Sunny Hostin

Background

Sunny Hostin was born in New York City to William Cummings, an African American, and Rosa Beza, a Puerto Rican. As a result of her heritage, she speaks both English and Spanish. Hostin was raised in the city and attended the Dominican Academy, an all-girls school. She later graduated from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Rhetoric before earning her Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School.

After graduating, Hostin worked as a legal clerk for Robert M. Bell, the retired Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals. Later, she was a trial lawyer for the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and a federal prosecutor for child sex charges. Hostin began her career as a television analyst with Court T.V. before appearing on Fox News’s “The O’Reilly Factor,” where she regularly debated with Megyn Kelly and Bill O’Reilly. In 2007, she joined C.N.N. as a legal analyst for “American Morning.” She started appearing as a guest contributor on A.B.C.’s talk show, “The View,” in 2014 before becoming a permanent cohost for its 20th season.

In 2019, Hostin served as host and executive producer of Investigation Discovery’s six-episode documentary series, “Truth About Murder With Sunny Hostin,” traveling to various parts of the U.S. to dive into the country’s most infamous homicides. Her more recent projects include hosting the A.B.C. podcast “Have You Seen This Man?,” writing a memoir entitled “I Am These Truths,” and publishing a book, “Summer on the Bluffs.” Hostin will serve as the executive producer of “The Counsel,” a drama television series inspired by her life and career. She resides in Purchase, New York, with Emmanuel Hostin, her husband of 24 years, and their two children, Gabriel and Paloma.