Oprah Winfrey: On Learning from James Frey
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CHICAGO -- The exception to Oprah Winfrey's ego being in check, to letting people be heard, to Oprah the benevolent -- is the author James Frey.
She had championed his memoir, "A Million Little Pieces," in her TV show's influential book club. And when reports surfaced that much of it was fabricated, she defended him on "Larry King." When it became clear Mr. Frey had lied, she invited him back on her show and in riveting, headline-making television, she went after him with a fiery vengeance that she later regretted -- so much so that, years later, in 2008, she apologized to him. During the 2008 presidential campaign, pressure was mounting for Ms. Winfrey to have vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on the show. "I remember sitting in my living room, in my little prayer space where I meditate. James Frey came into my mind. 'Do not make the same mistake you made with James Frey.'"
Her mistake was "ego," she says.
"People saw my full-blown ego at work," she says. "I wasn't allowing him to be heard. I'd already judged him."
She made amends with Mr. Frey and booked Ms. Palin.
First Published December 4, 2010 12:00 am
