Oprah Gives Iyanla A Show On Own

Remember that episode on the last season when Oprah invited Iyanla Vanzant back after being banishment form her talkshow? Of course you do. That was one of the best Oprah episodes ever. Well it seems the two women have really buried the hatchet and now Oprah Winfrey has taken her reconciliation with lifestyle coach to the next level by giving Iyanla a show on OWN.

In case you never saw the 2 part interview between Oprah and Iyanla, it was revealed on the show that the origin of their strife was revealed as having occurred 11 years ago when Iyanla dumped Oprah for "someone big".

At one time, Iyanla was a regular expert on “Oprah,” often giving out advice to the studio audience and viewers while Oprah kept quiet and let Iyanla have the spotlight. 

Apparently, the two parted ways after Iyanla, got an offer for her own show from members of Barbara Walters’ camp and then presented Oprah with an ultimatum -- or at least that’s how Oprah viewed it.

Iyanla insisted that she was not trying to back Harpo into a corner, but Oprah quickly moved onto the next, as in Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz and other experts who benefited well from their loyalty. Iyanla’s talk show aired for one season.

On the show, Iyanla was very contrite in making amends with the media maven while Oprah seems at some point to marvel at the fact that someone who she felt betrayed her had been punished. Iyanla revealed on the show that she was bankrupt and did not even own rights to her own books. 

Cut to now, the ladies seem to have made up and now will be working together.

Iyanla writes on her Facebook page

"...After much prayer and conscious consideration I am choosing to move forward with this project as my next step in service to the world. I am so humbled and grateful to have this opportunity to do what I love; on a network that gives me the freedom to be myself; working with people who value what I bring to the table; offering to the people I love (that would be you) a consistent dose of something I believe will facilitate and support the personal growth and spiritual evolution of individuals, families and communities. Enjoy as I share this part of the journey with you. I invite you to join me on OWN when the show airs later this year. We'll let you know as soon as we have an idea of when that will be!  

Love,  

Iyanla "

The news has not been without its controversy. Some comments online have called Oprah desperate as the network continues to struggle with ratings. 

Be that as it may, I think it is very big of Oprah to put petty issues aside and reconcile with Iyanla. Hopefully the show will do well for both of them.  

The show is called "Iyana Fix My Life..."