Tonya Mezrich off 'Style Boston'

Dina Rudick/Boston Globe

Was Tonya Chen Mezrich (above) kicked off the local show “Style Boston’’ because she’s pregnant - or because she wasn’t up to the job? Mezrich claims she was let go from the independently produced show because she got pregnant.

Mezrich, the wife of author Ben Mezrich, sent us a statement yesterday that read: “. . . the producer’s attitude toward me changed dramatically on the heels of learning that I was pregnant. Given the overwhelmingly positive feedback I have received in connection with the show, it appears that now I too have fallen prey to this all too common bias in this industry.’’ Mezrich also said, “I was stunned and disappointed to have been removed from the show, especially given my integral role in the show’s conception and development over the last 14 months.’’

But “Style Boston’’ producer Terri Stanley says Mezrich’s pregnancy had nothing to do with her removal from the show, which airs on NECN. Stanley says Mezrich just wasn’t ready for prime time. “I have been unhappy with [Mezrich’s segment] ‘Fashion Forward’ for a while,’’ Stanley told us yesterday. “I’ve tried to work with Tonya because I love Tonya. But she is not strong enough to carry the most important segment of the show, which is about Boston fashion.’’ Stanley also claims Mezrich wasn’t knowledgeable enough about fashion to do the job. “She looks fantastic, but it doesn’t mean you have a lot of knowledge of the subject.’’

Stanley added that she would never discriminate against someone because of a pregnancy. “I’m a working mother. I’m a huge advocate for women. I’m very distressed that that’s the play she would be making in order for her to justify what has happened.’’ Stanley said she’ll have guest hosts fill Mezrich’s shoes until a replacement has been chosen.

Here's a recent Mezrich segment on NECN: