Oprah Explains Why She and Gayle King Were ‘Walking Like They’re 90’ at Fashion Week: ‘I Couldn’t See’

Oprah Winfrey and longtime best friend Gayle King turned heads during Paris Fashion Week 2026. The pair was spotted sitting front row at major shows, including Chloé and Stella McCartney. And they quickly went viral after a video circulated online showing them walking slowly through the venue, prompting jokes on social media about their pace. While Winfrey’s stunning look also caused plenty of conversation, she later laughed off walking like she was “90” by explaining why she and King hobbled around. Here’s what she said.

Oprah Winfrey had a hilarious explanation for walking like she was ’90’ with Gayle King at Paris Fashion Week

At 72, Oprah Winfrey knows how to handle online criticism. She and Gayle King looked better than ever while attending Paris Fashion Week 2026. The best friends were dressed to impress for the event and appeared to have a great time together. Unfortunately, their slow walk garnered negative reactions online. And Winfrey addressed the criticism with a funny explanation.

“On the internet … you know, people drag you on the internet,” Winfrey told a crowd following Paris Fashion Week, as seen in a clip posted by jznotthatjayz on Instagram. “They were dragging me and Gayle, because [they were like], ‘Look at them. They’re walking like they’re 90 years old.'”

Winfrey explained how they entered the Chloé fashion show, and her stylist had just handed her a pair of Chloé sunglasses to wear. “Now, I wear glasses, or I wear contacts,” the media mogul continued. “So, those were not prescription glasses. So, I didn’t know where I was walking. I could not see. So everybody who said, ‘You’re walking like you’re 90,’ I could not see. I said to security, ‘I can’t see. Tell me where we’re walking; I can’t see.'” The audience then erupted with laughter at the revelation.

Meanwhile, King reportedly had “two broken toes.”

“The reason we look like we’re 90 is I couldn’t see, and Gayle’s got two broken toes!” Winfrey laughed. “So, ya’ll can clear that up. So funny. But it was fun! I couldn’t see, but I looked cute.”

At least Winfrey and King can laugh off the incident and know that their outfits were on point.