Judge Faith Replaced: Star Jones Steps In

Star Jones is replacing Judge Faith Jenkins as the host and judge of Divorce Court, the longest-running courtroom show on television. Jones, a lawyer, journalist, and television personality, is known for her work as a co-host on The View and her appearances on multiple networks as a correspondent, host, commentator, and advocate. She has also served as a legal analyst and appeared as a judge in acting roles. With a career spanning over 30 years, Jones brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role.

Star Jones' qualifications for the role

Star Jones is a lawyer, journalist, television personality, fashion designer, author, and women's and diversity advocate. She is best known as one of the first co-hosts on the ABC morning talk show The View, which she appeared on for nine seasons from 1997–98 through 2005–06. Jones graduated from the University of Houston Law Center with a J.D. degree in 1986 and was admitted to the New York state bar in 1987. She has also served as a legal analyst for The Insider and Dr. Phil and appeared on The Wendy Williams Show.

Jones has an extensive legal background, having worked as a prosecutor with the Kings County District Attorney's Office in Brooklyn, New York, from 1986 to 1991. She was then elevated to senior assistant district attorney in 1992. In addition to her legal career, Jones has also had a successful career in television and media. She was recruited by Court TV in 1991 as a commentator for the William Kennedy Smith trial and went on to work as a legal correspondent for NBC's Today and NBC Nightly News. She has also appeared on multiple networks, including NBC, MSNBC, CNN, and TruTV, as a network correspondent, host, or commentator.

Jones is also a successful author, having published three books: You Have to Stand for Something, or You'll Fall for Anything (1998), Shine: A Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love (2006), and Satan's Sisters (2011). She has also served as the president of the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) and is currently the president of the Professional Diversity Network (PDN), a position she has held since 2012.

Jones' diverse career and legal expertise make her a qualified replacement for Judge Faith Jenkins on Divorce Court. She has demonstrated a strong understanding of the law and a commitment to serving as a voice for the voiceless. Her experience as a litigator and her forceful personality will bring a new dynamic to the show, making it more meaningful, interactive, and impactful for the couples appearing before her.

Jones' career history

Star Jones is an American lawyer, journalist, television personality, fashion designer, author, and women's and diversity advocate. She is best known for her work as a co-host on the ABC morning talk show The View, which she appeared on for nine seasons from 1997 to 2006.

Jones was born in Badin, North Carolina, and grew up in Trenton, New Jersey. She earned a B.A. in Administration of Justice at American University and a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 1986. She was admitted to the New York state bar in 1987.

From 1986 to 1991, Jones worked as a prosecutor with the Kings County District Attorney's Office in Brooklyn, New York. She was then recruited by Court TV in 1991 as a commentator for the William Kennedy Smith trial and went on to work as a legal correspondent for NBC's Today and NBC Nightly News.

In 1994, Jones became the host of her own court show, Jones & Jury, making her the first Black person and first female TV arbitrator. She then became chief legal analyst on Inside Edition, where she led the coverage of the O.J. Simpson murder case and was the only reporter to interview Simpson during his civil trial.

In 1997, Jones joined The View as one of its original four co-hosts. During her time on the show, Jones underwent dramatic weight loss, losing 160 pounds after gastric bypass surgery in 2003. She also garnered criticism for excessive self-promotion and product placement on the show. In 2006, ABC decided not to renew her contract, leading to a public fallout between Jones and her co-hosts, especially Barbara Walters.

After leaving The View, Jones returned to Court TV, now rebranded as truTV, as its executive editor of daytime programming. She hosted a self-titled live weekday talk show, which premiered in August 2007 but was cancelled after just six months.

Jones has since made numerous television appearances, including as a host, commentator, and guest on various networks such as E!, HGTV, CNN, and TruTV. She has also served as a legal analyst for shows like The Insider and Dr. Phil. In 2011, she was a contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice, finishing in fifth place.

In September 2022, Jones became the host and judge of Divorce Court, replacing Faith Jenkins.

Faith Jenkins' new show

Faith Jenkins New Show

In January 2022, it was announced that Star Jones would be replacing Faith Jenkins as the host of 'Divorce Court'. Jenkins' last episode of the show aired in September 2022, and she has since moved on to host a new show of her own.

Jenkins now hosts 'Killer Relationship with Faith Jenkins', a show on Oxygen that explores how some romances can turn fatally wrong. The show debuted on 16 January 2023.

Prior to 'Divorce Court', Jenkins hosted and rendered decisions on another courtroom show called 'Judge Faith', which ran from 2014 to 2017. The show was nationally syndicated and arbitration-based.

Jenkins is an American attorney, legal commentator, and media personality. She has also appeared on several news channels as a legal analyst, including CNN, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, and Fox Business Channel.

Jones' previous work on Divorce Court

Star Jones is a lawyer, journalist, television personality, fashion designer, author, and women's and diversity advocate. She is best known as one of the first co-hosts of the ABC morning talk show The View, from 1997 to 2006.

Jones joined The View as one of its original four co-hosts. Her time on the show was marked by some controversy, including her dramatic weight loss and wedding plans, which she discussed extensively on air. Despite this, she maintained a successful career as a television host and legal analyst.

Jones's previous work on Divorce Court includes serving as the host and judge of the show, starting with its 40th season in September 2022. She replaced Faith Jenkins and became the fourth judge in this iteration of the show. Jones brings a wealth of experience to the role, including her legal expertise as a former New York City homicide prosecutor and her own courtroom show, Jones & Jury, which made her the first Black person and female to serve as a TV arbitrator.

Jones's approach to Divorce Court focuses on offering a no-nonsense approach to the law and providing decisions driven by her legal expertise, compassion, and empathy. She aims to make the show more meaningful, interactive, and impactful for the couples involved. Jones's preparation for each case is extensive, as she treats each case with the same seriousness as if she were going into court herself. She also emphasises the importance of empathy and ensuring that each litigant feels heard.

In addition to her work on Divorce Court, Jones has had a diverse career, including hosting and appearing on various cable programs, acting, and writing books. She has also been an advocate for several organisations and initiatives, such as the National Association of Professional Women and the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.

Jones' personal life

Starlet Marie Jones Lugo, born on March 24, 1962, in Badin, North Carolina, is an American lawyer, journalist, television personality, fashion designer, author, and women's and diversity advocate. She is best known for her work as a co-host on the ABC morning talk show The View, from 1997 to 2006. Jones has also appeared on various other television networks, including NBC, MSNBC, CNN, and TruTV, as a correspondent, host, commentator, or advocate. She has had a diverse and successful career, becoming the first Black person to serve as a court show judge with her show Jones & Jury in 1994.

In addition to her successful career and love life, Jones has also faced some challenges. In 2003, she underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost a significant amount of weight. She was open about her weight loss journey but faced criticism for initially claiming that her weight loss was due to diet and exercise. Jones has also faced public scrutiny and a rift in her relationship with Barbara Walters, one of her co-hosts on The View, due to allegations made in Walters's autobiography.

Despite the challenges, Jones has continued to thrive in her career and personal life. She has written several books, including autobiographical works and a roman à clef titled Satan's Sisters, which was adapted into a television series. Jones is also dedicated to philanthropy and serves as the President of the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) and its philanthropic endeavour, the NAPW Foundation. She is also the president of the Professional Diversity Network and a member of its board of directors. In 2022, President Joe Biden named Jones to serve as the chair of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.

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