NeNe Leakes claims that Bravo “blacklisted” her in the entertainment business, making it extremely difficult for her to get work.
The former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star is suing Real Housewives executive producer Andy Cohen, Bravo, and NBCUniversal for harboring a hostile and racist work environment. The 54-year-old says she wanted to speak out years ago about the working conditions on the set, but the threat of not being able to work silenced her.
“Yes, I’ve been blacklisted. When you haven’t worked in three years when all of a sudden you’re working and sought after, and suddenly you’re not working, it’s being blacklisted,” Leakes told TMZ. She also says that she was reprimanded after reporting racist remarks made by fellow RHOA cast member Kim Zolciak-Biermann. The discrimination continued with even the “head of the corporation” referring to Leakes as a “white woman” for wearing blonde hair.
Leakes hopes the federal lawsuit will stop prejudice against Black women in the workplace and hold the network accountable for their treatment of her.
Many people have questioned the timing of The Linnethia Lounge founder’s lawsuit. Just months ago, Leakes expressed her willingness to return to RHOA. However, Cohen did not appear interested in having her back, dodging questions about a possible return several times. Fans of RHOA have speculated that Leakes lawsuit was retaliation for the network failing to bring her back as a Housewife or give her a spinoff. However, she has vehemently denied these accusations.
“We’re talking about discrimination. We’re not talking about a show. It has nothing to do with having a temper tantrum and wanting a show,” she told TMZ.
NeNe Leakes was a staple on the Atlanta-based reality series, appearing in over 200 episodes between 2008 and 2020. She was the star of the series until season seven, when she became a part-time cast member. She made her return as a regular for seasons ten to twelve. She and her late husband Gregg Leakes got a wedding spinoff in 2013, titled “I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding.”
Leakes is seeking unspecified monetary damages.
