Jessica Mulroney is a pretty well-known figure. She's a Canadian fashion stylist who's married to former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's son, Ben. Her best friend is none other than the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. She also has a wedding reality show on CTV called I Do, Redo.
That last gig has seen its end. Jessica's show has officially been pulled from CTV for Jessica sharing opinions that "conflict[s] with our commitment to diversity and equality." The statements in question come after Canadian lifestyle blogger Sasha Exeter called Jessica out for threats to her livelihood after calling Jessica out on her white privilege.
Sasha posted a tearful 11-minute-long video to Instagram about the situation. She explains that Jessica felt called out by Sasha after Sasha shared posts on her feed encouraging people with a platform to speak out in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. She asserts that she never directly called Jessica out but feels that guilt motivated her to become defensive. While Sasha cited Jessica's friendship with Meghan as to why she should be doing better, Jessica leaned on it to defend her position.
Jessica Mulroney is finding herself in hot water, but the mess seems to be of her own creation. The 40-year-old host of I Do, Redo and wife of Ben Mulroney, the oldest son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, has had her show pulled by CTV. The decision comes after a behind-the-scenes feud with Canadian lifestyle blogger Sasha Exeter went public.
Sasha posted an emotional 11-minute video to Instagram yesterday to go public with the situation. "I thought long and hard about naming this person in this video," Sasha began.
"And I personally feel that if we're going to hold companies accountable during this time, we need to hold individuals accountable as well. And part of this woman's power and privilege and her last name and her family made this whole thing scary. But there was no point in speaking up and sharing this without her name being called out."
Sasha explains that while she and Jessica are acquaintances, she was surprised when Jessica took a generic call to action Sasha shared as a call-out. Sasha noted that she was calling on all of her followers with a platform to speak out in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and racial equality in general.
"What happened next was a series of very problematic behavior and antics that ultimately resulted in her sending me a threat in writing last Wednesday, June 3," she revealed.
Sasha explained she was surprised Jessica hadn't spoken out because she's vocal on a number of other issues. She also noted Jessica's very high-profile friendship with Meghan Markle. While she didn't mention Meghan by name, Sasha said Jessica's "best friend is arguably one of the most famous Black women in the world."
"Listen, I'm by no means calling Jess a racist, but what I will say is this: she is very well aware of her wealth, her perceived power and privilege because of the color of her skin," Sasha noted.
Sasha couldn't understand why Jessica took the Instagram posts so personally.
"Maybe this is possibly her showing her guilt for her lack of action and because of that she began to lash out at me," she suggested.
Jessica went on to share with Sasha that she wasn't speaking out because she was afraid of being "bullied or vilified by the public or media if she did." She also shared that she was focusing on promoting the season finale I Do, Redo and didn't want the show to suffer for any comments she might make.
On June 1, Jessica reposted a video from Stassi Schroeder (who incidentally lost her job on Vanderpump Rules for previous racist comments) of a little Black girl crying about the impacts of racism on the people in her life, including herself. She shared a message in the caption.
"I've always stood up to racism and injustice on this platform but someone dear to me let me know being silent these days is not enough. People sometimes use Instagram to be 'activists.' But it must go beyond a picture, video, or quote you share," Jessica wrote.
"It's about educating your children and what you do to spread equality in real moments. Don't just post a quote and move on. Create real change within your community. I've had many lengthy conversations with my children hoping the rest of the world is doing the same."
Shortly after this conversation, Sasha found herself blocked by Jessica. Then she got a message from her that allegedly reads, "I have also spoken to companies and people about the way you have treated me unfairly. You think your voice matters. Well, it only matters if you express it with kindness and without shaming people who are simply trying to learn. Good luck."
"Not only is Jessica very well aware of her white privilege, but just like her fellow Canadian Amy Cooper, she spewed out that threat so effortlessly," Sasha explained in her video.
"But I think what makes the situation really horrendous is the threat or the claim that she was going ahead and speaking to brands and companies that I potentially have worked with or am currently working with or could possibly work with. That's a threat to my livelihood. For her to threaten me, a single mom, a single Black mom, during a racial pandemic, blows my mind. It is absolutely unbelievable."
Jessica went on to text Sasha with excuses and backpedaling. She believed that Jessica panicked when she realized how much was in writing and could be proven.
"How can you be about the Black people and be a supporter and be about female empowerment on the outside, when you're attempting to silence a Black woman during this movement behind closed doors? It just seems very contradictory to me," Sasha noted.
Jessica commented on Sasha's video but later deleted it.
"@sashaexeter, you are right when you say 'this [expletive] needs to stop'. As leaders, we need to join hands and call out wrongs. I know we have different experiences. And that is something that, even in the course of a heated argument, I need to acknowledge and understand. I am unequivocally sorry for not doing that with you, and for any hurt I caused," she wrote.
"As I told you privately, I have lived a very public and personal experience with my closest friend where race was front and centre. It was deeply educational. I learned a lot from that. I promise to continue to learn and listen on how I can use my privilege to elevate and support Black voices."
Jessica DM'd Sasha with a very different tone. "Liable [sic] suit. Good luck," she wrote. Sasha decided to share the screenshot on her Instagram stories.
Jessica issued another public apology on her own account. "As some of you may have seen, @sashaexeter and I had a disagreement. She rightfully called me out for not doing enough when it came to engaging in the important and difficult conversation around race and injustice in our society," she wrote.
"I took it personally and that was wrong. I know I need to do better. Those of us with a platform must use it to speak out. I want to say from my heart that every word of my apologies to Sasha over the course of the last two weeks privately, and again both publicly and privately today is true. I did not intend in any way to jeopardize her livelihood. We had a disagreement and it got out of hand. For that I am sorry."
"I also know this is not about me, nor should it be about me. It is about the Black community that has been subject to racism, discrimination, and violence for far too long."
"As I've considered what to say publicly, I recognize that isn't enough. That is why I'm going to be stepping back from social media in the coming days and giving my microphone to Black voices by having them take over my account and share their experience," she continued.
"I plan to use this time to reflect, learn, and listen. I have also asked Sasha if she would be willing to take over my account whenever she is comfortable and tell her story."
"The real work of bringing change goes beyond Instagram, and I want you all to know that I'm committed to using every platform and resource available to me to continue the important work of anti-racism. I hope you will all continue to hold me accountable."
The apology was too little, too late for many. CTV pulled I Do, Redo from all channels and platforms as a result of her lack of "respect, inclusivity, and allyship." She was also let go as a fashion and bridal specialist with Kleinfeld Bridal and Hudson's Bay.
Jessica has issued yet another apology as the fallout continues.
"The events that have transpired over the last few days have made it clear that I have work to do. I realize more than ever how being a white, privileged woman has put me far ahead of so many, and in particular those in the Black community. And while I can't change the past, I can do my part to do better in the future."
"I respect the decision of CTV and have decided to step away from my professional engagements at this time. I'm going to take this time to reflect, learn, and focus on my family."
"I also want to take a moment to clarify that I have no intention of pursuing any legal action. I was wrong, and for that, I am truly sorry."
"I remain more committed than ever to support anti-racism efforts and will do everything in my power to right this wrong."
You can't help but wonder how any conversation between Jessica and Meghan has gone in the midst of all of this. Meghan has been focused on trying to get more involved with Black Lives Matter. It's not unreasonable to think she'd be pretty annoyed at her name being dragged into this conversation, especially in the way Jessica did. Having a Black friend is simply not enough in 2020. We'll have to watch and see what Jessica does to showcase learning or growth moving forward, although she shouldn't expect applause regardless.
