“Divorce Court” has been on television since 1999, and has had four presiding judges. On August 22, the fifth judge will take the bench.
Former “View” host Star Jones has been announced as the new judge for the reality based court show. Jones is a lawyer, television personality, fashion designer, author and a women’s and diversity advocate.
Jones explained to the New York Post how her credentials make her the perfect person to take over from current judge Lynn Toler.
“Remember, I was the first black person to have her own court show, ”Jones & Jury,” which aired on CNN from 1994-95. So I had the background. I didn’t take any special courses for “Divorce Court”; however, I’ve done a series of arbitration clinics and mediation clinics because I like to keep up with my legal training and the law, what people are talking about, and how to approach different situations,” said Jones.
Jones admitted that she wasn’t searching for a television gig as she’s been busy with business and politics over the past couple of years. She got the call while on the way to the airport — Jones had a speaking gig at the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society in Italy.
“I thought, ‘If they think I can follow in the footsteps of incredible women like Judge Mablean Ephraim, Judge Lynn Toler and Judge Faith Jenkins, I’ll give it a shot.’ I was incredibly honored,” she said.
As of April 2022, the divorce rate in the U.S. is 42%, Jones hopes viewers will see her rulings as more of an arbitration or mediation. Part of the job, she explained, is to dig into each case to see if the couple truly needs to get a divorce or if they can work it out. When it comes to how she will run her TV courtroom, Jones stresses her willingness to listen to both parties.
“They want somebody to make their partner shut up and listen, at least for five minutes, to whatever is in their hearts or minds. They want to make sure somebody is going to hear their story. And that’s universal.”
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