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 7 of 152) Previous 15 Comments | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

91. I believe that our sister, Oprah Winfrey is a loving and caring person. Her inner depth and womanhood can not be understood by carnal,negative and jealous people. I hope that we all will find a friend that cares and devotes their time to ensuring our success in life.

It is so dangerous to spread negative lies and look for God to bless.

God hates evil hearted and wicked men.

Help us Lord!

Posted at 6:45AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Victor M. Folks

92. I have a friend that I have had sinse I was 3 years old. She is my rock, my touch stone. I don't think that I have made any important decisions in my life wothout talking to her first. We have joked for years that we should divorce our husbands and marry eachother, then just cheat on eachother.
Women are able to have relationships with eachother, that men will never understand. We are able to talk about feelings, cry, laugh, or just be silient together. Men on the other hand have conversations with eachother that really mean nothing, because, OMG, if they were to talk about feelings, they may be considered gay. How often has anyone heard their husband/boyfriend tell their best friend "I love you", before they hang up the phone? Or hug their best buddy before they leave? Perhaps if men did, they would learn to be more sensitive. It was probably a man who thought up the whole gay thing.
Everyone should be so lucky to have a friendship like Ophra and Gayle, I am.

Posted at 6:45AM on Jul 19th 2006 by jen

93. Gay or not if i had her money i would not get merried to anyone.

Posted at 6:45AM on Jul 19th 2006 by phill houck

94. surely, if she's going to address the issue, she's smart enough not to lie. as the severely over-rated icon of talk, she must realize that the avoidance of the truth would only come back on her at some later date. the much more important question is "why do people care?"

Posted at 6:47AM on Jul 19th 2006 by terry

95. Who cares?

Posted at 6:47AM on Jul 19th 2006 by katat

96.
hello opra
nowadays you got to be carefull there is alot out there some are married go on the side . i know i don;t even go out with if i know they they are because if your are unhappy w your spouse .they wlll try - good luck to u all i;am not gay i love my men. love joan

Posted at 6:48AM on Jul 19th 2006 by joan wannett

97. Like so many other things in today's world, the obvious is always ignored. The only truth is sadley to say " We all like to be lied to,. . . . even when it is obvious."
1) How many of us shower our best friend with this much attention? And if you did, what would people begin to say?
2) How many of us have a Husband/Boyfriend or Wife/Girlfriend exclaim out to friends, family, media etc. openly we lead our own lives? (ask yourself deeply on this one before you work on a immediate emotional response)
3) A acceptance of "gay" issues where as your very religious convictions does not allow it leaves very questionable intentions, especially when one drops or no longer possesses the steadfastness of those convictions. What is occuring or has occured to you enviromentally that causes change to your mental standing or prior beliefs? Ans: Love. Think about this one people. Apply this one to Oprah's situation and it is evident. Definitely in a open/bi situation because of how she has strayed from herself.

Posted at 6:49AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Edward

98. I have no idea if She is are not . It really isn't any ones busness but Hers. and the Lords. Who are we to judge. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
I can not understand why people like to always run people down. try and make them look bad.
All she has done for people , and trys to do. People have to let their mouth run away with them causeing so much trouble sometime. HURTING OTHERS. I
say if you don't have something nice to say . don't say a word.
may God bless you oprah.

Posted at 6:49AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Nancy Odham

99. With all the violence, hunger, homeless going on in the world, I can't believe people really care whether Oprah or Gayle are gay. They've been best friends forever, before Oprah became famous and rich, which means she knows Gayle is a true friend and not friends with Oprah because of who she is. Get a life people.

Posted at 6:50AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Valerie

100. with all the other things happening in the world, it is a shame that people would want to focus on something so trivial. Who cares if Oprah is gay or not? Focus on all the wonderful things she has done,people she has helped, countries she has helped, businesses she has helped. get over it people and be thankful they are not delving in your personal life.

Posted at 6:51AM on Jul 19th 2006 by debbie

101. Oprah is as gay as I am smart...I never graduated from the 10th grade and can barely do 4th grade math. Why, I never even know if I'm getting the right change back when I go through the drivethrough at jack in the box (best restaurant of all time btw-try their tacos!!!) Anyway, O. is cute no doubt...if I didn't have my 7 brats to care for I'd be on her doorstep tryin to win her love. What are we talking about?

Posted at 6:52AM on Jul 19th 2006 by mary blary

102. We've speculated this for years given O's childhood, e.g. the abuse by men; it's common that women have problems with trust thus commitment to a male later in life. Here again we have a celebrity who is obscenely wealthy and she and her handlers (although I'd like to think Oprah can 'handle' her own affairs --no pun intended; unlike, a Tom Cruise who banks (with the help of his Scientology helpers) to keep his homosexuality quiet)) feel the need to keep this issue, one that I personally couldn't care an iota about (and won't spend anymore time on it after i send this) under wraps because as usual Americans are such sexually repressed and judgemental idiots who care about crap like this. If she is gay, so what? It's a shame that for a woman who became obscenely popular and wealthy by ostensibly being so "truthful and relatable" would have to/ feel the need to lie about this!!! Move on people!

Posted at 6:52AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Los Angeles lovely

103. You've GOT to be kidding me! What is going on in this world. It's obvious she stopped putting Stedman in the public eye because as she said so herself-had those that wrote this story-had been watching the show-that she was sorry she ever brought her relationship with him to light. As all the stars in Hollywood wish to do-they want to keep their relationships TOGETHER.Therefore; one DOES NOT put them under a microscope. She's protecting what is truly hers in life. HER RELATIONSHIP WITH STEDMAN! THAT is WHY all the stars never speak of WHEN their GETTING MARRIED or WHEN their going on a HONEYMOON. EVERYONE needs their privacy. We SHOULD NOT have ACCESS to ALL of their lives.

Posted at 6:53AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Jennie

104. Why does anyone care who someone else sleeps with???? I'll never understand it! I'm 67 years old, completely hetro and don't ask anyone who they sleep with.

Posted at 6:55AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Gailya Illsley

105. It seems that the media just loves to spark controversy . After all they are the media which needs attention to survive otherwise , they'd all be out of a job. Let's not point out how giving Oprah is or how succesfull she is , let's spark rumors that she's gay. Ignorant , stupid people . Even if she is gay, who the heck cares. Reminds me of years ago, my uncle used to bash gays, he was the macho, macho man and guess what , had 3 tough boys he was so proud of. Hehehe, one of them is gay and he's the happiest critter on earth, I always joke if I was a lesbian, I'd be happier. Leave Oprah alone!

Posted at 6:57AM on Jul 19th 2006 by Jessica

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