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“This is going to be a day-long party for everyone.” That’s what Oprah is promising her fans for the new year. In a letter addressed to O Magazine readers, Oprah announced a cross-country tour that is expected to bring a wealth of life advice to an arena near you. So, why is everyone talking about Oprah’s 2020 Wellness Tour?

To begin with, the media mogul will be accompanied by a squad of powerful women and men. And yes, former First Lady Michelle Obama will be there! J-lo and Lady Gaga are also slated to appear.

The tour is bound to make it among the top events of the year, and here at dFrow, we are excited to find out everything about it.

What is the Tour All About?

Oprah is seeking to promote wellness by hitting the road around the country. The tour is named Oprah’s 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus and is taking place in nine states. The Queen of Media is partnering with WW (Weight Watchers Reimagined), a leading weight loss program in the US.

The tour is geared towards making this the year of transformation for your mind, body, spirit. This wellness tour also seeks to help you stop procrastinating, and instead start celebrating life. And who is better to give life-changing advice other than a woman who has done it all?

As reported by Today on 3rd Jan 2020, the tour focuses on five major topics; mental health, diet, fitness, relationship, and career strategy. Together with who is who in Hollywood, Oprah will be guiding on how to live healthily and to the fullest.

Oprah will be sharing her own path towards healthy living. She has had concerns with her weight in the past, and she credits WW with getting her fit again. She joined the company four years ago, and the transformation has been incredible.   

Oprah and WW

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On her choice of partnership with the wellness company, she explained to Jenna Bush Hager during the launch that “actually WW helped me to literally stabilize and to use the tools, to actually live my best life, get to a weight that I could manage. And not going up and down and up and down and up and down. Which is the healthiest for me”.

The program is not just targeted at women only, but men too. WW has seen the endorsement of male celebrities including Dj Khaled, actor Kevin Smith, and chef Eric Greenspan. 

WW offers scientifically proven solutions to dealing with weight issues. The program is multi-pronged, employing nutrition, exercise, and behavior change science. It has been one of the leading wellness programs for over 55 years.

Founded in 1963 by the late Jean Nidetch, the organization has been inspiring healthy living with the aim of creating a ripple effect. Rightfully, this tour espouses the WW manifesto which encourages outreach on wellness matters. “When one person chooses healthy habits, their family changes, too. They inspire their friends, their colleagues.”

Oprah first partnered with WW back in 2015. As reported by CNN, her initial investment was for $43.5 million, an investment that has ever since grown more than ten times over. Apart from the business angle, she joined the weight loss and wellness program. And about two years later she had lost 42 pounds.

Tour Dates and Celebrity Guests    

If you haven’t caught the tour yet, then you better get some tickets fast. This celebrity-filled event is already underway. It took off the day after the Jan. 3 launch in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Just like in her talk show, the tour will feature a different guest line up at every stop.

Which celebs are joining O and where can you catch the tour? To get an idea of what’s to come, let’s look at the first two days of this nationwide event.

Day 1: January 4 – With Lady Gaga

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Lady Gaga accompanied Oprah during the first stop of the tour. During the kickoff at on Jan. 4 at Fort Lauderdale, 15,000 fans attended. The BB&T Center indoor arena was sold out as O had a one-on-one interview with the Grammy Award winner.

In the morning before Gaga took to the stage, participants were taken through goal-setting exercises. After taking seats, Daybreaker choreographers kicked off the event with a dance party. The troupe encourages dance as one of the healthy ways of dealing with everyday stress.

For the whole half-hour, the packed arena was transformed into a mega concert. Later, at around 10 am, there was the unmistakable loud “Heloooooo” as O hit the stage. Being a time strickler, O wasted no time before getting down to the day’s business- wellness. Fans were taught journaling, care-free dancing, and meditation, among other skills.

Activities were in the form of different workshops throughout the day. To break the sessions, there was a long lunch break. Participants also took a self-assessment exercise touching on vital areas of wellness. In the end, it was time to create an actionable plan- a plan that is achievable and stress-free.

The exercises were made even worthwhile with wisdom nuggets from the Queen of All Media. “We want health, abundance, to be able to raise and be prosperous for ourselves and for our families. We want to be connected and have a sense of vibrancy,” she advised participants in between activities.   

After lunch, it was time for dancing and more exercise. The session was led by Julianne Hough, the two-time winner of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars. She took fans through Kinrgy, a 45-minute dance. The routine is a high-intensity exercise through dance, breath-work, and meditation- inspired by the elements.

The afternoon also ushered in a discussion between O and Mindy Grossman, the WW CEO. To set the mood before the guest of the day graced the event, Grammy Award winner Tamela Mann gave a special performance. The gospel singer also shared her journey to losing 50 pounds, thanks to WW.    

Enter Lady Gaga

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The presence of Oprah alone had electrified the arena but its Lady Gaga who got the participants really excited. As the first major guest, her interview has got everyone talking not only about wellness but Gaga’s own never-heard struggles. If the interview is anything to go by, then this tour will be a huge success.

While it was expected that the duo would go deep into topics, it’s the honest and personal nature of the conversation that had the arena hanging on every word. The Applause singer opened up about her struggles with mental health and sexual assault.

The pop star talked about getting raped in her teens and the emotional turmoil that followed. Fans were shocked to hear that she cut her herself, just to cope with the trauma. She bravely recounted how she struggled with chronic pain and mental health issues early in life- struggles that have shaped her adult persona.

“I was raped repeatedly when I was 19 years old. I also developed PTSD as a result of being raped and not processing that trauma. I did not have anyone to help me, I did not have a therapist, I did not have a psychiatrist, I did not have a doctor help me through it,” explained Gaga during the candid interview.

Amidst tears, she explained how fame brought pain and illness in her early 20s. She went on to talk about her road to recovery after a fibromyalgia diagnosis and a long psychotic break. Apparently, the going got so tough that at some point she couldn’t bear getting out of bed. Luckily, she got help through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DTB).    

Indicative of her newfound courage, Gaga found a reason to push on. “This happened for a reason. All the things I’ve been through. I was supposed to go through this. Even the rape, all of it. I radically accepted they happened because God was saying to me, ‘I’m gonna show you pain. And then you’re going to help other people who are in pain because you’re going to understand it.”

One of her best anecdotes was: “I’m a survivor. And I’m living and I’m thriving and I’m strong and I’m gonna take all my life experiences and I’m gonna share them with the world and make it a better place.”

Day 2: January 11 – With Tina Fey

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After the successful start of the tour, the Mississippi native and her party headed to Minnesota for the second leg. The sold-out event was at the Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul. 15,000 fans packed the hockey arena as the 65-old motivational speaker stepped onto the stage to thunderous applause.

“Helloooo Twin Cities,” she greeted her fans, kickstarting the over six-hour long wellness event. “This may be the one place where the color purple means as much to you as it does to me. Let’s go Vikings!”

She started by talking about her love for the “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and thanking the women as well as “the few cool men” in attendance.

In her usual generosity, some fans who showed up in pajamas were given clothes. Well.. cars would have been better, but when you are locked out of your room, clothes will have to do. Some of the other freebies included a tote bag with a workbook, pen,  $10 Kohl’s gift certificate, and a Panera lunch voucher.

“So this is our day to focus on you. What makes me happy in life now? In 2020, my word is ‘purpose.’ I made a decision, I wasn’t going to do anything – not make a move, not leave my front door – unless it was purposeful,” the former talk show host told the crowd during the event featuring comedian Tina Fey.

Just like in the first stop, fans were on their feet as Julianne Hough took to the stage and led the exercises. Fitness trainer Angela Manuel Davis was also there to share wellness and health advice. 

O also talked about books in her library and weight issues including the isolation that comes with being overweight. Fans were moved as she recounted missing parties due to shame. At some point, she narrated about her childhood in poverty and her aspiration to be successful- things that she has now achieved.        

Enter Tina Fey

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Saturday Night Live star had joined Oprah on Friday, a day before the event, at the Mary Tyler Moore statue to recreate the iconic Moore’s beret toss. The duo recorded a video that was shown to the ecstatic crowd.

Getting down to business, the 30 Rock actress spoke about her WW membership and the organization’s programs. Although there were no tears this time around, fans were beaming as Tina joked about her own life and career.

It was laughter all round as she chatted about her coming 50th birthday. She also recounted her days in 30 Rock and how Oprah made a guest appearance in the comedy. The crowd was left in stitches as she recalled playing Sarah Palin in SNL.

The interview ended on a religious tone as Tina told Oprah, “You. You are my church.” 

The Wellness Tour Continues For The Next Few Months

If you haven’t had the chance to catch the tour, worry not, there are still seven stops one the way. As The Oprah Magazine outlines, the remaining events will take the same format as the first two:

• Pre-show dance party
• Interactive session with Oprah
• A motivational speaker
• Movement workshop with Julianne Hough
• Interview with a leading changemaker

And tickets are still on sale, ranging between $69.50 and $299.99. Here is where you can catch the remaining part of the tour.

Day 3: January 18 – With Amy Schumer

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You can join O and Trainwreck actress and comedian Amy Schumer at the Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina. The interview is bound to be interesting, considering that Amy is known to be open about her life. Fans will be looking forward to hearing about her tough pregnancy and career trajectory. 

Day 4: January 25 – With Dwayne Johnson

On the last Saturday of January, Oprah and her crew will be in Atlanta, Georgia. Together with other guests, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be at the State Farm Arena for the event. As a fitness enthusiast and the only male featured guest on the tour, this is one of the stops which you shouldn’t miss.

Day 5: February 8 – With Michelle Obama

Barclays Center, Brooklyn is the venue for the fifth stop of the Oprah 2020 Wellness Tour. The New York leg is expected to be among the most-watched events of the year. Why you ask? What about the fact this stop will feature an interview between O and former First Lady Michelle Obama- two of the most powerful women of our time.

Day 6: February 15 – With Tracee Ellis Ross

Ellis is slated to join Oprah on stage at the American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas. Speaking to her over 7 million Instagram followers, the founder of Pattern Beauty haircare line, expressed her joy at the opportunity. “Oh yeah!!! What an honor.”

Day 7: February 22 – With Kate Hudson

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The sixth day of the tour will see fans converge at the Chase Center, San Francisco. The main guest, actress and fashion designer Kate Hudson, will be there (hopefully) to share her weight loss program. As one of the WW ambassadors, Hudson has vowed to lose 10 pounds in 2020.

Day 8: February 29 – With Jennifer Lopez

Actress, dancer and singer J.Lo will grace the eighth day of the tour. With over 80 million records sales and featuring in films grossing over $3 billion, she is one of the most accomplished female artists of all time.

It will be interesting to hear the drive behind her huge success. And how does she manage to look 30 when she is pushing 51? These are just some of the questions that we hope O will ask J Lo at The Forum, Los Angeles, California.

Day 9: March 7 – With Gayle King

Journalist and television personality Gayle King will be the last guest of the tour. The CBS News’ chief anchor will join Oprah at the Pepsi Center arena in Denver. If their previous televised talks are anything to go by, then the interview between these best friends (since 1976) and CBS This Morning co-hosts is one you should purpose to attend. 

The Takeaway

There you have it, the Oprah’s 2020 Wellness Tour is already underway and it is awesome. Attendees have been treated to laughs, tears and a trove of advice on matters of health and wellness. There are also celebrity guests to look forward to as they reveal their touching life stories.

There are a few stops still left, and going by the first two stops that we have reviewed, this tour is definitely a worthy venture.