Society Will Never Be The Same Again

2018 is rapidly becoming a milestone year for Oprah Winfrey. While the 64-year-old is clearly not short of them in a life of unimaginable purpose that’s set to take yet another 90-degree turn, it may just be that the actress, producer, television star, entrepreneur and philanthropist finally finds herself coming full circle.

- Karen Anne Overton

This latest chapter began when Oprah took on the part of celestial being, Mrs. Which, in the new Disney epic, A Wrinkle in Time. Her performance prompted the Cecil B DeMille Award at the 2018 Golden Globes ceremony, where she delivered a speech so rousing it led to calls for her to run as President of the United States.

“It’s another situation I’ve got myself in,” she laughs, “but I care about injustice and if I get the opportunity to flag it, I will, every time. I’ll stand up there.”

Ironically, the charismatic icon is more grounded than ever. Oprah recognises she cannot do everything alone, as she once thought she could, and accepts that when it comes to real change, we all have a long way to go, and a lot to contribute.

“It’s funny because I wasn’t even supposed to be in this movie!” she laughs, referring to Disney’s recent CGI spectacular. “I’ve been friends with Ava DuVernay, the film’s director, since I worked with her on Selma. She’s a wonderful, close friend of mine, and we were talking. She told me she was planning on shooting this movie and I said, ‘I’d love to come there with you to watch.’ And she said, ‘If you’re going to do that, would you like to read this part and see what you think?’” Oprah laughs heartily: “And it all happened from there—a job and a free vacation!”