Former Brownstone lead singer Nicci Gilbert is planning to hit TV One with a major lawsuit over the recently reported R&B Divas spin-off, Hollywood Divas.
According to court documents sent to ESSENCE.com, Gilbert and NOEGO Entertainment LLC have filed a civil complaint for damages against ThinkFactory Media, Inc and TvOne LLC over the Divas franchise.
Gilbert, who was the star and executive producer of R&B Divas during the first two seasons, claims she and Faith Evans are being left out of the new TV One spin-off, Hollywood Divas despite being the executive producers of the Divas franchise. Gilbert is filing on 15 counts, including breach of contract, defamation, fradulent misrepresentation, and emotional distress. She is also hoping to collect punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
In a statement from her publicist, Gilbert also voices concerns about the portrayal of Black women on reality TV, “A discussion is needed NOW to address the images of African-American women that white male production companies are portraying on reality TV and changing things in the editing room,” she wrote. “They can’t be allowed to continue to destroy Brands & families & friends!”