Cynthia Erivo personally called Sunny Hostin to tell her that she needed to show more empathy after The View co-host sparked outrage with her comments about sexual assault allegations at Cornell University.
Hostin revealed that the Wicked actress reached out from Paris after watching a viral, highly controversial clip of her discussing the case, which involves allegations against fraternity members… and where she also appeared to defend them.
“Sis, I know you, and I know your heart,” Erivo told her, according to Hostin.
Cynthia Erivo called Sunny Hostin over her Cornell 7 opinion : Behind The Table https://t.co/OeoUZjT9Vj
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 6, 2026
On a recent episode of The View: Behind the Table podcast, Hostin explained that Erivo wasn’t questioning her legal expertise but wanted her to understand how her words could affect viewers.
“Instead of leading with the law, I need to lead with empathy,” Hostin recalled.
The backlash began when Hostin, a former federal prosecutor, discussed a woman’s lawsuit alleging she was sexually assaulted at Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. Hostin questioned whether the allegations could meet New York’s requirements for criminal prosecution.
“There is no way, according to her statement in 2024, that any prosecutor would’ve brought forth a case,” she said at the time.
Her remarks set the internet ablaze, with many accusing her of trying to defend the alleged sexual predators.
