Oprah Winfrey, arguably the world’s most recognized and influential female cultural icon, kicked off the 24th season of her show with a street party that included hometown star Jennifer Hudson, the Black Eyed Peas and James Taylor.
Organizers of “The Oprah Show” cordoned off historic Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago as thousands of fans poured in for an electrifying street party that also featured Rascal Flatts, “Extra” correspondent Mario Lopez and magician Criss Angel.
“Isn’t this the most fabulous city in the world?” Oprah’s signature tenor greeted the throng of 21,000 people who filled the streets by 5 p.m.
Oprah has been coy about whether this season will be her last. “I have to make that decision by the end of this year,” Oprah told “Good Morning America’s Diane Sawyer. “I am literally in thoughtful prayer and consideration to go ahead. You’ll be hearing about it before the end of the year.”
Oprah’s retirement wasn’t a topic of concern on this night in the Windy City. The three-time Grammy-winning Black Eyed Peas got the fireworks started with “Oprah Feeling,” a version of their smash hit, “I Gotta Feelin’,” then sat down with the talk-show queen to discuss albums and babies. Hudson cranked the party up another notch by blowing through a medley of hits, including “Best of My Love,” “I’m Every Woman” and her Billboard-busting “Spotlight.”
The 24th season of the Oprah Show, which begins on Sept. 14, promises to be as dynamic as any she’s had. That’s the day the highest-rated talk show host of all-time will sit down with one of the best-selling musical artists of all-time, Whitney Houston, to talk about her new album and life after Bobby Brown. –terry shropshire
