During Season 4 of Real Housewives of Dallas, the cast members were forced to deal with LeeAnne Locken’s repeated jabs at Kary Brittingham’s Mexican heritage. LeeAnne called Kary “Mexican and strong,” among other derogatory comments. After a bruising reunion, LeeAnne exited the franchise.
Then it was RHOD star Brandi Redmond’s turn to face accusations of racial insensitivity. Brandi made a video where she made fun of Asian people in 2017. In January 2020, a Twitter user posted the video, where Brandi was seen squinting her eyes and speaking in an exaggerated accent.
In the disgusting clip, Brandi said, “Oh, everybody ask me…uh…uh…what Asian I am cuz of my eyes, they squinty.” And she did this in front of her kids. Not cool, Brandi.
Brandi finally apologized for the video in a tweet. Brandi wrote, “A video resurfaced of me from three years ago which at the time I had posted and quickly deleted and then immediately apologized for my insensitivity. I would like to once again sincerely apologize for my offensive actions.” On January 13, 2020 Brandi’s rep released a statement saying that Brandi had gone to a wellness center to “reflect and better herself.”
RELATED: Real Housewives Of Dallas Star Brandi Redmond Checks Into Wellness Center Amid Racism Allegations
During the Season 5 premiere, Brandi revealed that she suffered emotionally because of her actions, and that she was remorseful. Tiffany Moon, who is an anesthesiologist and mom of twin girls, is a newbie this season. Viewers had been anxiously waiting to see what happened when Tiffany met Brandi.
In an interview with Daily Star, RHOD cast member D’Andra Simmons discussed how “proud” she is of the way her cast members dealt with racism this season, including Brandi’s tape. “It was the first thing we did, we talked about it,” D’Andra shared.
RELATED: D’Andra Simmons Wishes She Handled Things Differently During Feud With LeeAnne Locken; Says She Was In A “Puddle Of Tears At All Times”
“My friend, Tiffany Moon who is Chinese, was the perfect person to explain how growing up in America as an immigrant, how she felt and how it affected her, and why that video was hurtful.” It was an emotional moment during the first episode when Tiffany told Brandi how, when she arrived in America as a child, people made slanted eyes at her.
D’Andra explained, “Coming from me or somebody else, it wouldn’t land the same. If you watched how Tiffany did that, she was very stern but also very heartfelt.”
D’Andra concluded, “I believe the way that happened and the way it unfolded was the perfect way to tell that story.” She also touched on the Black Lives Matter movement. D’Andra said, “Of course, we are not putting our heads in the sand. We are all living in this radical time in our country. People are very upset and we’re having those conversations.” Finally!
RELATED: Kary Brittingham Had Another Falling Out With LeeAnne Locken After Kary Defended Brandi Redmond’s Video Mocking Asians
“But now we’re doing it and I’m very proud of us,” D’Andra remarked. She’s “thrilled [to hit] those topics head on, discussing them and understanding that there are conversations that need to be had.”
D’Andra concluded, “I hope we continue to have those conversations, I think it’s great.”
Now that LeeAnne is gone, D’Andra feels like the show has new energy. “This year I think that it is very light, it is very refreshing,” D’Andra added. Maybe that could be a side effect of the shaman blowing smoke or something in her nose? The constant bickering between Kary and D’Andra is far from refreshing.
RELATED: D’Andra Simmons Says She Doesn’t Know “What’s In LeeAnne Locken’s Heart” Regarding Racially Insensitive Comments On Real Housewives Of Dallas
TELL US- HOW DO YOU THINK RHOD IS HANDLING RACISM THIS SEASON? WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT TIFFANY’S DISCUSSION WITH BRANDI? IS THE CAST TOO GENTLE ON BRANDI? IS BRANDI GENUINELY SORRY? THOUGHTS ON D’ANDRA’S COMMENTS?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]