In November 2014, sources claimed O’Donnell and Goldberg disagreed backstage as they locked horns over how to report on the allegations against Bill Cosby and the turmoil in Ferguson, Missouri. The clash allegedly left Perez in tears.
“There’s terrible frustration, and there are problems,” an insider told Daily News. “Whoopi didn’t want to talk about Cosby and Ferguson, Rosie (O’Donnell) did – how could you not?”
The source added, “These are topics that are uncomfortable for everyone, but it’s The View, and it’s their job to talk about topics that might make some people tense.”
According to the source familiar with the situation, O’Donnell allegedly “yelled at everyone.”
“First, she had a fight with Whoopi, and then she had a fight with the producers,” a staffer revealed.
A second The View staff member shared, “These are just two very smart women who insist that they need to be able to talk freely about topics that are meaningful.”
Nearly five months into her second The View run, the Celebrity Detox author announced her decision to leave the show to focus on her family.
“Rosie is an immensely talented star who comes in each and every morning brimming with ideas, excitement and passion for the show,” a spokesperson for the network shared in a statement. “When she told us that she wanted to exit The View, we respected and understood her desire to put her well-being and her family first.”
The representative continued, “We’re delighted she’s still part of the ABC family with upcoming guest appearances on The Fosters. And we know she’ll return to The View often with her unique point of view and updates on her work and her family.”