Sunny Hostin Discusses Being a Child Prodigy & Multicultural Background | Jemele Hill is Unbothered

The View's Sunny Hostin shares what it was like being a child prodigy and starting high school at age 12, her experience as a Afro-Latina, and how her family feels about her not using her real name in her television career.
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Award-winning journalist and culture critic Jemele Hill interviews the most compelling figures in news, pop culture, politics and sports. Expect unbothered and unfiltered conversations.

[@sparker7768]

I absolutely appreciate Sunny's honesty about the social issues involved when starting HS years ahead of her peers. I feel the same way about 6th graders being classified as middle schoolers today.

[@barbarag5387]

I also went to college at 16.5. I developed an ulcer and struggled with the adjustment. I had a Masters Degree in my early twenties. My mother continued to push me towards the PhD, but at that point I was burned out. Take away- there is a fine line between pushing too hard and encouragement. I as a parent took the opposite approach.

[@nat7041]

Great how Jemele actually lets the guest speak without interrupting.

[@natasharochelle3218]

I love Sunny!! My daughter graduated high school at 16 as well, I allowed her to skip a grade and regretted it. Now her son (my grandson) who is 5, was recommended that he skip a grade. We said no and did not let him skip, because of what Sunny said, you regret it in the end!!

[@barbaragilbert82]

Sunny, your mom is so unique, wow!! You're my favorite on the View!! You're so fair, patience and understanding.❤️

[@hevel4383]

This is the first time, but will not be the last time hearing this podcast. I learned a lot about Sunny, that The View should letting the viewers know this information. I love Sunny on The View and probably the only reason I watch it.

[@nebo2073]

Yet she is the worst panelist there...

[@hevel4383]

We are all entitled to our own opinions. We can agree to disagree!

[@jodiramberg707]

I’m so glad I listened to this! Sunny is my favorite host of the View and this really explains so much of her worldview. Such a beautiful name, Asunción Providencia 💛

[@vueme805]

Not every American is proud of being monolingual, I traveled in Europe and never did I ever feel so inadequate when I was there. Almost all people in every country were multilingual. Speaking only one language is not “all that” in a global society.

[@derricklanders1921]

You do know why they are multilingual right?

[@seanj-i9j]

as a brown-mestizo latino myself that is really involved in his community, i appreciate sunny’s afro-latina perspective. great podcast

[@gcmacyman]

I started high school at 13 and college at 17. Wonderful time, wonderful experiences, wonderful friends to this day.

[@damita4336]

That's a normal age of you're born after August or September you start school. A year older if you're born before August

[@gcmacyman]

@@damita4336 And? So one year makes a huge difference in having good experiences and making good friends? I don't think so. Now if an 8 year old goes to high school then I could see the difference.

[@damita4336]

@@gcmacyman no no I never said that. I was just staying the age you attended high school was not unusual

[@sparker7768]

@@damita4336 Exactly. Being a 12 year old in HS is much different, emotionally and even physically.

[@damita4336]

@@sparker7768 of course... no debate there whatsoever

[@natinatoscano7381]

Not only is she academically brilliant, she’s emotionally intelligent by letting her son having a normal childhood and not advancing him in school.

[@j.m.5620]

Spanish names are European names. I think Sonny meant to say English names were avoided in her family.

[@ssissigui8846]

Thank you !

[@barbaralightfoot8157]

I always think of a child prodigy as a 12yr old in college. Most kids start high school at 14 and they are children who can’t drive either. So Sunny while smart wasn’t really a child prodigy she just skipped a couple grades.

[@barbarag5387]

Who chose the title for this interview? I’ll guess Sunny didn’t.

[@derricklanders1921]

@@redlabelreacts Tested "what" at 12th grade level?

[@mixdmsages2001]

Jemele this was sooooo good! I’ve seen interviews with Sunny but she has never been this detailed about her life. I loved it❤

[@sherrisolomon8673]

Thank you Sunny for making me realize why my Mom wouldn't let my Sister get skipped a grade when the educators asked her permission.

[@marklahall270]

I listened and loved this whole ep. Thank you both ladies.

[@jeshawanabrown6874]

I can relate to this… My name is Jeshawana and I go by Shawna.. when people take the tome to get to learn the proper pronunciation of your name it means alot

[@justsaynototv8366]

Wow! You learn something everyday. I did not know that Ms. Sunny Hostin changed her name, and was a child prodigy, but I knew she was half Latina. This is a great interview Ms. Hill.

[@hewmor]

Love both you ladies!!! My son graduated at 15 and my girls started High School at 11 too!

[@badass1632]

I think you missed the message sis. Congrats to your kids, but she did not encourage advancing you kids. It hurt her in the long run.

[@hewmor]

@@badass1632 no I totally understood Sonny’s message but I’m still proud of my kids accomplishments and hers too

[@Farfar3881]

Jamele is a great interviewer. I can tell she is genuinely interested. Great interview.

[@Danny-fs1hk]

What a great interview; love Jemele & Sunny!

[@gabriellebeverly7604]

This was a great interview, thank you!!

[@ericfluellen8957]

Interesting conversation. It suggests a lot about this country.

[@barbaralightfoot8157]

I don’t think people consider emotional growth as important as academic achievements. I agree with Sunny, that children should not be pushed into an environment with older kids. If a child is academically advanced I think that they should have advanced courses offered without going into the environment where they are emotionally stunted. Social interaction is very important in those high school years and beyond……As far as Sunny’s Hispanic heritage, she is an Afro-Latina and is treated as such. So she faces double discrimination from both the Latino community who think that she isn’t representative of Latins and of course the good ol USA racism. I was surprised that she mentioned having ‘Good Hair and ‘Light Skin’, because she’s never spoken like that before. So I guess she suffers from colorism in the Hispanic community who don’t consider her Hispanic looking enough but she’s been made to think that at least she was fortunate enough to not have kinky hair and dark skin. Maybe that’s why she married a man who resembles her, to make sure that her kids would be what she was made to believe as lucky, that’s sad…..

[@dorisrichmond4179]

That is not what Sunny said, you may have misunderstood what she was saying, I don't perceive her as being vain. Sunny stated, her mother shut that ignorant conversation down. Sunny is open about her family relationships, the hurts they've endured and not attempting to discredit any race. She's embraced her family members and demonstrated warm and loving family relationships. It's amazing how much she and her family have accomplished in spite of struggles and hard times. I believe Sunny is the real deal and she has a beautiful spirit. I applaud her ❤️.

[@ricksantiago9157]

She's a racist and a hateful angry person don't let her fool you she is full of 💩

[@stumpali]

Okay, this explains a lot. Ofcourse Sunny's a genius

[@KCNwokoye]

Truthful and powerful women ♥

[@adrianolehmanlmt]

right on sunny! i was tested in third grade because they thought i was less than and after weeks of testing, i tested at a college sophmore level! it was then my education took off!

[@deniseallen3379]

LOVE LOVE LOVE her. Bless her Abba Father. Bless her always.

[@junemoore1379]

Great interview. I watch The View regularly and remember Sunny on America World News and did not know much of this. Really good job done here.

[@dancingpurpledogs]

Very insightful

[@Platinumcut26]

Love all of this

[@navyforeveryoungjean-phili5940]

Wait. I was 13 in Hoghschool and so were a lot of my peers 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂we were all 13-14 starting high school

[@whatmatters4990]

Sunny started so well. What happened? Straight downhill from there and gaining velocity. Such a mind bending bent for lunacy! Love

[@cliffd8380]

Sunny is passionate. I don't agree with her always but I never doubted her passion on a subject matter. I used to think she was going to get into a physical altercation with Zimmerman lawyer when they were debating that case.

[@user-ls5so2ug2g]

I'm pretty sure in her heart, there isn't much difference between her son and Trayvon. It's easy to see why she wanted to put hands and feet on that creep. If you were a loving mother, you'd know that.

[@Batirtze-b6x]

Asunción..... or Sunny!! What a powerhouse. I admire you so much!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@vueme805]

An disagreement about Apples and Oranges….she was making the point that this is not what happens here in America unless you are Advanced. It seems some of you missed the POINT and shouldn’t have been in high at 12. That’s why you’re not following the nuances here. Geeez….

[@paulinemuthena6545]

My niece just graduated high school at 16.

[@tinashechaonwa2679]

Love the shade she threw at Hilaria Baldwin 😂😂

[@momi1610]

Yes, Latina Mag has shown the racism and colorism that Sunny was eluding to earlier in this video. Ridiculous that they would put a white woman of no Latin heritage in their magazine, but question Sunny? Why? What's so unbelievable about her?

[@adrianolehmanlmt]

jemele i hope you revisit ascencion! i loved this whole discussion and wish i could be the fly on the wall with my mug of coffee!

[@marikaclarke6097]

That’s what age we go to high school in Jamaica and it’s a very good thing

[@mrs.b6579]

She may have been a child prodigy and I would say she was a good reporter on abc; but, after watching her on the view, I find most of a comments unintelligent. Sorry.

[@CarlaMills]

I watch the View and I definitely believe Sunny is very Smart 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@user-eh8yz6ko3t]

Sunny thinks everyone is a racist, real shocker here

[@vueme805]

I have never seen Sunny display anger on that show, she is a “MATTER OF FACT” about the issues…pray on… but especially pray for yourself.

[@amajors08]

Great conversation

[@tm-pj4eb]

No diversity but then again she said she onlt likes people of color. Some might call that racist

[@Lil08103]

Poor baby...boycott and start a protest

[@derricklanders1921]

@@Lil08103 No, that's what y'all do...

[@ricksantiago9157]

Yeah she's a racist don't let her fool you like the rest of these people Ive seen her in the view and anybody with any brain would know that she's an angry and hateful racist person who ain't open minded

[@Lil08103]

@@derricklanders1921 pretty sure protest and boycott are an american tradition not specific to any one group. right now conservatives/ whites are boycotting bud light. not to mention yall's little insurrection 🤔

[@beverleyreid8258]

I really enjoyed this interview. Thanks very much.

[@marjorjorietillman856]

Sunny’s mom sounds extremely courageous and ahead of her time!!

[@creating1_c1999]

Starting high school at 12 is not such a big deal where I come from, considering a considerable number from my high school class started at 13. My sister and I started HS at 13; she graduated two days after she turned 17. We were very mature for our ages, and no one knew. However there were students who were noticeably not ready for HS. More would start earlier if parents and educators allowed them to soar. So many children are forced to maintain societal norms and move with age related peers.

[@MrBjorn6]

I went to Specialized High School in NYC, so I'm the same age as Sonny and we had people graduating at 15 to 19. So it was kind of normal.

[@beachlover9705]

So glad she called out the magazine

[@King-sx8fv]

I would have loved to watch Megan have to say “Ascension Hostin” for four years 😂

[@semi6544]

The name isn't even hard to say. It is sad but people just don't want to make the effort to learn it if you may not matter. I remember everyone struggling to say Gianns' name when he started to become a star. Now mostly everyone on TV can say his name. Turns out when you care or that person matters enough then it becomes easier to say the name.

[@KCNwokoye]

Awesome Sunny

[@MarcelleLyons]

We love Sunny Hostion so Much she be on T.v. show OMGe🐶🐶

[@passionfruitpassionfruit2034]

Love Asunción on the view she’s the only logical person on the view. Sunny 🌞 sounds good too.

[@sarai373]

I love your name Passionfruit. It's a delicious fruit juice. Nice choice

[@passionfruitpassionfruit2034]

Thanks Sarai

[@nancykane8680]

What a brilliant, wonderful woman Love her honesty ❤

[@BAWNBAWNBAWN]

Great interview. I live in France and they can't pronounce names that aren't French, so America isn't the only country where folk don't make an effort. Lol!

[@sonjalittle2611]

I really like Sonny... I like it when she is not apologetic for answering or for asking the tough questions about race on The view. She's awesome

[@derricklanders1921]

A race -baiter and professional victim.

[@lisasprovidence4572]

I still don't understand why some people speak of a nationality (Puerto Rican) as if it was an ethnicity?? There are Puerto Ricans of many different colors/ hues & ethnicities. So saying someone is Puerto Rican doesn't identify their ethnicity. I really like Sunny & enjoyed this interview tho

[@jones2277]

it's called asynchronous development. a lot of academically gifted kids are extremely immature for their age. now imagine how pronounced that difference was when she was also in more mature social groups.

[@ediniznorde5539]

Nobody can pronounce my name either girl. But I love it!

[@seanharris7843]

I’m going to buy her book.

[@marciahenriques8691]

Think they should do a section of the view dedicated completely about Sonny life.

[@misshglady4lyfe]

Sonny was on a episode of CHOPPED on the food network before she was famous.

[@diamond852]

You can help a child adjust socially without forcing them to live every day below their capabilities.

[@TheGamersGuide819]

She’s like the smart guy character

[@351528]

At 11:58 I believe Sunny is referring to Hilaria Baldwin.

[@lshwnharrington922]

You got a good broadcast

[@leonierobinson3851]

Why have a god shirt on and cussing .

[@paulinemuthena6545]

Not a big deal Sunny.Lots of children start high school at 11.

[@valsimms8321]

In the caribbean most kids started high school at 11or 12.

[@vueme805]

Really….

[@VeneciaC]

Yes but our high school starts at the equivalence of the 7th grade whereas high school for them starts later.

[@vueme805]

That was her point exactly and mine. So who’s mad because she said that?…it’s obviously not when she started it’s when she finished and started college.

[@Fluuuv]

Are 3rd graders testing at a 12 grade level there too?

[@snthonyrice2277]

Foh

[@wraithx7]

Most, if not ALL, Puerto Ricans are black/part black.

[@derricklanders1921]

????

[@fgj8359]

how come we never hear sunny speak spanish?

[@levytator1]

Sunny’s cool but she ain’t Fannie Lou. Love and respect... We need new goals and blk excellence is some Superman individualist non collectivist bs... Keep that exclusivist representative, individualist, respectability politics... It’s not the silver bullet. It really plays into the status quo.

[@MuhJameez]

She so smart she had no idea she was white or that her mother was white or that her grandparents were white. She so smart she is a very great liar! Sonny owes the host reparations! Sonny's grift is over.🎉

[@marikaclarke6097]

It’s the norm in Jamaica

[@MyNewYorkCity.]

I didn't allow my daughter to be advanced. I knew i would mentally hinder her.

[@sha8808]

She's a real life TJ Henderson

[@joyfulrealtor]

Bad decision to have your young kids with much older kids. We let our son stay with his age group. That’s better mentally and socially.

[@nebo2073]

She is probably the worst tv host that show has had yet somehow she is still there. Very biased, condescending and makes everything about race. What is worrying is that this woman was a prosecutor for a while...

[@haydnstv]

Can you demonstrate instances of that bias for me?

[@ricksantiago9157]

She herself is racist she's full of 💩

[@markjapan4062]

MANY GO TO COLLEGE AT 16 .NOTHING SPECIAL.

[@derricklanders1921]

Yeah really... I knew a few...hell, I was 17 when I graduated high school and entered Penn State.

[@fretsward2225]

How can someone deemed smart be dumbed down by racist stupidity? Is it for a paycheck, or solidarity and acceptance into the blacker than you club?

[@mcapc007]

What I like about Sunny is her honesty. I’ve been training classes with Latins: Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Ecuadorians, and Columbians. I was shocked they didn’t get along. They thought their group was better than the others. I notice that Anna Navarro comes across like she is the natural and only Latin on the show. I’m proud that Sunny's husband is Haitian and a physician. Sunny mother is right to have told her at an early age that we are all black and have a rich history.

[@Mimi-cg2cw]

Cant stand Sunny.. I'm not impressed.

[@snthonyrice2277]

Why not

[@elaineheath8355]

Jemile you love to vacation on Below Deck. I've seen you twice on the show.

[@elaineheath8355]

Sonny Hostin has no common sense!

[@kathryncainmadsen5850]

This explains why Sonny seems like such an entitled princess. Some wisdom for Sonny from another "GT" kid. Being smart does not mean you are always right.

[@derricklanders1921]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@jameswarren180]

JEMEL I LOVE YOUR WORK BUT I WOULD KNOW IF YOU COULD NOT USE FOUR LETTERS WORDS I AM 61 NOW BUT I WANT YOU TO LEAD THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE A CLEAN ACT ESPECIALLY GIRLS

[@michaelpierce3264]

damm sunny that’s a look of weave!

[@faith9150]

Low rent sunny lol

[@jeffreyhouston2043]

Lmao, child prodigy ? The same woman that asked the people that watched the view why her 3 month old chickens weren't laying eggs ? lol

[@dianaortiz784]

I pray for you Sunny.🙏🏻✝️. You’ve got a lot of anger in you and you portray that on the view when you disagree with the guest. We can’t be right all the time so I pray that you will learn to love the people you disagree with. ❤️

[@C2G2]

Shut up and take your foolishness somewhere else. 💯

[@Nadya2004]

Surprise, surprise …calling a black woman who is confident and straight to the point angry. Aren’t you guys tired of using that trope? She’s a former prosecutor so she’s direct. 🙄

[@sarai373]

There is no anger in her body. She's a beautiful soul not perfect but that's what makes her beautiful. Never angry. She's passionate about issues and topics. Stop the negativity about Sunny.

[@nancykane8680]

Perhaps that's the reason for being a lawyer. . You have to be intelligent, + ready to debate + prove your point every minute. . She is all that + more Go Sunny

[@derricklanders1921]

@@Nadya2004 She's a race-baiter, victim card playing, angry black woman... nothing more and nothing less.

[@mandalyem]

Maybe your mom could've give you a shorter or more popular Hispanic name. I like asuncion is different.

[@sellmav]

Lol she’s definitely stunted. Sunny Hostin is anything but smart even for the view and that says a lot.

[@brandyspain7125]

🙌🏾

[@dariusjohn7581]

I think she did the right thing by adopting a pronounceable name for mass consumption

[@TheGamersGuide819]

What???!

[@davidrobertson5881]

She has an overinflated ego. Who the heck is she anyway ?

[@sunshine1450]

Cant stand Sunny….

[@robertriver786]

I love Sunny!

[@armancollin9239]

KZbin wasted 10 sec of my time by recommending this video pff 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@jameswarren180]

From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse. Ezekiel 18:31 Castaway from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Job 11:14 If iniquity is in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. He loved to curse; let curses come upon him! He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him! ! 9 With it we bless Adonai, the Father; and with it, we curse people, who were made in the image of God.[a] 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing! Brothers, it isn’t right for things to be this way not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

[@missbumblebee8633]

You can just tell that Sunny is an aweful, aweful person. It's sad that someone like her gets to have a platform on TV. I feel bad for the good people on that show that have to put up with her.

[@misshglady4lyfe]

Wth are you talking about??

[@Lil08103]

@@misshglady4lyfe she's obsessed with sunny. I've seen her in the comment section of multiple videos about sunny.

[@tonyg.9738]

It’s awful that you spelled awful that way. 😢

[@KSynBlaze]

You did not handle your scholastic ascendancy well. That'll all. Miss Hostin, do you know the history of the world. Do you know that before Europeans came to Africa, there were people with WHITE skin, every eye color, height, skeletal frame, hair texture, and yes, every skin color.

[@southbender5676]

Aaaaaahhhhahaha