Abby Huntsman Returns to ‘The View’: A Look Back at Her Controversial Exit and Current Role
Former co-host Abby Huntsman is stepping back into the spotlight, temporarily filling in for Alyssa Farah Griffin on The View. This return has sparked renewed interest in Huntsman’s previous tenure on the show, and the candid reasons she shared for leaving.
A Familiar Face Returns
Abby Huntsman, a conservative voice and the daughter of former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr., co-hosted The View from 2018 to 2020. Her return this week will see her alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Joy Behar, Ana Navarro, and Sunny Hostin, tackling the show’s signature “Hot Topics.” Before The View, Huntsman built a career in political commentary, contributing to ABC News and MSNBC’s The Cycle, and even co-hosting Fox & Friends Weekend from 2016 to 2018.
The Reasons Behind Her Departure
Huntsman’s exit from The View wasn’t simply a career move; it was, as she revealed, a matter of principle. She launched her podcast, “I Wish Somebody Told Me”, in 2021, where she openly discussed the reasons for her departure. Huntsman expressed that the show didn’t align with her values, specifically criticizing what she perceived as a reward system for negative behavior.
“I knew the show did not reflect my values. When I say that, I mean rewarding people for bad behavior,” she explained. She described a culture driven by ratings and tabloid attention, where executives seemed to prioritize sensationalism over substance. Huntsman didn’t shy away from labeling the environment as “toxic,” detailing instances of unacceptable behavior and a constant pressure to create controversy.
Finding Relief After Leaving
Leaving The View, Huntsman said, was a liberating experience. “When I was walking out of the building that day, I was living again. I could breathe and feel myself breathing. I was present, and I hadn’t been present for the almost two years I was there,” she shared. While her father’s 2020 gubernatorial campaign provided a convenient exit strategy, Huntsman emphasized that her dissatisfaction with the show was the primary driver.
Pressure to Be Controversial
In a Behind the Table podcast episode, Huntsman further elaborated on the pressures she faced. She felt compelled to create “newswaves” and deliver bombastic soundbites, a style that didn’t resonate with her authentic self. She described feeling “trapped” by producer expectations to conform to a specific, often sensationalized, persona.
A Different Era for ‘The View’?
Huntsman also mused that she might have thrived on The View in a different era, specifically referencing the show’s earlier years. “I actually think I would have been perfect on The View in 1998. I would have fit in because…the show was more about the women and their lives and why they were different,” she explained. This suggests a longing for a format that prioritized personal connection and diverse perspectives over manufactured drama.
What to Expect This Week
As Abby Huntsman returns to The View, viewers will be watching to see how she navigates the current landscape and whether her perspective has evolved. Will she bring a renewed sense of authenticity to the Hot Topics table? Only time will tell.
The View airs weekdays at 11a/10c on ABC.
