Oprah "exaggerated" childhood and abuse claims; Why we shouldn't idolize celebrities too much

Kitty Kelley is releasing a tell-all book where family members are slamming her for her stories about her poor upbringing in Mississippi. They also said she made up sex abuse claims to boost ratings. Some excerpts from the book have been released:

Her cousin Kathrine Carr Esters says of Oprah's childhood

“Where Oprah got that nonsense about growing up in filth and roaches I have no idea. I’ve confronted her and asked, ‘why do you tell such lies?’ Oprah told me ‘that’s what people want to hear. The truth is boring.’”

Kelley also writes that there were rumors swirling about a relationship between Oprah and Diane Sawyer!

Employees at ABC said that the two of them had "giggly late-night phone calls" and Oprah send Diane extravagant gifts including giant bouquets of orchids and a one-carat diamond toe-ring!

Other sources described a time when Oprah paid an ex-boyfriend $50,000 to keep quiet about her gay brother and her own lesbian affairs! The book also said that she and her current partner Stedman Graham do not share a bedroom.

The other big secret is that Oprah still doesn't know who her father is! Her cousin told Kelley who he is, but made her promise not to publish the information until O's mother tells Oprah the truth!

As for Vernon Winfrey, the man who raised Oprah, he had some choice words for Oprah's bestie Gayle King calling her a "dirt hog" and "street heifer," blaming her for ruining his relationship with Oprah. He says of O:

“She may be admired by the world, but I know the truth. So does god and so does Oprah. Two of us remain ashamed."


Oprah and her story has meant so much to so many of us. If this was true, would this taint your image of her?

No matter who the celebrity is or how compelling their story is, we should create an image for the that could lead us to be disappointed in the future if something negative were to affect their careers. Tiger Woods is a perfect example. Many were disappointed by his actions, but we forget that Tiger Woods is just one of us. He has his issues and problems just like we do. If this were to be true about Oprah, many would be disappointed, but we have to realize, Oprah is human too.

[Source]