TV icon Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention in her hometown of Chicago, where she urged Democrats and independent voters to "choose common sense over stupidity."
“Let us choose truth, let us choose honour, let us choose joy. Because this is what's best for America," Oprah told a cheering crowd, the BBC reported.
Winfrey, who has avoided political appearances in recent years, lent some of her star support to presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Waltz of Minnesota during the third night of the four-day convention.
Her comments came before Walz gave a speech formally accepting the party's nomination for vice president.
The former talk show host emphasized a message of unity while also tactically criticizing Harris and Waltz's GOP opponents, former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
"Despite what some want you to think, we're not that different from our neighbours. When a house burns down, we don't ask about the owner's religion or race, wonder who their partner is or how they voted. No. We're just trying to do our best to save them. And if the place turns out to be a childless woman with a cat, we'll try to get her out, too," Oprah said with a hint directed at Vance.
The comment refers to a 2021 interview in which Vance called Democratic politicians "a bunch of childless women with cats who are unhappy with their own lives and the choices they've made, and so they want to make the rest of the country unhappy." ".
That remark came to light after Trump announced the Ohio senator as his vice presidential nominee, and was heavily criticized. Oprah herself has no children.
In recent years, the billionaire tycoon has avoided politics. In 2007, she endorsed then-Illinois Senator Barack Obama's bid for president. Winfrey, who considered Obama a friend as the two met in Chicago's political orbit, hosted fundraisers and volunteered on his Iowa campaign.
But on the evening of August 21st, Oprah declared herself an independent and urged other like-minded people to support the Democrats in November.
"You're looking at a registered independent voter who is proud to vote again and again because I'm an American and that's what Americans do," she said.
Tracy Prince and Kathy Sykes jumped out of their seats when they saw Oprah, who was born in their home state of Mississippi, take the stage.
“We love Oprah so much. Everyone in Mississippi is so proud to have her as one of us,” Sykes said. She described Oprah's speech as a "strong message" to independent voters in particular to vote for Harris.
"She gave very good reasons why they should choose common sense over stupidity," Sykes explained.
Several other celebrities also appeared that night, including Stevie Wonder, Mindy Kaling and Kenan Thompson.
The Democratic Party is calling on celebrity supporters to help bring attention to their convention, hoping their presence will get voters to take notice — and perhaps vote for Harris in November.
Last month's Republican National Convention featured appearances by rock musician Kid Rock and wrestler Hulk Hogan. | BGNES
