Billie Lee has officially confirmed that she's leaving Vanderpump Rules as she has placed her two weeks notice from SUR. The trans activist claims she was allegedly bullied on and off camera at SUR that caused her to quit the Bravo hit reality series.
Billie took to her personal blog where she wrote a lengthy post in her blog entitled Two Weeks Notice, where she revealed why she quit Pump Rules.
"Over the years I would think about my dream career as a talk show host – would I ever have the opportunity to have my own show? A platform to educate and inspire others? I felt the same great pain that comes with any rejection, so I stayed on my new path as an activist which led me to SUR and to my fairy godmother Lisa Vanderpump. My whole life was working in restaurants so it made sense my TV debut would be in a restaurant," she wrote.
"During my time at SUR, I met some of the most wonderful people, a few in particular that I now call family. They saw me in a way I never saw myself – they saw beauty, light and love. They saw a powerful activist who was unstoppable. These beautiful souls put a mirror in front of me, they showed me how far I’ve come and how far I can go. But with good always comes evil, Some of my coworkers were threatened by my differences, going out of their way to exclude me, one demanding I be fired from the show because he didn’t feel comfortable working with me, his exact words were, “I’m not gonna loose all I have worked hard for for something stupid I may say or do to offend her. Are we all supposed to tip toe around her because she’s trans?” Like most men during the #MeToo movement he was so afraid of saying the wrong thing that he just wanted me gone."
She continued: "The bullying on and off camera brought my deep insecurities to the surface, this dark black mirror held up high for everyone in public to see and to judge. The reflection of fear and anger led me back `to depression and suicidal thoughts. I honestly thought I was finished with this type of bullying after high school and college but once again I found myself 34, depressed, and fantasizing about taking my own life. Like any other time I’ve been bullied or rejected I started journaling, and I attached myself to anything and everything positive that would pull me out of this dark funk. During this time, I realized that SUR was no longer right for me!"
Billie reveals that certain people tried to convince her to stay but ultimatley she wasn't "strong enough" to deal with it - she also thanks SUR bosses Guillermo and Nathalie, including LVP herself.
"I had many people try to convince me to stay, “Billie do another year! You are stronger than this.” But honestly, I couldn’t do another year and I wasn’t strong enough. SUR will always be a place I cherish. I’m so grateful for everyone including the owners Nathalie and Guillermo for always having my back. I’m also grateful for Lisa, your encouragement and blessing to move forward with this new chapter of mine means the world to me."
Billie also teased the next chapter on her life which is helping her community. "With the help of so many powerful people including Lisa I now have the opportunity to lead my own projects that you will see in 2020. For now, I am focused on my anti bullying campaign with Regenix as 75% of transgender youth feel unsafe at school and over 40% of LGBTQ+ feel bullied at work. Regenix is giving a percentage of our sales to Equality CA where I sit on the board of advisors as we fight to protect trans rights."
She added: "It is my mission to end bullying and I’m proud to announce my new partnership with GLSEN who work hard creating safe places for the LGBTQ+ youth in our schools. Together we will make a difference and that difference will save lives!"
Are you said to see Billie leave SUR and Vanderpump Rules? Sound off in the comment section below!
Photo Credit: Bravo
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