Things appear to be getting messier for Salim Akil.
The woman who has accused him of abuse and stealing the concept behind “Love Is___,” Amber Dixon Brenner, had more to say in an interview with Deadline.
And this time, she also addressed Mara Brock Akil.
She claims Mara allegedly knew about the affair. Amber alleges that the alleged affair ended last year.
DEADLINE: What prompted you to want to make your story with the Akils public?
BRENNER: It started when Mara was on the cover of some magazine and she stood along with other women in the industry talking about #MeToo or Time’s Up. I read it and I was appalled and I felt disregarded and that the issues from the relationship that in the past I had tried to resolve or discuss regarding violence she was very silent about. Like not responding to texts earlier on in the relationship.
DEADLINE: Just to be clear, Mara was aware of your affair with Salim?
BRENNER: Oh, yes.
DEADLINE: So, what happened when you tried to reach out to Salim and Mara about this?
BRENNER: Salim blocked my phone number. But I first reached out to Mara when she was on the cover of that magazine. I wrote her an email saying how is it that you come forward now when in your private life you knew that your husband had a habit of hitting me?
The letter I wrote was very thorough.
I said I came to know it as reflective of the definition of abuse, s*xual abuse, physical abuse, and the abuse of power also based upon their stature in the industry and otherwise.
Amber also told the publication that when she first learned about “Love Is___,” she was in denial. But she felt the need to pursue legal action after she felt the show’s concept was too similar to her 2015 screenplay.
And she also feels like OWN did the right thing by cancelling the show.
You can read the full interview here.