John Tesh: Yes, I Dated Oprah
John Tesh
John Tesh said he and Oprah Winfrey used to date, confirming an excerpt from a new unauthorized biography of the talk show queen.
"Oprah and I were cub reporters in Nashville nearly 40 years ago, and we dated for a short time," Tesh told Entertainment Tonight, which he hosted from 1986 until 1996, in a statement. "We even talked about it during one of my appearances on her show. We remain friends to this day."
Kitty Kelley Book: Oprah Winfrey and John Tesh were romantically involved
In Oprah: A Biography, which hit stores Tuesday, celebrity biographer Kitty Kelley wrote that the pair also lived together in the '70s. Kelley claims the relationship ended when Tesh, 57, couldn't handle the "social pressure" of being in an interracial relationship.
The anchor-turned-musician did not offer an explanation for the split.
Winfrey's rep has declined to comment on the book.
Kelley, whose credibility often has been questioned, is best known for her unauthorized biographies of such figures as Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan and Elizabeth Taylor.