Gayle King has spoken publicly for the first time about how Oprah chose not to put an end to long-running speculation that the pair were a “secretly gay” couple.
For most public figures, there are only so many ways to stamp out gossip. Addressing it directly on The Oprah Winfrey Show—with a massive daytime audience—would seem like one of the most effective options.
King, however, said that when she asked her longtime friend Oprah Winfrey to do exactly that after rumors spread that they were in a romantic relationship, Winfrey didn’t want to engage with it.
During an appearance on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, King was asked how she dealt with the chatter—something she acknowledged used to upset her.
“I was recently divorced and the National Enquirer did a story about [how] that’s the reason for the divorce, because they’re secretly gay,” she said.
King, now 71, emphasized that there would be no reason to hide it if it were true, while also making it clear the rumor didn’t reflect her reality.
“Number one, if we were gay, we would tell you, because believe me, there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s just, I prefer a man. I prefer a man.”
She also looked back on a moment when she tried to persuade Winfrey to address the claims head-on on her weekday talk show, which concluded in 2011 as viewing habits changed.
King said she felt compelled to speak up, explaining that the speculation was affecting her personal life.
“It’s hard enough for me to get a date on a Saturday night and now people think I’m a lesbian.”
According to King, Winfrey’s reaction caught her off guard and wasn’t what she expected from the conversation.
“Just leave it be.”
While King admitted she didn’t always handle the situation perfectly, she said the experience ultimately taught her a lot about resilience and perspective.
She added that, at this stage of her life, she’s much less affected by public commentary—particularly in an era where online platforms can amplify negativity.
“I’ve now gotten to the point in my life that very few things get to me. Because, you know, when you go on social media, it is an accelerator on hate.”
Winfrey later touched on the topic herself in 2024, discussing the nature of their bond during an episode of Moments That Make Us.
“Maybe people aren’t accustomed to seeing women with this kind of truth bond,” she suggested.
She went on to describe how she believes their friendship has endured, pointing to the way King shows up for her through every milestone and setback.
“The reason why I think our friendship has worked is because Gayle is happier, not happy, for me in any kind of success or victory or challenge I get through than I am for myself.
“And I feel as happy as she does – I can’t be happier than, cannot surpass Gayle.”