Oprah Winfrey says Sphere show is culmination of her life's work

She recalled standing in the venue during the concert, listening to the crowd's cheers and realizing the immersive space could be more than a place for entertainment. For her, it represented a powerful space for human connection, she said.

"I was standing there alone, looking up, going, 'What just happened?'" she said, describing the moment her vision began to take shape.

"'Wow, this could be used for something bigger than a concert. You can use this to transform the way people see themselves,'" Winfrey remembered thinking.

Inspired by the experience, she decided to create her own event for the venue. The production draws on themes that have featured prominently throughout Winfrey's career, including self-discovery, personal growth and human connection.

Winfrey, 72, rose from local television news jobs in Nashville and Baltimore to become one of the most prominent figures in U.S. media through "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which ran for 25 years. She later built a business empire spanning television, film, publishing and digital media, while becoming a prominent philanthropist and interviewer of world leaders, celebrities and authors.