Jennie Nguyen spoke at length on Instagram Live a day after Bravo fired her from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Her termination came after racially insensitive posts from her deactivated Facebook page resurfaced online.
via: Page Six
According to Nguyen, 44, a social media team is to blame for sharing the offensive posts in 2020 on her non-verified personal Facebook page that existed before she was cast on “RHOSLC.”
“I just want you to understand that, during that time, I had a team of people that [were] helping me. Whether they posted [or] I posted, it doesn’t really matter at this point,” she said.
“For me, it’s on my account and I take full responsibility and accountability for what was posted.”
Many of Nguyen’s posts mocked the Black Lives Matter movement and protesters in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, and contained phrases like “BLM Thugs” and “Violent Gangs.”
“I know I hurt a lot of people. My viewpoint during that time in 2020 was emotional and it brings back a lot of memories during that time when we went through such a tragic, terrible year,” she continued.
Though Nguyen called the posts “disgusting,” she emphasized that she is a “proud” Republican and shared her full-throated support for law enforcement.
“I want you to understand that my political stance, I still support that. I’m very proud to be a Republican. I am proud to be able to say I have the freedom of speech, too, and to have an opinion,” she said.
“I don’t tolerate violence but I do support my law enforcement. I know with every profession, there’s good and there’s bad. I don’t support the bad. I don’t support the brutality with black people or with any race,” she elaborated. “But I do support my law enforcement, but that doesn’t make me racist. To support my political stance, that does not make me a racist. I want you to understand that.”
Sitting next to Nguyen was her pal Michael, a black gay man, who insisted that she is “not a racist.”
“Over time, I did have to educate her on the whole Black Lives Matter and everything like that because I’m a gay black man, so I live it every day” he said. “Anybody that’s saying she paid him to be there or she pulled the friend card, I see all your comments.”
Added Michael, “But here’s the reality. I know Jennie and I know her character and I know the person that she is inside. She’s not a racist.”
Bravo released a statement on Tuesday saying it had “ceased filming” with the reality TV newbie, who joined “RHOSLC” in Season 2.
“Bravo has ceased filming with Jennie Nguyen and she will no longer be a cast member on ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,’” the network said in a statement.
“We recognize we failed to take appropriate action once her offensive social media posts were brought to our attention. Moving forward, we will work to improve our processes to ensure we make better informed and more thoughtful casting decisions.”
The backlash against Nguyen, 44, began last week after dozens of Facebook posts surfaced.
Nguyen initially apologized in a statement shared via Instagram the same day the posts became public, writing in part, “I thought I was speaking out against violence.”
Still, fans called for Nguyen’s firing, and her “Salt Lake City” co-stars condemned her via social media and unfollowed her on Instagram.
Jen Shah, whose husband and sons are black, called Nguyen’s apology “disingenuous.” Lisa Barlow, who had been friends with Nguyen for years, said that she “definitely” doesn’t “condone” her ex-pal’s comments.
Whitney Rose was “shocked and saddened” and Heather Gay admitted that she was “disappointed” in Nguyen’s actions. Meanwhile, Meredith Marks said she was “sickened” by Nguyen’s “vile” posts, and “Housewives” honcho Andy Cohen called Nguyen’s posts “disgusting.”
A source told Page Six on Tuesday that the cast is “so relieved” that Nguyen lost her snowflake. “Absolutely nobody wanted to film with her or be associated with her after the social media drama,” the insider said.
Nguyen’s social media scandal made headlines as “RHOSLC” Season 3 was in its early stages of production. It remains uncertain how her departure will be addressed on the show.
“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
