‘Real Housewives of Salt Lake’ star Jenny Nguyen confronts co-star Mary Cosby over ‘slanted eyes’ remark
Jennie Nguyen from the “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” (“RHOSLC”) confronted co-star Mary Cosby on a recent episode for her racist “slanted eyes” remark on the Bravo series.
The racist remark
On Sunday’s episode of “RHOSLC,” Nguyen discussed with her husband, Duy Nguyen, a previous comment Cosby made during the stars’ pho luncheon. Cosby had previously told Nguyen that she loved her “slanted eyes,” which left Nguyen “frustrated,” reported People.
“You don’t say things like that,” Nguyen told her husband. “It is insulting to our Asian culture to call me that, and it comes across as racist. And it’s shocking because Mary should be more educated and understand it’s not appropriate to say stuff like that.”
“I don’t blame you,” her husband replied, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. “Saying slanted eyes — you know [what] that means to us.… You don’t go to an Asian and say, ‘Hey, look, slanted eyes.’ I grew up with that.”
The confrontation
Nguyen confronted Cosby in front of the other cast members during Whitney Rose’s rebranding launch party later in the episode. According to Nguyen, Cosby has the tendency to say, “Oh, I didn’t say that” or “Oh, I don’t remember that,’” so she wanted everyone to witness the confrontation.
“Really? I love slanted eyes,” Cosby responded when Nguyen told her she felt “insulted” by her comment.
“You’re an adult, take some responsibility,” Nguyen said. “Right now, there is a lot of Asian hate. Take responsibility for your words. You can say things differently, like, I love your beautiful eyes. But when you reference ‘I love your slanted eyes,’ you know, it’s very insulting to me.”
Cosby explained that she did not mean to offend her and that she meant it as a compliment. “I will never walk down that road,” she concluded. “I apologize.”
Past controversial remarks
Cast members Lisa Barlow and Whitney Rose also expressed their disappointment at previous remarks Cosby has made.
“I’m very uncomfortable with saying, like, racially derogatory things, and I feel like everyone’s just kind of letting it go,” Rose stated.
Barlow also brought up Cosby’s past remark for which she previously came under fire for. Cosby had called Jen Shah a “thug” and compared her to “those Mexican people that make all those drugs,” reported Fox News.
“We’ve got to stop saying things like that to each other,” Rose added.
Fan reactions
While Cosby has since apologized for her remarks, some fans did not readily let go of her comments.
“Mary Cosby has been racist on damn near every episode,” a Twitter user wrote. “She hasn’t learned anything because she sees nothing wrong with how she thinks or what she says. If you are defending her, then you are playing on the wrong team. It is time for her to go.”
“Mary Cosby really running away with the title of most mentally ill housewife ever,” director and writer Sam Greisman tweeted.
According to People, Meredith Marks on “RHOSLC” also came under fire for not correcting Cosby for her “slanted eyes” remark during their lunch meetup. Marks responded on Twitter by writing, “I later talked to Mary one on one in hopes that would be productive. I also made sure Jennie knew that she has my support. Please be patient.”
<
“Really Meredith?? You had a conversation with me hoping it would be productive!!” Cosby replied. “You was there …you seen I was coming from a place of a compliment! Stop acting like you’re teaching me.. you have your own issues to be productive on…You never have the right answer..‘Switzerland.’”
Featured Images via Bravo
Share this Article
Share this Article
