Nene Leakes has filed a lawsuit against the companies responsible for the “Real Housewives of Atlanta”. The lawsuit alleges Nene’s complaints of racism led to her being forced out of the show in 2020 ahead of its 13th season.
The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Atlanta, says Nene complained to executives for years about racist remarks by fellow housewife Kim Zolciak Biermann between 2008 and 2017. Nene’s team alleges that executives at NBCUniversal and Bravo television took no action after she complained and instead retaliated against Nene, ultimately forcing her off the show.
NeNe Leakes sued the companies behind “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” on Wednesday, alleging that they fostered and tolerated a hostile and racist work environment https://t.co/57Pe7i3v9b
— TIME (@TIME) April 21, 2022
“From the day the series began filming, NeNe has been the target of systemic racism from co-star Kim Zolciak-Biermann, which was condoned by Bravo executive producer #AndyCohen and other executives,” said Nene’s attorney, David DeRubertis, said in a statement.
“As the Black Lives Matter movement swept our country, Ms. Leakes – Bravo’s most successful black female talent – should have been embraced by NBC, Bravo and True,” the suit reads. “Instead, NBC, Bravo and True forced her out of the ‘house she built,’ denying her a regular role.
The lawsuit then alleges that the defendants’ actions violate federal employment and anti-discrimination law, which is why they are seeking damages to be determined at trial.
