In a face-to-face interview with Melinda Gates on her “Moments That Make Us” series, Oprah Winfrey didn’t shy away from speaking on whether she and Gayle King are a couple.

“You know, for years, people used to say we were gay, and listen, we were up against that forever. And people still may think it,” Winfrey told Gates. 

According to a BET report, Winfrey said rumors swirl about their relationship because people “aren’t used to seeing women with this kind of true bond.”

“The reason why I think our friendship has worked is because Gayle is happier, not happy, but happier for me for any kind of success or victory or challenge I get through than I am for myself. And I feel as happy as she does — I can’t be happier than, cannot surpass Gayle. You cannot out-happy her. I am equally as happy for her.”