Sunny Hostin Receives Call from Cynthia Erivo Over Cornell 7 Remarks
The View's Sunny Hostin shared details of a conversation with actress Cynthia Erivo regarding Hostin's recent comments on the Cornell University sexual assault investigation.
Sunny Hostin, co-host of "The View," revealed that actress Cynthia Erivo contacted her directly following Hostin's public remarks about the investigation into an alleged sexual assault at Cornell University.
During an episode of "Behind the Table," the talk show's podcast, Hostin stated that Erivo called her after seeing a clip of Hostin's commentary on the "Cornell 7" case. Erivo reportedly expressed that the clip did not accurately represent Hostin's character and work, particularly her advocacy for women and children. Hostin recalled Erivo saying, "Sis, I know you and I know your heart and your life’s work has been about protecting women and children."
Hostin, who is a lawyer, acknowledged that both she and Erivo can be direct in their communication. However, Erivo advised Hostin to temper her bluntness, suggesting she "lead with empathy... instead of leading with the law" to ensure her message is better received.
Erivo, currently in Paris working on a film about consent and sexual assault, shared this advice with Hostin, who is her sorority sister. Erivo's representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hostin's initial statements on "The View" concerned the seven fraternity members accused of gang-raping a student in October 2024. While the Tompkins County District Attorney's office initially declined to press charges, the case is being re-examined following a civil lawsuit filed by the accuser against Cornell University and the Chi Phi fraternity. At the time, Hostin had stated that based on the victim's account, "no prosecutor would’ve brought forth a case."
On the podcast, Hostin clarified that her legal analysis was based on New York law, which she stated does not consider voluntary intoxication as a factor that negates consent. She emphasized that her commentary focused on the legal aspects rather than defending the accused students, noting that she did address the moral implications of the situation later in the original broadcast. Hostin described herself as an empathetic person whose tendency is to "apply the facts as [she] knows them to the law."