Kandi Burruss and Lisa Wu Hartwell are dishing out some gossip on what is to come during the 2nd season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. In an all new interview with TheYBF.com, we find out Kandi and Nene Leakes will clash at some point during the season, plus Kandi talks about helping Kim Zolciak with her “singing” career.
Lisa also talks about what she deems as a double standard between the Atlanta housewives and other housewives’ franchises. Below are some excerpts from the interview –
Do you believe there’s a double standard when people are simply entertained by the antics of the “NJ Housewives”, but call the “Atlanta Housewives”’s antics “ghetto?
Lisa Wu-Hartwell: Absolutely. It’s sad but it’s always been that way. For instance, people look up to Hugh Hefner and the Playboy bunnies show. But get a black guy in there doing the same thing and it’s a problem.
Does the widely used term to describe the cast “Ghetto fabulous” irritate you?
Kandi Burrus: Yes. Ghetto is a frame of mind. And people relate it to color. Our show is entertaining and that’s all.
Lisa, this is your second season. But is there anything from Season 1 you would “do over” if you could?
LWH: {Laughs} Well, I said I would flip Kim over the couch during the Reunion taping. I probably wouldn’t have said it had I had a week or so to let things settle. There were some things said prior, and the wounds were raw and fresh. But we don’t have the liberty to say “take this off” simply because there are cameras there.
Out of all the other “Housewives” shows in the “Real Housewives” franchise, what’s your preferred locale?
LWH: I have some friends on “NY” so I actually like watching them. But “NJ” did keep me entertained. They were so genuine.
KB: I would say New Jersey. I couldn’t get into “New York”. I watched only the first couple episodes of it.
Speaking of “NJ”, what are your thoughts on Danielle?
LWH: Blogs and media probably don’t get it 100% right. But if [the stories about her stripper and coke habit past] are true, hopefully she’s moved on from it and is in a better place.
KB: I actually think she’s pretty funny when I was watching her. She’s in her 40’s now so I’m sure she’s changed.
So what are we going to see different this time around from you, Lisa, than we did last season:
LWH: People will see my sensitive side this season. I cry a lot. People will see me cry, not really being the busy robot like last season. {Laughs} Not sure how I’m going to feel about people seeing me be that vulnerable.
Your friend/cast mate Kim’s singing career was the butt of jokes last season. Was she serious about that singing?:
LWH: {Laughs} O gosh. We didn’t think she was taking it seriously last season and didn’t think she had a good voice at all. But then she hooked up with megaproducer Kandi and it took a different turn.
KB: Yeah, when I was watching her last season I was like “Are you serious?” But when I got to meet her I helped her step her game up a little bit. She was really broken down and stuff from people talking so bad about her. Her confidence was shot and she wasn’t sure she wanted to continue. I haven’t convinced Kim to give up smoking. I have said something to her about it though.
So Lisa, how has show benefited your businesses?
LWH: Initially it did. But now that the economy has taken a downturn, things aren’t what they used to be. I’m restructuring the jewelry
line thanks to the economy to make it more affordable. I’m writing movies and working on a book. It’s called When The Cake Has Already Been Made.
Were you intimidated coming into this established group of women?:
KB: No, I figured I would just come in and learn people’s personalities and just be myself. I didn’t want to come in being too crazy. I usually say what I think and am very vocal speaking my mind. But I didn’t want to tick anybody off at first. Plus, Lisa made it easy because she’s so nice.
LWH: Awww that’s so sweet.
KB: Well you are. {Laughs}
Which housewife from another location most reminds you of yourself?
LWH: I like Vicki (from “OC”), she works really really hard. She’s almost a workaholic. But my family does come first. She works a little bit too much, but I love her work ethic.
Kandi, who did you get into it with this season?
KB: I had my moment with one of the castmates we bumped heads. But no I didn’t come and cause drama. But I did have a MOMENT. A MOMENT toward the end of taping. It was with NeNe. We got into it toward the end. Our personalities clash pretty often. And you already saw some of it on the previews.
I cried a lot too.
LWH: YOU cried Kandi??
KB: Yes! Things were really emotional for me for some reason. Most people only know me for my music. Now they get to know all my personal business. My mom, fiancé, etc.
