CANCELLED: CTV Pulls Jessica Mulroney’s Show After Black Influencer Sasha Exeter Accuses Her of “White Privilege”

Updated:

CTV removed reality series I Do, Redo from all its channels today saying host Jessica Mulroney’s recent conduct conflicts with its commitment to diversity and equality.

What happened?

Black influencer Sasha Exeter accused Jessica Mulroney — whose best friend is Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex — of “textbook white privilege” for trying to silence her and threatening to get her sponsorships taken away.

In an 11-minute long Instagram post on Wednesday, Exeter said the Canadian stylist “took offence” at Exeter’s calls for social media influencers “to speak up, stand up, and use their voice for good to help combat what’s going on with this race war and what’s happening to the black community.”

According to Exeter, Mulroney felt she had been publicly criticized for not talking about Black Lives Matter and the George Floyd protests on her Instagram.

Mulroney did post an apology on Exeter’s Instagram, but privately threatened to get her sponsorships taken away: “I have also spoken to companies and people about the way you’ve treated me unfairly. You think your voice matters, well it only matters if you express it with kindness and without shaming people who are simply trying to learn. Good luck.”

(Mulroney also threatened to sue Exeter for libel in a DM).

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

I’ve been silent. Not anymore!⁣ ⁣ I’m used to being so transparent on this platform. I think it’s the main reason why most of you follow me. Today, I’m opening up about something that has been haunting me for the last week. I have felt like a complete fraud fighting for racial equality and using my voice openly here, while letting a white woman silence mine behind closed doors. In sharing this very personal story, I know that I am risking a lot. Opening myself up to criticism, bullying and potential ramifications with my job in this space. However, I must speak my truth. Enough is enough. Hopefully my voice will be heard by many and help change things for the next generation and for my daughter Maxwell… because I will be dammed if my child ever has to deal with this level of ignorance.

A post shared by SoSasha (@sashaexeter) on Jun 10, 2020 at 4:37pm PDT

Jessica Mulroney’s statements.

On Twitter.

pic.twitter.com/dBPk1BGo9q

— jessica mulroney (@jessicamulroney) June 11, 2020

On Instagram.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Please read my statement. It is from my heart.

A post shared by Jess Mulroney (@jessicamulroney) on Jun 11, 2020 at 11:06am PDT

Today CTV pulled the show.

Mulroney responded to CTV’s decision in an Instagram story saying  she would “step away” from her professional engagements to reflect, learn and focus on her family. “The events that have transpired over the last few days have made it clear that I have work to do . . . I realize more than ever how being a white, privileged woman has put me far ahead of so many, and in particular those in the Black community. And while I can’t change the past, I can do my part to do better in the future.”

She also said she wanted “to take a moment to clarify that [she] have no intention of pursuing any legal action.”

On Friday, sponsor Hudson’s Bay dropped Mulroney.

A message from Hudson’s Bay. pic.twitter.com/4sHeBTOFni

— Hudson’s Bay (@hudsonsbay) June 12, 2020

And ABC’s Good Morning America cut ties with Mulroney, who had been a style contributor on the show since 2018.

As Jessica Mulroney said last night, she is stepping away from her professional engagements and that includes Good Morning America. She will no longer appear on our show.

— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 12, 2020

Canadian TV host Tracy Moore, a friend of Jessica Mulroney’s, stood with Exeter.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Here’s what I know: @JessicaMulroney used her extreme privilege to potentially bury a Black sister. @sashaexeter took a brave step telling her story. Believe black women. I mentioned in a prior post that this isn’t going to be an easy time. Friends and family members will show true colours and the unlearning opportunities will be huge. Jess has seen this caption (I don’t like to ambush) and knows how I feel. I’ve never pretended to be anything short of committed to my community and this fight against anti-black racism. Let’s unlearn lashing out at Black women as a legitimate response to feeling called out. Unlearn privilege as a shield for your white fragility and use it instead to protect those who need it. Jess has sat on the phone as I bawled, coaxing me, soothing me, lifting me up. She has helped me in ways both big and small with my fashion side hustle. She’s strategized with me, ate with me, laughed like crazy with me time and time again. And that’s what makes this so hard. I am a friend. I am also a Black woman. The emotional labour often falls on our backs to speak up, push through and fight hard. The price for both staying silent or speaking up? Immense. Cue the extreme exhaustion. Next steps: check your privilege OFTEN. Not just in public posts. In your daily life. In your workplace. At school. In the boardroom. It’s the only way we get to the next step. This fight will continue to happen in both private conversations and loud public stand-offs…but understand this is just the beginning. The fight against anti-black voices isn’t going anywhere. And nor are we.

A post shared by Tracy Moore (@thetracymoore) on Jun 11, 2020 at 10:56am PDT

Meghan Markle has made no statement of support for her friend.