Oprah & Gay Rumors -- Pictures Tell Story

Oprah, Gayle and Stedman

Oprah says she's not gay -- period. Winfrey says she felt compelled to proclaim to the world – in the August issue of O Magazine -- that she and longtime best friend Gayle King are not lovers.

Oprah was clearly looking to put out a fire, but it made us wonder: Where did all the smoke come from? Here's a photo and video timeline that may explain how the gay rumors got fueled.

Between 1987 and 2000, Oprah and Stedman Graham seemed inseparable, appearing at countless events and frequently photographed showing plenty of PDA.

Oprah and Steadman: click to launch the photo gallery!

As the cameras rolled, Oprah and Stedman rolled on.

Oprah and Stedman: click to watch!

Then, suddenly, Stedman could have ended up on a milk carton -- there are a scant few pictures of the couple after 2000. But as quickly as Stedman faded from the scene, Gayle King emerged, side-by-side, with O.

Oprah and Gayle: click to launch the photo gallery!

And there's more.



The two people closest to Oprah in the world are rarely seen together with the talk show queen. TMZ found only a few photos.

Oprah, Gayle and Stedman: click to launch the photo gallery!

And the story doesn't end here. Stedman has talked openly about how he and Oprah lead their own lives.

Stedman: click to watch!

Indeed, at event after event -- especially after 2000 -- Oprah often showed up solo, sometimes talking about her close relationship with Gayle.

Oprah: click to watch!

And right back at you, Oprah. At this year's Tony Awards, Gayle gushed about her famous friend.

Gayle: click to watch!

Gayle, who is divorced with two sons, helps run O Magazine and the pair are inseparable. When they're not together, they talk multiple times every day.

So that's where the smoke came from and why Oprah chose to put out the fire.




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(Page 6 of 152) Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

76. It seems that we can no longer have close friends anymore without being labeled as gay. We girls have always had girlfriends and now it seems that we havew to distance our selves from being labeled as Gay! And to be honest with you, SO WHAT! We all are what we are, may it be straight, gay or whatever. And for those who take issue to this, they are ptobably latent gay people themselves who still hide in their little tiny closet playing with themselves.
Love you Oprah and you too Gale!

Posted at 6:21AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Eileen Jeanne Edwards

77. Who cares and what business is it of ours?

Posted at 6:23AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Douglas Byrd

78. Is she or isn't she? I don't know about you, but there are more important things in my life -- and in this world -- than someone else's personal life. This "issue" is so needlessly discussed in our society. Have we spent as much time discussion the recent tsunami? Or the heat wave (global warming?) currently gripping the U.S.? Ultimately, it is her life and I hope she is happy.

Posted at 6:25AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Brian Lecuyer

79. At least she chose a really great looking gal for a constant companion and lover I'm sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 6:25AM on Jul 19th 2006 by ross thomas

80. OP'S NOT GAY.................ITS SAD JUST BECAUSE SHE'S FAMOUS PEOPLE CAN'T LEAVE HER ALONE EVEN IF SHE WAS WHO CARES!

Posted at 6:28AM on Jul 19th 2006 by LINDYSUE

81. Oprah is not gay but who cares if she is. She is smart to hang out with a trusted long time friend. Besides, she would be stupid to get married. Just so she could end up divorced and having to give someone half of her stuff or have some attorney try to discredit any pre-nuptual agreement. A girl friend that you can trust is so much better and reliable than any man on the planet. I am married and I know this. If it weren't for my sister, I would often feel alone in this world. Remember, Oprah is an only child. She does not have a sister to hang out with.

Posted at 6:28AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Miriam

82. There are more important things going on in the world to focus on other than whether Oprah is gay.

The people who are concerned about this issue, need to find something to a little more important to do with their lives

Posted at 6:29AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Vetta

83. Oprahs not gay! its her dog thats gay! Ive seen him at the local gay bars with a rainbow collar!!!

Posted at 6:29AM on Jul 19th 2006 by dennis

84. Who cares, Oprah does not owe me or anyone an explanation of her life, lifestyle or life choices. She owes us all a good performance when she is in a public mode. Her private life is and should be her own. My lifestyle or actions are none of her business and her's is none of mine.

Posted at 6:30AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Florida River Lover

85. I think that Oprah's sexual orientation is her business, only hers.
She seems to be a very giving and loving person towards others, especially those who have had misfortune. Her many kindnesses towards others are what is truly important.

Posted at 6:31AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Alexa

86. What difference does it make? Oprah says she isn't. If she is lying than she has to live with that. Personally, I don't think she is. Stedman should move on with a woman who wants to get married. Gayle, her best friend for years! Haven't any of you had that close of a friend? One can count on a hand their true friends. .. Fact... Are you jealous? When one has that much money. . . Golly ..... welcome to the gossip. . . . SMALL MINDS talk about others in a malicious and evil way. Stedman and Gayle haven't gotten along in many years. Maybe, Ophra will grow old and lonely. Stedman likes the money...Gayle loves her friend and the gifts....OPhra .. . .needs the support from both in what ever way she sees deemed.
Personally, it is a sad day when we lower ourselves to such bull crap when the world has better and more important things chat about.

Posted at 6:33AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Hj

87. I have know Idea if she is are not. Its none of our busness. That will be between

Posted at 6:38AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Nancy Odham

88. Oprah is an Angel and II hope she does not worry about negative gossip about her. Oprah for President!

Posted at 6:42AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Ida

89. I think Great for Oprah having a great friend like Gayle....who really cares if she is a Lesbian, from what I've seen of her, she's done the world good many times over and doesn't hurt anyone.

Posted at 6:43AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Scott V

90. i THINK WOMEN ARE MORE COMFORTABLE HAVING A FRIEND OF THE SAME SEX AND UNLIKE MEN, WOMEN ARE MORE COMFORTABLE SHARING PHYSICAL CONTACT. WOMEN COMFORTABLY EXPRESS LOVE TO THEIR FRIENDS AND THERE IS NOTHING SEXUAL IN THE CONTACT. I THINK MEN ARE UNFORTABLE KNOWING THE CLOSENESS THAT WOMEN CAN SHARE AND THEY CAN ONLY DEAL WITH THEIR SO CALLED THREAT TO THEIR MACHO WAYS BY CASTING THE WOMEN AS GAY. A WOMAN IS NOT GAY BECAUSE OF THE CLOSENESS THEY CAN SHARE WITH THEIR FEMALE FRIEND. MEN ARE SO THREATENED BY SUCCESSFUL WOMEN THEY CAN ONLY SEE A WOMAN AS SLEEPING HER WAY TO THE TOP AND THEN WHEN SHE ACHIEVES WHAT MEN CAN ONLY LONG FOR THEY REACT TO A SUCCESSFUL WOMAN BYCALLING HER GAY AND THEN SHE IS MORE "MANLY". GROW UP AND ACCEPT THE FACT THAT A HETEROSEXUAL WOMAN CAN MAKE IT TO THE TOP ON TALENT AND GOOD MANAGEMENT AND SEX IS NOT IN THE EQUATION.

Posted at 6:44AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Breanna Prim

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