Oprah Calls Lance Armstrong Confession 'Riveting'

Published
OWN

Oprah Winfrey confirmed on Tuesday that disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong reverses years of denials and confesses in a new interview that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his career.

Appearing Tuesday on CBS This Morning, Oprah described the interview as one of the biggest and most intense she's ever done. "It was surprising to me. I would say that for myself, my team, all of us in the room, we were mesmerized by some of his answers," she said. 

RELATED: Lance Armstrong Tells Oprah He Doped

She added that while she was "satisfied and riveted" by Armstrong's answers, he "did not come clean in the manner that I expected." Oprah, who did not provide specifics from the interview, said that Armstrong was obviously well prepared going into the interview, which took place on Monday in Austin, Texas. "He brought it. He really did," she said.

When asked by host Charlie Rose if she felt Armstrong was "contrite," Oprah said she would describe him as "forthcoming" during the interview, which will air over two nights beginning Thursday at 9 p.m. during a special edition of Oprah's Next Chapter on OWN.

A report from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency led to the 41-year-old Armstrong being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles last year, but Armstrong has until now vehemently maintained his innocence.

RELATED: Armstrong To Be Stripped of Tour De France Titles