Back in April of this year, former Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes filed suit against Bravo. She alleged that Bravo, along with the RHOA production company, Andy Cohen and parent company NBCUniversal fostered a hostile and racist work environment. Now it seems like both sides are trying to work out a settlement.
As reported by Page Six, an Atlanta judge granted both parties a 45 day-extension. The grant came after the defendants requested more time to “negotiate” the dispute. Court documents from June 24th reveal that the defendants filed a motion arguing that ongoing disputes are “already subject to arbitration in New York.” They cited contract agreements between them and NeNe as the reason.
Legal experts explain that arbitration is when two parties use an independent, impartial third party to settle. The motion noted that NeNe “disagrees” with the proposed arbitration. But that both parties are “in the process of negotiating this issue in an attempt to avoid the time and expense of a motion to compel arbitration” through their attorneys. Therefore, the judge signed the extension saying that it is “appropriate to complete these discussions.” The deadline on the extension is August 19th.
NeNe’s lawsuit was a Bravo bombshell. She claimed that she suffered years of racist behavior from former castmate Kim Zolciak, who is white. NeNe also alleged that when she complained to Bravo higher-ups, she was ignored. And eventually blackballed from work outside of Bravo. NeNe told TMZ in May, “I was constantly being retaliated against, being blacklisted, not able to work, being silenced, and so, you know, it was difficult to do.”
In the suit NeNe outlined instances where Kim was allegedly racist on camera. Kim called NeNe’s home a “roach nest,” said that castmate Kandi Burruss’ neighborhood was “ghetto,” and purportedly used a racial slur. Instead of being fired, NeNe argues that Kim was rewarded with her own spin-off. Kim recently responded to NeNe’s allegations. She stated, “[NeNe] knows what she’s saying is not true in regards to me. That’s ridiculous, and she knows it.” She then added, “I’ll deal with her when she’s done with them. You can’t say things that aren’t true and try to defame somebody.”
After 12 seasons on RHOA, NeNe announced her departure in September of 2021. She stated in part, “It wasn’t an easy decision for me. It was hard.”
TELL US – DO YOU THINK NENE AND BRAVO WILL COME TO A SETTLEMENT? WAS NENE RIGHT TO FILE SUIT?
[Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo]
