By Karu F. Daniels, BlackVoices.com

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.



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."