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The New Role Models According to VIBE Magazine

By on July 23, 2012
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Introducing the Role Models for the next generation…Well VIBE magazine seems to think so anyway.  Kandi Burress (Real Housewives of Atlanta), Tamar Braxton (Braxton Family Values), Evelyn Lozada (Basketball Wives), and  Chrissy Lampkin (formerly of Love & Hip Hop, allegedly she won’t be returning). These ladies all got a spot on the front page of Vibe magazines June/July 2012 issue with the headlines reading “Meet Your New Role Models”.  I applaud the women for their appalling tactics that seemed to have successfully landed them on the top of the totem pole for ratings; yet it saddens me to admit they are the leading role models for this generation.  Teaching young women to curse each other out and giving them the idea that being loud, rude and obnoxious is cute! Well it’s not; it even sparked up controversy and caused Star Jones to start a petition lashing out against women and violence on reality TV.

We all can admit these new hit reality shows can be very entertaining, but here’s the kicker, they’re not even “reality” shows anymore, they’re now scripted drama scenes according to Chrissy…

“They (the producers) would go as far as telling the new girl, “Chrissy thinks she’s Queen Bee around here so we need you to step up because nobody here has a strong enough personality. We need you to shut it down.” They were feeding people this negative energy from the door. I have no reason to lie”

(this is the link for the interview)

Just from checking out the interview of these bow-throwing drama queens, you can instantly separate the real from the fake.  Meaning the ones that are really popolicious by nature and the ones that are auditioning for the next big movie scene.  From what I’ve observed Evelyn is simply Ev.  She doesn’t seem to portray anyone other than who she is, I kinda feel like she’s more so coming into herself now that she see’s America oks her character. Kandi has my upmost respect, she on the other hand is very goal driven and she doesn’t interact with the nonsense part of the show.  She like Evelyn has remained goal oriented throughout this whole ordeal, making sure she builds her empire on the side and in the meantime keeping her face and name in the lime light…Respect!

During the interview with Vibe Magazine Kandi implies, “I’m just doing me. It takes a lot to push my buttons. That’s just who I am.” Sexy, cool, calm & collective; kudos for Kandi!  Chrissy on the other hand felt she was pretty much put in the trick bag by producers and she doesn’t seem happy about it at all. I’m glad she voiced her honest opinion on what takes place behind the scenes because it gives viewers a new found respect for her character. Chrissy bluntly states,

“I was easily angered because I signed up for something that was supposed to be about girl power and women embracing each other in this crazy world of hip-hop. I thought it was gonna be more of a support thing instead of Gladiators. They would always bring somebody to challenge me. I would knock ’em down and they would bring somebody else.”

Throughout her interview she emphasizes on how she really came on the show to display a positive character and instead was thrown into the lion’s pit and forced to be a product of her environment.  Now as for Ms. Tamar, my opinion on her is that she’s the sister of Toni Braxton and that alone has caused her to constantly feel like she has to prove herself and her worth to others. Sad case of the “Successful Sister Blues”!  By the grace of Reality TV, she has now found a name for herself and she is flaunting it as boldly as she can!

My take on the whole thing is at the end of the day there has to be a line between entertainment and reality. There is nothing wrong with soothing your guilty pleasure by tuning in to these drama-filled series; but when you attempt to take on that character in your everyday life is when you go wrong.  The sad truth of the matter is when you act out you get results; I wish networks would promote more positive, uplifting business women with values because they do exist!! Perhaps I should petition alongside Star Jones….Hmmm!

Bianca is a poet, inspirational writer, mother, fiancee and encouraging spirit. Her passion is encouraging and inspiring others with her writings, positive words and affirmations to show them that there is hope for tomorrow.
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  • http://blackloveforum ST

    I’m glad you wrote about this on your site: Black Love Fourm. The key word here is “love”. Where is the “love” in these shows? It seems to me that if these women really loved themselves and their fellow sisters, they would not allow themselves to be depicted in such a negative way. Of course, the producers are going to script these shows. They hit a gold mine. They have to ensure that the gold mine continues to pay off. So they are going to see to it that these women continue to act a fool. Where’s the love? It’s where the money is.