During the premiere episode of Angela Rye’s iHeart podcast “Native Land Pod,” the political commentator shared a heartbreaking story about how an alleged lewd text message from Chris Cuomo—brother of former NYC governor Andrew Cuomo—led to the end of her stint on CNN. The podcast also features co-hosts Tiffany Cross and Andrew Gillum.
Rye, a former CNN contributor, was a frequent guest on the former CNN anchor’s “Cuomo Prime Time.” She said a text exchange she had with Cuomo was “one of the most embarrassing, humiliating experiences” in her career.
“I’ve never publicly shared this, but it is my truth and it is time,” Rye said. “I got a call on January 21, 2021, and I was told by the executive who oversaw contributors that my contract would not be renewed ... that CNN would be focusing more on Covid coverage and less on politics,” she explained.
“I knew it was a lie and it was confirmed when two Black women who were hired for half my current contributor rate right after.” According to Rye, she believed a sexually charged text message from Cuomo led to her being ousted by the network:
“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. Cuomo screen-shot the image and said, ‘Happy New Year, tinsel crotch.’ Stunned, I read and re-read the message a dozen times, trying to understand if I somehow brought this on myself... 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. I ignored it just hoping that it would go away.”
As a result, Rye ignored Cuomo’s texts to her for about a week. “As I think about this it feels so f***ing small compared to what other women in the workplace experience, but I was afraid to speak up,” she recalled. “I felt that if I called him out, I was risking everything I was finally starting to build with the network and as someone who is known for being courageous, I cannot begin to tell you I much I felt, and even now feel, like a coward.”
Cuomo was ultimately canned from CNN in 2021 after allegedly coaching his brother Andrew on how to talk to the media about his sexual harassment allegations. Rye claimed that he’s reached out to her as recently as last year. She also detailed the shame she felt about not speaking up during the interview.
“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... I was mad at myself for shrinking in the face of power when people depend on me to stand up, to speak up,” she stated, addressing Cuomo.
“So no, Chris, I won’t be a guest on your program now or later. Thank you for the platform. It was not worth all of the mental and emotional turmoil,” she said.
Kudos to Rye for finally speaking up.