Rosie O’Donnell has expressed that she feels “like a big sister” to Lyle and Erik Menendez.

In a recent interview with Variety released on Friday, the former “View” co-host discussed her bond with Lyle Menendez and expressed her belief that the brothers may be released from prison “sooner rather than later.”

“We talk frequently,” O’Donnell shared in her chat with Variety. “I promised to use whatever remaining influence I have to shed light on their situation.”

The Menendez brothers are currently incarcerated for the murders of their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Hernandez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.

The interview with Variety came a day after the Los Angeles District Attorney, George Gascón, announced a review of new evidence regarding allegations of sexual abuse related to the brothers, as presented by their attorneys.

The Menendez brothers have consistently claimed that sexual abuse was the reason behind their parents’ killings.

Rosie O’Donnell recalls Barbara Walters’ thoughts on Lyle Menendez

The well-known talk show host said she first connected with Lyle Menendez three decades ago but didn’t support him at that time because Barbara Walters, the creator of “View” and a broadcasting icon, advised her to disregard him.

Walters, who passed away in December 2022, famously conducted interviews with the Menendez brothers for ABC.

However, O’Donnell mentioned that she became a supporter “two years ago” after watching a documentary that revisited the Menendez case and included evidence of their abuse.

“Lyle’s wife reached out to me— I didn’t even know he was married— and asked if I’d have a conversation with him,” O’Donnell recounted. “He called me on Mother’s Day last year,” noting that the brothers are feeling “optimistic” about a possible release. She also mentioned that Lyle Menendez reached out to her on Thursday evening.

“I told them, ‘You will be getting out of there.’ They were skeptical, but I believe justice will be served. They are hesitant to fully accept this,” O’Donnell commented.

Rosie O’Donnell shares her visit with Menendez brothers in prison

O’Donnell also shared details about her visit to Lyle Menendez last year at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, the California prison where both brothers are held.

“I hugged Lyle when I saw him,” she reminisced. “Then Erik came over, hugged me too, and whispered, ‘Thank you for loving my brother.’ It was a deeply heartfelt moment for me.”

She hinted that she would consider attending the brothers’ release if they wished her to be there, but she doesn’t want to take away from the moment. O’Donnell expressed that post-prison, the brothers will “need significant therapy to learn how to reintegrate into normal life after being incarcerated for 35 years.”

If the brothers are freed, O’Donnell has a special treat in mind for Lyle Menendez: a dining experience at Nobu, a popular restaurant known for its multiple locations worldwide.

“I’ve always promised Lyle that I would take him to Nobu, which he considers a special place,” O’Donnell told Variety.

She recalled telling Menendez, “‘Buddy, when you get out, I’ll take you to Nobu.’ The other day when we chatted, he said, ‘When will we go to Nobu?’ I replied, ‘Sooner than you might think.’