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Pharrell Williams Cries “Happy” Tears Watching Fan Videos With Oprah Winfrey

Tears of “Happy”-ness! Pharrell Williams was overcome with emotion during his heart-to-heart with Oprah Winfrey on the Sunday, April 13, episode of Oprah Prime. Chatting with Winfrey about the trajectory of his life and career to this point, the 41-year-old singer started crying as he described the incredible worldwide success of his smash, Oscar-nominated hit “Happy.” Click here to see more pics of Pharrell.

Related: PHOTOS: Celebs crying

“[We had] zero airplay. Nothing. And the next thing you know, we put out the video on November 21, and all of a sudden…boom,” Williams said of the song’s meteoric rise to the top of the charts. “I mean, when I say boom, I mean boooom. And we were like, ‘What’s happening?’ First of all, people are putting up their own videos. It was, like, no longer my song.”

Related: PHOTOS: Pharrell and other stars get slimed at the Kids Choice Awards

To illustrate that point, Winfrey played a highlight reel of fan videos from around the globe, in places ranging from Iceland to Malawi. When it finished, Williams was in tears, barely able to speak. “It’s overwhelming, because I love what I do,” he said.

Pharrell Crying

The Grammy-winning star later tweeted about the moment of raw vulnerability in an exchange with Winfrey. “This was one of the most sincere humbling moments I’ve ever experienced during an interview. HAPPY tears,” the media mogul wrote on April 13. “Couldn’t you feel his heart @Pharrell? So humble and appreciative of his journey. Loved him!”

Related: PHOTOS: Pharrell and other stars at the Oscars

“Wow…@Oprah, I am speechless,” he replied. “All of your kind words are overwhelming…You can’t imagine what this means coming from you, a rare force. So radiant.”

Watch Pharrell’s emotional reaction above!

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