The stars of Ryan Seacrest’s "Shahs of Sunset" have said a lot of colorful things. One may have just set a new standard, comparing the TV show's cast to civil rights icon Rosa Parks.
“It took someone like Rosa Parks to say, ‘I’m not getting on the back of the bus,' to start a movement," cast member Golnesa "GG" Gharachedaghi told The Huffington Post. "She got a lot of drama for it, but at the end of the day it started something so revolutionary and I feel like we are doing the same in respect of the entertainment industry.
“Knowing we are the first doing this so our egos are a little bit bigger than should be," Gharachedaghi continued. "We are paving the way. It’s been difficult being Persian on TV. I don't think anyone has given us as much drama and bullshit as the Persian community. There has never been anything out there about Persians before.”
Gharachedaghi credited Ryan Seacrest with producing the show and said he is an inspiration. Without him, she said, the show would never have happened.
“Americans have always had such a bad outlook on the Middle East, but we are the most successful and radiant culture," Gharachedaghi said. "I’m just glad they are finally looking at us.
“Ryan is very thoughtful. He reaches out to us and sends personal messages and calls us. He’s like a big brother. You don't feel like you are in the presence of your boss. He’s very supportive. It feels likes he’s one of you just hanging out. I see him as an extremely hard worker. To be 36 years old and be so out there in the world doing everything is amazing.”
Parks, who died in 2005 at age 92, refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Ala., in 1955, sparking a boycott and protests that became pivotal for the civil rights movement.
"Shahs on Sunset" airs on Bravo.
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