Tami Roman has a bone to pick with veteran comic Luenell.
The “Basketball Wives” star expressed disappointment in the former “Lopez” star for clustering online comedians as those who take opportunities from long-time comics.
“I am gonna go on record as saying a person who I really admired and respected, she came for myself and NeNe [Leakes]: Luenell,” Roman explains on “Sister Circle Live” June 12. “She doesn’t like, I guess the fact that — she calls us ‘the reality people’ — are segueing into comedy. There’s a lane for everybody, which is why I don’t call myself a comedian. I just get up there and tell great stories and hopefully people laugh and think they’re funny.”
Roman rose to fame on the second season of MTV’s “The Real World” before stepping back into the reality show spotlight as a cast member on Vh1’s “Basketball Wives” in 2010. Currently on the L.A. spin-off, Roman has parlayed her fame into her viral Instagram segment, “Bonnet Chronicles.” The short clips feature Roman comically delivering commentary on pop culture events as well as offering inspirational prayers.
But while the clips are a hit with fans, Lunell said on “The Breakfast Club” that she wasn’t big on Instagram comics.
“Of course it bothers me and not only me,” Lunell said in April of social media comedians raking in the dough for their comedy bits. “I know it bothers a lot of us OGs because they’re getting paid more than us. And I don’t do it for the money, but I certainly would like to get compensated for being one of the bad ones out here.”
Regardless, Roman has a slew of other celebs who love her comedy, including Halle Berry, Missy Elliot and Snoop Dogg. She’s even working on a variety show with the rapper.
Online, folks have been taking sides with the two funny women.
“Luenell needs to realize this is the age of social media!”
“I’ve met Lunell and she is seriously the sweetest woman and I def understand where she is coming from.”
“Tami is hilarious. She deserves recognition for being so.”
“There’s definitely a difference between a funny person & a comedian. Luenell, you’re the comedian! You’re the one who can sell out theaters & put on a great stand-up set! Stand-up is a completely different world & it takes a very skilled comedian to be successful at it, so don’t let the IG era get you down.”
