Dani Klein Modisett: Why I'm Glad I Don't Have A Daughter
'Short Skirts Don't Rape. Rapists Rape'
Experts Explain How 'The Oprah Effect' Happened
Evan Agostini, AP
But how has Oprah been able to impact so many people and become the icon she is today?
Experts dub her influence "The Oprah Effect" and say the concept is pretty simple, when you break it down. That's because Winfrey -- who was raised amid poverty, abuse and other childhood trauma -- has been able to rise above her hardships and make something of herself. Her rags-to-riches story means she "personifies the 'American Dream,'" according to Brenda Weber, an associate professor of gender studies at Indiana University.
"She was born in poverty, and she was able to use her talents and her hard work and charisma to become one of the wealthiest women in the world," Weber told MyDaily.
Weber said the idea of the "American Dream" has changed in the last 20 years or so, from the house with the white picket fence ideal to the concept of super stardom and fame.
"Now, celebrities are very much a part of how we view success and arriving and really doing well," she said. "So [Oprah] actually encompasses all the meanings of the 'American Dream' -- poverty to the middle class to the elite class to worldwide celebrity."
Although there's no doubt that Oprah has touched millions of women -- and men -- around the world, her effect on the female population is staggering. From her work to open a school in Africa that ensures impoverished girls get a good education to her mission to help women see the beauty in themselves, Oprah has become kind of a "mother" to people everywhere. Even more impressive is how many women place their trust her.
"Women are asked to be perfect in many roles," said Kathryn Lofton, the author of "Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon." "Oprah says, 'First, you don't have to be perfect,' then she gives endless advice so you might still try to be. [And] she simultaneously named the ideal life and exposed herself as imperfect in her effort to create that best life."
Winfrey is always working on creating a bond with the viewers on the other side of the TV set, according to Weber. Since women tend to be inherently in touch with their emotions, her ability to present vulnerability -- in her guests and in herself -- inspires many to gravitate toward her.
"She's about emotional connections with people," Weber said. "She's about wanting to know about human-interest stories. She engages in a form of sentimental connections with people. And more broadly, that's how we think about how women are more socialized -- that they tend to be more engaged with feelings."
With her own Harpo Productions and her other various projects, Oprah has become a brand that has spawned a book club, a charitable organization and even her own network, OWN. It seems that everything she touches turns to gold. And while she could easily be resented for her achievements, money and fame, there really does seem to be more love than hate in her life because of what she does with her power.
"She shows us, unrelentingly, how we might become her," said Lofton, who is also an assistant professor of American and religious studies at Yale University. "She seems as delighted by her success as her fans are."
But despite the wild popularity of her talk show, it remains to be seen whether Oprah can do it again with her fledgling channel. Lofton has her doubts because networks typically don't have followings -- TV shows do.
"If she wants to continue to disseminate the message of her empire, her success will be in her continued pursuit of the edge of media," Lofton said. "Nobody watches networks -- they watch programs."
Winfrey could have the same success with OWN, according to Lofton, if she continues to be a powerful and ubiquitous multimedia brand, a force that "transcends the specificity of her or the specificity of a channel."
Of course, no one knows for sure what the future holds for Oprah. But for many loyal fans, it will be a new journey they can't wait to join her on.
Related: We'll Miss You, Oprah: Real Women Share Their Best 'O' Memories
Filed Under: MyDaily Originals, News & Culture
Tags: oprah, oprah winfrey, OprahWinfrey, pop culture, PopCulture, the oprah effect, TheOprahEffect
Around the Web
Getty
- What Drives Men Away and What Attracts Them - YourTango
- Bill Clinton: It's Still the Economy, Stupid - The Daily Beast
- Do You Want to Know When Your Friends Run Into Your Ex? - The Frisky
- Would You Marry Someone Who Didn't Have a Job? - The Gloss
- And the City That Has the Most Sex Is ... - The Stir, CafeMom
- 3 Easy Ways to Keep Your Makeup Sweat-Proof This Summer - BellaSugar
Add a Comment
And you people that put her down because of her weight are just sick. That is sad to put someone down because they might be heavy. I never judge anyone for what they might look like on the outside, it is what is in the heart that matter. Oprah has a big heart and was kind to all she meet. She didn't just talk the talk, she walked the walk too. I will always be a fan of hers and I am a white woman. We could all learn a thing or two from her. If we were all as kind and caring and compassionate as her, this world might be a better place. But people will always be people, and they will always find the bad in others. But if we would try to find the good in others instead of the bad we would all be better human beings. You go Oprah you have many fans out there. I am one of them. Hope to see you again on TV.
May 28 2011 at 8:31 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOprah said she always knew she was born to be famous. Well, white people made her famous, and when she became overwhelmed with delusions of granduer her true racist attitudes became clear. Now she has money, but is just a racist who has no loyalty nor appreciation toward those who initially helped her.
As they say, you see the same people on your way down that you saw on your way up.
I never really watched her show much, BUT I have to say that I think she is one of the most caring, generous, big hearted people I have ever known. I admire her very much. I don't care if she is black or not, she has done many good things for blacks as well as white and others in-between. I don't believe she has a prejudice bone in her body. I think she is down to earth and real, and she is just being herself. What is wrong with her giving to causes that is of her race? She has every right to be proud of her color and to help those of her color, nothing wrong with that. But she doesn't stop there she has helped many others as well. I say you go Oprah you have worked hard to reach your goals and you have many fans, congrats to you for it. I don't begrudge anyone for making something of themselves. She is a role model for a lot of us. She had a hard life coming up and she proved to the world that she could make a difference and she did, that is GREAT! I think she is a wonderful person. I say you go girl! you keep on keeping on. I hope this isn't the last we see of her either.
May 28 2011 at 8:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI used to watch Oprah years ago. Then she took to talking about nothing but pedophilia, child abuse, drug abuse, etc. etc. Were there no positive topics? And, of course, there was that string of her "finds" like that Black woman who was a psychologist or some such and that guy who wrote the book that turned out to be fiction rather than non fiction. And the parade of useless celebrities. So I quit watching her. It is hard to have a talk show on that long without delving into this junk.
May 28 2011 at 8:05 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyYeah, i just can't wait to see whose couch Tom Cruise jumps on next. Oh wait America, don't give up on Oprah yet. Look under your seats, there will be a ballot for the post office for a new siamp. You can vote for the skinny Oprah stamp, or the fat Oprah.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 28 2011 at 8:01 AM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down ReplyWhat exactly has she done? She is ear candy to millions of women who decided they couldnt live without her. She was always the opportunist. It was infuriating, blatant, unapologetic. What about the people around her? Let us not forget the staff and friends and Stedman, who have stood with her and helped prop her up. Nobody, not even Donald Trump, does this alone. What about men? Men dont have an Oprah; they have to settle for Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, and the guys on late night TV who arent entertaining and arent funny. Even Johnny Carson had Ed McMahon.
May 28 2011 at 7:57 AM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Replyi found her show as mindless as soap operas a bunch of half crazed black women throwing chairs at thier unfaithful mates and yes i guess most women would identify with that but paying her a million an episode was the producers idiotic mistakes
May 28 2011 at 7:54 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyLove you Oprah and ALL the wonderful things you do for people. Will continue to watch you on OWN
Enjoy your new adventure. Cheryl
...Oprah became successful not only for her drive but because she was a first...she was fat, black and a woman and most of the female pop identified with her. Also, if you remember her first shows, she started off as one of those gossip type scandle ones (like Jerry). It was fun to watch...but later she knew the big bucks would come when she used her show as a promo tool for stars and celebs.
May 28 2011 at 7:35 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
130 Comments