(LOS ANGELES) — Oprah Winfrey says she was subjected to racism while shopping in Switzerland last month.
The former talk show host tells Entertainment Tonight she was in a Zurich store when she asked an employee if she could examine a large purse. According to Winfrey, the employee repeatedly refused, saying the purse was too expensive.
The employee told her, “No you don’t want to see that one, you want to see this one because that one costs too much. You won’t be able to afford that and I don’t want to hurt your feelings.”
Winfrey was in Switzerland for Tina Turner’s wedding.
In an unrelated note, Entertainment Tonight asked Winfrey if she has spoken with Paula Deen since the chef’s admission that she has used the N-word in the past.
Winfrey replied, “I haven’t spoken to her. In the very first days I tried to reach her and then I decided to stay out of it as I saw it blowing up.”
“In time she will be fine. For me, it all just felt kind of sad,” Winfrey added.
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