Oprah: Where Are They Now? Season 1 Episode 3 Rodney King's Last Interview and Newsmakers Kato Kaelin & Shannon Faulkner
- October 23, 2012
In the third episode of season one of Oprah: Where Are They Now?, viewers are taken on a journey through three fascinating individual stories. The first is an exclusive interview with Rodney King shortly before his untimely death. The second is an update on Kato Kaelin, who became a household name during the sensational O.J. Simpson trial of the 1990s. Finally, the episode rounds off with an update on Shannon Faulkner, the first female to enroll in the previously all-male Citadel military academy.
The first segment of the show is dedicated to the final interview given by Rodney King. Oprah speaks to King only months before his tragic passing, and he shares his inspiring story of redemption and forgiveness. Many people know King as the man who was brutally beaten by Los Angeles police during a traffic stop in the early 90s, sparking riots that left more than 50 people dead. King tells Oprah that despite the incident's profound impact on his life, he had learned to forgive those who wronged him. He notes that forgiveness is not only for others but can be for oneself as well.
The second portion of the episode introduces us to Kato Kaelin, one of the witnesses in O.J. Simpson's trial. Kaelin's celebrity status skyrocketed because of his involvement in the case, but since then, he has kept a relatively low profile. Oprah catches up with Kaelin at his new Los Angeles home to see what he has been up to since the trial's dust settled. Kaelin discusses how he felt about being portrayed as a freeloader during the trial and how he decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career further. He also opens up about how he used that time to heal and reflect on his life.
The show wraps up with an update on Shannon Faulkner, who made headlines in 1994 when she became the first female to enroll in The Citadel military academy. Faulkner's eight-month journey at the prestigious institute was followed closely by the media, with many people questioning whether women could hack the rigorous training typically reserved for men. Fifteen years later, Oprah catches up with Faulkner and discovers that she has become incredibly successful in her personal and professional life. She has written a book about her experiences, which Oprah discusses with her before exploring what she has been doing since graduating from The Citadel.
Overall, this episode of Oprah: Where Are They Now? is an engaging look into the lives of three people who made their mark on American history. Viewers will leave feeling inspired by Rodney King's message of redemption and will be fascinated by the updates on Kato Kaelin and Shannon Faulkner. The episode is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity.