*Angela Rye was left “stunned” when her former CNN colleague Chris Cuomo called her “tinsel crotch.”
Rye was a regular guest on Cuomo’s now-canceled “Cuomo Prime Time” series. During the premiere episode of her iHeart podcast, “Native Land Pod,” the attorney and political commentator recalled the “humiliating” experience with Cuomo, Page Six reports.
According to Rye, when she posted a bikini-clad photo of herself online on New Year’s Day 2021, Cuomo responded by saying, “Happy New Year tinsel crotch.”
“It all began on New Year’s Day [2021] when I posted a picture of myself looking forward to the New Year in a gold sequin bikini on Instagram,” Rye explained to co-hosts Tiffany Cross and Andrew Gillum on the podcast, according to The Jasmine Brand.
“Cuomo screen-shot the image and said, ‘Happy New Year, tinsel crotch.’ Stunned, I read and reread the message a dozen times, trying to understand if I somehow brought this on myself,” she continued.
“I teared up, like now, and then the tears flowed, I felt like the safest place I had on a show on CNN had been compromised,” Rye said.
Rye admitted that she initially didn’t reply to Cuomo due to a lack of courage.
“I was, but I was really mad at myself. I was mad at myself for not saying anything sooner because I was lacking courage and preferring my financial well-being over my mental health, not standing up for women, who are often left powerless, Rye said on the podcast.
“I was mad at myself for protecting your image with the black women I know who loved you and looked forward to hearing your voice,” she added.
According to Rye, CNN ended her contract when she later confronted Cuomo about his bikini comment.
In hindsight, she believes Cuomo may have had her fired over the incident.
“I don’t know if [he had me fired] or not, but that is certainly what I believe now,” she said.
READ MORE: Chris Cuomo Wants $60M from CNN Following Termination
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