[People] Wendy Williams made headlines in January when she claimed on her talk show that pal NeNe Leakes was not only quitting The Real Housewives of Atlanta, but also keeping a giant “secret” from the public.
Leakes responded in her own YouTube video, insisting that she was not walking away from the hit Bravo series that catapulted her to fame and made her a household name. But as for that “secret,” she was baffled, telling her followers that she had no idea to what Williams was referring.
All these weeks later, Leakes had gotten the clarification she needs — but don’t expect her to spill the secret.
“I know what she meant, and I will never share it,” Leakes, 52, tells PEOPLE. “I don’t even know why she even made it sound like that. It’s nothing series. It’s not even that serious.”
“It’s not what people think it is,” Leakes says. “People think it’s a health issue, maybe something’s wrong with my kids or my family, but it’s nothing. Everyone’s fine. My husband is fine. My kids are fine. We’re all happy and healthy, so y’all can just stop trying to poke around and figure it out, because it’s not worth your time.”
Similar: Photo Blind Item 24
Her Giant Secret:
[Optional] NeNe Leakes and Wendy Williams regularly wear straight blonde hairstyles.
Kim Kardashian was recently criticized for sometimes wearing her hair in cornrows/braids.
Are any of these people guilty of cultural appropriation? Please keep your comments civil.
bec215d says
First, braids may be most associated w/ African cultures, but women from MANY countries braid their hair – braiding hair, or yarn for that matter, is not exclusive to one culture. Vikings, South American/North American indigenous people, and Egyptians all braided their hair millennia ago. Second, the mere act of wearing a style created by a culture not your own isn’t automatically appropriation – it’s whether it’s done respectfully. The history of humanity is a blending of cultures.
TNSunny says
Another thanks to BG for addressing this issue. No one says a word when NeNe and Wendy wears blond hair but Kim in cornrows? How dare she!!! I’m not a Kim or Kardashian fan but Kim’s cornrows help her children see that there are more beautiful hairstyles other than hair straightener combouts. I think she sets an excellent example for young mixed race and AA children. As much as it gags me to say that Kim is an influencer I’m glad she (at times) shares a positive influence.
Vampira says
There’s a difference between being enlightened and overreacting.
Vampira says
Didn’t she have some previous criminal record? That was my first thought.
hortensie says
Totally agree
hortensie says
What… are you even talking about?
The eve gene?? LMAO
GGReelz says
Exactly! I honestly don’t understand how she has a fan base. She is deplorable!
holycow says
Its deeper than that. It’s about what what was considered not acceptable is now the in thing because another race copied it.
spookie says
Nobody said a word because it was 1980. We’re hopefully more enlightened now.
CaintGetEnuff says
Thank you, BG, for addressing the ‘cultural appropriation’ issue! Why aren’t drag queens charged with the same ‘offense’? They aren’t transgender, they are men dressing as women in the most garish, cartoonish way possible. Why isn’t that as offensive as blackface? Also, braids – and cornrows – are not exclusive to the black population. Scandinavians have long used braids this way, so who is ‘appropriating’ who? And why is it such a big deal all of a sudden?
Mindflayer says
Well…spilling her secret would be big no-no, ah? (Sorry, could not resist)
She is actually bald? Why else talking about her hair?
emmasyd says
No idea on the secret but no culture owns a hairstyle or colour. Where YOUR hair how you want
Crandahl says
Nene is gay.
blubelle says
The whole concept of “cultural appropriation” is ridiculous nonsense spewed by people looking to create divisiveness. Be flattered when someone wants to emulate you, not angry!
WorkHardBeNice says
Hmmm….
The big secret? The fact that nothing above the waist (on either of them) is O.E.M.
P.S. THANK YOU BG for asking what many of us are thinking about this whole “culture vulture” trend.
I say just wear what you want. Make YOUR life beautiful and don’t worry about anybody else.
parkland45 says
These are *hair styles*, not cultural appropriation. People are just trying out different looks.
Honey16 says
I don’t know NeNe’s secret or have a clue.
There is a difference in hair color & a hairstyle perfected by a culture. The problem becomes, when someone like a Kim Kardashian takes credit or given credit for something/a culture she is not apart of.
ItsBouquet says
PS I’m guessing her giant secret is an incontinence issue? The clues would leak and spill. If it is that, Wendy is horrible trying to let it out. It’s not so much a secret as it is personal and private, imo.
munkeemunkee says
Nene’s big secret: she leaks due to incontinence and wears adult diapers?
Honestly, this whole cultural appropriation thing is a bit silly. Women have braided their hair for centuries and if someone wants to wear a blonde wig what’s the big deal? Live and let live.
ItsBouquet says
No none of them are guilty. Do what you want with YOUR hair. Don’t worry about what someone else does with THEIR hair. No person or group owns a hairstyle, and it’s very arrogant to think that you do!
proloz says
I don’t give a * about the real housewives but the hair thing is so ridiculous. Black women don’t have a trademark on cornrows. They are just cool looking braids. Any woman can have braids. We need to stop attacking other women. I could maybe see if Kim came out in a giant afro, but braids are used by all women. And if a black women wants blonde hair then so be it, that’s why there are wigs and dye. It’s just hair. Lighten up peeps.
annabelle77 says
Maybe I’m alone here, but I think the whole concept of cultural appropriation is ridiculous. People in arts and culture have been sharing and adopting ideas, designs and concepts since the caveman. How silly and narcissistic to imply that any one people or culture “own” a style or design, and no one else can adopt it. I call BS , and I’m really sick of all the drama and criticism people throw about it. Get a grip, people.
Marybel says
If I want to wear my hair in cornrows or an afro I damn sure will.
mrw222 says
She was on Dr. Oz in January…. hemorrhoids. She’s right. Not a big deal!
Organica05 says
I’m a light skinned, bi-racial, multi-heritage woman. I happily celebrate all my varied cultures, in hair, dress, food and language…please explain to me precisely what cultural appropriation is?
Do those pointing fingers know “who” they are pointing at?
Many thanks.
Weazle says
It’s hair. Good lord, as long as you aren’t being a * about something, carry on. And no, I do not think doing your hair in a way that makes you happy deems you a * just bc some other culture is born with a particular type of hair and you have to manipulate your hair to make it happen.
Get yo lewk on!! Feel good about yourself 🙂
phoenixsun says
Nene is so full of herself. She acts like she is all that but getting down to basics: She was a stripper. Her do nothing kids ride on her coat tails while the eldest boy just makes babies. Cannot understand why people treat her like she is anything more than a low life with a foul attitude and mouth.
tell me more says
Talk show
Annaliese says
I have no idea what the secret might be but as to the topic of cultural appropriation, my mother always taught me that copying a look is the sincerest form of flattery. If people cannot naturally have blond hair and want to dye it blonde – no problem. If people want to braid their hair- no problem. I think things like this are sometimes generated to create turmoil where none exists or should exist. My opinion.
amagod121 says
Nene robbed a bank once?
Violets says
Secret: she’s been with a woman?
I don’t think any culture owns a hairstyle. That’s just ridiculous. I sold my hair once before for money and somebody’s wearing it and I could care less who. In high school my best friend and I put cornrows in our hair and the kids at school treated us like we were members of the the KKK. We were part of the 90s grunge Style.🤷🏽♀️
Reneegirl95 says
Not sure of the secret
Optional. My daughter has straight/wavy blonde hair and we are African American. Most African Americans are multiracial ( African, European, Native American, etc) therefore we can have different traits like blonde hair, green eyes, etc.
So accusing us of cultural appropriation is ridiculous. And no I don’t think Kim is guilty either. I think people should look up the meaning of the term.
caela94 says
No
Christina X says
Her “veneers” are dentures.
YoGo8c says
Her Giant Secret: I don’t know.
Optional: Are black people so sensitive they get offended at hairstyles touching the heads of other races? Or is it also whites getting offended on behalf of blacks? Or both? Do white people make half the fuss when black stars straighten their naturally frizzy/curly hair (hello Meghan), dye their hair blonde and wear blue or green contact lenses? Nope. There’s more drama from POC telling them they are ‘betraying’ their blackness. It’s got ridiculous imo.
zappy2050 says
I do’t think anyone can be gulty of cultural appropriation if you do a hairstyle? Are we saying only a certain race can wear a hairstyle? An analogy I could draw is what if someone wore a hairstyle and they are one gender – but they wear a hairstyle that is often worn by another gender – is that gender appropriation?
I don’t think Nene has any secret – she is just trying to use something to renegotiate a bigger contract.
jrgius says
Is NeNe bald?
Caress705 says
Yes kim is should be called out for cultural appreciation because even though I would never wear blonde hair wendy and Ne Ne are honoring the melanesians black people with natural blonde hair black people like our skin comes in many colors and our hair in many different textures kim is doing for attention
lulus mom says
She was a dude?
jojo5282 says
I have no idea about her big secret and quite honestly I am not a reality tv person so I don’t care. But I LOVED your question about cultural appropriation. I think it’s important to be aware that racism isn’t always 1-sided and we should all try to be aware of our own hypocrisy.
letinstar says
No clue on the secret…
As for the not attractive styles on all three of the ladies…meh…
rorythedragon says
No, I don’t believe they are. No one “owns” a culture. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. When will this nit-picky criticism of every little thing end? “Let those without sin cast the first stone.” But watch out, because someone has been watching you and cached it away for when the bell tolls for YOU!
4sixx2 says
Nene’s secret is her business. “Cultural appropriation” is crap. Most anything can be viewed as cultural appropriation. Jeans? American cowboys. Why can’t it be an appreciation instead of appropriation? It’s most usually accused against whites and it’s Hypocritical.
phillychick says
I have no idea on the secret.
The cultural appropriations thing is garbage. It is what woke people with no ability to think but only parrot back. It will be the death of our country.
mountaingirl82 says
Based off the cultural appropriation brought up… secret is that she bleaches her skin?
donna47129 says
If Kim is, they are. This cultural appropriation stuff is way out of hand. Most of the time it’s a compliment. I used to wear a Chinese looking dress when I was a teenager because I loved it, if I wore it today I’d be called a racist. Ridiculous.
BooStrawberry says
Her Giant Secret: maybe she cheated on her husband & has a side piece. Or was born a male?
Wendy has nerve ratting out anyone. Obviously trying to hide something about herself by focusing on someone else.
Sigh… so over fame-ho’s & reality show participants.
Chile_Pleeze says
Only the Black woman posses the EVE GENE.. black people can naturally have blonde hair and blue eyes.
BooStrawberry says
Are any of these people guilty of cultural appropriation? Nope. Style/fashion is subjective/personal. One race/culture didn’t invent certain styles.
Life is too short to analyze/complain about everything.
EVERYTHING Kardashian’s/Jenner’s do is gross & offensive. So if it makes them disappear into oblivion – YES it is cultural appropriation now penalize them by banning them from media! I’m offended – send them away!!
goddess says
Greg was cheating and got his mistress pregnant. And nene found out right before he was diagnosed with cancer and that’s why she treated him badly during his cancer treatments.
calumsmom says
This is a great example of why BG is not just another gossip site! You’re thought provoking & intelligent and I look forward to reading here every day! 🙂
montebell says
Good talking point. I have no issue with NeNe or Wendy’s hair. I do, however, find most of what the Kardashian/Jenner families do is offensive, the list is endless.
carriebradshaw says
No clue, maybe another plastic surgery.
Optional:this is something that comes to my mind every time, when some white person is criticised for wearing braids-all the black stars are getting blonder, sometimes whiter, and change their noses-this often permanent changes are ok, but some stupid braids for few days are evil and insulting? There is a huge amount of hypocrisy in it.
Gerseychick says
Nene has had 5 nose jobs. …Trying to look like Tamar Braxton…..Nasty personality with a bad attitude….Secret ..She is a Dude…………Wendy has brain fog most of the time….But she is harmless…..Kim always desperate for attention…….
angelbratt says
Her giant secret: I dunno, maybe that she was born male?
ghostrider44 says
She is transgender?
I hate the word cultural appropriation. The only time I think the term could be applied is if it crosses a religious boundary or it is done as a form of degradation. In the above context, I prefer to see it as a form of emulation that is a complement. I think fashion, hair, language and music can develop and transform into something really special when there is integration of different cultures. Examples are the music of Nat King Cole, Elvis, Eminem.
maddiva44 says
Probably that she had plastic surgery done. Or wears a wig
Nene, we can tell. It’s not a secret.
sunshine702 says
Probally something cosmetic. She has used skin lightening creams in the past.
No – it’s a hairstyle. Haters pound sand.
irishiis49 says
NeNe is transitioning to a male? Bo Derek wore the look almost 40 years ago and nobody said one word…not a fan of Kim but really people chill out…