In recent days, multiple shows and networks have fired talent after realizing or rediscovering past racist social media posts or racists actions.
These include Bravo axing "Vanderpump Rules" stars Brett Caprioni and Max Boyens, whose racists tweets reemerged in January, as well as Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute, who reported a former black co-star to police for a crime she didn't commit. Bravo also fired "Below Deck Mediterranean" star Peter Hunziker for a racist Instagram post.
The CW let go of "The Flash" actor Hartley Sawyer after racist, homophobic and misogynistic tweets he posted before joining the cast surfaced, and MTV said goodbye to "Teen Mom" franchise star Taylor Selfridge "in light of her past racist statements on social media," a network rep told People magazine. MTV's "The Challenge" also announced it had severed ties with Dee Nguyen "as a result of [her] offensive comments on the Black Lives Matter movement."
Now Page Six is reporting that a group of television networks that includes CBS, Showtime, MTV and VH1 are taking an unusual step to crack down further: They've hired a private investigator to do a deep dive into their stars' social media accounts to see if there's any more troubling information execs need to be aware of.
According to Page Six, the networks have tapped California-based firm Edward Myers & Associates. The firm's website reveals that its leader, Edward Myers, has previously served in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Hardcore Gang Division where he helped in the investigation and prosecution of criminal street gang members charged in homicide cases. It notes he also served on the District Attorney's Informant Task Force.
Edwards also held senior director positions with two other reputable investigation and security firms — Frasco Investigative Services as well as Gavin de Becker & Associates, the security firm that's famously done work for the biggest and most prominent names in Hollywood including Amazon chief Jeff Bezos, Page Six reports.
Sources tell the New York Post's gossip column that "letters have gone out to stars alerting them that the firm … will begin its probe soon," Page Six writes. According to Page Six, the shows whose casts will be looked at are likely to include "Jersey Shore," "RuPaul's Drag Race," "Teen Mom," "Dating Naked," "Game On," "Vice" and "Love & Hip Hop."