'Basketball Wives' Recap: Tami Roman's Public Apology to Kesha Nichols
Monday night's episode of "Basketball Wives" reignited debates about bullying, which prompted a widely condemned cast member to issue a public apology.
In episode 13 of the VH1 reality TV show, Tami Roman's confrontation with new cast member Kesha Nichols turned so nasty that their co-star Evelyn Lozada was reduced to tears after witnessing Nichols endure extreme verbal abuse.
During a group trip to Tahiti, Roman, 41, approached Nichols after downing heavy liquor with regards to alleged gossiping that had taken place. She harassed the professional dancer so severely that she chose to leave and return to the U.S. after just 48 hours on the island.
"I don't apologize for it 2b accepted - that is ultimately the other person's right to accept or deny it. My only responsibility is to acknowledge a mistake was made and own up to it. I apologize to my family, my REAL friends, my business colleagues, and my Project Girl ladies 4my recent behavior on BBW. I am NOT a bully as depicted on the show, but I did make poor decisions in handling my differences with my cast mate. I sincerely apologize to all of us, as well as to my castmate who was on the receiving end of my wrath," Roman wrote in a Facebook post.
Nichols was left visibly shaken after Roman confronted her about allegedly talking behind her back to the other cast mates and recently referred to herself as a "victim of bullying" in that particular incident.
"What I experienced was extremely difficult and emotional for me, as I'm sure it is for all victims of bullying. Unfortunately, I had to relive my personal experience by watching it happen on national television. At the same time, I now have a platform to bring awareness to the issue of adult bullying in today's society," Nichols wrote on her personal blog page.
Viewers were outraged after witnessing Roman screaming and repeatedly swearing at a helpless Nichols despite her insisting that she really did not want to fight with the mother of two.
"All I asked you to do was respect me and what the f--- I asked you to do which was don't f------ talk about me behind my back! And what the f--- you do you still doing that s---!" she yelled.
A stunned Nichols appeared defenseless as Roman proceeded to stare her down as the other cast mates nervously looked on.
"I haven't said anything about you in a really long time like I thought we were trying to start over. At the time when we had our argument or whatever that was in New York you know I was upset about it but I thought that we were starting over ... I haven't said anything bad about you," a terrified Nichols said in response.
The episode concluded with Roman picking up Nichols' purse and refusing to return it unless she received an apology.
The bag was eventually returned to an inconsolable Nichols, who almost immediately left the trip early and flew back home in fear of Roman.