Categories
Atlanta

The Real Housewives of Atlanta

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA for short) is an American reality TV series that premiered on Bravo on October 7, 2008. Developed as the third installment of the Real Housewives franchise, it airs 13 seasons and focuses on the personal and professional lives of several women living in and around Atlanta, Georgia.

The current cast consists of Kandi Burruss, Cynthia Bailey, Kenya Moore, Porsha Williams and Drew Sidra, while Marlo Hampton, Tanya Sam and Latoya Ali are currently housewives’ friends. Previously appeared cast members include original cast members Nene Leakes, Deshaun Snow, Shelley Whitfield, Lisa Wu and Kim Zolciak. Then added Padra Parks, Claudia Jordan, Kim Fields, Eva Marcir and Shamari Deveaux.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta has received moderately favorable reviews from critics and has been perceived by some media outlets as a “guilty pleasure.” However, the series has been criticized for appearing to fabricate parts of its story. By February 2014, it was the highest-rated instalment of the Real Housewives franchise and the most-watched series aired on Bravo.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta has been announced as the third installment in the Real Housewives franchise, intending to take advantage of the success of its predecessors Orange County and The Real Housewives of New York City. Throughout its run, the show was led by five or seven housewives credited by their first names. The first season, which premiered on October 7, 2008, starred Lisa Wu, DeShawn Snow, Nene Leakes, Kim Zolciak and Shelley Whitfield. Snow departed from the show after the first season, with producers claiming they considered her “too human for a circus show.” Kandi Burruss participated in the second season, which premiered on July 30, 2009.

The third season, which premiered on October 4, 2010, will see Wu leave, joined by Cynthia Bailey and Paedra Parks. The fourth season premiered on November 6, 2011. Whitfield ended the series at the end of the fourth season.

Kenya Moore and Porsha Williams take part in the fifth season, which premiered on November 4, 2012. The sixth season premiered on November 3, 2013, and featured the same cast as last season, with the exception of Zolciak, who left the program midway through Season 5. In the seventh season, which premiered on November 9, 2014, Williams was demoted as a housewife friend alongside Demetria McKinney, while Claudia Jordan was introduced as the main housewife. Leake decided to leave the show after seven seasons, and Jordan was fired from the show after one season.

The eighth season premiered on November 8, 2015, with Williams returning as a full-time housewife and Kim Fields joining as the newest housewife. Whitfield returned as a housewife friend with Shamea Morton. Leake, Jordan and McKinney appeared as guests. Fields did not return for a second season.

Important responses

The Real Housewives of Atlanta has been moderately well received by critics. Writing for Common Sense Media, Melissa Camacho favorably talked about the series’ emphasis on “successful and powerful segments of the African American community” that appear to be frequently ignored by popular television. Seattle Post Intelligence’s Tim Hall commented on his general distaste for reality TV, especially the Real Housewives of Orange County, who he called “utterly ridiculous.” But he acknowledged that the dynamic and conflict between women, in addition to the wealthy lifestyle they led, was “somey funny.” In a more complex review, Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times joked that its depiction of wealth serves as “the best choice for a 10-year-old time capsule” in noting the economic downturn experienced by the United States around the time the series premiered. Zap2It’s Hanh Nguyen shared similar sentiments, noting that given the economic hardships in the U.S., the “flashy elite and rampant consumerism” that women regularly display, the program is never boring, but that you have to be in the mood to watch.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta has been recognized by some media outlets as a “guilty pleasure.” writing for About.com, Latoya West commented that the “self-absorbed” nature of housewives could be exciting to viewers, but noted that the series’ “bizarre dramas may be addictive.” Entertainment Weekly staff joked, “We’ll never be late for this party.” They felt “[Leake] could single-stop [The Real Housewives of Atlanta] on the map” and credit Zolciak’s “late train to Cuckoo Town, making all the local stops.” In 2009, essence writers recognized it as the best reality show of the year, noting that they “couldn’t get enough women” from the program. Writing for Today, Leslie Bruce commented that the Real Housewives franchise in general has risen noticeably because of its portrayal of women who are “foul-mouthed, often catfighting and always self-promoting” and that they “sometimes dominate the water cooler debate by showing the worst of women’s behavior.”

The Real Housewives of Atlanta has been criticized for seeming to fabricate parts of its story. One source of speculation occurred during the fifth season when Kenya Moore demanded that Walter Jackson pretend to be her boyfriend. Series producers were reportedly not aware of the arrangement. Moore commented that such claims were “completely false” and further said he “urged viewers to keep expecting them as the truth comes to light.” Moore was also criticized for claiming she was financially stable, but she reportedly participated in the series as a source of income to offset difficulties in litigation from multiple creditors. In December 2013, Williams came under additional criticism for comments made in an episode that aired during the sixth season, indicating that she believed the subway was an actual railroad track.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta, S. Perry Recap, March 2013: Kordell Stewart Divorce, Former Footballer Ends Marriage to ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ Star

Who didn’t see this one coming?! The drama-filled finale of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta hasn’t even aired yet, and already, “kontrolling” husband Kordell Stewart is putting the season — and his marriage — behind him, filing for divorce from his wife of just one year, Porsha Williams. But why is “Slash” refusing to pay spousal support?

Poor Porsha! All the girl wanted was a baby, and now, it seems she’s getting served with divorce papers instead!

According to documents filed on March 22nd in the Fulton County Superior Court and obtained by TMZ, former Pittsburgh Steeler Kordell Stewart claims that the couple’s relationship is “irretrievably broken” and reveals that the two are currently separated.

We guess the therapy session on the season finale didn’t go so well.

The paperwork suggests that there is a prenuptial agreement in place, as Kordell says that there are no marital assets subject to division, but “Slash” also goes as far as to say that Williams doesn’t deserve spousal support.

“[She’s] an able-bodied person, earning income and is capable of supporting herself,” he argues.

Funny, since Porsha’s desire to have a career was a point of contention between the two on the show. Suddenly she can hold down a job “265 days a year”?!

At the time that the show was being filmed, Porsha referred to her husband’s behavior as “traditional,” but most thought it was just plain trifling, with fans and ‘wives alike complaining about Kordell’s controlling ways.

Did Porsha finally have a breakthrough, or was Kordell just tired of looking bad on TV?

Porsha Stewart Heard About Her Divorce On Twitter! April 2013 by D. Martin

Talk bout a crappy way to find out you’re getting a divorce. This one tops the list! I bet you’ll never guess how the Real Housewives of Atlanta star; Porsha Stewart learned that her husband of less than two years wanted a divorce. He posted it on Twitter! What’s up with that? Take the jump for more details.

If you’ve ever gone through a divorce, then you know how nasty it can get with all the mouth running and drama. But to broadcast it to the world before telling your soon-to-be ex-spouse that you even want a divorce takes it to a whole new level. I mean, we all confide our troubles to a friend or family member but to post it on Twitter? Come one…that was a bit much, don’t you think?

Porsha was napping at the time the news hit Twitter. Her sister ended up seeing it first and brought it to her attention. But when Porsha first saw the Twitter buzz about her divorce, she thought it was a joke. However, it didn’t take her long to realize it wasn’t a joke and that her marriage was truly over.

But that’s not the only shocker to this story. Get this, Kordell and Porsha are still living under the same roof! Say what? Somebody’s butt would have to vacate the premises. Do you agree?

What do you think about the way Kordell let Porsha know that he wanted a divorce? Do you think he was trying to avoid conflict with her? Or do you think this was a dirty move on his part? We know you have an opinion and we want to hear so sound off in the comments section below and tell us all about it.

Porsha Stewart Divorce: ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ Star Reveals Shocking Details of Split from Kordell Stewart April 2013 by S. Perry

We knew Kordell Stewart was controlling, but who knew the former NFL quarterback was throwin’ so much shade?! Weeks after news of her divorce went public, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Stewart opened up to Bravo boss Andy Cohen about her shocking split, and you won’t believe what she says actually went down.

Not many of us were surprised when we found out that Kordell Stewart had filed for divorce from his wife of less than two years shortly before the airing of The Real Housewives of Atlanta season finale, but apparently, we all got that news before Porsha!

The newcomer to the popular Bravo franchise revealed to Andy Cohen that she learned about the divorce via Twitter.

“I was laying in bed and I tweeted, ‘Today is the first day of the rest of your life.’ I put the phone down and took a little nap and I looked back at my phone and my sister was calling me over and over,” Stewart recalled. “She said, ‘Have you heard?’ and I’m like, ‘Heard what?’”

Porsha told Cohen that she saw other people tweeting the news and thought everyone was playing a joke on her.

And where was Kordell when all of this was going on? In the next room! In fact, their marriage may be over, but for now, the pair are still living under the same roof. “It’s a difficult, difficult situation right now,” said Porsha, who says that the two aren’t currently speaking. “It’s something I did not want at all.”

The Real Housewives of Atlanta March 2013 by Megan Thompson

The Real Housewives Of Atlanta season finale airs tonight on Bravo. And who likes a themed costume party more than a Bravo housewife? Nobody! Tonight Kenya is hosting her first Atlanta party and she wants it to be huge!

Ms. Kenya arrives to her meeting looking fabulous in an all-white pantsuit.  “Being new to Atlanta I need it to be big,” she tells her dream team of party planners.  Kenya is planning a huge party honoring iconic black women in films.  There is no doubt in Kenya’s mind that her party will be fabulous and no, Walter is not on the invite list.

Now that the booty video is behind her (get it?),  Phaedra is on to her next business venture – a girly stun gun. Introducing Phaedra Sparks stun guns; it’s pink, petite and just for the ladies.  Phaedra drags Kandi to a self-defense class and shows her how to us the stun gun.  “Hers is the gift of pain, where mine is the gift of pleasure,” Kandi explains the difference between her and Phaedra’s products.

Porsha is back in the therapist’s office, but this time she has Kordell with her.  You can tell Kordell has absolutely no desire to be there or to hear what the therapist has to say.  “That’s traditional,” Kordell says about the roles he wants his wife to play in the house.  Porsha wants a baby and a career – but Kordell isn’t agreeing.  We might not know how the therapy session ends, but we know how this relationship ends! 

It’s one hour before Kenya’s’ big party and she is stressing over the details. She has worked so hard on this party and doesn’t want to see it fail! “Today is like my wedding day,” Kenya tells the cameras. That’s kind of sad! As Kenya is stressing, the rest of the ladies are getting dressed for Kenya’ s big event.   Remember all the girls were assigned to dress as characters from black iconic films.

While everyone else is glamming up, Porsha is putting on a gold tooth and trashy wig. ”I’m going to participate and go with it,” Porsha tells her friends.  The friends are worried that Kenya is setting Porsha up to look foolish.  Kenya chose for Porsha to dress up as Haley Berry from the movie B.A.P.S.

“I feel so stupid,” Kandi tells the cameras about showing up to the party dressed as Tina Turner.  The party is in full swing and it’s time to introduce the host – Kenya Moore – as Foxy Brown. Kenya comes down the steps sporting a huge afro, a red tight pantsuit and swinging a gun. All is going well at the party until Porsha shows up as Dorothy Dandridge, not her assigned character.  Porsha lost the cheap wig, gold tooth and traded it for a sparkly gold dress and nice curls.  “This is not who I asked you to come as,” Kenya scolds Porsha. Now Kenya is scrambling with her party planners to cancel the B.A.P.S. portion of the “script.”  Porsha insists that Kenya was trying to insult her, but Kenya isn’t having it.  “Please escort her out,” Kenya tells the security.  “She can be who she wants to be where she wants to be,” Kenya says as she is booting them out the door. The other ladies are appalled by Kenya’s actions so Cynthia and Kandi also walk out! “F*%k her and F%*k her party,” Peter says as he is leaving.  The whole group and Kenya have now moved the fight to the parking lot.  “I apologize and I would like everyone to come in and enjoy themselves,” Kenya finally tells the girls.  Kenya walks back into the party and leaves the group outside to decide if they will come back in.  And just in time, NeNe shows up looking great in her Grace Jones costume.  “I’m going to take it for the team,” Porsha tells the group as they walk back in. 

As soon as NeNe walks into the party she immediately grabs Kenya to talk to her about the situation.  “We’re supposed to be one,” NeNe yells at Kenya. Just so Kenya can keep the peace and enjoy her party, she finally apologizes to Porsha. Finally the show can go on.  As each lady steps onto the stage, Bravo gives us an update on the ladies lives.  Ms. Porsha’s life isn’t so perfect, because Kordell filed for divorce. Phaedra is pregnant with her second boy and is working on a pregnancy work-out video.  The Bailey Agency is still going strong for Cynthia and NeNe finally got her 15 carat engagement ring from Gregg. As for Kenya, she is dating an African oil tycoon and swears her booty video is outselling Phaedra’s.

So what did you think of this season of The Real Housewives Of Atlanta?  Do you want to see Kenya back next season?  Let us know what you think, leave us a comment below.  

 

The Real Housewives Of Atlanta Recap: Booty Production Begins March 2013 by M. Thompson

The Real Housewives Of Atlanta is all new tonight on Bravo. Ms. USA becomes Ms. Drama Queen when she storms out of Kandi’s party because Walter is “stalking her.” Plus, the battle of the bootie videos continues when Kenya and Phaedra start production.

The episode starts where it left off last week, with Kenya storming out of Kandi’s house-warming party. “He’s a f-in stalker,” Kenya yells about Walter. The former Ms. USA is freaking out because she didn’t even bring her security people with her. Walter didn’t want to touch her when they were dating, so I’m not sure what she thinks is going to happen now? Kenya is now in full-blown psycho mode and is threatening to run over the cars that are blocking her from leaving. “I got you, but I need you to simmer down,” Kandi’s manager tells Kenya.  But when Kenya speeds off into the night he says what we are all thinking, “she’s dramatic as a mother-f*#$er.”

It’s time for Cynthia to have a chat with Kenya about all of this Walter drama. The two girls meet up for a drink and Kenya has her BFF (and our favorite gay friend) Ms. Lawrence with her. Cynthia tells Kenya  that she completely over-reacted the other night at Kandi’s party.  You think?  ”I have a right to feel how I feel,” Kenya defends herself.  But then Kenya takes Cynthia’s advice to heart and realizes she needs to put an end to this Walter chapter.  Besides this beauty queen isn’t getting any younger!

Porsha pulls her Mercedes into a parking lot – this girl is in need of some therapy.  And for once, it’s not retail therapy!  Porsha is meeting with her psychologist to talk about her relationship with Kordell.  “I’m not going to say the honeymoon is over, we are just going through ups and downs,” Porsha explains.   When Porsha starts sharing the story of her miscarriage with the doctor, she tears up and says she feels Kordell didn’t truly understand the loss. 

Cameras are flashing and ladies are screaming when Kandi walks into her Bedroom Kandi event.  All these crazy ladies are consultants for Kandi’s sex toy line.  An emotional Kandi tells the women they made her dream come true.  By all the enthusiasm in the room – these sex toys must be fabulous. 

Ms. Hollywood is back in town and is catching up with Cynthia.  The girls are drinking wine and talking about Gregg and NeNe’s relationship.  “Wouldn’t you miss a girl like me?” NeNe tells her BFF.  She admits that Gregg is her soul mate and she is much happier when she is around him.

Kandi and her man Todd are in bed and talking about her mother.  That doesn’t turn a man on Kandi!  Then Kandi drops the bomb that her mom might move into the guest house – Todd isn’t very receptive.  This gives Kandi the perfect opportunity to bring up marriage and kids. But more importantly, Kandi wants to know how Todd feels about a pre-nup.  “I believe in fairness, I just don’t believe in stupidity!” she tells the cameras.

The battle of the booties is on!  Kenya and Phaedra are both in the process of shooting their booty DVDs.  “I grew this thing, I didn’t buy it,” Phaedra boasts about her natural booty.  This healthy competition might have gone too far, these women are brutal.  “I’m serious about my workouts and she is serious about her meals,” Kenya jokes to the cameras. Kenya feels that she will get revenge when her video comes out on top.  I’m not sure about the videos, but I would say that Kenya wins in work-out wear.  Phaedra’s lime green one piece jump suit was a little too clingy!

NeNe and Gregg go out for a romantic dinner and talk about their relationship.  They both admit that the grass wasn’t greener on the other side.  Gregg is committed to get his family back, so he asks NeNe to marry him.  But Gregg didn’t get down on one knee nor did he have a ring – so NeNe didn’t bite!

Whose booty video would you buy? Are you Team Kenya or Team Phaedra?