#Joe Budden Accused of Sexual Harassment by Podcast Host Olivia Dope, Issues Apology

Olivia Dope, a DJ and former host of the Joe Budden Network podcast See, the Thing Is, released a video yesterday (May 17) in which she alleges that Joe Budden sexually harassed her during the recording of an episode. Budden was a guest on the episode, hosted, at the time, by Dope, Bridget Kelly, and Mandii B.

In her video, Dope says that Joe Budden “continuously made sexual, suggestive remarks to [her] that made [her] extremely uncomfortable, as well as fearful of dampening the mood if [she] didn’t laugh along while he made those sexual remarks to [her].” She also describes an incident where Budden asked to hug her: “It’s unbeknownst to me until I actually watch back the episode that he was moving his hips while he was hugging me,” she says.

Today, Budden addressed the video and the incidents in a statement, according to Rolling Stone. In the statement to RS, he said:

As a podcaster, it is my job to address topics and create dialogue around them. During the conversation on the See, the Thing Is podcast I didn’t handle the topics with the sensitivity they deserved. I recognize my words and power in that situation created an upsetting environment for Olivia. Upon reflection, both the network and I take accountability for this.

I apologize sincerely to Olivia, her former co-hosts, our staff, and the public. In an effort to not further any trauma, the episode will be removed from all platforms. We support all women’s rights to feel comfortable and protected in the workplace. We fell short of that in this instance. We support Olivia in her quest to heal, applaud her for finding the strength to share her experience, and wish her the best in all her future endeavors. I am taking the time to listen and learn; we have already begun to make the necessary changes to ensure this is a safe environment for all moving forward. We at the network endeavor to continue to elevate Black women’s voices and create opportunities to have constructive conversations to impact change.

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If you are being sexually harassed, you can report it to the authorities at your job, school, or local law enforcement.

For more information go to https://www.rainn.org/ThatsHarassment