'We're not racist', says Prince William after Meghan and Harry interview

LONDON - Prince William said on Thursday that Britain's royals were not racist after Meghan, wife of his younger brother Harry, said one unnamed member of the family had asked how dark their son Archie's skin might be.

The revelation emerged during an explosive tell-all interview Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, gave to Oprah Winfrey which was aired on Sunday, plunging the British monarchy into its biggest crisis since the 1997 death of Princess Diana, William and Harry's mother.

On a visit to a school in east London, William said he had not talked to Harry since the interview was broadcast just over three days ago.

"I haven't spoken to him yet but I will do," William, 38, said.

Asked by a reporter if the royal family was racist, William said: "We're very much not a racist family."

In the two-hour show, Meghan also said the royals had ignored her pleas for help while she felt suicidal, while Harry said his father, heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, had let him down and that he had felt trapped.

On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace issued a statement on behalf of Queen Elizabeth, the princes' grandmother, in which she said the family were saddened by how challenging the couple had found the last few years.

The statement added the issues of race were concerning and would be treated very seriously, but pointedly stated "some recollections may vary".

The Palace have said that it was a family matter that should be dealt with privately.

During the interview, Harry laid bare how distant he had come from the other members of his family, saying his father had stopped taking his calls at one point, and saying there was "space" in his relationship with William.

"Much will continue to be said about that ... as I said before, you know, I love William to bits, he's my brother, we've been through hell together and we have a shared experience," he said. "But we're on different paths."

The interview was watched by 12.4 million viewers in Britain and 17.1 million in the United States.

It has proved divisive among the British public: some believe it showed how outdated and intolerant the institution was, while others decried it as a self-serving assault that neither Elizabeth nor her family deserved.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)

-reuters-

Who's Who of pop culture unites for 'One World' coronavirus special

Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Beyonce and Oprah Winfrey on Saturday headlined a special broadcast of music, comedy and personal stories celebrating those around the world on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic.

The two-hour “One World:Together at Home” event, broadcast across multiple television channels in the United States and overseas, featured a Who’s Who of pop culture in the biggest celebrity gathering so far to mark the effects of the virus.

Contributions, all filmed in their homes, also came from Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Stevie Wonder, British soccer star David Beckham, former U.S. first ladies Michelle Obama and Laura Bush, Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Billie Eilish, Bill Gates and dozens of others.

“I’m so grateful for the healthcare workers, the medical workers, all the grocery store workers and delivery people, the postal workers, all the other nonprofits that are working so hard,” said Gaga, who helped organize the event.

“This is really a true love letter to all of you all over the world, and I hope a reminder of the kindness that’s occurring right now,” she added.

The event, led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the nonprofit group Global Citizen, told the personal stories of teachers and healthcare, grocery, delivery, postal and other workers.

It showed social media postings and news clips of doctors and nurses being applauded by communities around the world, deserted world landmarks, families greeting each other through windows, and acts of kindness in support of those who are isolated and frail.

“We aren’t asking for money tonight,” said Stephen Colbert who hosted the broadcast alongside his U.S. late night television rivals Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon.

Instead of seeking public funds, the event encouraged philanthropists and companies to contribute to the WHO’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Corporate and other donors have already contributed some $150 million, organizers said.

“What I’d like tonight, if I can, is to give you the permission for the moment to... ‘Smile’,” said Gaga, kicking off the evening by launching into a version of the ballad made famous by Nat King Cole.

Beyonce did not perform but sent a video message in which she noted the disproportionately high death rates from COVID-19 in the black community.

“This virus is killing black people at an alarming rate in America,” she said, urging viewers to protect themselves.

Swift, on piano, gave an emotional rendition of her ballad “Soon You’ll Get Better,” which was originally written during her mother’s battle with cancer.

The Rolling Stones, filmed in four separate locations, sang “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards playing acoustic guitars.

“We all appreciate the healthcare workers but never like now,” Winfrey said in a video message. “They truly are the best of us... We need to ensure that governments step up now and provide healthcare workers with the equipment and the funds they need.”

Wonder played the late Bill Wither’s classic “Lean on Me,” while McCartney, recalling that his mother was a nurse and midwife, sang “Lady Madonna.”

“You know the coronavirus is trouble when a Beatle gets involved,” quipped Kimmel.

Earlier on Saturday, pop, classical and rap musicians from the United States, Asia and the Middle East took part in a six-hour livestream that featured Latin star Luis Fonsi, R&B singer Jennifer Hudson, Hong Kong singer Eason Chan, India’s Vishal Mishra and Emirati musician Hussain Al Jassmi.

Celebrities called on people to stay at home, wash their hands regularly, practice social distancing and put pressure on their political leaders to introduce widespread testing for the disease.

-reuters-

Taylor Swift, Oprah join huge global event to celebrate coronavirus workers

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez and Oprah Winfrey have joined a global broadcast special telecast this weekend that will recognize the efforts of workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak, organizers said on Tuesday.

The “One World Together at Home” event, a combination of music, comedy and stories from doctors, nurses and grocery workers, also announced an additional six-hour streaming event that will include appearances by major sports stars, including British Formula One racing champion Lewis Hamilton, U.S. women’s World Cup soccer player Megan Rapinoe, World Cup skier Lindsey Vonn and dozens of other singers, actors and social media influencers.

The April 18 streaming event will precede the two-hour show to be broadcast across multiple North American and international television networks on Saturday evening in the biggest effort so far to show solidarity with frontline workers.

All those taking part in the event, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and advocacy group Global Citizen, will appear remotely due to social distancing and shutdowns aimed at curtailing the spread of the disease that has killed more than 124,000 people worldwide.

“Our hope for the special is that everyone will come away believing that we, as a shared humanity, can emerge from this moment forever grateful for the work of doctors, nurses, teachers, grocery store workers, and all those who are the backbone of our communities,” Hugh Evans, co-founder and chief executive of Global Citizen, said in a statement.

Lady Gaga announced the event last week but it has since expanded dramatically and now includes some of the biggest celebrities in the world, including Celine Dion, Billie Eilish, John Legend, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Chris Martin, Andrea Bocelli and Michael Buble.

While the special is not billed as a public fundraiser, it is also aimed at encouraging philanthropists and companies to dig into their pockets and contribute to the WHO’s Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Gaga said last week that more than $35 million had been raised from corporations.

“When we do air live on April 18th, put your wallets away, your credit cards away, anything away that you need to and sit back and enjoy the show that you all very much deserve,” Gaga told a news conference last week.

Reporting by Jill Serjeant; editing by Jonathan Oatis

Oprah Winfrey donates $10 million for coronavirus relief

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday she was donating $10 million to coronavirus relief efforts, including a new venture to help get food to vulnerable Americans during the coronavirus epidemic.

Winfrey, one of America’s richest and most influential women, made the announcement on her social media platforms.

“I am donating $10 million overall to help Americans during this pandemic in cities across the country and in areas where I grew up,” she said. Winfrey, 66, was born into poverty in Mississippi and raised in Milwaukee and Tennessee.

Part of the money will go towards the new initiative called America’s Food Fund, launched in conjunction with Apple Inc, the Ford Foundation, Laurene Powell Jobs and actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

It will help feed those most impacted by the coronavirus epidemic in America, including children who rely on school lunch programs, low-income families, the elderly, and individuals facing job disruptions.

“I still remember growing up with my mother in Milwaukee when we were all out of welfare and sometimes we needed assistance for our family just to survive. At times like this, so many more people are vulnerable,” Winfrey said.

She did not say where she would direct the bulk of her $10 million donation.

Winfrey made her announcement the same day as U.S. data showed that a record 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment last week.

Winfrey last month launched a weekly series on Apple’s new streaming service, Apple TV+, called “Oprah Talks COVID-19,” in which she speaks over video platforms with spiritual leaders and others about how to get through the crisis.

Winfrey, who ended her popular television talk show in 2011 after 25 years, signed a development deal with Apple in 2018 to produce original content for the streaming service.

Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Richard Chang

Oprah picks slavery novel for Apple TV book venture, says done with talk shows

Oprah Winfrey on Monday announced the first pick of her revamped popular book club with Apple's new television streaming service but made clear she had no plans to return to hosting a regular TV talk show.

Winfrey, one of the most influential women in U.S. television, chose “The Water Dancer” by critically acclaimed author Ta-Nehisi Coates, his debut novel about slavery.

"It is one of the best books I have ever read in my entire life," Winfrey said on CBS "This Morning." The inaugural "Oprah's Book Club" will premiere on Apple TV+ on Nov. 1.

Winfrey said the new book club venture would feature interviews with authors from Apple stores in world cities.

"It's the reason why I wanted to partner with Apple because you can build an entire community around the world, and you can have everyone in the world reading the same book," Winfrey told Ellen DeGeneres in a separate interview on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Monday.

Winfrey is one of several big names, including Steven Spielberg and Jennifer Aniston, who have partnered with Apple for its venture into streaming original content.

Winfrey, however, ruled out any return to the kind of daily show that she ended in 2011 after 25 years.

"I'm kinda done with the talk show," she told DeGeneres.

"I can do whatever I want; that what's wonderful with Apple. I'm going to be doing documentaries. I'll do interviews when something comes along that feels like 'OG! I want to sit down and talk with that person.' But I'm kinda done with the every day," she said.

Apple said a new episode of "Oprah's Book Club" will be available every two months.

Coates, who won the 2015 National Book Award for his non-fiction work "Between the World and Me" about race in the United States, said on Monday that being picked was a "tremendous, tremendous honor."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

TV titans Trump, Oprah go head to head on US campaign trail

Two former TV stars and political opposites - media mogul Oprah Winfrey and President Donald Trump - took to the U.S. campaign trail on Thursday, 5 days before elections that will determine whether Trump's Republicans retain control of Congress.

Winfrey appeared in Georgia to back Democrat Stacey Abrams, who is vying to become the United States' first black female governor.

"I'm here today to support a change maker," the movie star and former TV talk show host told a crowd in Cobb County northwest of Atlanta. "She is dynamic. She is so inspired and inspiring."

Trump, who gained nationwide fame as star of the reality show "The Apprentice," was in the 2nd day of an 11-rally tour of states with competitive Senate races. He was to campaign with fellow Republican Josh Hawley, who is trying to unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill.

The contest between Abrams, a former state lawmaker, and Republican Brian Kemp has become a flash point in the battle over voter access. As Georgia's secretary of state, Kemp oversees the Southern state's elections.

Georgia has one of the country's strictest voter ID laws, measures Republicans say are needed to ensure no one votes illegally. Democrats contend the statutes unfairly block poor people and minority group members from voting.

Voting rights groups sued Kemp, saying his office had inappropriately stopped processing more than 50,000 voter registration applications, many from black voters. Other groups have challenged voting restrictions in states including North Dakota, Arkansas and Ohio.

HEALTHCARE FOCUS

Abrams said improving the state's health-care system was at the top of the list of issues she wanted to tackle if elected, a message that lined up with Democrats' national focus as they seek to gain control of at least one chamber of Congress, which would give them the ability to oppose Trump's agenda.

"The Republican solution has been nothing," Abrams said on Thursday. "It has been absolutely nothing."

The embrace of health care is a sharp shift for Democrats, who were wary of defending Obamacare in previous elections when the law that created it was unpopular with many voters.

A Reuters poll of 2,673 Americans conducted Oct. 1 through Oct. 28 found healthcare was the top issue for Democratic and independent voters heading into the elections, and 3rd in priority among Republicans, behind immigration and the economy. 

Democrats are favored to flip the 23 seats they need to secure a majority in the House of Representatives, although they are considered a long shot to pick up the 2 seats needed to capture the Senate.

TRUMP STUMPS

Vulnerable Democratic senators in states Trump won in 2016 are also focusing on health care. Among them is Missouri's McCaskill, who has criticized her Republican challenger, state Attorney General Hawley, for joining a lawsuit filed by Republican attorneys general seeking to overturn Obamacare.

Trump, who vowed throughout his campaign to repeal Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act, and fumed when the effort failed, was due in Missouri on Thursday to support Hawley.

On Friday, he will travel to West Virginia, which he won by more than 40 percentage points in 2016. The state's Democratic senator, Joe Manchin, has attacked his opponent, Republican state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, for participating in the same lawsuit Hawley joined.

Republicans say they are also committed to maintaining those protections, drawing accusations of hypocrisy from Democrats and health-care experts who say an Obamacare repeal would have sent premiums skyrocketing for certain people with pre-existing conditions.

Former Vice President Joe Biden may also address the issue in a Thursday campaign appearance in North Dakota with embattled Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp.

'FEARMONGERING'

Trump, who will not be on the ballot, came under fire from Democrats and even some fellow Republicans on Thursday for an online video ad backing Republican candidates that attempted to link Democrats and immigrants to violent crime.

The ad featured courtroom footage of Luis Bracamontes - an illegal immigrant from Mexico convicted in the 2014 killings of two police officers in Sacramento, California - saying in accented English he would kill more cops. A narrator asks, "Who else would Democrats let in?"

Robert Reich, who served as secretary of labor in the Clinton administration, called the ad "desperate and vile ... They've resorted to fearmongering."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Oprah on presidential bid: 'Not for me'

Chat show icon Oprah Winfrey has brushed off speculation she might run for US president in 2020, saying in an interview published Thursday she lacks "the DNA for it."

When Winfrey delivered a rousing speech at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this month it rekindled longstanding speculation over the billionaire's political ambitions -- and a possible run for the Oval Office.

Some Democrats -- still reeling from Hillary Clinton's shock loss to Donald Trump -- have embraced the idea of having their own celebrity candidate the next time around.

But in an interview with InStyle, carried out three weeks before the Globes and published in the fashion magazine's March issue, the 63-year-old downplayed the idea of a presidential run, saying: "That's not for me."

"I've always felt very secure and confident with myself in knowing what I could do and what I could not," said the self-made entertainment tycoon.

"And so it's not something that interests me. I don't have the DNA for it," she added.

It was unclear whether the enthusiastic response to her Globes speech -- after which anonymous friends of the chat show queen were reported as saying she was "actively thinking" about a 2020 run -- may have brought a change of heart.

Winfrey went on in the interview to voice optimism about the current political US political climate.

"I think what's exciting is this moment in our political history, in our social engagement," she said.

"It's really opened a lot of people to the fact that they have a voice, and it's gotten people involved in ways that they never would've been before."

Winfrey, the first black woman to own a television network, also reflected on the wave of sexual misconduct allegations gripping the worlds of entertainment, media and politics -- the core of her Globes speech, in which she heralded a "new day" following the watershed.

"It has seared into the consciousness a level of awareness that was not there before," she told InStyle.

"That's the most important thing to me. When Reese Witherspoon can tell her story at the same time as a farm worker in Iowa or a factory worker in Alabama ... You can see you're not alone."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Trump on Oprah: She won't run in 2020 but I'd win anyway

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump weighed in Tuesday on fevered speculation about a potential 2020 White House bid by Oprah Winfrey, saying she probably would not run against him, but if she did, he would win.

"I'll beat Oprah," Trump said of the Oscar-nominated actress and talk show host.

"I like Oprah," he said, noting that he had appeared on her long-running afternoon program.

"I know her very well," he said, before adding: "I don't think she's going to run."

Winfrey's rousing speech at Sunday's Golden Globes Awards ceremony ignited speculation that the billionaire talk show queen is harboring Oval Office ambitions.

Some Democrats -- still reeling from Hillary Clinton's shock loss to Trump in 2016 -- have embraced the idea of having their own celebrity candidate.

But there is little indication that the 63-year-old actually wants the job.

"I don't think at this point she is actually considering it," said Winfrey's best friend Gayle King, who is also a television personality.

King suggested, however, that the actress was "intrigued" by the idea of running.

"I also know, after years of watching the Oprah show, you always have the right to change your mind," she said.

FOCUSED ON TRUMP'S RE-ELECTION  

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders was also drawn into the speculation on Tuesday about a potential Winfrey candidacy.

Asked by a reporter whether she had any advice for an "outsider" considering a White House run, Sanders said: "I'm not going to focus on anyone's campaign other than President Trump's re-election."

"I'm sure if she decides to run, which I think the president states he doesn't feel she will, I'm sure she'll have help with that," Sanders added.

Sanders was also asked whether she believed Winfrey was qualified to run for president.

"Look, I disagree very much on her policies," the spokeswoman said. "Is she a successful individual? Absolutely.

"But in terms of where she stands on a number of positions, I would find a lot of problems with that," Sanders said. "But that would be something she would have to determine and lay out if she made a decision to run."

Sanders was also questioned about a tweet from Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump praising Winfrey's Golden Globes speech.

"Just saw @Oprah's empowering & inspiring speech at last night's #GoldenGlobes," Ivanka Trump tweeted Monday night.

"Let's all come together, women & men, & say #TIMESUP #UNITED," she said in a reference to the campaign to end sexual harassment.

Sanders said the message from the White House is that "everyone should come together."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Oprah for president? Fans urge White House run

LOS ANGELES - Oprah Winfrey fans lit up Twitter on Monday with calls for her to run for U.S. president after the entertainment star gave an inspiring "new day" speech at an awards show in support of those who have exposed sexual misconduct in Hollywood and beyond.

A surge of tweets carrying "#Oprahforpresident" and "#Oprah2020" hashtags followed her speech at the Golden Globes, where Winfrey became the first black woman to receive a lifetime achievement award on Sunday.

Winfrey, an actress, movie and television producer, and chief executive of her OWN cable channel, is actively thinking about a run, CNN reported on Monday, citing two of her close friends. CNN did not name the friends, who it said had spoken on condition of anonymity.

At least one emphasized that Winfrey had made no firm decision on a run.

Sunday's award ceremony honored Winfrey, 63, as a role model for women and a person who has promoted strong female characters.

"In a 9 minute speech, @Oprah was more presidential than the current occupant of the White House has been for an entire year," wrote Khary Penebaker, a member of the Democratic National Committee, on Twitter, referring to Republican President Donald Trump.

"That speech was everything. #timesup #oprahforpresident," tweeted Boston television personality Cassy Arsenault in one of many calls for Winfrey to run in the next U.S. presidential election, in November 2020.

Trump also powered his successful 2016 campaign on the back of his celebrity reputation from reality TV show "The Apprentice," as well as long-cultivated attention in New York newspapers.

In recent years, Winfrey has lent her star power to endorse Democratic presidential candidates: Barack Obama when he was seeking to become the first black U.S. president in 2008 and Hillary Clinton in her campaign against Trump in 2016.

In the past, Winfrey has said she is not interested in running for president, for example saying in a CBS interview in October when asked about the 2020 presidential election that, "There will be no running for office of any kind for me."

However, the Los Angeles Times quoted Stedman Graham, Winfrey's longtime partner in business and life, as saying on Sunday that "It's up to the people ... She would absolutely do it."

The awards show, Hollywood's first leading up to the Oscars, was dominated by a scandal that has seen dozens of powerful men in U.S. entertainment, politics and the media accused of sexual abuse or harassment.

Winfrey, who along with most of the show's other women attendees wore a black gown to show support for victims of sexual misconduct, was the first black woman to receive the annual Cecil B. DeMille award, joining the likes of Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, Barbra Streisand and Sophia Loren.

'NEW DAY' FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN

Winfrey used her speech to praise women who have shared their stories of sexual harassment and abuse, and to declare that "a new day is on the horizon" for girls and women.

"When that new day finally dawns it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure they become leaders that take us to the time where nobody has to say 'me too' again," Winfrey said, referring to the #MeToo social media movement raising awareness about sexual harassment.

Winfrey was raised in poverty by a single mother and went on to host the top-rated talk show "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for 25 years before ending it in 2011.

"I want to express gratitude to all the women who have endured years of abuse and assault because they, like my mother, had children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue."

She produced and acted in the 2014 civil rights movie "Selma," and 2017's "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" and was Oscar nominated in 1986 for her role in "The Color Purple," which she later helped finance as Broadway musical.

Even after ending her daily talk show, her influence on popular culture remains strong.

Forbes last year estimated her net worth at $3 billion and placed her third on its list of the America's richest self-made women.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

President Oprah? Winfrey doesn't rule out 2020 run

WASHINGTON - Media mogul Oprah Winfrey did not say she was running for president, but she didn't rule it out either, raising the unlikely prospect of a titanic celebrity-on-celebrity duel with Donald Trump in 2020.

In an interview with Bloomberg TV that aired Wednesday, host David Rubenstein asked whether she had ever thought about her own White House campaign.

Winfrey replied, "I never considered the question even a possibility," before adding: "I just thought, 'Oh. Oh?'"

Reminded by her host that Trump's victory proved one did not need government experience to be elected president, Winfrey flirted with the prospect.

"That's what I thought," the former talk show icon said, in the interview taped in December about one month after Trump's election win.

"I thought, 'Oh gee, I don't have the experience, I don't know enough.' And now I'm thinking, 'Oh.'"

The extraordinarily influential Winfrey was a strong supporter of Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. Eight years earlier her endorsement of Barack Obama proved a critical factor in his primary victory over rival Clinton.

Winfrey is no stranger to discussing presidential politics. In 1988, on the set of her talk show, she asked Trump, then 42, if he would ever run for president.

"Probably not," the real estate mogul replied, before adding that if he did run, "I would have a hell of a chance of winning."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Oprah prevails in 'Own Your Power' lawsuit

NEW YORK - Oprah Winfrey has prevailed in a trademark lawsuit challenging her use of the phrase "Own Your Power" in her namesake magazine, on TV, on websites and in social media accounts.

U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty in Manhattan ruled on Thursday that Winfrey, her company Harpo Productions Inc and her publisher Hearst Corp demonstrated that the phrase "lacks the requisite distinctiveness" to deserve trademark protection.

Crotty also said Simone Kelly-Brown, a motivational speaker and business coach who said she trademarked the phrase in 2008, and her company Own Your Power Communications Inc did not show that Winfrey's use of the phrase would likely confuse consumers.

"Though they may aspire to do so, plaintiffs present no evidence indicating a likelihood of creating a global media presence capable of attracting an audience of millions," Crotty wrote.

Patricia Lawrence-Kolaras, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said her clients plan to appeal Judge Crotty's decision.

Jonathan Donnellan, Hearst's deputy general counsel, said the defendants are pleased with the decision.

Crotty previously dismissed the lawsuit in March 2012, only to have a federal appeals court revive it 14 months later because the defendants did not show that their use of "Own Your Power" constituted fair use.

In Thursday's decision, Crotty said the defendants made that showing by having used the phrase in good faith, in conjunction with other words and images associated with Winfrey, and to convey an "overall message of self-empowerment."

Winfrey, 61, is one of the most popular talk-show hosts in history. She runs the cable network OWN, which she created in a joint venture with Discovery Communications Inc.

Forbes magazine on Thursday estimated Winfrey's net worth at $3 billion.

The case is Kelly-Brown et al v. Winfrey et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 11-07875.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by David Gregorio and Andre Grenon)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Charice talks about reunion with Oprah

Watch the full episode in iWant TV or TFC

MANILA – Filipino singer Charice on Sunday shared what happened behind the scenes when she reunited with Oprah Winfrey when she appeared as a guest on the US host's "Where Are They Now" show last October.

Charice considers Winfrey as her godmother. She was first introduced by Winfrey on her show on May 2008, which helped propel the young singer onto the international stage, which included stints on the TV show "Glee," as well as roles in Hollywood movies.

Her guesting on the "Where Are They Now" centered on how her life changed after she came out as a lesbian last year.

Saying she was really nervous about her appearance, Charice said: “Siguro ang pinaka-best part nung nandoon ako, siyempre ilang years din bago ako nakapunta sa show. When I came back there, sabi ko talaga, even kay Ms. Oprah, na talagang kinakabahan ako. Naiyak lang ako when they all told me na ‘Don’t be. This is your homecoming.’”

Charice said she is truly delighted to be able to appear on Winfrey’s show again because she gets to let the world know about the talent of the Filipinos.

“I am very proud to represent us, all of us Filipinos na every time nakakatungtong ako sa ganung stage tapos tinatawag nila ako na ‘most talented girl in the world from the Philippines,’ siyempre iba 'yung feeling talaga. Sobrang sarap,” she said.

In the interview with Winfrey, Charice admitted she knew she was gay when she was five but denied that she is planning to have an operation to become male.

The singer also revealed that she went through a period of depression before deciding to come out but denied rumors that she tried to commit suicide. She did, however, admit that she thought of taking her life.

After her emotional confession, Charice told Winfrey that she is content now that she and mother have reconciled and that she's happy with her partner, Alyssa Quijano.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong says sorry to Livestrong

The Livestrong Foundation says disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong apologized to about 100 staffers at the cancer charity's Austin, Texas, headquarters Monday.

Livestrong spokeswoman Katherine McLane told ABC News Armstrong offered a "sincere and heartfelt apology," which generated lots of tears.

McLane also said he "took responsibility" for the trouble he has caused the foundation, but she did not elaborate regarding whether he admitted he used performance-enhancing drugs while competing, ABC News said.

The move comes days before Oprah Winfrey's interview with the athlete and cancer survivor is to air on television.

Although Armstrong has vehemently denied accusations he used performance-enhancing drugs and was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles as a result of the allegations, sources told ABC News he is expected to finally admit his wrongdoing to Winfrey.

Armstrong stepped down as Livestrong chairman last fall amid the controversy.

source: upi.com

Oprah still supportive of Charice

MANILA, Philippines -- Singer Charice thanked popular television host Oprah Winfrey for continuing to support her career.

"Until now, she's still there to support me. So I just want to thank her for everything," she said in her guesting on the US talk show "The Couch" on Wednesday (US time).

"I mean I can say that she's one of the people that I really owe. She gave me the career that I'd been wanting and everything," Charice said

Charice's international career took off after she appeared on "The Ellen de Generes Show"and "Oprah."

Winfrey even dubbed her at the time as "the most talented girl in the world."

Since then, Charice has released a couple of albums and also appeared on the popular TV show "Glee."

New Hollywood film

Charice is now promoting her second Hollywood film "Here Comes The Boom," which stars Salma Hayek and Kevin James.

The comedy movie about a high school teacher (James) who takes up mixed martial arts to raise funds to help the school opens in US theaters on Friday, October 12.

Charice said she auditioned for the role of James' student in the movie.

She recalled being really nervous when she found out that that she was going to sing Neil Diamond's "Holly Holy" -- which she was unfamiliar with.

"I didn't know the song 'Holly Holy.' I didn't even know that I was gonna do the song. I thought I will just gonna act and everything. So I was ready, reading the script and all of the sudden they gave me the lyrics of the song 'Holly Holy' and I was like 'what's this song' so I download the song on ITunes and I was listening to it and I was like 'oh my God this is the end of me, this is the end of me I don't know the song,'" she narrated.

"So I went inside the conference room and Frank (Coraci), was there -- the director -- everybody was there and I was shaking and I was like 'why am I shaking? This is my job. I sing.' Thank God that I actually did it and I made them kinda teary-eyed," she said.

"The X Factor Philippines" judge said she's just happy to be part of the film and to be given a chance to meet James and Hayek.

"I love all of them. I'm just very blessed because I didn't expect that they would be that nice and sweet and everything. So being with them on the set, I kept on telling them that if you guys gonna make another movie, please, please pick me, pick me," she said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Oprah is Forbes' highest paid celebrity for 4 straight years

Her new television network is struggling, but Oprah Winfrey's bank account is doing just fine, according to financial website Forbes.com, which on Monday named the talk show queen as the highest paid celebrity for the fourth straight year.

Winfrey has failed to find major success with joint venture partner Discovery Communications on the OWN network, but her ownership in syndicated TV shows such as "Dr. Phil," "Rachael Ray," "The Dr. Oz Show" and other media products enabled her to earn an estimated $165 million between May 2011 and May 2012, Forbes.com said in a story posted on Monday.

Close behind was movie director Michael Bay, whose action-packed adventure flick "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" released last year, helped him earn $160 million based on participation in ticket and toy sales and other revenue.

Another film director, Steven Spielberg, earned $130 million in the 12-month period covered by Forbes from his participation with TV shows like "Smash" and the release of the movies "The Adventures of Tintin" and "War Horse."

Jerry Bruckheimer placed fourth with $115 million from TV shows and films including "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" and behind him at No. 5 was music producer Dr. Dre, who earned $110 million based mostly on the sale of part of his stake in the Beats by Dr. Dre headphone company.

Rounding out the top 10, in order, were:

Actor and producer Tyler Perry, $105 million

Radio and TV personality Howard Stern, $95 million

Author James Patterson, $94 million
Movie producer George Lucas, $90 million

Music producer and TV personality, Simon Cowell, $90 million

article source: interaksyon.com

Oprah expands online with Huffington Post

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey is expanding her online empire by teaming up with the Huffington Post for a section dedicated to the chat show host that will engage her audience, the Oprah Winfrey Network said on Wednesday.

The Huffington Post Oprah section will launch in August, and will curate content from Oprah.com, which features the motto "Live Your Best Life" and accompanies Winfrey's OWN TV programming with videos, articles and advice on health, fashion and culture.

The section also will develop original content with Oprah.com, OWN and Huffington Post editors, and interactively engage with readers.

"Oprah was about engagement and authenticity long before engagement and authenticity ruled the web. And since those qualities are deeply embedded in the DNA of both OWN and HuffPost, I'm delighted that we'll be working together to enlarge the conversation on living our best lives," Arianna Huffington said in a statement.

Winfrey, 58, the 'Queen of Talk' who revolutionized chat shows with her intimate, confessional couch format on "The Oprah Winfrey" Show that first aired in the 1980s, has seen her Oprah Winfrey Network struggle to connect to her TV audience with her mix of interviews and feel-good programs.

Earlier this year, the network laid off 30 staff members and canceled the heavily hyped Rosie O'Donnell talk show that failed to provide a ratings boost for the fledgling channel, drawing in an average of 180,000 daily viewers as of March.

Winfrey's collaboration with Huffington Post will allow her to reach the news aggregator website's 36.9 million monthly users, with the hope of recouping some of her key audience, women ages 25 to 54. Oprah currently is followed by 11.5 million users on Twitter and 7 million fans on Facebook.

Talk show hosts such as Katie Couric, Dr Phil, Bill Maher and Ricki Lake have contributed to Huffington Post's blogosphere in the past while Ellen DeGeneres and Anderson Cooper have their own dedicated aggregator news pages. But this is the first time the site has collaborated with a host to develop a dedicated section.

source: interaksyon.com