Working as an entertainment reporter certainly has had it perks. The job allows you to cover all things pop culture, meet some of your fave celebs and visit amazing sets and locations, but when you get to check off an item or goal on your “Bucket List”; the job becomes life-changing!
I have been a long-time fan, watcher and admirer of Oprah Winfrey. I remember as a child my mom watched Phil Donahue and he introduced a young Oprah to his viewers. Yeah, I was just a little kid, but since then I have always tuned-in to Oprah, followed her book club recommendations and admired her work and vision.
“Minutes away from interviewing the one & only OPRAH!!!! Dream come true.”;
When she announced her Canadian tour I missed the opportunity to see her when she came to Montreal, because I was out of town covering an assignment for ET Canada. When I got assigned to cover Lee Daniels’ The Butler I was over the moon! Oprah was talking to the press and we had four minutes with the incredible one and only Lady O!
Once I got off my high, I realized it was merely impossible to narrow down all you want to ask Oprah in four minutes! Where do you begin? And you have to ask her a question about her film right? I mean that’s why I was there!
Let me add that by no means am I a film critic, but after watching the film I encourage everyone to see it! With eye opening, stellar performances there wasn’t a dry eye in the theatre. You will walk out with a different view, which is how I walked out of my interview with Oprah.
There’s a reason Oprah is who she is! The woman has a tremendous gift! As everyone male and female walked out of the room, the feeling was unanimous.
“She’s amazing,”; were the words said by all. When it came my turn, I was told to keep my questions short because she can speak! I walked in and she was dancing and welcomed me right in, asked my name, where I was from and then began praising and professing her love for Canada! Something tells me she will be back. As we chatted I told her I had a daughter and when the time was right I would introduce her to the film to educate her. This was how our interview started, but as she began speaking I felt as though everything she was saying was in some way a tool to help me. It was as if she was saying things to purposely inspire me. Too deep? Maybe, but as I walked out, the feeling was felt by all! She knows exactly what to say.
I was exchanging notes with a fellow colleague when Oprah walked out of the room for a break, she walked over to us and placed her hand on my knee and said, “was that good for you? You take care of your two-and-a-half-year-old,”; and walked away. It’s amazing how one woman can make a room full of reporters feel excited, inspired, and incredibly grateful for what they do and have.
~ By Natasha Gargiulo
