Oprah Winfrey is incensed over the fact the Aretha Franklin gave a major interview to her rival, Wendy Williams, and not to her at least according to the National Enquirer.
Oprah wanted to talk to Aretha about the war she has been waging with pancreatic cancer and surviving emergency surgery for it recently.
“Oprah is about as angry as can be,” said an insider. “This is the final season of her show and she’s been pushing to land all the big ‘gets’ out there. Oprah is embarrassed that Aretha – a legend – chose Wendy, who is a relative newcomer in the TV talk show world.”
While Oprah, 57, gives Wendy, 46, credit for snagging the much-coveted sit-down with Aretha, she’s still “steaming,” adds the insider, telling pals that Wendy’s show is “a long way” from hers, and criticizing it for being “silly and gossipy.”
Following her operation, the 68-year-old “Respect” singer made her spotlight appearance in a videotaped message that was broadcast during the Grammy Awards.
Aretha shocked fans by looking like she had lost about 80 pounds from her once 300-pound frame. Because of the intense curiosity about Aretha’s condition, scoring an interview with Aretha was a major coup for Wendy.
Yet Oprah insisted she would’ve been able to outdo Wendy by using her clout to pack her show with legendary heavy hitters paying homage to the musical icon.
“Oprah was not going to keep the whole interview on the illness, which she knows Aretha is reluctant to fully discuss,” said the source.
“She was going to get Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, for a touching tribute. But instead, Aretha chose Wendy – and Oprah is NOT happy!”