Daytime Emmy Awards: Gladys Knight, Celine Dion Pay Tribute to Oprah

Gladys Knight and Celine Dion paid tribute to Oprah Winfrey at Sunday night’s Daytime Emmys Awards.

“As the world knows, the Oprah Winfrey Show has come to an end,” said Knight, who donned a red dress to present the Crystal Pillar Award. “Oprah, you may be off the air for now, but you will never, never be out of of our hearts.”

PHOTOS AND VIDEO: THR’s complete Emmys coverage

Knight launched into “That’s What Friends Are For” as famous scenes from Winfrey’s daytime talk show aired in between versus.

She was given a standing ovation after by the audience.

Then her protege Dr. Oz appeared on stage. “Oprah, thank you for being the dean of Oprah University and teaching me the fundamentals of hosting.”

Related Stories

TV

John Beasley, Actor on 'Everwood' and 'The Soul Man,' Dies at 79

Movies

'The Color Purple' Trailer: Fantasia Barrino Stars in First Look of Movie Musical

He introduced Barbara Walters, who congratulated her via tape for being “unique and unsurpassed…this I know for sure, nobody deserves this award more than you, my dear friend.” Dr. Phil also thanked her for being “a friend to my family.”

Ellen DeGeneres called her one of the most incredible people she’d ever know. “For the past 25 years, the world has been lucky to call you a friend,” she said. “I will miss you and I love you.”

Then Celine Dion performed a song for Oprah live from her sold-out show in Las Vegas’ Caesar’s Palace. “I’m honored to be able to participate in this wonderful tribute to my dear friend Oprah!” She dedicated “Because You Loved Me” to Oprah and had her audience sing along to the lyrics.

Then a clip of John Travolta giving a toast to Oprah at her 50th birthday party was played.

Oprah accepted the award in a taped clip with her entire staff from talk-show set in Chicago’s Harpo Studios.

“We are sorry we couldn’t be there to celebrate,” said Winfrey, who was surrounded by her entire staff. “On behalf of the entire team, we thank you for honoring our show, we thank you for 25 years. This show has served as a platform to enlighten and entertain our millions of viewers… it has been a phenomenon that [none] of us could have imagined in our wildest dreams. None of this would have been possible without the support of the best team in television. Thank you!”