Oprah Winfrey wiped away tears as celebrity after celebrity surprised her during a farewell double-episode taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show that will precede her finale.
Oprah Winfrey wiped away tears as celebrity after celebrity surprised her during a farewell double-episode taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show that will precede her finale.
"Thank you is not enough, but thank you," Winfrey told the crowd of 13,000 gathered at Chicago's United Center on Tuesday night for Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular. "For your love and your support, thank you."
The crowd gave Winfrey a standing ovation when she first walked on the stage. Then the stars came out, with Winfrey's producers making good on their promise of the biggest celebrities of movies, music and television.
Aretha Franklin sang Amazing Grace.
She later joined Usher for the show's finale song, Oh Happy Day, as sparkly confetti filled the arena.
Tom Hanks acted as host for the evening.
Michael Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships during the 1990s, told Winfrey she inspires him.
Tom Cruise, famous for his couch jumping on Winfrey's show, was there. "You always had the power, and that is the message you brought into our lives," Cruise told Winfrey.
Jerry Seinfeld wore a tuxedo to give a comedy routine.
Madonna said she is among the millions of people who are inspired by Winfrey.
"She fights for things she believes in, even if it makes her unpopular," Madonna said.
The show highlighted Winfrey's charity efforts over the years. Grammy winner John Legend was beamed in from a New Orleans school and Winfrey's book club was lauded for getting millions to read.
Josh Groban and Patti LaBelle sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow as Winfrey sat in a white chair onstage.
Jamie Foxx and Stevie Wonder sang Isn't She Lovely to Winfrey.
Wonder followed with his own song, singing to her, Oprah thank you for using your gifts to uplift so many hearts.
Maria Shriver, the TV journalist and Kennedy heiress, appeared on the same day it was revealed her husband, Arnold Schwarzenegger, fathered a child with a woman on his household staff more than a decade ago. Shriver did not mention her husband during the taping.
Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, thanked Winfrey and told her she mothered millions and "that puts you in the status of a goddess."
Halle Berry, Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes came to bid her farewell.
Dakota Fanning had her moment with the queen of talk shows.
Beyonce sang her song "Run the World (Girls)"
"Oprah Winfrey, because of you women everywhere have graduated to a new level of understanding of who we are, of what we are and most of all who we can be," Beyonce said.
The Single Lady star was backed by dozens of dancers.
Fans hold up lights as Rascal Flatts perform during a star-studded double-taping of Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular.
According to reports, newswoman Diane Sawyer gifted Oprah 25,000 oak trees.
The stadium was decorated with pictures of Winfrey at seminal moments over the course of her talk show. Boxes of tissues were on scattered seats throughout the audience.
American author and poet Maya Angelou, Oprah's close friend and mentor, had a few words to share.
They were joined onstage by Alicia Keys.
Best Friends Forever: Gayle King and Maria Shriver congratulate the star.
Winfrey announced in November 2009 that she would end her popular talk show after 25 years.
Tom Hanks and Oprah share a funny moment onstage.
Oprah Winfrey takes the microphone, she is surrounded by Patti LaBelle, Beyoncé, Madonna, Dakota Fanning and Halle Berry
Usher added to the star power of the evening.
Usher performed O.M.G for Oprah and all her fans.
The shows will air in a two-part series on May 23 and May 24. Her final show airs May 25.
