Rachel Tucker, a Black woman enjoying a day out with friends in The Hamptons, New York, says she was humiliated after being asked to move tables at the popular restaurant 75 Main because her “hair was too big.”
Tucker alleges that restaurant owner Zach Erdem, also a star on HBO, made the request after a white family sitting nearby complained her hair was in the way.
According to Tucker, who shared her experience with The Shade Room Investigates, the incident occurred shortly after she sat down with her friends, who are white.
“As soon as I sat down, within five minutes, a man came over to me and said, ‘We have to move you because your hair is too big, and it’s in the way of the table behind you,’” Tucker recounted.
Tucker’s family owns a home in The Hamptons, and she had never encountered an issue during previous visits to the restaurant. However, this time, she claims that Erdem moved her party to a table near the loud DJ booth, where she said they “couldn’t hear a thing.”
Eventually, they were moved outside.
Feeling singled out and embarrassed, Tucker only ordered a drink while her friends enjoyed full meals.
She informed her server that she wouldn’t be paying her bill due to the inconvenience, but after a back-and-forth with the restaurant staff, she was advised to pay to avoid Erdem calling the police.
“I paid the bill and walked away,” Tucker said.
In response to the incident, Erdem denied making any comments about Tucker’s hair but claimed her hair was close to the complaining party when she leaned back.
“The guest was very uncomfortable,” Erdem stated.
He also denied any racial bias, telling The Shade Room that he has Black colleagues and girlfriends, adding, “I’m always with the Black people.”
Despite the confrontation, Erdem reportedly instructed his staff to cancel Tucker’s payment, hoping it would “make her happy.”
Tucker has since contacted her attorney, James Walker, who described the situation as “racial profiling” and stated that the restaurant cannot discriminate or put people through “emotionally traumatic” situations.
Walker is calling for a public apology and sensitivity training for 75 Main staff.
Erdem has expressed willingness to issue an apology and offer sensitivity training for his employees.
