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During today’s episode of The View, guest host and Real Housewives of New York City star Eboni K. Williams discussed reality TV’s frequent “angry” and “argumentative” portrayals of Black women, and explained how she feels it can actually be used as a tool to inform viewers.
The panel kicked things off by asking Williams why she decided to appear on reality TV, particularly in light of her recent comments about how reality TV’s representations of Black women often rely on stereotypical tropes. Moderator Whoopi Goldberg noted that Williams was the first-ever Black lead on RHONY, joking, “I guess they couldn’t find any Black women in New York.”
“The reason [is] because I think reality TV owes everything to Black women. I think it’s built on the backs of Black women,” Williams replied. “And I think that Black women actually have so much to gain from the medium if used properly. I think that, for better or worse, there is nothing like the impact of reality television.”
Williams explained that while reality TV might have seemed like a fad 15 years ago, the success of the Real Housewives franchise shows that the genre has staying power, which presents an opportunity to show “a different kind of Black womanhood.”
“I think Black women are some of the most misunderstood demographics in our nation,” she said. “And to be able to represent the kinds of Black women that I know, the kinds of Black women that I’m in sorority with, it’s been an honor.”
Williams added that while viewers may tune into reality TV for drama, “if we can convert them and get them to stay for the engagement, and frankly, education, then I think that’s a win.”
When Sunny Hostin asked what the reality personality would say to people who claim she talks too much about race on RHONY, Williams responded, “I think that critique is really lazy.”
She mentioned a recent instance in which Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais was criticized by a castmate for discussing race because “that’s not this type of show.”
“Guess what? When you invite a Black woman to the platform, it is that kind of show,” Williams said.
The View airs weekdays on ABC at 11/10c. Scroll up to watch a clip from today’s episode.
