Candiace Dillard sparked a shocking racial storm online less than a week after she split from The Real Housewives of Potomac.
The 37-year-old, who announced her departure from the Bravo series on Monday, received backlash last week when comments she made about not wanting to have “light-skinned children” resurfaced online.
Candiace, whose husband Chris Bassett is Caucasian, made the controversial comments about the Don’t call me white girl podcast at the end of January.
“I’m afraid of having light-skinned children,” she admitted.
Candiace Dillard came under fire for admitting she does NOT want ‘light-skinned children’ just days before leaving The Real Housewives of Potomac. (Pictured of her with her husband Chris Bassett)
“I’m afraid of having light-skinned children,” she admitted in a podcast interview.
The reality star said she wants “brown” children instead of “light-skinned” children
‘I want my children to be dark! But they probably won’t be brown, and I’m like I’m fine with that,’ he continued.
“I will be very happy, but I want my children to be dark, but if they are not, that’s fine.”
The interview gained traction last week and was published on popular blogs such as Hollywood Unlocked and The Neighborhood Talk, where it generated widespread criticism.
“If you wanted brown kids you should have been with a brown man,” one person wrote.
“Now let’s let a light-skinned person say they’re scared of having dark-skinned kids…we really need to let this skin tone thing go,” wrote another.
“I want my kids to be brown too, that’s why I date black men,” another added.
Many users also accused Candiace of being a “colorist,” an accusation she has leveled at others in the past.
The reality star also claimed that her lighter-skinned casemates have an advantage over her due to her lighter complexion.
Candiace’s husband, Chris, is Caucasian and his comments about the skin color of their future children sparked widespread backlash online.
“If you wanted brown kids you should have been with a brown man,” one person wrote.
‘She’s the one who always mentions color, not Gizelle (Bryant). She is the colorist,’ one person commented.
‘And you call Gizelle and Robyn the colorists? I have never heard them say anything like that,” wrote another.
‘So he’s been projecting his colorism issues onto his co-stars this whole time. Chile… if gaslighting were a person,’ another added.
Despite the backlash, Candiace’s husband, Chris, defended her a few days later at the Very high with Angela Yee.
“Candiace and I have been having this conversation probably since the day we met,” he emphasized.
“Now we joke about it since we’re married and together; she knows she won’t have dark-skinned babies.”
And he added: ‘People can have preferences. I don’t understand why people get so angry.’
Dailymail.com has contacted NBC and Candiace for comment.
Despite the backlash, Candiace’s husband Chris defended her a few days later, saying it’s okay for “people to have preferences.”
Candiace has a history of bringing up colorism on Real Housewives of Potomac and has often claimed that she is held to a different standard than her lighter-skinned castmates.
Candiace has often made skin color a topic of conversation during her time on RHOP, especially in recent years.
She previously brought up co-star Gizelle Bryant’s skin color at the season seven reunion after Gizelle claimed Chris had made her feel “uncomfortable” during a harmless interaction.
“You sit here on your privileged white-looking ass and think you can say whatever you want and no one is going to bat an eyelid,” he fumed.
“Your proximity to whiteness helps you want to sit here and tell these lies.”
He also spoke about the subject in a long interview with the daily beast in 2022.
“I’ll be clear in saying that I think most of the colorism we experience comes from the audience space,” she told the publication.
“I don’t think my cast is wielding any power against us on purpose or voluntarily. I think as a person who benefits from colorism, it’s that person’s job to call it out and make it clear and not allow it to consume or take over sacred space. ‘
He added: “Using buzzwords, like ‘you’re being aggressive,’ is clearly a dog whistle.”
He previously mentioned his co-star Gizelle Bryant’s skin color at the season seven reunion, saying she had a ‘privileged white-looking a**.’ (Gizelle appears in the photo)
Robyn Dixon and Gizelle (left and center) have been accused by Candiace and some viewers of the show of benefiting from colorism.
It comes as Candiace officially announced her departure from Real Housewives of Potomac after six seasons.
In an official statement to People magazine on Monday, the 37-year-old indicated she was leaving the series to focus on other professional projects.
“As I embark on a new chapter after six extraordinary years with The Real Housewives of Potomac, I am filled with gratitude for the enriching friendships, personal growth, and moments of introspection that have defined this journey,” she said.
“With a whirlwind of new opportunities and responsibilities on my plate, I have decided to take a break from RHOP,” she added.
The Drive Back singer also teased that she might be on a temporary hiatus from the franchise, saying, “This is not a goodbye, but a see you later.”
He added: ‘Your unwavering support has been my guide and I look forward to the exciting adventures ahead and, most importantly, sharing them all with you!’