A former CNN contributor, Angela Rye, has come forward with allegations against Chris Cuomo, a former CNN anchor. Rye claims that Cuomo subjected her to an “embarrassing and humiliating” experience, which ultimately may have cost her a job at the network. The incident began on New Year’s Day 2021 when Rye posted a photo of herself in a gold sequin bikini on Instagram. Cuomo responded to the photo by saying, “Happy New Year tinsel crotch,” leaving Rye stunned and questioning her own role in the situation.
Rye, holding back tears, explained in the premiere episode of her iHeart podcast, “Native Land Pod,” that she felt compromised and emotionally distressed after Cuomo’s comment. She decided not to respond to his text. However, to seemingly mend their relationship, Cuomo reached out to her with exciting career opportunities. Rye doubted the sincerity of his intentions, suspecting that these opportunities were a result of their previous exchange. Nevertheless, she eventually reached out to Cuomo about discussing a segment for his primetime show.
Unfortunately, the story takes a turn for the worse. On January 21, 2021, Rye received a call from CNN informing her that they would not be renewing her contract. CNN claimed that they would be focusing more on COVID coverage and less on politics as the reason for her contract not being renewed. Rye, however, saw through the deception, stating that she knew it was a lie. To add insult to injury, Rye noticed that two black women were hired at half her contributor rate shortly after her departure, hinting at a potential case of racial and gender discrimination.
Questioning Intentions and Loyalty
Rye expressed her disappointment and anger towards herself for not speaking out earlier. Fearful of the potential consequences and prioritizing her financial well-being over her mental health and the well-being of women in similar situations, Rye had chosen silence. She also acknowledged her frustration with herself for protecting Cuomo’s image with black women who admired him, only for that image to be shattered by his actions. The situation was complicated by the fact that Rye and Cuomo had previously shared a strong rapport.
Rye’s co-host and friend, Tiffany Cross, brought up the question of whether the incident with Cuomo played a role in Rye losing her job at CNN. Rye described Cuomo’s behavior towards her after her contract ended as “brutally cold.” While she admitted that she didn’t know for certain if Cuomo had a hand in her dismissal, she strongly believed that he played a part.
A Pattern of Inappropriate Behavior
Interestingly, Rye’s encounter with Cuomo is not the first time he has faced allegations of inappropriate behavior. Shelley Ross, Cuomo’s former ABC News boss, penned an op-ed in the New York Times accusing him of sexually harassing her at a going-away party in 2005. Ross claimed that during the party, Cuomo approached her and greeted her with a bear hug, while simultaneously grabbing and squeezing her buttock. Cuomo responded to these allegations by stating that their interaction was not sexual and occurred 16 years ago, apologizing for his actions at the time.
Angela Rye’s revelations about her experience with Chris Cuomo have shed light on a potentially problematic pattern of behavior. Rye’s emotional account serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking out against inappropriate actions, even when faced with challenges and potential backlash. Time will tell whether these allegations will have any lasting impact on Cuomo’s career and reputation, but the impact on Rye’s professional life and mental well-being is undeniable. Organizations must take steps to create safer, more inclusive work environments by holding individuals accountable for their actions and ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.