In a powerful display of solidarity, Brooks Marks and Ava Dash took to Instagram to support Riley Burruss following her emotional confrontation on the latest episode of Bravo’s Next Gen NYC, aired on June 17, 2025. The 22-year-old called out castmates Charlie Zakkour and Georgia McCann for what she described as microaggressions, accusing them of portraying her as a “scary Black girl” during interactions on the show.
The tension arose during a heated exchange stemming from a night out, where Charlie and his roommate, Dylan Geick, were speaking with some girls. Charlie claimed Riley confronted one of the girls, saying, “Yo, you think it’s cool to just be here with Charlie but not come up and make sure it’s cool with me?” Riley firmly denied this, clarifying that she only introduced herself to the girl, who had not made an effort to do so. The situation escalated when Charlie mocked Riley’s demeanor, swinging his hand in a way she found offensive, and accused her of “accosting” the girl. This prompted Riley to break down in tears, expressing frustration over being stereotyped.
“I’m so f*cking nice to everybody,” Riley said, visibly upset. “Every single time y’all do this … I hate when you guys try to play this like, I’m scary or I’m scaring your random white girl. It’s disrespectful.” She also referenced a prior incident where Georgia described her as “scary,” a comment she had initially let slide. When Charlie referred to the girl as a “little girl,” Riley challenged the label, noting, “She’s probably older than me. Because I’m taller, I scared her? I just don’t like that y’all are trying to spin this narrative that I’m like the scary Black girl when I’m not.”
Charlie denied that his actions were racially motivated, insisting, “I don’t know if my being white is relevant,” while Ava pointed out the “nuances” he might not understand. Despite calls from the cast for Charlie to apologize, he doubled down, stating, “I will be silent. That is what I can offer.”
Following the episode, Brooks Marks, 25, shared a heartfelt Instagram post on June 19, standing firmly by Riley. “I’m grateful for this platform and committed to using it to stand for what’s right,” he wrote. “Microaggressions are never okay—these conversations are a chance to listen, learn, and lead with kindness. I’m proud of Riley for speaking up, even when met with resistance, and I’ll always echo her voice and support her.”
Ava Dash, also 25, reshared Brooks’ post, adding her own powerful message. “Beautifully said [Brooks Marks]! We love you!” she wrote. “It’s not our job as Black women to teach well-educated adults these types of lessons. If we choose to, that’s great; if not, that’s also fine. We are allowed to approach these situations at our own personal discretion. Emotional labor is not owed. Black women are expected to be ‘graceful educators’ in moments like you saw on episode [three], and that is an unfair expectation.” She concluded, “Proud of [Riley Burruss] for speaking up for herself! Spread love, support your friends, [and] protect your peace.”
Riley calls out Charlie for his microaggression towards her and she holds nothing back! #NextGenNYC pic.twitter.com/hSZvPtcQJ1
— Queens of Bravo (@queensofbravo) June 18, 2025
The public support from Brooks and Ava has sparked widespread conversation among fans, highlighting the importance of addressing microaggressions and standing up for friends in the face of adversity. Riley’s courage in confronting these issues on a public platform, coupled with the unwavering support from her castmates, underscores the ongoing need for dialogue about respect, understanding, and accountability in social interactions.