Oprah Winfrey to Bring 'AHA' Immersive Event to Las Vegas Sphere

Oprah Winfrey is set to bring a new immersive live experience to the Sphere in Las Vegas, the media mogul announced. Titled "Oprah Winfrey's AHA," the two-hour event will take place April 2-4 at the globe-shaped arena.

The idea took shape after Winfrey attended U2's opening night performance at the venue in 2023. Standing alone afterward, she found herself contemplating whether the Sphere's multisensory, 4D capabilities could be used to help people reach their highest potential.

"You could use this technology as a visual, immersive experience to allow people to go deeper for themselves and walk away with a sense of awe and wonder about what it means to be alive," Winfrey said. "I know that there's more, and the more could really help people see themselves differently. It has the potential to be an incredible experience of magnificent wonder."

The event will feature Winfrey alongside special guests and performances, including multiple Grammy winner Jacob Collier, poet and author Ocean Vuong, musician Ajeet and gospel singer Wintley Phipps. Collaborators helping craft the experience include Oscar-nominated composer Max Richter, Grammy-nominated musicians Jason White and Jon Hopkins, playwright and MacArthur "genius grant" recipient Tarell Alvin McCraney, and stage designer Es Devlin, known for her work on Beyoncé's "Formation" and "Renaissance" world tours.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Sept. 25. The Sphere, a $2.3 billion state-of-the-art arena, has previously hosted performances by The Backstreet Boys, Phish, the Eagles and No Doubt, as well as a popular "The Wizard of Oz" film experience.

It has been 15 years since Winfrey ended her iconic talk show, which last week marked the 40th anniversary of its U.S. syndication debut. She has remained active with her podcast, her role as CEO of her namesake OWN TV network, and various tours and live events. At 72, she said she is not ready to slow down completely.

"I thought about sitting behind the gate and picking roses," Winfrey joked. "The truth is, I got another strong decade. I feel the urgency of time, and I feel like I have something to say … and using all of these collaborators to help me say it in a more forceful and phenomenal and immersive way is my offering for this remaining decade."

Winfrey's cultural influence remains considerable. Her book club is still a sought-after milestone for authors, products featured on her "Favorite Things" list can transform a company's fortunes, and politicians continue to court her support.

"I think that I've been given this opportunity because you know I know how to use it, I know what to do with it. But I keep asking this question: Why have I been given it? I realize it's such a huge opportunity that I'm not supposed to take it for granted," said Winfrey, who writes daily in a gratitude journal. She hopes attendees will be inspired to seize their own opportunities.

Recalling conversations with poet and literary figure Maya Angelou, Winfrey said: "Maya Angelou says, 'Baby, I can see why you are where you are because you have been obedient to the call.' That's my message to everybody: Everybody has the call. If you are obedient to the call, if you surrender to the call, you will be led to higher ground than you ever even imagined."