NeNe Leakes.Photo: Bravo
NeNe Leakesis accusingBravo,Andy CohenandThe Real Housewives of Atlantaproduction companies of racism and a hostile work environment in a new lawsuit.
In Leakes' complaint filed in an Atlanta federal court, the reality star, 54, names the network, Cohen, 53, NBCUniversal andRHOAproduction companies True Entertainment and Truly Original as defendants, per theAssociated Press.
“NBC, Bravo and True foster a corporate and workplace culture in which racially-insensitive and inappropriate behavior is tolerated — if not, encouraged,” the filing alleges, according toTHR.
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DeRubertis did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for additional comment.
The lawsuit says during season 5, Zolciak-Biermann made “racially offensive and stereotypical” remarks about costarKandi Burruss' new home, referring to her neighborhood as “ghetto,” theAssociated Pressreports. Leakes alleges that later that year, Zolciak-Biermann also used the N-word when talking about Leakes and other costars.
Zolciak-Biermann is not named in the lawsuit.
NeNe Leakes.Cassidy Sparrow/Getty Images
“NeNe and Kim have been fine for a while now,” a source close to production tells PEOPLE. “Kim isn’t sure where all this is coming from.”
A rep for Zolciak-Biermann did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Leakes also accused the network of trying to stop her from being vocal about the Black Lives Matter movement, which rose to new heights as she was negotiating her contract ahead ofRHOA’s13th season, according toTHR.
RELATED VIDEO: Bravo Reacts toNeNe Leakes’RHOAExit: ‘Maybe One Day She’ll Hold the Peach Again’
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.
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Leakes starred inRHOAfrom its debut season in 2008 through season 7. She was a part-time costar for the show’s 8th season before returning to full-time status in seasons 10 through 12. Sheofficially left the showafter its 12th season in 2020. During her time with Bravo, she also starred in a spinoffI Dream of Nene: The Wedding, which featured the days leading up to her second wedding to husband Gregg Leakes in 2013.
Reps for Nene did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. Bravo and Cohen declined to comment.
source: people.com
