Oprah Winfrey reflects on how her weight struggles were often mocked, recalling a specific "comedy bit" that deeply affected her.
In the first episode of The Jamie Kern Lima podcast, Winfrey opened up about how her weight impacted her life and led to painful experiences in the media.
Winfrey recounted her dramatic weight loss on a November 1988 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, where she famously showcased a wagon filled with fat to symbolize her weight loss. She revealed that she had lost the weight through the all-liquid Optifast diet, not eating any solid food for five months.
“Three days later, I was 5 lbs. heavier, and a week later I was 10 lbs. heavier,” said Winfrey, who celebrated her 70th birthday in January.
Winfrey also remembered missing a party hosted by Don Johnson, the star of Miami Vice, because she felt self-conscious about her weight. “I wouldn't go because I thought I was too fat to go,” she recalled.
Reflecting on the media's treatment of her weight, Winfrey noted, “making fun of my weight was a national sport for 25 years.” One particularly painful memory involved a skit on the groundbreaking sketch comedy show, In Living Color. Kim Wayans, playing Winfrey, portrayed a woman who kept eating and growing fatter until she exploded, causing the audience to erupt in laughter.
“The whole audience fell out laughing, and the woman was me,” Winfrey remembered.
She shared with Lima that turning 70 marked a turning point for her. “I'm not carrying it into the next decade,” she said. “I'm done with it.”
Winfrey acknowledged the judgment she faced and how it made her judgmental in return. “I actually don't know anybody who's been more publicly judged about their weight than myself,” she added, emphasizing the heavy burden of shame she carried for years.
The Quran - Chapter Al-Waqi'ah : 63 - 64
Have you considered what you sow?
Is it you who cause it to grow, or is it We Who do so?
