HOT CELEBRITIES: Oprah Winfrey visits her South African school's first graduating class ; Bikini-clad Nicole Scherzinger tweets holiday pics from luxury Mexico break

13th January 2012

Since her world famous chat show came to an end, Oprah Winfrey has had time to place further focus on her humanitarian work.

This week she has taken a trip to South Africa, to visit the school for girls she founded in 2007.

The 57-year-old met with the first graduating students of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls to celebrate their success.

Graduation day: Oprah Winfrey visited her South African school for girls

She was seen laughing, joking and dancing with the young women, who have affectionately dubbed their founder Mam Oprah, at the $40million academy in Henley on Klip.

And Oprah has made no apologies for spending her millions on building the elite school, where she apparently teaches a class via satellite.

The TV star is determined to continue to change the course of history for females across South Africa.

Celebration: Oprah attended the school's first graduation ceremony

She spoke on the eve of the graduation ceremony for 72 girls about the ways in which she hopes to help more struggling young women.

She said: 'We're taking a victory lap here, for transformation.

'Every single girl is going to leave here with something greater to offer the world than her body.'

Making a change: The $40million venture has been incredibly successful

Improvements: Oprah is constantly working on adapting the practices implemented at the school

Her graduating students are all headed to universities across South Africa and the united States, undergoing courses in various subjects including medicine, law, engineering and economics.

When she founded the school, Oprah's aim was to 'just change one girl, affect one person's life.'

However she is continuously adapting the practices used at the academy in order to improve results.

Hands on: The girls at the school have affectionately dubbed their founder Mam Oprah

Oprah is '100%' Behind Obama

Oprah spoke at the graduation of her support for Barack Obama, but said the President does not need her help in achieving further success.
She said: 'I don't need to endorse him because I am a 100% supporter of him and I've already endorsed him.
'If he or his office called me tomorrow and said that they needed me I would do whatever I thought would be of service. I did what I did in 2008 because I really thought that would be of value and of service. I don't think that's needed in 2012. There's not a person in the world who doesn't know who Barack Obama is.'
And the chat show host added: 'I think he is a masterful leader.'

She added: 'It takes a lot of support, it takes a whole team'.

And despite her incredible success, Oprah says she is cut out for the job because she hasn't forgotten her roots.

She said: 'I know what it's like to be a poor girl with your heart's desire to do well in the world. I chose to use my philanthropy to do what I know.'
While the venture has proved rewarding and fruitful, it has not always been an easy ride for founder Oprah.

Shortly after the school was opened, a dormitory matron was accused of abusing teenagers.

The former chat show host, who has spoken out about being abused as a child, said she was 'profoundly' disappointed when the woman was acquitted in 2010.

Onwards and upwards: The girls are all heading to universities across South Africa and the United States

Busy bee: Oprah has more time to work on her humanitarian projects since the end of her chat show

Oprah also had to settle a lawsuit filed by the school's former headmistress, Nomvuyo Mzamane, who claimed Oprah defamed her in remarks made regarding the scandal.

Despite difficulties, Oprah's work for the school has been praised, particularly her efforts to encourage the students in humanitarian ways.

The charitable girls have lectured in their communities about AIDS and run breast cancer awareness campaigns in a bid to give back to those in need.

 

Bikini-clad Nicole Scherzinger tweets holiday pics from luxury Mexico break

13th January 2012

She's just had  the most professionally demanding year of her life, and endured a painful break-up with long-term love Lewis Hamilton.
So it's no wonder that Nicole Scherzinger felt she deserved a bit of a break.
And to judge from these photos posted by the star herself on Twitter, that's exactly what she found during her Mexican getaway at Punta de Mita's Imanta resort.

Well-deserved rest: Nicole Scherzinger tweeted this shot of herself horse riding on the beach in Punta de Mita

The 33-year-old tweeted today: 'Muchas gracias Maria 4 everything! Big kiss 2 the @IMANTARESORTS fam 4 tkng such gd care of us!  This is a trip in paradise i'll nevr forget…X'

 

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She has been treating fans to titbits from her break, sharing pictures of whale watching, boat trips, and horse riding on the beach.
Nicole undoubtedly needed to unwind, after a busy past year which although successful professionally, has been emotionally draining.

'Breathtaking': Nicole tweeted this snap of herself whale watching with friends

In a revealing interview the star said she has not been able to release a new album because of her commitments as an X Factor judge, and that she wants to focus more on her day job as a performer.
The former Pussycat Doll told RadarOnline: 'Next year for me, it’s about my music.'
'This has been quite a learning experience, quite a journey for me.'

Peace at last: After a professionally and emotionally demanding year, there's no doubt Nicole deserved a break

'I didn’t expect to have been so emotional through the whole elimination process.'
'I wanted to just mentor and empower artists.'
And it emerged the distraught 33-year-old had a meltdown of her own backstage after blaming herself for the youngster's eviction, reportedly 'crying buckets for an hour after the show.'

Spa day: Nicole posted this picture, captioned 'Nothing like an Imanta spa day on your villa rooftop! Wait till you see the sunset!'

Lewis Hamilton's former lover said: 'I’m used to being on stage and performing and singing for people and people cheering for me.
'I am an artist first, not a judge first.'
'The reason [my album] hasn’t come out yet is because of The X Factor. It’s been so time consuming.'

Grateful guest: Nicole expressed her deep thanks to the resort staff at the end of her stay

'I work with these contestants six days a week. So I delayed the album, but I was able to perform one of my new singles last week.'
And after filming Men In Black III with WIll Smith earlier this year, she added she would like to try her hand at more acting.
She said: 'I really want to find the right roles and the right opportunities in acting. Theater is actually what I studied in college.'

Spotted! Nicole caught a glimpse of a pair of whales diving down into the water

Meanwhile a source has claimed that Nicole may rekindle her relationship with ex Lewis Hamilton.
A source reportedly told the Mirror that Nicole still loves Lewis, and is 'so dear to the [his] family', who her as their ‘daughter-in-law’.
'They’ve been in touch over Christmas to catch up – and wish each other well,' the source added.
'They’ve built such a bond with her over the years. Everyone is secretly hoping that Lewis and Nicole will give their love another go when the time is right for them.'

Tough year: Nicole broke up with long-term love Lewis Hamilton in October