Oprah Winfrey Is the (Talk Show) Queen of Australia

By Christo Varghese Posted Dec 13th 2010 01:35AM

Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey landed in Australia last week to do two episodes of the final season her talk show from Sydney ... and the Australians are going out of their way to ensure the event is a success.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge donned a large "O" in the signature Oprah style and the iconic Sydney Opera House temporarily nicknamed itself the Sydney "Oprah" House.

According to the Daily Mail, a soiree and fireworks display were held in Winfrey's honor at the city's Botanical Gardens, hosted by New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally. Oprah was dressed in a kaftan by Australian designer Camilla Franks, styled to resemble one of Sydney's iconic birds, the Rosella.

Oprah landed separately from her 300-member audience, who arrived in Australia from the U.S. last Tuesday to begin enjoying the host's ultimate giveaway -- an eight-day journey across the land Down Under.

Winfrey kicked off the 25th and final season of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' in September by surprising her shrieking, jumping and sobbing fans with what she billed as the trip of a lifetime. The hand-picked audience was made up of some of the program's most loyal viewers over the years.

On Sunday, Oprah also climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge with best friend Gayle King and 249 others, making it the largest group to ever climb to the top of the famous landmark.

Oprah's grand excursion Down Under is reportedly costing the country's tourism board nearly $3 million in Australian dollars (roughly $2.8 million U.S. dollars). And the government is reportedly happy to pay for it. According to the BBC, Australia's tourism minister Martin Ferguson insisted it was money well spent as it would put Australia in the spotlight. "Oprah is a household name and her star power has the potential to lift Australia's profile as a premier tourist destination," Ferguson said.

Just last week, Oprah topped the list of the most charitable celebrities after giving away more than $40 million in 2009.

Tags: oprah winfrey

Comments

(4)

Monday 13 December

By stu

Vote down Vote up Report this

1st again!!!
keep her australia.

Tuesday 14 December

By SUNNY

THANK YOU I AGREE.

Saturday 01 January

By margaret901

I agree with you all the way.

Gkad she has gone, so sick of her yelling. she has money but won't buy her happiness, she looks like a sad lady. wish she would help the u. s. a. people we all need it. she has enough to help the homeless and people with illnesess and no insurance. she will never use all that money in her life time.

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