Black Women in Entertainment
What It’s Like Having A Seat At Oprah’s Table
The media mogul hosted a magical brunch at her Santa Barbara home to celebrate the release of her latest book, “The Wisdom of Sundays.”
“I don’t do this ever, hardly.”
These were the first words from Oprah as she sat down at a roundtable with reporters on Sunday at her lavish 65-acre Santa Barbara estate. The moment did indeed mark a rare occasion ― it was the beginning of a special brunch and gospel celebration Oprah decided to host at her home to commemorate the release of her latest book, The Wisdom of Sundays.
As massive and well-suited as Oprah’s California home may be for welcoming guests, it has been years since she invited a mass group of people over. The last time Oprah said she hosted an event at her estate was for the legends ball that was televised in 2015; the time before that was in 2005 for the same event. And now she was doing it for her new book.
“I feel that it’s a celebration and so whenever I really, really believe that something is going to be impactful, I try to put everything I have into making that possible,” Oprah told reporters that morning in a “secret garden” tucked away near a beautiful guest house deep into the grounds. “So inviting people into my home, which I don’t do, is what I decided to do.”
The Wisdom of Sundays, which was released Tuesday, is a collection of some of the most memorable and moving conversations Oprah has had over the years with the more than 200 thought leaders she has featured on her “Super Soul Sunday” show, including Janet Mock, Deepak Chopra and Tony Robbins. The book serves as a guide for readers to explore their own lives and spiritual experiences by providing 10 chapters on everything from how to feel awakened to finding true fulfillment.
To mark the occasion, Oprah invited more than 300 celebrity guests ― including Ava DuVernay, Sterling K. Brown, Angela Bassett, Kerry Washington, Reese Witherspoon and Lin-Manuel Miranda ― to her home for Sunday brunch and to watch a gospel performance led by Bebe Winans at her outdoor amphitheater. As the ceremony began, Oprah walked onstage to deliver a special greeting.
“It’s not often I open this space,” Oprah said, basking in the sunlight while urging attendees to “be present” with her during what she described as a spiritual moment. She expressed her gratitude for such a special gathering and recognized the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose legacy inspired the name of her home.
“I welcome you here to the Promised Land,” she declared.
The breeze gently blows throughout the property on this Sunday morning; the air is crisp and the flowers are in full bloom. This is where Oprah “feels the presence of God, and the connection to All,” she writes in her book. Morning walks across the acres with her dogs bring her delight and even serve as a “form of prayer,” she explains.
It is this, a sincere appreciation of nature’s glory, that brings Oprah most joy. This also explains why every “Super Soul Sunday” conversation has been taped on the grounds of her home. Guests, who range from Shonda Rhimes to Arianna Huffington, have each had a seat …
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