Yvette Nicole Brown has made it clear she doesn’t want to be involved in Chevy Chase’s new project.
The actress, 54, shared her thoughts in an Instagram post, subtly touching upon recent controversies regarding Chase, particularly the N-word scandal that led to his departure from NBC’s “Community,” which aired from 2009 to 2013.
In the upcoming CNN documentary, “I’m Chevy Chase, You’re Not,” director Jay Chandrasekhar reveals a heated interaction between Chase, who is 82, and Brown. According to him, Chase reportedly used a racial slur during their exchange, which caused both to walk off the set. Chase later issued an apology.
“These are things I have never talked about publicly and probably never will,” Brown stated in her post.
She continued, expressing frustration over others speaking on her behalf and claimed that they lack an understanding of her relationships with her colleagues. “They don’t know me at all,” she asserted, emphasizing the importance of credibility.
Brown added, “I hate that I had to say this. Please don’t say my name in East Cleveland.”
She further expressed her beliefs in the caption, writing, “Do your job, don’t be someone else’s worker. That’s my motto.” She stated that speaking out can sometimes be important, especially against bad behavior, and acknowledged the value of open dialogue when necessary.
However, she indicated that she often chooses not to engage in certain discussions, believing they might not lead to any positive change. “I don’t soil myself for anyone,” she mentioned, asserting responsibility lies with individuals to own their actions without looking for scapegoats.
Brown encouraged her followers to interpret her statements thoughtfully, advising that they should understand their implications before sharing them.
“I’m not going to say anything more about this terrible situation,” she reiterated. “It’s under me. No one else should interfere either.”
The newspaper has reached out to representatives for both Brown and Chase for comments.
In the documentary premiering on January 1, Chandrasekhar recounts a moment on the “Community” set when Chase expressed dissatisfaction with a sketch involving a “blackface” puppet related to his character.
He noted that tension existed between the two, with Brown storming off the set after their argument. “Unless Chevrolet apologizes to her, she’s not coming out,” Chandrasekhar recalled regarding a situation where producers needed Brown back for a scene.
After the racial incident became public, Chandrasekhar described a moment where Chase had a “total meltdown,” claiming he was upset about the impact on his career.
Chase was subsequently let go from the show.
At the time of the 2012 incident, reports indicated that Chase quickly apologized to his co-stars after using the N-word during a scene. He became confused during a conversation with Brown and another cast member, Donald Glover.
Chase later acknowledged the incident in a 2018 interview, admitting he may have used the term.
Meanwhile, Glover has claimed that Chase directed the N-word at Brown during filming.
The documentary “I Am Chevy Chase And You Are Not” is set to be released on January 1.
