I think it’s time we put a stop to celebrities starting their own schools. We’ve seen enough of these ventures—Oprah’s Leadership Academy, Trump University, Kanye West’s school, and so on. Oprah’s dream was to open a Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, which seemed like a noble idea. She invested around $40 million to create a boarding school with a huge campus, high-tech facilities, and all the amenities you could think of. She enrolled 157 girls from seventh and eighth grades and covered their tuition, which is really generous.
But the school faced backlash for being too lavish and elitist, especially given the widespread financial issues in South Africa. Critics argued that the $46 million might have been better spent on helping more students across the country instead of just a few.
Things took a turn for the worse in 2007 when allegations emerged against the dormitory matron, including indecent assault and soliciting inappropriate acts from the girls. Oprah took swift action by firing the headmistress and addressing the situation to protect the students. The matron was eventually acquitted in 2010, but the case raised questions about the inconsistencies in the young victims’ testimonies.
To add to the drama, Oprah ended up settling a defamation lawsuit with the former matron, who sued her over the public statements Oprah made after the scandal. The settlement resulted in a significant payout.
The controversies at this school didn’t stop there. In 2007, seven students were accused of harassing their classmates, and there were even claims that they tried to pressure other students into inappropriate encounters. Things took a really grim turn in 2011 when a 17-year-old student brought the body of a newborn to school in her bag. She had recently given birth, and the situation was deeply disturbing.
Fast forward to 2023, and there were rumors about several students going missing from the academy. However, there were no credible news sources to back up these rumors, so it’s hard to know what really happened. Given the way news can be slowed down or spun, especially by high-profile figures like Oprah, it’s tough to get a clear picture. Another concerning aspect is the school’s strict visitation policy—parents can’t just come and go freely, which raises some red flags.
Now, let’s talk about Maui, where Oprah has significant property. I’m actually heading to Maui soon—today’s July 30th, but I think it’s the 31st. I’ll be on the ground investigating Oprah’s recent activities. She and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have launched the People’s Fund of Maui to support people displaced by the devastating wildfires. While their efforts are certainly well-intentioned, there’s some skepticism about donating directly to billionaires. Can this fund really make a difference, or is there a risk that it might not be used as effectively as hoped?
In a recent Instagram post, they shared that every adult displaced by the fires in the area is eligible for $11,200 a month from the fund. But many are wondering why it costs so much, especially since that amount doesn’t seem enough to cover basic living expenses. They kicked off their campaign with $10 million in donations and are asking others to contribute as well. It’s worth noting that Oprah, who has billions, could have easily put in more—though maybe she’s spent a lot of her fortune. How do we best help? Should we back existing efforts or start something new?
After announcing the fund, Oprah and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson faced a lot of criticism. People noticed that their combined contributions amounted to less than 0.5% of their total wealth—Oprah with $2.5 billion and The Rock with $270 million. Many felt this was tone-deaf, especially when so many people are struggling just to get by. Comments called out the irony of asking those who are already financially strained to donate, while the wealthy could step up more.
Some people questioned why they didn’t contribute a more substantial amount themselves instead of asking others to give. Oprah, in particular, faced backlash for not using her significant wealth more effectively. In a CBS interview, she mentioned feeling attacked and vilified online, but didn’t really take much responsibility for the criticism.
It’s really frustrating how the focus has shifted from what’s truly important—helping the people of Maui—to all the drama and controversy. Oprah isn’t the one being wronged here. There’s a lot of valid concern about the fund she’s connected with. This fund is run by the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a nonprofit based in California that seems more about using celebrities to raise money than actually helping people effectively.
In my experience, nonprofits aren’t always what they seem. They can make a lot of money while being less transparent than you’d expect. Sometimes, funds that are supposed to be for charity end up lining the pockets of staff or leading to unexpected salary boosts.
Ray Vega, a Maui resident who was displaced, shared his frustration. He and his girlfriend both applied for the fund at the same time. She got her payment, but his application got stuck because his address was still listed as being on the mainland. Ali Grimes and her firefighter partner had a similar issue. Although her partner received his payment, Ali only recently found out she’ll get hers in the next round. She’s had to deal with this tedious process multiple times, and it feels like a full-time job just filling out forms.
Ali’s point is spot on. When you have to fill out so much paperwork, it feels like you’re working another shift. And with the high cost of living in Hawaii—around $55,000 a year—$1,200 over six months isn’t much help. It’s really disappointing to think that Oprah could be doing more. Instead, we’re faced with all this red tape and minimal aid. Personally, I’ve only seen $700 since all of this started.
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