Oprah, Brad Pitt Celebrate Obama's Victory in Chicago

Posted Nov 05 via USWeekly Nov 5, 08

Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt and politician Jesse Jackson were among the estimated 240,000 people who came out for the victory rally in Chicago's Grant Park to celebrate Barack Obama's historic election as 44th President of the United States on Tuesday. Watch Obama's touching acceptance speech. "I'm vibrating," Winfrey told Usmagazine.com. How will she celebrate? "Just to be fully present. I'm just trying to take it all in," she told Us. "I can't even talk about it." "This has been the greatest experience of my lifetime," she told reporters. "I haven't seen a sense of unity like this since 9/11. Now, we're all brought together in the name of hope." See Barack Obama's baby photo. (At one point during her night, she was mobbed by the media when she left the National Finance Committee party to use the bathroom. "I've never used a Porta-Potty before!" she joked.) As for Winfrey's pal Gayle King? "On a scale of 1 to 10, I've got to be a 15!" she told Us. Pitt also couldn't contain his excitement. Asked how he was feeling earlier in the night (as early projections signaled an Obama victory), Pitt (in a gray trench coat, minus Angelina Jolie) told a reporter, "I'll be a lot happier in about an hour-and-a-half!" Look back at Barack Obama's biggest celeb supporters. Apprentice villain Omarosa, Will.I.Am and Star Jones were also spotted in the crowd. Check out which stars hit the polls on Election Day! 14-year-old Marni Levin, of Buffalo Grove, IL, told Us it took about 20 minutes to get inside the gates at Grant Park. "I'm really excited - This is the experience of a lifetime. We're witnessing history!" the eighth grade student told Us. "Hopefully I'll be able to vote the second time around." Said 34-year-old Jeanine Gentle, an Illinois nurse: "I took the day off work today to vote and come to this. It took an hour-and-a-half to get inside, but it was worth it. I'm extremely excited. It's hopeful...it's a hopeful future. "The last eight years haven't been the best," Gentle added. "This will be an improvement!" Mark Erwin, 48, of Chicago -- who works on Illinois Finance Committee -- said he first met Obama in 2002. "Obama is one of the best people. He's authentic. He's remarkable, transformative," Erwin told Us. "He's a leader, intelligent and compassionate. "I've never seen him flustered. He lights up a room," he added. "He gets young people buzzing. I believe he has it in him to be a great leader." See the most unforgettable moments from this year's election.