Meghan Markle‘s BFF Jessica Mulroney wouldn’t let her beef with Sasha Exeter die after allegedly threatening the blogger for using her voice to call out white privilege!
Even despite making headlines with her “apology,” the Duchess of Sussex’s former stylist slid into Exter’s DMs with the threat of a libel lawsuit!
In case you somehow missed the drama, the Black Canadian influencer spoke out on Wednesday with an Instagram video titled, “My Amy Cooper Experience,” where she explained how she’s been using her platform to call on other public figures to speak out on the Black Lives Matter movement. Unfortunately, it seemed Mulroney took the “very generic call to action” personally and threatened the Instagrammer if she continued to speak out.
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Sasha detailed at the time, referencing Jessica’s relationship with Meg:
“Jessica never wanted to stand up and use her voice in the first place and didn’t understand why she needed to. This I found quite strange seeing that she is very vocal about supporting many causes and very open about everything else so how could she not be speaking up about this issue affecting everyone in the world. Also her best friend is arguably one of the most famous black women in the world… I just didn’t get it.”
Mulroney did end up apologizing in the comments of the post for all to see, writing:
“You are right when you say ‘this s**t needs to stop’. As leaders, we need to join hands and call out wrongs. I know we have different experiences. And that is something that, even in the course of a heated argument, I need to acknowledge and understand. I am unequivocally sorry for not doing that with you, and for any hurt I caused. As I told you privately, I have lived a very public and personal experience with my closest friend where race was front and centre. It was deeply educational. I learned a lot from that. I promise to continue to learn and listen on how I can use my privilege to elevate and support black voices.”
As it turned out, the public apology wasn’t as sincere as we hoped. Behind closed doors, she followed on her lawsuit threat, giving another reminder to the lifestyle influencer. Exeter revealed the stylist was in her DMs accusing her of libel, spilling on her IG Story:
“I’m not sure what’s worse. Her blatant and aggressive efforts to use her perceived power to threaten my livelihood OR using her resources to silence my voice. Here’s what happens when you call out someone with privilege and wealth. They publicly apologize on your post to preserve their image while privately threaten a law suit [sic] to try and shut you up.”
See (below)!
Sasha even provided a screenshot of the DM!
Jessica’s “textbook white privilege” didn’t go unnoticed as her wedding TV show, I Do, Redo, was pulled from its network, Canada’s CTV.
They released a statement to Twitter on Thursday, writing:
“Bell Media and CTV encourages our entire team including our on-air talent to practice respect, inclusivity, and allyship as we pledge to work better and more openly to listen to and amplify Black voices, and not to minimize them. Because recent conduct by one of our shows hosts, Jessica Mulroney conflicts with our commitment to diversity and equality, CTV has removed I Do Redo from all Bell Media channels and platforms effective immediately.”
A statement from CTV regarding @jessicamulroney pic.twitter.com/gDzmob51oa
— CTV Communications (@CTV_PR) June 11, 2020
The starlet followed up with some words of her own, saying she “respects the decision”:
“The events that have transpired over the last few days have made it clear that I have work to do. I realize more than ever how being a white, privileged woman has put me far ahead of so many, and in particular those in the Black community. And while I can’t change the past, I can do my part to do better in the future. I respect the decision of CTV and have decided to step away from my professional engagements at this time. I’m going to take this time to reflect, learn and focus on my family.”
It concluded with:
“I also want to take a moment to clarify that I have no intention of pursuing any legal action. I was wrong, and for that I am truly sorry. I remain more committed than ever to support anti-racism efforts and will do everything in my power to right this wrong.”
Canadian department store Hudson Bay also cut ties with the fashionista, as well as Kleinfeld Canada amid backlash. Ch-ch-check out the announcement made on Thursday (below):
A message from Hudson's Bay and Kleinfeld Canada pic.twitter.com/UTZG6J8fC6
— Kleinfeld Canada (@KleinfeldCanada) June 12, 2020
Now, it’s unclear if her show getting pulled from its network really hit the home for her, or if Meghan had to call her out on her BS, too, but hours after the DM to the blogger, Jess issued a lengthy apology on her own account:
“As some of you may have seen, @sashaexeter and I had a disagreement. She rightfully called me out for not doing enough when it came to engaging in the important and difficult conversation around race and injustice in our society. I took it personally and that was wrong. I know I need to do better. Those of us with a platform must use it to speak out.”
Sasha was actually calling out everyone who had a platform, not specifically her, but we digress…
Adding she also reached out her with a private apology, Mulroney continued:
“I want to say from my heart that every word of my apologies to Sasha over the course of the last two weeks privately, and again both publicly and privately today is true. I did not intend in any way to jeopardize her livelihood. We had a disagreement and it got out of hand. For that I am sorry.”
Her final statement recognized how she made the movement all about her, sharing how she is opening up her account to Exeter should she accept:
“I also know that this is not about me, nor should it be about me. It is about the Black community that has been subject to racism, discrimination and violence for far too long. As I’ve considered what to say publicly, I recognize that isn’t enough. That is why I’m going to be stepping back from social media in the coming days and giving my microphone to Black voices by having them take over my account and share their experience. I plan to use this time to reflect, learn and listen. I have also asked Sasha if she would be willing to take over my account whenever she is comfortable and tell her story.
The real work of bringing change goes beyond Instagram, and I want you all to know that I’m committed to using every platform and resource available to me to continue the important work of anti-racism. I hope you will all continue to hold me accountable.”
We can only hope this is truly genuine and not just a product of guilt and/or fear of losing money.
Do U think so, Perezcious readers??
[Image via Sasha Exter/Jessica Mulroney/Instagram & Dutch Press Photo/WENN]
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