Sunny Hostin received some pointed advice from Cynthia Erivo after her controversial remarks about the so-called “Cornell 7.”
The “View” co-host revealed Erivo personally called her after seeing a viral clip from the daytime talk show. Hostin discussed their conversation during the Oct. 5 episode of “The View: Behind the Table” podcast. Erivo and Hostin are friends and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
According to Hostin, Erivo called from Paris after watching part of the controversial discussion.
“Sis, I know you, and I know your heart,” Erivo told her, according to Hostin.
Erivo reportedly told Hostin that the viral clip did not reflect the person she knows. The actress also challenged Hostin to reconsider how she delivers difficult legal analysis. Instead of beginning with legal technicalities, Erivo encouraged Hostin to first acknowledge the emotions surrounding sexual assault allegations.
Hostin said Erivo’s advice ultimately changed how she approached the conversation when the subject returned to “The View.”
Hostin faced backlash over her legal analysis
The controversy began after Hostin addressed allegations involving former and current Cornell University fraternity members. A woman identified as Jane Doe alleges she was sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.
She filed a civil lawsuit in September against Cornell, several former students, the fraternity and other defendants. No criminal charges have been filed against the men accused in the lawsuit.
During an earlier “View” discussion, Hostin focused heavily on New York law and the accuser’s original statements. Hostin is a former federal prosecutor who previously handled sex crimes. She explained that voluntary intoxication does not automatically establish an inability to consent under New York law.
“There is no way, according to her statement in 2024, that any prosecutor would’ve brought forth a case,” Hostin said.
The remarks quickly drew criticism online. Some viewers accused Hostin of blaming the alleged victim or appearing overly sympathetic toward the accused men.
Hostin later pushed back against that interpretation. She said she was explaining why prosecutors may have struggled to pursue the case under existing state law.
“I apply the facts as I know them to the law,” Hostin explained on the podcast.
Hostin also argued that New York’s legal standard needs to change.
Erivo urges Hostin to lead with empathy
Erivo’s criticism focused less on Hostin’s legal explanation and more on how she presented it. Hostin said Erivo encouraged her to make audiences feel heard before moving into legal analysis.
“Instead of leading with the law, I need to lead with empathy,” Hostin recalled.
Hostin acknowledged that her naturally direct communication style may have affected how her original comments were received. The controversy comes as the Cornell case receives renewed national scrutiny.
Hundreds of students recently protested Cornell’s handling of the sexual assault allegations. Cornell has said its investigation resulted in sanctions that included expulsions and suspensions.
The university also permanently banned the Chi Phi chapter from campus. New York Attorney General Letitia James is now overseeing a renewed criminal investigation into the allegations.
Cornell has also brought in former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates for an independent review. The review will examine Cornell’s response to sexual misconduct complaints and its oversight of student organizations.
For Hostin, Erivo’s call appears to have offered another lesson beyond the legal debate. Knowing the law and effectively explaining it can be two different things.
Hostin said she still stands by her criticism of New York’s consent laws. However, she now appears to agree that compassion must be part of how that argument is delivered.