Advertisement

Heather Thomson apologizes for 'micro-aggressive' remarks on 'RHONY'

Heather Thomson apologized for her behavior during Eboni K. Williams and Luann de Lesseps' fight on "Real Housewives of New York." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Heather Thomson apologized for her behavior during Eboni K. Williams and Luann de Lesseps' fight on "Real Housewives of New York." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

June 16 (UPI) -- Heather Thomson says she's sorry for the "micro-aggressive" remarks she made on Real Housewives of New York.

The 51-year-old television personality appeared on Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live, where she apologized for her behavior during Eboni K. Williams and Luann de Lesseps' fight on RHONY.

Advertisement

Williams and de Lesseps clashed in Season 13 after de Lesseps called Williams, the first Black star on the show, "angry" during an argument. Williams called out de Lesseps for using the word, saying it played into a stereotype for Black women.

In a recent interview with Insider, Williams said Thomson interjected in the fight and started "whitesplaining" without her consent. In addition, Thomson referred to Williams as "articulate," which Williams found demeaning.

"To have this White woman, despite her intentions, step into the space of translator, it furthers a narrative that there's some inability to connect with me directly in shared humanity," Williams said.

On WWHL, Thomson publicly apologized to anyone she hurt with her actions and expressed her gratitude to Williams.

"I was really humbled and inspired by her willingness to expend her time and energy and hold me accountable but also hold me close during periods of false lessons and growth," Thomson said of Williams.

Advertisement

"In trying to do good, I also caused harm," she added. "My role that weekend and the micro-aggressive remarks that I made must open our eyes to the reality of privilege and the undeniable role that it has in either upholding or disarming white supremacy and anti-Blackness."

Thomson said she is taking time "to read and listen" and asked people "to hold space for each other."

"This work is not easy. It's taken 400 years to get here. But I will not be flawless in my pursuit of equity, I won't. However, it makes room for me to sit in it, to read and listen to the many Black and Brown people who have offered us so many incredibly effective tools to fight against oppression in ourselves and in our society," Thomson said.

"We just have to hold space for each other, that's what I ask," she added. "I'm going to take this time personally to read more, continue to listen and continue to be vulnerable, because it is how we learn and it's also how we can teach."

Thomson starred in RHONY Seasons 5-7 and appeared as a guest in Seasons 8-10 and 12. She appears as a friend of the Housewives in Season 13.

Advertisement

RHONY co-stars Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan and Leah McSweeney.

Latest Headlines