Oprah Winfrey’s apology over the racism flap she caused by recalling a trip to Switzerland in a recent interview has been criticized by some as inauthentic. Oprah Winfrey on Paula Deen, Racism Earlier this week, she said she was “sorry” for fallout that ensued after she told ET about a racist encounter at a purse store in the European country. The Butler star made the allegations (above) when asked about a time she encountered racism personally – in Switzerland, where no one knows her. She claimed a shop owner refused to even show her a ridiculously expensive purse, assuming she could not afford it, presumably because she’s black. The COUNTRY of Switzerland apologized, while the shop owner says the whole thing was a “misunderstanding” and had “nothing to do with racism.” Last night, Oprah backpedaled a bit, apologizing for the racism controversy , saying, “I think that incident in Switzerland was just an incident in Switzerland.” “I’m really sorry that it got blown up,” Winfrey added. “I purposefully did not mention the name of the store. I’m sorry that I said it was Switzerland.” The thing is, as TMZ notes, Oprah couldn’t possibly believe allegations of racism made by OPRAH would go unreported or taken lightly by the media. Pretending not to know that telling that story would spark controversy and become a huge story would be naive at best … and Oprah is far from that. The question is: Does she feel legitimately bad about potentially blowing something out of proportion, or is she just walking it back to save face now? According to the celebrity gossip site, Oprah’s encounter wasn’t really about race, but the fact that she wasn’t treated the way she is accustomed to. Perhaps, with the employee alleging that she is being unfairly portrayed, O’s feeling guilty. The question for you, THGers: Is her apology sincere? Sincere Half-a$$ed View Poll »
Congratulations Oprah ! The billionaire entertainment mogul collected an honorary degree from the highly esteemed Harvard University on Thursday. She also delivered the Class of 2013 commencement address. You can watch below: And check out plenty of photos: WENN Amazon.com Widgets
Oprah Winfrey chose President Obama being elected to office as the biggest moment in black history of the last 10 years. There’s nothing more profound,…
Think he’ll tell the truth ? Via The Hollywood Reporter : It will be the first interview the disgraced cyclist has done since he was stripped of seven Tour de France titles over doping allegations. In the 90-minute interview, which will take place at Armstrong’s Austin, Texas, home and air Jan. 17 at 9 p.m., Armstrong will address the alleged doping scandal, years of accusations of cheating and charges of lying about the use of performance-enhancing drugs throughout his storied cycling career. It is another coup for Winfrey, who has landed a succession of high-profile interviews for her still-fledgling OWN network. Her sitdown with pop singer Rihanna, who talked about her sometimes abusive relationship with Chris Brown, was watched by 2.5 million viewers on Oprah’s Next Chapter. And her March exclusive with Bobbi Kristina, the daughter of the late Whitney Houston, pulled in 3.5 million viewers and is still the most-watched telecast for the network. Armstrong has been an elusive target for news organizations throughout the years-long investigation into doping on Armstrong’s U.S. Postal Service cycling team. He has denied claims by former teammates that have detailed his alleged doping scheme including public and strenuous denials surrounding details in a May 2011 report by 60 Minutes. He has been banned for life from cycling and cannot compete in events sanctioned by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency including triathlons. He has so far refused to appear on camera for any of the myriad TV news stories that have detailed cheating and an alleged pattern of sometimes ruinous legal action against his accusers. But now Armstrong is said to be weighing admitting to the use of performance-enhancing drugs as part of a long-term strategy to rehabilitate his athletic career. Disclosures could come with some legal jeopardy since Armstrong has denied blood-doping or using banned substances in some legal proceedings. And representatives for Armstrong denied a Jan. 4 New York Times report that said Armstrong was in touch with the USADA. Armstrong attorney Tim Herman told the Associated Press: “When, and if, Lance has something to say, there won’t be any secret about it.” Already there is speculation that Armstrong’s admission could come during his interview with Winfrey. Representatives for OWN would not say whether Winfrey has interviewed Armstrong yet. Meanwhile 60 Minutes Sports, the Showtime spinoff of the CBS News program, will air a report Wednesday that says a representative for Armstrong in 2004 attempted to donate $250,000 to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, the same agency that last year found that Armstrong and his team had used illegal substances. Armstrong has refused repeated requests for an interview from 60 Minutes. Is this a PR stunt or do you think he’s really trying to open up? Images via tumblr/facebook
They coached the poor thang into prostitution and used her money to pay their own bills! The little girl must have missed out on having a strong male (or adult period) in her life because these two look crazy! According to The Miami Herald : The young girl had run away from home to be with her much-older boyfriend and within a day her beau made a shocking demand, according to police: Become his prostitute or go home…The 13-year-old agreed. She worked the Biscayne Boulevard strip, giving the man half the money she earned, police said, until he threatened to kill her. Now that man, Daron Eugene Sneed, 26, is in jail and facing a slew of charges, including procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution. He is being held in a Miami-Dade jail without bail. A woman who worked with him — and, police said, helped train the girl to be a prostitute — also was arrested on various charges. Melquinice T. Macklin, 20, was being held in a Miami-Dade jail on $2 million bail. Both were booked into jail Thursday after a lengthy investigation. Reached by phone, Macklin’s mother, who did not give her name, said “Those are just allegations. Obviously that’s why we have the court of law.” The investigation involved Miami-Dade schools police, Miami police and the State Attorney’s Office. It was the fall of 2011. The girl was waiting for her school bus at Northwest 22nd Avenue and 183rd Street when Sneed, also known as “Killer,” went up and befriend her. They kept in touch, first through their cell phones, later meeting up in person at a playground. On Sept. 11, 2011, the girl ran away from home with Sneed. While on a bus to Biscayne Boulevard, Sneed convinced her to work as a prostitute, “telling her that, if she didn’t do it, then she would have to return home,” the affidavit said. He knew her age was 13. She performed her first act of prostitution 15 minutes after getting on Biscayne inside an abandoned home for $80. Macklin gave the girl lessons in how to be a prostitute, the affidavit said, even though the girl had been reported as a runaway. For about a week, she worked mostly out of the Kings Motel, 7150 Biscayne Blvd., giving half the money she earned to Sneed, who beat up johns who refused to pay, according to the affidavit. Macklin and Sneed supervised, using the money for food and shelter. On Sept. 17, 2011, the girl left after Sneed threatened to kill her. Police are worried there are other victims and are asking folks for help. Keep an eye on your kids folks! Images via Miami-Dade Corrections
It’s about damn time Oprah and HBO got this thing rollin’ and gave us a series that features a black family. According to The Hollywood Reporter : The premium cable network is developing a drama from Winfrey’s Harpo Films. The untitled project centers on a wealthy academic who has become the first black president of a prestigious liberal arts college. He and his family are thrust into national headlines, forcing them to present an idyllic public façade, all while engaging in agonizing personal battles and struggling with dark obsessions.Playwright Thomas Bradshaw is on board to write and co-executive produce the hourlong effort, with Winfrey and Harpo’s Kate Forte attached as executive producers. And before people start hatin’ and ask why she’s not postin’ this up on her OWN network, we’re told it’s due to language and adult content. Congratulations O! Images via WENN
Breaking Sports Video
