Update (May 19, 2021) : Media personality Joe Budden has apologized to Olivia Dope following sexual harassment allegations.
On Monday, Dope took to her Instagram to share her story regarding Budden’s inappropriate behavior during a recording of the See The Thing Is podcast on the Joe Budden Network.
Budden released a statement Tuesday to address the allegations and hold himself liable for any misconduct.
“As a podcaster, it is my job to address topics and create dialogue around them, Budden said in the statement, according to Rolling Stone. “During the conversation on the See, The Thing Is podcast I didn’t handle the topics with the sensitivity they deserved. I recognize my words and power in that situation created an upsetting environment for Olivia. Upon reflection, both the network and I take accountability for this.”
Budden didn’t address the alleged inappropriate gestures made outside of podcast-specific dialogue.
Dope said the 40-year-old once told her to “hit the button, b***h” after not hitting a sound effect button quickly enough. She said he also once wiggled his hips while embracing her in a hug.
“I apologize sincerely to Olivia, her former co-hosts, our staff, and the public,” Budden continued. “In an effort to not further any trauma, the episode will be removed from all platforms. We support all women’s rights to feel comfortable and protected in the workplace. We fell short of that in this instance."
"We support Olivia in her quest to heal, applaud her for finding the strength to share her experience, and wish her the best in all her future endeavors. I am taking the time to listen and learn; we have already begun to make the necessary changes to ensure this is a safe environment for all moving forward," the entertainer added. "We at the network endeavor to continue to elevate Black women’s voices and create opportunities to have constructive conversations to impact change.”
Following her confession explaining why she quit the Joe Budden Network, Dope shared on Twitter that coming forward was not an easy task.
“One of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to express in my life,” she wrote in a tweet. “The healing begins now.”
Original (May 17, 2021): Brooklyn DJ Olivia Dope took to Instagram on Monday to reveal why she left the See The Thing Is Podcast and the Joe Budden Network.
The former podcast host posted a 26-minute video to Instagram, accusing Joe Budden of sexually harassing her while recording a January episode alongside co-hosts Mandi B and Bridget Kelly.
Dope spoke candidly, saying Budden made her "uncomfortable" on multiple occasions by suggesting he wanted to have sex with her and that they should be a couple.
"On January 18, 2021, Joe Budden sat in on a recording of the female-led podcast I was a part of and continuously made sexual, suggestive remarks to me that made me extremely uncomfortable as well as fearful of dampening the mood if I didn’t laugh along while he made those sexual remarks to me," Dope said.
"It was traumatizing, embarrassing and I’ve decided that I have to actually speak up because not only was it important for me to walk away from it, it also is important for me to speak up to let others know this probably wouldn’t be the best situation for you to enter into, working with this person," she added.
Dope accused Budden of saying he "been wanted to f**k me since we've met" in one of the multiple clips that was edited out of the final version of the episode.
She added that "everyone in the studio [laughed] uncomfortably while one of my co-hosts confirmed that to be true."
The former podcast host said that Budden's remarks left her "mortified" because they were said while recording both the audio and visual components of the episode. She also accused the rapper of telling her to "hit the button b***h" after she didn't hit a sound effect button quickly and compared her style of dress to her cohorts.
She said Budden also objectified her by commenting on a shirt she was wearing that was "buttoned like I'm single."
Dope continued, mentioning that she looked down in discomfort and was left shocked as he continued to make sexually suggestive remarks.
During the video, the DJ said she had a conversation with her daughter about the importance of speaking up for yourself "when someone crosses a boundary with you."
She emphasized that victims of sexual harassment often have their dignity taken away which is why she decided to speak up and start her healing process.
"So that is why I’m here today, to speak up, start my healing process like I said and continue on with using my voice," she said. "There were attempts to intimidate, attempts to silence me. I can’t be silenced. I absolutely cannot."
At the conclusion of the video, she urged people to reconsider working with Budden.
Budden announced back in October that he would be launching the See The Thing Is podcast, The Source reported. It originally debuted on Oct. 7.
