Maury Povich made a surprise cameo on Sunday’s episode of The Real Housewives of Atlantasteps in to settle a feud between newcomers Aisha “Pinky” Cole Hayes and Phaedra Parks.
The dispute centered on whispers that Cole, the founder of the busy plant-based chain Slutty Vegan, had been secretly eating meat.
The rumor surfaced during a charity event where co-star Shamea Morton recalled that Phaedra suggested that Cole once ran a Jamaican restaurant that served meat.
Phaedra backtracked, insisting she never claimed Pinky had walked away from her vegan lifestyle.
Cole, who revealed that she once worked as a producer on Maury, teased that she had a lie detector “in her back pocket.”
Moments later, Povich appeared virtually and delivered his trademark verdict: “Pinky, when it comes to the accusation that you’ve been secretly eating meat… the lie detector test says… it was a lie. Pinky, you’re still a vegan.”
The playful cameo capped off a tense exchange in which Cole winked at the camera and thanked Povich for clearing her name.
Cole’s story this season has extended beyond cast drama.
The entrepreneur has been candid about the financial toll 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 debt, according to People.
Despite setbacks, she insists her hustle continues: “I built this brand with heart and guts and I’m not done yet.”
New episodes of The Real Housewives of Atlanta air Sundays at 20 ET on Bravo.
