Oprah Winfrey has been dubbed 'The Queen of all Media' and is ranked as the wealthiest African-American woman of the 20th Century. Lady O is also the highest contributing black philanthropist in American history. Some surveys call Oprah the ‘most influential woman in the world’ over the past 20 years. In fact, after her inspiring acceptance speech at the January 2018 Golden Globe Awards, when she took the Cecil B. DeMille Humanitarian Award, many thought she should take a run at the Presidency.

In simple terms, Oprah is likable and relatable. And she seems to have a heart for humanitarianism and doing the right thing.

I’m a big Lady O fan. I enjoyed The Oprah Winfrey Show from 1986-2011 and appreciated her commitment to tackling difficult subjects, from an AIDs-infected man swimming in a public pool, to mass murder, to sexual abuse. In spite of her status as a billionaire three times over, when I see Oprah on air, she still seems like a woman you could be friends with, full of insight, kindness and earthiness.

Recently, there is controversy swirling around an interview Oprah did with two alleged survivors of abuse by the legendary King of Pop, following the release of the HBO documentary, Leaving Neverland.

I was a long-time fan of Jackson’s music and showmanship. However, when multiple allegations of sexual abuse came out, I was shocked. How could a gifted artist who gave us so much joy also be a pedophile?

There have been many other artists who have been accused of sexual improprieties. Recently R. Kelly, who is accused of sexual abuse of underage girls, had a meltdown when he was interviewed by Gayle King, Oprah's friend and the co-host of CBS This Morning. And there is Woody Allen, Kevin Spacey, Les Moonves, Bill Cosby, the list goes on and on....

What I know for certain is that people are multifaceted and complex. Tragically, sometimes sociopathic compulsions can take over and turn seemingly normal people into monsters.

In the 90 minute HBO documentary, two men, James Safechuck and Wade Robson, claim Michael Jackson sexually abused them for years, from when they were kids into their teens. The men go into disturbing details about romps at Neverland with masturbation and nudity.  These are terrible allegations. Both Robson and Safechuck say they have suffered longstanding negative effects.

In her interview, Oprah 'never wavered' in her support of Robson and Safechuck, now 36 and 40. She herself was a victim of sexual abuse and has worked with young girls who are survivors, too. She knows the signs. As for discrepancies in the men's accounts, Oprah simply said that it was very common for victims to forget details.

There are pending lawsuits against the Jackson estate. Michael Jackson's family says it's all about money. But I tend to trust Oprah's reaction as a survivor herself. She is standing firm in spite of intense 'hateration' she is receiving. Time will tell, but it won't heal all.