Sherri Shepherd Linked to New Edition Singer As Surrogate Baby Dispute Continues
Sherri Shepherd has been linked to R&B singer Johnny Gill amid her ongoing divorce from Lamar Sally.
The former "The View" co-host, 47, has been at the center of a surrogacy dispute in recent months as her estranged husband is demanding child support for a baby conceived using his sperm and another woman's egg.
The comedian, who separated from Sally in May, reportedly agreed to be the baby's mother but changed her mind prior to the baby's birth in August. She believes he defrauded her into signing the surrogate agreement because he allegedly had no intention of staying in the marriage.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
A new report claims Shepherd has found some happiness in the midst of her divorce drama. She and Gill reportedly met in June after his band New Edition performed on "The View" and they have supposedly been together ever since, however, there has been no official confirmation.
"Sherri is a big New Edition fan and was excited to have them at the show. But she and Johnny really connected and exchanged personal contact information," a source told Daily Mail UK. "She flew out to see him in Houston, Virginia Beach and Los Angeles [where the band played]. She enjoyed being out on the road and enjoyed getting to know him."
Shepherd and Gill have exchanged friendly tweets on social networking site Twitter, however, they are said to be keeping their romance private.
Gill was reportedly present during Shepherd's final taping of "The View" in July. Shepherd's 9-year-old son Jeffrey (from her first marriage) was also there to support his famous mother.
"Johnny stayed off camera because they want to keep the fact that they're dating low key. But he was there to celebrate her farewell from the show and she was happy he was with her," the insider explained.
The report comes just one day after insiders claimed Sally rejected a $100,000 divorce payout from the single Mom.
Shepherd recently offered him a one-time $100,000 payment and $3,000 in monthly child support, even though she changed her mind about the baby.
Under the terms of the estranged couple's "ironclad prenup," Sally waived all rights to collect spousal support from Shepherd and her $100,000 offer is said to be more than he is entitled to under the agreement.
"Lamar rejected the offer, and countered that he wanted $10,000 in child support, which Sherri thinks is ridiculous and absolutely won't pay. At this point, the divorce isn't likely to settle without a trial, which Sherri is more than willing to have," a source told RadarOnline.com.
Shepherd reportedly filed for divorce from Sally after two years of marriage in the state of New Jersey where courts generally don't recognize surrogate agreements. Sally filed in California, where courts are said to be more open to these situations.
"She has excellent lawyers in California and will let the process decide what if any financial obligation she has in regards to child support for Lamar's son," the source said.
On Sept. 9 Shepherd makes her Broadway debut as the evil stepmother in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella."
