Noella Bergener is backing Bravo’s decision to give Jennie Nguyen the boot.
In an exclusive new interview with Page Six, the “Real Housewives of Orange County” star argued that there’s “no excuse” for the controversial Facebook posts Nguyen posted that led to her firing from “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.”
“The worst part is, I really did love Jennie, and then I read [her posts] and it’s like, ‘Whoa.’ No excuse, just no excuse,” Bergener, 36, said. “It’s a shame because I found her very interesting.”
The reality TV newbie — who made history as the first black and openly bisexual woman to be cast on “RHOC” this season — said that Nguyen’s social media activity was “really bad.”
Nguyen, 44, posted dozens of memes in 2020 that appeared to mock the Black Lives Matter movement and protesters in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, and contained phrases like “BLM Thugs” and “Violent Gangs.”
“It’s a weird time. I’m not a big believer in cancel culture,” Bergener said, acknowledging today’s divisive sociopolitical climate. “But it was really bad and I agree with Bravo’s decision.”
One day after the network terminated Nguyen, the reality star claimed in an awkward 20-minute Instagram Live that a social media team is to blame for sharing the offensive posts to her non-verified personal Facebook page. It should be noted that this so-called “team” was hired two years before Nguyen was cast on “RHOSLC.”
“I just want you to understand that, during that time, I had a team of people that [were] helping me,” she alleged. “Whether they posted [or] I posted, it doesn’t really matter at this point. For me, it’s on my account and I take full responsibility and accountability for what was posted.”
Nguyen’s friend Michael, a black gay man, also joined the Instagram Live, insisting that she is “not a racist.”
“Over time, I did have to educate her on the whole Black Lives Matter and everything like that because I’m a gay black man, so I live it every day. Anybody that’s saying she paid him to be there or she pulled the friend card, I see all your comments,” he said.
“But here’s the reality. I know Jennie and I know her character and I know the person that she is inside.”
Bergener, however, isn’t convinced. In fact, she told Page Six that she wouldn’t mind meeting up with Nguyen to dissect her problematic posts.
“I felt like I kind of need to go up and talk to her,” said the Playland founder, who doesn’t know the ex-Bravolebrity personally. “I want her to say to herself, ‘OK, let’s unpack this. Let’s unpack this. Do you really think this way?’”
Bergener hopes to have more conversations about race — and the importance of LGBTQIA+ acceptance — on “Orange County,” where conservative beliefs seem to be as common as Botox.
“I wish that we had more conversations with the ladies about it. I can understand that maybe it’s not a comfortable space, especially here in Orange County with some of these women, to be discussing some of these deeper things,” she said of her cast, which includes Heather Dubrow, Emily Simpson, Gina Kirschenheiter, Shannon Beador and Dr. Jen Armstrong. “I’m hoping to discuss this more with some of the ladies going forward.”
In the meantime, Bergener is reveling in the connections she’s made with fans who are part of the black and queer communities.
“Fortunately, it’s not gone over the viewers’ heads. So, that’s kind of beautiful,” she said. “Some of the women don’t really seem to care or acknowledge [my race or sexuality]. But the viewers are tapping into it and that’s kind of everything. It’s an absolute honor.”
Bergener added, “Just a few years ago, [my casting] would not even happen because my sexuality is ‘threatening’ to others and my relationship to race and ethnicity is, like, ‘too much.’ It’s really more of a reflection of the times that we’re living in, that it’s not ‘too much.’ These are conversations that people are very much comfortable with … and want to have.”
“The Real Housewives of Orange County” airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.