Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/NBCU/Getty; Charles Sykes/NBCU/Getty
Kim Zolciak-Biermannis not happy to be cited inNeNe Leakes' ongoing lawsuit with Bravo, NBCUniversal, Andy Cohen and otherReal Housewives of Atlantaproducers.
The reality star, 44, speaks out for the first time about being included in the suit inSaturday’s episode of OWN’sThe Nightcap with Carlos King, telling King that Leakes' claims that she made racists remarks while filming the reality show are untrue.
“I’ll deal with her when she’s done with them,” added the “Tardy for the Party” singer. “You can’t say things that aren’t true and try to defame somebody.”
Leakes, 54, and Zolciak-Biermann have a long history together, with a friendship that spans back years beforeRHOAcameras started filming them in the first season ofRHOAin 2008.
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty
Over the course of filming, the two fell out many times, their feud and never-ending ups and downs fueling much of the the drama during the series' first first few seasons. When Zolciak-Biermann left in season 5, they were ultimately in a good place. “There’s always this level of respect between NeNe and I no matter what’s gone on,” Zolciak-Biermann said before hugging Leakes at the season 5 reunion. “We knew each other before this … and we make each other madder than anybody else.”
But things went south after that. A spin-off series starring the two was announced and then scrapped before filming could begin due to behind-the-scene conflicts. Zolciak-Biermann ultimately returned toRHOAas a Friend in season 10 and seemed to be cool with Leakes untilZolciak-Biermann claimed Leakes lived in a “roach nest"after theDon’t Be Tardystar’s daughterBriellefilmed bugs in Leakes bathroom and shared the clip on social media.
That launched “RoachGate,” withLeakes calling Zolciak-Biermann and “racist"and many of the Atlanta Housewives telling Zolciak-Biermann they felt her comment was racially insensitive. Zolciak-Biermann denied she was racist and claimed sheobtained legal counsel against Leakes. Both vowed to never be friends again.
That was in the spring of 2018. By the fall of that year, the two were back in one another’s good graces thanks toZolciak-Biermann, who sent Leakes' support during her husband Gregg’s initial cancer diagnosis. The mother of six was also there for Leakes afterGregg died in September 2021, and the women currently follow each other on Instagram.
Bravo
Leakes did not return toRHOAfor its 12th season, announcing her exit in September 2020 whilethanking fans, Bravo and her costars for supporting her over the years.
But in the following months,she has repeatedly claimed that she was pushed out of the show and that the network is blackballing her.
“NBC, Bravo and True foster a corporate and workplace culture in which racially-insensitive and inappropriate behavior is tolerated — if not, encouraged,” the filing alleged.
Prince Williams/Wireimage; Prince Williams/Wireimage
“Executives “did not terminate their relationship with Zolciak-Biermann, nor take any other meaningful action to put an end to her racially-offensive behavior” but instead gave her a spinoff, the suit claims — referencingDon’t Be Tardy, which aired on Bravo for eight seasons.
Leakes is alleging the defendants violated federal employment and anti-discrimination laws and is suing for an unspecified amount to be decided upon during trial.
The case is ongoing. Neither Bravo nor Cohen or any of the other defendants have commented.
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Saturday’s episode ofThe Nightcap with Carlos Kingwill see Zolciak-Biermann reunite with formerRHOAseason 1 costarsDeShawn Snow,Shereé WhitfieldandLisa Wufor the first time in more than 14 years.
Leakes' other former costars are expected to give their opinion about the lawsuit on the episode as well.
The Nightcap with Carlos Kingairs Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET on OWN, and season 14 ofThe Real Housewives of Atlantaairs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
source: people.com
