Oprah Winfrey turned social media trolls into teachable moments with her signature humor and grace. The media icon addressed online jabs about her walking style at Paris Fashion Week alongside her best friend, Gayle King. At 72, Oprah Winfrey owned the moment without missing a beat.

Viral walk sparks chatter

Videos from the Chloé show on March 4, 2026, captured Oprah and Gayle, 71, moving slowly down the red carpet. Social media users mocked them, saying they walked “like they’re 90 years old.” The clip spread quickly, drawing concern and criticism amid Oprah’s recent weight loss journey. Oprah looked chic in a peach blazer, loose pants, a white shirt, a brown purse, and rimless sunglasses as she arrived at the Tennis Club de Paris. Gayle matched her vibe in stylish attire, but their cautious steps ignited debates online.

Oprah Winfrey sets the record straight

During a March 12, 2026, recording of The Oprah Podcast, she laughed off the comments in an Instagram clip. “You know how people critique you online? They were making comments about Gayle and me. They were saying, ‘Look at them walking as if they’re 90 years old,’” Oprah mentioned. She explained her own slow pace stemmed from nonprescription sunglasses that impaired her vision. “I typically wear glasses or contacts. Those weren’t prescription sunglasses, so I was unsure of my surroundings. I couldn’t see,” she said, adding, “So for everyone, ‘they’re walking like 90,’ I genuinely couldn’t see.” Gayle faced her own challenge with two broken toes from a recent injury. “Gayle said, ‘I’ve got two broken toes; I can’t walk!’” Oprah shared, chuckling. “The reason we appeared like we were 90 is that I couldn’t see and Gayle was dealing with two broken toes. So that should clarify things.” Oprah wrapped it up playfully: “I couldn’t see, but I looked adorable.” She took it sportingly. Embracing fashion choices Paris Fashion Week marked a stylish getaway for the duo, filled with front-row seats at Chloé, Stella McCartney, and Chanel. Oprah celebrated the trip on Instagram on March 10: “Fashion. Friendship. Food. And the sheer joy of being comfortable in my own skin. Thank you, Paris, for a wonderful week.” Fans praised her poise, with many noting her youthful glow and confidence. Oprah’s openness continues to inspire, turning a viral mishap into a reminder to laugh at life’s stumbles.