Oprah: Love her or hate her?

UAE residents tell what they think about one of the world's most powerful women.

Oprah is your run-of-the-mill rags to riches story, but somehow, she has kept audiences fascinated for almost 20 years.

From dire beginnings in Mississippi and Nashville to a broadcasting debut in Baltimore at the age of 22, Oprah has really beaten the odds and become one of the world's most powerful people.

Who knew she would become the great source of influence she is today?

When Oprah said: "It has just stopped me cold from eating another burger" in 1996 over fears of mad cow disease, she was accused of sending the meat industry into a downward spiral, which led to a court case that she obviously won.

When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans earlier this year, Oprah put her money and her heart where her mouth is, went down to the devastated areas herself and donated $1 million (Dh3.7 million) from her Angel Network.

And where sexual abuse is concerned, Oprah — a young victim of sexual abuse herself- launched a campaign, "Stop it Now!" whereby fugitive sex offenders are rounded up.

Launched only over a month ago, two sexual offenders have already been arrested.

Is there anything this woman can't do?

Oprah is now a household name, recognisable to millions around the world.

So much for the suits who once told her to change her name to something more approachable like "Suzy".

They must feel a little stupid now.

Connection

Her fans feel such an intense personal connection to Oprah that it's hard to watch her show's introduction without seeing nearly hysterical fans crying and screaming for their idol.

Her words are golden, and it seems whatever Oprah touches turns to gold.

When she launched the Oprah Book Club, every book she discussed became a bestseller overnight.

Having worked hard to obtain such enormous power, her fans recognise her dedication and strength, and one fan in Aurora, Colorado, seems to think Oprah should be crowned "symbolic official Queen of America".

While Oprah's success is undeniable in the US, her scope stretches as far as the UAE, where I found fans of hers who shared their thoughts on the (for now) queen of the media.

"I watch the Oprah show regularly and I think she touches a lot of people's lives and does a lot for everyone," says Helen Estrada, a cabin crew.

"She makes you realise that you shouldn't take anything for granted, and that you should be grateful for everything in life."

"I don't know about her being a queen, I don't know if I see her that way. But I guess other people could see her as a queen because of all the gestures and the things she's done."

Helen agrees that Oprah is "loved by many and could absolutely help improve relations between people".

People should really watch her show because you can learn a lot from her, she says.

Nicole Alixant, a homemaker, says she watches the Oprah show a lot.

"I think she could be named queen because she does a lot of good things for everyone. She's given a lot of money for good causes, and she's a very good person," she says.

"She could definitely change race relations between people because she's loved so much."

Diana Jaworski, another homemaker, says she loves Oprah but could not think of her as a US royalty.

"I don't know if you need to give her any title because of what she does, but what she does is wonderful."

"I think she could change race relations not only in the US but also throughout the world because she's an icon."

"People don't see her as a black woman, but as a woman who cares and is trying to do wonderful things. Some people have wealth but don't do anything with it."

"Oprah has gone one step further and she's trying to make a difference in the world."