The producers of the VH1 hit “Basketball Wives” are fed up with with Jennifer Williams’ antics, so much so that they’re filing a lawsuit against the reality TV star. As previously reported, Williams filed a lawsuit against Nia Crooks, the assistant of Evelyn Lozada who slapped her on a taped episode of the program.
Citing “mental shock, mental anguish and psychological trauma,” Crooks is charged with assault and battery in a civil suit Williams filed in New York. She is seeking unspecified damages for medical expenses. For added effect, Williams, who’s now going by her maiden name, Lawrence, held a press conference to announce her charges against her assaulter.
According to VH1 reps who contacted TMZ, the press conference was also used as a way to blast “Basketball Wives” for portraying black women in a negative light.
Sources with the cable network tell the gossip site that producers feel Williams’ show-bashing is in violation of her contract, which forbids cast members from doing any media appearances or press without approval. Additionally, there’s a clause that does not allow them to speak negatively about the show. Through her statements, which VH1 obviously finds unwarranted, Williams is said to be “ruining the brand” they worked so hard to build.
Similarly a number of cast members are said to be upset with the former wife of Eric Williams and are refusing to tape the program’s upcoming reunion show if she’s present. The fellow “wives” are said to believe that Williams’ lawsuit was filed out of spite and desperation to create drama. Furthermore, a number of the ladies have doubts about her reported physical and emotional distress, especially considering that she never missed a day of shooting.
–danielle canada
