Beto O’Rourke vaulted into the top tier of Democratic contenders following a closer-than-expected loss to Republican Ted Cruz in the Texas Senate race last year. | AP Photo/Eric Gay 2020 Elections Beto O'Rourke to sit down with Oprah

Beto O’Rourke, who has avoided interviews while relying on his own social media channels to maintain a public presence since leaving Congress, will appear in New York next month for a one-on-one conversation with Oprah Winfrey, the television star’s network announced Friday.

O’Rourke will participate in Winfrey’s “Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations from Times Square,” a live event on Feb. 5. Other participants include actors Bradley Cooper and Michael B. Jordan, Melinda Gates and Lisa Borders.


“In one-on-one conversations, Winfrey will discuss how each of the guests created an impact and shifted the conversation in their respective fields of entertainment, politics and culture in the last year,” an advisory from the Oprah Winfrey Network said.

The event, which will air on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and be available on “Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations” podcast, comes as O’Rourke edges closer to a presidential campaign. The former Texas congressman vaulted into the top tier of Democratic contenders following a closer-than-expected loss to Republican Ted Cruz in the Texas Senate race last year.

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An O’Rourke spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.