Shaunie O’Neal & Tami Roman address Basketball Wives bullying controversy

Basketball Wives and it’s stars are facing a lot of heat in season 4 about the antics of some of the cast.  An online petition has been created calling for the boycott of Evelyn Lozada’s spin-off Ev & Ocho. Celebrity personality Star Jones has commented about the bullying on the show. Some of this season’s interactions have included, wine bottle tossing and table leaping. Those actions follow up seasons past where drinks, actual glasses and a hand to the face are all common reactions to an argument or disagreement.

Both Shaunie O’Neal and Tami Roman recently offered their explanations as to why there’s so much bullying and conflict on the hit VH1 show.

Tami feels it’s the production’s fault, Shed media and by extension, VH1.

I think that the opposition to call for the show to be cancelled will end the employment of several African-American women who have no creative control. Why not call out the people who make the decisions about what is aired. Call out Shed Media. Call out VH1 because I will join that battle.

I come with my storyline and things that I want to introduce and lo and behold what they want to show are those dramatic moments. There is more to us. I have thought about leaving,” she said. “I would love to see a season 5 where VH1 and Shed Media are called out to show more positive things that we’re doing and show us how we are 90 percent of the time, instead of how we are 10 percent of the time. I would love to see the brand in and of itself go out on a more positive note

I understand where Tami is coming from, editing can change up sequence which ultimately can effect story. But a hand to the face is what it is. Editing didn’t digitally add in Ev popping Jennifer in the head with her clutch, throwing bottles of wine at Kenya or her sprinting across the table like real life “Temple Run.”

 

Shaunie doesn’t define it as bullying. Just strong personalities that can be hard to tame at times.

 

People forget that Shaunie’s role as producer doesn’t super cede Shed Media or VH1. Shaunie stepped out a bit herself in season 2 before quickly recognizing that it wasn’t a great look for business.

I still say, if you aren’t giving them those scenes to edit, you can’t be shaped to be violent.

Details of the petition below:

Evelyn Lozada is a bully. The violence on “Basketball Wives” is horrible and disgraceful. Physical assaults, threats, verbal abuse, and harassment. VH1 is rewarding this behavior by giving Evelyn a spinoff. Don’t reward negative behavior.Call or write Viacom who owns VH1. Let your voice be heard! See Petition Updates to view a list of VH1 advertisers with contact information.

Address: 1515 Broadway, New York, New York 10036, U.S.A.
Telephone: (212) 258-6000
Fax: (212) 258-6464

This is not a hate petition against Evelyn Lozada. We simply will not support violence. It hurts to see violence amongst women on television for entertainment purposes. It is not ok for women to hit each other on TV.

Currently the petition has about 15,000 signatures.