Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon, stars of The Real Housewives of Potomac, are taking a stand against Eminem, claiming the rapper is circumventing the deposition process in their ongoing trademark dispute. The conflict centers around the podcast name “Reasonably Shady,” which the reality stars sought to trademark. Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, opposed the trademark, arguing it closely resembles his well-known nicknames.
In their legal filings submitted on October 10, Bryant and Dixon accused Eminem and his legal team of being uncooperative regarding the scheduling of his deposition. The United States Patent and Trademark Office has ordered Eminem to provide testimony, but the duo claims they’ve encountered significant delays. They reported that it took weeks for Eminem’s lawyer to confirm a deposition date of October 29, with the attorney stating it would only take two hours and suggesting that Bryant and Dixon should be grateful for any opportunity to question the rapper.
The reality stars are frustrated, arguing that the 2 p.m. start time for the deposition creates logistical challenges since their vendors operate during standard business hours. They assert that Eminem’s legal counsel provided no justification for this timing and has not demonstrated good faith in facilitating a more accommodating arrangement.
In response to the accusations, Eminem’s attorney argued that the reality stars acted hastily by filing a motion without adequately engaging in discussions about the scheduling. Eminem’s team noted that the rapper was willing to extend the deposition as needed into the evening to meet their requirements but emphasized that he cannot participate before the afternoon due to prior commitments related to his music production schedule.
Eminem’s manager, Paul Rosenberg, supported this position in a declaration, explaining that the rapper’s work on new music necessitates his presence in the studio during the mornings. Rosenberg stressed that missing these commitments not only results in wasted time and resources but also affects forthcoming contracts requiring completion by set deadlines.
Andrea Evans, representing Bryant and Dixon, expressed skepticism about Eminem’s excuse for his unavailability, insisting that the rules allow for seven hours of deposition time. She stated that Eminem appears to be shirking his obligations in this lawsuit.
Bryant and Dixon remain determined to pursue their legal battle. At BravoCon 2025 in Las Vegas, Dixon remarked on the ongoing struggle, saying, “He’s still being shady. We’re still going down the road with the lawsuit. And we’re fighting it. We’re going to win, at some point.”
The case highlights the complexities of celebrity trademark disputes, particularly when combined with personal brand identities. As the situation evolves, both sides are navigating a challenging course through legal proceedings.