In a new interview, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey talks about how she ended up on Housewives, what reality stardom has been like and what to expect this season! Sadly, she doesn’t really give anything good away.
Eight months after moving to Atlanta for her relationship with then boyfriend, Peter Thomas, Cynthia learned that Bravo was casting for a new Housewife. “People I knew had mentioned I should be on the show, and I was eventually approached because my name kept coming up as a candidate. I took a meeting, which led to another meeting, which led to a phone call with Bravo and a screen test.”
Cynthia says watching herself on TV during her first season was “a little mortifying.” “There’s no book on how to be on a reality show,” she confesses. “You just have to go through it. Peter and I decided the best thing to do was to put it out there – to be real. On one hand, I’m glad we put it all out there. On the other hand, I feel like we gave too much.” Is she referring to the total financial implosion that happened days before the wedding her mother and sister tried to cancel moments before she walked down the aisle?
“I think people really related to our troubles last year with this economy. I got so many letters from viewers who were losing their jobs, losing their houses, losing their cars. They were glad to see that people on TV have problems, too. It was really real. I can’t fake that kind of pressure,” Cynthia explains of last season’s issues the couple faced after Peter was forced to close Uptown.
This season Cynthia promises that, although she remains friends with out of control out-spoken co-star NeNe Leakes, she is “more opinionated” and branching out to form friendships with other ladies. “Last season, NeNe was my friend on the show, but this season I integrated with more than just NeNe, and I’m much more vocal.” Uh-oh… that means trouble!
She also formed strong friendships on the ladies’ cast trip to Africa! “We took an amazing trip there, and it’s one of my favorite things we shot this season,” she expresses. “I felt like I really bonded with each of the girls individually on the trip. We were stuck together for ten days in a Third World country, and it brought us together.”
As for what else is happening in season four of RHOA, Cynthia reveals she will be working hard on the Bailey Agency School of Fashion and Peter opened a new lounge, Bar One.
“Our show offers something different; we’re organic,” she says of what makes RHOA Bravo’s most popular Housewives series. “It is what it is with us. We’re more real, and you’re going to get great moments and major train wrecks with us.”
In other RHOA news, as you all know Kim Zolciak is engaged! She is finally showing off the glamorous rock fiancé Kroy Biermann designed especially for her! While it’s not as big as her ring from Big Poppa, the 10k ring is nothing to laugh at. It’s gorgeous! Kim revealed her sparkler to the world via TwitPic just in time for her expected 11/11/11 nuptials! A photo of Kim’s ring is below.
Well, I can’t wait! Real Housewives of Atlanta premiers on Bravo, Sunday, November 6 (9/10c).
THOUGHTS ON CYNTHIA’S INTERVIEW? DO YOU PREDICT TROUBLE BETWEEN HER AND NENE THIS SEASON? ARE YOU EXCITED FOR SEASON FOUR OF RHOA? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF KIM’S RING?
Kim Zolciak’s Engagement Ring!
