“The Real Housewives Of New York” Added Its First Black Cast Member
It happened. It finally happened. After twelve years and sixteen main Housewives, Bravo has officially cast a Black women on The Real Housewives of New York. Her name is Eboni K. Williams, she’s an attorney, author, and the host/executive producer of Revolt Black News. Her other TV credits include hosting gigs on Fox Sports, Fox News, NBA 2K, and more.
37-year-old Eboni confirmed her casting in a statement (via People):
“NYC is filled with successful and dynamic Black women. I’m excited to join this legendary franchise as the first Black housewife,” she said in a statement. “Can’t wait to share a slice of life in this city that hasn’t been seen before. Anyone who’s aware of my work knows I don’t hold back. I’m going to keep it just as real here as I do everywhere else.”
She also posted about it on Instagram:
Dark Overlord of Bravo Andy Cohen confirmed the news on Twitter:
I’m SO excited!!🍎
— Eboni K. Williams (@EboniKWilliams) October 8, 2020
Before news of Eboni’s casting, it was reported that Bershan Shaw, who is also a Black woman, was filming with the New York crew. However, her role on the series was never confirmed, so my guess is she’ll be a “friend of” the Housewives.
It sucks that Eboni and Bershan will be forced to deal with Trump supporter/COVID moron Ramona Singer. And the casual racism of the other cast members, who only leave their Upper East Side bubble to weekend in the Hamptons. Here’s hoping LuAnn de Lesseps doesn’t opt for another blackface/afro Halloween costume (she was supposed to be Diana Ross).
Since the dawn of time, the Housewives franchises have been famously segregated. Atlanta and Potomac feature Black cast members (err, excluding blow-up doll Kim Zolciak), and the other shows are mostly white (except for the canceled Miami, which featured a few Latina Housewives). Last year Garcelle Beauvais became the first Black cast member on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
A few months ago Bravo fired Vanderpump Rules stars Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute for racist bullying. Before that, Real Housewives of Dallas’ LeeAnne Locken was fired for being xenophobic and racist toward Mexican-American castmate, Kary Brittingham. Then people were campaigning to get Real Housewives of Orange County’s Kelly Dodd shitcanned after racist comments she made waaaay back in 2016 (basically the Stone Age) resurfaced. This is the same dullard who claimed coronavirus was God’s way of thinning the herd, and, as recently as last weekend, posted a picture of herself wearing a hat that said, “Drunk Wives Matter” (which is obviously a stupid play on Black Lives Matter). In a since-deleted Instagram video, Kelly explained that the hat was a gift, and, “you know what, all lives matter. People that can’t take a joke, go fuck yourselves.”
But enough about people cursed with half a brain. Back to Eboni. Her statement is completely correct – NYC is filled with successful Black women, and it’s bizarre it took the series twelve goddamn seasons to wake the fuck up. Welcome to the 21st century, Andy Cohen! We have Candy Crush!
Pic: Wenn.com