My Very Real Experience With Housewives Of ATL
If you follow Real Housewives of Atlanta, I’m sure that you saw the explosive Reunion Part 1 this past Sunday. In preparation for Parts 2 and 3, I thought I would share my personal experience with the Housewives when I got to meet them last summer. I started watching the show a couple years back just after it first aired. The reason was simple, my phone was ringing off the hook with calls from friends and colleagues all of the country asking the following questions:
- Do you KNOW these chicks?
- Do people from Atlanta really ACT like that?
- Will you be on the show?
Ok, I suppose I know a few folks around the “A” but c’mon yall there are 4 million people here. I can’t possibly know them all. Then again, our little-big town gets pretty small once you start hitting the social scene. So I starting watching the show to see who I recognized. And low and behold, I saw folks that I knew and had worked with all over the place. That kind of made the whole thing a bit exciting.
Atlanta Housewives at Tea With Hattitude
Fast forward 3 years to last May…I emcee an annual fundraiser for one of my clients called “Tea With Hattitude”. Women come together to have tea and parade in their big beautiful hats for a cause. A few weeks before the event, my client came by my office to seek advice… she had been contacted about a ‘documentary’ on a local lawyer. They wanted to shoot footage of the attorney and her friends attending our event. “The attorney’s name is Fay-la, Fayda or something Parks.” I sat up straight in my chair and looked in her eyes… “Pheadra Parks???” I questioned. She stated “yeah that’s her, have you ever heard of her? Should I let them crash our event?’ I’m sure you can guess my response “hell yeah, you should let them crash”. And so it began, my journey to meet the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Something I never aspired to do, but…. well that is how life goes sometimes.
I’m going to speed up the story and just get to the event. I’m also going to skip over all the legal mambo jumbo we had to sign in order to be filmed. And get straight to the chicas that put ATL on front street. Not all the Housewives were able to make the event, NeNe was filming Glee and Kim was in labor and goodness knows where Sheree was, probably at Chateau Neverland or something (inside RHOA joke). But we were ecstatic to have Phaedra, Cynthia and Kandi come out and show support. Phaedra even brought her mom out to experience the Hattitude. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but there was not ONE ounce of drama. Which probably explains why our segment didn’t air, LOL. Now I’m sure you are waiting to read the ‘real deal’, so here goes.
Atlanta Housewives pictured with Jocelyn Green and Jai Stone
About Phaedra Parks Nida
Phaedra was the honored guest and she did NOT disappoint. She showed up in her designer gear (yall know I don’t keep up with brand lables), all I can say all the ladies at the event commented on how expensive her shoes were. And when I say she was the epitome of grace, elegance and style I think its an understatement. We chatted about things we had in common, and not only was she personable and articulate I felt a genuine kindred spirit with her. What struck me most is that she wanted to be introduced by her MARRIED name. Well you just do the damn thang Mrs. Nida. If I am honest, she was just delightful! And even more impressive, she continues to support my client in her charitable endeavors.
About Kandi Burruss
Kandi was far more reserved initially but still warm and friendly enough. And once she warmed to the crowd she participated in the festivities whole heartily. But I really broke the ice when I mentioned ‘Kandi Coated Nights’ during her runway walk to showcase her Hattitude. She broke her solemn pose and burst into sheepish laughter. Later she found me and asked in her southern drawl..”What chu know bout Kandi Coated Nights?”. Well after viewing the final episode of the season I would have to say, not as much as I thought. Looks like Bedroom Kandi (Kandi’s adult toy line) is a big hit. But all that aside, Kandi was both kind and generous with her time and liberal with her conversation. She even invited me to visit TAGS (her boutique) and have tea with her there sometime.
About Cynthia Bailey
Well I don’t have much to say about Cynthia. She was gracious enough to take pictures with EVERYONE and their mama….LITERALLY. But I can’t say much beyond that, she was a bit distant and stand offish. I tried to engage her, but she just have me the fake ‘now you see it now you don’t’ smile. When I asked her a direct question, she was errrr… polite. I think I was just expecting her to at least be friendly. But like I always say, celebrities are just people. She could have just been in a a funny mood, I dunno.
Pastor Regina Belle & Jai Stone
Pastor Regina Belle
I must say that Pastor Regina was my FAVORITE Housewife of sorts. After I was done doing all that an emcee should do, I carted myself off to a corner snacks and relaxation. And the good Pastor came and squeezed in right next to me. As we sat shoulder to shoulder and chatted about babies , especially Aydan (Phaedra’s son) and other marvels of life. A warm familiar feeling washed over me a comfort that I only feel around southern church ladies. It was a feeling that I rarely get these days since my Mother passed away. I just wanted to cuddle up close for a while and giggle, so I did!! I must say, it was the highlight of my day!!
And there you have it lovies…my unabridged version of a day with The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
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