Comedian Michelle Collins Shares Her Struggles After a Season as a Cohost on 'The View'

Michelle Collins Says She Has PTSD From Her 1 Season as a Cohost on the View

Michelle Collins Charles Sykes/Bravo

Michelle Collins is opening up about her time as a cohost on The View. She revealed on the "Las Culturistas" podcast that she had been holding back on speaking out about her experiences on the show. Michelle mentioned feeling a bit of PTSD and being raised to take the high road, but she finally decided to share her thoughts.

Collins mentioned that it took her a while to fully realize that being on the show was a huge accomplishment for her and has helped her gain many fans. Because of this, she feels grateful for the opportunity and is proud of her roots.

On the other hand, she shared her disappointment about not being asked to return to the show after leaving in 2016. Collins expressed her frustration, feeling that she played the game fairly and deserved some recognition for her efforts.

Collins, along with first-time cohosts Raven-Symoné and Candace Cameron Bure, joined the ABC talk show for season 19 in 2015. They joined veteran hosts Joy Behar, Paula Faris, and Whoopi Goldberg.

One year later, Collins was let go from the series due to a series of controversial comments, including mocking Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina's appearance. Symoné, aged 38, and Cameron Bure, aged 48, also decided to leave the show in the same year.

Collins has not made a comeback to the show, but she did mention that she was invited to be a part of The View’s 25th anniversary special in 2022. She shared that it was the first time she had been contacted by them and filmed an introduction clip in front of the Eiffel Tower while she was in Paris at that time.

Michelle Collins Says She Has PTSD From Her 1 Season as a Cohost on the View

The cast of The View includes Paula Faris, Michelle Collins, Raven-Symone, Joy Behar, and Candace Cameron-Bure. Kris Connor/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Collins shared her experience of feeling overlooked during the premiere of the show. She mentioned being placed in a tiny three-by-three-pixel square on an HD TV, making it difficult to see her. Despite this, she maintained a positive attitude, realizing that being featured prominently was not a priority for the show. After six months on the show, Collins reflected on feeling undervalued and decided to speak out about it. She expressed her frustration, stating that it was not a pleasant experience and emphasized the importance of acknowledging one's presence. Collins concluded by mentioning her decision to no longer play the game of seeking recognition, finding freedom in embracing her true self.

Despite her past disagreements with the show, Collins mentioned that she would be willing to make a guest appearance on The View if they were to extend an invitation. She expressed, "It has been quite some time, but I believe they are ready to move on from the issues with Candace, Raven, and myself."

We have contacted The View for their response on this matter.

Collins has been vocal about her opinions on the long-running series in the past. Back in February 2020, she shared with Us that she felt the show's cast sometimes resembled a sorority. She mentioned facing intense hazing when she first joined, but managed to overcome it.

Reflecting on her experience, Collins compared her time on The View to her days at Barnard College, a women's college. She saw joining the show as a natural progression from her college days, akin to moving on to graduate school. Despite the positive energy on the show, she acknowledged the need to eventually move on, much like graduating from college.

Editor's P/S:

Michelle Collins's candid revelations about her time on "The View" shed light on the complexities of working in a high-profile media environment. Her experiences expose the challenges faced by women of color in the industry, particularly in navigating a show with a predominantly white cast. Collins's frustration at being overlooked and undervalued highlights the systemic biases that often marginalize diverse voices. Her decision to speak out underscores the importance of breaking the silence and demanding recognition for one's contributions.

Collins's willingness to share her perspective, despite the potential backlash, demonstrates her resilience and commitment to fostering a more inclusive media landscape. Her reflections on the show's sorority-like culture and her comparison to her time at Barnard College provide a nuanced understanding of the dynamics and expectations within the industry. By sharing her experiences, Collins helps break down barriers and empowers others to advocate for their own voices and experiences.