacy and empire, because her work ethics, demonstrate great leadership because it’s obviously that Oprah is prepared for most obstacles and mishaps. Therefore, Oprah did not give up on her vision, but confronted the issues and implemented strategies that assist this celebrity to overcome the roadblocks in a professional
Oprah Winfrey’s credibility in the entertainment industry is one that many use as a platform to follow to achieve their own success. Oprah Winfrey career started as an anchor for many local news stations in Nashville, Baltimore, and Chicago. Winfrey took over the half hour morning talk show A.M. Chicago. A year later the show was renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show. The Oprah Winfrey Show was highly influential and gained credibility by not trying to profit off the products it endorsed (2013). The show allowed Winfrey the chance to debut her acting skills in 1985 with the movie The Color Purple by Steven Speilberg. Winfrey was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Color Purple (Ward, 2011). Winfrey’s credibility for her acting skills and her talk show allowed her to launch The Oprah Winfrey Show nationally (Ward). From books to film, from health and lifestyle, to pressing social issues which demand attention and donations, Oprah and her self-created, self-named brand are one of the most sought after forms of endorsement for any business TeamGlad2bawoman (2013). This is why Winfrey has been able...
Oprah is one of the most well known and revered celebrities worldwide. What make Oprah distinct from mainstream celebrities is the entwining of the person and the product of Oprah. In each chapter, of Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon, Lofton compares materials from Oprah's many productions and religious culture. Lofton specifically focuses on the prosperity gospel as practiced by many churches and preached by Oprah, who gives gifts and fills pages of her magazine with products intended for a better life. Lofton also discusses celebrity culture and contemporary evangelism and how the brand Oprah thrives on the inseparable nature of religion and American capitalism
Few people on television are able to bring joy to others just by being themselves, but those who can are known as modern day icons. Certain individuals have the ability to get up everyday and entertain crowds of hundreds. Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres are prime examples of people who can brighten others’ days and do so for a living. Oprah and Ellen are two memorable women who have accomplished careers as daytime talk show hosts; they have two separate histories that have formed them into the idols we know today. Viewers have grown up watching both women on television, and have learned meaningful life lessons from doing so. They are often thought of as important role models for young women and men in today’s society (Happiness Weekly). Although their stories may
Winfrey’s early life was filled with arduous hurdles from the beginning, she was raised in a small podunk town in Mississippi that was anything but safe for a young girl, but on top of that she was raised by a single mother who was not around nearly enough. However the most formidable part of her upbringing was, she was sexually abused by ‘family friends’ and relatives on multiple occasions starting from the age of just nine. At twelve she was sent away to middle Tennessee to live with her father, there she realised her passion, she began giving speeches in front of her church and ultimately came to the conclusion that she wanted to speak for a living. Without her parents divorce Winfrey might have never figured out her passion of speaking to people until it was too late, this was a hidden advantage in the making of her success. However all too soon she had to leave the comfort of her father’s home where she could pursue her interest and journey back to her mother, where she was sadly yet again
In an interview I composed with my mother, I asked her “What were some challenges you had to face being a black woman in the south” which she replied “As a black woman, it was hard because you would be considered last on the totem pole, and we were seen as stereotypes such as barefoot and pregnant.” It hard to challenge these thoughts which Collins described as “controlling images” that society puts on you because of your race or sexuality (pg.1). The author Rhoda Jeffries touches on some black women struggles in her article Editor’s Introduction: Fortitudinous Femininity: Black Women’s Resilience in the Face of Struggle when she says “Jeffries and Jeffries further explore the role of mentoring among Black women and challenge mass media to carefully craft images that positively depict African American women in the various roles they play in “Mentoring and mothering Black femininity in the academy: An exploration of body, voice and image through Black female characters.” (p.82) Media has a huge impact on society, which is because of what people see on television or read on social media, since people aren’t use to or don’t understand something they tend to place it on a certain race or
Lofton, Kathryn, and Brenda R. Weber. "The Legacies of Oprah Winfrey: Celebrity, Activism and Reform in the Twenty-first Century." Celebrity Studies 3.1 (2012): 104-105. Print.
Oprah Winfrey is an inspiration to many all around the world. She did not have a very good home life up until the age of 14. She was abused as a child and did not see her mother very often because she was a housemaid who was gone almost every day all day. Vernon Winfrey, Oprah’s father, was a big service in her life when it came to keeping her in a nonviolent manner. Oprah also had her career going for her when she became Miss Black Tennessee at age 17. When Oprah became Miss Black Tennessee she was offered a radio broadcasting job and a full scholarship to Tennessee. Oprah had quite a few talk shows yet she made the most money off her own show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and now has her individual network called The Oprah Winfrey Network. Oprah Winfrey’s influential style greatly impacted those who came after her in the entertainment industry.
One of the reasons Oprah is a modern renaissance woman is for all the good deeds she does. She made her first debut as a news anchor which then turned into her own talk show. In her show The Oprah Winfrey Show she talked with celebrities, like Michael Jackson who had not been interviewed in 14 years. She also premiered in her first acting gig in the movie, The Color Purple. Her performance was so great that she got nominated for both a Golden Globe and
Oprah Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954. (“Oprah Winfrey Biography”). Oprah had a rough childhood (“Oprah Winfrey Biography”). She constantly moved from her mother’s house to her father’s house (“Oprah Winfrey Biography”). When Oprah lived with her mother she was raped (Lies, 2011). When Oprah lived with her father, she excelled (“Oprah Winfrey Biography”). Oprah’s rough childhood and thriving high school and college years definitely influenced her contributions to the world later showing ethical leadership (“Oprah Winfrey Biography”).
Sellars, Patricia. "The Business of Being Oprah." Fortune Aug 2002: scr 2-5. Academic Search Elite. Palni Site Search. Goshen College Good Library. 3 Nov. 2002.
If given the chance to live the life of anyone from the 20th century for just a day; I would choose Oprah Winfrey. Oprah Winfrey has done everything from talk show host, actress, and publisher to producer these accomplishments made her billions. However, these accomplishments did not happen overnight, Oprah dealt with many struggles in her life along the way. Oprah grew up in poverty within an unloving family and even faced years of sexual abuse by a family member. I may have not faced the same struggles, but growing up with a life threatening condition such as cystic fibrosis is my struggle.
Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Her parents are Vernita Lee and Vernon Winfrey who were 18 and 20 at the time of Oprah’s birth. Her Grandmother who took care of her early in life was Hattie Mae Lee. Oprah's mother moved north to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to find work. She planned to move Oprah there once she had secured a job. Oprah stayed with her grandmother on her farm in Mississippi. (www.about.com, 2000).
Winfrey has brought so much change to the world that one cannot just write a simple paragraph about. She has used her platform to discuss topics that are truly life changing such as Weight Issues, Reading, Give Big, and Taboo. Topics about weight have always interested the public, and Oprah was one individual who discussed it for the world to put their input in. She has talked about her own weight and made it clear how diet and exercise is important for the body. She strived to put the message in people’s ear’s that being healthy is what’s right. The next topic is reading, and this came from her “Oprah 's Book Club”. Oprah has always believed that reading is a fundamental skill and she wanted others to hop on the bandwagon and expand their knowledge. She started this book club for many reasons and it surely brought change to society. Give Big is the next topic of discussion and this changed society in a positive way. In 1997, Oprah wanted her viewers to make a difference in other people’s lives by donating their spare change. Shortly after that, she transformed that into the charity known as “Oprah 's Angel Network”. This charity was a huge success and has helped a lot of individuals in need. The final topics that will be discussed are taboo topics such as abuse, infidelity and addiction. These types of topics are what made Oprah Winfrey’s show such a success. She was so open about her childhood and other obstacles she had to face in her life that people began to trust
Despite all of her troubles, Oprah is now very successful. Although when she was young Oprah was faced with many difficult problems, she stuck to her school-work and pursued her love of teaching (Fry, web). One thing that Oprah is known for is her love of reading, teaching, and learning. This passion has helped her move forward and help others that are less fortunate than herself (Fry, web). These troubling things that Oprah was faced with turned her i...
One of the most powerful women in the world is Oprah Gail Winfrey. Oprah is one of the richest businesswomen in the world, but she wasn’t always rich and successful. She had a very tough life growing up and didn’t have much money. She has always been a hard worker, and she had a passion for hosting and acting. Oprah is very good at what she does and that’s how she raised to the top of being one of the most influential women in the media.