Debra Lee talks new memoir, 'I Am Debra Lee’ l GMA

The former CEO of BET speaks on her experience as a Black female executive in corporate America.
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[@JoyHarrison]

So much for getting to the top without letting your boss get on top of you. She and Barbara Walters had us believing that they were super brilliant so they broke barriers. Then their books come out and we realize that they slept with their boss.

[@Skinny_Pimp]

Exactly

[@originaleverythingelseisca5977]

Crazy

[@ladyindaroom]

You know I tried so hard not to look at it that way, but the writing is on the wall

[@marshallsmith750]

Now, now! She graduated from Harvard and Brown-she was already a 'badass'. She was targeted by her boss , probably had marital issues at home already, and unfortunately commenced a relationship with Bob. She had a moment that I am sure she regrets, but as she says, " it is hard to get out" of these types of relationships. The lesson, don't ever enter into them and I equally say this about dating colleagues in the workplace who may be equals. It all ends messy. Have a full life far away from your job! PERIOD.

[@LifeIsNotorious]

This is why you don’t look up nor idolize people who know nothing about personally. Just because they looked good on paper and glittered on the outside doesn’t mean it wasn’t any errors there.

[@thebaileybarakshow6481]

She concented to a affair with a married man while she was married, and she says now did she really concent?! Was it really her choice?! Stop Debra. Don't change your tune now.👈🏿

[@therelationshipzonet.r.z.2258]

Is this not possible?

[@GQ100]

People love to play the victim

[@missmarionlewis]

Just because you consent to a relationship doesn't mean you have to stay in it

[@MrMelomalo]

@@missmarionlewis Yes because everything you do is always someone else's fault. Unless it is something good and then it's your fault. She slept her way to the top. A man could not do that unless Bob was gay.

[@Skinny_Pimp]

304

[@datruth470]

Help a lot of women? Yeah…don’t sleep with your boss!

[@originaleverythingelseisca5977]

Right

[@leehayes1177]

Today, I have even more respect for Sheila Johnson.

[@bauttiet.h.u.g.5900]

How?

[@joycewilson7045]

So do I.... After reading Shelia s book, I feel that S. Johnson is the GOAT.

[@BeKind4ever-bt5co]

@@bauttiet.h.u.g.5900 She casually without apology tells how she cheated on her husband and slept with her married boss then acts like she merited her title like she earned it fair and square and that earns your respect? I'm speechless.

[@joycewilson7045]

@@BeKind4ever-bt5co Sheila Johnson is his wife not the mistress ..

[@joycewilson7045]

Debra Lee was his mistress and treated Sheila Johnson like trash

[@kevinharris3993]

Debra Lee is not a victim. She chose money and fame over morals. Lee and Bob Johnson destroyed lives pursuing passion. However, I do appreciate her honesty. Lee has achieved a lot, and her truth can help women of all races on how to achieve, and the pitfalls and traps to look for in doing so..

[@TelliVision87]

That's why it's so important to think things through. So many people only think about short term gratification. Broke up a whole marriage and risked her entire career for something that wasn't even going anywhere. And Bob doesn't get a pass either

[@francesfranklin9208]

Negative Nancy! Be positive for individuals and stop predicting people lives! Only God’s the judge and he have mercy and forgiveness 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@originaleverythingelseisca5977]

This is THE BEST COMMENT!

[@danielfrancis1208]

​@@francesfranklin9208 so don't call a spade a spade..got it

[@LifeIsNotorious]

But at least Bob ain’t writing a book about it playing victim.

[@LitosWay357]

The Boondocks were right all along!

[@spyder61man]

Not passing judgment on her, speaking in general. You have a choice when this scenario presents itself, remove yourself from it, and take a career hit or roll with it to advance your career. Whatever you decide, it is your choice to live with. People in power sometimes weld that power, it is on you whether to let them control you unethically with that power.

[@Christopher0632]

Now that she's 68, alone, and lost the respect of her family and children, she's on a mission to make herself the victim to save face from shame.

[@nicoleford4654]

"Poor" Debra Lee for sleeping with a married man while married herself. Then "ish" got real with consequences to her sorry actions. NOW she has the nerve to fix her mouth to say, she doesn't even know if it was consent. I would have respected her more if she would have told Robin, "I knew what I was getting into, I wanted to get to the top and would have done anything to get there. Including HURT his family and mine."

[@jullietedmonds1304]

I came to the comments to see if someone was thinking the same as me, and viola! You are so right. It is such a shame. She should have taken this to her grave. I don't see the point in sharing this disgraceful information with the public.

[@originaleverythingelseisca5977]

Right!!

[@bauttiet.h.u.g.5900]

👏🏾

[@fred4peace]

Exactly

[@loveshell6945]

Would you out yourself to that extent in front of the world? Think of the worst thing you’ve ever done, would you take your own advice? You’re going to say you would, but 99% of people wouldn’t. Is what she did ok? No, but everyone has skeletons in their closet. Stop coming for people. Canceling everyone. People need to stop being hypocrites and focus on becoming better humans. Hate is tearing our world apart, it’s really sad.

[@butterflyygyrlsworld5106]

So the ONLY DOWNFALL, Debra sees in a relationship like this is “if you want to get out of it” !?!?!?!? Girl, the first downfall was you DECIDING to sleep with your “mentor” and leadership WHILE BOTH OF YOU WERE MARRIED!!!

[@Skinny_Pimp]

Exactly. Respect

[@vilenationgaming]

Debra Lee: Bob was responsible for my career taking off Yeah I’m sure. You laid on your back to get what you wanted 😂😂😂😂

[@MayISpeak]

You know people get into relationships with their coworkers all the time right? Just because he is her boss, doesn’t simply mean she “laid on her back.” The point of her story is that the man was trash!

[@vilenationgaming]

@@MayISpeak they were married. That wasn’t a relationship it was an opportunity. I’m willing to bet my life savings if he wasn’t who he was, she wouldn’t have looked his way. And the fact that he told her if the affair is over then so is her job let’s you know what it was. It was a “you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours”.

[@tyronehill1237]

OMG!!!! Single mother???? You CHOSE to cheat and CHOSE to leave. Quit trying to act like a victim now that you're old and alone!!!!!

[@TheBulletzgottishow20]

Debra Lee is the reason why Bob Johnson wife wanted to take the company from Bob that's why he sold to Viacom that's crazy she wrote about the affair in her book

[@angelab9171]

No Bob is the reason since he is the one who cheated on his wife.

[@Skinny_Pimp]

​@@angelab9171 No she was married too. He didn't take it she GAVE IT. SHE destroyed 2 homes

[@angelab9171]

@@Skinny_Pimp the comment I was replaying to said Debra was to blame for Bob’s wife’s decisions regarding BET. My point was Debra was not solely responsible for ruining Bob’s marriage. People need to stop putting the blame only on the woman like the man didn’t wreck his own home. If you think Debra destroyed two home Bob did too.

[@kingdomcitizenship5613]

Zero accountability for her actions and decisions 🤦‍♂️ Victim mentality

[@wannetteterry-crouch797]

Did we hear the same story

[@marcbrooks9062]

Facts

[@kingdomcitizenship5613]

@@wannetteterry-crouch797 We did.

[@Skinny_Pimp]

None. The big bad black man did the po black woman awful. Cry for me. Oh forget my family and his. I got mine. But cry for me.

[@originaleverythingelseisca5977]

Exactly

[@AIKAN74]

I can see her battle with depression. Makes sense that is what it was I saw. Her son was so young and vibrant

[@Skinny_Pimp]

Depression you mean Doggy style.

[@danielfrancis1208]

​@@Skinny_Pimp 😂

[@UFrontMediaNews1125]

This is wack I worked at BEt she was not a victim

[@stephenbell1522]

Can you give more details

[@user-uj1ye2cb9e]

Chile be quiet…the interview that Sheila Johnson had 3 months ago on CBS… who is doing very well, remarried etc….was your prompt to trying to “out Bob”, clear your conscience and try to throw shade on Sheila Johnson. Just enjoy your “bag” without being with Bob… He even remarried but not to you… divorced again… but still… this sounds like a Typical scorned mistress who got the job or material things but not the man… you both were evidently bold with the affair because you admitted people knew… so what are you talking about??? Ma’am please. Moral of the story… stay off your back and side chicks and side misters never win…

[@kengagnon5302]

This happens all the time. This happens when women attend University. Men agree to mentor those who they want to sexually harass. She is so right. BE KIND TO YOURSELF. Therapy is extremely important. She is a great role model!

[@Skinny_Pimp]

What? She chose to open her legs, you misandrist succubus.

[@dedrachambers8722]

Um No 🤨 I Can't Respect ANYONE that Sleeps with A Married Man and Blames the Man you're Cheating WITH for basically holding her to the relationship commitment they mutually made. YES, he may have used her job as leverage, but she CHOSE to CHEAT, Initially 🙄. It Was Definitely Consenting when the CHOICE was made to Cheat on her Husband. Where's the Question of Sexual Harassment? 🤨

[@aliciapitterson2010]

Amazing. I wish her wellness. Therapy is so important

[@kmurray559]

Ma’am you were cheating on your husband 😮

[@jullietedmonds1304]

"was it really my choice?" Yes, it was! It appears it was consensual. So please 🛑!

[@mrs.kpbailey]

“Was this really my choice?” Ma’am… 🚮

[@geeveg1]

How did her son die from depression? Why’d you cheat on your husband now you need therapy

[@Bluebird-ke1yj]

God don’t like ugly!

[@KevinETaylor]

@IAmDebraLee was a great mentor at BET. Anytime I saw her in a hallway or at an event, she asked about my family, she complimented something (IN DETAIL) about a special I had done. She watched it all, directly and intentionally!

[@MrMelomalo]

Bob Johnson's wife, Shelia Johnson, is America's first black female billionaire and buying up she-ot left and right. But it looks like Debra Lee, his side chick, is doing all right but not near the wifee status. The lesson is be the wife not the side chick and don't cheat on your spouse with your married boss or you will end up in therapy and playing victim as you try to sell your book.

[@crystalanderson6345]

Nobody, told you to have an affair with Bob Johnson. You should have known better Debra!! As a black women, I’m totally disappointed in you.

[@chevalierdenoir754]

how about ppl are not perfect. What is important is that she takes accountability for her error in judgment and acknowledge her mistakes.

[@thedarkplague1475]

@@chevalierdenoir754 always someone deflecting so they don’t have to take accountability. SMH.

[@ahmedibrahim-es6re]

​@@chevalierdenoir754 but she's not taking accountability, she's making excuses with her jezebel babbling

[@chevalierdenoir754]

@@ahmedibrahim-es6re I actually feel like she should take more accountability but that would also mean other women would also have to take accountability when they exploit a situation to climb the corporate ladder, are you prepared for that? Both individuals chose to cheat on their respective spouses but we don't need to cast stones, she may have very been a very good leader should we forget that too? Women are smart enough to make their own choices, their own decisions. Women take risks to advance their careers and sometimes that means seeing a particular man and going after him and then when it doesn't work their way some are like oh I was taken advantage of NO girl you knew what you were doing, every story of sex at work is not predatorial. When he threatened to fire her if she didn't date him now that's harassment and abuse. But it seems like she survived in the career sense because she ran the network for years even though we don't know the ins and outs of that either. Sorry to hear about her son.

[@kengagnon5302]

I love her hair! She is so right! Dream Big!

[@Bluebird-ke1yj]

At what cost?

[@Skinny_Pimp]

Simp

[@rosalynpeterman1798]

I look forward to reading your book. Thank you, Ms. Lee for adding to the list of empowered black women that not only girls, but boys, as well can see the many possibilities❤

[@vilenationgaming]

You call sleeping with your boss empowering? 😂😂😂 Because if she didn’t she would have NEVER made it to where she was.

[@MakeYouTubeGreatAgain1]

Debra made a mistake, tried to end the affair, and was harrassed because of it. There's probably other women and men at BET who experienced the same situation, but are afraid to speak up.

[@Bluebird-ke1yj]

I bet she went after him first.

[@Skinny_Pimp]

She is not no victim Clown. Stop it.

[@lyfeofbill2764]

She's no victim. She slept her way to the top and got a position she was unqualified for. She then ran BET into the ground. Stephen Hill should have been the CEO of BET. That's someone who would have got the job off of merit. Not 🐱 payments.

[@melloLL4722]

Not only at BET! It is everywhere!

[@datruth470]

@@lyfeofbill2764 hell no to Stephen Hill….same man who fired any black woman with talent that he was intimidated by

[@johnlewis195]

You better sell that Book....LOL

[@bauttiet.h.u.g.5900]

Wow! Did anyone really understand this interview? First off, Robin and ABC were wrong for the direction of this interview which was not favorable to Ms Lee nor Bob Johnson. Did anyone understand Ms Lee willingly got into an adulterous relationship with her married boss. It ended up contributing to two broken families where she left her husband and took his kids away from him. All men should be horrified by Ms Lee reevaluating if the YEARS LONG PUBLIC affair was consensual😳. At one point she stated we lose (sight on) how important family is, after she left her husband! Just think of all the women who told their boss no. Think of the women who chose their family over career. They didn't become CEO of the company because they had integrity. Wow, the lack of morals in this country is something else.

[@Josephv3848]

Read Shelia Johnson’s book. Sheila is right. Debra is wrong.

[@bauttiet.h.u.g.5900]

@@Josephv3848 what did her book say about her ex husband's mistress sleeping her way into being the president of her ex husband's company?

[@journeyg3646]

Wow she slept her way to the top too!! I knew when he divorced his wife it was due to an affair. No idea it was Ms. Clasa act herself. Wat a let down.

[@featherstonecraig9]

When they ask Kamala Harris about Willie Brown she's going to use these exact same tactics

[@roslynwilliams4917]

Wow!

[@carissadoe2645]

She wanted to end it, and he threatened her livelihood. 🤷🏽‍♀️ I mean, it wasn’t right what she did, but if she’s telling the truth about her job being on the line, at such a high level. I really can’t imagine that.

[@MrAmagee]

Absolutely fucking not. She lied. She was married for 2 years and was cheating within 6 months of marriage and was a side chick for 31 years. We adults, go do research on Google

[@annicks7385]

Why is she lying on that man . She obviously got the promotion because she threatened him to air it out and he gave her the company . Now she's bitter that he's married to a young woman and he never married her even though she was his proud mistress for 20 years !!! And she was married too. He did not harass her she's a liar. At times it felt consentual ? ... What a poor role model to young women 😂😂

[@kaylaughs16]

She ruined the culture of BET w Bob & this vomit interview scares me... she really over shared & forced this spill of info.

[@vatricegeorge]

Next Kamalas story about having an affair with mayor Willie Brown.. I'm

[@ej6368]

I was so happy to see her, I miss her, it's just not the same.

[@veronicaevans7120]

A black woman STARTED the network - Sheila Johnson.

[@kengagnon5302]

This also happens in the military. It is the inequality of pay. Racial microaggressions work in the same way. Racial microaggressions are death by 1,000 cuts on a daily basis!

[@venusketcham2745]

Powerful.

[@kitchmd]

I’m sure when you come out of the gate sharing this type of information….you will be judged. I’m sure this book is apart of her therapy. However it takes two people to engage an affair . I have to say this and I don’t care what people say, but he or she cannot take you through anything unless you allow them to take you through it. 🤨

[@ghanyathomas9538]

Brave woman. Bob Johnson groomed her, and of course how he treated his wife Sheila Johnson was terrible. She’s a survivor as well.

[@fred4peace]

No she was quite old while she destroyed two marriages.

[@DoseofDoriJ]

sleeping with THE BOSS…chile…so many women do this it’s soooo disappointing.🙄😂

[@bauttiet.h.u.g.5900]

Strong and independent does as strong and independent does

[@DoseofDoriJ]

@@bauttiet.h.u.g.5900 more like weak and stupid if ya ask me.

[@loveshell6945]

Would you out yourself to that extent in front of the world? Think of the worst thing you’ve ever done, would you take your own advice? You’re going to say you would, but 99% of people wouldn’t. Is what she did ok? No, but everyone has skeletons in their closet. Stop coming for people. Canceling everyone. People need to stop being hypocrites and focus on becoming better humans. Hate is tearing our world apart, it’s really sad.

[@theacguy9546]

Someone gave this lady terrible advice. Sad.

[@TheChillje]

Regardless of what she did or who she did, it doesn’t matter. The point is that this has got to be the most disingenuous “look at me” interview I have ever seen. So cringe 😬

[@chevalierdenoir754]

why do you think it's a "look at me" interview?

[@lyric1320]

She SLEPT her way to the top...

[@whayes8084]

All women do.

[@ydmann55]

I have a problem with this acting like a victim syndrome. When you willing went into an affair and knowingly looking this man's wife in the face and behind her back doing all kinds of egregious acts. Now you have the nerve to say I don't know if it was consent. Really, this is exactly what I'm talking about believing your own lies because you have justified it so much in your own mind that you believe that it is the truth. No ma' am I'm not buying this book of lies and now want to be part of a movement. Please take several seats because you chose your own greediness over your own family to be on top it cost you whole lot. When sin and bad decision making controls your life it affects everyone around you. Shame on you to blame others for your actions. You can miss me with that whole lie. Real talk.

[@tyronehill1237]

Sounds like VP Harris

[@bauttiet.h.u.g.5900]

That part

[@Raven-ug8uw]

Such a nice seemingly sincere woman but so cavalier about sleeping her way up and cheating on her husband. I guess, none of my business.

[@Josephv3848]

Exactly. Poor role model.

[@okayimbackwhateverjones]

I like this a lot

[@okayimbackwhateverjones]

I'm sorry for your loss

[@MrAmagee]

Men, stop getting married to ruin your money. She did 31yrs of side chick.

[@kwilliams6784]

Courageous

[@bauttiet.h.u.g.5900]

😳

[@waynemazique6556]

BPLEASE

[@joycewilson7045]

She wrote a book because S. Johnson wrote hers...This woman assisted dirty Bob with harming his ex wife ...Give me shelia johnson all day...I will not purchase this woman's book. She should apology for what she publicly did to bobs wife ..

[@whayes8084]

Only a rich dude would die from depression. 😂

[@Josephv3848]

Read Sheila Johnson’s book. Debra broke up a marriage. Now she wants pity? Ah-no.

[@marinarodrigez4543]

De

[@Big.Pressure]

Slept her way to the top. 🤡

[@tvs9978]

In a nutshell

[@serpentserpent9308]

Willing participants cry coerced and a victim of quid pro quo when she could have quit. If the money was worth your consideration of entertaining an advance from your superior and compromising vows, please don’t cry about it later as if you are the victim and the embodiment of empowerment and perseverance. You’re a cliché ωнoяᴇ that use their flesh to social climb and that is ok. But don’t utter anything pious, anything about being the personification of ‘self-made.” Etc.

[@ifeyemioyeodeyemi]

She is not a HERO. You don’t cheat on your spouse or sleep with the husband of a woman who helped you up and act like you are innocent.

[@Jon_jon41]

Shame on her! Majority of women sleep their way to the top

[@dannysan2441]

Yes! The world is seeing just how horrible of human beings bw are! The most egregious creatures that have ever walked the earth!🙏🏾

[@fred4peace]

You must be a bw, aka an ish with problems.

[@TheUzamaki9000]

How to be a strong black woman 101

[@tyronehill1237]

Yep, by lying on her back ✅️

[@DestinyHurst-mx1xc]

Jesus loves u all ❤

[@inger_stapleton]

No way she's this honest. I LOVE Truth tellers!! I love vulnerability! We all go through stuff! So beautiful when people tell the truth so we all can feel a little more okay and keep it moving through the BS life throws our way!

[@bauttiet.h.u.g.5900]

🤔🤨😐

[@inger_stapleton]

@@bauttiet.h.u.g.5900 Even after people mess up and do wrong they won't tell the truth about what happened. I appreciate the person who will at least tell the truth about what happened....

[@exploringwithbellanoche1286]

Nasty👹👹👹😩😩😩

[@byronparker9705]

I've always respected Debra Lee and I look forward to reading her memoir!

[@bauttiet.h.u.g.5900]

And what about after this interview? 🤔

[@beverlywilliams6698]

Shame on all who judge her. I will never uphold or encourage a woman to love on another woman’s man! I do know ;however that there are times when men pray on the vulnerability of the women with whom they work. I believe an ambitious driven personality like Debra Lee succumbed to his charm and his power. I do not believe ( unlike some woman), she went out of her way to go after Bob Johnson. If what she said is true, he played a vicious chess game. He was a wise man who new woman until he didn’t! Lol

[@reneeevans4403]

i agree with you

[@jcapo5012]

She cheated on her husbsnd while fuking a nother married man who was alwas her boss, she need to stfu and stop play victim

[@Bluebird-ke1yj]

And women don’t prey on their bosses?

[@tyronehill1237]

Stop the 🧢

[@fred4peace]

Cheaters will be cheaters. No respect. Usually only those who have done the same can relate.

[@jazmineee8512]

You RUINED A MARRIAGE!!!!!

[@MakeYouTubeGreatAgain1]

It takes two to tango. The married man that chose to have an affair is also at fault.

[@tvs9978]

Two marriages

[@coochiecrook_]

She's for the streets

[@TBgunsandbutter]

Debra L Lee ! you can get it 😮 come up to Connecticut, so we can have a affair