Eagle-eyed Oscars viewers spot tense on-stage moment between Oprah and Whoopi Goldberg

Oscar viewers spotted a tense on-stage moment between former costars Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg on Sunday as they paid tribute to the legendary Quincy Jones.

The Color Purple co-stars came together to honor the late music producer during the 97th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

‘He actually discovered me for the Color Purple, which was my first film,’ Oprah said of the film’s executive producer and composer.

‘Me too,’ Whoopi, the breakout star of the 1985 film, added as the audience erupted in laughter and Oprah appeared less than pleased, fueling speculation about an alleged decades-long feud between the two. 

Whoopi was nominated for Best Actress for her role on the Color Purple, while Oprah was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

While neither won for the film, Whoopi went on to receive an Oscar in 1991 for Best Supporting Actress for her work on Ghost. The movie, based on the Alice Walker novel, was nominated for 11 Academy Awards at the 1986 ceremony.

Never winning an Oscar is long believed to have irritated Winfrey, who has become one of the most successful celebrities in US history.  

A TikTok user shared the exchange on the platform, saying the moment between the two screen legends was ‘lowkey shady.’

One commenter said: ‘Oprah it’s not about you tonight… thank you Whoopi.’

The Color Purple co-stars Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey came together to honor Quincy Jones during Sunday's Academy Awards, with some noting tension between the icons

The Color Purple co-stars Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey came together to honor Quincy Jones during Sunday’s Academy Awards, with some noting tension between the icons

The Color Purple, based on the Alice Walker novel, was nominated for 11 Academy Awards at the 1986 ceremony; Whoopi and Oprah seen in a still

The Color Purple, based on the Alice Walker novel, was nominated for 11 Academy Awards at the 1986 ceremony; Whoopi and Oprah seen in a still

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Another added: ‘Sad just sad! Whoopi was the star of the movie!’

A third commenter noted that Oprah has said throughout the years that she fought for a role on the iconic film.

‘girl stop. You campaigned,’ the TikTok user wrote.

However, some commenters noted that the moment was likely scripted, as Oprah and Whoopi have previously denied having a feud.

‘You know they write this ahead of time and rehearse it, It’s a bit, people,’ they wrote. 

Oprah was a vision in a black blazer with a shimmering black maxi skirt and tie. Meanwhile Whoopi stunned in a metallic blue gown. 

After Whoopi and Oprah took to the stage together, fans also noted how much trimmer the stars looked.

The media mogul, 71, and the Ghost star, 69, have both admitted to using weight loss drugs to help them shed pounds.

Following their appearance one fan took to social media and called the duo ‘a walking billboard for Ozempic.’

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Some commenters noted that the moment was likely scripted, as Oprah and Whoopi have previously denied having a feud

Some commenters noted that the moment was likely scripted, as Oprah and Whoopi have previously denied having a feud

Whoopi previously revealed she used weight loss medication Mounjaro after hitting 300 Lbs.

Meanwhile Oprah recently revealed that taking weight-loss drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, helped her realize the truth about ‘thin people.’

The 97th Academy Awards honored the best films of 2024, and the starry ceremony was held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Conan O’Brien, 61, made his debut as Oscars host, after joking: ‘I only agreed to host so that I could get invited.’

Big winners on Sunday night included Zoe Saldana, who took home the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the controversial Emilia Perez, and Adrien Brody, who triumphed over Timothée Chalamet for the Best Actor award with his performance in the The Brutalist.

Kieran Culkin kicked off the evening with a Best Supporting Actor win for A Real Pain while Anora’s Mikey Madison triumphed Demi Moore for the Best Actress award.

Mikey portrays an escort in Anora, an independent film with a $6 million budget for which Sean Baker won Best Director and Best Picture.

2025 Oscar Winners: AT A GLANCE

Best Picture: Anora

Actress in a Leading Role: Mikey Madison — Anora

Actor in a Leading Role: Adrien Brody — The Brutalist

Actress in a Supporting Role: Zoe Saldaña — Emilia Pérez

Actor in a Supporting Role: Kieran Culkin — A Real Pain

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Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin are seen left to right

Adrien Brody, Mikey Madison, Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin are seen left to right

Best Director: Sean Baker — Anora

Original Screenplay: Sean Baker — Anora

Achievement in Film Editing: Sean Baker — Anora

Adapted Screenplay: Conclave — Peter Straughan

International Feature Film: I’m Still Here (Brazil)

Documentary Feature Film: No Other Land

Achievement in Costume Design: Paul Tazewell — Wicked

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