When I met Oprah Winfrey and Thandie Newton

US TALK-show queen Oprah Winfrey hid in the shadows at her academy in Henley-on- Klip, south of Johannesburg, yesterday because she did not want to detract attention from its arts and culture festival.

Her 285 pupils started their week-long festival yesterday with a cooking class given by American author and chef Art Smith. They prepared pizzas for 50 children from the Meyerton area.

Journalists were not allowed to attend the acting class, run by award-winning British actress Thandie Newton, of Mission Impossible 2, and Crash fame, because the girls had to enact scenes from their lives — and some of the scenes were said to be too sensitive to share beyond the confines of the classroom.

While some girls cooked, others were taught storytelling by actor and playwright Gcina Mhlophe.

Also on yesterday’s agenda was a “wellness” class by US author and self-help and fitness expert Kathy Freston as well as a class on art and design by Greg Lauren, the nephew of US fashion guru Ralph Lauren.

Also on offer were lessons in rhythm by local hip-hop star HHP, who was expected to perform at last night’s dinner at the school, which Winfrey was due to attend.

The children of Winfrey’s best friend, Gayle King, daughter Kirby, 23, and son Will, 21, who is also Winfrey’s godson, attended a gumboot-dancing class alongside her make-up artist, Reggie Wells. All had to learn to dance to Mango Groove’s hit Hometalk.

Festival organiser and Oprah Winfrey Academy’s dean of students, Funa Maduka, said: “I went all out to scout for the artists from as far as Cape Town, Mexico, the US and the UK to find the perfect team and activities for the girls to do this week.” - moi on The Times

Gabiville Adds: And Oprah loved HHP and called him a "cool fella". I tell you after this, there aint no stopping HHP I tell you...