Finding Light in Portia de Rossi's Unbearable Lightness

Catt Sadler shares her favorite interview with the actress turned author

I started reading Unbearable Lightness at 9 p.m. and was almost finished by midnight.

Portia de Rossi has written a searing book about her battles with anorexia, bulimia and her hidden sexuality. It is honest, exceptionally disturbing, but most of all incredibly courageous. The now Mrs. Ellen DeGeneres doesn't hold back when detailing the darkest days of her life.

From her lonely days on the set of Ally McBeal to her equally lonely days married to a man, flipping the pages you get the feeling you're sitting right next to Portia during her most traumatic times.

Then, there I was, one day later, sitting next to her for real. 

I'm all set to interview Portia in the middle of a Los Angeles art gallery filled with people, Ellen only steps away, and champagne flowing!  My producer was standing by with her stop watch, Portia's publicist doing what publicists do, a few bright lights and our camera crew ready for action. 

She rushes up and we exchange smiles and a handshake. "Portia, it's so nice to meet you..." ("Now let's talk about the time you stuck your fingers down your throat curbside on the first day you shot Ally...or the day you weighed in at 82 pounds...or how about when your husband ran off with your brother's wife?")

It wasn't the easiest topic, but those 10 minutes were special. My passion is interviewing people, and Portia is a remarkable human being. After years of hell, she has come through the other side. She chose to be very open with me—brave and transparent about her past while delicately encouraging others with this debilitating illness to seek help like she did. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke about the love of her life, Ellen, who she credits with saving her life.

When people interview me, they often ask me about my favorite interviews. This one wasn't about some scandalous Hollywood headline or a fleeting fashion trend, it was about something very very real that affects millions of people. I'll remember it for a long time.

Hope you'll tune in this week to E! News at 7 p.m. to watch for yourself.