Oprah Winfrey turned social media trolls into teachable moments with her signature sense of humor and grace. The media icon has addressed online criticism about her walking style at Paris Fashion Week alongside her best friend Gayle King.
At 72 years old, Oprah Winfrey has owned this moment without missing a beat.
Viral walk sparks chatter
Videos from Chloé’s show on March 4, 2026, showed Oprah and Gayle, 71, moving slowly down the red carpet. Social media users mocked them, saying they walked “like they were 90 years old.” The clip went viral, sparking concern and criticism amid Oprah’s recent weight loss journey. Oprah looked chic in a peach blazer, baggy pants, white shirt, brown purse and rimless sunglasses as she arrived at a tennis club in Paris.
Gayle matched her look with stylish outfits, but her cautious steps sparked controversy online.
Oprah Winfrey sets the record straight
While recording The Oprah Podcast on March 12, 2026, she laughed at the comments in an Instagram clip. “You know how people criticize you online? They were making comments about me and Gayle. They were like, ‘Look at them walking like they’re 90,'” Oprah said. She explained that her slow pace stemmed from non-prescription sunglasses that impaired her vision.
“I usually wear glasses or contact lenses.
These were not prescription sunglasses, so I wasn’t sure of my surroundings. “I couldn’t see,” she said, adding, “So for everyone, ‘They’re walking like 90,’ I couldn’t really see.” Gayle faced her own challenge with two broken toes due to a recent injury. “I broke two of my toes,” said Gayle; “I can’t walk!” Oprah shared, laughing. “The reason we looked like it was the ’90s is because I couldn’t see and Gayle was dealing with two broken fingers.
So that should clear things up.” “I couldn’t see, but I looked great,” Oprah concluded cheerfully. I took it sportingly. Embracing Fashion Choices Paris Fashion Week was a stylish getaway for the duo, filled with front row seats at Chloe, Stella McCartney and Chanel. Oprah celebrated the trip on Instagram on March 10: “Fashion. Friendship. Food. And the sheer joy of feeling comfortable in my own skin. Thank you, Paris, for an amazing week.”
“Fans praised her poise, with many noting her youthful glow and confidence. Oprah’s openness continues to be an inspiration, turning the viral incident into a reminder to laugh at life’s missteps.