Maury Povich made a surprise cameo on Sunday’s episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, stepping in to settle a feud between newcomer Aisha “Pinky” Cole Hayes and Phaedra Parks.
The dispute centered on whispers that Cole, the founder of the buzzy plant-based chain Slutty Vegan, had secretly been eating meat.
The rumour surfaced during a charity event, with castmate Shamea Morton recalling that Phaedra suggested Cole once ran a Jamaican restaurant serving meat.
Phaedra pushed back, insisting she never claimed Pinky strayed from her vegan lifestyle.
Cole, who revealed she once worked as a producer on Maury, teased she had a lie detector “in her back pocket.”
Moments later, Povich appeared virtually, delivering his trademark verdict: “Pinky, when it comes to the accusation that you’ve been secretly eating meat… the lie detector test says… that was a lie. Pinky, you’re still a vegan.”
The playful cameo capped a tense exchange, with Cole winking at the camera and thanking Povich for clearing her name.
Cole’s storyline this season has extended beyond cast drama.
The entrepreneur has been candid about the financial strain of her Slutty Vegan empire, which at its peak was valued at $100 million.
In March, she filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Georgia, citing more than $1.3 million in debts, as per People.
Despite setbacks, she insists her hustle continues, “I built this brand with heart and hustle, and I’m not done yet.”
New episodes of The Real Housewives of Atlanta air Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
