Monday, August 25, 2014

The Oprah Effect

Oprah Winfrey's popularly and notoreity have risen ten fold in the past three decades. She began playing the memorable "Sophia" in The Color Purple and was nominated for an Academy Award. She then was given a shot to have her own talk show "The Oprah Winfrey Show." NBC placed her in the same timeslot with another talk-show legend: Phil Donahue. Pretty soon, Oprah was passing him by.

Oprah has turned her acting and talk show success into mogul status. During the show's 20+ year run, she recommended good books to read, gave away several fancy prizes, and have exclusive interviews that rivaled 60 Minutes. Not just anyone could get an interview on Oprah, let alone get tickets to a live taping.

Her success and status has helped the careers of those such as Tyler Perry, Gayle King, Racheal Ray, Dr. Phil McGraw and Dr. Mehmet Oz, whom took over her time slot once she left and started the OWN network.

Oprah has had such an impact not only on blacks and black women, she has restarted the ice water challenge from earlier this summer, getting celebrities involved. The cause is for ALS,and millions nationwide are following Winfrey's lead and are dousing their heads and bodies with cold water and challenging others to do the same. I have been challenged three times (and counting) myself.

She is simply a larger than life character, someone who influences change in others. People simply trust her and her advice , and the circle of people around her. They admire her independence and drive for continued success. Oprah is worth billions but still stays hungry and works hard everyday at 60 years old.

Oprah really is "every woman" and has that X factor, that juice. You either love or hate her, there's no in between. And many people love them some Oprah Winfrey.

What are your feelings towards Oprah? How has she changed or influenced your life?

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