Sherri Shepherd says Barbara Walters told her she should be a lesbian
The View co-hosts reunited Tuesday to pay tribute to the late Barbara Walters, who created the famous daytime talk show in 1997.
While sitting with Whoopi Goldberg, Lisa Ling and Joy Behar, Sherri Shepherd, 55, shared a funny anecdote from Walters, who passed away on Friday at the age of 93.
Shepherd revealed that the renowned journalist once told her she should “be a lesbian” and avoid marrying men who “take her money” during her bachelorette party, which Walters threw for her.
Brutally honest: Sherri Shepherd, 55, shared a funny anecdote about her former The View co-host Barbara Walters, who passed away on Friday at the age of 93; Photo 2009
“She said, ‘You always hang out with these men who take your money! All the time! Stop marrying men who take your money. You have to be a lesbian,'” Shepherd, who joined The View in 2007 and left in 2014 – remembered.
Walters then reportedly added: “But with your luck, they’d take your money, too.” The ladies laughed and agreed that Walters could be so brutally honest.
Shepherd has been married twice. She was married to Lamar Sally from 2011 to 2015, and before him she was married to Jeff Tarpley from 2001 to 2010.
Funny: Shepherd revealed that the journalist once told her she should “be a lesbian” and avoid marrying men who “take her money” during her own bachelorette party, which Walters threw for her
Their first divorce ended with a nasty custody battle over the couple’s son, Jeffrey Jr, whom they welcomed in April 2005.
Their second divorce was also contentious, dragging on for several years as Lamar fought her for support of their son, Lamar Jr., who was born with Lamar’s sperm and a donor egg.
Sherri is not genetically connected to Lamar Jr., who was born via surrogate after the couple separated, and fought to prevent her name from being printed on the birth certificate, however a court ultimately decided that she is legally responsible for the child.
Looking out: ‘You always come across these men who take your money! All the time! Stop marrying men who take your money. You have to be a lesbian,” Walters said, before adding: “But with your luck, they’d take your money, too.”
Remembering: Sherri was joined by former co-hosts including Whoopi Goldberg, Lisa Ling and Joy Behar as they reminisced about Walters, who created the daytime talk show in 1997
Elsewhere on the show, Sherri also recalled how she always felt ‘protective’ of Walters, and that the feeling was mutual.
“I just remember feeling so protective of this woman who was so protective of me, that she would fiercely defend me no matter what blunders I made at the table.”
The View premiered in August 1997 and more than 20 women have had permanent roles as co-hosts on the morning talk show.
The show featured interviews with a wide variety of guests and discussed a variety of topics from news and politics to entertainment.
Twice Married: Shepherd has been married twice. He was with Lamar Sally from 2011 to 2015. The couple had a contentious divorce that lasted several years and involved a complex battle over the payment of child support; Photo 2014
No luck in love: Before him, she was married to Jeff Tarpley from 2001 to 2010. Their first divorce also ended with a nasty custody battle over the couple’s son, Jeffrey Jr; pictured 2012
View’s original lineup consisted of Walters, Joy Behar, Star Jones, Meredith Vieira, and Debbie Matenopoulos.
Sherri wrote a lengthy tribute to the late journalist upon learning the sad news of Barbara’s passing on Friday. On Instagram, he uploaded a photo of her sitting next to Walters as the two were engaged in conversation.
The talk show host began her tribute by expressing: ‘Barbara was hard on me, but she was hard on her loved ones. Barbara gave me the opportunity to grow. She encouraged me (no… she TOLD me) to speak up or stay behind. She told me that she would never take no for an answer.
Permanent co-host: Shepherd, who joined The View in 2007 and left in 2014, also recalled how Walters “fiercely defended” her despite the “blunders” she made at the table; Pictured in a 2014 still from The View
He also added that Walters was close with his son, Jeffrey, and that the two hosts would enjoy dinner together. ‘I told her that I always wanted to end our night with a slumber party in matching pajamas (can you imagine the look on her face).
Sherri called Barbara the ‘Mother Lion’ and thanked her ‘for giving a shy girl who didn’t like to debate a seven-year chance at life. Believing in me has changed my life.’
During a past interview with People in 2020, Shepherd revealed that “Barbara was very hard on me. I cried for three years in my dressing room because she was so hard on me, but she did it out of love.
The TV personality added that the late newscaster would tell her: “I love you, I just need you to read a book my dear and learn to stand up for what you believe in.” And speak up,” further expressing, “It was the most painful experience I’ve ever been through, but it was the best experience.”
Long tribute: Sheri left a detailed tribute to her co-star on Instagram on Friday