Oprah: On top

Santa Barbara, May 16 (AP): Talk show host Oprah Winfrey rolled out the carpet for a lavish tribute to pioneering black women, then walked along it herself in a red Vera Wang ball gown.

Guests including R&B artist Usher, Illinois senator Barack Obama and actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were on hand for the ball on Saturday night at the seaside Bacara resort and spa. The talk show host joked with friends and praised the 25 honourees, including rights activist Coretta Scott King, singer Diana Ross, novelist Maya Angelou and model and actor Cicely Tyson.

“These are women who, when I was growing up, made a difference for me,” Winfrey said. “The first time I saw Diana Ross and the Supremes on the Ed Sullivan Show, it changed my life.” Winfrey also linked the older black stars with their younger counterparts in a more intimate gathering on Friday night at her Montecito home. “There was nobody hating on nobody,” said singer Patti Labelle, who attended the party along with Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys. Others at Saturday’s bash included singers Gladys Knight and Ashanti, actor Halle Berry and California First Lady Maria Shriver.

Winfrey said it was a no-brainer to host her tribute in Santa Barbara. “If you’re going to have it, it might as well be in paradise,” she said.