Sherri Shepherd Reveals 'The View' Co-Hosts' Salaries, Highlights Negotiation Challenges

Sherri Shepherd revealed in a recent interview that when she joined The View in 2007, she initially faced low salary offers despite her value and personal responsibilities, including raising a son with special needs. Rosie O'Donnell, who had recently left the show, helped Shepherd by disclosing the salaries of existing co-hosts, revealing O'Donnell earned $2 million while co-hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck made $500,000 each, which empowered Shepherd to negotiate her contract to eventually earn $1 million. Shepherd described the experience on The View as a challenging learning curve, especially given her Jehovah's Witness upbringing that discouraged debating elders, contrasting with the lively, sometimes tough dynamics with co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Barbara Walters. Despite initial conflicts and being labeled "difficult" by the media, Shepherd credits Goldberg's strictness as a form of tough love aimed at preparing her for the role. She also acknowledged Walters' tendency to provoke her emotionally, which was difficult at the time but is now seen as part of her professional growth. Shepherd's candid reflections provide insight into the behind-the-scenes negotiations and interpersonal dynamics of the popular daytime talk show.