Steve Hansen and partner Tash Marshall with Oprah Winfrey and at a Swisse Cocktail event in Auckland. Photo / Supplied
The instructions were clear. No one was to be on their phone or working while Oprah was in the room. We were to be "in the moment".
Oprah is big on living in the moment. On seizing the day. She wants everyone to be their best self.
Normally, this would make me roll my eyes and tune out. I am the type of person who defriends people on Facebook that share inspirational quotes.
But there's something about Oprah that washes away my cynicism. She has an ability to genuinely inspire, without being a bore. There's something very real about her.
The chance to meet her - or even be in the same room - was too much to resist. What words of wisdom would she impart? Would she jog around the room and high-five all of us, a la the live audience at an Oprah show filming?
As we gathered on the mezzanine of Vector Arena, courtesy of her show's sponsor Swisse, around 100 guests made polite small talk and tried to play it cool, while all secretly harbouring the same dream - that she would hug us to her bosom for our new Facebook profile shot.
Anyone expecting a grand entrance was mistaken. Instead, somewhere between Sol3 Mio singing My Way and O Sole Mio, she slipped quietly into the room, standing back to admire the show.
As the room applauded, she shouted "bravo, bravo", before making her way past the likes of Karen Walker, Antonia Prebble and Bronagh Key.
Prime Minister John Key's wife Bronagh and Oprah Winfrey. Photo / Supplied
It's a terrible cliche but she really was smaller in person than I'd imagined. Stately yet comfortable in flat sandals and a beaded green kaftan.
As she took her place on stage for a Q&A, the room's gaze fell on her. Still, silent, ready and waiting to absorb any wisdom she had to impart. That is the Oprah effect.
She shared stories and advice. She made jokes. She stayed 15 minutes longer than was scheduled.
She was real.
There was no time for selfies - only a photo with the Prime Minister's wife and All Blacks' coach Steve Hansen (who gave her the obligatory jersey).
Our host ended the session by saying "people never remember what you say, only the way you make them feel".
I can honestly say that being around Oprah and hearing her stories, made me feel calm. And special. Even, a little bit wise.
I was in the moment. And that will stay with me longer than any selfie.
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