If you're a fan of free cars, favorite things and overzealous celebrities jumping on sofas, listen up: Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential and wealthiest women in the world, is coming to Houston this Friday and Saturday. She will fill the Toyota Center with 18,000 devotees.
The media mogul’s visit is a part of her nationwide, eight-city speaking tour, Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend, which showcases a panel of talented speakers, including Elizabeth Gilbert, best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love; Iyanla Vanzant, renowned spiritual life coach and host of OWN’s Iyanla: Fix My Life; Pastor Rob Bell, an innovative pastor and author; Dr. Deepak Chopra, an acclaimed alternative medicine advocate and, of course, Oprah herself. Amy Purdy, paralympian and Dancing With The Stars contestant, will join Winfrey in presenting the Standing O-Vation, an honor that recognizes innovators in our communities.
“All of my life I have wanted to lead people to an empathy space. To a gratitude space. I want us all to fulfill our greatest potential."
Ticketholders will gather Friday night at the Toyota Center as Winfrey takes the stage from 7 to 9 p.m., engaging in an intimate discussion about her extraordinary journey, savvy wisdoms and what the weekend holds for attendees. On Saturday, guests will convene all day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. as the aforementioned panel takes to the stage individually, preaching on a range of very Oprah-esque topics.
“All of my life I have wanted to lead people to an empathy space. To a gratitude space,” Winfrey says in a statement. “I want us all to fulfill our greatest potential. To find our calling and summon the courage to live it.”
Additionally, a pop-up town square will be immediately positioned outside the arena, featuring a selection of food, products, musical entertainment and activities from the tour’s sponsors, including Olay, Toyota, IKEA, CoverGirl, Tide, Pantene and more.
Those Houstonians are dying to see Winfrey should not fret. Tickets, starting at $199, are still available for the event. Visit the Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend website for info, a weekend schedule and all the other pertinent details.
Even the panelists are caught up in the Oprah fever.
"I’m really excited to be in Houston!" Purdy says. "I’m joining Oprah on stage to give an award on behalf of Toyota. It’s called the Standing O-Vation award, and it goes towards a Houston woman who is making a difference — someone who is making bold choices in their life to encourage change. I always say, ‘Inspiration is contagious,’ so I’m really happy to pay it forward.
“The whole weekend is exciting! It truly is inspiring. Oprah brought together some of the best thinkers and speakers in the world to sit under one stadium. The energy will be incredible."
Oprah Winfrey is coming to Houston Oct. 17 – 18 as part of her nationwide, eight-city speaking tour, Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend.
