Rose McGowan, an actress, recently provoked a heated dispute on Twitter about media mogul Oprah Winfrey. Her tweet highlighted a new side of Oprah, challenging the public’s perception of the strong figure and raising concerns about how she has utilized her influence over time. Many Americans were captivated to this information, resulting in a post going viral.
McGowan accused Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of sexually abusing her, and in a tweet, she chastised Oprah for suspected ties to him. Using the hashtag #lizard, she blasted Oprah for purportedly supporting a “sick power structure for personal gain” and even labeled her as “fake”. This straightforward and unequivocal statement left little room for interpretation.
It’s worth noting, however, that McGowan’s remark came about a year after Oprah resigned as executive producer of the Russell Simmons documentary for #MeToo. Oprah stated that she did not believe she and the filmmakers were still on the same creative page, and that additional work was required to fully convey the victims’ tales. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Oprah reiterated her firm belief in and support for the women who came forward as victims.
Oprah did star in a film distributed by Weinstein’s media company, indicating that she had previous contacts with him. When the claims against Weinstein appeared, Oprah admitted to having a previous acquaintance with him, but she said she was unaware of his predatory behavior toward women. If she had known, she said, she would have spoken out against his heinous conduct.
Oprah’s relationship with Weinstein highlights the difficulties of keeping personal and professional interactions separate, as well as the complexities of the entertainment industry. People can be both victims and supporters of victims, and it is vital to realize this.
Rose McGowan has openly criticized Oprah, but she has also become embroiled in the drama surrounding the California Gavin Newsom election recall. Regardless of these occurrences, McGowan’s tweet is crucial because it underlines the importance of reporting abuse and holding people accountable, regardless of their social status or amount of power. It serves as a reminder of the power that comes with speaking one’s truth and pushing the social justice conversation.
