Oprah Winfrey praised Knowles for her honesty in her new memoir 'Matriarch' (@oprahwinfrey/YouTube)
Oprah Winfrey is facing a wave of online backlash after her latest interview with Tina Knowles on ‘Oprah’s Book Club’ podcast.
What began as a heartfelt discussion – highlighting Knowles’ new memoir ‘Matriarch’, an Oprah’s Book Club pick – took a turn when Winfrey brought up the fashion designer’s two ex-husbands.
Viewers quickly picked up on what they felt was a pointed moment, especially when Oprah emphasized the phrase “ex-husbands,” prompting fans to accuse her of throwing subtle shade. The clip went viral, sparking debate across social media about the tone.
A recent episode of ‘Oprah’s Book Club’ podcast featuring Tina Knowles has stirred online controversy after a moment many viewers felt carried “unnecessary” shade.
During the discussion, Oprah Winfrey praised Knowles for her honesty in her new memoir ‘Matriarch’, calling it “admirable” that she told her full story.
However, eyebrows were raised when Oprah commented, “We are fully engaged in your story and all the people that are in your life — obviously, your ex-husband,” before pointedly correcting herself with added emphasis: “ex-husbands.”
Though the remark was met with laughter from Knowles and the audience, many fans took to social media to criticize Oprah for what they perceived as a petty jab.
Alongside the personal stories and reflections shared in her memoir ‘Matriarch’, Tina Knowles opened up about a deeply emotional and private chapter of her life – her battle with breast cancer.
In the book, she revealed that her doctor delivered the news gently but clearly: “You have breast cancer,” as per US Weekly.
A small tumor in her left breast was found to be malignant, while a larger tumor in her right breast, though benign, also needed to be removed.
“She said I was Stage 1A, assuring me my prognosis was good,” Knowles wrote. “The next step was to speak with an oncologist and a breast surgeon.”
Processing the diagnosis was overwhelming. “I sat there in a daze, rubbing my neck. I immediately thought of my father, all those times taking him to chemo and how much cancer took from him. I had been through all of this stuff in life getting to be 70 years old, and now I’m gonna get cancer?”
Throughout her treatment and recovery, Knowles found strength in the support of her daughter, Beyonce. She described how the superstar remained actively involved, even joining her mother’s doctor visits by phone.
“She insisted I put her on speaker during my consult in the exam room with the infectious disease specialist,” Knowles recalled. “The doctor was impressed with her questions; I was impressed by her care.”
Oprah Winfrey faces backlash over Tina Knowles podcast
After a clip surfaced of Oprah Winfrey speaking with fashion designer Tina Knowles – featuring what many perceived as subtle shade, several internet users were quick to call out the media mogul online.
One user asked, “Like what’s so f**king funny.”
The second user wrote, “This was unnecessary and weird this is why i don’t care for Oprah anymore. just be attention seeking at other ppl’s expense.”
this was unnecessary and weird this is why i don’t care for Oprah anymore. just be attention seeking at other ppl’s expense— taylor (@taythastargirl) April 22, 2025
One user wrote, “That was weird asl….”
That was weird asl….— Terris (@Its_Just_Terris) April 22, 2025
One individual shared, “That was so unnecessary 😭 She better keep it cute like we don’t play about Mama Tina.”
That was so unnecessary 😭 She better keep it cute like we don’t play about Mama Tina pic.twitter.com/MmntUMC5eL— ѕσℓαηgє 🐝❤️ (@thatssoyoncee) April 22, 2025
One user shared a GIF of a girl flipping the dining table and throwing it aside mid-conversation with two other women, captioning it, “Me if she would have tried that with me.”
me if she would have tried that with me pic.twitter.com/apEAeBZ9Xs— ri (@riyonque) April 22, 2025
Someone else dubbed it, “Always shady.”
Always shady— UniqueT (@Uniquelovely9) April 22, 2025
A commenter questioned, “And you’re bringing it here to create more chaos?”
and you’re bringing it here to create more chaos?— TYRANT (@cowboy_hive) April 22, 2025
A last user slammed, “And said it TWICE Tina, smack that b***h!”
And said it TWICE
Tina, smack that bitch! pic.twitter.com/Sg49BJ0wKT
