Oprah Winfrey Reveals Painful 1985 Body-Shaming Incident by Joan Rivers on ‘The Tonight Show’
3 min read
Jamie Kern Lima/YouTube
Oprah Winfrey has opened up about a deeply painful experience of public body-shaming by comedian Joan Rivers during her first appearance on ‘The Tonight Show’ in 1985. Speaking on The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast, Winfrey recounted how Rivers publicly humiliated her by questioning her weight in front of a national audience.
Winfrey, who was invited to discuss her burgeoning television show ‘A.M. Chicago,’ found herself blindsided when the conversation took a personal turn. “Joan Rivers turns to me and she says, ‘Tell me, why are you so fat?’” Oprah Winfrey recalled. The moment left her stunned and unsure of how to respond, leading her to try and deflect the comment with humor. “I just replied, ‘Well, I just love potato chips, Joan.’ But she insisted, ‘No seriously! Shame on you! Shame on you!’” Winfrey added.
The encounter didn’t stop there. Rivers further compounded the insult by telling Winfrey she could only return to the show if she lost weight. “‘I’ll let you come back if you lose 15 pounds. You need to lose 15 pounds,’ she said to me on national television,” Winfrey continued. Despite feeling humiliated, Winfrey accepted the shaming at the time, believing she deserved it. “I thought I should be shamed for being overweight and agreed to try and lose the weight,” she admitted.
Winfrey’s attempt to cope with the situation by adding humor fell flat as Rivers continued to criticize her. “No seriously! Shame on you! Shame on you!” Rivers repeated. This relentless criticism left a lasting impact on Winfrey, who confessed that instead of losing weight, she actually gained more. “Of course, I didn’t lose the 15 lbs. I went and ate my way to another 10 lbs,” she shared.
Oprah Winfrey has opened up about body-shaming, claiming that Joan Rivers told her to lose weight on live TV. Entertainment editor Peter Ford @newmrpford has more. #TMS7 – Straight after Sunrise, weekdays on Channel 7 and 7plus pic.twitter.com/80vQMTzFUE
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The incident with Rivers became a catalyst for Winfrey to seek help at a health retreat, commonly referred to as a “fat farm.” At the time, Winfrey was also grappling with the fear that her weight might cost her a role in the film ‘The Color Purple.’ She recalled “crying” and “praying” over the possibility, feeling overwhelmed by the situation.
The turning point came when she received a phone call from director Steven Spielberg while at the retreat. “It was Steven Spielberg saying, ‘I hear you’re at a fat farm. If you lose a pound, you could lose this part.’ The fact that it happened the moment I let go was the greatest life lesson I ever received. I physically felt the release, and I saw that the second I stopped resisting, the second I stopped wondering, the second I stopped putting myself in the fear space and said, ‘It is well. Use me how you choose to use me,’ everything changed,” Oprah Winfrey shared.
Ultimately, Winfrey did get the role of Sofia in ‘The Color Purple,’ for which she later received an Oscar nomination. Reflecting on the experience, she acknowledged the lesson it taught her about acceptance and self-worth. This incident also played a significant role in shaping her future approach to body image and self-esteem.
In February, Oprah Winfrey stepped down from the Weight Watchers board of directors, revealing her use of weight-loss medication and continuing her journey toward a healthier self. This recent revelation, along with her recounting of the Joan Rivers incident, underscores her ongoing battle with body image and her efforts to promote self-acceptance.
Oprah Winfrey’s candid reflections on her experience with Joan Rivers highlight the pervasive issue of body-shaming and the long-lasting impact it can have. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness and empathy, particularly in the public eye.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
