Never before has cancel culture been such a big deal as it is today. In some cases, it seems that fans are always on the lookout for celebrities to slip up or say something that can be perceived as being in appropriate, while in other situations, celebrities are walking right in to trouble with inappropriate conversations, comments, and behavior. Whatever the reason, it seems that cancel culture is on the prowl and recently, Oprah Winfrey has become a big target.
After spending decades as the interviewer, often times finding herself in some pretty sticky situations with her guests, fans are looking back at Oprah's style, comments, and affiliates, and more than a few people have raised some concerns about her ethics. Cancel culture and social media want a piece of Oprah, and fans sit on both sides of the equation. Some fans vehemently defned the queen of talk shows, while others are not as convinced that she conduced herself appropriately in the controversial situations that have been noted. Here's what fans have had to say about controversies that have recently taken the spotlight...
10 It Just Won't Happen
Some fans truly believe that no matter what Oprah may, or may not have done in the past, she just simply won't be canceled. She has so much clout, wealth, and power, and with billions of dollars behind her and an enormous fan following it just doesn't seem likely that anyone, anything, or any particular instance can ever take her down. In the world of cancel culture, some fans truly believe Oprah Winfrey is untouchable.
9 Asking Hard Questions Is Just What She Did...
Fans are quick to point out that while some celebrities act inappropriately or say things that should clearly not be said, Oprah Winfrey's very job relied on her asking some tough questions. Now, looking back, it may seem that some of her guests were squeamish at being put on the spot, but Oprah's very livelihood and the sole focus of her role was to take on interviews that dealt with tough-stuff. These fans don't believe she's being assessed fairly by today's standards.
8 Being Pals With Weinstein, Doesn't Mean She Endorsed His Lifestyle
Yes, Oprah Winfrey was friends with Harvey Weinstein. Many of the world's most supremely wealthy people run in the same circles, and loyal fans of Oprah's want to remind the nay-sayers that her friendship with Weinstein has no bearing on what he did behind closed doors. They firmly indicate that she may not have known what he was really like, and simply being friends doesn't at all mean she endorsed any wrongdoings he was responsible for.
7 Or... Maybe She Did Know About Weinstein
Others sit on the opposite side of the fence, and truly do believe that Oprah must have known what Weinstein was really all about. They believe that she was a supporter of his and that she quickly turned a blind eye to his scathing abuse of power and disgraceful crimes. Some fans think that there's no chance Oprah was blind to his real intentions and the havoc that he wreaked on his female victims, and they want to see Oprah canceled immediately.
6 She Body Shamed The Olsen Twins
The interview that Oprah conducted with the Olsen Twins is being targeted by fans who believe she body shamed the young girls. During a 2004 interview, Oprah made the twins uncomfortable during a discussion about their body size, and blatantly put them on the spot, calling them out and attempting to force them to declare their size on national television. She then went on to sarcastically mock them for saying they don't know their size. Fans believe this crass, blatantly rude and demeaning interview should have had Oprah canceled way back then.
5 Woke Culture Doesn't Understand Freedom Of Speech
Many fans are pointing out the fact that Oprah's rise to fame came at a very different day in age. Now that woke culture is 'a thing' it's different and the perspective has changed. Freedom of speech is different than woke culture, and many fans think that modern day criticisms really have no place in assessing a different era, during which time there was greater acceptance and tolerance of certain topics of discussion.
4 Oprah Abandoned Russel Simmons' Victims
Cancel culture is taking aim at Oprah for backing Russel Simmons by refusing to air a documentary about his abusers. After multiple women accused him of heinous acts, Oprah struck a deal to release an expose about the music mogul. Then, she did an about-turn and abandoned the project entirely, suggesting that she had concerns about the authenticity of his accusers. Many fans believe she should be canceled for abandoning his victims and protecting Simmons in the process.
3 She Backed The War In Iraq
When Oprah failed to let audience members share their feelings about the war in Iraq unless they agreed with her own personal views, fans had questions. Oprah had no answers. There are many fans out there that believe she backed the war in Iraq and polluted the air waves with her own tainted views, rather than giving fans a platform for open, honest discussion.
2 She Harshly Attacked Toni Braxton On Her Show
Many, many fans are reminding the world about how Toni Braxton spoke out about Oprah Winfrey many years ago, during an interview in 2015, Toni Braxton says Oprah was "so freaking mean" to her, and recalls the moment that Oprah laced into her, made her feel isolated and victimized, and relentlessly put her on the spot in a demeaning manner. Cancel culture may not have been around back then, but fans are calling up on this example to cancel Oprah right now.
1 Get Over The Dolly Parton Drama
Some may be offended by the 20 year old interview with Dolly Parton that has recently become a topic of focus. During the interview, Oprah poked and prodded at Dolly Parton in an apparent effort to humiliate her for having plastic surgery done, but fans are saying that sensitive cancel culture folk need to get over it. They claim Dolly has always been open about her plastic surgery and this is a weak attempt at targeting Oprah for no valid reason at all.