- Angela Rye said she was stunned to discover that former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo had responded to a picture of her in a bikini in January 2021
- Rye has claimed that the alleged interaction was the reason the network decided to let her go, just weeks after he allegedly messaged her
- Cuomo was fired from CNN in December 2021 after it was revealed that he had secretly helped his brother Andrew strategize to combat harassment allegations
Former CNN commentator Angela Rye has claimed that Chris Cuomo sent her explicit messages calling her “tinsel crotch” after she shared a picture of herself in a bikini on social media.
Rye, who appeared regularly on the former host's show, said she was stunned to find he had reacted to a bikini-clad picture she shared in 2021.
The 44-year-old was overcome with emotion as she spoke about the alleged interaction in the first episode of her new show, describing it as “the most embarrassing and humiliating experience” she had ever had.
In her most recent podcast episode, which aired on Thursday, she said she was “stunned” to read the news.
Rye said: “It all started on New Year's Day when I posted a picture of myself looking forward to the New Year in a gold sequin bikini.”
“Cuomo took a screenshot of the picture and said “Happy New Year, tinsel in the crotch”, amazed, I read it a dozen times and re-read it to understand it.
Angela Rye said she was stunned to discover that former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo had responded to a picture of her in a bikini in January 2021
Rye has claimed that the alleged interaction was the reason the network decided to let her go, just weeks after Cuomo, seen here in 2018, allegedly messaged her
Rye, who regularly appeared on the former host's show, said she was stunned to find he had reacted to a bikini-clad picture she shared in 2021, which can be seen here
Holding back tears, Rye continues, “I felt like the safest place I had on a CNN show had been compromised.”
“I ignored it and hoped it would go away, or even more so, I imagined it.” A few hours later he said hello.
“I didn't respond for two more days, even though he asked to call the next day to discuss work.
“I was afraid to speak out. I felt like if I confronted him I was risking everything I was finally starting to build with the network.”
On January 21, just three weeks after the alleged interaction, Rye was informed by the network that it would not be renewing her contract as a contributor.
Rye said she believes there is a connection between Cuomo's text message and her firing.
She also claimed that Cuomo texted her from a new number last year and asked if he had upset her.
Rye continued, “Chris, you texted me from a new number last year and asked if I was mad at you.”
“I was, but I was really angry at myself.” “I was angry at myself for not speaking up sooner, for lacking courage and for putting my financial well-being over my mental health.”
Cuomo (right) was fired from CNN in December 2021 after it was revealed that he had secretly helped his brother Andrew (left) strategize to combat harassment allegations
Cuomo was fired from the company in 2021 for reportedly using his influence to help his brother, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, deal with sexual assault allegations.
The former Cuomo Prime Time anchor, now working for NewsNation, is said to have used his media connections and contacts to fact-check stories about his brother and passed the information on to the governor's staff.
The younger Cuomo is suing CNN for more than $60 million over his sudden firing.
Harper Collins was supposed to publish a book by Cuomo in 2022, but dropped the book because of the controversy.
Cuomo's political career collapsed after he was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior toward 11 women.
After months of resistance, he resigned in August 2021 and the criminal charges against him were ultimately dropped. Cuomo denies the allegations.
A representative for Cuomo and NewsNation, where he now works, did not respond to a request for comment.
has contacted CNN for comment.