I agree with you Michelle…considering the fact she filed for bankruptcy twice, I would say Oprah was trying to help her and maybe her delivery wasn’t so great but I think it came from a good place. I think her career changed because music went in another direction and nobody wanted to hear that slow tempo stuff anymore. I’m a fan of Toni and I hope she gets a hold of her financial troubles.

Wow I can’t believe she is blaming Oprah! Yea Oprah can afford Gucci flat wear! The point she was making is that YOU are broke buying Gucci flat wear and I am RICH and I don’t even have that. Get it together Toni and own up to your own issues.

I remember this taht interview…Oprah talked about the importance of signing your own checks when Toni was talking about the silverware…it was good advise…

I remember that interview and it was tuff..I guess she was looking for compassion. I think Oprah was saying eventhough I have more than you,I dont find it needful to own Gucci silverware.I dont think much has changed because she was looking to rent to own a mansion on season 1 of BFV. Some people like to see their money in material things while others like to save their money.

If she wanna be like most other black people and go buy 60in t.v’s, Louis Vitton, Dolce, and Gucci. let Toni live her life, why she can’t have Gucci flatware?! Is there some law against that? Stop counting her pockets and count your own. How Bout That?! Now you miserable asses that just have regular forks should stab yourselves. I bet yall wouldn’t say this shit about Beyonce. haha.

Sometimes the wrong people end up with millions, so sad. Just because you got it doesn’t mean you have to spend it. Finance 101.

These comments are crazy.. Did you not watch the VH1. Special.. she did not willy nilly her money.. SHE GOT PLAYED IN HER CONTRACT.. floks so quick to talk shit…HOW MUCH MONEY YOU GOT.. Worry about that. URHGG

I’m no Oprah fan but she was completely RIGHT about Toni. The fact that Toni said what she has about the interview shows that she did not get the point and she’s feeling sorry for herself. She acts like her $h!t don’t stink and seems to think that she can spend with no repercussions. EVERYBODY has to budget, rich or not. Not everybody even saw the interview so some people just stopped buying her music cause it didn’t appeal to them anymore. I felt like Oprah gave her some big sister advice and Toni was so busy feeling defensive she failed to "hear" what was really being said and repeated the same mistake. How do you owe 50 MILLION in debts but can afford an assistant and for things that she clearly can do herself no less? Some people never learn. Hopefully, she starts to look at the real source of her problem…her thinking.

I’m sorry. I sympathize with Toni and her Lupus. I have an Aunt that suffers from Lupus so I certainly understand it. However, what I don’t understand is her spending habits. Don’t get mad because Oprah stated that she’s Oprah Winfrey and she doesn’t even own Gucci flatware. Toni, that statement went over your head. Oprah is considered one of the richest women in the world. If she doesn’t own Gucci flatware, you’re right it’s not because she can’t afford it, it’s because it’s an unnecessary purchase. It’s your money and you definitely have a right to spend it on what you want but you have to save for a rainy day. it appears you didn’t do that.

I agree with both sides. You can be lured into poverty because that is how the celeb business works. They see a naive person coming. How come the IRS doesn’t step in when they owe a few thousand dollars? Wait until it’s millions? Because they collect more money. Oprah was right but could have pulled her to the side and schooled her.

Celebs don’t have time to look after all their business affairs and make the mistake of trusting people with their financial affairs.

Toni was ill her child was ill. That can weigh on you along with her work which drains all your time. Bad advice and getting big eyes when you find you have money to buy whatever you want. Too much responsibility too soon and pressure for her to handle in an industry that preys on everyone. She was obviously schooled to live large to impress her fans and keep up with the celeb front.

Some of us have careers or have had and we know when you get to a certain level certain expectations are required. The way you dress, speak and act do play a part. You have to spend money on professional clothing and personal upkeep which you have no time to do yourself anymore. All you know is you have to be where you’re supposed to be to keep you job.

By the time Toni learned some of the ropes they had already hung her from a tree. Yes she should have been more savvy and Oprah was throwing her a bone. But why didn’t Oprah invite her for a one on one instead of eating her live on television. She knew her own sphere of influence when she did it. That’s why people network to share information they wouldn’t share with the general public.

I can’t even imagine the pressure for an unschooled person in that dog eat dog industry. So it was an expensive lesson but I hope she makes a good comeback. Need more people with some integrity out there.