Andy Cohen has addressed the firing of four Vanderpump Rules cast members over their past racist actions being recently brought to light.
Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni have all been axed by Bravo, after their past racist comments resurfaced.
Andy, 52, spoke about Bravo’s decision Wednesday on his SiriusXM channel Radio Andy saying ‘I absolutely support Bravo’s decision, I think it was the right decision’ while also pointing out, ‘I don’t produce the show.’
Speaking out: Andy Cohen has addressed the firing of Vanderpump cast members over their past racist actions being recently brought to light.
The father-of-one said: ‘There’s so much happening in the Bravo universe. I will say this: so much talk about Vanderpump Rules and then of course the reunion ended up airing last night.’
‘I will say this about what happened. I absolutely support Bravo’s decision, I think it was the right decision, and I want to remind people because I’ve been getting so many tweets and messages and whatever about Vanderpump Rules and about Southern Charm and other shows’
‘I am not, I don’t – I feel like I remind people this all the time – I’m not in charge of programming at Bravo anymore. I am not an Executive Producer of Vanderpump Rules. I don’t have anything to do with the show except I love it and that I host the ‘reunions.’
In the firing line: Stassie Shroeder has been axed from Vanderpump Rules over her past racist behavior
He added: added, ‘I don’t produce the show so what I want people to know is I have no say in hiring and firing.’
Andy used to work as a top executive for Bravo before stepping down to produce his own show Watch What Happens Live.
Stassi, 31, and Kristen, 37, have starred on the reality show since its inception in 2013 while Max, 27, and Brett, 31, were newcomers on the most recent season eight.
They’re out: Vanderpump Rules stars Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute have been fired by Bravo after their racially-charged prank that targeted co-star Faith Stowers
Most damning: Stassi called the cops on her black former costar Faith Stowers – whom she didn’t like – in an effort to get her in trouble on a previous season of the show; Faith is seen in 2016 above
Speaking out: Stassi said she’s refocused her mentality amid the career crisis, which has seen her lose sponsors and admit to ‘racially insensitive comments’
Arguably one of the most popular stars of the series, which follows the staff at Lisa Vanderpump-owned SUR restaurant in West Hollywood, Stassi has come under fire for a disturbing racist stunt, along with racially-insensitive remarks she has shared online in recent years.
The outspoken blonde has since been dropped by her agent, publicist and several sponsors after her and pal Kristen’s racially-driven stunt against black co-star Faith Stowers came to light.
A spokesperson for Bravo and Evolution Media confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that Stassi, Kristen, Max and Brett ‘will not be returning to Vanderpump Rules’.
Scandal: Stassi parted ways with both her agent and her publicist after previous racist remarks and behavior has resurfaced
Stassi also made offensive comments on a previous podcast episode where she was heard speaking negatively about black people and claiming they ask for special treatment in Hollywood.
On Tuesday afternoon, Faith said felt ‘vindicated’ after their firing, in a new interview with Page Six.
‘I feel so vindicated studios and production are able to see blatant racism and make these positive changes and help move the race forward – help with the fight forward,’ Faith told the outlet.
Apologetic: Newcomers Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni have also been dropped by Bravo. They apologized last week for past racist tweets on the Vanderpump Rules reunion
The 31-year-old star continued: ‘I was in the middle of prayer and I felt a sense of – I know it sounds corny – I felt a sense of glory. I felt God’s presence and I’m seeing now [that the news has been revealed] maybe that is what that was.’
Adding: ‘He gave me a sign of optimism meant to be hopeful and showing that all of this was worth it.’
Faith said that she ‘was ready to put myself in the line of fire because I don’t know what will happen if I don’t say anything, but I’m glad I did.’
‘Now I’m seeing Bravo follow suit, releasing women that have given crazy ratings for them because they want to be on the right side of history and I’m seeing people are finally hearing us,’ Faith said to Page Six.
She also said that she hopes networks and production companies are ‘ready to hire casting directors and producers of color to make sure there changes are not just a one-time thing.’
Faith added: ‘I hope they use this time that they have now to educate themselves to why this happened to them and try to use [their] voice later for real change.’
After losing several endorsement deals over the past week, Stassi has now been forced to part ways with both her agent and her publicist, Variety reported Monday.