Oprah Winfrey is not, she repeats, not gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
In a lengthy article in the August issue of O magazine, the Queen of Daytime and her best friend, Gayle King, dissected their relationship and came to the conclusion that while they're not lesbians, they can see why people might think they are.
"I understand why people think we're gay," Winfrey said in the article. "There isn't a definition in our culture for this kind of bond between women. So I get why people have to label it--how can you be this close without it being sexual?"
The platonic pals said they have been friends for more than 30 years and still talk to each other on the phone "three or four times a day." They have seen each other through failed relationships, diets, career highs and lows and much more, but in the end, they say they're still "more or less the same people."
"The truth is, if we were gay, we would tell you, because there's nothing wrong with being gay," King, who is an editor of O magazine, added.
"People think I'd be so ashamed of being gay that I wouldn't admit it?" Winfrey asked. "Oh, please."
It's not the first time Winfrey has declared herself straight. In 1997, she issued a similar proclamation after an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres' defunct sitcom, Ellen, sparked rumors about her sexuality.
"I am not in the closet. I am not coming out of the closet. I am not gay," Winfrey said at the time. Apparently, nothing's changed.
The talk show host has been together with her longtime partner Stedman Graham for more than 20 years, but has said she has no plans to wed. The twosome were engaged at one point, but called off the wedding.
"I do believe that had we gotten married, we would not be together today," Winfrey told Extra last year. "The traditional role of marriage would not work in this relationship."
As for her friendship with King, Winfrey said she can't quite pinpoint what makes her bond with her friend so unique.
"Something about this relationship feels otherworldly to me, like it was designed by a power and a hand greater than my own," Winfrey said.
"Whatever this friendship is, it's been a very fun ride."