It’s been some time since we’ve heard anything new about B. Scott’s legal battle with BET, but the case just landed in the tabloid headlines again after it was revealed that Scott said the network made him feel like Oprah Winfrey in the iconic film “The Color Purple.”
The drama all began last summer when Scott was asked by BET to be a style stage correspondent for the red carpet of the BET Awards. Scott has claimed that his original outfit, a flowing tunic, flowing hair, heels and makeup, were all approved by BET in advance. However, after appearing in only one segment of the show, BET pulled Scott from the air and forced him to change in a more masculine outfit.
In August, Scott sued the cable channel based on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation and now TMZ has obtained a copy of the deposition, in which Scott claims the controversy made him feel like Winfrey’s character, Sofia, in “The Color Purple.”
“I feel like Sofia in ‘The Color Purple.’ ‘All my life I had to fight!’” Scott wrote.
He also claims that the experience helped him to realize that he is a transgender person.
“Because of my experience with BET, it led me to the realization that I am transgender because of my gender identity and expression. It was specifically because of my gender, and not my sexuality, that made me a target.”
We’re intrigued to see how this court battle plays out, especially since in January emails from BET President Stephen Hill and his staff showed them making disparaging marks about Scott’s appearance and even trying to cover up the scandal by making him the villain. – nicholas robinson
