In October, Eboni K. Williams was announced as the first Black co-star on Real Housewives of New York. Former RHONY star Bethenny Frankel has said that she suggested several African American women’s names to join the show.
Leah McSweeney, who is going into her sophomore season, is a long-time supporter of the Black Lives Matter Movement. She also spoke out hoping to bring some racial diversity to the show.
People reported that Eboni discussed how race will be part of RHONY during an interview with SiriusXM’s Bevy Smith on Bevelations.
Eboni stated, “Race is absolutely discussed, I think in responsible, but very authentic ways on this season. It’s already happening. I can tell you that much.”
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The cast is still filming the season. “I believe it will continue to happen because it’s what you said — it’s unavoidable,” Eboni added.
The television host and attorney continued, “I’m not one to bite my tongue or ignore the big elephant in the room. When it’s brought to me to discuss, you know, as we say in the South, I cut no cards.” Season 13 is beginning to sound like it tackles some actual issues besides drinking to excess and naked tiki-torch throwing.
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“But listen, I’m also not the preachy type. I’m not here to lecture you. I have two full-time jobs–one is not to be a professor to white women about Black America, ’cause that doesn’t pay,” Eboni remarked. “However, what I am is a human, and somebody that thinks that God has blessed me with a particular temperament and skillset to engage in these dialogues, responsibly and authentically.”
So, why did Eboni decide to become part of the New York Housewives? “People know me as a lawyer, people know me as a journalist, people know me as a broadcaster,” she explained.
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“People don’t know my heart. People don’t know me as a friend,” Eboni said. She added, “People don’t know me as a lover. And I’m excited to share that.” It sounds as if Eboni will be very open about her life, which is important as a Housewife.
“So, I’m open hearted with these ladies, too. I’m not going to take no bulls—- and I’m not going to play with them,” Eboni said. “But listen, when they show me they want to grow, I’m open and so excited to support them in their growth.”
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But Eboni has a special bond with one particular co-star–Leah. They are the two youngest RHONY cast members, but they also have a lot in common.
Eboni shared, “I call Leah Black-adjacent–she’s adjacent to the culture.” Eboni also appreciates how Leah is able to be herself.
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“Leah is exactly who she is, she’s unapologetic about who she is,” Eboni commented. “She acknowledges how the culture –our culture– has influenced her career and her aesthetic and her lens and she pays homage. She’s not trying to be a Black girl and I really, really love that about Leah,” the newbie Housewife added.
Time will tell how well Eboni gels with her RHONY co-stars Sonja Morgan, Ramona Singer, and Luann de Lesseps.
TELL US- ARE YOU EXCITED THAT BRAVO HAS CAST RHONY’S FIRST BLACK HOUSEWIFE? DO YOU THINK THAT EBONI IS A GOOD FIT FOR THE SHOW? WHO WILL EBONI CLASH WITH THE MOST AS A NEWBIE?
[Photo Credit: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images]
