For years, Oprah Winfrey has been celebrated as a media mogul and philanthropist, but more recently, her reputation has come under fire as celebrities step forward with allegations about her influence behind the scenes.
The latest to speak out is Terrence Howard, who has accused Oprah of allegedly receiving millions to undermine the careers of Black artists in the entertainment industry.
Howard’s claims add fuel to a fire that’s been smoldering for years, with other stars like 50 Cent, Mo’Nique, Ludacris, and Taraji P. Henson echoing similar sentiments.
According to Howard, Oprah’s power has been used not just for good, but to silence, blackball, or reprimand artists who challenge the status quo. The controversy deepens when considering Oprah’s all-girls school in South Africa, which has been plagued by scandal since its opening in 2007.
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls was meant to provide education for underprivileged girls, but it quickly became the center of disturbing allegations.
The dorm matron, Virginia Tiny Makopo, was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and aggressive behavior toward students. Although she was later acquitted, the school faced further issues: students were suspended for harassment and fondling, and in 2011, the body of a newborn was found in a student’s bag. These incidents led to widespread conspiracy theories about the safety and well-being of the girls at Oprah’s academy.
Oprah responded to these crises by publicly apologizing to parents and students, referencing her own experiences as a survivor of abuse. However, critics argue that the repeated scandals point to deeper problems with the institution’s culture and oversight.
Beyond the school, Howard’s allegations focus on Oprah’s impact on Black artists’ careers. He claims that after their steamy scenes together in the 2013 movie “The Butler,” he learned firsthand about Oprah’s alleged efforts to blacklist and sabotage others, including Taraji P. Henson.
Henson reportedly faced blacklisting after revealing she was underpaid for her role in “The Color Purple.” 50 Cent publicly supported her, posting on social media about the industry’s failure to recognize her talent and accusing Oprah of contributing to the problem.
50 Cent himself had a contentious relationship with Oprah, accusing her of catering to older white women and refusing to support his music or image. He claimed that her refusal to interview him was confirmation of his success, and that he was better off being her enemy than her friend.
Ludacris and Dave Chappelle also described negative experiences with Oprah. Ludacris felt targeted during an interview, with Oprah criticizing his music and editing out his rebuttals.
Chappelle, after his fallout with Comedy Central, said Oprah pushed a narrative that he was mentally unstable, fueling rumors and undermining his credibility.
Mo’Nique has long accused Oprah, Tyler Perry, and Lee Daniels of blackballing her after she refused to do free press runs. 50 Cent was among the first to support Mo’Nique, demanding that Oprah and Perry apologize and pledging to help revive her career.
Even Tony Braxton felt the sting of Oprah’s tough interviews, describing how she was belittled and shamed for her financial issues on national television.
While Terrence Howard prefers to keep his disputes private, sources say he confronted Oprah behind the scenes, especially after witnessing how she allegedly treated Taraji. Some believe Oprah may be facing a reckoning similar to other powerful figures recently exposed in the industry.
As more celebrities speak out, the public is left to question the true extent of Oprah’s influence and whether her legacy will be defined by empowerment or controversy.