No stranger to controversy, the popular reality TV franchise The Real Housewives has just been slapped with a damning set of allegations from one of its most iconic stars. In a shocking turn of events, former The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member Nene Leakes just started legal proceedings against both the network and production companies responsible for the show. The RHOA star, whose quick-witted sense of humour and charismatic personality made her an instant reality TV sensation, is essentially suing the show’s production team, including executive producer Andy Cohen. So what is all this legal drama about? We delve in further. Who is being sued? According to US Weekly , Leakes filed the lawsuit in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 20. The former RHOA star has brought the lawsuit against NBC Universal and Bravo (the network on which the various Real Housewives series air) as well as production companies True Entertainment and Truly Original. Also being sued is Andy Cohen, executive producer and host of all of The Real Housewives reunion episodes. The Oscars slap aftermath: what will happen to Will Smith’s career? Why are they being sued? The 54-year-old American TV personality has alleged that the network, production companies and executives involved not only allowed racist attitudes and conduct, but even went as far as “encouraging” this type of offensive behaviour. As per court documents, Leakes has accused the show’s production teams of “[fostering] a corporate and workplace culture in which racially insensitive and inappropriate behaviour is tolerated – if not encouraged”. Perhaps most shocking is that Cohen is included in the list of accused parties. Cohen and Leakes had a seemingly close relationship over the years. Leakes was even instrumental in helping Cohen put on his son’s baby shower, an event that was famously attended by almost all of the Housewives from the show’s iterations. Who is not being sued – but still plays an important role? Though Leakes’ former RHOA castmate and on-again-off-again bestie Kim Zolciak-Biermann is not being sued herself, she is mentioned throughout the lawsuit. Over the years, Leakes has accused Zolciak-Biermann (and in one instance even her daughter Brielle) of racially offensive behaviour from comments made during the show’s production as well as online. The lawsuit claims that Leakes attempted to address these issues with the show’s executives without success. As explained by Leakes’ lawyer David deRubertis, the crux of the case is that from the very inception of the show’s filming, “Nene was the target of systemic racism from co-star Kim Zolciak-Biermann, which was tolerated by Bravo executive producer Andy Cohen and other executives.” Meet Siew Pui Yi, the controversial Malaysian influencer and OnlyFans star Radar Online reported that Leakes further exposed emails from the show’s executives saying that calling out her castmates’ insulting behaviour would be “bad for business”. The lawsuit further alleges that not only was Zolciak-Biermann’s offensive behaviour tolerated, it was even rewarded. As per Radar Online, “Nene says she complained to Andy Cohen and producers – who instead of firing Kim gave her a spin-off.” Though many accusations are made in the lawsuit, a significant one, as reported by WSB-TV , is that Leakes’ complaints to the show’s executives were partly responsible for her forced exit from the show in 2020. At the time, the Black Lives Matter movement was accelerating, with Leakes being an outspoken and active supporter. The show’s executives are accused of silencing Leakes and preventing her from addressing the BLM movement on the show. Ultimately the lawsuit is accusing the show’s production of violating American federal employment and anti-discrimination laws. So what happens now? The lawsuit seeks to win Leakes monetary damages, which would be determined by the courts during trial. It’s clear that Leakes is ready to see this case through to its full legal conclusion. Who is the richest Pink Floyd member? The band’s net worths, ranked Days before the news of the lawsuit broke, the reality TV star tweeted to her almost two million followers: “Stop harassing me, my business and my family! Stop having me followed, stop blacklisting black women for speaking the truth, stop paying off lawyers to not file discrimination claims! Stop it!” Stop harassing me, my business and my family! Stop having me followed, stop blacklisting black women for speaking the truth, stop paying off attorneys to not file discrimination claims! STOP IT — NeNe Leakes (@NeNeLeakes) April 12, 2022 She also updated her Twitter bio to read in capital letters: “Blacklisted for telling the truth and not wanting to be abused any more! Reciptsss.” While the stage is certainly set for a dramatic case, we’ll have to wait to see how this plays out. The accused parties have yet to respond. Want more stories like this? Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .