Do you recall when Oprah Winfrey strongly criticized Tony Braxton on television for owning Gucci flatware? She was incredibly harsh towards me. I was astonished at how that moment drastically altered Tony’s career trajectory, ultimately impacting mine as well. It caused people to view me differently. Recently, this incident has resurfaced following Oprah’s admission of enduring financial insecurities. Many now argue that her treatment of Tony was not just a reflection of her insecurities but indicative of a broader pattern of Oprah being dismissive and critical, particularly towards black entertainers.
During the celebration of People’s 50th Anniversary Special issue, Oprah revealed that despite receiving her initial entertainment industry paycheck, she still hesitated to splurge on luxury items like designer dinnerware. She recounted, “I was about to furnish my first apartment in Chicago and walked into Crate & Barrel. There was a flatware set for $49.95. I refrained from buying it because I still believed I wasn’t earning enough to afford a six-piece set.”
In the interview, Oprah also explained that because she understood the discomfort of not being able to afford things, she intervened when she saw someone deliberating over the same flatware set in the store. She went to the counter and paid for it, recalling her own experiences of financial constraint.
During her conversation with People magazine, Oprah refrained from addressing the Tony Braxton interview directly but reflected on how early life lessons had profoundly influenced and shaped her. “I sound like a broken record, but gratitude truly is my religion,” she remarked.
However, Oprah’s comment sparked a response questioning whether her past financial insecurities led to the embarrassment and judgment Tony Braxton faced on Oprah’s show 25 years ago. At the time of her appearance, Tony was navigating significant financial challenges, having declared bankruptcy twice – in 1998 and 2010. During her 1998 appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Tony discussed her financial struggles and faced allegations of fraudulent asset transfers to her husband in order to avoid creditors.
Many recall the interview as a humiliating and degrading experience for Tony, who felt Oprah’s approach was judgmental, condescending, and lacking in sympathy.
Tony recalled the incident much later and was astonished by Oprah’s condescending demeanor. Oprah had asked, “Do you take responsibility for the situation that you’re in right now?” Tony responded, “100%.” Oprah proceeded to inquire, “Do you have Gucci flatware?” and “Do you have a lion-skin rug?” while remarking, “You couldn’t have possibly thought that you could buy seven or eight cars.” She even mentioned, “And I hear you have Gucci silverware. I’m Oprah Winfrey, and I don’t have Gucci silverware.”
Additionally, Tony mentioned that her publicist had advised her to do the interview, but she regretted it as she believed it exacerbated her situation and harmed her reputation. She accused Oprah of being a phony humanitarian who only cared about herself. Tony emphasized that she understood Oprah’s insecurities, noting that while she could afford Gucci flatware, Oprah chose not to buy it. Tony remarked, “You ain’t got Gucci flatware ’cause you didn’t want to buy it. It’s not ’cause you couldn’t afford it.”
On the subject of Oprah’s frugality, it was revealed that one of her money-saving tactics was extending the life of her pantyhose by cutting off one leg when the other had a run and later pairing it with another single-legged hose. She also disclosed how she created her own makeshift Spanx by cutting pantyhose with runs and using them for support under skirts.
Furthermore, Oprah disclosed that she reused her $33.99 eyelashes to save money and benefit from their customized fit to her eyes over time, ultimately saving $11.25. This frugal approach to beauty savings might shed light on her reaction during a 1998 interview with Tony regarding her expensive purchases, which she later described as irresponsible. Despite potential insecurities, her treatment of Tony on TV appeared unnecessarily harsh to some viewers.
Moreover, allegations surfaced that Oprah intentionally humiliated Tony on her show and informed her record label of her intentions. Reports suggest that during a bankruptcy discussion on Oprah’s show, Oprah notified LaFace Records, stating, “Tony’s appearance today intends to reflect poorly on you.” This alleged behavior left a negative impression on many observers.
Many individuals, including Mo’Nique, publicly criticized Oprah for her treatment of Tony Braxton. Mo’Nique has consistently expressed her discontent with Oprah’s past actions and frequently airs her grievances on social media. In one of her posts, she highlighted Oprah’s mistreatment of Tony Braxton, referencing how Oprah kept a clip from an interview that portrayed Tony in a negative light.
The scrutiny towards Oprah often revolves around her treatment of black men, but this overlooks the broader issue of how black women are often rendered invisible. Mo’Nique pointed to Tony Braxton’s experiences as an example, urging people to recognize and support black women.
Mo’Nique’s comments about men stemmed from Oprah’s involvement in hosting the documentary “Leaving Neverland,” which featured men accusing Michael Jackson of assault. Oprah was also initially tied to a project involving Russell Simmons’ accusers before parting ways due to creative differences. However, Oprah approached discussions about Harvey Weinstein, who faced similar accusations, with a more nuanced perspective. When asked about Weinstein, Oprah emphasized the importance of finding positives amid challenges, suggesting that solely focusing on Weinstein would detract from broader issues.
With Tony, Mo was emphasizing that Oprah’s impact isn’t limited to demeaning black men; it extends to black women as well. Mo feels that until Oprah publicly apologizes for what Mo perceives as malicious and intentional actions, Mo will carry this grievance for the rest of her life.
If Oprah were watching this, what would you say to her? “Oprah Winfrey, you know what you must do. Stop avoiding accountability for what you dismiss as negative comments or issues you ‘don’t deal with.’ People are seeing you for who you truly are.”
Oprah has never apologized to Mo. During an interview with Global Grind alongside co-stars Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling, Oprah discussed the Monique situation, stating, “It’s impossible. Meeting negativity with negativity only creates more negative energy. You must rise above it, transcend it, be the light. It only takes a little bit of light.”
Similar to how Mo’Nique’s career faced challenges due to Oprah, Tony also experienced setbacks following an interview with Oprah. This interview triggered widespread criticism of Tony’s financial management, although Tony asserted in her book that her bankruptcies stemmed from a poor management deal rather than lavish spending. The deal required her to cover tour expenses, band payments, and medical costs due to lupus, resulting in significant loans. Luxury items like designer flatware were occasional treats for her hard work but were used by Oprah to criticize her.
With Oprah now acknowledging financial insecurities, many believe she owes Tony Braxton a genuine apology. Fans of Tony, who admired Oprah, feel Oprah should have supported and uplifted Tony rather than publicly shaming her.
Reportedly, Tony still harbors resentment towards Oprah for the impact on her career. What are your thoughts? Was Oprah right to critique Tony’s finances, or did she overstep her bounds? Was Tony justified in claiming the interview affected her career? Share your opinions below!
