One of the world’s richest and most powerful celebrities – Oprah Winfrey,  has a problematic past – one that is often ignored. Can she be both saviour and Billionaire mogul? 

#MeToo advocate Rose McGowan recently called Oprah ‘fake’ in her support of the #MeToo movement. Several celebrities have come forward to question how Oprah didn’t know about Harvey Weinstein’s behaviour and the validity of Hollywood’s Time Up movement – which was founded by wealthy celebrities and rocked by a number of scandals. 

Hollywood itself has a complicated relationship with equal rights and holding people responsible for their actions.

Billionaires and celebrities are not concerned with dismantling the power structures that allow sexual assault and harassment. They live in a world where they have the money and power to make stories disappear and change the media and social narrative. 

 In a world of excess, it’s hard to identify where celebrities establish the lines of normal behaviour. Unlike us mere peasants, they have millions if not billions of dollars to protect, a public image to defend and more than often, will use and exploit the latest social trends to stay relevant. It does not mean they are actively abusing each other, but many will be complicit in turning a blind eye. Hollywood remains a brutal, selfish and money-driven industry that will not think twice about chewing you up and spitting you out. 

Hollywood is a club and if you want to make it, keep your mouth shut and play the game. 

If America’s ‘Queen Oprah’ can have an entire nation calling for her to be president, following one powerful and moving speech, despite her known problematic past, and no political experience – we’re running the risk of foreign policies being made by famous people.