Kenya Moore is owning up to her actions.
During a Thursday (November 14) appearance on Tamron Hall, the former Real Housewives of Atlanta star opened up about her controversial departure from the reality series.
The exit followed allegations that she had displayed sexually explicit images of new cast member Brittany Eady at the grand opening of her Kenya Moore Hair Spa in Atlanta last June.
“Hindsight is always 50/50,” the 53-year-old admitted. “If I could do it all over again — I believe the photos were distasteful, and I elevated the situation.”
Fighting back tears, Moore expressed her regret, particularly as a mother, but also shared her perspective on the events leading up to the scandal.
“Some of the new girls come on, and … they’re trying to make a name for themselves, especially when they’re not really showing up,” she said.
“But when you go too far, and that’s what happened — we were having a filming [event] and things took a really dark turn toward me There was a young lady who was new and she just was poking the bear.”
Referencing her iconic RHOA line, Moore added:
“And everybody knows the saying that I made up: ‘Don’t come for me unless I send for you.’ That means, simply, I mind my business. I don’t start anything; I respond.”
“But I didn’t have to take it that far,” she continued. “When I felt threatened, I never had a child and been in a situation like this before, so that’s why I escalated it to the point where I was protecting not only myself but my child.”
As mentioned, the controversy erupted when guests at Moore’s spa opening were shocked by posters allegedly showing Brittany Eady in compromising photos.
At the time, Moore denied any involvement, cryptically saying, “Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see. The truth always comes to light.”
However, about a week later, EmilyCottontop reported that Moore would not be returning to RHOA.
Addressing those reports on Tamron Hall, Moore refuted claims of being fired, asserting, “I am still under contract, and I am still an employee of the network,” she insisted, adding that she “still” receives checks from Bravo.
She also clarified that the network assured her she was “never under investigation for revenge porn” adding that she still maintains a close relationship with executive producer Andy Cohen.
“You know who has been such a great support system for me during all this — Andy Cohen,” the Kenya Moore Hair CEO shared. “He has called, he has checked on me, he has given me advice. And I feel like he’s a really good friend and I just appreciate his support.”
As for why she’s speaking out now, Moore explained:
“I think it’s important to have my point of view because I haven’t done interviews, I haven’t had my say, It’s unfortunate because I started off as a housewife — longest-running on this series — and now I don’t have a voice and that’s really hard.”
