Erivo’s Paris call prompts Hostin to pivot Cornell 7 legal defense to empathy
Cynthia Erivo called 'The View' co-host Sunny Hostin from Paris after seeing viral clips of her legal analysis regarding the Cornell 7 sexual assault case. Erivo advised Hostin to 'lead with empathy' rather than blunt legal facts to ensure her message about New York consent laws was received effectively. Hostin acknowledged the advice changed her approach but rejected accusations of victim-blaming, noting her career in prosecuting sex crimes. The case remains under review by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Cornell University.