A racial slur taints 'Real Housewives' and the explanation is pretty nuts
Lost count of the amount of Real Housewives franchises around the world? So have we.
Yet the Auckland-based version of the franchise in New Zealand is in a tonne of hot water, due to one of its stars being filmed using an awful racial slur, which producers have chosen to include in Tuesday night's episode -- albeit bleeped out. Apparently it's "boating term."
One of the show's stars, Julia Sloane was recorded off-camera using the n-word in reference to another housewife, Michelle Blanchard in episode six of the series. Blanchard is British and of Caribbean descent.
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The comment was made during a luxury yacht trip with the housewives, when another housewife Gilda Kirkpatrick asked Blanchard for some help, prompting Sloane to make the comment "she's not your boat n***er," according to the New Zealand Herald.
Sloane has since issued a statement to the New Zealand Herald, in which she said she apologised for the remark.
"While in Port Douglas filming for Real Housewives of Auckland I made an off-camera and off-the cuff inappropriate comment which caused hurt to Michelle," she said. "I wasn't thinking. I made a mistake and I have apologised to Michelle for my remark.
"There is no excuse for using offensive words under any circumstances and I have learned from this foolish mistake. I have put this distressing experience behind me and am moving on."
Sloane's husband, investment banker Michael Lorimer, told the newspaper it was a "tongue-in- cheek boating term" that he and his wife would use occasionally while sailing, and that alcohol might be a factor in why the remark was made.
They're both trying to get lawyers to amend the episode, saying it's "grossly unfair" on the part of the producers.
Blanchard told The Spinoff that she's still unhappy about Sloane not owning up to the incident, although explained that she doesn't have a problem with Sloane as they have a "professional working relationship."
"It came out of her mouth. So she needs to own it. Don't blame it on anybody else or make it out to be a lighthearted comment that you jokingly use, because you know what? It is not a lighthearted comment. It's an offensive comment," she told the publication.
Blanchard also added she knows plenty of boating people, and they have never heard of the so-called boating term being used.
"Most of them haven’t even heard of it. And those that had considered it a highly inappropriate comment to make," she said.
"Put it this way: Michael should come down to Harlem or Brooklyn, where I've just been, and stand there with a sign saying 'boat n*****s needed for a hand on a boat'. See how long he could stand there without getting shot."
In a statement online, Bravo acknowledged the incident and said it would be doing all it can to ensure the incident is "accurately represented."
"Episode Six of Real Housewives of Auckland deals with an incident where a cast member makes an offensive comment to another cast member.
"We have taken this matter very seriously. Bravo has given much consideration to ensuring the events are accurately represented, in order that the context of the remark and subsequent events, can be fully understood.
"While the nature of Bravo programming is unscripted, it is a deeply regrettable incident which we are endeavouring to deal with in a responsible manner."
Whatever the end result, at least reality television can finally provide a teachable moment: Don't be racist.
Topics Racial Justice
