Oprah Winfrey To Appear At Essence Festival

The Latest on the annual Essence Festival held over the July 4th holiday in New Orleans (all times local):

1:15 p.m.

There will be another new face at the 2016 Essence Festival but fans will have no problem recognizing her.

Organizers Thursday announced that popular television host and actress Oprah Winfrey will make her first-ever appearance at the festival at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

PHOTOS: Oprah Winfrey & Her Famous Friends

Additional details about her appearance have not been released.

Essence Editor-in-Chief Vanessa De Luca says Winfrey’s message of inspiration is universal and “through her life’s work, she has influenced women and girls across the globe.”

READ: Oprah Winfrey Explores Megachurch Drama In OWN Drama ‘Greenleaf’

De Luca says Winfrey accepted an invitation to the event by Iyanla Vanzant, a motivational speaker and life coach who’s scheduled to address fans at the festival’s free empowerment experience also on Saturday.

The festival is held through Sunday.

___

2:50 a.m.

Music has always been at the heart of the annual Essence Festival, now in its 22nd year, and this year will be no different.

Fans will get to hear from first-timers Mariah Carey, Puff Daddy and Jeremih as well as from festival veterans Charlie Wilson, Maxwell, New Edition, Tyrese and Lalah Hathaway — all scheduled to perform inside the Superdome in New Orleans from Friday through Sunday.

READ: Oprah Winfrey To Star In HBO’s ‘The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks’

And in continuing with its theme to “party with a purpose,” organizers have prepared an empowerment experience inside the city’s convention center that includes insight into current events and opportunities for entrepreneurs to get help in growing their businesses.

The event kicks off Thursday with a day of service. About 500 volunteers will help clean and paint Cohen College Prep school in New Orleans’ central city.

Copyright © 2024 by Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More

Oprah Winfrey Sends Quinta Brunson Gigantic Bouquet of Flowers After Historic Emmy Win