Oprah's Proteges Now

Wednesday many Oprah viewers got a chance to see first hand what it's like to cross the Queen of Media. She had her former protege Relationship Guru Iyanla Vanzant on her show to hash out their differences and to clear up misunderstandings that took place eleven years ago. So this evening I came across an interesting story on what has happen to all of Oprah's proteges and were Iyanla could have possibly been had she communicated more with Oprah before her departure from Harpo Productions. The article was written by Hillary Crosley and listed all of Oprah's proteges except Nate Berkus, whom I'm assuming was left out by mistake. Now please don't get it twisted, Oprah is no god and doesn't control all of media. She has built a impressive empire that has played a key part in launching many other successful ventures that once included Iyanla Vanzant. I believe both women are smart business women and that Wednesday's meeting was only the beginning of a new profitable relationship. Check out what Crosley had to say about each protege below:

Gayle King: She's best friends with Oprah and if you looked up "play your position" in the dictionary, her photo would be there. For her years of service, Gayle has become the Editor-At-Large for O Magazine, influential in producing Oprah's Legends weekend, has her own 'Gayle King Show' and regularly hangs out in the lap of luxury. We dare to assume that Gayle's remained O's one honest friend that also keeps her hip. Did you really think Oprah liked Jay-Z? Please, that's so Gayle-ish.

Dr. Phil: Born in Oklahoma and raised in Texas, Dr. Phil McGraw had his own psychology practice with long before he met Oprah. Their paths collided when the host was sued by the beef industry in Texas and Dr. Phil consulted her case. She was so impressed that she invited him to be a Relationship and Life Strategy Expert on her show in 1998 and the rest is history.

Phil played his position.

Suzie Orman: Suzie is the financial darling of middle (and city) American women everywhere. With frugal saving tips, Orman's been O's go-to money woman since 2007's "Can I Afford It?" segment. While Orman had her own books and CNBC show before her "Oprah" appearances, she now boasts a column in O Magazine as well as a spot on OWN's weekly "Ask Oprah's All Stars" show alongside Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz.

Suzie played her position.

Dr. Oz: Born in Turkey, Dr. Mehmet Oz excelled at school and earned a scholarship that emigrated him into the United States. He graduated from Harvard University, became the Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University. Oz began appearing on "Oprah" for the "Ask Dr. Oz" segment in the early 2000s for five seasons before debuting "The Dr. Oz Show." Oprah admitted on Wednesday's show that she took five years to shape Oz for his own venture.

Ozy played his position.

Rachel Ray: After years of perfecting her '30 Minute Meals' segment on CBS, chef Rachel Ray signed a production deal with Oprah in 2005 to create her own show. Her many appearances on 'Oprah' created a larger audience for her solo opportunity and she's been quite successful. From her own show, she's also launched her self-titled magazine, racked in numerous endorsements and has gone on to produce a Mexican FOOD Network show, "Viva Daisy."

Rachel played her position.

Lisa Ling: Beginning her broadcast journalism career as a teen in Sacramento, California, Ling is most well known for her stint as a co-host on "The View." Leaving the show in 2002 to do international reporting, the journalist began as the Oprah Show Investigative Reporter a few years later. Now, Ling's secured her show "Our America with Lisa Ling" on the Oprah Winfrey Network, where she delves into the stories of extraordinary everyday people.

Lisa played her position.

Iyanla Vanzant: As Oprah said yesterday, "I gave you my stage!" Vanzant had the self-help and relationship world in the palm of her hand but seemingly negotiated herself out of Oprah's good graces by choosing to produce her own show with Barbara Walters instead. "The Iyanla Vanzant Show" was canceled after one season and over a decade later, the mighty woman looked to be pining for O's forgiveness on international television.

Iyanla... didn't play her position.

Source: The BVX (Blackvoices)

MORAL OF THE STORY: TAKE YOUR TIME BECAUSE YOUR TIME IS COMING.