The ABC News contributor denies that the network offers a lot of money to interview Kate Middleton's sister, but admits that she is interested to have a chat with the party planner.
- Jan 31, 2012
AceShowbiz - Barbara Walters denies she is in a bidding war with Oprah Winfrey to have the first U.S. interview with Pippa Middleton. Responding to the news first run by British tabloids, the 82-year-old TV personality said Monday, January 30 on "The View", "It's not true. ABC News does not pay for interviews."
The veteran journalist went on pointing out that Winfrey's talk show on OWN might have a different policy in inviting someone for an interview. "I have no idea what Oprah does - we do not pay, ABC News does not pay. She's not a news program, maybe they have a different policy," she explained.
Though ABC News won't spend its money to invite the younger sister of the Duchess of Cambridge for a chat, Walters did not rule out that she will be seen interviewing the 28-year-old party planner someday. "I do have to say that I would love to do the interview," she admitted before stressing, "To make it clear: Would I like to do the interview? Yes, I think she's a charming, beautiful girl. Will we pay to do the interview? No."
Previously, it was reported that Walters and Winfrey have offered as much as 300,000 poundsterling ($471,690) to Pippa for the interview. NBC reportedly also wanted "Today" host Matt Lauer to have a chat with the maid of honor at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding.
"The big guns see Pippa as the big-name interview of 2012," a source claimed. Words are, Pippa would donate the fee she receives from the interview to charity.
