What did Oprah Winfrey say about James Frey? 2006 controversy revisited as author calls out host over 'brutal hypocrisy'

Author James Frey addressed Oprah Winfrey's past remarks about him and how the public shaming affected his career in a New York Times interview published on June 9. In the interview, he mentioned the hypocritical nature of the incident, saying:

"It's the brutal hypocrisy of it."

To give context, in September 2005, Oprah selected Frey's 2003 memoir, A Million Little Pieces, for her Book Club recommendation, which led to its success as a bestseller. The memoir sheds light on the author's struggles with addiction, arrest, and recovery. Oprah's review described the book as "gut-wrenching" and "raw."

However, on January 4, 2006, The Smoking Gun published a blog titled "A Million Little Lies," where they pointed out discrepancies in real events and the details provided by Frey in his book. Oprah invited James Frey on her talk show on January 26, 2006, to confront him about the fabrications in the memoir.

Oprah told Frey she felt "duped" by him and accused the author of "betraying" his readers. She discussed Frey altering specific details in the book. The talk show host told James Frey:

"I acted in defense of you and as I said, my judgment was clouded because so many people seemed to have gotten so much out of it. But now I feel that you conned us all. Do you?"

However, Frey disagreed with Oprah's accusation of conning anyone. In explanation, the author said:

"I still think the book is about drug addiction and alcoholism, and nobody's disputing that I was a drug addict and an alcoholic. And it's about the battle to overcome that."

Oprah continued her narrative, accusing Frey of presenting a different picture of himself to readers through his book — a portrayal that had inspired many. However, Oprah noted they would be idealizing a false representation of the author.

James Frey's publisher, Nan Talese, was also present on the show. When Oprah claimed as a publisher, Talese should take responsibility for Frey's made-up narratives in the book, the latter explained, a memoir is different from an autobiography:

"A memoir is an author's remembrance of a certain period in his life. Now, the responsibility, as far as I am concerned, is does it strike me as valid?"

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James Frey accuses Oprah Winfrey of lying to the public

After publicly criticizing James Frey for allegedly fabricating numerous details in his memoir, Oprah Winfrey had him back on her show in May 2011. Alluding to her 2006 remarks, Oprah told Frey she felt the need to defend herself to protect her ego as she had been attacked for her perceptions before. She said:

"What people saw was my lack of compassion. So, I apologize."

A tearful Oprah shared that she had spoken to murderers, child molesters, and many others during her career but never engaged in a conversation without "a sense of compassion."

James Frey and Oprah Winfrey seemingly quashed their past tension with a hug following her monologue. However, in his June 2025 New York Times interview, Frey also accused Oprah Winfrey of being a liar.

"She told more lies to the public times a thousand than I ever have. And I’ll leave it at that."

Frey added:

"You might be the most influential lady in this world, but you won’t stop me."

James Frey said he cannot be stopped despite any further possible criticism Oprah Winfrey might throw his way.