Gayle King Says Oprah Romance Rumors Used to “Really Bother” Her

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Gayle King is putting her love life on the record.

Gayle King, the anchor of CBS Mornings, recently spoke about rumors suggesting a romantic relationship with her close friend of almost 50 years, Oprah Winfrey. She also discussed how these rumors have impacted her personal dating life.

Gayle, who was previously married to William Bumpus before they divorced in 1993, recently shared on the May 27th episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast that she used to be very upset by a tabloid story. According to The National Enquirer, her divorce was caused by rumors that she and her husband were secretly gay.

She clarified that if they were attracted to the same sex, they wouldn’t hesitate to share it, emphasizing that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being gay. However, she personally prefers men, and that’s why they haven’t disclosed any same-sex attraction.

Honestly, it was really upsetting to hear how much these rumors were affecting her personal life, especially after her divorce. She was so bothered by them that she actually asked Oprah multiple times during the show to please set the record straight and clear things up.

He remembered telling her, “You need to address this on your show! It’s already hard enough for me to get dates, and now everyone thinks I’m a lesbian. Please say something!” But she refused, saying they should just let it go.

I’ve been following this story closely, and it’s so sad to hear about Gayle’s struggles with the constant rumors. Apparently, she repeatedly asked Oprah – who’s been with Stedman Graham for almost 40 years now – to try and get the gossip to stop, but Oprah just wouldn’t intervene. Gayle even told her, feeling really vulnerable, that it was easy for Oprah to say she had someone, because Gayle didn’t have that support.

These days, Gayle—mother to Kirby, 40, and William Jr., 39, with her husband William—reacts to criticism much differently than she used to.

She said she’s reached a point where not much bothers her anymore. She explained that social media tends to amplify negativity and hate.

I focus on feeling good about my choices, and as long as the people I trust and respect are alright with them – even if they occasionally suggest I could have handled things differently – I don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. It’s important to let go of outside opinions, otherwise you’ll just stress yourself out. So, I’ve really learned not to care what others say.

This isn’t the first time Gayle King has spoken about rumors concerning her relationship with Oprah Winfrey. They’ve addressed these kinds of questions before, having previously responded to critics who doubted the strength of their friendship.

Oprah recently shared with Melinda Gates that she and Gayle King have faced rumors for years about being in a romantic relationship. She explained that these rumors have persisted for a long time, and some people still believe them.

You know, I’ve been following Oprah and Gayle’s friendship for years, and it’s honestly inspiring. Oprah recently said something that really struck me: she thinks people might be surprised to see such a genuine and supportive bond between two women. She believes the key to their lasting connection is that Gayle genuinely celebrates her achievements – and even her struggles – more than Oprah does herself. It’s just beautiful to witness, and a really unique kind of friendship.

Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey aren’t the only famous friends in the entertainment industry. Here are some other celebrity best friends…

Nicole, who has always loved her sister-in-law’s films, asked her a few years ago if she’d recreate some memorable scenes, including a famous one from My Best Friend’s Wedding.

During a May 2024 appearance on the Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino podcast, she recounted telling Cameron, ‘I need you to run towards me from behind the luggage cart, towards the airport.’ She explained that she started directing Cameron, telling her exactly what to say while they were driving, and Cameron happily obliged, which she described as very kind of her.

It’s a good thing Lawrence was available to hang out, because we almost missed out on one of our favorite friendships! Their connection started when the Oscar-winning actress emailed Schumer after seeing her 2015 movie, Trainwreck. Lawrence admitted she wrote, “I don’t know where to get started. I guess I should just say it: I’m in love with you.” They began emailing, which quickly turned into texting.

But their friendship truly became strong when Schumer casually invited Lawrence to join her and her high school friends for a trip to the Hamptons. Schumer was surprised when Lawrence accepted, but quickly realized Lawrence was just incredibly cool and fit right in with the group. She said Lawrence was the best person to hang out with and felt like one of the gang.

Everyone could use a friend who’s successful and well-established! Jennifer Lopez and Sofia Vergara have been incredibly close ever since they met and instantly connected at the premiere of Man on Fire in 2004. Lopez described it as an immediate, strong connection – someone who makes you laugh and who you genuinely enjoy being around.

Vergara was also a vocal supporter of Lopez’s performance at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. She messaged Lopez, telling her that as a fellow Bronx native, Lopez’s performance was inspiring and beautiful to watch.

Considered the ultimate celebrity friendship, this trio has remained incredibly close since they first bonded while working on the Warner Brothers lot. According to a source, their shared experience on the hit show Friends created a strong foundation for their bond.

Just like staying in touch with former colleagues, they prioritize regular get-togethers, from casual happy hours to larger reunions. The source notes that it’s easy for them to connect, whether it’s at Courteney’s Sunday dinners or Jennifer’s pool parties, and they all feel a lasting, deep connection with one another.

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey have been incredibly close friends ever since they met in an improv class in 1993, and they often describe their relationship as sisterly. Poehler, who has one younger brother named Greg, told PopSugar while promoting their 2015 movie Sisters that she feels like Fey is the sister she always wanted. She explained that their bond has allowed her to experience the kind of family connection she hadn’t had before.

You know how everyone talks about love at first sight? That’s exactly what happened with Josh and me, right there on the Dawson’s Creek set. We just clicked instantly – a real friendship that quickly turned into something more. We were immediately comfortable together, doing all the classic things like drinking wine, smoking, and even getting into a little trouble! That connection has honestly stayed with us all these years, and I feel so lucky to be able to watch them together – from walking red carpets and coordinating outfits to those amazing moments when they dye Josh’s hair the perfect shade of pink. It’s like getting a peek into a really special, enduring love story.

Drake and Adele, despite only recently considering a partnership, seem eager to work together. After years of admiring each other’s music – they’ve collectively won 19 Grammy Awards – they started talking about a possible collaboration. Adele mentioned to etalk that she’d love to create an official remix with Drake, and even bought the red coat he wore in his music video! Drake responded with equal enthusiasm, jokingly offering to do Adele’s laundry. Instead of housework, they opted for a more relaxed outing, grabbing a meal and hitting the bowling alley. It seems a collaboration is definitely in the works – maybe they’ll let us know when it’s ready through a phone call!

As a mother of two, Washington always wants to help others the way she was helped during her pregnancies. She often has open and honest conversations with close friends, especially Eva Longoria, as she shared with Entertainment Tonight. When Longoria had her son, Santiago, in 2018, she found Washington’s support invaluable, jokingly calling her a ‘doula’ – someone who provides support during pregnancy and childbirth.

After more than two decades since winning an Academy Award for Good Will Hunting, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are collaborating again on the film The Last Duel. Despite years passing since they last worked together, their close friendship remains strong. Damon explained to Entertainment Tonight in 2016 that they’ve known each other for 35 years and share a lifelong bond, having grown up together with a mutual passion for acting and filmmaking. He believes their shared obsession during their youth cemented their friendship for life.

The friendship between these two influential TV personalities started back in 1976 when they both worked at a Baltimore station. Although Oprah Winfrey was an anchor and Gayle King a production assistant, and they didn’t usually mix socially due to the typical newsroom structure, a snowstorm brought them together. Oprah invited Gayle, who earned $12,000 a year as a PA, to stay with her. The next day, they went shopping at the mall, and a lasting friendship began – sparked by a shared interest in sweaters at Casual Corner.

While your dates probably don’t involve Wimbledon finals or palace visits, Meghan Markle and the tennis star’s friendship started just like many others – with casual conversation. Meghan wrote on her now-closed website, The Tig, that they connected instantly at a 2014 Super Bowl event. They bonded over taking pictures, laughing during a flag football game, and chatting about everyday things – not tennis or acting, but typical ‘girl talk’.

Okay, seriously, even though Game of Thrones is over, my absolute favorite thing about the whole experience isn’t even the awards – all those Emmys are cool and everything, but honestly? It was finding Sophie! I mean, I was her maid of honor at her wedding to Joe Jonas back in 2019, and I truly believe the whole show was some elaborate plan to bring us together as best friends! I’m totally joking… mostly! But seriously, having a friend like Sophie through something as crazy as Game of Thrones was a total gift. It really was!

Everyone’s heart probably melted seeing Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s adorable reaction when their oldest daughter, James, recognized Taylor Swift’s song “Gorgeous” at a concert. Lively later jokingly called the video embarrassing, telling Robin Roberts on Good Morning America it perfectly captured their proud (and slightly overbearing!) parent energy. But the genuine friendship between the families – marked by Fourth of July celebrations at Taylor’s Rhode Island home, gatherings at Reynolds and Lively’s country house, and appearances in Swift’s music videos – is special and worth cherishing.

Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon have a strong friendship that actually began on the set of a TV show long before their Apple TV+ series, The Morning Show. Witherspoon remembers being a new mom, just 23 years old and nursing her daughter Ava, when she guest-starred on the show in 2000. She was surprised by Aniston’s curiosity about her baby and having to explain she was taking breaks to pump breast milk. Witherspoon admits she was a little self-conscious, but Aniston was incredibly kind, and their friendship blossomed from that moment.

Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg formed an unlikely but captivating friendship that became public at Justin Bieber’s Comedy Central Roast in 2015. They later starred together on the VH1 cooking show, Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party. Snoop Dogg explained to LA Weekly that Martha Stewart, while different from people he usually hangs out with, feels surprisingly familiar. He appreciated that she’s genuine and relatable, despite coming from a different generation. He said their connection works because she always seems to understand him and doesn’t shock him with her opinions, making their bond feel natural and comfortable—like a true partnership, not just a playful one.

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2026-05-27 18:20