Faith Stowers, a former cast member on “Vanderpump Rules,” is suing Bravo, NBCUniversal, and Evolution Media for various reasons including retaliation, discrimination, hostile work environment harassment, wrongful termination, and infliction of emotional distress.
The only Black star of the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” spin-off, who appeared on Seasons 4 and 6, accused the networks and production company of driving her out through racist harassment and retaliation.
Stowers claims she was brought onto the show by Lisa Vanderpump, who wanted to diversify the cast. Despite her excitement for the opportunity, she faced mistreatment in her first season, including racism, sexual harassment, and physical assault.
When she reported her mistreatment, she was told to stay quiet and play nice, fearing for her career and how she would be portrayed on air.
She claims to have been demoted to an unpaid ‘volunteer’ without any change in her employment status after reporting her mistreatment.
While not naming them as defendants, Stowers did accuse her former costars of harmful and racist behavior. The treatment towards Stowers worsened over time, with many cast members engaging in a racist social media harassment campaign against her, which was condoned and amplified by the network and production company. She also accused her former costars of harmful and racist behavior.
The lawsuit mentions how several unnamed cast members were fired for racism against Stowers, including Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Jax Taylor, and Brittany Cartwright.
Stowers also accuses former costar Lala Kent of violent assault, alleging that Kent threatened her with a knife in a heated argument.
The lawsuit also brings attention to the fact that the new spin-off “The Valley” features individuals who were fired for racism against Stowers. Several unnamed cast members were dismissed for racism against Stowers, including Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Jax Taylor, and Brittany Cartwright. Additionally, Stowers accuses former costar Lala Kent of violent assault after allegedly threatening her with a knife in a heated argument.
The lawsuit claims that Stowers and Kent got into a heated argument at SUR’s dining room, which escalated with Kent threatening Stowers with a knife.
The suit also mentions an incident where Kent allegedly threatened Stowers with a knife, holding it to her neck and making threatening remarks. Stowers felt she was in real danger during this altercation.
Kent and Stowers were introduced at the same time in Season 4 of the show in 2015 as recurring friends of the cast. While Stowers appeared in around 51 episodes in 2017, Kent continues to be a main character. still in Season 11.
Stowers says she was convinced by a producer not to report a police report for the “knife incident.” Even after she left the show, her romantic relationship with Taylor was still a storyline, and she was told she could come back on a volunteer basis without pay. She refused to take part, despite facing an alleged “defamation campaign” from production.
Freedman released the following statement to TheWrap: “NBC and Evolution seem to think that workplace safety rules, employment laws, and basic decency don't apply to those in reality TV. Severe attacks, racist harassment, and disrespecting veterans' service appear to be acceptable to NBC and Evolution for the sake of ratings. Faith didn't realize the kind of bad situation she had gotten into and reported this illegal behavior to her superiors. In response, she was demoted to ‘volunteer’ and had her already small compensation taken away.”
Stowers requests a jury trial and seeks compensatory damages, civil penalties, attorneys’ fees, and any other appropriate relief from the court.
Her lawsuit — and even her legal team — follows similar accusations of “reality reckoning” from other Bravolebrities like Bethenny Frankel, Raquel Leviss, Brandi Glanville, and Caroline Manzo.
After leaving Bravo, Stowers has gone on to appear on “Ex on the Beach” and two seasons of “The Challenge” for MTV.
TheWrap has contacted Bravo and NBCUniversal for comment.
“Vanderpump Rules” airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Bravo. New episodes stream the day after premiere on Peacock.
