Hey everyone, welcome! There’s been some fascinating buzz surrounding comedian Lonnie Love and Tamar Braxton’s departure from “The Real” talk show. Let’s dive into it. So, there’s this stand-up comedian named Cookie Ho, who happened to be Lonnie Love’s former writer and friend. She recently gave an interview on Comedy Hype’s YouTube channel, and let me just say, big props to Comedy Hype for consistently delivering top-notch content. I’m a huge fan! Anyway, in the interview, Cookie dropped a bombshell, alleging that Lonnie may have had a hand in getting Tamar fired from “The Real”. Now, I know this story isn’t exactly fresh; Tamar’s been out of the picture for nearly four years now. However, Cookie’s revelation sheds new light on the situation, making it worth revisiting.
Last year, Tamar and Lonnie found themselves embroiled in a heated social media dispute. Tamar leveled accusations against Lonnie, claiming that Lonnie had been sending emails to the network in an attempt to have her ousted from her position. She even went as far as to share purported text messages from a source alleging Lonnie’s involvement in her termination. However, Lonnie vehemently denied these allegations, asserting repeatedly that she lacked the authority to influence Tamar’s job status. Indeed, Lonnie clarified that she held no executive role within the network, rendering her incapable of making such decisions. Furthermore, Lonnie expressed her deep aversion to such actions against a fellow sister.
Reflecting on her own career struggles, Lonnie lamented, “I’ve dedicated 15 years to pursuing comedy. Imagine finally securing a show, only to be branded as the antagonist, accused of orchestrating the dismissal of another sister. Can you fathom the pain? Why would I inflict such harm after investing so much time? Let me make one thing clear—Julia, I know you’re innocent.”
Now, a former confidante and writer for Lonnie, Cookie, has surfaced, alleging that Lonnie was indeed actively seeking Tamar’s dismissal.
“Yeah, so, she mentioned to me her plan to push her off the show. Her goal was to be the sole representative of the ‘ghetto girl’ persona on the show, so she was actively working to eliminate competition. She even showed me an email where she outlined her reasons. Now, I can’t give you the exact wording, but essentially it was along the lines of, ‘Tamar’s absence during her time on ‘Dancing with the Stars’, which amounted to 52 missed episodes of ‘The Real’, didn’t impact ratings.’ She then argued to the network, ‘If her absence didn’t affect ratings, do we really need her?’ Additionally, she highlighted Tamar’s injury during ‘Dancing with the Stars’, suggesting she posed an insurance risk and was therefore unfit for the show. You see what I mean? While she couldn’t directly fire her, she could certainly influence decisions by highlighting such points. And it seems her efforts might have contributed to Tamar’s departure, as she expressed her desire to be the sole representative of that persona on the show.”
“So Lonnie mentioned that?”
“Yeah, she did.”
“How did she say it?”
“Well, we were just chatting, and it came up naturally. I guess she could tell I was a bit hesitant about being the only one with a certain background on the show. But let me clarify, it’s not bitterness. I’m just being honest here. Ask me anything, and I’ll give you a straight answer. I’m too seasoned to sugarcoat things.”
“Got it.”
“Yeah. Lonnie probably would’ve refuted any accusations.”
“Ah, yes, my friend did something similar. ‘Who sent this? Let’s talk it out.’ Instead of airing it on other platforms, she should’ve talked directly. Lonnie’s ‘Stop writing letters’ was likely in response to a conversation or a message exchanged earlier, maybe with a comedian friend of mine. I mentioned the situation, and she seemed involved.”
“I see.”
“Yeah, she probably wanted her out of the picture.”
Tamar’s text message read, “Who told you?” She specifically mentioned “Cookie Hall.” The Shade Room even reported on it, confirming, “Cookie Hall told me.” She got her.
“Yeah. She did try to get her removed from the shop, you know what I’m saying. Tried to get her kicked off the show. That’s why the tension lingers. Other girls are clueless, just sitting there, absorbing Lonnie’s explanations. Too much talk for someone clueless. If you don’t know, stay silent. It’s unfair to fake authenticity. That’s not right.”
“Tamar invited us to her dressing room for the baby’s birthday party. No genuine people around. Not right.”
Now, I want to preface by saying I don’t know if this is true. These are allegations by Cookie. But if it is, it’s disappointing. I believed Lonnie’s explanation on The Breakfast Club, but if she did play a role, it’s despicable. Tamar considered her a friend. It’s messed up. But I can’t confirm Lonnie’s involvement. Maybe other reasons led to Tamar’s exit. Vince, her ex-husband and manager, could’ve impacted negotiations for her return. Network dynamics might’ve influenced the decision too. Tamar’s rumored difficulty to work with is also plausible. But I doubt that was the sole reason. There were likely unseen factors. It’s unfortunate; Tamar brought vibrant energy to the show, boosting ratings. “The Real” owes a lot to her.
“This show would be nothing without you.”
“I know.”
“Thank you.”
Reflecting on everything and considering Cookie’s remarks about Lonnie, it’s plausible that Lonnie might have felt somewhat threatened by Tamar. Lonnie was initially positioned to be the star of the show, hired for her role as the witty, outspoken black woman—a character she likely saw as a pathway to securing her own show. Initially, Lonnie desired her own platform, but the studio, with which she had a deal, opted for her involvement in ‘The Real’ instead. My own journey in the industry had me already linked with the studio, but I had aspirations for my own show, separate from the casting decisions made for ‘The Real’. Lonnie, however, reluctantly accepted a spot on ‘The Real’, despite her original ambition for autonomy.
Upon joining ‘The Real’, Lonnie likely aimed to carve out her own niche, intending to be the standout comedic presence. Yet, Tamar emerged as a force, effortlessly captivating attention with her larger-than-life personality, quick wit, and innate humor. Tamar’s magnetic charisma overshadowed the rest of the cast, including Lonnie, potentially stirring feelings of insecurity in her. While Lonnie possessed comedic talent, Tamar’s natural flair and ability to command the audience’s laughter made her a standout.
It’s conceivable that Lonnie perceived Tamar as a threat to her desired prominence on the show. While there’s no concrete evidence suggesting Lonnie actively sought Tamar’s dismissal, it’s clear she may have harbored reservations about Tamar’s presence. Ultimately, the dynamic between Lonnie and Tamar underscores the complexities of interpersonal relationships in the entertainment industry. I’m keen to hear your thoughts on this. Share your opinions in the comments below. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe, and please share this video if you found it insightful. Thank you for tuning in, and until next time, take care. Goodbye!