Oprah being a Diva (not in a good way)

moe.ron · #1 06-25-2005, 04:12 AM

Let see, the store was closed. People inside were preparing for a PR event. So, they didn't let Oprah in. Now, she claimed that it was racial and it was the most humiliating moment on her life. Hey, I was denied entrance to a shop once because it was closing down, maybe it was because I was an Asian.

Link to the Article

sugar and spice · #2 06-25-2005, 04:30 AM

So normally I would be all about taking celebrities down a notch, but I think people are misinterpreting what happened in this situation. Oprah showed up past closing time -- which is not really all that unusual, and if she had been, you know, Gwen Stefani or Liz Taylor or whomever it is that buys Hermes these days, you had better bet they would have let her in. But Oprah didn't have her hair "done," and they didn't recognize her -- they told her they weren't going to let her in because they'd been "having a problem with North African women" lately.

I don't know if she told them who she was right there (I would have been like, "Bitches, this is Oprah!" -- no lies, you would too!), but regardless, two bottom lines to this story:

1) Oprah needs to be gettin' her butt to the store earlier next time.
2) There was definitely a racial undertone to this incident. How much of a role it played is up for debate, but it seems pretty clear that there was one.

On the whole, Oprah doesn't have a history of "playing the race card," so I'm willing to listen to what she has to say on this before deciding. Not that my decision will really affect my future Hermes shopping trips one way or the other.

Taualumna · #3 06-25-2005, 11:22 AM

How well-known is Oprah in France? If she's a minor celebrity over there, then she can't really expect sales people to know that she's OPRAH, especially if she isn't made-up. I've heard that she looks rather plain without the proper make-up and lighting. According to TwoPers, Oprah's people should have called ahead of time, because in France, closing time is closing time (I don't know, I've never shopped in Paris close to closing time...I've only been there once, and went shopping at like 2 pm)

sageofages · #4 06-25-2005, 12:34 PM

I think it is more a reaction to a slap in her ego than a racial undertone. My experience...

I was a guest on her show in 1996 and quit being a "fan" after that experience. She was WAY catered to as in obviously the boss...ie, she says to no one in particular (sort of out to the air) "I want a cup of tea" and one just appears out of no where....there was a small glitch with a video segment and she says again "we *will* have a meeting about this" and several people were all scrambling to get to phones etc.

She was not all that friendly with the audience during the commerical breaks being all business and she seemed to interact with certain African American members of the guests more than us normal audience crazies (white or black). Actually one very *fine* AfricanAmerican man in particular

otherwise she bare acknowledged we were in the room during the commerical breaks.

She *doesn't* allow photos with guests UNLESS her official photographer does the photos..and he is ONLY there when it is a celebrity (from the producer of my segment).

When I had my make up done, I told the makeup artist NO mascara I would do my own - I don't share. She insisted to using her stuff and I ended up with a HUGE eye infection. I let the producer know this happened and they never even acknowledged my correspondence. Seriously, you think she could either afford to supply fresh for her guests OR she could work a deal with revlon, etc to have samples for guest to use that aren't reused.

so when I heard about her interaction with the Paris shop, my first thought was "I bet she thought they should have opened for her simply because she said to" and when they wouldn't she decided that they were going to "regret" it. I think she is pretty damned used to getting what she wants, when she wants it, and isn't used to being told "No, you aren't the most special" person around.

Tom Earp · #5 06-25-2005, 03:46 PM

I guess some who take their Stardom so over powering gets a little underwhealming doesnt it?

So in Her Mind, She is a Star, but when you act like you are the most important person, the star gets tarnished.

Probably puts Her Panty Hose on like everyone else of the Femaile persuasion. Just gets more Money to do it!

The few well known people who I have met that impressed Me the most are the ones who act like You and I do and are glad to just be there and understand what it is to be a star but still a person!

AEPhiSierra · #6 06-27-2005, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sugar and spice
But Oprah didn't have her hair "done," and they didn't recognize her -- they told her they weren't going to let her in because they'd been "having a problem with North African women" lately.

ok this part does not make sense to me because while Oprah is an African American she does not look North African.

Lady Pi Phi · #7 06-27-2005, 10:32 AM

I'm not convicned that we are getting the whole story. Oprah doesn't strike me as the type of person to get all bent out of shape because people don't recognize her celebrity status and won't let her shop whenever she pleases. Granted, I don't know her personally, so she could very well be like that. I just think there's way more to the story then we are getting. But I don't udnerstand why Oprah won't come out and just tell people her side of the story. It's all very cryptic.

CutiePie2000 · #8 06-27-2005, 02:27 PM

Usually celebrities book appointments for shops like this, so that they don't get bothered by the unwashed masses. Not sure that we are getting the full story here.

_Opi_ · #9 07-05-2005, 03:45 PM

Didn't Oprah say she was going to do a segment on this?

I agree tho, if this was Gwen Stefani, they would have opened those doors for her!

Tom Earp · #10 07-05-2005, 04:51 PM

Bull S!

Yes, She is of African American Heretage, so what?

She is still putting Her Panty Hose on like the rest of the Women I know, or maybe she has help! GAG!

Maybe Her Agent Raised Hell, made Her look good didnt it? I made Harpo Look Like she was discrimented against, bit news!

Real Stars with Good Agents Make After Hours Appointments.

Hey I am So and So even though I am Here after Hours, I want In.

F*ck Them!

People that have worked all damn day are tired! "IF" there are special circumstances they will work and hate it!

Why? Their feet and body is tired, Da!

I have had some special people in My Shop, Jimmy Buffett, George Scott, Chesty Puller. They were very Nice People and really didnt know at the time.

Act Like a Human, get treated in the same vein!

AnonAlumna · #11 07-06-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taualumna
How well-known is Oprah in France? If she's a minor celebrity over there, then she can't really expect sales people to know that she's OPRAH, especially if she isn't made-up. I've heard that she looks rather plain without the proper make-up and lighting. According to TwoPers, Oprah's people should have called ahead of time, because in France, closing time is closing time (I don't know, I've never shopped in Paris close to closing time...I've only been there once, and went shopping at like 2 pm)

My experience with Europe is that when it's time to close, you better get out of the way. They will kick you out, and not even bat an eye! They have unions for everything and that's what they live by. As other's have stated, we're probably not getting the full story here. I love Oprah!

Jill1228 · #12 07-06-2005, 05:06 PM

I work in retail in the US and I am the same way! Let's put it this way: I call our closing pages the GTFO (Get the F Out) announcement

Yeah I like Oprah, but when it is GTFO, it is GTFO regardless of who you are

Quote:

Originally posted by AnonAlumna
My experience with Europe is that when it's time to close, you better get out of the way. They will kick you out, and not even bat an eye!

CutiePie2000 · #13 07-06-2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jill1228
Yeah I like Oprah, but when it is GTFO, it is GTFO regardless of who you are

Exactly...and if you want to shop outside of the store hours, book a bloody appointment. Yeesh.

Tom Earp · #14 07-06-2005, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jill1228
I work in retail in the US and I am the same way! Let's put it this way: I call our closing pages the GTFO (Get the F Out) announcement

Yeah I like Oprah, but when it is GTFO, it is GTFO regardless of who you are

Jill, Baby, That is Why I LOVE YA! U Are So U!

She aint a God Damn Goddes, she has Money! She is no better than any of us!

Dont ever throw that Si*t Bi*ch!