
Tony Awards 2025 behind-the-scenes: George Clooney chats with Oprah while Keanu Reeves and Glenn Close reunite
The 2025 Tony Awards lit up screens across the world on Sunday - but it was the drama behind the scenes that really set tongues wagging.
On a night where Nicole Scherzinger and Darren Cris s won theater's biggest awards, snubbed nominee George Clooney was seen having a deep chat with superstar Oprah Winfrey.
The Oscar winner, 64, who has returned to his signature silver locks, looked somber during the intense chat, as Oprah, 70, clutched onto his hand and put on an animated display.
By their side a serious Gayle King, 70 was seen intently listening.
Elsewhere Keanu Reeves and Glenn Close enjoyed a Dangerous Liaisons reunion, 37 years after starring in the iconic film.
The pair looked in great spirits as they chatted in the green room, with Close, 78, looking chic in black.
Reeves, 60, looked dapper as ever in a black suit.
A sobbing Nicole Scherzinger accepted her first ever Broadway honor at the star-studded 78th Annual Tony Awards, held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday.
The Pussycat Dolls singer, 46, teared up after winning the Best Leading Actress in a Musical award, for her performance of fading Hollywood star Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, based on the 1950 film noir of the same name by Billy Wilder.
In her acceptance speech Nicole thanked her fiancé Thom Evans, 'who believes in me when I forget to believe in myself.'
Darren Criss, 38, won big, earning his first Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance in Maybe Happy Ending, written by Will Aronson and Hue Park.
The play — which explores themes of love, loneliness, and mortality and follows two 'Helperbots', robots designed to assist people, named Oliver and Claire — also won the top honor for Best Musical.
Meanwhile George Clooney, 64 — who was nominated for Good Night, And Good Luck — was shockingly snubbed, when he lost the Best Actor in a Play award to Cole Escola, 38. The star, who uses they/them pronouns, won for their performance in Oh, Mary! which they wrote and star in.
The Pussycat Dolls singer, 46, teared up after winning the Best Leading Actress in a Musical award, for her performance of aging Hollywood star Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, based on the 1950 film noir of the same name by Billy Wild
The show, hosted by Cynthia Erivo, celebrated Broadway's brightest talents in singing, acting, dancing and more.
In the Best Leading Actor in a Musical category, Criss beat out Andrew Durand for Dead Outlaw, Tom Francis for Sunset Boulevard, Jonathan Groff for Just in Time, Jeremy Jordan for Floyd Collins, and James Monroe Iglehart for A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical.
In his acceptance speech, Criss gave a shout out to Helen J. Shen.
Sarah Snook, 37, kicked off the show, winning the Best Leading Actress in a Play award for her unbelievable performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray, where she played all 26 characters, including Dorian and Lord Henry.
The Succession star made her Broadway debut in the ambitious stage adaptation of Oscar Wilde's 1890 novel, directed and written by Kipp Williams.
Snook beat out a strong lineup of nominees including Laura Donnelly for The Hills of California, acting legend Mia Farrow for The Roommate, LaTanya Richardson Jackson for Purpose, and Stranger Things star Sadie Sink for John Proctor Is the Villain.
Tony Awards 2025 nominees
Best Musical
Buena Vista Social Club
Dead Outlaw
Death Becomes Her
Maybe Happy Ending
Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical
Best Revival of a Play
Eureka Day — Author: Jonathan Spector - WINNER
Romeo + Juliet
Thornton Wilder's Our Town
Yellow Face — Author: David Henry Hwang
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
George Clooney — Good Night, And Good Luck
Cole Escola — Oh, Mary! - WINNER
Jon Michael Hill — Purpose
Daniel Dae Kim — Yellow Face
Harry Lennix — Purpose
Louis McCartney — Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Darren Criss — Maybe Happy Ending
Andrew Durand — Dead Outlaw
Tom Francis — Sunset Blvd.
Jonathan Groff — Just In Time
James Monroe Iglehart — A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical
Jeremy Jordan — Floyd Collins
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Glenn Davis — Purpose
Gabriel Ebert — John Proctor Is The Villain
Francis Jue — Yellow Face - WINNER
Bob Odenkirk — Glengarry Glen Ross
Conrad Ricamora — Oh, Mary!
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Brooks Ashmanskas —SMASH
Jeb Brown — Dead Outlaw
Danny Burstein — Gypsy
Jak Malone — Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical - WINNER
Taylor Trensch — Floyd Collins
Best Direction of a Play
Knud Adams — English
Sam Mendes — The Hills Of California
Sam Pinkleton — Oh, Mary!
Danya Taymor — John Proctor Is The Villain
Kip Williams — The Picture Of Dorian Gray
Best Book of a Musical
Buena Vista Social Club — Marco Ramirez
Dead Outlaw — Itamar Moses
Death Becomes Her — Marco Pennette
Maybe Happy Ending — Will Aronson and Hue Park
Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical — David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Marsha Ginsberg — English
Rob Howell — The Hills of California
Marg Horwell and David Bergman — The Picture of Dorian Gray
Miriam Buether and 59 — Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Scott Pask — Good Night, and Good Luck
Best Costume Design of a Play
Brenda Abbandandolo — Good Night, And Good Luck
Marg Horwell — The Picture of Dorian Gray
Rob Howell — The Hills Of California
Holly Pierson — Oh, Mary!
Brigitte Reiffenstuel — Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Natasha Chivers — The Hills Of California
Jon Clark — Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Heather Gilbert and David Bengali — Good Night, And Good Luck
Natasha Katz and Hannah Wasileski — John Proctor Is The Villain
Nick Schlieper — The Picture Of Dorian Gray
Best Sound Design of a Play
Paul Arditti — Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Palmer Hefferan — John Proctor Is The Villain
Daniel Kluger — Good Night, And Good Luck
Nick Powell — The Hills Of California
Clemence Williams — The Picture of Dorian Gray
Best Choreography
Joshua Bergasse — SMASH
Camille A. Brown — Gypsy
Christopher Gattelli — Death Becomes Her
Jerry Mitchell — BOOP! The Musical
Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck — Buena Vista Social Club
Best Play
English — Author: Sanaz Toossi
The Hills of California — Author: Jez Butterworth
John Proctor Is The Villain — Author: Kimberly Belflower
Oh, Mary! — Author: Cole Escola
Purpose — Author: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Best Revival of a Musical
Floyd Collins — Book/Additional Lyrics: Tina Landau; Music & Lyrics: Adam Guettel
Gypsy
Pirates! The Penzance Musical
Sunset Blvd. - WINNER
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Laura Donnelly — The Hills Of California
Mia Farrow — The Roommate
LaTanya Richardson Jackson — Purpose
Sadie Sink — John Proctor Is The Villain
Sarah Snook — The Picture Of Dorian Gray - WINNER
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Megan Hilty — Death Becomes Her
Audra McDonald — Gypsy
Jasmine Amy Rogers — BOOP! The Musical
Nicole Scherzinger — Sunset Blvd.
Jennifer Simard — Death Becomes Her
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Tala Ashe — English
Jessica Hecht — Eureka Day
Marjan Neshat — English
Fina Strazza — John Proctor Is The Villain
Kara Young — Purpose - WINNER
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Natalie Venetia Belcon — Buena Vista Social Club - WINNER
Julia Knitel — Dead Outlaw
Gracie Lawrence — Just In Time
Justina Machado — Real Women Have Curves: The Musical
Joy Woods — Gypsy
Best Direction of a Musical
Saheem Ali — Buena Vista Social Club
Michael Arden — Maybe Happy Ending
David Cromer — Dead Outlaw
Christopher Gattelli — Death Becomes Her
Jamie Lloyd — Sunset Blvd.
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Dead Outlaw — Music & Lyrics: David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna
Death Becomes Her — Music & Lyrics: Julia Mattison and Noel Carey
Maybe Happy Ending —Music: Will Aronson; Lyrics: Will Aronson and Hue Park
Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical — Music & Lyrics: David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts
Real Women Have Curves: The Musical — Music & Lyrics: Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez
Best Orchestrations
Andrew Resnick and Michael Thurber — Just in Time
Will Aronson — Maybe Happy Ending
Bruce Coughlin — Floyd Collins
Marco Paguia — Buena Vista Social Club
David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber — Sunset Blvd.
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Rachel Hauck — Swept Away
Dane Laffrey and George Reeve — Maybe Happy Ending
Arnulfo Maldonado — Buena Vista Social Club
Derek McLane — Death Becomes Her
Derek McLane — Just In Time
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Dede Ayite — Buena Vista Social Club
Gregg Barnes — BOOP! The Musical
Clint Ramos — Maybe Happy Ending
Paul Tazewell — Death Becomes Her
Catherine Zuber — Just In Time
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Jack Knowles — Sunset Blvd.
Tyler Micoleau — Buena Vista Social Club
Scott Zielinski and Ruey Horng Sun — Floyd Collins
Ben Stanton — Maybe Happy Ending
Justin Townsend — Death Becomes Her
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Jonathan Deans — Buena Vista Social Club
Adam Fisher — Sunset Blvd.
Peter Hylenski — Just In Time
Peter Hylenski — Maybe Happy Ending
Dan Moses Schreier — Floyd Collins
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Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
BET Awards 2025 WINNERS: Kendrick Lamar wins big as Doechii scoops up her first gong at ceremony and tearful Jamie Foxx says he's thankful for 'second chance' during acceptance speech
The 2025 BET Awards went down in Los Angeles on Monday evening. Hosted by Kevin Hart, it brought together some of the biggest stars across music, film, TV, and sports to celebrate the talent shaping the culture and pushing it forward. Kendrick Lamar was the standout for the evening, taking home four major awards including Album of the year for GNX, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video of the Year for 'Not Like Us,' and Best Collaboration alongside SZA for their track 'Luther'. He also shared Video Director of the Year with longtime creative partner Dave free. SZA took home Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, while Chris Brown snagged Best Male R&B/Pop Artist. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Future & Metro Boomin earned Best Group and Leon Thomas was crowned Best New Artist. Leon beat out Ayra Starr, BigXthaPlug, Bossman Dlow, Dee Billz, October London, Shaboozey and Teddy Swims for the award. Thomas began by saying his grandfather always told him, 'music is a team sport,' before thanking God, adding he was, 'the coach of my life.' He began by saying his grandfather always told him, 'music is a team sport,' before thanking God, adding he was, 'the coach of my life.' The star also joked, 'My mother, she went on a bathroom break, she didn't get to see me win! But I'll tell you right now, we've been in this together my entire life and I wouldn't be here without you, mom, I love you so much.' Doechii continued her genre-bending rise with a win for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, in which she used her acceptance speech to address the unrest over ICE raids in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old Tampa rapper (born Jaylah Ji'mya Hickmon) beat out Cardi B, Doja Cat, GloRilla, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Rapsody and Sexyy Red for the award, during the ceremony. She took to the stage to accept her award, thanking the BET network, adding, 'This is my first BET Awards, so this means a lot to me.' 'I grew up watching this. I want to acknowledge all of the girls in my category that worked hard, extremely talented and very creative. You ladies are amazing. So, thank you, BET, for honoring me with this,' she added. She then turned to address the protests in downtown Los Angeles over mass deportations and ICE raids, which President Donald Trump responded to by deploying the National Guard in a controversial move. 'But as much as I'm honored by this award, I do want to address what's happening right now outside of the building,' she said to applause. 'There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of 'Law & order.' Trump is using military forces to stop a protest,' she added. 'I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be one every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us,' she added. 'What type of government is that? People are being swept up and torn from their families, and I feel it's my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people,' she said to more applause. 'For black people. For Latino people, for trans people. For the people in Gaza. We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear. I hope we stand together. My brothers and my sisters, against hate, and we protest against it. Thank you, BET!' she concluded. GloRilla, Kirk Franklin, and Maverick City Music took home the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for 'Rain Down on Me.' Heat of a Woman by Summer Walker won the official Bet Her Award. Jamie Foxx was honoured with the BET Ultimate Icon Award, presented by Stevie Wonder. 'I cannot even begin to express the love that I feel from everybody out there,' Foxx began, adding when he saw the memoriam segment, he realized, 'Man, that could've been me.' 'I don't know why I went through what I went through, but I know my second chance I'm not going to turn down,' Foxx said. 'I have so much love to give. I told him, I said, man, bro, just give me one more crack at this. And I promised, I said whatever reason you put this on me, I promise I'm going to do it right,' Foxx said while choking back tears. 'I don't want to make my whole speech about that, but you can't go through something like that and not testify,' he added. He concluded by thanking his 14-year-old daughter Anelise Bishop, who when he was sick, 'snuck into my room with her guitar and said I know what you need. And she played the guitar, my vitals dropped and I realized that god was in that guitar, and the nurses ran in and said what did they give him? And my daughter says "Shh, I got him."' Cynthia Erivo won Best Actress, and Denzel Washington added another trophy to his legendary career as Best Actor. The fan-favorite biopic Luther: Never Too Much was named Best Movie. Blue Ivy Carter received the YoungStars Award, a full-circle moment of legacy and promise. Angel Reese dominated as Sportswoman of the Year, continuing her many streak of wins both on and off the court. Jalen Hurts earned Sportsman of the Year honors for his performance and leadership in the NFL. 2025 BET Awards Winners Album of the Year $Ome $Exy $Ongs 4 U - Drake & PartyNextDoor 11:11 Deluxe - Chris Brown Alligator Bites Never Heal - Doechii Cowboy Carter - Beyoncé Glorious - GloRilla GNX - Kendrick Lamar - WINNER Hurry Up Tomorrow - The Weeknd We Don't Trust You - Future & Metro Boomin Best Female R&B/Pop Artist Ari Lennox Ayra Starr Coco Jones Kehlani Muni Long Summer Walker SZA - WINNER Victoria Monét Best Male R&B/Pop Artist Bruno Mars Chris Brown - WINNER Drake Fridayy Leon Thomas Teddy Swims The Weeknd Usher Best Group 41 Common & Pete Rock Drake & PartyNextDoor FLO Future & Metro Boomin - WINNER Jacquees & Dej Loaf Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist Maverick City Music Best Collaboration '30 For 30' - SZA Feat. Kendrick Lamar 'Alter Ego' - Doechii Feat. JT 'Are You Even Real' - Teddy Swims Feat. Givēon 'Beckham' - Dee Billz Feat. Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, Kj Swervo 'Bless' - Lil Wayne, Wheezy & Young Thug 'Like That' - Future & Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar 'Luther' - Kendrick Lamar & SZA - WINNER 'Sticky' - Tyler, the Creator Feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne 'Timeless' - The Weeknd Feat. Playboi Carti Best Female Hip Hop Artist Cardi B Doechii - WINNER Doja Cat GloRilla Latto Megan Thee Stallion Nicki Minaj Rapsody Sexyy Red Best Male Hip Hop Artist BigXthaPlug Bossman Dlow Burna Boy Drake Future Kendrick Lamar - WINNER Key Glock Lil Wayne Tyler, the Creator Video of the Year '3AM in ToKEYo' - Key Glock 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' - Shaboozey 'After Hours' - Kehlani 'Denial Is A River' - Doechii 'Family Matters' - Drake 'Not Like Us' - Kendrick Lamar - WINNER 'Timeless' - The Weeknd Feat. Playboi Carti 'Type Shit' - Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti Video Director of the Year Anderson .Paak B Pace Productions & Jacquees Benny Boom Cactus Jack Cole Bennett Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar - WINNER Dave Meyers Foggieraw Tyler, the Creator Best New Artist 41 Ayra Starr BigXthaPlug Bossman Dlow Dee Billz Leon Thomas - WINNER October London Shaboozey Teddy Swims Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award 'A God (There Is)' - Common & Pete Rock Feat. Jennifer Hudson 'Amen' - Pastor Mike Jr. 'Better Days' - Fridayy 'Church Doors (Terry Hunter Remix)' - Yolanda Adams Feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence 'Constant' - Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula 'Deserve To Win' - Tamela Mann 'Faith' - Rapsody 'Rain Down on Me' - GloRilla Feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music - WINNER Viewer's Choice Award 'Residuals' - Chris Brown - WINNER 'Denial Is A River' - Doechii 'Nokia' - Drake 'Like That' - Future & Metro Boomin Feat. Kendrick Lamar 'TGIF' - GloRilla 'Not Like Us' - Kendrick Lamar 'Luther' - Kendrick Lamar & SZA 'Brokey' - Latto Best International Act Any Gabrielly (Brazil) Ayra Starr (Nigeria) Bashy (United Kingdom) Black Sherif (Ghana) Ezra Collective (United Kingdom) Joé Dwèt Filé (France) Mc Luanna (Brazil) Rema (Nigeria) Sdm (France) Tyla (South Africa) Uncle Waffles (Swaziland) Best New International Act Abigail Chams (Tanzania) Ajuliacosta (Brazil) Amabbi (Brazil) Dlala Thukzin (South Africa) Dr Yaro (France) kwn (United Kingdom) Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa) Merveille (France) Odeal (United Kingdom) Shallipopi (Nigeria) TxC (South Africa) BET Her 'Beautiful People' - Mary J. Blige 'Blackbiird' - Beyoncé Feat. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts 'Bloom' - Doechii 'Burning' - Tems 'Defying Gravity' - Cynthia Erivo Feat. Ariana Grande 'Heart of a Woman' - Summer Walker - WINNER 'Hold On' - Tems 'In My Bag' FLO & GloRilla Best Movie Bad Boys: Ride Or Die Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Luther: Never Too Much - WINNER Mufasa: The Lion King One Of Them Days Rebel Ridge The Piano Lesson The Six Triple Eight Best Actor Aaron Pierre Aldis Hodge Anthony Mackie Colman Domingo Denzel Washington - WINNER Jamie Foxx Joey Bada$ Kevin Hart Sterling K. Brown Will Smith Best Actress Andra Day Angela Bassett Coco Jones Cynthia Erivo - WINNER Keke Palmer Kerry Washington Quinta Brunson Viola Davis Zendaya YoungStars Award Akira Akbar Blue Ivy Carter - WINNER Graceyn 'Gracie' Hollingsworth Heiress Harris Melody Hurd Thaddeus J. Mixson Tyrik Johnson Vanvan Sportswoman of the Year Award A'ja Wilson Angel Reese - WINNER Claressa Shields Coco Gauff Dawn Staley Flau'jae Johnson Juju Watkins Sha'Carri Richardson Simone Biles Sportsman of the Year Award Aaron Judge Anthony Edwards Deion Sanders Jalen Hurts - WINNER Jayson Tatum LeBron James Saquon Barkley Stephen Curry


BreakingNews.ie
35 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Cynthia Erivo crowned best actress at BET Awards
British singer and actress Cynthia Erivo was crowned best actress at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards in Los Angeles. Hosted by Kevin Hart, Monday's BET Awards celebrated the work of black people in music, entertainment, film, sports and philanthropy. Advertisement The London-born star, who rose to worldwide prominence last year for her role in Wicked, was also nominated for the BET Her Award — which recognises empowering songs that focus on women — for her rendition of Defying Gravity. Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii used her acceptance speech to sharply criticise US President Donald Trump's handling of protests in Los Angeles. The Swamp Princess takes her crown again! Standing ovation please for the #BETAwards Best Female Hip Hop Artist, @officialdoechii 👑 In case you couldn't tell, we're your biggest fan! — #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 10, 2025 Collecting the award for best female hip-hop artist, she accused the president of 'creating fear and chaos' in his response to demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which sparked days of protest across the city. 'I do want to address what's happening right now, outside the building,' she said. Advertisement 'These are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities. In the name of law and order, Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be, when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us.' Kendrick Lamar accepts the award for album of the year (AP/Chris Pizzello) Mr Trump announced plans to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to California to quell the protests, which began on Friday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move was 'essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States'. The decision drew sharp criticism from Democratic politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the move 'purposefully inflammatory'. Advertisement London-based girl-group FLO missed out after picking up nominations for best group and the Bet Her award for their track In My Bag, featuring GloRilla. Fellow UK artists Bashy and Ezra Collective earned nominations for best international artist, while multi-genre artist Odeal and R&B singer kwn were shortlisted for best new international act. Kendrick Lamar, who led the pack with 10 nominations, took home awards for album of the year and best male hip-hop artist. Doechii arrives at the BET Awards (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) He also won video of the year and video director of the year for his hit Not Like Us, as well as best collaboration for Luther, his track with SZA Advertisement SZA won best female R&B/pop artist, while Chris Brown took home best male R&B/pop artist. The evening featured a star-studded cast, including actor Jamie Foxx, with performances by Ashanti, Mariah Carey and GloRilla. Foxx, Carey, gospel star Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg were honoured with the ultimate icon award for their contributions to community, entertainment, and advocacy. Miles Canton, Luke James and Lucky Daye delivered an R&B tribute to Quincy Jones, who died in November. Advertisement


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Winfrey's new book club pick marks the return of an old favorite, Wally Lamb
For her next book club pick, Oprah Winfrey is highlighting an author she has praised even before she had a book club. Winfrey announced Tuesday that she has chosen Wally Lamb's new novel, 'The River Is Waiting,' the story of a father torn by grief and guilt. It's the third time she's selected a Lamb book and continues a bond predating 1996, when she launched her club. 'I've had four phone conversations with Ms. Winfrey,' Lamb said in a statement, remembering how she called to praise his debut novel, 'She's Come Undone' upon its release, in 1992. Five years later, she phoned with the news that 'She's Come Undone' was her latest book club pick. In 1998, Winfrey picked Lamb's 'I Know This Much Is True,' his second novel. 'I was as shocked as ever last month when I answered the phone and heard Ms. Winfrey's voice again, twenty-seven years after the last time we had talked,' he said. 'She told me my latest novel, 'The River Is Waiting,' would be the 115th title in her beloved Book Club. I'm not sure why I've been on the receiving end of such grace and good fortune, but I try to live each day expressing my gratitude in the way I treat others.' Winfrey's conversation with Lamb can be heard on the latest episode of 'Oprah's Book Club: Presented by Starbucks,' a podcast available through Winfrey's YouTube channel and other outlets. 'I know many of you might remember that Wally and I go way back because I picked his very first book in 1997 for my book club, and then I chose his second book the next year,' Winfrey said in a statement. 'And now with 'The River Is Waiting' – we've selected three novels by the same author and that should tell you ALL you need to know about what I think of this truly masterful and beloved writer.'