Former TV personality Star Jones is opening up (again) and talking about her hush-hush gastric bypass surgery, her failed fairytale marriage and her big hopes for the future.The ex-co-host of ABC's 'The View' is bringing her message to the black female masses via the November issue of 'Essence' magazine, which hits newsstands Oct. 12.
Though she doesn't grace the cover – Beyoncé Knowles does, Jones has a revealing story that many may want to hear.
"Star is back," she told the best-selling black woman's magazine's senior editor Patrik Henry Bass over tea sandwiches and cranberry juice at the tony Carlyle Hotel in Manhattan during the interview. "I have now proven to myself that whatever life throws at me, I can catch it and I can throw it right back. I'm confident again."
Some may ask "Back from where?" I'm not sure. But the previous Mrs. Al Scales Reynolds sure knows how to produce grist for the mill with her very public image.
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Star Jones arrives at the unveiling of Tyler Perry Studios on October 4, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia..Tyler Perry Unveils New Motion Picture and Television Studio.Tyler Perry Studios.Atlanta, GA United States.October 4, 2008.Photo by Moses Robinson/WireImage.com..To license this image (55889255), contact WireImage.com
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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 04: ***EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE*** Star Jones and Patti LaBelle on The Red Carpet at The Opening Gala of Tyler Perry's new Motion Picture & Television Studio on October 4, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sunshine Sachs & Associates)
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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 04: ***EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE*** Star Jones on The Red Carpet at The Opening Gala of Tyler Perry's new Motion Picture & Television Studio on October 4, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sunshine Sachs & Associates)
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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 04: ***EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE*** Star Jones and Patti LaBelle on The Red Carpet at The Opening Gala of Tyler Perry's new Motion Picture & Television Studio on October 4, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sunshine Sachs & Associates)
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Star Jones attends the "Lakeview Terrace" after party at the Empire Hotel Rooftop on September 15, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Star Jones attends the "Lakeview Terrace" after party at the Empire Hotel Rooftop on September 15, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Star Jones attends the "Lakeview Terrace" premiere at the AMC Lincoln Square on September 15, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
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Actress Star Jones attends the "Lakeview Terrace" New York Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on September 15, 2008 in New York City."Lakeview Terrace" New York Premiere.AMC Lincoln Square.New York, NY United States.September 15, 2008.Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage.com..To license this image (55746993), contact WireImage.com
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Actress Star Jones attends the "Lakeview Terrace" New York Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on September 15, 2008 in New York City."Lakeview Terrace" New York Premiere.AMC Lincoln Square.New York, NY United States.September 15, 2008.Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage.com..To license this image (55746985), contact WireImage.com
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Star Jones attends the "Lakeview Terrace" after party at the Empire Hotel Rooftop on September 15, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
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Recently, she has been making the paparazzi-prone scene with hotel executive chef Herb Wilson, who was most recently engaged to singer LaTanya Hall ( See LaTanya Hall Performing Live) -- a protégée of legendary singer/songwriter Michael Feinstein. Jones, who was also recently linked to NBA hunk Dwayne Wade, was spotted kissing Wilson during the "U.S. Open." Just last week, he reunited with Hall during her sold-out show at Feinstein's ritzy New York City cabaret club.
According to Bass, Jones refused to comment on her relationship with Wilson, but did say she's "ready for love."
"I want to fall in love again ... I want happiness," she said. "I want to be with somebody who wants to be with me. I can't wait. I cannot wait."
The Trenton, New Jersey-reared diva didn't mince any words throughout the article, which featured exclusive photography by Roger Erikson.
About her former husband -- divorce proceedings were finalized last month -- she said, "I'm not in love with him."
"He has to be kind and gentle of spirit," she said of what she's seeking in a new man, adding, "He has to be sincere and not mind curling up in bed with me when I'm having a bad day. Those are the things I need in a relationship."
Regarding her former co-hosts of 'The View,' she described them as "hateful," during the period she was exiting the show.
"Barbara set me up," Jones said about her former boss Barbara Walters. "I wouldn't return her call for six months. Whoopi [Goldberg] came on to do my show and delivered a handwritten note from Barbara. Whoopi said, '[Meet with her] for me.' And I said, 'Out of friendship with you, Whoopi, I will.' Otherwise I would have never sat down with her ever again."
Regarding her notoriously-hidden gastric bypass surgery, the best-selling authoress admitted to regretting how it was handled. "If I had just been honest, there would not have been a backlash," she said, noting that her "big mistake was not telling the audience."Jones is confirmed to be the keynote speaker at 'Essence' magazine's fifth annual "Women Who Are Shaping the World Leadership Summit," which takes place at the Marriott Marquis in New York City on October 24. The Leadership Summit is a one-day event that aims to help women advance in their careers, control their financial destiny and transform their business ideas into reality.
Hollywood heavy-hitter Suzanne de Passe, Prophetess Dr. Juanita Bynum, financial columnist Michelle Singletary, actresses Lynn Whitfield and Tasha Smith, and CNN contrinutor Roland Martin are confirmed for the one-day event. 'Essence' editrix Angela Burt-Murray, who will serve as hostess of the 'Summit,' calls it "an important step toward success."
Comments: (464)
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By: Jaye on 10/08/2008 11:06AM
Where's the intervetion? Why aren't her "friends', Viv, Liela, and Vanessa telling her to sit her irrelevant ass down and STFU!!
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By: KOJO on 10/08/2008 12:08PM
Hi Star:-) Thats right, you go girl, and I'll always be out here pulling for you:-)
Peace Love and Blessing.
PS: As the saying goes, "One monkey don't stop the show".
Kojo
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By: Angela on 10/08/2008 12:21PM
I am sooo tired of hearing about Star's problems. She isn't going through anything that every woman the world over has not been through. She is all for herself, so how can she offer advice to anyone. Again, it takes two to tango, and I want to know where is she back from?
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By: Opinonated on 10/08/2008 12:33PM
I am glad for her that she is getting control of her life again. I was sad for her that her weight and loss of it proved to be her strength after all. Star was always tough and I believe her attempt at full acceptance by main-stream media (by trying to look the part) caused her to act out with the surgery as well as marry a man she now knows she didn't love. Her life is very public and to some if your life doesn't mirror the "American Ideal" something is wrong with you. I think she was caught up in that. But good job trying to bounce back. Now if she lets love find her instead of her looking and she'll be okay.
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By: Charlotte on 10/08/2008 12:59PM
For those who claim to be confused regarding what Star bounced back from (including the author of this blog), need to stop. She had a very public break up, lost a couple of jobs, and is constantly leveled to the ground by overly opinionated people.
Furthermore, why oh why do people feel that she owes a full explaination of her physical health. Damn! Just because she is a public figure does not mean she owes the public a full blown explanation regarding her private life. Whatever she decides to "share" is HER choice.
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By: Ellie on 10/08/2008 5:15PM
Star go home! You keep complaining about people talking about your business but YOU DON'T KEEP ANYTHING PRIVATE! So it is safe to assume that you want people in your business which will keep you in the news and that makes you a self-absorbed narcissist.
Please go home and keep quiet for a while. No one misses you because you won't go away!
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By: Moed on 10/08/2008 6:43PM
Star of all people should know , seeking the limelight , comes with the sacrifices of one's right to privacy . personal I think see should put on a few more pounds , she looks sickly , but I love her anyway.
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By: craig on 10/09/2008 12:09AM
At first when i started watching star jones on the view I was not a big fan of her,but i can honestly say when i saw her show on court T.V she got the most respect!!!
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By: Rhonda on 10/09/2008 10:39AM
Star Jones has got to be the most over-rated 'celebrity' on the planet. The only thing about her that's a 'star' is her name. And she can search for 'true love' but she won't ever find someone who loves her more than herself. As for her exit from The View, it was long overdue and Barbara Walters is one of the most intelligent women in the media and has earned the respect of millions so she has no right running her down in the press. Star got what she wanted out of The View, her outrageously extravagant engagement, wedding and flaunting of her 'perfect' marriage and 'perfect' man. It was disgusting the amount of kick backs and freebies she managed to get out of that wedding when she could very well have paid for that stuff herself, easily. She should have used those opportunities to help the less fortunate. I really don't understand why she continues to get press as she is the most self-centered, selfish, full of herself, person I have ever seen. Save your pity for the real people of the world.
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By: DUBS on 10/09/2008 8:25PM
GO GET YOURSELF AN APPLE PIE AND SOME BUTTER MILK AND ENJOY
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