A former CNN contributor, Angela Rye, recently came forward with allegations of an “embarrassing and humiliating” experience involving Chris Cuomo, which may have ultimately cost her a job at the network. Rye, who was a regular guest on Cuomo’s show “Cuomo Prime Time,” claims that her troubles began when Cuomo responded to a bikini-clad photo she posted on Instagram on New Year’s Day 2021 with the remark, “Happy New Year tinsel crotch.” This unexpected and inappropriate comment left Rye stunned and questioning her own role in the situation.
When Rye chose not to respond to Cuomo’s offensive comment, he proceeded to offer her seemingly exciting new career opportunities. It appeared that he was trying to make amends for his inappropriate behavior. However, when Rye confronted Cuomo about his bikini comment, the network decided to terminate her contract. Rye now believes that Cuomo played a part in her firing, using the incident as an opportunity to rid himself of any potential backlash.
During the premiere episode of her iHeart podcast, “Native Land Pod,” Rye held back tears as she read aloud what seemed to be an open letter to Cuomo. She explained how the incident had deeply affected her, stating, “I felt like the safest place I had on a show on CNN had been compromised.” The emotional toll it took on Rye was evident, as she struggled to come to terms with the breach of trust.
Rye revealed that following the New Year’s text incident, Cuomo suddenly showed interest in having her play a prominent role on his show where she could “check the left.” However, Rye doubted the sincerity behind this proposition, suspecting that it was only a result of Cuomo’s failed attempt at making amends. She admitted to not immediately responding to his offer but eventually reached out to him about the segment, questioning whether he still wanted to discuss it despite his previous offensive remarks.
Unfortunately, on January 21, 2021, CNN informed Rye that they would not be renewing her contract. They claimed that the network would be focusing more on COVID coverage and less on politics. However, Rye saw through this explanation, stating, “I knew it was a lie.” Her suspicions were confirmed when two black women were hired shortly after, earning only half of her previous contributor rate. This disparity in treatment further fueled Rye’s belief that her firing was unjust.
Rye also revealed that Cuomo had reached out to her from a new phone number, questioning whether she was mad at him. In her tearful response on the podcast, Rye admitted to feeling anger but directed most of her frustration towards herself. She blamed her lack of courage, prioritizing financial stability over her mental well-being and failing to stand up for women who often find themselves powerless in such situations. Rye expressed disappointment in herself for defending Cuomo’s image to other black women who admired and respected him.
When asked if she believed the incident with Cuomo led to her job loss at CNN, Rye recalled how cold he had become towards her after the network’s decision not to renew her contract. Although she cannot definitively confirm whether he had a hand in her firing, she firmly believes that he played a role based on the evidence at hand. Interestingly, this is not the first time that Cuomo has faced accusations of inappropriate behavior, as his former ABC News boss, Shelley Ross, accused him of sexual harassment at a company event in 2005.
Cuomo was eventually fired by CNN in December 2021 for providing advice to his brother, then-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, during his sexual misconduct scandal. The former anchor’s actions have led to multiple allegations and controversies, tarnishing his professional reputation. While Cuomo denies any wrongdoing, the impact of his actions on those around him cannot be ignored.
Angela Rye’s account of her experiences with Chris Cuomo sheds light on a troubling aspect of the news industry. Her courage in speaking out against inappropriate behavior serves as a reminder that no one should be subjected to humiliation and mistreatment in the workplace. It is essential for news organizations to address such issues and ensure a safe and respectful environment for all employees.
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