Another day, another reality star scandal. Just days after Bravo announced that The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City newbie Jennie Nguyen would not return for a second season amid racist social media posts resurfacing, a star of TLC’s popular 90 Day Fiance is facing the same fate. The show follows couples of different cultures who struggle to make their relationships work.
Social media posts resurface
One of Alina Kozhevnikova’s Facebook posts from 2014 resurfaced after being screenshotted by a Twitter user. She reportedly used the N-word eight times while describing a party she had been invited to in Russia, her native country.
Another post resurfaced on Instagram in which Kozhevnikova wore a bandana with drawn-on eyebrows and a beard. She used the N-word — replacing the Gs with Qs — and mentioned “gold diggin’” and being a “gangsta” in the caption. These are just two of many examples.
TLC fired her, citing intolerance of such behavior
Kozhevnikova has been fired from the show. The network released a statement to Page Six on Jan. 27.
“TLC discontinued filming with Alina Kozhevnikova following the recent discovery of her past social media statements,” the network said in part. “She will not appear on the upcoming ‘Tell All,’ any future seasons of the franchise, and starting next month, she will no longer appear on ‘Before the 90 Days.’ TLC does not tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind.”
The star's "apology"
The outlet reported that the star posted an apology on Instagram stories, writing, “Despite what’s being said about me, my friends, family and those who met me in person know who I really am & who I am not. And I know it too [.] the answers are coming.”
She went on to add, “I’m sure some of you have seen the screenshot of one of my past posts. I sincerely want to apologize to those whose feelings have been hurt. I never intended to offend anyone. I am and always will be against any form of discrimination.”
Kozhevnikova also blamed her use of the slur on her then-knowledge of the English language.
“I saw a lot of people on social media using [the N-word], so I thought it was like ‘bro’ or ‘fella’, but I was wrong,” she continued. “Again, my deepest apologies to those who were hurt by my words.”
