Oprah Winfrey and broadcast journalist for CBS News, Gayle King, have proven that platonic friendships are just as important as romantic ones.
During an appearance on Melinda French Gates’ Moments That Make Us podcast, the TV personalities and long-time best friends addressed longstanding rumours that they’ve been hiding the true nature of their relationship.
“You know, for years, people used to say we were gay, and listen, we were up against that forever,” Winfrey, 70, said. “And people still may think it.”
King, 69, admitted she used to beg Winfrey to do a segment about the unfounded speculation on the Oprah Winfrey Show so that men knew she was available.
Winfrey said she and King, dealt with the unfounded rumours “forever” — even up to this day.
“I used to say, ‘Oprah, you gotta do a show on this, because it’s hard enough for me to get a date on Saturday night with people thinking we’re gay,’” the CBS star said. “Because if we were gay, we’d tell you!”
Winfrey believes the rumours gained traction because most people “aren’t accustomed to seeing women” have such a strong bond, which she called a “truth bond.”
“Meaning, the reason why I think our friendship has worked is because Gayle is happier, not happy, but happier for me for any kind of success or victory or challenge I get through than I am for myself,” Winfrey said.
“And I feel as happy as she does — I can’t be happier than, cannot surpass Gayle,” she jokingly added. “You cannot out-happy her. I am equally as happy for her.”
However, both women agreed that if they were gay, they would have just admitted to it.
The two women agreed that friendships like theirs are rare — which is how the rumours of their sexuality started in the first place.
This isn’t the first time the pair have addressed the speculation. Back in 2006, the best pals went on the record in the August issue of Winfrey’s magazine, O.
“I understand why people think we’re gay,” Winfrey said at the time. “There isn’t a definition in our culture for this kind of bond between women.”
“So I get why people have to label it – how can you be this close without it being sexual? How else can you explain a level of intimacy where someone always loves you, always respects you, admires you?”
Even then, both women insisted that even if they were together, they would have no problem coming out as “there’s nothing wrong with being gay.”
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