ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Do you have any other upcoming projects?
SHERRI SHEPHERD: I'm doing two movies now. And both of them I auditioned for. I remember I was in there with other girls who were like, ''What are you doing here?'' And I was like, ''I got to audition, too.'' The movie is called Push, directed and written by Lee Daniels. I play a girl called Cornrow because my hair's all in Cornrows and my love interest is Lenny Kravitz. Then, in Madagascar 2, I'm Ben Stiller's mother and Bernie Mac's wife. I'm a Mama Lion.

Do you feel like you are starting to learn more about politics and world events by doing Hot Topics every day?
I am growing and learning. I love being around Whoopi and Joy and Barbara. I love being in the Hot Topics room because I just listen. I open my mouth more around that table than [in the room]. Just as a woman I'm growing. I used to think women couldn't work together. Because some bitches will work your nerves. But these women, I like coming to work every day. Sometimes we come back from break and we're still giggling. I like that. If you had told me I'd be up every night reading The New York Times and the Washington Post and watching CNN, I would've laughed. Now I am learning more about politics and world events. I'm taking an interest in more things outside of myself.

Any topics in particular?
Children and health issues. Because I found out I'm diabetic just before I came out here. People are like, ''Oh, Sherri's losing weight, she's giving into the Hollywood thing.'' It's like, No, it's because I stopped eating carbs and rice and drinking Pepsi all the time. I don't have to do insulin medication because I'm eating right and exercising. And I didn't know I was as passionate about people speaking English in this country. This is an amazing country we live in, and we can't take advantage of all it has to offer if we don't speak the language.

Is it tough to keep up with the other ladies?
I have a lot of life experience. I feel like what I have to say matters. Somebody said to me that you're never at the mercy of somebody in an argument if you have life experience.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out on The View like you did this year?
I would say if there's a desire in your heart, you should go for it. Even if you're scared. I go out there every day scared. Do it anyway. You look back and go, it wasn't that bad. What's the worst that could happen? It was this big old fear: I'm going to fall flat on my face, my career's over. But every day I'm like, I'm back on the show again. Barbara's here smiling and hugging me.

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