The Real talk show is back in the news, but not in the way you might think.
Former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Tatyana Ali filed papers on Friday, suing Warner Bros for stealing what she says was her idea for a show similar to The Real, reports Deadline.
According to court documents filed in L.A., Ali claims she approached the media conglomerate in 2012 to produce a show that featured “an eclectic group of engaging female celebrity hosts, each aged within their 20s and 30s” in a “relaxed and informal setting.” After months-long discussions, the producers ultimately decided to go another direction.
But only six months later, The Real aired in July 2013. It officially debuted in 2014 after a successful test run.
Ali claims that The Real was “a direct production of the concept” she came up with, especially considering the amount of information she divulged during the back-and-forth discussions.
The show was an early success, and has continued to garner strong ratings and even emmy nominations. Tamar Braxton, one of the original hosts, was fired from the show in May in a whirlwind of controversy.
Tamar Braxton Spills The Tea On Her Firing from ‘The Real’ in New Interview
None of the multiple defendants named have commented. But Ali must feel she has a strong case to take a company as large as Warner Bros. We’ll be watching.
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