For those who thought that Oprah Winfrey was wearing a weave, think again.
On the April 24 episode of her highly rated, nationally syndicated chat-fest, the talk show queen revealed a never before seen photo of herself – demonstrating that the long locks she wears is indeed her naturally grown hair.
Oprah Hair Transformation
This was Oprah in 1986, the same year 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' entered national syndication. Oprah brought her style of emotional reporting to the main stream wearing a short hair style with feathered bangs. Winfrey's look said "working mother" not "power broker." (Photo: AP)
Perhaps inspired by shocking '80s hair styles, Oprah teased her hair to towering heights in 1987. By this time, her show was the highest rated talk show in television history. (Photo: Getty Images)
Fast forward to 1996: Almost ten years later, Winfrey's look is considerably more stylish. By this time she has established her media dominance, becoming the third woman in entertainment history to found her own production facility, Harpo Studios. (Photo: Chris Kasson, AP)
In the year 2000, Oprah began to take her hair to new lengths, while keeping a demure sensibility. This was also the year she launched O, The Oprah Magazine. (Photo: Kevin Winter, Getty Images)
By 2004, Oprah took her magazine game to the next level with the introduction of O at Home. Her hair was spunkier and younger, with layers that finally gave it a modern silhouette. (Photo: Carlo Allegri, Getty Images)
Oprah also began exploring more feminine hair styles in 2004. She looked almost girlish in chin-length curls as she received the United Nations Association's Global Humanitarian Action Award that year. (Photo: Getty Images)
Winfrey finally began looking more like a woman of power in 2005. She softened a severe bob by bending the ends under slightly for a sophisticated finish. (Photo: Getty Images)
At the 60th annual Tony Awards later in 2006, Oprah seemed to take two steps back with her hair, perhaps looking to keep it simple. Her hair lacked volume and shine, but at least it looked like it was all real! (Photo: Seth Wenig, AP)
In a look almost inspired by Marilyn Monroe, Oprah wore a softer bob in early 2006. (Photo: Paul Hawthorne, Getty Images)
In 2007, Oprah often wore soft curls. While not her first attempt at rocking this hair style, the more recent rendition looked more natural. (Photo: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images)
"Am I wearing a weave? Everybody's like, 'Oprah, we love your weave.' This is not a weave, this is my hair," she announced, before putting up a photo of herself with pre-pressed and pre-curled hair.
Her gal pal Gaye King, who also co-hosts the "Friday's Live" styled show yelled "Yowzer!" as the studio audience gasped in amazement.
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
Comments: (94)
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By: Sus7637 on 4/25/2009 11:49AM
When Oprah's lyin or not who cares. not every black woman was born with hair not so long. whats the big deal to the ppl who even posted this on the black voices home page. theres more to alot of ppl then hair, thats just the outside of a woman.
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By: Kylasbibi on 8/07/2009 4:20PM
It's a weave. I was watching one of her shows and her tracks came loose. After the station break the tracks were put back.
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By: Tayp00 on 4/25/2009 12:14PM
I believe it is a weave, but who cares. It is her hair since she bought it. I have worn weaves for over 20 yrs and it was my hair bought and paid for. Look at www.luxurylocs.net and you will see a picture of Oprah and Tyra wearing a Remy Hair. Oprah look good and it is her choice to say yes or no to the weave.
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By: Sweetnectermilk on 4/30/2009 10:08PM
It doesn't matter what you still think, if the woman has hair... she has hair! she dont need to proove a dam thing to anybody because of what they dont believe! ( typical black woman for you huh) with the thats not her hair crap or is that her hair! Why can't the majority of knuckle head self haten black woman worry about empowering themselves, and stop all the typical jealous black woman self hate on another blk wm, because of what they dont have. Such crackpots!
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By: Pamela Reed on 4/26/2009 7:57PM
WHO CARES, I can't stand Oparh nor her friend Gail, I sick of people acting like Oprah Is God and she's going to have a seat next to HIM in heaven. If whits folks didn't like her nobody would give a rat's $%^, she kills me with her self-righteous self. I saw one of her show talking about talking to kids a sex, they should know at an early age. Question? How many kids does she have? That's what's wrong with kids today they see and hear too much. what happen to the ole school days where kids couldn't be in a "grown business" and instead of tell kids here about sex, she needs to go over to Africa and tell the girls in her school,they are there to learn not to have SEX with each other. Oprah u know the old saying "before you can clean someone else's house, you need to clean your own"
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By: ShiningStar on 4/30/2009 6:48PM
To Pamela: Who cares if you like Oprah and Gayle or not. You sound like you are jealous because Oprah is considered the most influential woman in this country and you are probably a nobody. I do know that Oprah has always had a thick, head full of hair, but I'm not sure if she hasn't been wearing a weave or not. But I believe that the curly hair style that she was wearing was a weave. But whether she wears a weave or not, she is still the most high profile woman in this country.
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By: brownsugar on 4/30/2009 9:54PM
First of all, Ms. Pamela, this article was about Oprah's hair & you are way off subject! You took the topic and made up your own! WTF? You took a whole other route just to hate... and that's the best you could do! Oprah may not have kids of her own, but due to the life she's chosen & lead, she's got plenty of experience children. If she gave such bad advice she probably wouldn't have the longest running talk show ever! Haterism is so unbecoming... Pam u know the old saying "before you can clean someone else's house, you need to clean your own" oh, Im sorry did I just use your own saying back on you ;)Tighten up Pam!
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By: Rosie P on 5/01/2009 9:01AM
You can't even spell. You sound like a "HATER".
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By: AT on 5/05/2009 7:24PM
Pamela Reed,
The key statement you made is, "I was watching HER show." When you become famous because of YOUR skills and talent and develop a long-standing 25 year career in television/film, etc., maybe someone will give a rats a$% about what you have to say. Until then, save your silly rants for your dog, family or whoever else cares to listen to it. You are affectionately called a "Hater" girlfriend. Be careful now, your dirty claws are showing! You wouldn't last 5 minutes in Oprah's shoes!
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By: DUDES on 5/03/2009 4:34PM
yeah i really dont care to much for her either and i dont think she even has kids. oh by the way im white and she's full of it just like dr.phill
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