A former The Young and the Restless cast member is suing CBS and Sony, but the network has responded.

Former 'The Young and the Restless' Cast Member Victoria Rowell Suing CBS & Sony

Victoria Rowell joined the cast of the popular soap in 1990 as Drucilla Barber Winters and left in 2007.

On Wednesday, Daytime Confidential initially reported Rowell filed legal actions against her former employers. 

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The former soap star is suing on the grounds of CBS and Sony rejecting her re-employment due to retaliation for her speaking out on needing to increase the presence of African Americans in soap operas.

On Thursday, ABC News received a statement from CBS, which stated, "We were disappointed to learn that, after leaving the cast of The Young and the Restless on her own initiative, Ms. Rowell has attempted to rewrite that history through lawyers' letters and a lawsuit that has no merit.

"We harbor no ill will toward Ms. Rowell, but we will vigorously defend this case," CBS also stated.

Thursday morning during a news conference Rowell said, "This is not about me, but about the many, many other African Americans denied the right to participate in front of and behind the camera on Young and the Restless."

"The retaliation is deep and broad, I have lived with it for many, many years," she said of her failed attempts of being rehired.

"I'm not afraid, I am empowered. I am seeking justice," she added.

Daytime Confidential reported that from 2010 onward the former soap star tried to return to The Young and the Restless as well as attempting to get on its sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful.

The Young and the Restless airs on weekdays at 12:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Tags: The Young and the Restless CBS television Victoria Rowell