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Sherri Shepherd's New (uncluttered) View
by Melissa Stanton
 To hear Sherri Shepherd tell it, and to look at the media attention she has received of late, the past few years have been filled with a series of ups and downs.
After struggling with infertility, Shepherd gave birth in 2005 to a son. But baby Jeffrey arrived a frightening 15 weeks premature, and while she was caring for her fragile infant, Shepherd discovered that her husband, actor Jeff Tarpley, was having an affair. (Although the pair did attempt to reconcile, they are divorcing.)
 During this time the actress and stand-up comic, whose credits include roles in the 2005 film Beauty Shop and the sitcom Less Than Perfect, was gaining national exposure as a guest host on the daytime TV talk show The View. And late last summer, she was awarded a coveted, permanent seat on the Barbara Walters-led program. But the good news meant that, for a while, Shepherd would have to be in New York while her toddler was cared for by his dad and a nanny in California, where his medical therapies could continue uninterrupted and the warmer climate is better for his health. Since then, the 40-year-old performer has been both praised and pilloried for her work on The View. Fans love her warmth and bubbly personality. Critics have mocked comments she’s made about evolution, world history and geography.
 To handle whatever is thrown her way, Shepherd relies on her strong faith (raised a Jehovah’s Witness, she is now a born-again Christian), friends and an arsenal of newly learned organizational skills, which were instilled in her by Jodie Watson, a professional organizer from Sherman Oaks, Ca. Working together, the two women have successfully sorted through the disorder and physical clutter that was also part of Shepherd’s life.
To read our interview with Shepherd, look for our March/April issue on newsstands now, or call 888-912-1010 to order a copy.
Melissa Stanton
Melissa Stanton's book, The Stay-at-Home Survival Guide, will be published in May by Seal Press. Her website is stayathomesurvivalguide.com.
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