“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin recently revealed she experienced a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction during a live taping of the show. The terrifying incident unfolded earlier in the week but was recounted by Hostin on a subsequent episode, leaving viewers and co-hosts stunned by the near-fatal health scare.
A Segment Takes a Dangerous Turn
The emergency occurred during a segment featuring former “The View” co-host Debbie Matenopoulos, who was promoting her new cookbook, “GREEK.ish.” Matenopoulos brought several Greek dishes for the hosts to sample, including an orzo salad containing walnuts. Unknown to Hostin at the time, she ingested some of the dish despite having a serious and potentially deadly allergy to walnuts.
The critical moment arrived when co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin innocently inquired if the dish contained walnuts. Upon confirmation from Matenopoulos that it did, Hostin’s demeanor immediately shifted as panic set in.
The Critical Moments On-Air
Hostin described the terrifying realization as she was still on camera. Knowing the severity of her allergy, she quickly scribbled a frantic note on a light blue cue card and passed it to Griffin, seated next to her. The stark message read: “I am allergic to walnuts.”
Footage from the original segment, shown during Hostin’s retelling, captured the visible signs of her distress – widened eyes and a panicked expression as she looked toward executive producer Brian Teta. Despite the escalating internal crisis, Hostin managed to remain on air until the segment concluded and the show cut to a commercial break. Griffin later recounted her shock upon reading the note, though she couldn’t initially grasp the full urgency, humorously adding that she wished she’d written back asking for Hostin’s Gucci shoes.
Swift Medical Response Saves the Day
As soon as the show went to commercial, the on-set medical team immediately rushed to Hostin’s aid. Praising the “Disney nurses” as “superheroes,” Hostin highlighted the swift actions of Nurse Jan, who quickly administered an EpiPen and Benadryl to counteract the severe allergic reaction. Co-host Sara Haines noted her concern at the time, wondering if Hostin was breaking out in hives, a common allergic symptom.
Hostin emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating plainly that she “almost died” from the reaction. Griffin corroborated the scary nature of the ordeal, noting she could sense Hostin was experiencing a severe reaction even before the full details were known.
Reflecting on the Ordeal
Thankfully, thanks to the rapid medical intervention, Hostin recovered from the scare. She reflected on the incident, noting that she hadn’t experienced such a severe allergic reaction in approximately 10 years. Hostin also admitted that she sometimes forgets to mention her allergy when asked about dietary restrictions, and it’s often her husband, Emmanuel “Manny” Hostin, or their children who remind others.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required for individuals with severe food allergies. As one commenter noted online, “As someone with food allergies this is why you never eat anything unless you know exactly what’s in it,” underscoring the vital importance of knowing every ingredient, regardless of who prepared the food, and prioritizing safety above all else. Hostin’s frightening experience on live television highlights the potential dangers and the crucial role of immediate medical preparedness in such critical situations.
