MADONNA PRAISES OPRAH

In front of an audience of thousands, pop legend Madonna has praised Oprah Winfrey ahead of the talk show queen’s final episode.

During a special star-studded farewell episode filmed at the United Center in Chicago, the singer was introduced by actor Tom Hanks as a “a viewer from New York City… a hard-working mother-of-four”.

“It is no secret that millions of people have been inspired by Oprah,” said Madonna as Winfrey watched on, “and I’m one of those people”.

“She is a self-made woman who has been at the top of her game for over 25 years and she is still kicking ass. She fights for things she believes in even if it makes her unpopular. She has balls and a wealth of compassion. I have learned so much from her.”

Madonna added that they “both share a passion for educating girls in Africa” and that Oprah’s commitment to her girls academy in South Africa has inspired her to “stay the course and keep going no matter how much resistance” she encounters with her own girls school in Malawi.

“Absolutely,” exclaimed Winfrey.

Winfrey is ending her acclaimed and still most-watched talk show after 25 years to focus on growing her new OWN television network. The final ‘Oprah Winfrey Show’ will be broadcast in the US today.

Watch Madonna’s speech below.