Malik Yusef: Blowing Money Fast
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: (96)
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By: Ann on 5/20/2009 6:37PM
I thought when Oprah turned 50 ,she would do and say what she wanted.i can't believe she is going out of way to prove its her hair.Who cares,sometimes her hair is so beautiful on the show or showbiz and its okay there are bad hair days.Gayle would jump or holler at anything because she is so happy her mother talked her into keeping Oprah around and she is holding the million dollar card.This one stray woman that had some real issues and its paying off for her daddy and Gayle big time.If only she could find a look a like and get a man to marry her and not have a kept man like Stedman.I just don't understand how Stedman can walk around and allow others to dictate who he should marry.I cared for a lighter complexion man(JOHN) and when his sister and mother came to my girlfriend's party to see this special woman,I thought I did not hear them and they both said---John ,She is nght color for our family".Thanks goodness,I had a good glass of Marnier I just laughed.
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By: I THINK on 5/25/2009 6:53PM
The photo that Oprah used was the worse example she could have chosen, since clearly if that hair in the picture is blowed out or pressed out it would be much longer than the hair she wears now.
In any event who cares
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By: female-tattoo-gallery.com on 6/22/2009 11:26PM
I am believe,it' true
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By: realityknocking on 11/14/2009 6:11PM
why the heck does it matter? aliyaah had naturally long hair but still wore extensions occasionally to give her hair a rest from the heat and harmful chemicals. she said so herself before she died. how is that any different from oprah. stop hating....the white girls on here hating on black women are just jealous because they caught their boyfriends checking out some hot black girls a**. get overit,and get alife. if you weren't jealous you wouldnt waist your time going out of your way to put down a race and gender of ppl you dont even know. In reality if someone doesnt give a rats a** about someone they ignore them, but when they feel threatened they go out of their way to put them down. remember that ladies, next time someone goes out of their way to make you feel bad about urself...know that obviously you have something they dont have.
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By: Suse on 12/07/2009 12:07PM
I believe most of it is her hair. I know for a fact if you omit relaxers for a year hair will thicken. I have seen with my own eyes women on the hair boards with this hair. Matter of fact some have hair that makes Oprah's look minimal. I myself have past shoulder length that started out broken,thin and damaged. Takes a lot of patience to grow it out though. She certainly can hire the best to take care of the hair. Regardless it looks luxuriant and healthy. I'm glad for one reason caucasians see we have long luxurious hair without the use of chemicals. Most of them wear weaves and falls btw.
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By: jerry valentine on 1/11/2011 1:20AM
ican,t tell from this picture that you are showing if this is her hair,but i saw her on a special enter veiw on t.v and they were puting hair on or with her hair,i think this is a wig.
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