Gayle King has left fans bitterly divided after she attended her surprise 70th birthday party wearing a rather unusual style of footwear.
The CBS Mornings host was visibly stunned when she arrived at Manhattan restaurant Ci Siamo on Saturday with best friend Oprah - who danced the night away with Stephen Colbert - and realized that her nearest and dearest were all there.
In a video shared on both Gayle and Oprah's Instagram pages, the TV star jumped backwards and threw her clutch purse on the bar as the surprise hit her.
Gayle, who will turn 70 on December 28, was certainly dressed for the occasion and opted for a bright green tasseled midi-length skirt and a matching short sleeved sweater which she teamed with black tights.
She was also wearing an expensive pair of green shoes, which were basically sneakers complete with a heel, and appear to be from the brand Sneex - with the style currently retailing at $595.
The Sneex website describes them as 'the Tepper Hy-Heel Sneaker' which 'brings together the comfort of sneakers and the chic appeal of high heels.'
The description adds that they're 'perfect for casual and formal occasions, this design is for fashion-forward individuals who value both style and comfort.'
Upon spotting Gayle's footwear, her followers were quick to comment as one person said: 'Those sneaker heels are horrific.'
Gayle King enjoyed a surprise 70th birthday over the weekend thanks to best friend Oprah
Gayle was visibly stunned as she walked into Manhattan restaurant Ci Siamo on Saturay with Oprah and realized that her friends and family were all there
The TV star showed off her green pair of $595 Sneex in an Instagram video filmed at her party
Another Instagram user commented, 'She looks great. But don't wear them shoes,' and a fifth said: 'Not the tennis shoe heels.'
Referring to her party being a surprise, someone else said: 'Bet Gail would of wore better shoes if she knew.'
A different person mocked, 'Gayle what you got in them feet sis,' and another said: 'Now why she got those shoes on.'
'I’m trying to understand the shoes. They look soooo comfortable!' one fan said, and someone else claimed: 'I bet she's feeling comfortable in her shoes and could dance all night in them.'
'Is Gayle wearing the Spanx shoes? Sneex?' another asked, as a different person replied: 'She has said she absolutely loves them.'
And Gayle has made no secret of the fact that she's a fan of Sneex and recently spoke about them during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
The footwear was included in Oprah’s 2024 Favorite Things List, and Gayle jumped at the chance to gush about them.
'This is one of my favorites, if you don’t mind,' she said, propping a heel onto Seth’s desk.
The Sneex website describes them as 'the Tepper Hy-Heel Sneaker' which 'brings together the comfort of sneakers and the chic appeal of high heels'
The CBS Mornings host gave a speech after her nearest and dearest sang happy birthday to her with a huge cake
The TV star also modeled a red and orange pair of Sneex at a New York City event in October
'So this is [created by] Sara Blakely, guys... of Spanx fame. She spent eight years—she wanted to have a high heel that was as comfortable as a sneaker.
'Whenever I’m walking, people go, "What are those?” before asking Seth and his audience: 'Have you ever seen anything like it?'
The Spanish-crafted shoe features Italian mesh, Nappa leather lining and suede, and also includes an adjustable strap across the foot as well, with Gayle owning several pairs.
She recently modeled a snazzy red and orange pair when she attended an event at the Museum of Modern Art in October.
