When it comes to Bravo's Real Housewives franchise, any fan can tell you the best drama comes about during the reunion. And the freshman Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is no different. Mary Cosby, a Black Pentecostal pastor in Salt Lake City, doubled down at the reunion on her controversial race comments made during the season.
Real Housewives of Salt Lake City's Mary Cosby first got into trouble in the "Ladies Who Lunch" episode when castmate Jen Shah accused Cosby of privately saying to her that she was afraid of Black men hanging around at gas stations. Shah was particularly offended because her husband and children are Black. At the time, Cosby dismissed Shah's accusations.
At the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City's reunion, however, Mary Cosby was forced to address her controversial comments. She again denied the accusations that her comments were race-related, but then told host Andy Cohen,
My taste of black guys, that's not my taste.
The other Real Housewives of Salt Lake City women appeared shocked by Mary Cosby's revelation. Cosby attempted to clarify when asked about her preference for her husband, who is Black, saying, “Well, he's white,” and later on, “He's lighter.” The result was a shockwave of reactions from castmates and fans alike about Cosby's comments on race as a Black woman.
The overwhelming online reaction is that Mary Cosby's race comments indicate deeper issues with colorism. Colorism, or sometimes referred to as internal racism, is defined as having a prejudice against darker skin tones, usually from people within similar racial groups. One Twitter user accused Cosby of this, saying,
Other reactions from viewers also speculated that Mary Cosby was putting her foot in her mouth by these race comments. One wrote that Crosby "needs to go to counseling.” Another joked that Cosby “is scared of her own skin.”
Despite her controversial comments, Mary Cosby attempted to rectify the situation with seemingly opposing statements at the Part 2 reunion special. Cosby said,
I need to improve on the way I conveyed things and the way I say things can come across offensive. I think all colors of black are beautiful and I am proud of it and I am proud of my culture. I have no reason not to love who I am and where I come from in my culture. I love all black men.
Mary Cosby's statements might be a hasty attempt to smooth over a public faux pas, or she might genuinely want to change. Either way, it's a sticky situation that might require more damage control. Part 3 of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City reunion is Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 10/9c!
