NeNe Leakes Sues Andy Cohen and Bravo for Alleged Failure to Address Racism on 'Real Housewives'
NeNe Leakes is suing the companies behind the, alleging that they fostered and tolerated a hostile and racist work environment.The lawsuit, filed in the Atlanta federal court on Wednesday, lists NBCUniversal, Bravo, the production companies True Entertainment and Truly Original, executives from the companies and executive producer Andy Cohen as defendants, according to the Associated Press,The suit states, per the AP, “NBC, Bravo and True foster a corporate and workplace culture in which racially-insensitive and inappropriate behavior is tolerated – if not, encouraged.”According to the AP, the lawsuit states that Leakes had complained for years about alleged racist remarks made by fellow former cast member Kim Zolciak-Biermann, who, according to the suit, allegedly made “racially insensitive and stereotypical” comments about fellow cast member Kandi Burruss' home and that Zolciak-Biermann allegedly used the N-word to refer to Leakes and other members of the cast. Leakes did not name Zolciak-Biermann in the lawsuit.The lawsuit also claims that Leakes' complaints of alleged racism had her forced off the series prior to the 13th season in 2020. Leakes was a cast member on from 2008-2020. Leakes' lawyer in Beverly Hills, David DeRubertis, released a statement to ET regarding the lawsuit.“From the day the series began filming, NeNe was the target of systemic racism from co-star Kim Zolciak-Biermann, which was tolerated by Bravo executive producer Andy Cohen and other executives,” says DeRubertis.