Oprah Settles Suit Over Stealing Idea For "Iyanla: Fix My Life"

Deal Settles Suit Over Reality Show “Iyanla: Fix My Life”

Oprah has reached a settlement with the woman who accused her of stealing her show idea and turning it into the hit OWN show.

The media mogul and her accuser reached a deal last week to have all claims against her and her network dismissed and the terms of the agreement will be sealed.

Back in October, a Mississippi woman named Otisa C. Strickland sued Oprah, accusing her of stealing her show idea named “The Agency.” Strickland claimed Oprah used her proposed idea and created “Iyanla: Fix My Life,” which she said was a “carbon copy” of hers.

The woman said in court documents that the two shows were virtually identical and both involved a counselor that travel across the country to people’s homes to counsel them about their life problems.

Strickland said Oprah had access to her show idea because she accused the TV host of stealing another show back in 2011. Strickland said the OWN show, “In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman” was a rip off of her show idea “Conflict Solutions.” The woman believed that battle put her on Oprah’s radar and allowed her to steal her idea entitled “The Agency.”

“Iyanla” has been on OWN for over six seasons and has been a consistent hit for the network.

Strickland’s suit demanded unspecified damages from Oprah and her network. The media mogul had yet to respond to the allegations in the complaint.

Then on December 16th, a judgment of dismissal was entered in the case, stating Oprah and Strickland reached a compromise and settlement of all pending claims. Under their agreement, the case will be dismissed and all claims against Oprah and her network will be thrown out. The terms of the settlement will remain confidential.