The United States is going through a cultural shift. During the MeToo movement and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, wrongdoers were exposed as part of the #MeToo movement and the revival of the Black Lives Matter movement. Oprah Winfrey has been targeted for her candor when asking
The internet exploded with outrage after the Olson twins’ interview with Oprah resurfaced last week, forcing Oprah to defend herself. During a 2004 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show when the Olson sisters were just seventeen, the pair was said to be suffering from an eating condition. Child actors frequently endure harsh conditions.
Mary-Kate was battling an eating disorder at the time of her appearance on Oprah. The pair of child stars were already slight and thin, yet Mary-Kate had to confront Oprah over the awkward “size” query during the show.
Oprah was fifty years old when she spoke with the Olson twins. She made an appearance during the conversation to inquire about the eating disorder accusations and slipped in a question about the girls’ sizes.
“I’m aware of a recent speculation that has recently distressed you, correct?” Oprah inquired. The girls hesitate to respond because they are unsure about which rumor Oprah is referring to.“You know, the one about eating.”
Ashley comes to Mary-Kate’s defense, just like a loyal sister.
“Yeah, you know people are going to write what they’re going to write. We try not to read the good or the bad because it just comes with the territory. Either you’re too fat, too skinny, and people are just gonna write what they –”
However, Oprah interrupts to inquire: “What size are you, by the way?”
Oprah’s tasteless inquiry awes the girls.
“Size?” they ask.
Mary-Kate says that she has always been. “petite.”
She coldly replies, “Oh, that’s so interesting!”
Throughout her profession in the public eye, Oprah has spoken about her difficulties with weight on numerous occasions. She was a Weight Watchers spokesperson and used the program to help control her weight.
After the insulting inquiry, Oprah attempts to repair the damage by stating:, “That is so interesting, I’m obsessed with size, and you’re like, ‘I really don’t know!’”
Mary-Kate goes on to say, “If we were obsessed with our size, it’d be, I don’t know, a different story.”
Mary-Kate entered a rehabilitation center not long after the Oprah interview aired. She was treated for anorexia while in the facility, which served to underscore how unkindly Oprah had asked her questions. She spent six weeks inside and was discharged in July 2004.
The Olson twins’ appearance on Oprah has stunned audiences.
“Wow! Was Oprah ever called out for this? Inappropriate much?”
“I know we’re living in different times, but how did they think that was okay!?! [Because] they’re young?”
What are your thoughts on Orpah’s interview question about size?
