Oprah Winfrey denied that the was paid a $1 million personal fee by Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign to take part in a Sept. 19 event with the vice president: “I was not paid a dime.”
Oprah Winfrey is setting the record straight on her involvement with Kamala Harris‘ presidential campaign.
The former talk show host denied rumors that she was paid a $1 million personal fee to appear alongside the vice president—who lost the 2024 election to Donald Trump—at the Sept. 19 Unite for America live-streaming event in Detroit.
“Usually I am reluctant to respond to rumors in general, but these days I realize that if you don’t stop a lie, it just gets bigger,” she wrote on Instagram Nov. 11. “I was not paid a dime. My time and energy was my way of supporting the campaign.”
While Winfrey said her Harpo Productions company was asked to supply the set—including lights, cameras, microphones and chairs—for filming, she “did not take any personal fee” for her appearance.
“However, the people who worked on that production needed to be paid. And were,” the 70-year-old added. “End of story.”
Harpo Productions also confirmed Winfrey’s story, with a spokesperson telling Variety that the Harris campaign only “paid for the production costs of Unite for America.”
“Oprah Winfrey was at no point during the campaign paid a personal fee,” the rep continued, “nor did she receive a fee from Harpo.”
Winfrey was a vocal champion of Harris in the months leading up to Election Day Nov. 5. In addition to the Unite for America event, she delivered a 15-minute speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in August, as well as appeared at Harris’ final campaign rally earlier this month.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images“I know that some of you are feeling burnt out and bruised and maybe inconsequential,” the media mogul told a Philadelphia crowd Nov. 4, one day before the election. “Nothing could be further from the truth: Every single vote is going to matter.”
Harris, 60, formally conceded to Trump, 78, on Nov. 6, promising that the current administration under President Joe Biden “will help him and his team with his transition.”
“A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results,” she told her supporters gathered at her alma mater of Howard University in Washington, D.C. “That principle, as much as any other, distinguishes democracy from monarchy or tyranny, and anyone who seeks the public trust must honor it.”
To see which celebrities voted in the 2024 election, read on.
InstagramLady Gaga
The “Applause” singer didn’t need a million reasons to get her vote on.
InstagramMegan Thee Stallion
Hot Girl Summer? More like Hot Girl Election Day for the “Savage” rapper.
Instagram/Lupita Nyong’oLupita Nyong’o
The Oscar winner celebrated her first time voting, captioning her video on Instagram, “I VOTED!!! Your girl is a #VirginVoter NO MORE!!!”
Instagram/Zoe SaldanaZoe Saldana
The Star Trek alum struck a pose with her “I Voted” sticker in both English and Spanish.
InstagramJessica Biel
The 7th Heaven actress looked like she was on cloud nine after casting her ballot.
InstagramChelsea Handler
“Don’t sit this one out,” the comedian wrote on Instagram. “Vote with your conscious.”
InstagramJenna Dewan
The Step Up alum stepped up to the ballot box with her youngest daughter Rhiannon.
InstagramConnie Britton
“With your vote today, give yourself a voice that can make the change that you envision in the world,” the Friday Night Lights alum wrote on Instagram. “And feel how good that feels. Joy.”
InstagramGabourey Sidibe
The Precious star filled out her ballot at home, joking, “When you vote at the kitchen counter, you can wear what you want.”
InstagramBrooke Shields
“Get out and VOTE!” the Blue Lagoon actress wrote on Instagram. “This is probably the most important election in our lifetime.”
Instagram/Demi MooreDemi Moore
“We voted!” the Substance actress shared on Instagram. “Voting is such an important part of our democracy, don’t forget to exercise your right to vote!”
InstagramJosh Gad
The Frozen star didn’t let his ballot go to waste.
InstagramHalle Berry
“I hope you all exercised your fundamental right to vote and have your voice heard today,” the Oscar winner wrote on Instagram Nov. 5. “I DID!”
Instagram/Danielle BrooksDanielle Brooks
The Orange Is the New Black alum showed off her Georgia peach sticker.
InstagramChristina Ricci
It may be a Tuesday, but the Wednesday actress headed to the polls nonetheless.
InstagramSaweetie
The “My Type” rapper tapped into voting.
InstagramTina Knowles
Beyoncé‘s mom got into formation on Election Day.
InstagramJon Bon Jovi
The rocker gave voting a good name.
InstagramJohnny Galecki
Looks like the Big Bang Theory alum made a big bang at the ballot box.
InstagramAlec Baldwin & Hilaria Baldwin
The 30 Rock alum and his wife snapped a selfie after voting in New York City.
InstagramJesse Tyler Ferguson
“It’s a privilege and a duty,” the Modern Family star captioned his voting selfie. “VOTE!”
Instagram/Gigi HadidGigi Hadid
The model struck a pose with her “I Voted” sticker.
InstagramJonathan Van Ness
The Queer Eye star had his sights set on voting this year.
InstagramJimmy Kimmel
“If you ask nicely,” the late night talk show host joked, “they’ll put the sticker on your head.”
InstagramJessica Betts & Niecy Nash
The musician and the Reno 911! star made voting into a morning date.
InstagramNeil Patrick Harris
Not need to wait for it: The How I Met Your Mother alum already cast his vote.
InstagramAmber Tamblyn
The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants alum traveled all the way to the voting booth.
Instagram/Nicole RichieNicole Richie & Jamie Mizrahi
The two pals took to the voting booths together.
InstagramJennifer Aniston
“Please remember that whoever you are and wherever you live,” the Friends alum wrote on Instagram, “your voice matters. Your VOTE matters.”
Quinta Brunson
The Abbott Elementary star shared her A+ election day selfie.
