Shining Star

Back when she was the, er, butt of late-night comedians' jokes, Star Jones Reynoldswas so obese that she couldn't cross her legs, fasten her own necklace or walk 20 paces without getting winded. Though she was wealthy and famous, Reynolds — a co-host on Barbara Walters's ABC gabfest The View — knew she needed to make a change. Now, Reynolds is svelte and sexy — or, at least, svelter and sexier — and the Star Jones persona seems to be a different one altogether. Hoping that others will be inspired by her life's turnaround, she's penned Shine: A Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love. The book reveals the health issues that finally led Reynolds to lose weight, as well as the emotional healing that led to her marriage to husband Al Reynolds. The book also touches on Reynolds's impressive résumé, recounting her time as the assistant district attorney for New York City, her foray into TV — where she covered the Rodney King and O.J. Simpson trials — and her eventual seat on The View. The UH alum visits Houston today to sign and discuss her book.
Sun., Feb. 19, 4 p.m.