Friends Applaud NeNe Leakes for Quitting 'Apprentice'

By Rob Shuter Posted May 10th 2011 04:46PM

With celebrities, respected journalists and interest groups lobbing the racist label at Donald Trump, friends of Nene Leakes tell me that quitting 'Celebrity Apprentice' in a shocking -- and low-rated -- episode on Sunday was a smart, principled move.

"Everything will ultimately work out for NeNe," a friend of the 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star tells me. "In the long run she was much better off to quit and walk away than get a job with Donald Trump."

It should be noted that each celebrity is playing to raise money for their charity rather than get a job within Trump's organization. It should also be noted that the 'Celebrity Apprentice' you're seeing on Sundays was taped months ago, before The Donald's now-floundering bid for the White House and string of attacks on President Obama that many believe reek of racism.

CBS news anchor Bob Schieffer hit Donald recently after he raised doubts about President Obama's school grades. "That's just code for saying he got into law school because he's black," he said. "This is an ugly strain of racism that's running through this whole thing."

Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Cosby, Robert De Niro, Rosie O'Donnell and David Letterman have also spoken out.

The political advocacy group Color of Change has called on all black cast members to boycott the show and one fired "applicant" told me that they would shun the finale if their contract didn't stipulate they had to be there.

On Monday morning, Donald appeared on FOX News to try and dispel the charges he's racist.

"I am the least racist person there is," he said. "And I think most people who know me would tell you that. I am the least racist, I've had great relationships."

NeNe's fellow 'Housewife' (well, from NYC) Ramona Singer isn't buying it.

"Well, anyone who makes a racist remark is showing their opinion and where their mind is at," Ramona tells me.

Unlike past stars that have been fired by The Donald, I received an email from NBC making it clear neither NeNe nor Star Jones would be available today.

Tags: Celebrity Apprentice, Donald Trump, NeNe Leakes

Comments

(82)

Tuesday 10 May

By great granny

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Who cares. who watches apprentice anyway.

By CBear

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A lot of people whatch that show!!

By trash

It's aimed at a higher IQ crowd.

By Ernie D.

I watch and love that show. Are you kidding? What other show do you find more interesting than Celebrity Apprentice?

By catzs

Not me.....the show is crap as is the Donald. And as a side note No-no just showed what a loser and quitter big mouth she is.

By icdou007

NeNe was still wrong to walk away. CLAIMS SHE WILL TAKE IT, , THEN QUITS. NO GOOD, NENE, NO GOOD. QUITTERS NEVER WIN, AND WINNERS NEVER QUIT.

By karsim123

Nene has friends???

By KR

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She did what she felt she had to do. As long as she stuck it to Donny Trump, the beotch is fine by me.

By ED

The only ones pulling out the race card are the people who write articles like this...NeNe quit because thats what quiters do.

Thursday 12 May

By davbrown

I agree. She did all that talking and bullying and in the end could not stand up to the real pressure.

By Trouble

My profound distaste for "nene" has nothing to do with the color of her skin. How about she is a loud, aggressive, bully that acts the victim and is a major instigator. I got sooooo tired of the show trying to work out her interpersonal issues with most of the female contestants. I consider her walk-away, cowardly, not getting her way, so she didn't want to play anymore. She's just another plastic surgery, heat-seeking media attention missile with a very loud mouth.

By Laura

I couldn't agree more with you! My sentiment exactly.

By Mel G.

Agree!

Wednesday 11 May

By Debbie

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well said!

By Pompano Ann

Spot On! NeNe needs to grow up; there will be a day when her 15 is all gone!

Saturday 21 May

By Beyoncca

I have watched Apprentice well before they came up with the Celebrity edition. I have always noticed Donald made a difference in castmembers because of race. What Caucasion person isn't racist, and BREEDERS don't count. Contrary to what American's want the public to believe. This Country is the most racist of all. This is the same country that still pretends slavery didn't exist. This country never made reference to blacks through out history, they couldn't spare a chapter in high school history books to reference achievements in the black culture.

Monday 23 May

By twalsh4440

She gets away with it because she is black and she has to be Gay What man would pump that even with a bag over her head.

By Mr. Overdone

She could not handle the pressure so she quit. Big deal. next question.

By toldusodems

Quitting is failure. How can her friends applaud that? I doubt it. She should explain why to the charity she walked away. Quitter. Lost respect for you NeNe. Do you tell your children to walk out when something is wrong. That was a bad move NeNe

By jim

NENE JUST WANTED AN EXCUSE AND THIS WILL BE A GOOD ONE FOR HER.
ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT TRUE I DON'T THINK ABOUT TRUMP I THINK HE IS A LOSER. I STILL THINK STAR AND NENE CAN NOW MAKE A BIG THING OUT OF THIS FOR THEIR OWN ABILITY TO BE IN THE PRESS ETC.,

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