May 18, 2011
Exclusive! Oprah Overwhelmed by 'Farewell Spectacular'
Abdicating talk queen Oprah Winfrey was wowed by the show of love and support at the "Surprise Oprah: A Farewell Spectacular" in Chicago on Thursday, and "Extra" was there to help the legendary TV host celebrate her moment.
"This is what I have to say about this night... Most people never live to see it," she told "Extra's" AJ Calloway in an exclusive one-on-one. "You know that? Most people never live to see it."
Oprah continued, "I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it. I can't even... I was talking to Jamie Foxx about that for a while and he said, 'What was that?' and I go 'What WAS that?' I don't know. I was able to really receive it in a way that I didn't think I could. All day long I was like, 'Accept the love, accept the love, accept the love...'
She was particularly blown away by Aretha Franklin singing "Amazing Grace." The talk show host said, "Aretha Franklin actually coming out an singing 'Amazing Grace,' which I listen to every Sunday... put me in the rapture."
Watch "Extra's" interviews with Jamie Foxx, Madonna, Simon Cowell and others from the event!
And one of her favorite moments was when the Morehouse College students performed with Kristen Chenoweth. Oprah gushed, "Of all the moments that would be my all-time favorite moment. When Tyler Perry said a few of them were here, I thought it was going to be 4... I did not know it was 415. I can't believe it!"
The clearly overwhelmed O summed it up, saying, "I'm gonna think about it for a couple days -- then call me."
"Surprise Oprah: A Farewell Spectacular" airs May 23 and 24 on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."