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Whoopi Goldberg “Wasn’t Coming Back” to ‘The View’ Until Someone Changed Her Mind

Sep 6, 2017 11:32 am·

By Samantha Faragalli

She’s back! But, it wasn’t easy an easy decision. There have been a plethora of rumors going around for the past year that Whoopi Goldberg would not be returning for Season 21 of The View, however, the actress says that wasn’t entirely true.

In a new interview with E News, the 61-year-old actress opened up about her 10-year-long stint on the ABC talk show — and shared what gave her a change of heart about returning. Watch the video below to see what Whoopi revealed about coming back!

Back in September 2016, Whoopi shared during a visit to The Wendy Williams Show that she “probably wouldn’t” return for Season 21 of the show. “I have to do it, baby,” the Sister Act star said. “Because I have to go and grow. I’ve got stuff to do. I’ve got movies I need to direct, I got books I gotta finish.”

She added, “This was great, and I love doing it, but you know, it’s been a while.” We’re just glad that Whoopi had a change of heart! You can catch Whoopi, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Jedidiah Bila, Paula Faris, and Sunny Hostin weekdays at 11 a.m. EST on ABC.

Click through the gallery below to see The View hosts through the years!

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View rosie odonnell

Rosie O'Donnell

Rosie joined The View as a co-host and moderator for the show's 10th season in September 2006. In April 2007, she announced she was leaving the program after just one season. In 2014 it was revealed Rosie would return to the show for its 18th season, but she again only lasted one season and left in February 2015.

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Meredith vieira

Meredith Vieira

Meredith was one of the show's original co-hosts alongside Star Jones, Debbie Matenopoulos, and Barbara Walters. In April 2006, she announced she was leaving the series after nine seasons to become a co-host on the Today show.

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Barbara walters

Barbara Walters

Barbara is the show's creator and served as a co-host on the program from 1997 until 2014. She remains an executive producer on The View today.

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Joy behar 26

Joy Behar

The actress was a frequent guest-host during the show's first season but wasn't officially brought on full-time until the season's end. She left the show after Season 16. Joy returned to the co-hosts' panel for the show's 19th season and remains on the program today.

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Star jones

Star Jones

Star appeared on the show from Seasons 1 through 9.

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Debbie matenopoulos

Debbie Matenopoulos

The TV star left the show in 1998 after only two seasons on the co-hosts' panel. She was immediately replaced by Lisa Ling.

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Lisa ling

Lisa Ling

Lisa appeared on the show from Season 3 until Season 5.

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Elisabeth hasselbeck

Elisabeth Hasselbeck

Elisabeth replaced Lisa Ling in 2003 after the journalist left the program to instead host National Geographic Explorer. She stayed on the show from Season 6 through Season 16.

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Whoopi goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg

The star joined the show in 2007 for the program's 11th season and replaced Rosie O'Donnell as moderator. She remains on The View today.

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Sherri shepherd

Sherri Shepherd

Sherri was asked to join The View in Season 11 and she remained a co-host until Season 17.

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Jenny mccarthy

Jenny McCarthy

The actress was added to the co-hosts' panel in 2013 for Season 17 to replace Elisabeth Hasselbeck. In June 2014, it was announced that both Jenny and Sherri Shepherd would not be returning for the show's 18th season.

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Rosie perez

Rosie Perez

Rosie joined The View with newcomer Nicolle Wallace in September 2014 for the program's 18th season. She recently left the show after just one season to instead focus on her acting career.

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Nicolle wallace

Nicolle Wallace

Nicolle joined the show with fellow co-host Rosie Perez in Season 18. She did not return for Season 19 in September 2015.

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The view raven symone

Raven-Symoné

The former child star was added to the co-hosts panel in Season 18 but left the program in 2016.

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Collins michelle

Michelle Collins

In July 2015, it was announced Michelle would replace Rosie Perez on the show as a full-time co-host for Season 19. She left the show in 2016.

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Faris paula

Paula Faris

The TV star — who also works as an ABC News correspondent and Good Morning America Weekend co-anchor — joined the show in Season 19.

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Candace cameron bure

Candace Cameron Bure

The former Full House star joined The View in Season 19 but left the co-hosts' panel in 2016.

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Sara haines

Sara Haines

The TV star joined The View for Season 20 in 2016.

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Jedediah bila

Jedediah Bila

Jedediah joined The View for Season 20 in 2016. She announced in September 2017 that she would be leaving the show immediately.

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Sunny hostin

Sunny Hostin

The journalist officially joined the co-hosts panel for Season 20 in 2016.

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The view

The End!