Nene Leakes Sues Bravo and Andy Cohen for Alleged Racist and Hostile Work Environment: Report

Former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Nene Leakes has reportedly filed a lawsuit against several parties, including Andy Cohen, alleging racism and a hostile work environment.

On Wednesday, The Associated Press reported that the reality TV personality filed the lawsuit in federal court in Atlanta against her former network Bravo, NBCUniversal, and “RHOA” production companies, True Entertainment and Truly Original. Cohen, an executive producer on the “Real Housewives” franchise and host of the reunion specials, is also listed as a defendant.

“NBC, Bravo and True foster a corporate and workplace culture in which racially-insensitive and inappropriate behavior is tolerated — if not, encouraged,” the filing alleges.

In her suit, Leakes alleges that former “RHOA” costar Kim Zolciak-Biermann made racist comments for years but was not punished.

On the contrary, Leakes alleges she was the one who received punishments after complaining to executives.

In the papers, Leakes alleges that executives “did not terminate their relationship with Zolciak-Biermann, nor take any other meaningful action to put an end to her racially-offensive behavior” but instead gave her a spinoff, “Don’t Be Tardy,” which aired on Bravo for eight seasons.

“From the day the series began 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,” Leakes’ lawyer David deRubertis said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

Specifically, the lawsuit says that during Season 5, Zolciak-Biermann made “racially offensive and stereotypical” remarks about co-star Kandi Burruss’ new home, referring to her neighborhood as “ghetto.”

Leakes also alleges that later that year, Zolciak-Biermann used the N-word when talking about Leakes and other co-stars.

Despite these allegations, Zolciak-Biermann is not named in the lawsuit.

Though a representative for Zolciak-Biermann did not immediately respond to People’s request for comment, a source close to production told the outlet, “Nene and Kim have been fine for a while now. Kim isn’t sure where all this is coming from.”

Ultimately, the suit alleges that the defendants’ actions violated federal employment and anti-discrimination laws. As a result, Nene is seeking monetary damages to be determined at trial.

After appearing on “RHOA” from its debut season in 2008 through Season 7, Nene was a part-time costar for the show’s eighth season before returning to full-time status in Seasons 10 through 12.

Earlier this year, Nene was a guest co-host on “The Real” and discussed the importance of protecting your peace amid conflict. WATCH, below: