Medal of Freedom award from President Obama

Talk show legend shows off streaks of lightened hair as she accepts the Medal of Freedom award from President Obama

Oprah Winfrey’s hair exhibited a variety of new shades this afternoon when President Obama bestowed her with the prestigious Medal of Freedom at the White House.
It appears that Oprah, who has previously admitted to using wigs to give her natural hair a rest, used the occasion as an opportunity to show off some new highlights or a streaked hairpiece.
Sections of honeyed hair graced her sleek layered bob at the ceremony, echoing the looks of her best friend Gayle King and first lady Michelle Obama.
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At the White House: Oprah received the Medal of Freedom from President Obama today, while showing off streaks of lighter hair

Unclear: It's unknown if Oprah's hairstyle today came courtesy of a sleek blowout or a highlighted wig

Oprah visited the White House this afternoon to receive the award alongside 15 other recipients, including former President Bill Clinton and women’s rights advocate Gloria Steinem.
She wore a form-fitting black, A-line dress to the event with long sleeves and a lace-embellished hem.

 

Photos of the legendary talk show host from as far back as August show her with streaked hair, but it is only recently that Oprah looks to be sporting warmer-toned hair colors.
On November 15, five days prior to the White House ceremony, Oprah paid a visit to The Jonathan Ross Show in London while promoting her film The Butler. Her hair was fashioned into a style similar to the one seen in Washington today.
But just one day before, on November 14, Oprah attended a Q&A in London with a curled, much-longer style. 

VIDEO: Oprah and Bill Clinton receive Medals of Freedom

Prestigious award: Oprah received the Medal of Freedom alongside 15 other luminaries including Bill Clinton (pictured) and Gloria Steinem

Dressed to impress: The talk show host wore a form-fitted a-line dress with a lace-embellished hem

She has previously admitted to using wigs at times when her public schedule is slammed in order to protect against excessive hair damage.
In fact Oprah wrote a letter in O magazine’s September issue, which was dedicated to hair, where she chalked up the benefits of wearing a wig.
‘During the Oprah show years, we used wigs intermittently to give my hair a break from the daily grind of styling,’ she wrote.

Before and after: Oprah exhibited a long, curly hairstyle on November 14 (L) but the next day her hair was fashioned into the sleek look seen in Washington today (R)

‘Had Andre [Oprah’s long-time hairstylist] not had the foresight to do this, I probably wouldn't have a single strand left today…'
The letter was accompanied by a photo of Oprah’s natural hair texture, which is much more coarse than the sleek strands she exhibited in Washington today.
Oprah’s delicate highlights follow the ones Michelle Obama debuted over the summer when she let her bangs grow out.

Getting ready: Oprah's best friend Gayle King Instagrammed a photo of Oprah getting ready for today's medal award ceremony

Fellow highlight-ers: Oprah's streaks follow in the footsteps of those received by her best friend Gayle King (L) and Michelle Obama (R)

Gayle King, Oprah’s best friend, has also been known to lighten her hair.
2013 marks the Medal of Freedom’s 50th anniversary. The award was founded in 1963 by President Kennedy, who was scheduled to present its first round of honorees with the medal two weeks after his fated trip to Dallas, Texas.