Sunny Hostin ‘almost died’ on ‘The View,’ handed out a ‘death note’ to get help

When Sunny Hostin sat down for a seemingly innocent segment on The View, no one could have predicted how close she’d come to a life-threatening situation.

It all started during a segment featuring Debbie Matenopoulos, a former View co-host from the show’s early days in the ’90s. She was there to promote her new Greek cookbook, showcasing traditional recipes that looked as delicious as they sounded. As Matenopoulos spoke passionately about her heritage and her food, she offered the co-hosts a sampling of her culinary creations. Among the dishes were an orzo salad and spanakopita, a savory spinach-and-feta pastry.

No one realized was that one of those dishes contained walnuts, a dangerous ingredient for Hostin, who has a severe and potentially life-threatening allergy to tree nuts. And here’s the thing about allergies like Hostin’s: they don’t play. For people with severe reactions, even the tiniest exposure can trigger anaphylaxis — a rapid, full-body allergic reaction that can shut down the airways, cause swelling, and lead to death if not treated immediately.

Hostin was eating the food on set. And then it happened. Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin asked the question that changed everything: “Are there walnuts in this?” The answer — unfortunately — was yes. In that moment, Hostin realized she had just consumed her allergen. What followed was a mix of panic, professionalism, and quick thinking. It’s worth noting that allergic reactions can escalate fast. Symptoms like swelling, hives, dizziness, and difficulty breathing can appear within minutes. For Hostin, the clock was ticking.

Unable to speak clearly, she scribbled a note to Griffin — a so-called “death note,” as she later joked — alerting her to the situation. Behind the scenes, the team at The View sprang into action, proving that preparedness can make all the difference in moments like this. Hostin managed to finish the segment — yes, she powered through like the seasoned pro she is — but as soon as the cameras cut, on-set medical personnel were by her side.

Disney, which owns ABC, employs nurses specifically for situations like these. One of them, affectionately referred to as “Nurse Jan,” administered Benadryl and was ready with an EpiPen — a device that delivers a life-saving dose of epinephrine to stop an allergic reaction in its tracks. EpiPens are a staple for anyone with severe allergies. 

They’re small, portable injectors that deliver adrenaline to calm swelling and open airways. They’re also the reason many people with food allergies survive encounters like Hostin’s. Hostin later reflected on the incident, acknowledging how rare such moments are for her. She hadn’t had a reaction like that in over a decade, but it’s a sobering reminder of how dangerous food allergies can be.