Cynthia Erivo personally contacted Sunny Hostin after The View cohost faced criticism over her comments about sexual assault allegations involving Cornell University fraternity members.
Hostin revealed that the Wicked actress, whom she described as a close friend and fellow sorority sister, called her from Paris. Erivo encouraged her to approach sensitive discussions with greater empathy.
Cynthia Erivo urged Sunny Hostin to lead with empathy after her controversial The View comments
Hostin discussed the conversation during Monday’s episode of The View: Behind the Table podcast.
She explained that Erivo had watched a clip of her initial remarks about the Cornell case. According to Hostin, Erivo believed those comments did not reflect her friend’s commitment to protecting women and children.
As per Entertainment Weekly, Erivo reportedly encouraged Hostin to reconsider how she presented her arguments rather than abandon her legal perspective.
Hostin explained that her friend had learned to communicate difficult opinions in ways that allowed others to understand them.
The actress also advised Hostin to begin with empathy before discussing legal matters.
Hostin acknowledged that the conversation influenced her subsequent comments on The View. She said she changed her approach to help viewers better understand her legal arguments.
The controversy began after Hostin discussed allegations involving seven members of Cornell University’s Chi Phi fraternity.
A woman identified as Jane Doe reported an alleged incident in 2024. She later filed a lawsuit against the university and fraternity members in 2026. Several accused men denied wrongdoing.
Hostin initially focused on New York’s consent laws and the complainant’s earlier statements about alcohol and drug use.
Her remarks prompted accusations of victim-shaming and defending the accused men.
Hostin rejected those interpretations.
“I was accused of defending these young men, and victim-shaming, which is something I would never do since I spent the majority of my career prosecuting sex crimes,” she said.
She maintained that New York’s laws created significant difficulties when prosecutors pursued sexual assault cases involving voluntary intoxication.
Hostin later clarified that she would have prosecuted the Cornell case during her career as a sex crimes prosecutor.
Meanwhile, Cornell said its Office of Civil Rights and student conduct officials had investigated the allegations. The university also confirmed that the Chi Phi chapter remained barred from campus.
The conversation ultimately centered on how Hostin communicated her legal views. According to Hostin, Erivo’s advice prompted her to place greater emphasis on empathy during subsequent discussions.
