Controversial Comment
In a recent episode of The Real Housewives of New York, Brynn Whitfield faced significant criticism for referring to her co-star Ubah Hassan as an “angry Black woman.” This controversial remark, made during a private conversation, sparked intense backlash from fans and viewers alike. In an off-camera discussion, 38-year-old Whitfield voiced her concern to Hassan, saying, “I don’t want you to be an angry Black woman like this.”
She feared that if Hassan behaved in this way, her boyfriend, investment banker Oliver Dachsel, might not want to marry her. She explained, “I told her, ‘I want you to marry Oliver. I want Oliver to want to marry you.’” This comment was made during a heated debate amid the cast’s trip to the Hamptons, and both women later recounted their experience in interviews with Bravo cameras, further fueling the controversy.
Addressing the Backlash
On Friday, Brynn took to her Instagram Story to clarify her comments, asserting that her remarks about Hassan were taken out of context. She stated, “I’m genuinely scared to see my intentions twisted and my words misunderstood.” She emphasized that the episode had been edited in a way that misrepresented her views on the “angry Black woman” stereotype.
Whitfield claimed that Hassan had previously mentioned this stereotype during their trip to Anguilla. Brynn recalled, “In a tense moment after the incident with Erin’s sunglasses, Ubah said directly to the camera, ‘Don’t edit me to look like an angry Black woman.’” She noted that they had extensively discussed the harm and implications of this stereotype, hoping to address the cultural sensitivities involved.
Acknowledging Cultural Differences
As a biracial woman with a white mother and a Black father, Whitfield expressed her awareness of the complexities surrounding discussions of race and identity. She acknowledged that she could never fully understand Ubah’s experiences based on her own background. Despite their previous heartfelt moments in the Hamptons, Brynn expressed confusion over what led to the deterioration of their relationship. She said, “I’m truly sorry if I crossed any lines that night in the Hamptons. That was never my intention,” highlighting her desire for clarity and understanding in their dynamic.
Fan Reactions and Criticism
Following the episode, social media erupted with criticism of Brynn’s comment. Many fans voiced disappointment, with one noting, “Brynn is starting to bother me, especially when she said Ubah shouldn’t be angry because she wants her (white) boyfriend to marry her.” Another fan highlighted the problematic nature of Brynn’s remark, saying, “It’s cruel to imply that Ubah’s actions are tied to her relationship with a white man.”
Comments ranged from calling on Ubah to “walk away” to criticizing Brynn’s choice of words, with one viewer questioning, “How did she go from endearing last season to unbearable this season?” The fallout from Brynn Whitfield’s comments underscores the complexities of race, representation, and misunderstanding in reality television. As discussions on race relations continue to evolve, both Brynn and Ubah find themselves at the center of a conversation that extends beyond their personal experiences. Page Six reached out to representatives for Whitfield, Hassan, and Bravo for additional comments on the situation, hoping to shed more light on this sensitive topic.
