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<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11404966" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="eboni-k-williams">Eboni K. Williams</keyword> has been criticized by fans and castmates of making the show "too woke."</li><li>The first Black castmember of "RHONY" said she shouldn't be to blame for the ratings dip.</li><li>Williams told Insider that fans shouldn't blame the ratings "of a 13-year series to a freshman talent."</li></ul><a href="https://www.insider.com/eboni-k-williams-real-housewives-new-york-cast-2020-10">Eboni K. Williams</a> rejects theories that she's solely responsible for the sharp ratings drop on<a href="https://www.insider.com/real-housewives-eboni-k-williams-luann-de-lesseps-2021-6"> "The Real Housewives of New York."</a>"From my experience in television, any expectation to carry ratings around a program will go to the veteran talent. So I think it's nonsense to correlate the ratings performance of a 13-year series to a freshman talent," she told Insider in an interview last month. "I just don't buy it." Reports circulated last month that<a href="https://www.insider.com/real-housewives-eboni-k-williams-luann-de-lesseps-fight-heather-thomson-2021-6"> "RHONY,"</a> which also stars Sonja Morgan, Leah McSweeney, Ramona Singer, and Luann de Lesseps, had a steep ratings decline.Some <a href="https://twitter.com/sportsgirl302/status/1405024829103878144">fans on social media</a> have criticized the newest apple holder, who became the first Black cast member on the series this season, for attempting to make the show "too woke.""Television ratings are down across the board," said Williams before referring to ratings as "a story that more accurately reflects the viewing habits of our nation."<div type="image" title="eboni williams" height="2592" width="3456" msid="85250187" hostid="261"></div>"People are not watching appointment television the way they used to two or even three years ago. That's the reality," she added.Indeed, ratings for Bravo's one-time most-watched franchise, "The <keyword id="132223" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Real-Housewives">Real Housewives</keyword> of Atlanta," have dropped as well along with every major program, including the Olympics, and awards shows like the Oscars, Emmys, and the Grammys.For "RHONY," which airs on Tuesday nights, Williams believes ratings were impacted by the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, triggered by the widespread availability of vaccines."The other reality is 'RHONY's' ratings were disproportionately up last season because the series premiered in April of 2020, which was literally the inauguration, like the kickoff of the lockdown of a national and global lockdown. People literally had nowhere else to go," Williams said. "The world literally started to open up exactly when we premiered [this year]." <div type="image" title="The Real Housewives of New York - season 13" height="667" width="1000" msid="85250191" hostid="261"></div><h2>Williams pushed back on fellow castmembers calling her events boring, saying they knew they were getting 'an education'</h2>While cameras rolled, fellow castmember Ramona Singer and Luann de Lesseps criticized Williams, saying they didn't want to be educated every time they spent time with her.When Williams hosted a Harlem-themed party that detailed some elements of Black history, the two complained of the surprise lecture in confessionals.Williams told Insider that her castmates were aware of what the evening would entail."They knew exactly what to expect. I let them know that there would be learning about the history of iconic Harlem," she said. "I told them verbally in the invitation." The talk show host referenced Morgan's choice to tote her reading glasses to the event as evidence that the women were aware they would be learning throughout the evening."If you look back at the scene, you'll see her putting them on," said Williams of Morgan. "She knew she was going to get an education."Williams noted that other cast members have hosted educational events about their cultures, interests, and experiences that were not met with the same reaction."Sonja Morgan took everybody to Philadelphia to go to the Morgan library and hear the history of John P. Morgan [and the] family legacy, which is great, that's considered interesting.""So it's only when ... it's accompanied by this Black American education, now the event becomes boring," she said, adding that it "tells me what you're bored by is the learning and education of Black American life.""The <keyword id="3936485" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Real-Housewives-of-New-York">Real Housewives of New York</keyword>" airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Eboni K. Williams says there's another reason why 'Real Housewives of New York' is lower in the ratings - and it has nothing to do with her

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11404966" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="eboni-k-williams">Eboni K. Williams</keyword> dealt with the aftermath of her fight with <keyword id="6413271" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="luann-de-lesseps">Luann de Lesseps</keyword> on the latest "RHONY."</li><li>In many conversations, Heather Thomson was seen speaking in support of Williams.</li><li>Still, the former Fox News host felt Thomson was "whitesplaining."</li></ul><a href="https://www.insider.com/real-housewives-eboni-k-williams-luann-de-lesseps-2021-6">Eboni K. Williams</a> is continuing to deal with the aftermath of her fight with fellow castmember Luann de Lesseps, who called her "angry" <a href="https://www.insider.com/real-housewives-eboni-k-williams-luann-de-lesseps-2021-6">during a heated argument</a> last week on "The <keyword id="3936485" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Real-Housewives-of-New-York">Real Housewives of New York</keyword>."The <a href="https://www.insider.com/eboni-k-williams-real-housewives-new-york-cast-2020-10">first Black castmember on the series</a> immediately called out the word de Lesseps chose to use, later pointing out that it plays into an oft-spoken stereotype for Black women.It didn't help that during a sit down when the castmembers were all discussing the incident, Heather Thomson, a "friend of the show," continued to interject and engaged in "whitesplaining" without her consent, Williams said."Heather's insertion, while I think her intention was pure and positive, I actually think it ended up doing much more harm than good," the former Fox News host told Insider.<div type="image" title="Heather Thomson" height="952" width="1704" msid="83358036" hostid="261"></div>After Thomson issued "action items" to the other women present that Williams had not asked her to delegate, Thomson referred to Williams as "articulate," a term many Black people find demeaning because its use implies ones ability to speak clearly and effectively is rare enough to warrant comment."To have this white woman, despite her intentions, step into the space of translator, it furthers a narrative that there's some inability to connect with me directly in shared humanity."Williams attributed Thomson's actions to a self-appointed authority."I don't need to be translated, let alone translated by a woman who doesn't have an adequate lens of my experience or even know me, beyond meeting me 48 hours prior to," she added. "So in those ways I do think Heather was unproductive." Insider reached out to a rep for Thomson, but didn't immediately hear back.<div type="image" title="Eboni K. Williams and Leah McSweeney" height="954" width="1710" msid="83358038" hostid="261"></div><h2>Williams says she was treated differently than her castmate Leah McSweeney, even though they both were grieving their grandmothers</h2>During the ladies' trip to The Hamptons, an upscale area of Long Island, New York, all of the women gathered in a "healing" ceremony to discuss what was on their hearts. That's when both Leah McSweeney and Williams opened up about their dying grandmothers.Still, Williams told Insider she felt that she was treated with less empathy from her castmates compared to McSweeney.In last week's episode, Williams pointed out that McSweeeny shouted at the women, called them "hos," and stormed off moments before - and was not called angry.Fellow castmember Ramona Singer interjected that McSweeny was given "a pass" because her grandmother was dying."You see the goalpost moved again around the notion of who gets to grieve the loss of their grandmother and who does not," Williams added."For me, it just reinforced what I had suspected, which is, I am not fully humanized to these women at this point because to not give me that same compassion and empathy around my grandmother's upcoming transition in the way that they did for Leah told me that they do not see me as fully human," she continued." That is very clear to me."<div type="image" title="Eboni K. Williams" height="667" width="1000" msid="83358039" hostid="261"></div><h2>Other Housewives from different franchises have reached out to Williams after these last two episodes</h2>Although Williams necessarily didn't feel supported by all of her castmates in that moment, the TV personality did say other Housewives from different franchises have expressed support publicly and privately after the episodes aired."The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Crystal Kung Minkoff, the first Asian-American cast on that series, and "Dallas" star Tiffany Moon, the second woman of color on her show, both reached out to Williams."We all know what it is to experience being the first and the only in our respective representations of our cultures on these platforms that have been historically white," Williams explained. "So they've just basically shown up ... to just say, they see me. They're here if I need to talk."The reality star also told Insider that "RHONY's" production company, Shed Media, has also been very supportive of Williams - even when she went on a social media hiatus because of these "taxing" episodes. She added they've even held "listening sessions" where she can describe her experiences."The Real Housewives of New York" airs Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.

Eboni K. Williams said Heather Thomson did 'more harm than good' after Luann de Lesseps' blow-up on 'Real Housewives of New York'

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11404966" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="eboni-k-williams">Eboni K. Williams</keyword> is the first Black castmember of 'The <keyword id="3936485" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Real-Housewives-of-New-York">Real Housewives of New York</keyword>.'</li><li>Her introduction has been rocky thanks to an argument with <keyword id="6413271" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="luann-de-lesseps">Luann de Lesseps</keyword>.</li><li>Williams told Insider she's 'having a more emotional experience than I ever did at Fox news.'</li></ul>Updated: Jun 8 2021, 9:34 AMLike <a href="https://www.insider.com/real-housewives-stars-legal-troubles-jennifer-shah-erika-jayne">many Housewives</a> before her, <a href="https://www.insider.com/eboni-k-williams-real-housewives-new-york-cast-2020-10">Eboni K. Williams</a> has been placed in the midst of an emotionally-charged social circle.But the first Black cast member of "The Real Housewives of New York," who's a former Fox News host, admitted that being the only woman of color in season 13 has presented added difficulties, including dealing with microaggressions from her fellow castmembers.During a recent trip to The Hamptons, an upscale area of Long Island, New York, fellow castmember Luann de Lesseps labeled the former Fox News host "angry" during a conversation about - of all things - if it's too crass to talk about sex as a woman.Initially, de Lesseps credited her religious upbringing for the reason that she and <keyword id="2909735" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Ramona-Singer">Ramona Singer</keyword> judged the language, but throughout the conversation, de Lesseps' argument leapfrogged from religion, to class, to education.<div type="image" title="The Real Housewives of New York" height="667" width="1000" msid="83337494" hostid="261"></div>When Williams revealed that she had the highest level of formal education in the room as an attorney, de Lesseps became visibly agitated. She accused Williams of saying she was the "smartest person in the room," and told her, "I think you should go."Insider spoke with Williams after the incident aired on Bravo last week. The TV personality not only shared what she was thinking while filming, but explained why she's taking a social-media hiatus while these episodes air.She also shared how being on "Real Housewives" is harder, in some ways, than her time at Fox News where she received death threats.<h2>Williams said de Lesseps asking her to apologize was an 'inappropriate' request</h2><div type="image" title="The Real Housewives of New York - season 13" height="667" width="1000" msid="83337495" hostid="261"></div>Williams told Insider that although de Lesseps apologized for her part in the argument, which was shown in a teaser for Tuesday's episode airing at 9 p.m. ET/PT, she still misstepped.When the two ladies eventually sat down to discuss the incident, Williams revealed she had little time to decompress what had happened. But she knew immediately that it didn't feel right that de Lesseps asked Williams to apologize too."Black people, and Black women in particular, are constantly asked to apologize for white folks uncomfortability," she said."What you saw on my face was a negotiation I was having within myself around the most productive way to respond to that request that would let her know how inappropriate the request was and also why it was an inappropriate expectation.""I'm not going to apologize for having a human experience," she added.During the argument, de Lesseps also accused Williams of "jumping in my face," despite cameras capturing the women sitting during the entire exchange. Even castmember Sonja Morgan confirmed that Williams didn't get in de Lesseps face throughout the heated exchange.Williams told Insider that de Lesseps, whom she knew before filming, was "recreating of history to serve a narrative that says Black women are angry and aggressive." Insider reached out to a rep for de Lesseps, but didn't immediately hear back.<h2>Williams admits that watching herself on 'RHONY' is 'more emotional' than getting death threats during her time at Fox News</h2><div type="image" title="The Real Housewives of New York" height="667" width="1000" msid="83337496" hostid="261"></div>Despite castmembers being expected to live tweet and engage with fans while episodes air, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPmOnU3FeMy/">Williams instead announced last Tuesday in an Instagram video</a> that she was taking a break from social media to care for herself."I'm not going to avail myself to a lot of the toxicity that's on social media in this moment," she told Insider recently. "I'm having to frankly be re-traumatized in some way because I'm having to revisit what happened in these scenes over and over again each week when they air.""I've never been one to sit around and rewatch myself on TV or radio. With this show and platform, that is unavoidable," Williams added. "It feels much more taxing."Williams is used to being on TV as the current host of Revolt TV's "Revolt Black News." She's also used to receiving consistent backlash as she was a host of Fox News' "The Specialists," which ended in 2018 after four months. But at the news network, the 37-year-old newswoman was able to separate vitriol towards policies and politics rather than hatred of her personality, Williams admitted."I find myself having a more emotional experience than I ever did at Fox News, which is saying a lot, because I was literally getting death threats," she said. "I feel more vulnerable."Thankfully, Williams said Shed Media, the production company behind "The Real Housewives of New York," has been supportive of her hiatus and they've held "listening sessions," where she can describe her experiences.<h2>De Lesseps has a history of racist actions after appearing in blackface on a 2018 episode</h2>After last Tuesday's episode, <a href="https://twitter.com/gibsonoma/status/1399909651890806787" target="_blank" rel="noopener">many fans of "RHONY" accused de Lesseps</a> of playing into the oft-spoken trope of calling Black women "angry."Even Sara Haines, a cohost on "The View," said <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4Z9PEXgjuU">during a segment discussing the now-viral incident</a> that "I've known about this stereotype, this bias for years." "Those types of moments perpetuate these biases that remain and continue to hold people in boxes that they've never deserved," she added on Friday's episode.During the argument, Williams even called out the use of the stereotype, responding to de Lesseps, "So now I'm the angry Black woman, Luann?""No … not going there," de Lesseps replied. "You're an angry woman right now. I never referred to your color nor would I."Still, during the reality show's season 10 premiere, the 56-year-old reality star was embroiled in controversy when fans and castmates said she appeared in blackface during a Halloween party where she came as famed singer Diana Ross."Luann's costume is so disrespectful," former castmember Carole Radziwill, who left the series after that season, said during the episode. "I think she's tone-deaf when it comes to cultural stereotypes."During an episode of "Watch What Happens Live!" later that year, de Lesseps apologized for the costume."I'm horrified! I never meant to hurt anybody's feelings," she said in 2018. "I love Diana Ross and I totally respect Diana Ross. It was really kind of a tribute to her and it was Halloween.""I'm very sorry to everyone out there if I offended anyone," de Lesseps added.The reality star also denied changing the color of her skin, adding that instead she was wearing "bronzer." "So I didn't add anything to or would ever, ever dream of doing a blackface. Ever," she added.

'Real Housewives of New York' star Eboni K. Williams reveals even more about her fight with Luann de Lesseps and says she refuses 'to apologize for white folks uncomfortability'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Eboni K. Williams has joined the cast of "The <keyword id="3936485" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Real-Housewives-of-New-York">Real Housewives of New York</keyword> City," and is now the show's first Black cast member in 13 seasons.</li><li>Williams is an attorney, <keyword id="6355065" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TV">TV</keyword> host, and author, and is currently the host and executive producer of "Revolt Black News." </li><li>She'll be joining returning cast members: Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Leah McSweeney, and Sonja Morgan. </li><li>"NYC is filled with successful and dynamic Black women. I'm excited to join this legendary franchise as the first Black housewife," Williams said in a statement to People. </li></ul>Eboni K. Williams has joined the cast of "The Real Housewives of New York City," making her the first Black cast member in the show's 12-year history. TMZ <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2020/10/08/rhony-real-housewives-of-new-york-hires-eboni-k-williams-first-black-cast-member/">broke the news of Williams' casting on Thursday</a>. In a <a href="https://people.com/tv/eboni-k-williams-joins-real-housewives-of-new-york-city-as-first-black-cast-member/">statement to People</a>, Williams said she was "excited" to join the show's cast and "share a slice of life in this city that hasn't been seen before." "NYC is filled with successful and dynamic Black women. I'm excited to join this legendary franchise as the first Black housewife," she added. "Anyone who's aware of my work knows I don't hold back. I'm going to keep it just as real here as I do everywhere else." Williams is a TV host, author, and attorney, who currently hosts "Revolt Black News." She's also a cohost on Revolt TV's hip-hop talk show, "State of the Culture." On "RHONY," Williams will join returning cast members, Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Leah McSweeney, and Sonja Morgan. Earlier this year, the reality show announced that Tinsley Mortimer, who moved to Chicago, and Dorinda Medley, wouldn't be returning to the series. Williams' arrival to "RHONY" follows a trend in Bravo reality shows to diversify its cast. Actress Garcelle Beauvais became the first Black woman to join the cast of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" last year, and "Southern Charm" added a person of color to their cast: <a href="https://www.bravotv.com/people/leva-bonaparte" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leva Bonaparte</a>, an Indian-born Persian woman who runs Charleston nightlife.<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/teresa-joe-giudice-reportedly-split-break-up-marriage-2019-12">'Real Housewives' stars Teresa and Joe Giudice split after 20 years of marriage</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/behind-the-scenes-real-housewives-fun-facts-2019-1">17 of the weirdest facts you didn't know about the 'Real Housewives' franchises</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/tamra-judge-quit-keto-diet-keto-flu-2018-10">'Real Housewives' star Tamra Judge quit the keto diet after only a month: 'I just fell off the wagon'</a></li></ul>

Eboni K. Williams becomes first Black woman to join 'The Real Housewives of New York City'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>In February, Bravo was hit with one lawsuit and threatened with another.</li><li>Two "Real Housewives" stars have filed suits alleging mistreatment and a hostile workplace.</li></ul>Is Bravo doomed?The network, long beloved by reality TV fans for gifting us drama-filled franchises like "The Real Housewives," "Vanderpump Rules," and "Below Deck," is facing legal action from a number of former stars.The underlying argument in all three claims is the same: They believe the network, associated production companies, and longtime host Andy Cohen are purposely fostering a negative working environment, rampant with favoritism and filled with toxicity geared toward maximizing the drama — often at the cost of stars' safety and well-being.Here's a complete rundown of the lawsuits filed and threatened against Cohen and the network, and a look at the deep-rooted issues other stars say have been simmering there for years.(Representatives for Bravo, NBCUniversal, and Peacock didn't respond to requests for comment. Shed Media could not be reached for comment by email or phone.)<h2>Caroline Manzo filed a lawsuit against Bravo in January 2024</h2>In January 2024, Caroline Manzo, formerly an original cast member on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," filed a lawsuit against Bravo and other related entities, including NBCUniversal (which owns Bravo), Peacock (the streaming service that distributes the network's shows), and Shed Media (a production company behind several Bravo series).In the complaint, viewed by BI, Manzo says producers "regularly ply the Real Housewives cast with alcohol, cause them to become severely intoxicated, and then direct, encourage and/or allow them to sexually harass other cast members because that is good for ratings."Manzo first joined the show when it premiered in 2009 and left in 2014 after season five. She returned to the franchise for the fourth season of the spinoff "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip," where cast members from various series within the franchise go on a vacation together.Manzo points to an incident that happened in January 2023, during filming for "Ultimate Girls Trip," in her suit. According to the complaint, Brandi Glanville, a former main cast member on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" who was brought back to the franchise for "Ultimate Girls Trip," sexually abused and harassed Manzo during the season four cast's trip to Morocco, causing her "extreme emotional distress and other loss of enjoyment of life and other damages."The filing describes how a drunken Glanville mounted Manzo on a couch, forcibly kissing and humping her. She then pressed herself against Manzo and fondled her without her consent again when they both went to the bathroom. The incident in question never aired — the entire season was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/real-housewives-ultimate-girls-trip-morocco-may-never-air">shelved</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/real-housewives-rhony-legacy-ulimate-girls-trip-premiere-date-ex-wives-club-1235686185/">its premiere date swapped</a> with a different season, "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy," which aired instead.In the filing, Manzo says she's seeking damages after Bravo discriminated and retaliated against her for speaking out about Glanville's harassment. She also accuses the network of plying Glanville "with copious amounts of alcohol so that she would act outrageous and sexually harass others" and "encourage and direct" Glanville to harass Manzo and others.The complaint also points to several instances of Glanville's "sexually harassing and assaulting behavior" on other Bravo shows, claiming that the network was aware of her tendencies and continued to cast her regardless, undermining the safety of other cast members.Glanville herself isn't named as a defendant in Manzo's suit.Manzo's lawyer, Derek Smith, told Business Insider via email that Manzo didn't have additional comment, but shared the following statement:"A production company's creative rights should never trump a cast member's safety. I get it: Shocking reality television brings the ratings," the statement reads, in part. "However, human decency requires that we put limits on that shocking behavior. We all have the right to work in an environment that is free of sexual harassment."It continues: "People like Ms. Manzo should never be sexually harassed in order to get a 'good' shot. These are people. They are not pawns for production companies to abuse for ratings and profits. Fortunately, there are laws in effect to protect reality TV cast members."<h2>Brandi Glanville threatened a lawsuit against Andy Cohen in February 2024</h2>Glanville's attorneys sent a letter to NBCUniversal, Warner Bros., and Shed Media, which produced "Ultimate Girls Trip," threatening a lawsuit and accusing Andy Cohen of sexual harassment.In the eight-page letter, viewed by BI, Glanville's lawyers claim that an "obviously inebriated" Cohen sent Glanville a video in 2022 talking about "his intention to sleep with another Bravo star that night while thinking of her and invited her to watch via FaceTime.""Mr. Cohen was Ms. Glanville's boss at the time and exercised complete and total control over her career. This was an extraordinary abuse of power that left Ms. Glanville feeling trapped and disgusted," the letter reads. "It is inconceivable that Mr. Cohen remains in his post in spite of this behavior and harkens back to the bad old days of Matt Lauer and NBC News when profits were prioritized over people."Cohen responded to the report in a post on X, formerly Twitter."The video shows Kate Chastain and I very clearly joking to Brandi. It was absolutely meant in jest, and Brandi's response clearly communicated she was in on the joke," Cohen <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Andy/status/1760819904846954674">wrote</a>, referring to the "Below Deck" star."That said, it was totally inappropriate and I apologize," he added.According to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thecut.com/article/brandi-glanville-claims-andy-cohen-sexually-harassed-her.html">The Cut</a>, Glanville's letter was prompted by Manzo filing her lawsuit in January.In the letter, Glanville's lawyers also reference the Morocco incident in Manzo's lawsuit and deny Manzo's account that she did not consent to Glanville's interactions. They say there's "no truth to any allegations of impropriety" and claim the production team had encouraged Glanville's behavior in Morocco by making it "crystal clear to the cast that they were there to make good TV."In an added statement to media appended to the letter, Glanville's attorneys took a swing at the wider reality TV industry, saying they've "heard from thousands of current and former cast members on reality shows about the physical and emotional harm inflicted on them by virtue of their participation.""NBC, Bravo, Warner Bros., and Shed Media intentionally obscure their legal rights, bind them to illegal contracts, and knowingly cause them to suffer in silence," they write."We know there are untold numbers of innocent victims who have yet to tell their stories or seek legal redress. We encourage all of them to contact us and join our growing team as we fight for change in this sordid industry."<h2>Leah McSweeney also filed a lawsuit against Bravo in February 2024</h2>In another lawsuit filed in late February, former "Real Housewives of New York City" star Leah McSweeney, a recovered alcoholic, claims that Bravo, Cohen, and other parties encouraged her relapse after nine years of sobriety on "The Real Housewives of New York" season 12 in order to boost ratings and then punished her when she refused to return to drinking in future appearances on Bravo shows.McSweeney, who appeared on "RHONY" in seasons 12 and 13, returned to the franchise for season three of "Ultimate Girls Trip," which began production in July 2022.The 109-page complaint claims that the reality star was "discriminated against, tormented, demoralized, demeaned, harassed, and retaliated against" as a woman with disabilities, including <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/mental-health/overcoming-alcohol-use-disorder">alcohol use disorder</a>, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder."Defendants established a rotted workplace culture that uniquely depended on pressuring its employees to consume alcohol," the complaint states, alleging that production "colluded" with McSweeney's costars to pressure her to drink.The suit also says that production "employed psychological warfare" to "break" McSweeney, such as by implying they'd fire her and cut her pay if she left filming to visit her dying grandmother. It also claims that Cohen retaliated against McSweeney and publicly mocked her sobriety with the intent to blackball her from the industry. In 2022, McSweeney checked into a psychiatric hospital.According to the complaint, producers and costars repeatedly questioned McSweeney about whether she was "still not drinking" or said they wished she was drinking, even though she repeatedly requested they not discuss her sobriety and alcoholism. It alleges that one Shed Media producer, Lisa Shannon, told McSweeney that she was "not the Leah we know and love" because she'd opted to stay sober for "Ultimate Girls Trip."McSweeney ultimately filed a discrimination claim against her employers in March 2023.The filing also alleged that Cohen regularly engages in "cocaine use with Housewives and other 'Bravolebrities' that he employs," that those people get "favorable treatment and edits," and that this is "well-known throughout the 'Real Housewives' franchise."In a letter sent to McSweeney after her lawsuit was filed, obtained by People, Cohen's attorneys said the suit was "littered with false, offensive, and defamatory statements," calling McSweeney's allegations "categorically false." The letter also threatened legal action if McSweeney didn't retract her claims that Cohen uses cocaine."If you refuse to do so, Mr. Cohen reserves the right to hold you and your client accountable to the fullest extent of the law," reads the letter, according to People. "To be clear: these allegations are categorically false. Mr. Cohen never used cocaine with any cast member on any Real Housewives show or with any other Bravo employee."Cohen's attorneys said in the letter that the allegations against Cohen were invented "in furtherance of a shakedown" intended to "force a settlement" between McSweeney and Cohen.In response, McSweeney's lawyer told People that it was "hardly surprising" that Cohen had his attorney and PR team "write a threatening letter to give to the press.""Mr. Cohen's attempt to discredit and intimidate Ms. McSweeney to deter her from engaging in legally protected activity in Court is exactly the type of retaliation that this lawsuit was brought to address and only is further evidence for Ms. McSweeney," McSweeney's lawyer said."We do not intend to litigate this matter in the press, and if Mr. Cohen wants to address Ms. McSweeney's claims, we suggest he do so in Court, not in a letter for the press," they continued.McSweeney's lawyers had no further comment when reached by email. Cohen's lawyer didn't immediately respond to BI's request for comment.<h2>Meanwhile, Bethenny Frankel has been crusading against the network for months</h2><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-bethenny-frankel-real-housewife-became-influencer-lucrative-business-earnings-2024-2">Bethenny Frankel</a>, former star of "RHONY" who left the network behind for good in 2019, has been one of the most vocal Bravo alums voicing complaints about how the network's stars are treated and compensated, and calling for change. Frankel has made her issues known on her podcast, Just B with Bethenny Frankel. In July 2023, she <a target="_blank" href="https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/bethenny-frankel-reality-union-strike-1235674531/">called for reality stars to unionize</a> in an effort to better their working conditions and pay.In an interview with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/10/real-housewives-bravo-reckoning">Vanity Fair</a> for its investigation into the so-called reckoning at Bravo, Frankel spoke about her experiences at the network and how she'd been part of the problem."I was part of it," Frankel said. "I wanted to be Andy's favorite. I loved that I was Andy's favorite. I loved that I was able to make good television and produce it at the same time. I loved that producers knew I was the best. I was in the machine. I was the machine. I created the machine."She also dubbed her organizing efforts her "penance."Frankel's rep didn't immediately respond to BI's request for comment.<h2>Cohen and Bravo have also faced accusations of racism in the past</h2>Manzo, Glanville, McSweeney, and Frankel aren't the first Bravolebrities to accuse Cohen and the network of bad behavior.In Vanity Fair's October 2023 Bravo investigation, Eboni K. Williams, a cast member on "RHONY" season 13, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/10/real-housewives-bravo-reckoning">accused</a> costars Luann de Lesseps, Sonja Morgan, and Ramona Singer of racist behavior that went unchecked by production.Former "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star NeNe Leakes has also accused Cohen and Bravo of racist behavior, insinuating it's why she left the show. She filed a discrimination <a target="_blank" href="https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/nene-leakes-discriminaton-lawsuit.pdf">lawsuit</a> against Cohen, the network, related companies, and other individuals in April 2022, alleging they didn't do anything to remedy racist behavior, but <a target="_blank" href="https://deadline.com/2022/08/rhoa-nene-leakes-lawsuit-bravo-andy-cohen-racist-show-environment-1235097973/">the suit was dropped</a> in August that year.In 2021, former "Real Housewives of Potomac" star Monique Samuels told Business Insider that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/real-housewives-monique-samuels-real-reason-why-she-left-show-2021-1">Cohen held her "to a different standard"</a> than the other Housewives in the season five "RHOP" reunion when discussing her physical altercation with costar Candiace Dillard Bassett. She also pointed to the lack of diversity among the production staff as a reason why her fight, a common occurrence in other "Housewives" franchises, appeared to be treated more seriously."You need to have that representation behind the scenes because not everybody understands other cultures that are outside [of] themselves," Samuels told BI. "If they did that then you wouldn't get so much heat once it airs. It becomes obvious that the diversity is lacking in that area."

The Real Housewives are turning on Bravo and Andy Cohen. Here's what to know about the lawsuits and turmoil behind the scenes.

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="27248" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Garcelle-Beauvais">Garcelle Beauvais</keyword> admits her friend <keyword id="11414387" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="sutton-stracke">Sutton Stracke</keyword> was "wrong" while talking to <keyword id="11414388" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="crystal-kung-minkoff">Crystal Kung Minkoff</keyword>.</li><li>Stracke and Kung Minkoff were having a heated conversation about racial stereotypes.</li><li>"Cutting Crystal off made people feel like she was not taking Crystal's experience to heart," she said.</li></ul>Garcelle Beauvais may be the only Black Housewife on Bravo's<a href="https://www.insider.com/erika-jayne-antidepressants-new-rhobh-sneak-peek-2021-5"> "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,"</a> but she isn't afraid to ask the tough questions when it comes to race with her castmates.In last week's episode, Kyle Richards, Sutton Stracke, and new Housewife, Crystal Kung Minkoff, were all having a nightcap after dinner during their girls trip to Lake Tahoe in California.The three were discussing Richards' tense conversation with Beauvais in which the actress confronted Richards about calling her out at last year's reunion. Richards didn't believe Beauvais had honored the $5,000 pledge she made at Richards' fundraiser.The "Coming to America" actress pressed Richards, asking her if she would've questioned her pledge if she was white, and then told Richards why questioning her about money was a trigger as a Black woman.Kung Minkoff, who is Chinese-American, began explaining to Richards and Stracke about why Beauvais, as a Black woman, may have been offended and hurt by Richards' accusation (noting the harmful stereotypes about Black people not paying their bills or tipping at restaurants) when Stracke interrupted her in what appeared to be an unwillingness to have the discussion about race.Returning the favor, Minkoff interrupted Stracke, saying: "Tell me you're that girl. Tell me you're the girl who doesn't see color." <div type="image" title="Crystal Kung Minkoff" height="953" width="1702" msid="83389083" hostid="261"></div><h2>Beauvais said Stracke was 'wrong' during her tense conversation with Kung Minkoff </h2>Beauvais, who's in her second season on the series, said her friend Stracke was "wrong" for seemingly trying to shut down the conversation about racial stereotypes and centering her own experience as a southern white woman."What Sutton was trying to do is share her experience, and I think what happened wrong is that she stepped on Crystal. She should have waited until Crystal was done and then said how she feels," Beauvais told Insider. "Her cutting Crystal off made people feel like she was not taking Crystal's experience to heart."Before the conversation got thwarted, Stracke attempted to stand up for Richards, saying that she was asking Beauvais about the owed money as a person, not as a "race."Kung Minkoff, however, explained to Stracke that not seeing race is an outdated concept when Stracke interrupted her yet again."I don't feel like Sutton did it intentionally," Beauvais said. "We had been drinking. I think she was just like, 'Well, let me tell you about my experience.' And it was like, 'No, no. You should have just listened.'" <div type="image" title="Garcelle Beauvais" height="564" width="750" msid="83389084" hostid="261"></div><h2>Beauvais said it was 'really important' for her not to be labeled the 'angry Black woman' when she joined the series</h2>"Beverly Hills" isn't the only "Housewives" franchise having conversations about race this season.On the "The Real Housewives of New York," newcomer <a href="https://www.insider.com/real-housewives-eboni-k-williams-luann-de-lesseps-2021-6">Eboni K. Williams</a> is having similar uncomfortable conversations with her castmates, namely Luann de Lesseps, about racial stereotypes.During an argument while on a getaway in The Hamptons, a wealthy neighborhood in Long Island, New York, de Lesseps called Williams "angry." The <a href="https://www.insider.com/real-housewives-eboni-k-williams-luann-de-lesseps-2021-6">first Black Housewife of "New York" quickly called out the veteran reality star</a> for playing into a oft-spoken stereotype regarding Black women.Beauvais, who called Williams "a great addition to 'New York,"' said that "people are getting used to these kinds of conversations. Now everybody is noticing more and hearing more.""And when that happens, not everybody's going to be comfortable and be like, 'Yeah, let's talk about race.' Not everybody's going to want to jump on board because it may show them something about themselves that they're not aware of," she added.In earlier episodes on "RHOBH," Beauvais admitted that she's had a certain loneliness that can come with being Black in Beverly Hills, but that it's important to have uncomfortable conversations especially with the current state of racial reckoning in this country."I've said before: My first season was really important not to give people the title that they so wanted to [say] all the time - 'angry Black woman.' That's not who I am," she said.While this season has had some uncomfortable moments, Beauvais is thrilled that cameras captured the ladies having fun. It also served as a place to show off her new jewelry collaboration with Roni Blanshay, Garcelle x RB. The actress said she "grew up loving jewelry."<a href="https://garcellexrb.com/">Garcelle x RB</a> is a jewelry line full of color, reminiscent of the Beauvais' home country of Haiti. She believes her expressive jewelry collection is a great way to have women feel good about themselves and decide how they want to feel that day by wearing her intricate and ornate pieces. "It's another expression of art," she added."The <keyword id="740666" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Real-Housewives-of-Beverly-Hills">Real Housewives of Beverly Hills</keyword>" airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Garcelle Beauvais admits Sutton Stracke was 'wrong' during her heated conversation with Crystal Kung Minkoff about racial stereotypes

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Meet Deon Graham, the <keyword id="246012" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="CBO">CBO</keyword> of <keyword id="520467" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Diddy">Diddy</keyword>'s Combs Enterprises.</li><li>Graham spoke to Insider about "keeping the brand at the center of the <keyword id="24504" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="culture">culture</keyword>."</li><li>He also shared his 360-approach to the <keyword id="11737471" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rolling-loud">Rolling Loud</keyword> <keyword id="6354530" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="music">music</keyword> festival and what he does in his role as CBO.</li></ul>Deon Graham - a powerhouse in his own right - is one of the people behind Sean "Diddy" Combs' success as a businessman. Graham - an Aquarius, soccer fan, introvert, and father of three - has been in his role as the chief brand officer of Combs Enterprises for a year, but he's been by Diddy's side for years now.The executive's journey began at Florida International University, where he was enrolled for a semester before leaving to focus on his brand City Never Sleeps - which transitioned from being a website that connected Black people to nightlife in major cities to "a digital creative agency that gives a f--- about your brand," <a href="https://www.cityneversleeps.com/">according to its website</a>.Graham said the decision to dive into his work with this platform changed his life and saved him from "going down the wrong path."He quickly learned that even without the education and the accolades he still had "multi-billion dollar ideas." "And once I realized that, it gave me confidence. So yes, that was extremely surprising in the beginning, because I didn't know how powerful my thoughts and strategies and way of looking at <keyword id="6355515" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="business">business</keyword> were," Graham continued.Graham told Insider in a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/diddy-digital-marketing-executive-deon-graham-talks-nightlife-digital-marketing-2021-2">previous interview</a> that his advertisements for a vodka brand partnering with City Never Sleeps got Diddy's attention. Diddy's advertising agency, Blue Flame, then asked Graham if he'd be willing to work with Diddy's CÎROC Vodka in 2009.The two have worked together since then. Graham, the now 36-year-old CBO of Combs Enterprises, started as a freelance digital consultant for Combs Enterprises in 2009. He's also served as digital director and vice president of digital before becoming Combs Enterprises' chief brand officer.<a href="https://www.combsenterprises.com/index.html">Combs Enterprises</a> is responsible for a wide array of investments and businesses for the cultural icon Sean "Diddy" Combs. It includes brands such as Bad Boy Worldwide <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="entertainment">Entertainment</keyword> Group; Sean John, the clothing line; Combs Wine &amp; Spirits, the company responsible for CÎROC Vodka and DeLeón Tequila; AQUAhydrate, the water brand; The Blue Flame Agency, an advertising and marketing business; and REVOLT Films and REVOLT MEDIA &amp; TV.<h2>'For the culture'</h2>In his role, Graham is at the heart of all of it: His work with Combs Enterprises means he's been involved with several major cultural touchstones."We're always showing up for the culture and have been for years," said Graham. For example, "<a href="https://www.instagram.com/verzuztv/?hl=en">VERZUZ,</a>" a platform showcasing live battles between R&amp;B and hip-hop artists via Instagram live and Apple Music, and a "cultural phenomenon," according to the man himself, sparked Graham's interest and led to CÎROC becoming the title sponsor for VERZUZ.He also helped organize Diddy's Dance-a-Thon via IG Live to raise money for PPE for Black and brown neighborhoods. And he helped launch <a href="https://www.instagram.com/revoltblacknews/?hl=en">REVOLT Black News</a>, hosted and executive produced by Eboni K. Williams, in June 2020: "Because of the lockdown, we were able to bring that to life and give people the <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="news">news</keyword> on REVOLT from the culture to the culture without any cut in it."Graham says he is proud of being a part of so many cultural moments - especially the <a href="https://www.revolt.tv/revolt-summit/archives">REVOLT Summit</a>, which occurred virtually in October 2020. "Being in a room with thousands of people that look like me, providing opportunity, seeing the network, seeing them get jobs, it always sticks out to me as the focal point. And as this world opens back up, it's coming back to top of mind," he said. <h2>Rolling Loud </h2><a href="https://www.rollingloud.com/">Rolling Loud</a>, founded by Tariq Cherif and Matthew Zingler in 2015, is "the largest hip hop festival in the world," according to their website. From Miami to Queens to Southern California, the cultural moment came back after more than a year without face-to-face festivals in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic (though there were <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/miami-com-news/article245349250.html">two free virtual performances</a> in the fall).Rolling Loud will feature Combs Enterprises in all facets of the festival: general admission, VIP, drinks, and media coverage. Prior to Graham becoming CBO, Combs Enterprises was involved with the festival on a smaller scale. But this year, Combs Enterprises is involved in every aspect of the festival. No matter who is attending, watching, or reading, they interacted with a Combs Enterprises brand."As a cultural marketer, my focus is always finding creative ways to make sure our brands show up and have a dominant presence in the biggest cultural moments," Combs, CEO of Combs Enterprises told Insider."Our partnership with Rolling Loud is a perfect example of bringing this vision to life and Deon has done an incredible job continuing to elevate our portfolio of companies," the mogul added.<h2>How he gets it done</h2>Graham said an integral part of his job is listening to others, no matter their position. It's his goal to "create an open forum where people aren't afraid to speak.""And I, as the leader in the situation, provide a little bit of direction, but it's always in collaboration with anybody," he added. "'Cause I remember being at some of these meetings, or at the table, and I felt like people weren't listening to what I was saying, like based on my position or role in the company at that time."Though he's an introvert at heart, Graham said he does this by talking to people who may not be in his immediate circle, by stepping out of his comfort zone. "You have to touch the people. You have to go to events. You have to network with people. You have to listen. You can't just use your perspective," Graham told Insider.Graham also said that providing platforms and opportunities is important to the Black community: "It's all we have. It's the only way that we're going to be successful - if we do this thing together, if we look out for each other, just strength in numbers, we need it."

Diddy's top branding executive tells us how he's working with brands to show up 'for the culture'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Detavio Samuels, 40, is the new CEO of <keyword id="520467" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Diddy">Diddy</keyword>'s <keyword id="73058" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="revolt">Revolt</keyword>.</li><li>He wants to help expand the network's coverage of <keyword id="112438" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="social-justice">social justice</keyword>. </li><li>To Insider, he discusses the state of Black <keyword id="6354777" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Media">media</keyword>, and the future he wants to help build. </li></ul>There's an African proverb that <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/detavio/">Detavio Samuels</a> keeps in the back of his mind: Until the lion learns to tell his own story, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. "It's a proverb about how, as long as you don't control your own narrative, someone is always going to set themselves up to be the victor," Samuels told Insider. He thinks about the proverb often, because "that's what we've had for centuries," he said. "There are Black stories not being told because the power isn't with the people who are authentic and inside the culture." On March 3, Samuels, 40, was announced the newest CEO of Revolt <keyword id="6355065" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TV">TV</keyword>, the cable network owned by hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, which specializes in creating music-themed content for Black audiences. Founded in 2013, it is one of the few Black-owned cable networks and was <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/07/sean-combs-revolt-tv-new-leadership-roma-khanna-steps-down-ceo-1202986432/">previously helmed by Roma Khanna</a> until she resigned as CEO in July. Revolt is broadcasted in <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/revolt-appoints-new-executive-leadership-to-expand-global-strategy-301239716.html">over 60 million households</a> and is known for its popular show "State of the Culture," in which <a href="https://www.instagram.com/joebudden/?hl=en">Joe Budden</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/remyma/?hl=en">Remy Ma</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ebonikwilliams/?hl=en">Eboni K. Williams</a> discuss pop culture and politics. In addition to the robust schedule of <a href="https://pagesix.com/2021/02/11/justin-combs-premiering-respectfully-justin-with-justin-laboy/">entertainment programming</a>, as CEO, Samuels wants to bolster content addressing important topics in the Black community, such as socioeconomic discrimination, intersectional feminism, and wellness.In April the network launched <a href="https://www.instagram.com/revoltblacknews/">Revolt Black News</a>, and Samuels wants to expand its coverage to highlight activists, center Black women, and focus on investigative and breaking news. Later this year Revolt TV will be offered on more television and mobile platforms, such as Apple TV, Roku, Android, and iOS. Currently, about 75 to 100 people work at the company, and Samuels is planning to expand that, too.There are plans for a possible podcast, too. "The dream is that we will be the largest Black-owned media company in the world," he said. "So we're doing it."On the same day of Samuels' appointment, Revolt also announced Colin McIntosh as COO and CFO, and Deon Graham as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/diddy-digital-marketing-executive-deon-graham-talks-nightlife-digital-marketing-2021-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">chief brand officer of Combs Enterprise</a>.<h2>Revolt's social justice</h2>Too often Black people become the antagonists of their own stories. In 2017, <a href="https://colorofchange.org/dangerousdistortion/">Color of Change found </a>that major news outlets regularly, and disproportionately, depict Black families as dysfunctional, while white families are often shown as stable. <div type="image" title="REVOLT TV" height="1864" width="1491" msid="81418079" hostid="261"></div>The same study also found that media outlets are more likely to portray Black men as absentee fathers, despite research arguing the opposite, and that although Black family members make up 26% of those arrested on criminal charges, they represent 37% of criminals in the news. White people are portrayed as criminals only 28% of the time even though they constitute 77% of crime suspects, <a href="https://colorofchange.org/dangerousdistortion/">according to Color of Change</a>."Much what of we've seen of how Black people are depicted is through the white gaze - it's how non-Black people see us," <a href="https://twitter.com/sofiyaballin">Sofiya Abena Ballin</a>, an award-winning journalist, and creator of <a href="https://www.blkhistoryuntold.com/now">Black History Untold</a>, told Insider. "Black people are seen as a threat, as a stereotype, or as a caricature," she continued. "Black media has been trying to consistently undo that work. That's why it's important to have us there." The past century has seen the creation of outlets such as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/eden-bridgeman-ebony-jet-magazine-relaunch-interview-2021-3">Black newspapers, radio stations, and networks</a> seeking to communicate information and tell the stories of the Black community. In the era of social media, there are more opportunities for people to become the narrators of their own truths. Ballin said that gatekeeping and diversity are only part of the story. Black people need to support each other as well, she said, giving the example of many Black celebrities who may decide to pass over Black media in lieu of a large, mainstream outlet. "When you complain about how you're depicted, it's because you go to the 'popular mainstream' news outlets that you deem to be more valuable and are not owned and run by Black people," Ballin said. "But they don't have a true understanding of who you are as a person." <h2>'This is the moment'</h2>Samuels has come a long way from the rocky mountains. He was born in Boulder, grew up in Denver, and graduated from Duke University in 2002 with a B.A. in political science. In 2006, Samuels earned an MBA and a Master's degree from Stanford University. From 2005 to 2007 he worked in marketing roles at Johnson &amp; Johnson and GlobalHue before pivoting to advertising and digital media at RadioOne as president of its subsidiary, iOne. But in late 2019, Samuels wasn't sure he wanted to work at Revolt because he wasn't too interested in giving up his presidential control at iOne. The turning point of Samuels' career came when Samuels' father died last year. His father was a professor of African American literature at the University of Utah and instilled in his son the importance of Black liberation. Walking out of his father's funeral, Samuels decided it was time to dedicate his career to a cause. He went back to the Revolt team as chief operating officer and began his rise through the network's ranks. His first day was the same day George Floyd was killed.

The new CEO of Diddy's Revolt TV wants to make it the world's largest Black-owned media empire

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11211921" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ziwe">Ziwe</keyword> spoke to Insider about her new <keyword id="268411" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Showtime">Showtime</keyword> series, premiering Sunday, May 9 at 11 p.m. ET.</li><li>The series is a mix of at-times cringey interviews, sketches, music and "easter eggs," she said.</li><li>Ziwe sits down with celebrities such as Jane Krakowski, Fran Liebowitz, Bowen Yang and more.</li></ul>The Internet is often blamed for a lot of things, but it did give us Ziwe, the deadpan, pink eyelash-wearing comedienne who, back in 2017, carved a space for herself on the world wide web with "Baited with Ziwe," where she had uncomfortable yet hilarious interactions with people about race-and catapulted her career.Perhaps you recall <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u660RqlXAvM&amp;t=57s=57s">her famous sit-down</a> with Caroline Calloway, who admitted, among other wild things, that she "discovered" racism in 2018. Without missing a beat, Ziwe asked her, "What were you doing for the first 25 years of your life?" And this kind of <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="entertainment">entertainment</keyword> was given to us for the low, low price of totally free.Fast forward to 2021, with writing for "Desus and Mero" now under her belt, the mononymic star has kicked her <keyword id="6359193" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="comedy">comedy</keyword> up yet another notch with her upcoming self-titled series on Showtime that includes more baiting and amusingly awkward conversations, satiric music videos, and sketches that poke fun at our problematic society. But this time, the content is exclusive (the cable network didn't even offer screeners of full episodes of "Ziwe" in time for publication).We did, however, score a peek at guest and equally insightful humorist Fran Liebowitz conceding that she doesn't think about race as much as Ziwe. We also see comedian and "Together Together " star Patti Harrison and Ziwe twerking in miniskirts and bling in a rap video titled "Stop Being Poor," that includes the lyrics, "If you have medical debt, just call your provider." There's also a sketch with "How I Met Your Mother" star Cristin Milioti and "30 Rock" actress Jane Krakowski (yes, Ziwe has upped the celeb factor here) as closeted Karens with an American Girl fetish.While Ziwe is obviously addressing very real subjects in her comedy (this is the same woman who previously sipped out of mugs with the words "white tears" on them as her guests took several Ls on the couch next to her), she's doing it in her own fresh, irreverent way that makes it easy for people across races to enjoy."It has to be accessible to a mass audience, and they have to find it funny," Ziwe told Insider while donning a fluffy pink sweater with a bouquet of flowers as her Zoom background. "Because I'm not a drama; I am a comedy."Just days away from her primetime debut as the show writer, executive producer and star of "Ziwe," the Nigerian American multihyphenate sat down with us to discuss creating art that imitates her life, growing up in Massachusetts with pop star aspirations, and punching up at the powers that be.<div type="image" title="Ziwe on Showtime" height="1333" width="2000" msid="82431446" hostid="261"></div>How did your experience growing up in Massachusetts shape your comedy?My experience growing up in Massachusetts shaped my comedy because New Englanders were taught that they were on the right side of history [regarding] the Civil War, that it's a post-racial society, everything is gravy. And I learned very quickly that that's not the case. So, it was really interesting to analyze the ways in which prejudice and ignorance permutate in northern space.Was it always your intention with your comedy to explore issues of race and, to use your word, "bait" people about the topic?It's kind of complicated. My art imitates life. So, the ways in which I interpret my life experiences will reflect the art that I create. So, it's not that I woke up one day and said, "Race is important to me and thus it will be my art." It was merely that these were things that I had to confront throughout my life. I found them to be both tragic and hilarious. So, my ways of coping with trauma are to laugh.The new Showtime series is fast approaching, yet I'm told none of the episodes are ready to screen yet. Is that because as a comedian in the social media and 24-hour news cycle era, you often find yourself doing a lot of editing or rewriting up to the moment?Oh, yeah. We shot this in 15 days in February. And the show premieres May 9. So, we are working through this process. That element of it is just a very quick turnover. But also, you have the script that you write, you have the script that you shoot, and then you have the script that you edit. So, each and all the episodes, while we shot them in 15 days, influence each other when we put them together over the course of six episodes.We're constantly writing and rewriting and that's what makes really good art - the ability to go back and hold what you're trying to say and make sure you're saying it right and make sure it's funny.Jokes that worked on the page may not work when you actually deliver them or in the edit. You're constantly trying to refine, refine, refine before it gets to wider audiences because I want you guys to have the best product possible.<div type="image" title="Ziwe on Showtime" height="2801" width="2000" msid="82431447" hostid="261"></div>With your "move" to Showtime, was there anything that you wanted or needed to adapt for the new audience? Ultimately, it's really down to scaling the production. You guys watched me last summer interview Alyssa Milano and Caroline Calloway and Alison Roman from my bedroom. I was the set designer. I was the interviewer. I was talent. I was talent booker. I was researcher, writer … I was doing it all.And just by virtue of having the privilege of collaborating with Showtime, I now have an entire team dedicated to booking people like Fran Lebowitz or writing questions in collaboration with me or set designing things like the "Stop Being Poor" music video. So, as a result of having a full-fledged team, in partnership with A24, you really see the aesthetic and the jokes shine in a way that they couldn't possibly when I was producing the show for myself.You've often asked your guests why they decided to be on your show. So, I'll turn that around on you: Why do you invite them?Well, because they're interesting, and have something compelling to say about race - and I know, it would be a fantastic, hilarious interview. Ultimately, it's about comedy and healing people through laughter. So, our goal is to create really funny moments. Each of my respective guests - Fran Liebowitz, Ebony K. Williams, Adam Pawley, Julio Torres, Bowen [Yang] and Patti [Harrison], as well as Phoebe Bridgers - all brought a unique comedic sensibility to the show. And it's such a privilege to talk to them.<div type="image" title="Ziwe on Showtime" height="1333" width="2000" msid="82431449" hostid="261"></div>Was there something specific that happened in the news cycle or on social media that you wanted to find a way to respond to on this show?There are definitely easter eggs throughout the show. But also, each of the pieces are influenced by the news and my experiences with society. Like, "Stop Being Poor," for example, that's a direct response to last summer when we watched people struggle between stimulus checks and lose their homes. The only aid that they were given was figure it out, pull yourself up by your bootstraps. I watched those callous responses to American citizens, and I had to write a song about it. It is a reflection of the ways in which people are just like, "I don't know, stop being poor." All the texts that we create are in conversations with what's going on in the world. That's the best satire.There's obviously a large landscape to pull from in order to achieve a laugh. Is there something that you absolutely won't touch? My comedy aims to punch up at those powers. So, I'm not trying to make marginalized communities feel horrible about themselves. I'm not trying to bully anyone. That's never my intention. So, by the virtue of punching up, I try not to punch down. And when I do punch down, I apologize profusely because that's not my intention.Your music is particularly striking, because it's a mix of satire and poignancy existing entirely in the comedy space. And you're clearly having so much fun with it. How was this musical side of your art manifested?I was a musical kid. I grew up watching Britney Spears doing "I'm a Slave 4 U" with a snake over her head! And I was like, "This is so cool. I want to do that. I want to be a pop star." And I learned very quickly that it's very hard to be a pop star. So, I settled for a comedian. I was president of my a capella club in high school. I have a mix tape. I've made music before. So, this is not new. It's new to this space, but I've always been musical.<div type="image" title="Ziwe on Showtime" height="2800" width="2000" msid="82431450" hostid="261"></div>Since so much of yourself and your experiences are intertwined with your onscreen persona, who is Ziwe off camera, when she's not being "Ziwe?"That's a hard question to answer. It's almost external. I'm silly, but I'm silly on camera. I think the character I've created on my show is a hyperbolic version of myself. But there are elements of me in that character.Which other aspects?My natural inquisitiveness, my musical inclinations. These are all reflections of the work I've been creating for years, which is part of who I am. I'm an artist. I've been an artist all my life. Even when I was working in a marketing job or at a restaurant or in college, I've always been artful.You've spoken in the past about a sense of validation as your comedy has grown and become more popular. Now that you have everyone's attention, what are you going to do with it?My validation doesn't actually come from external forces. That comes from within me. But what am I going to do now is, hopefully, punch up at those in power and say something really important and defend those who cannot defend themselves.This interview has been edited for clarity.

Ziwe says she uses race to bait her guests on her new Showtime series because 'my ways of coping with trauma are to laugh'

Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesHouse Judiciary Committee member Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) questions Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen during a hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill September 21, 2016 in Washington, DC.House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman Jason Chaffetz may take on a role at Fox News, according to a <a href="https://www.washingtonian.com/2017/05/13/jason-chaffetz-fox-news-house-republicans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Washingtonian report</a>.Chaffetz announced in April that he would not be seeking reelection, and there was brief speculation that he would run for governor - his website, jasoninthehouse.com, redirected to jasonforgovernor.com, though both have now been shut down. However, the Washingtonian, citing two anonymous Republican lawmakers and four House Republican aides, reported that Chaffetz may be planning instead to take on a "substantial role" at Fox as early as July. "Let's just say that when Jason told us he was headed to Fox, no one was surprised," a senior House Republican aide told the Washingtonian.Another aide told the Washingtonian that Chaffetz is "probably one of the most media-capable members in the House, just based on total time spent on a television camera."Chaffetz has been a frequent guest on Fox News over the last few years. Prior to the 2016 election, he often appeared to criticize former President Barack Obama's agenda, and as the 2016 election kicked off, he directed his aim at former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Fox News did not immediately return a request for comment regarding Chaffetz's potential role at the network. Fox recently saw a huge shakeup in its staff after former host <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-oreilly-leaving-fox-news-2017-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bill O'Reilly was ousted</a> following <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-oreilly-new-accuser-fox-news-sexual-harassment-hot-chocolate-2017-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">multiple accusations of sexual harassment</a>. Network co-president <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-shine-fox-news-bill-oreilly-2017-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bill Shine resigned</a> shortly after, and the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/fox-news-primetime-lineup-bill-oreilly-tucker-carlson-replacement-2017-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reshuffled primetime lineup</a> included Tucker Carlson taking over O'Reilly's 8 p.m. time slot, "The Five" host Eric Bolling co-hosting "The Fox News Specialists" with two other co-hosts, and "The Five" being moved to the 9 p.m. slot. Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Eric Bolling did not get his own show, and instead co-hosts "The Fox News Specialists" with Katherine Timpf and Eboni K. Williams. <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hasan-minhaj-roasts-donald-trump-the-white-house-correspondents-dinner-jokes-daily-show-2017-4">Watch Hasan Minhaj roast Trump at the White House correspondents' dinner</a></h3> Please enable Javascript to watch this video

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