Oprah to host
Barack fund-raiser

Oprah Winfrey will host a $2,300-a-person fund-raiser for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama at her home in Montecito, Calif, on September 8, Variety reports. This marks the first time Winfrey has publicly backed a candidate.

The event is expected draw enormous donations--those who pledge $25,000 are given access to a VIP lounge, while those who pledge $50,000 are treated to a VIP dinner, according to the article.

Winfrey stated her official endorsement for Obama on Larry King Live, saying, "I haven't [publicly backed a candidate] because I haven't felt that anybody--I didn't know anybody well enough to say, 'I believe in this person.' " (The Advocate)