A video of Tina Turner surprising Oprah Winfrey on her talk show of the same name went viral after the singer’s death at the age of 83.
The video showed Oprah, 69, looking like any other adoring fan as she watched the superstar perform her iconic song, “The Best.”
Tina flew in from Switzerland for Oprah’s 50th birthday in 2004 to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show and was introduced to the audience by John Travolta.
“The next surprise and gift flew in straight from Switzerland,” John began. ‘Switzerland?’ asks a clueless Oprah.
But Oprah quickly found out who the mystery cast member was when John made his next clue, prompting the talk show host to jump out of her seat and scream when she realized her idol was in the building.
“It Hurts”: A video of Tina Turner surprising Oprah Winfrey on her talk show of the same name went viral in the wake of the singer’s death
“To tell you something that you’re just the best,” he continued, immediately causing Oprah to jump out of her seat and yell “NO!”
When the curtains opened and Tina appeared on stage, a speechless Oprah looked like any other adoring fan as she watched the superstar walk towards her.
The duo hugged and then Tina returned to the stage to sing her iconic song.
Oprah watched in awe at Tina from the crowd alongside her partner Stedman Graham, her best friend Gayle King and Travolta whom she excitedly hugged.
The video was posted to Twitter, where numerous fans recalled seeing the moment for themselves.
“To see Oprah hit by the stars is just phenomenal…great contribution.” “Tina Turner was a legend,” one person tweeted.
“I remember seeing that when I was a kid, I felt the exact same way!!!!” (Oprah was the most beautiful woman in the world to me as a little kid! Those Bambi eyes just drew me in.)” tweeted another.
“I remember watching that episode and my mom cried when Tina came out. Such an epic icon! “This hurts,” wrote another.
Happy Birthday Oprah! Turner flew in from Switzerland in 2004 to appear in the episode celebrating Oprah’s 50th birthday
Friends: The duo attended the premiere of the Broadway play Tina in 2019
“She really was just the BEST!” RIP,” wrote one. Another similarly echoed, “Loved that one. RIP QUEEN TINA.’
Not only is Oprah a huge fan of Tina, she’s also friends with her.
Oprah attended Tina’s wedding to Erwin Bach in Switzerland in 2013 and even wore a Tina-inspired wig for a series of shows she did following Turner’s Wildest Dreams tour.
Girlfriends: The talk show host pictured with Turner
“We traveled across the country following Tina Turner, mainly so I could attend Tina concerts in different cities every night.” “We built it around Tina’s theme at the time, which was Wildest Dreams, and touring with the creates the wildest dreams that make people’s wildest dreams come true,” Oprah recalls.
“I had a wig made so I could be a part of Tina and be close to Tina on ‘Wigdom’ and then I wouldn’t take the wig off.” I did it for the show. I made it for the next show. I think we did five or six shows across the country and I started wearing it on the weekends. I started wearing it to bed. I’ve started wearing it all the time.’
The legendary singer died today at the age of 83 at her home in Küsnach near Zurich, Switzerland, after a long, unspecified illness.
Her representatives confirmed her death with the words: “With her, the world loses a music legend and role model.”
Winfrey had multiple appearances from Turner on her eponymous talk show to choose from as she reflected on her friendship with the singer on Wednesday.
“First I was a fan of Tina Turner, then a real groupie following her from show to show across the country, and eventually we became real friends,” she said. “She is our eternal goddess of rock ‘n’ roll who had tremendous inner strength that grew throughout her life. She was a role model not only for me but for the world. She encouraged a part of me I didn’t know existed.
“When she broke free from years of domestic violence, her life became a clarion call for triumph. “I’m grateful for her courage, for showing us what victory looks like when you’re wearing Manolos and a leather miniskirt,” Winfrey continued. “She once told me that when it came time to leave this earth she would not be scared, but excited and curious.
“Because she learned to LIVE surrounded by her beloved husband Erwin and friends. I’m a better woman, a better person because her life touched my life. She really was just the best.’
Superfan: “First I was a Tina Turner fan, then a full-fledged groupie following her from show to show across the country, and eventually we became real friends.”
Rock Queen: “She is our eternal goddess of rock ‘n’ roll, who had tremendous inner strength that grew throughout her life,” continued Winfrey
Like a Phoenix: “After breaking free from years of domestic violence, her life became a clarion call to triumph,” Oprah wrote.
On April 9, in what will probably be her last public speech, she told the Guardian that she hoped the world would remember her – and that she was not afraid of death.
‘How would you like to be remembered?’ asked the Guardian.
“As the queen of rock ‘n’ roll.” As a woman who showed other women that it’s okay to strive for success on your own.”
When asked what “scares” her about getting older, she replied, “Nothing.” It’s the whole adventure of life and I embrace and accept each day with what it brings.”
Sharp as ever, Turner joked about whether she wants more sex, money or fame – “Is there another option at my age?” and shared how she enjoyed the “anonymity in retirement”.