'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' get peachy

October 06, 02:43 PM

"I'm so not materialistic it's not funny," proclaims NeNe Leakes of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Atlanta. "I don't like to talk money so that's definitely one of the things that I shy away from."

Although Leakes would prefer not to talk about her family's wealth, she's happy enough to spend it on her weakness: handbags. Her latest purchase, a black patent leather Cynthia Rowley purse, is keeping her company as she conducts her phone interview with the press to promote the show. Similarly, fellow Atlanta housewife Lisa Wu Hartwell admits can't resist feeding her shoe fetish with a new pair of Rene Caovilla heels. Dropping more than thousand on these accessories is all just a part of being one of the Real Housewives.

Leakes, a socialite, and Hartwell, an indefatigable businesswoman, are just two of the high society women featured on the latest installment of the Bravo franchise. They join socialite and entrepreneur Sheree Whitfield, philanthropist DeShawn Snow and aspiring country singer Kim Zolciak. Other than the fact that four of the women are black, Leakes sees similarities in personality to the casts of the previous two shows.

"The very first season they had a young lady in the show by the name of Jo [De La Rosa], and I thought I could see myself in her so much," says Leakes. "And then Vicki [Gunvalson] is a little loud. I'm loud, too, so I could see myself being like Vicki. And then I did watch the New York housewives, and the only one I thought that I could kind of relate to was the Countess [LuAnn de Lesseps]. I'm not exactly sure why, maybe because she's tall and she had a little smart way of doing things, too."

Comparing themselves to the previous casts, the housewives in fashion-conscious Atlanta -- which some call Black Hollywood -- deem the New York City cast stylish, whereas the Orange County ladies come up short when it comes to dressing up.

"I never really saw them really get down and stylish at all," observes Leakes. "Our cast is definitely younger than the Orange County housewives. I think you will see us really get down and funky and hip and then you'll see us in gowns and cocktail dresses. Our cast really likes fashion."

"I just think demographically Los Angeles is more laid back, and they wear jeans a lot," adds Hartwell. "In New York they dress up. But like NeNe said, we're a little bit younger and we attend a lot of events. And NeNe and I have been in the entertainment so ... we got to step out right."

The Atlanta entertainment industry has grown significantly, which accounts for much of the conspicuous excess from those who want to demonstrate their success. It's also important to keep up appearances for the sake of their businesses -- Hartwell owns her own real estate firm -- and to stave off gossip.

Leakes explains, "[Lisa] said that when we go out and get dressed we have to get dressed for the women because the women are the ones that are looking at you and talking about you. The Atlanta scene is really bougie, really stuck up."

In the series premiere, Whitfield throws a birthday party for herself so she can stay on the social radar for when her upcoming clothing line launches. And while she hires a party director, publicist and numerous other coordinators to make sure everything goes smoothly, her guests have also hired the services of stylists and makeup artists to make sure they look their best.

Unfortunately, an oversight creates an incident at the party that does not improve the pre-existing friction between Whitfield and Leakes, who claims they're on good terms now.

"I think Sheree is a lot of fun. She has a strong personality, and I have a strong personality as well," admits Leakes. "Sheree and I sometimes bump heads but when we first met -- which was about seven years ago -- we would talk on the phone, you know, five and six times a day. We hung out. Our children played together. Just as time went on, things just didn’t work out for us so we are cordial."

Hartwell likens the squabbling friends to sisters and often acts as peacemaker. Nevertheless, as the wife of NFL player Ed Hartwell, she sometimes notices a friendly rivalry between NFL and NBA wives, the latter which tend to be "snootier."

"Well I do have some girlfriends that their husbands play in the NBA and some friends that their husbands play in the NFL," explains Hartwell, who is friends with Snow, the wife of NBA player Eric Snow of the Cleveland Cavaliers. "So it's just kind of a funny joke. Some of them do have a little snootier attitude and they're like, 'Oh my God, we have the guaranteed contracts. We have more money than you guys.' So it's kind of that attitude. There's some that, you know, hold their head up a little bit too high."

She points out though, that just because she and Snow are athletes' wives, they're not living just off of their husbands' incomes. Besides owning the real estate firm Hartwell & Associates, she also owns a baby clothing line and jewelry line called Hart 2 Hart Baby and Wu Girls, respectively.

Even though many of the Atlanta housewives have fulfilling lives beyond just socializing, Leakes is still prepared for viewers to criticize the women.

"Some of the people are being kind and some people are being nasty on the blogs," says Leakes. "Those are the people that have nothing else to do. Everybody has an opinion. You can't please everyone. We have a great life and we're not faking it. It's true. We do have a great life, and people are not going to be happy for your success. Not everyone is happy for you."

Bravo gets peachy with The Real Housewives of Atlanta beginning Tuesday, Oct. 7.

For more, check out the Zap2it's review of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

in Interviews , The Real Housewives of Atlanta

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Comments (40)

Comments

really, who cares about these women?? this sounds like the worst cast yet, and it will be the first run of the series that i'm not watching at all...yuck!!

almost everyone | Oct 6, 2008 4:49:32 PM | #

www.highheeledart.com
Some of my favorite fashion artwork !!!!!
Susan

Susan | Oct 7, 2008 10:20:35 AM | #

I loved it and can not wait until the nex episode!

Mrs. Simpson | Oct 7, 2008 7:55:12 PM | #

I am looking forward to watching the show. Black elite woman FANTASTIC!!! Ne Ne is a hot ghetto mess. SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE HER OVER, 911,HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ne Ne, honey they are not laughing with you, they are laughing at YOU.

d | Oct 8, 2008 12:50:22 AM | #

the only thing I can say ladies DO YOU!!!! It's nice to see Black women doing there thing! Kim to because she is black. LOL. This is the best Housewive ever.

Tonya | Oct 8, 2008 11:12:34 AM | #

I am a WASP but baby, I wish I knew those girls and be friends with them. They really love to dress, love purses and shoes. After seeing the show, I realize that the rest of the country is kind of dowdy. If a $1200 b'day cake does the trick, do it. For sure, girls dress for each other, nothing new there. They give back to the community by buying and hiring staff. I won't miss a show and no mean blog from me.

Cindee | Oct 8, 2008 4:45:25 PM | #

The show has strong potential for entertaining elements but these women needs Jesus. To be so materialistic and boastful its clear who they worship. It is this kind of TV shows that continue to put the message in the heads of society that, image, money and materials are of super importance instead of being loving and giving people. This whole real housewives franchise is changing the way women look at what being a housewife means. A housewife takes care of her home, family and husband. These women are only taking care of themselves. Don't get me wrong I think its great to be successful and want more for yourself as an individual and as a woman but at the same time this show places alot of emphasis on the negative sides of these ladies and it makes them look bad. Bad enough for me to make this comment.

TW | Oct 8, 2008 8:19:09 PM | #

I watched the first epsodised and my thoughts was strictly ghetto fab. I would like to know how many of the women are college educated. I think they are a disgrace to black women. Why couldn't they have found some black sucessful housewives that would be able to keep the household going without their husband's income. For example a woman like Holly Robinson Pete. NeNe and Kim are about being themselves and that is wonderful(KEEP IT REAL LADIES)

J-DUBB | Oct 9, 2008 9:56:32 AM | #

I really liked the show. I so need to be a diva. I'm just a lot short on cash and I live in Oklahoma. Can't wait til the next week.

Debbie | Oct 9, 2008 8:36:22 PM | #

I think as a black women we can represent ourselves a little better then what they are portraying I have a lot of money because I worked very hard to get it and it was not gained from my husband only thing I have to say keep spending keep hiring, cooks etc by time your 50 year olds I hope you have a money left. While you are hiring everyone to work for you hire a physical training.

ja ja | Oct 9, 2008 9:17:37 PM | #

Ugh...these women are truly ghetto fabulous. They have money but no class. Clearly dumb jocks marry dumb women.

GPJ | Oct 11, 2008 3:11:23 PM | #

This is terrible. This show in some ways is a disgrace to black women. Lisa, you go girl. You have yourself together and knows what a real women does in a relationship. Meaning not being in the shadow of their man.Your standing right next to him, seems like he's putting in 100% and you are too. I like to see a hard working women (of any color) with children. For that matter without children. So many women have the notion to get a man to pay the bills so they have time to be lazy and nasty. Show your children vaules and commitment. NeNe, you have a little self esteem issues, work on them. You are seen, you don't have to be loud. You are really not as ghetto as you seem, are you? Kim, your good. Save some of that money girl, just in case Big Pappa doesn't make it to the alter. You seem like a very nice real person. DaShawn, WTF, do you really need people to run your house. I really hope that the segments of your interviews with potential personal assistants were cut because you seem to be weak. Your husband is so humble, looks like he just wants to stay in his dream and play ball. You were destine for greatness you say, Girl you married a ball player. Let's get a clue and get it together. Sharee, not sure about you yet, who is the real Sharee.

RJ | Oct 14, 2008 7:32:08 PM | #

Good luck to you ladies

Big Boy | Oct 18, 2008 7:16:38 PM | #

I have mixed emotions about this show. It's very uplifting to see black women enjoying life the way that they are, but then it's also sad to see them not appreciate the blessing that they have been given. I only know these women from watching an hour of there lives once a week, but at the end of that hour I feel sorry for them. Kim I love you and you seem so down to earth, I hope that you get your country singing opportunity. But you need to put some of that money big poppa trickin to the side just in case you find out he's married. Ne Ne you need to find peace within yourself and focus more on your beautiful family. You have two sons who one day will marry a woman an they amy base that good woman on you. Your not making such a good impression. Lisa you are trying to do to much. Put more energy into on career and master that first. You have little kids and once they grow up that time is lost. You need to sit back and thank god for what he's given you . Sheray, honey you are a gold digger and it's sad. Find your own thing and let that man go. what other man do you think will except you and allow you to do nothing. Listen to what you said. You want to amintain the same lifestyle as if you were still with your husband. He earned that money not you. Last to the Snow lady,
were you born rich. Because honey you can't do nothing yourself. You need a person for this, your don't have time to do this, asking people did they do a bio on you. Before this show people never heard of you. I am a mother of four daughters and exspecting one again, married, and in grad school. How is it that poor people mange to get all the needs of our families done and you can't do one. Out of the women you are the one most out of touch. As black women god put something extra special in us that enables us to do the impossible. Use what god gave you and stop complainig so much. And stop giving those possible job candidate's a hard time.

yolanda davis | Oct 23, 2008 11:39:35 AM | #

This is the best show out there other than "the Game" on the CW...finally we are getting shows as black people and I hope that the people with the negative energy keep it to themselves!!! This is a GREAT show...It is WAY better than the OC girls...the difference between this show and the OC is that these women are catty...however they are very in your face and not all about stabbing you in the back like the women from the OC...they are not FAKE!!! I can't wait to see what the rest of the season is going to be like...I LOVE IT!!!

Sunny | Oct 23, 2008 12:08:42 PM | #

And just one last little thing, the woman who commented before me "yolanda" please explain to me why it is ok for White women to parade themselves on TV and be bitches and gold diggers, but when black women that have some money and are doing EXACTLY what you would do as a person with all that money, people chastise them...GIVE ME A BREAK!!! If you were the wife of a NBA player that made millions of dollars you can say that you would not act the same way...who cares that you are a married mom of 4 and in grad school, how do you know that DeShawn doesnt have her doctorates? and even if she doesnt, when did you becom her judge and jury? Get over yourself...maybe that lifestyle does not owrk for you, but your lifestyle may not work for them!!! Please grow up and get over yourself and quit thinking that you are GOD because you are not!!! Peace and Blessings to you...and Good luck in Grad school!!!

Sunny | Oct 23, 2008 12:18:24 PM | #

And Deshawn Snow does have a degree... but she has money too!!!

Sunny | Oct 23, 2008 12:24:09 PM | #

I love the show! I can't wait to see the next episode. I think all the ladies are gorgeous. I love NeNe she keeps it real. She's a little ghetto but that's okay she is classy with it. It seems like Kim is a little fake friends with NeNe. Where's your loyalty to NeNe. My take is you want to be closer to Sheree because of her connections. DeShawn seems a little young but I like the way she movitates young girls. She seems on the right path. Keep up the good work DeShawn. Lisa is a good person and good wife. She seems to know what it takes to be a good wife and appreciate a good man. You go girl!! Sheree you look beautiful but you look older than your age. You came with that statement that any woman would love to look like you. Honey, I am older than you and I swear I thought you were older than me. I look 25 and I still don't have your body but I look darn good for my age. So, I don't think anybody should jealous of you. We all have our own beauty and when you make statements like that it takes away from your beauty. Can't wait to see the next episode. I really hope NeNe finds out who her dad is and is satified with the results. I feel you NeNe I would want to know too.

Barbara | Oct 24, 2008 7:26:20 AM | #

Everybody has room for growth and relationships to work on. They have money not the keys life. Everybody lives life to their own standards but should be living by God's standards. Money can buy you almost anything except what really matters and that's character, integrity and brains. You develop that over time and hopefully some of these ladies will also.

Akemi | Oct 24, 2008 7:38:11 AM | #

Kim and NeNe should go to Rock of Love's Charm School. DeShawn needs to hire Jenny Craig. Sheree needs to shrink that big head of hers.

Lisa...you need to find out how you got stuck with these losers!

Liz | Oct 24, 2008 8:28:32 AM | #

I love Lisa she is doing her thing. Deshawn is a fat ass wanna be she needs to start doing things herself, what do she do with her children? Watch them sleep.How are going to help the inner city children when you don't face the problems what these kids are facing today you are too fake,you want to help those kids,do what some of the rapper do like( T.I.) come out to enteract with all them ,go to there neighbors, school, camps,help the kids out listen to them.I know my daughter was in your foundation,but you didn't do nothing,but talk about how you look and how money can buy this or that.She join the T.I. and I could not have made a better choice.Be Real or Sit Down and let someone else do it.

SD | Oct 25, 2008 6:23:13 AM | #

I love the show. All the ladies have their place on the show. I have the same name and charecteristics as the leading star. NeNe she is beautiful,REAL, and she doesn't let the money that she has change her. Do all NeNes act alike? Most of the wealth in ATL. it's new money. Old money is wealth. Like you can leave for generations before you or to come. I think the show shows that sistas & brothas can have a normal life , well whats normal to them. It's funny alot of white women have been wealthier far longer than we black ones have. They do what they want and has anyone made a big deal out of it? We have more flava so it shines & Sparkles. Every ethnic group was blessed with diffrent things attributes. Flava just happen to be one of ours. Besides they are alot younger than most housewives. I'm sure these women give back in some kind of way. They all have hearts.
I love the drama keep it coming & keep the love for the love flowing. OH! another thing thank you bravo for showing that not all African American males are drug dealers, gangsta, or rappers. Not all black women are lazy, baby mamas, controlling, strippers.

Nene | Oct 26, 2008 4:15:28 PM | #

Lisa girl I am so proud of you and you look so beautiful when I was told you had a show viewing on bravo I ran to program my television to catch every show. You keep the good work up kiss that beautiful baby for me and tell Ed I said hello.
Love you,
Gigi Moore
Inglewood Ca.

Gigi Moore | Oct 27, 2008 11:33:33 AM | #

Cmon sistas lets be real. These "characters" are not the best depiction of powerful, successful, strong black women. I am not at all inspired. Tonight's episode was the most disappointing of them all. I hold the all responsible for Deshawn's event failure. Sheree said she felt someone should have pulled Deshawn aside and talked to her about the poor planning of the gala. Well why didn't Sheree do it, as it was obvious that she is better experienced in that department? I think its awful that out of all of them no one offered to help Deshawn make it a success but had a mouthful when it failed. I am not at all impressed by their over the top lifestyles because none of that is important. What is important is getting the most out of life by what you put into it. They are all just so self absorbed and pretentious that it is sicking. They can all take a lesson from Oprah's example of empowerment and she has more money than all of them. Sistas we have got to do better.

wisekandi | Oct 28, 2008 9:51:49 PM | #

Let me say BIG UPS to Kim for coming through and purchasing those diamonds. The other ladies should have stepped up to the plate too. If they were really there to lend support then they would have participated in the auction and possibly inspired others to spend some money. If they have thousands to spend on bags and shoes, surely they have enough to purchase diamonds, which by the way, holds more value than shoes and handbags. Well, I don't know about the ladies of ATL, but where I am from, your girls come through when no one else does. Once again, Sheree showed that she is allllll about self, quick to criticize, but where was that helping hand?

lady | Oct 31, 2008 10:32:53 AM | #