Interview: BRAVO’S Real Housewives of Atlanta Kim Zolciak

 

Sheena: Hey Kim!

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: Hey! How are you?

 

Sheena: I’m good. I wanted to get you on the line and just talk about your fabulous shoe collection because we see it on the show, we love it and I know you’re a shoe girl.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:I’m obsessed with shoes. I think that you can just wear a tank top and jeans but you got to have a hot pair of shoes on.

 

 

Sheena: Those are my sentiment as well. When I talked to Shun, she said the same thing. The shoe makes the outfit. You can put on whatever else in between but the shoe is something that everyone remembers. So it has to be ‘banging’.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:Shun was laughing at me because I couldn’t wear heels when I was pregnant with KJ because my stomach was so big. So I put on a pair of Louboutin last week, these new ones I have. When I came out, she’s like, ‘Are you seriously walking like that?  You need a lesson, you need to get your swag back girl. I try to put my heels back on and it feels funny because I haven’t worn them in so long. You know Louboutin he can make the shoe a little more comfortable to be honest.

 

Sheena: I agree.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:Gucci and YSL shoes are the most comfortable shoes ever. You can wear them all night.

 

Sheena: Really?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:Yeah, they’re gentle on your feet.

 

Sheena: I haven’t tried Gucci or YSL but, I love Guiseppe and I feel that his shoes are a pair that you can wear all night as well.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:Yes, I agree. I love Guiseppe flip flops. That’s what I  wore when I was pregnant. I wore those and Chanel flip flops.

 

Sheena: When you’re not taping do you wear flip flops or do you try to stick heels 24/7?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: Oh, to be honest. I have been filming for so long doing my spin off, the housewives, I’m doing so much at the same time that right now I have on pair now, I have on a pair of Nike’s, some sweat pants, and a tank top run around now. Unless I’m doing big scenes, I got to go somewhere, or something like that I’m not in heels. I sit in meeting withs sweatpants on or sneakers. I’m tired but, that’s where Shun comes into play. Shun’s like no honey you are not walking out the door looking like that. You’re going to be putting some heels on. Before having baby KJ I used to run around in heels but, now running around like I do, being in six-inch heels is not ideal for me right now. Especially, try ing to carry around a 30lb baby.  I’m an UGG person and I love UGGs boots. I love all the sequins and I have them in black, silver, gold. I’m a big fan of UGGs right now because I think they’re cute and you can just put them on with something when I’m running around. If I have to go somewhere, I’d definitely have a pair of heels on. There’s no doubt.

 

Sheena: Yeah, I have on a pair of Uggs right now. I had to travel to L.A. today for an event and so I’m just sitting in my hotel room chilling in my UGGs. They’re so freaking comfortable and best for the long flight from the east coast.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:Exactly. I used to wear heels on flights but like I said, having a baby just kind of changes that. I still make sure I’m on my A-game. I didn’t have a stylist. I worked with Shun a couple of times but when I got pregnant with KJ, I just was like, Okay, I need some help. I need you to come and just put my stuff together and now I’m addicted to her. She does Kory my husband, she does my girl, she does KJ and she just makes my life so much easier. I’m fussy as hell, when I tell you I’m fussy as hell I mean it. I’m fussy as hell. She really is the best in the business.

 

Sheena: When I spoke to her, she definitely said she enjoys working with you guys. You guys are one of her favorite celebrity couples to work with right now. So whatever you guys are doing together is working, keep it up.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:She did our whole wedding party too. She did the wedding party, she did the in-laws, and she did my parents. I mean, just the whole wedding party and part of the family. That was a big job in a short amount of time, she did that eight weeks.

 

Sheena: Right, I cannot wait to see it. It’s going to be on your new show, right?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: Yes, that airs on April.

 

Sheena: Yeah, “Don’t be Tardy for the wedding”.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:Yes, BRAVO

 

Sheena:Is it going to be more than just the wedding on it? Or is it going to go out and show like your everyday life or is it just all about the wedding only?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:Well let’s say, just is obviously a lot about the wedding but with my everyday life and kind of the role everybody plays in it- Just kind of what everybody goes through, you know what I’m saying? Well you may get some drama, stress, but actually there are some surprises too. It will be fun.

 

Sheena: Definitely. Will this be going to be your last season in the Housewives since to us, it looks like you’ve kind of outgrown the show? You fell in love and we love the relationship that you and Kroy have. I think it’s amazing, and it was amazing for us to see that.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: Oh thank you.

 

Sheena: You know, just- It was just amazing for us to get to watch your transformation and you seem so in love, as a fan we couldn’t be any happier for you. I think, I speak for all of your fans when I say that.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:Thank you. I think we are pretty lucky too to have it all caught in camera. I really did meet Kroy at the charity event it was the first time I had ever seen him. So I think we’re really blessed to have most of our lives caught on camera and professional footage of it nonetheless. But I still have a contract so I don’t think I’ll be leaving Housewives.

 

Sheena: Okay. Well, that’s good. Got to keep you in and making you money so.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: Yeah, it’s fine. I am in a different place. I’m having a baby and obviously I was at home a lot more with the baby. And I didn’t go to Africa with the girls because I had a seven week old son at the time, I was breastfeeding, Kroy was in football camp, and I was at home by myself with the three kids. So there were things I didn’t get to do and did not want to do because I have a new baby. I’m a little different I don’t like to leave my babies when they are that little.

 

Sheena: How was the introduction back to motherhood? How has that been for you with your girls being older?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:Brielle will be fifteen at the end of the Month and Ariana is ten. So it was great. I had both them girls when I was twenty-three. I was a single mom and I was working two jobs. And with KJ, it has just been so great. I have a little more patience now being thirty-three than when I was twenty three. And I just enjoy every milestone. And having a boy, and loving Kroy, and having Kroy in my life too, I mean it is just great! It’s great! It’s like I have two different families. My girls are older, they’re independent, they kind of do their own thing, and I have this baby. It’s great and I really do have everything I could ever dream of.

 

Sheena: Awwe. Are you guys really looking into your psychic’s advice about another baby or are you going to hold off on that for now?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: We would love more children God welling. Rose has never been wrong so who knows.

 

Sheena: How did you find her?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: Through my very best friend, Jen, probably eleven years ago. And I’ve been going to her for eleven years. I mean, she told me I was going to meet Kroy. She said I was going to meet somebody younger, one of his initials his first, middle or last name would start with an ‘E’. And I said there was no way! she said I would have a son with him and we were going to be married. She kept asking, ‘Are you ready to get married? Are you ready to have a baby?’ I was like, ‘You’re crazy!’ And Kroy’s middle name is Evans, which is funny! He’s younger. And I’ve never dated someone younger in my life! Rose is just crazy accurate.

 

Sheena: Oh wow. It’s amazing how accurate she is! That’s definitely a gift and you are blessed to have her be able to give you that kind of insight because I know she’s older and not anymore take more clients. So that’s awesome that you have her.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: She’s not people keep asking me, they think I’m being rude but she doesn’t take any more clients. She was not prepared to be thrown in the public eye. She charges very, very little for readings because she would like to help people. She’s part of my family, she attended my wedding, she’s not just like my psychic. When I have a problem or I want some advice on something I call her on the phone, I don’t have to go to have a reading with her. She gives sound advice because she is older and she’s been through a lot.

 

Sheena: Exactly.What other projects are you working on outside of Real Housewives of Atlanta and don’t be Tardy for the Wedding?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: I have a new song coming out in March called Love Me First. I worked with Jazzy Pha. So that will be coming out. I have a book, Try to Call Me a Gold Digger, You Just Want What I Have.

 

Sheena : Oh, that’s an awesome title.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: Yeah, it’s coming out. It’s all about my relationship and kind of how I got to where I am, and, women thought process on how to find the perfect one. Those are my two big things.I have that watch line with and I’ve still been taping so it’s just crazy.

 

Sheena: Yeah, your schedule seems to be jam-packed. With baby KJ, I could only imagine how that magnifies things. I know your time has to be very important.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: Yeah, and I’m trying to stay at home as much as possible. I do a lot at my house. I have a lot of people coming to our house so I don’t have to go very far. So it worked out right now. People are very understanding, including BRAVO.

 

Sheena: That makes sense. Back to your shoe fetish, when did you like first realize that shoes were the thing for you? That you love shoes?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: I think I’ve always loved shoes. I mean, I probably became pretty obsessed with shoes I’d say about ten years ago. I think Louboutin just kills it that’s just my taste, my style. I like Bryan Atwood shoes too. Louboutin puts an edge to shoes he changed things up a little bit, so I think that’s why my obsession is getting progressively worse.

 

Sheena: Is it safe to call him your favorite shoe designer at the moment?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: Oh! for sure.

 

Sheena: Would you ever consider doing your own shoe line or partnering with someone to create a shoe line so that you can style a ‘Kim-inspired’ shoe for us?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:I’ve been asked to do a shoe line recently and I just going to leave that to Louboutin. However, I  want to focus on a baby boy clothing line with Shun, that’s what I’m working on right now. The shoes, I don’t really want to design one right now. As much as I love them and as passionate about them as I am, I still don’t want to design them, I’d rather just go and pick them up. I think Christian Louboutin does a good job so I’ll just leave it to him.

 

Sheena: Oh, that’s true! Are you a Nieman’s girl or do you typically go to boutiques and buy shoes? How do you shop for your shoes?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:I used to shop a lot but now I don’t really leave my house to go shopping. Shun does that for me. I have always hated shopping, always hated it. I would go to the malls and go shopping, I just don’t like it. I shop online a lot and I’ll go to the mall if I have to, but Shun really has step in the last year and a half or so. She gets all the access, all the hottest shoes first. She gets access to a lot of things. She knows my taste, she knows what I like, so she’ll bring them over before they’re even really available. There was this Louboutin shoe, a collector I wanted recently and I just really wanted to have that shoe, and she got it for me. It was like sold out, gone, not available. But Shun got it.

 

Sheena: So when can we expect you to rock that shoe?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: I actually rocked that shoe on my show at the rehearsal dinner.

 

Sheena: So we get to see it on your show, in April, when it comes out?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:Yeah.

 

Sheena: So any other things you would like to share with us? Reality shows paint you in a certain light. But are there any words of encouragement you’d like to leave with us, so that we know who Kim is? I think that everyone, after seeing so many seasons of the show have a good idea, but if there is you a personal message you want to leave behind please share.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: I think people need to realize. Yeah, you know, I used to like my cigarettes and I still like a glass of wine every now and then. But, having a baby and being pregnant changes your life. They’re like Kim’s a different person. No, having a child slows you down? Being pregnant slows you down. Falling in love and spending your days with somebody slows you down. I think that, people this season have really got to see, I’ve always been that mom to my girls, that I am to KJ. When you’re kids are a little bit older, you’re able to go and have a glass of wine. When you have a babyl, you’re on lock down almost. So I need people to understand that I’m not a different person. I’ve always been the same person. I wasn’t in certain situation this year because I did have a new baby. I wasn’t in South Africa fighting with the other women because I was at home with my son. Who’s to say that you know a couple of years from now, when KJ gets a little older in school that I won’t get in an argument again too. I’m still that feisty person but, my priorities are definitely changed and I would rather it to stay that way for quiet sometime.

Sheena: Own up to your actions, how, being on this show, how has it really changed your life? Do you feel like it’s been adding great value to it? Or do you feel like it brought your face out there but you are still the same person?

Kim Zolciak: It has really changed my life. As far as going shopping, going to the mall and shopping has changed me I’m not really able to do that. I always take pictures with my fan, I never say no. going to dinner, going to restaurants, it just really changed my life. And if there not a housewife their a falcon fan. It’s really been such a blessing. I mean, how many people can say that they get paid just to film their life. I could just stay at home and film my life and really love what I’m doing. And I get paid great money for it. So it is really a blessing. It will come to an end at some point. So I’m trying to enjoy it while it lasts.

 

Sheena:  Definitely enjoy it while it lasts. Continue to maintain those friendships that you feel are important to you because to some ladies on the show, you truly are friends outside of the show, right?

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann:  Yeah, Sheree and I are friends. Phaedra and I are friends, and Kandi and I are friends. But I spend the most time with Sheree over the last ten years she’s been a really good friend of mine. I don’t think people realize that we have a very solid friendship, a very honest friendship. Yeah, I have said some things about her, she said things about me and we’ve had our little tiffs here and there but behind the scenes, at the end of the day, my friendship with her is real. I have known her just as long as I have known NeNe but Sheree and I have lines that we have never crossed no matter how mad we have gotten with each other.

 

Sheena:  And those were the lines you and NeNe crossed which makes it harder for you to rebuild that friendship, if ever.

 

Kim Zolciak-Biermann: Yes. It’s done

 

Sheena:  As long as you are happy with the fact that you gave it all you can and you know, you were a great friend to her, that’s all you can you know hold on to.
Kim Zolciak:  Exactly, right. I’m in different places in my life. I just want positive people around me and me that’s it.

 

Interview: Vh1′s Basketball Wives LA Malaysia Pargo

 

Sheena Brown: Hi Malaysia! How are you?

 

Malaysia: Fine, you?

 

Sheena: I’m doing well. I wanted to get you in the line because I watched this past season of Basketball Wives L.A. and your shoes were always on point. So I figured you had to be an avid shoe lover. So I thought we should talk.

 

Malaysia: How did you know I love shoes? I think I was shown in the show that I’m a shoe whore but you know, it was taken a bit out of content, but I love shoes.

 

Sheena: Who cares what they take out of context. Real shoe lovers know another shoe lover. So I wanted to talk to you and determine what’s your everyday shoe game like? Are you a heels or a flats kind of girl?

 

Malaysia:  You know what? It depends if I am on where I am going or what I am doing. If I’m with my kids and we’re doing the zoo, mall, park, or whatever I would definitely have on a pair of my UGGs. I love UGGs. Anything that’s UGGs I have it. Over the knee, short, color, fun- So I do stuff like that with my kids. Just to be comfortable and I don’t really mind if they get dirty or whatever from playing with the kids.

 

If we’re going out to dinner, a show, the circus, whatever, then I go for Fendi or Miu Miu because they’re comfortable and I call them my ‘tennis shoes. I Don’t know if you remember, the scene with Imani and I walking where, I had on the yellow over the shoulder dress with the, booties. They’re a Miu Miu and they’re so comfortable, for me.

 

If I’m going out with the girls, alone, or with my guy, and I want to look fun and festive then of course Christian Louboutin is like my favorite. My husband is like “If you buy another pair of red bottoms, I am going to like nail you” I have all colors, booties, boots, everything. Spikes which, I’m in love with the spikes. Pretty much whatever they do, I have it with spikes on it.

 

Sheena: So have you found Christian Louboutin shoes to be very comfortable for you? Or do you purchase because you like the design?

 

Malaysia: Actually, they are very comfortable for me. Especially the Daffodils. I love the platforms, the black ones I wore til I wore them out. My sisters would hide them from me because I love them. So, the Daffodils are very comfortable for me and, I have those in every color that he made them in. There’s only one style that I can’t really get with, and that’s the pointy toes because my feet are fat. So they just don’t work out for me. They hurt like shit, but all the rest of them are very comfortable for me.

 

Sheena: What’s your favorite shoe at the moment?

 

 

Malaysia: It will have to be, the leopard daffodil booties. I love those. I’m in love with the leopard prints especially the booties. It’s cute, you could rock it any kind of way,  you could do it with shorts; a long skirt; short skirt; or jeans. My favorite, is  pencil jeans or whatever they’re called, so I just love the booties right now.

 

Sheena: If you could design your own shoe, what would it look like?

 

Malaysia: if I could design my own shoe- Hmm. Girl, my mind just went crazy. It would probably be like the daffodil booty with spikes all over it. Go, go, spikes!

 

Sheena: What color would the base of the shoe be?

 

Malaysia: The base of the shoe would be hot pink or electric blue.

 

Sheena: I see something vibrant and poppy.

 

Malaysia: Yes, I love vibrant, I love edgy, so it would probably be that.

 

Sheena: Sounds hot. Do you have a celebrity shoe crush?

 

Malaysia: I don’t at the moment.

 

Sheena: When you’re shopping for shoes, where do you typically go to? Are you a Neiman’s girl or do you do boutiques?

 

Malaysia: I’m a Neiman’s girl. My house in Chicago has a Neiman’s at the corner so, I’m always in there just kind of milling around, and seeing what’s next. I would probably say Neiman’s and Saks.

 

Sheena: Which of your friends do you think have an amazing shoe game and would make a great guest on the ShoeAcidal Hotline?

 

Malaysia: out of my friends? Let’s see. You talking about my friends like the girls on the show?

 

Sheena: On the show, off the show

 

Malaysia: Oh. Let’s see. Who has the best shoes? I’m removed from my friends right now so I can’t even think. Man, I’m drawn on a blank. I’m so sorry.

 

Sheena: No worries. So you’re in Atlanta, are you working on a project in Atlanta or are you there because the husband is playing ball there?

 

Malaysia: Yeah, I’m here because my husband is playing ball. We’re a team. One goes, we all go. If he goes to Africa, I’m there.

 

Sheena: How are you enjoying the city?

 

Malaysia: I’m loving it. The weather is great, the people are friendly. The team is doing really well. So I’m enjoying Atlanta. I’m always in places where, it’s kind of slow. And this city is a little fast-paced so I got to get up with the time. But other than that, I really like it.

 

Sheena: That’s good. So after being on this season of Basketball Wives L.A., how do you feel like the show has changed your life?

 

Malaysia: Well, I don’t. Besides like the face recognition where, people recognize my face and they want to talk about the show, which I don’t mind. I think that’s the only thing. Otherwise, my life is still pretty much the same. I made sure that it continues to be the way that it was before and I’m still a wife, mommy, and a good friend.

 

Sheena: Can we expect to see you on another season of Basketball Wives L.A.?

 

Malaysia: I’m not really sure if I’m at liberty to say right now.

 

Sheena: Okay. So what other projects are you working on personally? I know you’re in Atlanta for your husband, but what is Malaysia doing and working on?

 

Malaysia:  Well, Malaysia is spending the time that I am away from my family with my kids. Of course I am working on my jewelry line, still designing new pieces so that they can be out a little bit later. That’s pretty much it.

 

Sheena:  Speaking of your jewelry line, ‘Three Beats’ what was your inspiration behind creating that and some of you designs that we have to look forward to?

 

Malaysia:  My inspiration was my kids, it’s the Three Beats, after my own heart.  A lot of the pieces that are out right now, is pretty much inspired by them and my family members. So that was the inspiration.

 

 

Robots is little Jay because he loves robots and he’s a transformer head. Of course, I can’t do transformers but he loves robots. He kind of moves around and acts like he’s a robot all day long.

 

Sheena: That’s really cute. Do you have any, final words or thoughts for your fans?

 

Malaysia: I want all of the young girls to know that anything is possible, so if there’s something that you want, it’s okay so go get it.

 

Sheena: Well, thank you so much for your time. I truly appreciate it.

 

 

 

 Interview: Cold Case Actress Simone Moore

 

 

Sheena Brown: How are you?

 

Simone Moore: Good!

 

Sheena Brown: I was calling because I got your information and was told that you love, love, love shoes so, of course, I wanted to talk about them with you.

 

Simone Moore: Yeah.

 

Sheena Brown: When did you first fall in love with shoes?

 

Simone Moore: Oh man! Well, you know, the girl’s a Jamaican, I didn’t really wear shoes a lot. As far as the two pairs of shoes I had a church shoe and I had a school shoe, and then I was just running around in the dirt all the time without shoes. But when I came to America we came in the winter and it was really cold. My mom didn’t get the whole shoe sock situation worked out. But I guess probably it was around junior high school that I started loving shoes because, I had this aunt who was a fashionista.  She would go to Flatbush and buy the most outrageous shoes that she could find, with orange, gemstones on them and buckles, during the whole nineties Jamaican dance hall explosion when people were doing body suits and all of that stuff. My aunts would buy me high boots and just like stud them completely to match  my outfits. So those are my style influences and that’s when I fell in love with shoes. I used to sneak my aunt’s shoes and wear them to school. She used to put a lock in her closet because of me and I would just break the lock and wear like these crazy shoes to school!

 

That was junior high. Then, in high school I started shopping in thrift stores like Domesys  in  Williamsburg. I used to buy like really high 70’s platform shoes because they still had those things then. I used to find Chanel, YSL all of these beautiful shoes and of course I had knee-high boots in high school. I used to dress like a boy sometimes in a full-on man suit with a granny heel kind of shoe, or just wear short skirts or short shorts with knee-high boots all the way up all of those kinds of things. I was from Brooklyn and everybody was in jeans and sneakers. And they were like, ‘What? You ain’t cold?’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m good!’

 

Sheena Brown: You were like the outcast/different in that area?

 

Simone Moore: Yes, always.

 

Sheena Brown: So today when you step on the scene, do are you a heels or are you a flats kind of girl?

 

Simone Moore: I wear heels. If I could wear heels jogging, I would wear them! I do not play, okay? When I left New York to go to grad school and I went to San Diego- Houston, San Diego. One of the first things that I remarked was, ‘Oh my God. How am I gonna wear my stilettos here? There’s so much grass!’

 

So, yeah, I definitely wear heels. I mean I have some ridiculously high shoes that I can’t even really walk in. I call them gazelles because every time I have to hold on to somebody to walk in these shoes. But I think I’m better tall, that I make more sense to people, being tall. If that makes any sense.

 

So I have these crazy shoes like, In one of the photos I’m wearing a green dress with these brown clogs They look like has-beens but they’re high heel clogs. With those shoes, I have to hold on to somebody to walk in because they are so high! And they are round in the front, a little bit, so they’re just like too high to wear. But I wear them.

 

 

Sheena Brown: Oh! So about how many inches will we say those are?

 

Simone Moore: Oh my God, let me go have a peek at them. They have to be five and half inches. And then the Jeffrey Campbell’s. The orange ones? Those are like 6 inches but those are super comfy because there’s a platform at the front. It’s huge.

 

Sheena Brown: So who is your favorite shoe designer?

 

Simone Moore: Oh my God. Okay! I love so many! I love Christian Louboutin because he really takes the foot into account like the whole thing. It just makes a really nice fit. I really love Chanel shoes even though like I’m not a big fan of Chanel shoes for me. I love to see them on people, especially people with like really narrow feet. I love YSL. YSL is probably like my favorite brand period. I love, I love their shoes! I think their shoes are so classic, sexy, and gorgeous. In terms of like lower end stuff, I like Jeffrey Campbell, and the shoes off Urban, and sometimes Anthropologie has cool shoes. But I buy shoes everywhere. I buy like Forever21 shoes, and Zara shoes. I buy shoes at Zara a lot because they just play around and like do whatever. I used to really like Christian Dior. And my style got way more minimalist. I love Pour La Victoire shoes, Marni Shoes, Sigerson Morrison, and all those old school vintage pumps!

 

Sheena Brown: Vintage pumps are so cool. I think they add character to outfits.

 

Simone Moore: Yeah. Although I love all the shoes!

 

Sheena Brown: Roughly about how many pairs of shoes do you have in your shoe closet?

 

Simone Moore: I know it’s more than two hundred but I’m just gonna say two hundred. Because it’s always like, Okay! Oh wow! This one. Oh that one! That one!’. I have shoes that I don’t wear, that I just buy for reference. When I decided that, I want to have my shoes custom-made. There are shoes that I have so that I can bring to the person and go ‘I want this to look specifically like this.’ When I was in Newport Beach, Virginia, I went to this antique shop and I found these lizard heels. One was a pump and one was like a high-heels sandal. There a size 7, I’m a size 9 and I bought them. I do that all the time actually with clothes, like I just store clothes and shoes for style reference. So if ever I decide that I was gonna have stuff custom-made.

 

Sheena Brown: So where is your favorite place to shop in L.A. for shoes?

Simone Moore: So in L.A., Sax 5th avenue in Beverly Hills has this amazing shoe collection. It’s incredible because there is like a giant Sax and I think there’s a Barney’s right next to it. They have a shoe collection at the bottom floor, you walk right in from the street. It’s crazy every floor you find shoes. South Coast Plaza has amazing shoes they, have a Christian Louboutin store in there. Actually the Nordstrom in The Grove has really great shoes. And, Lou Solis (I’m not sure how to pronounce it) but, that area has more boutique-ish shops and they have great shoes there. Beverly Center is also great to shop for shoes. When I was in New York, I mainly shop boutiques but here I go to the bigger department stores, to get shoes because I’m not as keen to the boutique scene as I was in New York.

 

Sheena Brown: So who would you consider your celebrity shoe crush?

 

Simone Moore: Oh! My celebrity shoe crush? Actually, I like Nicki Minaj because she always has these crazy shoes! And I love it, the crazier the shoes, the better. But that is like far off, it’s costume almost. I like the shoes that she wears, like that some of them are studded and they look like they shouldn’t even be next to each other like they need four inches of space around each shoe.So I like her shoes. I like Cate Blanchett shoes because she wears very, very classic shoes that are very much power shoes, even though they are so classic. Actually Zoey Saldana I like her shoes too because she also wears really powerful shoes. Like she can do the classic peep-toe pump, or she can just take it way out. So I like her shoes. And there’s this Nigerian girl, she’s a model she was part of the Vivienne Westwood Shoes. Her name is Tallulah Adeyemi I like her style and I like her shoes. And my aunt Debbie (Deborah Watson) she has amazing shoes! But her shoes don’t fit me anymore because my feet are a nine now and here’s were seven. It worked in junior high but it doesn’t work now.

 

Sheena Brown: So we need to get your aunt on Shoe Hotline?

 

Simone Moore: I know! Oh my gosh! Yes. Get my aunt Debbie on the Shoe Hotline. She is such a quite fashionista. She lives in Pennsylvania now and she works at a school. But she just has the most immaculate clothes and shoes ever.

 

Sheena Brown: So when you’re not shoe-shopping, what other things are you doing?

 

Simone Moore: Well I do lots of things actually. You know, I’m an actress. I’m also writing. I volunteer for different things. Like this past weekend, I volunteered, because I speak French. I volunteered as an interpreter for a youth minister from Mali for this program called Yes! It’s for entrepreneurship and sustainability. I do little kinds of things like teach and coach.I walk a lot, I exercise, I do yoga, do hiking a lot. Oh my God! I just had my metabolism checked yesterday. You now, they do the whole scan Of like the whole body content. And I have the metabolism if a twelve-year old! That’s what they said. I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?!’ And they were like, ‘Yeah. You have the metabolism of a twelve-year old.’

 

Sheena Brown: Well that’s good! It means you’re healthy!

 

Simone Moore: Yeah, because I stay healthy because it’s how I keep myself happy! I get up and I go walk every morning, or I do yoga every morning. I exercise every morning or I try to. I mean, definitely four out of the seven. Right now, I haven’t been wearing fabulous shoes because I have been writing so I’m home a lot, or just out at a Starbucks, or whatever. I have some projects I’m working on with Nicole so I’ve been really sort of in, not so much out. But when I do go out, I put on my high, high, high, high, high heels.

 

Sheena Brown: What upcoming acting projects do you have in your pipeline?

 

Simone Moore:  Well, in New York, I’ve been doing this play with a theater company called ‘The Civilian’ for two years now. So in January, I’ll be in a play called ‘The Footprint.’ It’s all about the Atlantic yards and the stadiums that we’re trying to built in downtown Brooklyn. So basically with the theater company, we go interview the people involved. And then we write a play about it. So while we perform the play, there’s a writer. That’s what I’ll be doing and pretty much just writing my next project for myself.

 

Sheena Brown: Should we expect to see you in any, new commercials coming out?

 

Simone Moore: Yeah, the Twix commercial. there should be an American Airlines commercial where I play a soldier. And there’s a Cricket Wireless commercial where I’m a girl in the club.

 

Sheena Brown: So where do you see your career like in the next five years?

 

Simone Moore: In the next five years? I will have seen like a feature I want done. The two features in the next five years that I orchestrated, I produced, I have a hand in the writing, and I’m acting. Those are my goals now. And, also a victory on my one-woman show because that’s three quarters with the way written now, and it’s really good.  Hopefully I’ll get focused enough to just do that because I’m the kind it’s like, whatever strikes my fancy as to what I’m doing right now is what I’m gonna be doing. If it’s acting then I’m going to be acting. If it’s designing then I’m gonna be designing; I do interior decoration. If it’s singing, I’m gonna be singing. So that’s sort of how I live my life, in a way. I don’t I have certain roles like things that really definitely want to see occur in the world. For instance I am developing a program for an art school in Jamaica where I was born. I want to like fully produce and orchestrate like a film that I want to be out in the world in the next year, really. That’s what I’m working on.

 

Sheena Brown: So it sounds like you are a very creative person and you let your creativity speak for itself. Are you looking into any roles that will kind of showcase that for you, whether it’s a sitcom or a new movie that’s coming out?

 

Simone Moore: Yes! Well I you know, I realize that I saw a pattern going on here; because I’m in Hollywood. And I’m a lead actress and I want to be playing these roles because that’s what I feel like my gift is. When it comes to being in a show or being in a film or TV or whatever, I’m a lead actress. So I’m basically writing with my friends who are also writers and creating Caribbean roles. So we have a couple of really strong scripts. one is more of an action script, and then the other one is more of a love story but kind of hidden in an action movie but it’s really a romance movie. So those are two really strong projects that I’m working on, getting done. But I chose to go that way because I want to be the lead in those projects. I don’t want to be the sidekick, have the story be about somebody else. I feel like my life and my culture, and my experience is so rich already, why shouldn’t my story be at the forefront? So, those are the kinds of things I’m interested in now. It’s just like literally creating the projects that I want to be in and creating the roles that I want to see myself in.

 

Sheena Brown: Do you have any advice that you would give to aspiring actors?

 

Simone Moore: Be yourself, have a life or get a life. Just stay true to yourself. Learn yourself and come hard,be definitive, be sharp, be crisp.

 

Sheena Brown:  All right. Well I’d like to thank you for taking time off to interview with us.

 

Simone Moore: Thank you, Sheena!

 

Interview with Basketball Wives Tami Roman

 

 

Sheena Brown: Hi Tami! How are you?

 

Tami Roman: So far so good! I can’t complain and I don’t think anybody would care if I did. So I’ll keep it to myself

 

Sheena Brown: That’s why I love you, girl. I seen that you went to the, Soul Train Awards you looked fabulous. Who dressed you?

 

Tami Roman: Thank you! I went to the store myself. Found a dress that I liked buy BCBG and that was the dress and a company called shop shop shoeicide, gave me the shoes. I worked with the stylist named Jackie from Melodrama Boutique in Houston, who sent me all the jewelry. It was pieced together through people who just love me and tried to help me as much as they can. So it was a little bit of everybody represented that night.

 

Sheena Brown: As you know, my website is about all things shoes, and I’ve been watching you and noticed that you have been wearing some bangers lately. I wanted And I wanted to know, what’s your everyday shoe-game like?

 

Tami Roman: You know what? I have to tell you, honestly, I dress up when we have to tape. When we have somewhere to go; other than that I’m always in Tory Burch flats that’s my shoe of choice. I like flats or I have on flip flops because I live in L.A. So typically, it’s ballet flats or flip flops.

 

Sheena Brown: And do you find that her, flats are comfortable for you? I’ve tried a pair and it wasn’t really that comfortable.

 

Tami Roman: You know what? I love them. Now, she has the Reva ballet flats with the old emblem which just used to be the big gold or silver medallion with her logo on it. She kind of since revised that so the new ballet flats have like an elastic banding that goes around the shoe. And it’s really comfortable. I love that I have like three pairs of them now.

 

Sheena Brown: Okay, tried them on because everyone was like Tory Burch flats and then they just weren’t that comfortable for me. So now that you said that she has a new rendition out.  I’ll probably go and give them another try

 

Tami Roman: Yes, go check them out.

 

Sheena Brown: I love the pair of flats but flats aren’t always the most comfortable so they have to be comfortable for me.

 

Tami Roman: Yes, and Steve Madden makes really good flats too! And I can’t be mad at Jessica Simpson. People can talk and say what they want to say but I’m just into comfort and if it has style. I don’t care how much they cost as long as it looks good to me. That’s where I’m at.

 

Sheena Brown: Right. Jessica Simpson it’s funny that you say that because I’ve tried on her shoes and I love them. Some of my favorite shoes are hers. Her shoes are so freaking comfortable. I don’t know what she does.

 

Tami Roman: Yeah, they really are.

 

Sheena Brown: Which of your cast members do you feel would make great guest for ShoeAcidal HOTLINE?

 

Tami Roman: Evelyn has a crazy shoe game she has tons of shoes she even has a storage filled with shoes she no longer wears. We both lived in the Bronx and I was there for sometime after she left. So she mailed me a box of shoes to donate to an organization that helps women of domestic violence.  The box of shoes was ridiculous people are going to think how in the world they homeless wearing Christian Louboutin’s.

 

But honestly I think everyone on our show loves shoes Evelyn is the Bentley of shoes aka Neiman Marcus, Shaunie is Nordstroms, and I’m Macy’s. Even Royce loves shoes.  If you’re looking for sneakers check her out she has all the latest sneakers.  We went to Italy and we were looking for the latest designer shoes and Royce was looking for her sneakers. She ended up leaving with like 4 boxes of sneakers.

 

Sheena Brown: Everyone shoe game is tight so you feel like I should probably get all of them on the line at some point and talk

 

Tami Roman: Yeah, at some point. Joeseph was telling me about your sight and what you represent and, I would imagine that you talk to people, who are similar. Everybody’s rocking their Louboutin’s and, their Giuseppe’s and everybody wants to say that so I think that Royce would be a great person for you to go to next because she’s completely different from all that. With me, it’s like, I wear whatever! You know what I’m saying? If I go in Payless and they got something cute, I’m going to get it!  That’s really how I am. I’m different so I think you wanna talk to somebody whose sneaker game is kind of tight for a female, definitely go to Royce.

 

Sheena Brown: And I think that’s what the site is about. The site is about people who just love shoes in general and wanna come talk about their shoes and get advice on them, and don’t want the judgment behind it. I definitely think she’ll be a great person and I’d definitely reach out to her. What can we expect from you this season on the show?

 

Tami Roman: Oh on the show. Listen, I am who I am. I’m forty one years old. There are certain things that I definitely look at when I watch myself on the show. It’s a mirror for us too.

 

When I looked at myself on season 2 which is when I came on board, and I saw myself smoking.  Every scene I had a cigarette? My kids were telling me, ‘Mom, that’s not attractive.’ ‘We want you to be around.’ My grandmother passed away from COPD. So it just was like, you’re an idiot. You’re basically committing suicide on yourself.’ Like it’s not second-hand smoke, it’s not any of that. So I decided to stop smoking. So I did that.

 

Season 3, I looked at myself and how I dealt with the Meka situation. I wasn’t happy that, that situation got violent so, I’m trying to work on that aspect of myself. I don’t know how quickly certain things are going to change but I am trying and I think that’s half the battle. I acknowledge that some things need to change and I’m trying to work towards it.

 

But Tami is gonna be Tami. I’m still gonna say what’s on my mind. I’m still gonna tell you how I feel about you. I don’t like fake people, certain things about me are just aspects of my personality and they’re gonna be how they are. I don’t have to put my hands on you but don’t put your hand up. There are certain things that you know about me so let’s just already know what we’re working with and try to move forward.

 

Sheena Brown: Right and everybody will be okay.

 

Tami Roman: Right, that’s it! That’s what I’m saying.

 

Sheena Brown: Well, I’ve definitely seen you grow and that was one of my questions to you so I’m glad you answered it. I wanted to know how you came about these changes that you’ve made because like you said the first season you were on, hot-headed, and ready to go. Last season if Meka wouldn’t have  put her hand. She wouldn’t have gotten popped, it’s cool. So we are glad to see you’re growing, you have two beautiful daughters to be a positive role model for. So for them to see you changing and quitting smoking and making life-changes, I think that’s truly awesome.

 

Tami Roman: You know what? My daughters are phenomenal and I tell people; You watch Basketball Wives, you get one hour once a week, out of hours and hours of footage of what they choose to show you. You know what I mean? I’m not blaming anything on editing because what you see, I did that. So it’s not they’re trying to make me into something I’m not. I did that. But what I’m saying is that they only choose to show people one side of all of us because we’re characters. So once we, display one element of our personality that is different from somebody else, that’s the character you now become.

 

Even if, I’m trying to be the peace maker, you guys may never see that. Even if, I’m with my girls charity or spending fun days with my children, you guys may never see that. I’m speaking at Circle of Sisters and For Sisters Only conferences talking all the time. You guys may never ever see that because Tami’s character is the one who’s all up in your face, and I’m not saying that that’s not me because it is. But it’s not all I am. So I feel like my children are my greatest representation of how well-rounded I really am. You know what I mean, so it is what it is the nature of the realities but, I’m just trying to live through it and do my job just like the next person.

 

Sheena Brown: That’s awesome. Speaking of like the reality show, you guys had Basketball Wives L.A. that came out. How did you feel about that show?  Are you friends with any of those girls, first of all?

 

Tami Roman: Honestly, I don’t know any of the ladies and to tell you truthfully, I did not watch their show. I actually hosted an overtime special for VH1 and they sent me all of the episodes the night before so that I could be caught up. I watched the very first one and I just felt like, everybody was ready to set it off. So I felt like I don’t know if I’m ever really gonna get to know them, if they’re really gonna show me the real them so I didn’t feel like wasting my time on it. And I don’t know if it ever really got better because every time somebody says something, they say how much they don’t like it. I don’t watch the show so I can’t speak,I can’t give a valid opinion on it.

 

But when I met Laura and I met Jackie, they were very nice. Both of them were very nice. Laura, I mean I’d have to say, everything is funny to her.  When I talked to her she’s like, ‘I didn’t take it seriously’, ‘I don’t know, it didn’t mean anything!I’m like, ‘Oh okay! Damn well, bitch’ (Laughs). Like how you feel about that? You know. (Chuckles) So she’s like, ‘Tami, you’re crazy!’ So her personality is just I’m-gonna-say-what-I-need-to-say, ‘You don’t mess with me, I won’t mess with you.’ That’s really the reading I got from her and, like I said, she was very very nice.

 

Sheena Brown: Well that’s good. And Jackie was nice because they played her out bad on the show so.

 

Tami Roman: They did poor Jackie so bad. Like I said I watched all the episodes the night before.  And I went into it and I’m like, ‘Oh my God! I hope she comes out of there okay because, you know, this is a hot mess!’ But, uh, as the season went on, like I watched, the finale episode and it just seems like-They just were like over Jackie. So, I gotta go back and try to figure out what happens in the middle. But it did seem that they liked her very much. So, I’m curious to see what transpired in that.

 

Sheena Brown: Well I’m glad that, you got to meet them and see who they are.  They seem to be like nice people because we don’t get that side of them. Like you said the show shows the character it wants you to be.

 

Tami Roman: Exactly. It’s because, like I said, everybody’ is like, ‘Jackie crazy! Jackie a fool!’ She was very very nice, very humble, very, loving towards me. All that could have been fake. I don’t know, I’m not trying to be the fake-monitor, like I know who’s this, who’s that. It’s just that’s the reception she gave me. So,I respect the fact that she was nice to me and I was nice to her. So what people see on the show, I didn’t see that.

 

Sheena Brown: To change gears a little bit, You mentioned you’ve been going to For Sisters Only engagements. And I know you recently came out with your own hair line. You want to tell everybody about that?

 

Tami Roman: Yeah, it’s a  Weave Hair line to a company called Crème De La Crème Hair. I wanted to do something that was organic to me. Like I’m a weave wearer, I’ve been wearing weave since I was fifteen years old. I only take it out for certain times. It’s like I took it out when I did the real world and I rocked my short haircut. But most of the time I have extensions in and I have every kind of weave. So I’ve had individuals sew-in, fusion, I’ve had it all. The most cylinder thing, so I’ve tried every kind of hair. I’ve tried straight, I’ve tried curly, European wave, kinky, organic, whatever it is I’ve tried it! And so when I was looking for a venture, they approached me about hair and I thought it was the perfect thing for me because when I came on to The Basketball Wives, People would say ‘How you gonna have a hair’, ‘When your hair was jacked up’ But the thing about it was, when I came on to the show people were catching me at a point where I was recovering from a down, a hardship in my life.That’s not who Tami has been. It’s like you google me, in the 90’s my hair was fly. When you have the resources, you do better. I was at a point where I was recovering from being at a down point, so I was working with what I had to work with.

 

Now people are seeing me how I really like to present myself and how I’ve always presented myself before my family fell on hardship. So I know hair, I know great quality hair, and I just wanted people to have that. When you’re hair is right, you feel beautiful. You feel like it’s all right. Your hair looks good; all you need is shoes, a handbag and a fly hair. And you can make the middle work. I’ve felt that it was the best venture for me so, I’m out at For Sisters Only conferences and Circle of Sisters conferences. We have our booths there. People come, and people have tried my hair. They love it, we don’t have any complains. I’m only involved with top-quality hair. People can go to the website and check it out. It’s cremedelacremehair.net and they will see that Tami actually knows what she’s talking about. I tend to wear my hair curly, that’s why my line is called ‘Curls by Roman’ from Crème De La Crème Hair!

 

Sheena Brown: Alright, and so outside of Basketball wives and the hair Curls by Roman on Crème De La Crème, do you have any other projects that you’re working on that we should anticipate?

 

Tami Roman: Well a lot of people did see the overtime special on VH1 and we’re anticipating giving that a larger footprint on the network meaning, taking on all of their shows. We did the special for BBW L.A. but they’re thinking about, having it as an overtime or after show for, Love & Hip Hop, for Mob Wives, Tough Love, Full Court with LaLa, everything that’s on the network. It will really take on like a BRAVO Andy type of feel where I sit down and talk to all of these stars from the different shows that are on VH1. So I’m, fingers crossed about that. I come from the acting world so I’d definitely be getting back in some more scripted programming. And I’m also a producer so I have a short film that’s out right now called ‘The Tombs.’ You know we’ve been in film festivals as far as London. We just got back from London’s International Film Festival called Rain Dance and we’re just having a good time. Hopefully we’ll get in to Sundance or Tribeca next year and people will really get the buzz about the film because it’s a phenomenal piece of work.

 

Sheena Brown: Well we’re excited about that. I think it’ll be great for you. You have that kind of personality, it’s very warm and inviting, and everybody wants to know what Tami Roman has to say. So I think that will be perfect. Do you have final words that you want to leave with people? You talked about hardship and things like that? So do you want to tell people about how it’s not always so glamorous and give them some kind of encouragement?

 

Tami Roman: Thank you. Yeah, well I have to tell you that people tend to go through things and they wonder why, ‘Why am I going through this?’ ‘Why me Lord?’ And I have learned over time, ‘Why not you?’ The people that He puts through the most trials is because He wants you to learn the most lessons so that your life can be a living testimony. And I know that, for me, I’ve went through so many ups and downs so that when He put me in this moment of having this large of a platform, that I would be able to use my life as a living testimony and show people that, ‘You’re gonna be okay. You can go all the way to the bottom but God has a way of lifting you back up. And to stay in prayer and keep faith.’ Never, ever, ever, give up. When you feel like you want to give up, you’re definitely on the edge of a breakthrough. And I think that more importantly than anything, people need to understand everything that you see is not always what it seems. But wherever you go in life, never let your character take you where your faith and your resolve and your trust in God can’t handle.

 

Sheena Brown: That is awesome. I think that’s a perfect way to say thank you

 

Tami Roman: Thank you!

 

EXCLUSIVE Interview with TRINA

 

 

Sheena: Hi Trina! How are you?

 

Trina: I’m fine. How are you?

 

Sheena:  I’m well. I wanted to get you on the line because you’re always rocking some very fierce, high, hot, heels. So I definitely wanted to talk to you about your shoe game, and to talk to you about your recently dropped single “Long Heels Red Bottoms”, and upcoming projects that you have. Are you open to that?

 

Trina: Yes!

 

Sheena: Where do you shop for your shoes, typically?

 

Trina: Oh, it depends. I get a lot of shoes that are Alexander McQueen. I love the Louboutin store. I love Neimans, I love Saks, and almost everywhere that has great shoes!

 

Sheena: Is it safe to say that Christian Louboutin is your favorite designer?

 

Trina: He is. Yeah it’s safe to say that he is my favorite. I love his shoes. I just fell in love with the height and the whole platform. It makes you so tall. I think I’m addicted to it.

 

Sheena: How tall are you without his shoes?

 

Trina: 5’2’’

 

Sheena: 5’2’’? Oh so he’s making you 5’8’’ to 5’9’’-ish?

 

Trina:  Yeah, so very super model-ish

 

Sheena: Right! That’s awesome. So, do you typically shop by yourself or do you go with your girls? What’s shoe shopping like for you?

 

Trina: Most of the time, it’s with me and my girls. All of my girls are into shoes. So it’s pretty fun when we go to a store try a bunch of shoes, see what we get, and who likes what. Because sometimes when were out shopping for shoes there are some  that I can’t fit on or just don’t fit me, but my girl likes the shoe and it  she fits  making me jealous.  But all in all we have a pretty fun shoe-shopping day.

 

Sheena: Oh that’s cool. So based on your new single, we know your ‘Long Heels, Red Bottoms.’ How do you figure out which Red Bottoms are coming home with you?

 

Trina: Mostly the design, definitely. I get to see a lot of my shoes actually before they come out. The store rep will send me pictures of shoes so I’ll know what’s come out. So I’m okay, I got to have this, this, this. Soon as I see a picture of it and the heel, it’s something different. I’m like ohhhhh so in love.

 

Sheena: Is your size always the same when it comes to Christian Louboutin’s?

 

Trina: Oh no, no, no. My size is a complete size bigger. Because they run so small narrow to where it’s the top of your feet has limited room. Most of the shoes are pointy toes, or closed in, and the shape of it is triangular so there’s no way to have room for your feet to go up. So I am usually getting a whole size bigger in his shoes all the time.

 

Sheena: Do you find that whole size bigger kind of adds comfort for you? Because you wear them every time you step on the scene. You’re always wearing some shoes. So how do you do it all day, every day?

 

Trina: You know what? It’s still no comfort, honesty. I’m just being honest. It’s just mind over matter. I’m used to it and just psyche my mind out like ‘Okay, it is shoe-icide time.’ So I got to be prepared to deal with the pain and to deal with it. And I don’t know, it’s just become one of these things that I’m kind of used to.

 

Sheena: That’s right. Any shoe-shopping tips or tricks that you want to share with us?

 

Trina: I wear heels all the time so it’s not the most comfortable fit to actually go shoe-shopping in. But, I will just say, definitely be comfortable because if you are trying on shoes all day, you’d want to be able to slide in and out. Usually I’m wearing like a pump or something I could easily just take off my foot and slide in to any other shoe I feel like all day. That’s my favorite little thing. So definitely just be comfortable because it’s an all day thing, it’s a full time job.

 

Sheena: So which of your friends do you think would make a good guest on the ShoeAcidal Hotline?

 

Trina: A good guest. I would say probably my friend, La La. Because La La is a shoe freak, as well, and loves to run around in heels. And I think that it’s some addiction, it’s really like an addiction. I think once you keep heels on so much and when you wear flats, it feels like you’re walking bare feet.

 

Sheena: Speaking of La La, we had seen you make a guest appearance on her show La La Full Court Life where her Dice and Po tried to set you up on a blind date. How did that go?

 

Trina: (Chuckles) Oh my god. Actually the date was nice. We went to dinner, we had fun and laughed. It was actually his birthday and something I had never done. So we’re just talked, and had dinner conversation, and we had a good time.  La La was there of course they snuck in, and I was trying not to laugh because I could see them at the back of me like doing crazy things, and it’s really was a funny, funny night, really so many laughs.

 

Sheena: Are you still on the dating scene?

 

Trina: I’m not dating actually. You know, I’m not dating. I went on the date because La La suggested it because I needed a little laughter, and to loosen up a bit because I was very uptight. I think the date was very nice because they were there so I was comfortable, but I’m not dating. I’m just kind of, focused working. I don’t know; I’m really not a dater. I’m more of a relationships type of person so I’m not really that good at a date. I don’t really have a great conversation on a date so I don’t know if I have this dating thing for me.

 

Sheena: So focusing on your career you came out with the single Long Heels, Red Bottom and it’s been having major success. So congratulations to that! When can we expect your album to drop?

 

Trina: I’m in the studio currently working on tracks and working with production trying to put together the greatest tracks and work on the album. So I would say the early part of next year is when I’m expecting it.

 

Sheena: Okay, and do you have any hot collaborations we should know about?

 

Trina: Yes I have some hot surprises! I have some hot surprises I think I’m not going to have many collaborations on the album. I’m going to focus more on just me and a great record, but I am going to have a few collaborations that I’m really excited about and people I want to work with. And I’m just really excited about it. Its fun, I’m in such a great space, the vibe of the studio, the production of the music, the different kinds of sound that I’m going for. And it’s really amazing.

 

Sheena: That’s awesome. Any other projects you are working on? I know you had a deal recently with Ka’Oir Cosmetics, where you have your neon rock star lipstick. Tell your fans about it.

 

Trina: Yes, the neon rock star lipstick is something I merged with Ka’Oir Cosmetics. Neon rock star is the color and there are so many different colors to choose from. I just thought it was something fun, energetic, and it was really interesting because I see so many girls that are not into this whole colorful thing with the lips. It’s a very fun and vibey situation to get into and it’s been going really great. My color is neon rock star, I love it. It’s pink color, and pink is one of my favorite colors so it’s really poppy. The lipstick, the quality, It’s really beautiful. It’s a long-lasting product, that’s real bold, and just really amazing.

 

Sheena: Can they just find it at KAOIR.com ?

 

Trina: Yes, KAOIR.com . It’s actually being sold at this present time. If you go to the site it tells you how to get it so, it’s not hard to get it. I think all girls should get it because it’s a beautiful lipstick and they have so many different colors you can choose from, as well. So I think that’s a wonderful thing.

 

Sheena: So what other things are you working on, currently?

 

Trina: Actually, I’m working on a perfume which is called pink Diamond Couture, I’m really excited about. It’s a holiday special that we are doing. I’m a perfume fanatic so the perfume thing has always been a guilty pleasure of mine.  The album I think has the most focus and I’m continuing working on. Definitely some more television, I’m excited about. Those are the main things; the television, the perfume, my album, the lipstick.

 

Sheena: For all the shoe-lovers out there, we just want to know, ‘How in the world did you come up with Long Heels, Red Bottoms?’ Like that’s the anthem right now.

 

Trina: You know what? I was working with a producer by the name of College Parks he’s based out of Atlanta. We just came up with like a sound and we didn’t even have a direction. It was basically like you always wearing these shoes, these red bottoms. And we kind of just like put it together, it was a random thing. It just kind of happened in the studio. We were joking around about my heels, and my feet were hurting, and I took the shoes off. We joked about it and it just became a song! Like we were just mimicking what we did, when he did the hook and I was like, ‘Whoa, that’s dope. Let’s try it.’ Once we put the beat together I was like, ‘I’m going to make this a single.’ And I immediately started working on the record. I was just doing it for the fact of the love of the shoe; just to have fun. And it was up-tempo and it had a different kind of swag to it. It was different for me, you know. We had so much fun doing it, and I didn’t know at first that we were going to make it into a complete song but once the hook came up it was like ‘this is a song!’

 

 

Sheena: It’s definitely the bomb. I thought it was awesome of you. I actually watched your Ustream, with you and Ka’Oir where you, guys presented your neon rock star lip color. And you actually gave six or eight people a pair of red bottoms.

 

Trina: Eight people.

 

Sheena: How did you decide to do that? That’s so awesome. Tis’ the season to be giving, girl.

 

Trina: Aww. Thank you. You know what, we were promoting the record and just trying to get into 106 and parks and the fans were going ballistic and they actually got it to debut at number eight on 106 and Park and it was amazing. We just had so much fun. So I said, ‘You know depending in the votes- Depending on you know, on how hard you guys work.’ were going to see and tally it up so I just had them snapshot how many times they voted, just a real interactive and I got to meet them. So I announced that I would announce them over the Ustream. Once my team and I went over as many people who were voting, we found the main ones. That’s how we narrowed down to the eight, and then I saw like all of the pictures of how many times they voted and I couldn’t even say nobody out beat another because they were all almost equal. It was crazy! And I was like, ‘Okay! Red bottoms to all you guys, and Merry Christmas!’ (Laughs)

 

Sheena: Right! I know they’re very happy. Like that’s a dream come true for a lot of people, you know. So I know they are happy.

 

Trina: Yeah, I was really excited because I know they’re excited.  I just can’t wait to see them because they’re going upload a video, and I just can’t wait! I think it’s going to be hilarious. And I’m just really excited because, they worked so hard, they are very dedicated and loyal to me. So I just wanted to do something to give back, to make them happy and excited.

 

Sheena: Do you have any words for an aspiring artist or any words of encouragement for people who’s trying to make it out there?

 

Trina:Oh, you know what? Definitely, I would say, you just got to stay focused and it’s a will of determination to explore to how far you can go and build your career. And just stay humble and just really focus on exactly what you want to do. I think anything you put your mind, you set goals to do; I think you could do it.

 

EXCLUSIVE Interview with Mashonda Loyal

 

Sheena: Hi! Is this Mashonda?

 

Mashonda: Yes, it is. How are you?

 

Sheena: I’m well. How are you?

 

Mashonda: Good.

 

Sheena:I just wanted to, thank you for taking my interview.

 

Mashonda: Sure, no problem.

 

Sheena: Your fans are like going crazy and inboxing me, saying “You have to figure out who she shoe shops with; she has the hottest shoes in the industry!”

 

Mashonda: Thank you.

 

Sheena: Let me go ahead and reach out to America’s Sweetheart to figure out if she would interview us back.

 

Mashonda: No problem. Let’s do this.

 

Sheena: All right! We want to know are you a heels or flats kind of girl?

 

Mashonda: I love heels. The only time I really wear flats is early in the day or if I have a lot of things to do, but I definitely love heels.

 

Sheena: One-inch, two-inch, three-inch, four, or six?

 

Mashonda: I go up to six definitely. It’s a little weird to wear anything below 4 ½ – 5 now. It just feels wrong! So, definitely 6.

 

Sheena: Yeah, we call those your highest, hottest, heels. Pull ‘em out and work ‘em.

 

Mashonda: Yeah.

 

Sheena: Who’s your favorite shoe designer?

 

Mashonda: I absolutely love Alexander McQueen. His stuff is very like Art. And really, looks like it will almost break if you drop it, some of his shoes. But of course, Christian Luoboutin has always been one of my favorites. A lot of women are just now getting into them but I remember buying Luoboutin’s, as far back as high school. I would save my money up just to get a pair. Working-hard to get a pair of Louboutin’s, and Versace jeans.

 

Sheena: The ultimate red-bottom-hustle.

 

Mashonda: Right. But, people can try different things too. Louboutin is great, but there are so many other, other brands out there.

 

Sheena: Definitely, I think Louboutin is, trending because of the red bottoms and people are noticing them, and of course Carrie Bradshaw wore them in the ‘Sex and the City.’

 

Mashonda: Definitely. It’s the type of shoe people want because others will  know exactly who it is. And they use it to make a statement.

 

Sheena: Yes! Agreed. So, what suggestions do you have for overcoming pain when you’re rocking your highest, hottest heels?

 

Mashonda: Oh my God. See, I’m quick to go sit down. Honestly! I will be anywhere and I will say Listen, I have to sit down. You can go ahead and I’ll meet up with you’

 

Sheena: So you take your breaks.

 

Mashonda: Yeah. I have to, because you feel your toes are numb, like their falling off! But what I’ve started to do now is just to get a half-size bigger and then just put in the in-sole so it don’t slide. Because normally, the pain for me, comes in the front area. So I figured, If I give myself a little more room, I’ll be okay, and that works.

 

Sheena: That’s the ultimate ShoeAcidal recipe, the half-size bigger with the in-sole. I live by it.

 

Mashonda: Yeah. Recently, what I’ve started doing if I have to go somewhere, and know I have to wear a pair of shoes that might hurt. I try not to eat salt during the day or do anything that will make me bloat. To prevent swollen feet since that what causes the shoes to hurt more than normal. Some days they won’t hurt, and then I noticed that some days they do hurt because my feet are bloated.

 

Sheena: Yeah, especially, when you’re in them all day. So, if you have a photo shoot day, do you go ahead and wear flats throughout the day and change into your heels when you get to the photo shoot?

 

Mashonda: Yes, definitely!  I have a little boy, he’s going to be five, so most of the time when I’m with him, I wear flats to keep up with him.

 

Sheena: How are you enjoying being a mother and embracing the new Mashonda?

 

Mashonda: Oh, it’s great! It’s all very good. I’m exploring new adventures.

 

Sheena: That’s awesome. So what should your fans expect from you? Any upcoming projects?  Are you gonna do a CD?

 

Mashonda: Definitely working on some music. They can expect my dress line Starlet Mansion. They can also expect a book, and you know every time I got out, I like to make a little fashion statement for the ladies. So they can also keep up with the outfits, shoes, and bags!

 

Sheena: So Starlet Mansion is that on of the dresses that you recently appeared in at the BET Black Girls Rock, and WEEN Awards, that was your dress line?

 

Mashonda: Yeah. Jennifer Williams wore one for her birthday.

 

Sheena: Hot

 

Mashonda: Thank you! I just recently wore one for the WEEN Awards. So you know, we’re in the sample-making process and it’s a lot of work but I love it so much! It came along really well.

 

Sheena: What made you decide to go with dresses? Like I said, I seen both dresses and all I can say is, ‘Hot!’ seriously

 

Mashonda: Well the main reason I did that is because, every time I want to go out or my girls want to go out, we always struggle to finding the perfect party dress. Right now “Starlet Mansion” is focusing on party dresses. That dress that you step out in and  it’s like What did she have on? A lot of the high-end designers don’t make party dresses. I mean, if you’re gonna wear a statement shoe in a regular outfit, that’s fine! But sometimes, you need a statement dress and a basic shoe. So that’s where I come in.

 

Sheena: I agree! I’m so excited. Do you have an ETA?

 

Mashonda: Definitely, aiming for Fashion Week in February. So definitely, around spring-summer

 

Sheena: As for your memoir ‘Death of a Mermaid,’ what are you hoping your fans would get from it?

 

Mashonda: The name has definitely changed. I’m not giving the name out just yet, but my fans and the readers can definitely just get an incredible journey that a young girl decided to take. How she’s learned so much from each experience. It’s an uplifting book and that’s what I want people to focus in on.

 

Sheena: We truly want to thank you,and praise you for having, what we’ve seen as such a tragic story play out in the media. But you overcame it with such grace and elegance. And we are so grateful

 

Mashonda: Definitely. I thank God and I thank my son. Because every day I look at him and he just gives me so much strength and motivation to keep on pushing through. I definitely have to thank them and I want to thank all my fans, supporters, and believers. Who’s sending so much love on Facebook and Twitter because they give me life as well.

 

Sheena: That is so awesome! You are such an empowering woman and we thank you for being an inspiration to young black women every day.

 

Mashonda: Definitely.

 

Sheena: Do you have any last words you’d like to leave to aspiring young ladies trying to make it in the industry, or just trying to make it in general?

 

Mashonda:Yes. I just want them to know that no one can stop their dreams and they just have to keep on believing in themselves. And just wake up every morning with a plan and a focus and make it come to life. Because at the end of the day, we are all we have as women.

 

Sheena: Great message especially with so many of us being so negative towards one another

 

Mashonda: Exactly. They need to stop the hate and just focus more on being one. We could be so much more if we could just unite and respect one another.

 

 

EXCLUSIVE Interview with VH1’s Love & Hip Hop Yandy Smith

 

 

Sheena: Hi Yandy! How are you?

 

Yandy: Great! How are you doing?

 

Sheena: I’m doing well. I wanted to first and foremost, thank you for taking the ShoeAcidal Hotline interview call. We hear you’re an avid shoe-lover.

 

Yandy: I am an avid shoe-lover!

 

Sheena: So what do you like most about shoes?

 

Yandy: I love just how sexy they make you feel. You can have just a white t-shirt or a white tank top and some blue jeans on and with flats and you just feel like Blah I’m gonna go to the store.’ You put on those heels baby! And it feels like, ‘This works!’. So yes, I can definitely rock with a good shoe. My new thing is a platform. The 6 to 7 inches, oh my God! So sexy.

 

Sheena: So you’re new thing is a platform, 6-7 inches. Do you have a preferred designer? Or you just love everyone?

 

Yandy: You know I love, I just bought me the Versace double platform shoes. Have you seen those yet?

 

Sheena: I haven’t, but I’m gonna look ‘em up when we hang up.

 

Yandy: Oh my God. They have them in all colors. Well in my promo shot, I had them on. In the shot of me with the sequins dress. I had them on in black. They’re like- they’re 7 ½ inches.

 

Sheena: 7 ½? So how are you walking in those?

 

Yandy: Girl they’re not for the walking. They’re for rocking where you’re going, sitting down and getting back in the car. You don’t walk anywhere in those.

 

Sheena: Right, you just stand around and look pretty.

 

Yandy: You’re standing around and look pretty! That’s just what I did in my promo shot I stood around and look pretty.

 

Sheena: So can you take everyone back when you got your first pair of designer shoes and how that made you feel?

 

Yandy: Let me think of the first designer shoes that I got. Well you know what? My first pair of designer shoes was probably in college. I had this boyfriend, and felt like: I’m gonna upgrade you. You’re just not gonna be a regular girl in this campus. We’re going to put you in a nice pair of shoes. And I was never in to that kind of stuff. I was always wearing nice shoes but I would take them from, one of the random shoe orgasms of whatever stores. I think he like brought me like a pair of Gucci shoes. When he told me they were Gucci, I was like listen; the first pair he bought me was shoes with no G’s. I was like, look you paid six hundred- seven hundred dollars for these shoes; I want the world to know they’re Gucci shoes. I was such a mess. I was like, I’m going to take these back and I’ll show you shoes that got Gucci all over them. I hot a pair that had G’s all over them.

 

Sheena: Did you rock them with everything? Everywhere you went, you had to wear your Gucci shoes?

 

Yandy: I rocked them with everything. You couldn’t tell me I wasn’t Gucci girl.

 

Sheena: Since you got your first pair of designer shoes back in college, how many pairs do you own now, roughly?

 

Yandy:  Oh my God, I can’t even count. I have a closet that I tore down. It was one single closet but I tore the wall down. I had two closets back-to-back in my hallway. I tore the wall down in the middle of them, and made it a one big, double door closet. And it’s all for shoes, I just have racks and racks of shoes.

 

Sheena: Oh my gosh, that sounds so freaking fab.

 

Yandy: Yes, But You now what? The thing for me, is they don’t have to be, you know, the big top brand name. If it’s a good shoe, I can appreciate it, regardless.

 

Sheena: That’s a true shoe-lover right there.

 

Yandy: I’m a true shoe-lover. Yeah, I don’t go for the name first. I go for the looks. It just so happens you got to have a few of your basic name brand shoes, just for the right moment. But that’s not the killer for me, like the name doesn’t make the shoe, for me.

 

Sheena: So do you prefer to wear a banging outfit or a banging shoe?

 

Yandy: A banging shoe, always. Because a banging shoe can just make any outfit a banging outfit. You’re gonna wear a banging outfit and you got on some rat tat tattered shoes? You’re just done. That banging outfit won’t straight to hell.

 

Sheena: That’s true, I feel like people always remember your shoe.

 

Yandy: Yes. I mean, think about when we look at a guy. A guy, they don’t do too much, but if you see some guy with some busted, you know the shoes is all run down.  The heel is run down at the back, like he’d been walking everywhere he’s going and the front is fuzzy and you know, just out of color, ‘Uhh hm.’ The man just ain’t right no more!

 

Sheena: He could look fine but it’s over, huh? It’s a wrap.

 

Yandy: Yeah, he’s not right! He’s not right. I mean, you know what, the personality might be good and all that but it’s just gonna tell you all about him like: Okay, he doesn’t have a car, he walks. And he’s a real homely type of man.

 

Sheena: So if you could go anywhere in the world to shop for shoes, where would your ideal place be?

 

Yandy: well Paris, France where they make ‘em. There’s always as I hear, some great new designs coming out and stuff that we don’t even get in the States. I shopped in San Tropez before, they had great shoes but they’re so expensive. So I mean really, I like the US because we get stuff in abundance and its priced were I can afford it. But I’ve been in San Tropez and the shoes are amazing! But they’re very expensive.

 

Sheena: Got it. So do you have a celebrity that if you could just have their shoe closet, you could name?

 

Yandy: You know who has great shoes? Rachel Zoe. She’s always wearing great shoes. Kimora wears great shoes. Uhm, who else has great shoes.. in her videos, Ciara would always have on a pair of showstoppers. That’s about it. Who do you like?

 

Sheena: One of my favorite people whose shoes I like is definitely Monica. I think she always keeps on a nice pair of shoes people don’t always notice her but her shoes always make a statement. So I definitely love her shoes. And I also love, Angela Simmons’ shoes. She keeps a hot pair of Giuseppe’s.

 

Yandy: Oh yeah, I love her whole style. She’s just fly, but she’s like basic fly.

 

Sheena: Right! like she surprises you. You don’t even expect that from her

 

Yandy: Yes.. Absolutely.

 

Sheena: Those two girls are definitely some of my favorites. I think they have classic styles and their shoes are something that you can always wear and their more like artwork. So those are my favorites. Which of your friends do you feel like would make a great guest for the ShoeAcidal HOTLINE?

 

Yandy: Which of my friends?let me think. No shade, Chrissy wears nice shoes. She’d be probably good for your show. Yeah. She wears good shoes.

 

Sheena: Speaking of Chrissy, I watched the show last night. And it looks like you guys are going to have some upcoming drama you wanna elaborate?

 

Yandy: Well you know I can’t tell too much. But you see, last night she I guess got a little offended or upset about, the fact that I said for me work is about the check. Can I say that I was wrong? Absolutely not. I kinda’ feel like, you should go to work and it should be about the money you receive. Is that all that’s about for me? Absolutely not, because there’s so much in management that’s not income generating. You know, talking to her, talking to Jim’s mom, and the out of genuine love. I love, love, love his mom I would do anything for her. I don’t get a check off Nancy.

 

Sheena: Right. You definitely expressed that they’re like family to you and we kind of have a hint of what’s going to happen down the line. Do you still feel the same way about them, like is that definitely forever fam to you?

 

Yandy: Jim and his mom definitely will always hold a special place in my heart; always, for the rest of my life. We’ve been through so much. My assistant passed away and Jim was there for me, paid for the funeral. We’ve been rich together, Jim and I have been poor together then we’ve been rich again. When you go through certain things with people, you just never forget the role they play in your life. And family fights and that’s just the bottom line.

 

Sheena: Exactly. I’m glad you can move past that, and still have that kind of love, and not let it break you up. Because like you said, when you go through so many things with people its sometimes hard for people to move past that. So I’m glad you still got love for everybody.

 

Yandy: Absolutely.

 

Sheena: Anything else you wanna say about the show before we move to something else?

 

Yandy: The reason why I did the show; I mean a lot of people ask Why would you do that show when you have other businesses that would make you feel like?.’ And for me I wanted to show that other side of us women that have been in the business forever and we don’t get the recognition. We don’t get the thank yous, we don’t get t the awards because we just hold these people down. I found there’s so many shows coming out now where it’s based on the women who have relationship with these men. And I’m like, ‘Whoah! We count. We’ve been doing this for years. We don’t even get the perks of the sleeping with them. But we still grind just as hard and we still hold them down. And I felt that was an important story to tell. For all the executives out there who are doing this for years and not you  getting noticed. Not that I need recognition, because I don’t even know how this thing is edited. I might be looking like crazy throughout  he rest of the show. But I want you to know I exist. And that’s what it was for me. Like there’s not just a man behind Jim, there’s not some gangster dude, or big daddy body builder, no! It’s little ole me I do it. I did it all by myself for almost eight years.

 

Sheena: Empowering females. I love that.

 

Yandy: Exactly!

 

Sheena: So as a woman and as a person. What do you hope your fans would get to say about you at the end of the show?

 

Yandy: At the end of every show I was like, Oh gosh. Because there is a lot of it is editing. You can’t take away what you say and what you do. Because I’ve said everything they show and I did everything they show with other stuff. But sometimes, whatever the key is, I guess the key yesterday was I’m about my money. So they just focused on that out of all the conversations I had. Of all the things I said in green screen, they focused on me saying, I’m about my money. My money is my interest. My money is blah blah blah. I got sick of hearing me talk about my money. So, I guess since that was the topic for Chrissy they had to really focus on me saying that. I guess from that episode, I would say, Be about your money! who cares about what anybody thinks. Be about your money. And when you’re about your money, you’ll find even more and more bills. I like paying bills, I like paying my own mortgage, I like paying my car note, I like paying for my products for my jewelry line, I like paying my web designer, I like paying my assistants. I do it. I don’t go to my man. I don’t go to, an organization. I’m not taking out loans. Not to say that there’s anything wrong with those things. But I do it.

 

Sheena: Exactly. Speaking of your jewelry line, to kind of change the subject, My niece told me, You better ask Yandy about her jewelry line. So please elaborate.

 

Yandy: Yeah. Love, love, love, that’s my new endeavor. I love my jewelry. Right now, it’s just a jewelry line but I wanna make it a lifestyle brand., I want to make it to something that transition into lounge wear, , nail polish, kind of like a one-stop shop for a girl before she goes out. It’s called Everything Girls Love. And our pieces right now are all statement pieces, they’re bold, they’re classy, and for every part of a woman’s life you can find a piece that will fit right there. You’re going out on a date; you’ll find a great statement piece for a date. If you’re going on to work, you’ll find something that will bring your business suit together. If you’re going to a party, to hang out with your girls, you’ll find a showstopper; When you walk in the club somebody is going to say; Whoah, what is that sex in the city ring you have on your finger? I remember it. So I’m really, really, really excited about it. I never thought that it’d be as successful as it’s becoming. I can’t even keep up right now, I’m trying to follow my instincts ‘cuz I don’t wanna use all my money for this. People are placing orders that I can’t even fulfill. You know there are boutiques that they’re asking for it. I’m like, ‘Okay, do I wanna put my fifty thousand dollars into this but I’m trying to figure out if I want get some more partners. I don’t even know what I wanna do but I gotta make a decision, quick, because this is so crazy. I wear it all the time on the show, so people are talking to me, hitting me on Twitter, emailing me, You know that bracelet, is that a Everything Girls Love bracelet? What about those earrings, where can I get those earrings? so it’s really, really exciting to have the aspect of the show is helping me with it.

 

Sheena: That’s good. And definitely when you get it to a point where you decide how you wanna continue to invest in it. Make sure you put out a shoe line because you love shoes, so make sure you add that.

 

Yandy: Yeah! Absolutely, absolutely.

 

Sheena: You have to make sure you capitalize on some of the things you wear. So then you’re wearing your own shoes

 

Yandy: I love that! I looove that. But you know we thought about shoes and just the production and all that go into shoes, it’s really expensive. If you’re not a big conglomerate, or a huge company. You’re doing like twelve shoes at a time, it’s very expensive. The large companies who are mass producing three hundred thousand shoes, can probably create a shoe for $3, $2. But when you’re just buying a dozen of your own brand; paying for the leather, paying for the inside. Every single thing is a cost, paying for the stitching, and you can pay up to $20 for a good shoe because you don’t want no Payless looking shoes. For a good shoe to manufacture, I don’t know all the cost breakdown but you’re not paying less than $20-$25 and at that you know, you wanna at least be able to mark-up 35%-65% for you to be able to make a lot of money. There, you’re shoes are now $300 to $400. And who’s buying a pair of shoes from Yandy Smith for that amount of money? I would wanna be able to sell my shoes. But my jewelry I can sell, for a bracelet at $35 a bracelet, $65. A bamboo earring that’s studded on, you now, that’s a hand studded earrings which are a $120. But those are prices that people like my age, and people that are not you know, six-figured people can afford. And for me, it’s very important they stay at that price point because I want everyone to feel like, I can be fabulous too and it’s not costing me a million dollars.

 

Sheena: Agreed. That’s definitely a great point. It’s definitely something for you to keep in your the back pocket in case for  when this  gets to that level. But it’s really good that you have a line of jewelry that’s affordable for people. Do you think that you’ll have like a teen line?

 

Yandy: You know I would love to branch off, evento babies little bracelets, little necklaces. I would love to do that. But I have to take it one step at a time. I don’t wanna kill myself,  trying to do too much.

 

Sheena: That’s great, you need to enjoy it and let it be something fun before it becomes too much of a job for you. I definitely I think you’re doing it the right way. But,I’m gonna switch gears a little bit because I follow you on Twitter and recently you spent the whole day talking about bullying. Trying to come up with a movement towards anti-bullying. Have you thought of what you’re going to do in order to get that off the ground?

 

Yandy: Kiki Shepherd has a great organization and I’ve reached out to her publicist and I’ve had my people reach out to her. I’m gonna get involved probably with her. Me and Mashonda have been talking about coming up with our own thing. But I wanna get with something that’s pretty existing because I don’t know anything about that world. I don’t know anything about the legalities behind it and, how you become a public spokesperson for something. I’ve never done that before. So it’s something that’s a new world for me. And it’s really because I was moved by these two things:

 

I was moved by this little girl that was ten years old, beautiful little girl, I’m not sure if you’ve seen this article. They actually have it on Worldstar Hip Hop right now. You know her Facebook page and everything she was talking about people making fun of her. She tried to go home to her mom, and told her people were making fun of her; she can’t take it. And the little girl went home and committed suicide. And when you’re ten years old and you’re bullied to that point- How does a ten-year old even know how to commit suicide? Because when I was young, people made fun of me and talked about my lips. I got big lips and talk about this and that but it was nothing that was to the point where I felt like, I can’t take this anymore!. Maybe because it was balanced out with the love I received from my parents. I mean my mom and dad always made me feel beautiful. When kids start committing suicide and losing their lives over something so simple as this. I feel like, Oh no! We gotta do something. You know that was it really.

 

The other thing, as much I hope will be a positive thing for me. When I watched that first episode, I was disturbed. I was very disturbed. At that point, both those girls were my friends and I’m just like, Damn! We couldn’t pull her aside. We couldn’t say, oh you know this is messy,whatever it is that you feel. Why couldn’t we just have a grown woman conversation about it? I felt like that was a moment of Oh my God, bullying at its best. And I just, I didn’t like it. When you’re in the moment, you don’t. I didn’t even see because I kept saying oh it was sucker punch. But that was more than just a punch! That was a punch-kick-stomp out. I’m like, ‘Oh my God! Like really, have we come to this right now?’

 

Sheena: Did you guys ever get to the bottom of what caused that kind of reaction or no one knows to this day? Because I know you spent some time trying to figure out how did it get there and get a better understanding.

 

Yandy: I mean, you’ll watch the show but I’m gonna have to keep it honest, I still don’t know. There is never an excuse, never.

 

Sheena: Yeah, I agree. I mean especially because these kids are growing up different from us. Everybody is so into reality, it just it could have played out differently, that probably would’ve been the best situation you know. Cause you don’t wanna promote that kind of violence on TV.

 

Yandy: No! There’s some girl that’s going to be honest in friend or somebody else, oh you know I had a situation with your boyfriend. And this is what they deserved? Why would you even tell? Just let these man run rampant and do what they want to do. If you gotta worry about keeping it real and being honest. You got get beat up for it. She didn’t know that girl. She didn’t know anything about her.

 

Sheena: That definitely changes what loyalty and friendship is all about when it gets to that level.

 

Yandy: Absolutely!

 

Sheena: I won’t hold you that much longer. I just wanted to know if you had any last words of encouragement to leave for young ladies because, you guys are in reality tv and we know that there’s editing behind it but a lot of people don’t. So if you could leave something positive for people that would be a great thing.

 

Yandy: You know there are so many people out there that want to be in the music business, wanna be in the sports arena. They see the glamorous side of this life. What I wanna say is, really take time to look at what goes into this lifestyle. With the wives, the girlfriends and the mothers; it’s a 24/7 job sometimes. I’m not looking down on it, or saying that I don’t like it because I really do love my job. But there’s a lot that goes into it so you gotta make sure you’re ready. And the way you get ready? Prepare yourself, get an internship; find out what the business is all about and find out if this is something you really want to do. My last thing is, there’s people who always want to be the rapper, always wanna be the basketball players, but let me tell you something, the accountants oh they make a lot of money too. The lawyers, they make a lot of money too. The managers, we make a lot of money too. And there’s so many areas in this music business or sports business where you can really capitalize and make your money. So I would say women, men, young and old, do your research and find out who you are and what’s best for,your expertise. If you want you can be in this glamorous lifestyle but do it the right way. You don’t necessarily have to be the artist or the sports champ it hard to make it in that way. But do well in accounting, do well in business law classes, do well in you finance, do well in your management classes because there’s a whole world that exists outside being the forefront person.

 

Exclusive: Interview with Laura Govan of VH1’s Basketball Wives LA

 

Sheena:  Hey Laura! How are you?

 

Laura: Hi! I’m good!

 

Sheena: How is Orlando treating you being back there with the family and stuff?

 

Laura: Orlando is good! You know the people here are amazing they’re really nice. It’s not really like what I initially I first thought.  I didn’t really think of much besides Disney. But, You know it’s very family-oriented and the people are amazing. So I like it!

 

Sheena: And the kids are loving it, I’m assuming.

 

Laura: Yeah, the children are having a great time. They’ve met friends and the transitioning is really easy for them. So that, I love.

 

Sheena: That’s awesome. Congratulations on getting back with Gilbert, and getting engaged. That is so big!

 

Laura: Awwwe. You know, it’s funny when people say that to me. I’m like, Aww, that’s sweet! but, I’m thinking to myself I’ve been with this fool like ten years. I’m like ‘Oh! Yeah, okay!’ But then we’ve been engaged. He gave me that ring three years ago! And he threw me this crazy, elaborate party for my engagement. So when people find out that we’re together and have to assume that he ask to marry. I’m like, ‘Yeah, I mean, we’re probably gonna really married now. But I don’t know. It’s just weird.

 

Sheena: It’s just for us because of, we watched it play out and the one break-up played out in the public eye. Not knowing what will happen, your cheerleaders are happy, your fans are happy to see it play out in a positive manner. So I think that’s why they love it.

 

Laura: Yeah, that’s what was really nice. Like that, I love because it allows us to be ourselves. You guys see our lives and It’s played out in TV. People always say, ‘Oh my God! How’d you date a basketball player? I’m like, Yo! It’s like dating somebody at target. If I dated the guy at target I’d like; Yo! Were you watching her while she was at the counter, huh? Huh? You know what I mean? It’s a relationship. Y’all just get to see the juice when everybody else whose commenting got way more juice than we do.

 

Sheena: Exactly, you know they’re just going to blow it up

 

Laura: Yeah! Exactly because I be thinking; Damn! Why y’all in our business like that? You all need to worry about what the hell’s going on in your house. So, it’s cool.

 

Sheena: Yeah, that is. But I wanted to talk to you because, after this season of Basketball Wives LA, your fans hit me up and wanted to one discuss your shoe game. Also, discuss what’s next for you now that it’s over. So, we’ll start with the shoe things. Are you a heels or a flats kind of girl?

 

Laura: Both. Okay. I’m heels during two times throughout the day. When I’m ready to get nasty, I’ll throw on some heels for them to come off. And then I got on heels when I’m doing something and I have to do an event or something. But I’m a flats chic all day with my kids.

 

Sheena: So, okay Mommy-mode is flats, running errands flats?

 

Laura: Yeah, but sometimes mommy-mode, you know, I wanna be sexy too so sometimes, on occasions, I bust out the Christian’s, the high, big, thick ones. And I try to rock them, be cute.

 

Sheena: Speaking of Christian Louboutin, who is your favourite shoe designer?

 

Laura: Favorite shoe designer. I would have to say, right now Christian Louboutin. I mean his coming out with some crazy looks. I’m really, really picky about shoes, if you look in my closet, I like shoes that I could wear ten years from now. Bags and shoes, I’m really selective. I don’t do trendy, I try to do forever. So, I have a lot of Hermes, I have a lot of vintage Louis Vutton, like I don’t do the new stuff. I’m not really like a new type of chick.

 

Sheena: I’m with you a hundred percent. I think you should always keep classics

 

Laura: Yeah, I have really classic pieces.

 

Sheena: Where do you typically shop for your shoes since, you like forever-type shoes?

 

Laura: I do tend to go to Jimmy Choo I think he’s very classic, sexy. Christian is definitely classic, Louis Vuitton same thing. But for affordability if you wanna still be cute and keep it moving Sergio Rossi is always really nice. They come out with some bomb and amazing. I wore a Sergio shoe on the show that was amazing. I feel like Christian Louboutin. Everybody wears them! You know red bottoms. I’m like, Yo, you can you buy some bomb shoes, get you some red toe nail polish and paint them bad boys. And boom! You got a show on.

 

Sheena: That’s so funny. Have you had any like embarrassing moments in shoes or any mishaps?

 

Laura: Hell yeah. You know I fell in one trying to be cute? I did it actually. In front of somebody who I love and adore. Paul Walker is so fine to me so. I remember I met him at an award show and I tripped but I was stumbling. And I seen him and he was looking at me, not like trying to get at me. And he was like looking and watching me fall, and I’d tried to fall in his arms, as if I was trying to be cute but yeah that was an embarrassing moment.

 

Sheena: That’s hilarious. I’m definitely gonna share that so don’t be mad because that is hilarious.

 

Laura: Nah, no, no. Hey, it is what it is. I don’t get embarrassed; I just try to make light of all the shit that happens to me. But yeah, of course I’ve tripped. Oh! One time I was walking in my Louis Vuitton’s, and my damn heel broke off. And I know I don’t wear fake shit. I was like, I don’t wear nothing fake but them seemed fake. I was like this ain’t right. So that’s happened to me before.

 

Sheena: Yeah, so that’s I think what we like about you your honesty and you’re just you regardless of the situation. I think we got to see a lot of that on the season. How is things playing out for you since the season has ended. Are you going to do Basketball Wives L.A part 2 even though you live in Orlando?

 

Laura: Yeah. I mean if the opportunity was right and it came about. Yeah, I would do it. I had a good time. Like most people think, Oh! It’s full of drama. I mean really would you really not wanna see drama? Like would you watch the show if it was us kicking it, drinking tea, buying shoes all day? No. It gives you what you’re asking for. But sometimes the opinions that come with it are like, Damn. That’s messed up. But at the end of the day, I had a good time.

 

Sheena: Speaking of the drama, have you and Jackie mended your friendship?

 

Laura: Nah. You know what’s crazy is that most people are like, Is that stuff for TV? And I’m like no she’s really cocky in real life. I know who Jackie is so her being around me doesn’t bother me. Her being my friend? Nah, I wouldn’t have a friend like that I no I’m cool. But were cordial. If I see her I’m not like, Yeahhh, uh huh, from the distance, I’m not like that at all. I’m not like that with nobody. If I had beef with somebody, and we squash it right away, then we keep on moving. We don’t have to be have to be best friends. We don’t have to chat on the phone, we don’t have to do all that. But, I’m definitely cordial. I’ve always been the type that if I have drama, have beef, then move on.

 

Sheena: Yeah, we’ve seen that. I think that most of your fans can agree that something we picked up from you this season on the show, which definitely makes it real for us and invites us in to your personality.

 

Laura: Yeah, but I feel like people judge me right away because of the things they’ve heard about me. But they don’t really know about me.

 

Sheena: Do you wanna clear those up?

 

Laura: Nah, Hell Naw I don’t care. Some people’s opinions have change but Nah, I’m not gonna change everybody’s opinion. And people are all gonna hate on me. So, I don’t really care.

 

Sheena: Right. You can’t make everybody love you.

 

Laura: Yeah, Hell Naw, as long as my four kids, my husband, my brother, my parents, I’m good.

 

Sheena: Right. That’s good. So what do you have coming up next that we can expect? What’s in store for Laura?

 

Laura: Well, coming up next, I’ve lost a lot of weight. Yeah, I’ve lost like eighty pounds in like four months

 

Sheena: Congrats! How did you do it?

 

Laura: Thanks! My momma. I have a 12-minute program that I’ve always done. I played basketball in college so when I had rehab because I tore my knee up. And I was in rehab, I couldn’t do much. With being confined to my dorm room, I would just work out in my dorm room. There were things I did for 12 minutes because, I didn’t have the energy so I just condensed it to 12 minutes. Now that I have children, it’s worked great because I wake up in the morning, 12 minutes is all I’ve got, and I keep it moving. It gets my heart rate going, I’m up for all the day, and It makes me feel good. So that’s something a DVD I’m going to be bringing out. I wanna work with clothing for women after having kids because, I have four kids in five years, the transition of having clothes was really hard for me. So that’s something I’m targeting too just to make sure that people have something that’s affordable, that they can wear, comfortable, cute, because you still wanna be cute you know.  After you had a baby people come up to you and they’re like, Oh, how many months are you? I’m like, Damn, I just had that baby three months ago. I always say like, girl! I’m like four months. And they’re like, Awww, cute! So I just want clothes that you could be comfortable,  and going to tuck your stomach in at the same time. So that’s what I’m working on. I’m also working on children’s books, of course, because my children say the damnedest things, and they’re really interested in reading. I read to them every night, so we came up with an idea for children’s books. It’s different and it’s really cool. So I’m really excited about that.  All these things are to come, so hopefully sometime next year, they’ll be moving along in stores and we’ll keep it moving. But you guys can definitely follow me on Twitter. I give a lot of stuff away, bags that I had on the show. Bags that other people had that I would never wear. I gave away a Louis Vuitton that Draya wore on the show. I was like I’m never gonna wear it even tho mine was bigger than hers so I gave it away. I always have little trivia questions like that. You can definitely follow me on Twitter @l4govan

 

Sheena: Any advice you wanna give people who’s trying to make it in the industry? Or just find their way through life? Like any positive words you wanna leave with your fans?

 

Laura:Yeah, just be yourself. Don’t conform to nobody. Like, who you are is who you stick by and things will happen. Just hustle, people are always like, Oh work so hard! no, to hell with that. You have to hustle? Because if you don’t, the next person is. So get on your grind and hustle. And the next thing is, don’t count no money til it’s in your pocket. You know, I had to learn that the hard way. Yeah, so outside that, that’s all I have to say to people.

 

 

Exclusive: Interview with Kimbella of VH1’s Love & Hip Hop

Sheena: We hear that you’re a super shoes fanatic . Can you walk us through your shoe closet and name some of your favorite designers?

 

 

Kimbella: I have so many. Of course, my first favorite would be Christian Louboutin. I love a little bit of, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Guiseppe’s, Manolo’s, I have a couple pairs of Miu Miu’s. Tthat’s pretty much the chain of different designers that I have in shoes. But, I do love a beautiful pair of shoes like Jimmy Choo’s, I have three pairs of those. Just a classic shoe that you can wear and match up with anything is really important to have in your closet.

 

Sheena: Do you typically wear heels or flats?

 

Kimbella: I wear heels a lot. Especially now, since I’m on the scene. When it’s mommy time, I really try not to wear heels, I wear flats and my UGG’s especially now, that it’s winter time.

 

Sheena: If you had to pick one pair of shoes that is your ultimate favorite in your closet, which pair would it be?

 

Kimbella: Ahh man! That’s kinda of hard to do it because, I have so many favorite pair. Any shoe that I choose, that I buy, they’re over $700 for a name brand shoes. So, they’re gonna be my favorite. I’m spending that much money, they are gonna be. But, I can definitely say, I just bought a pair of Giuseppe’s, that I love! They’re sling-back Giuseppe with a platform and they’re encrusted, with Swarovski crystals. They’re a purple-yellow-and-red combination, and I just love those! Those are just hot, shoes you know?

 

Sheena: They sound like showstoppers. They sound so freaking gorgeous! So, do you typically go shoe-shopping by yourself ? Or do you make  it day trip with you and your girls? How do you typically shop for shoes?

 

Kimbella: I don’t mind shopping with my girls, but I like to do it alone most of the time. So they don’t judge me and say things like ‘Oh, you gonna spend that much money on a pair of shoes? Since, they know I do it very often. I don’t wanna hear their mouth, you know? So, I do tend to go by myself usually. I have relationships with Neiman Marcus and Christian Louboutin, so, they send me pictures. Asking me, ‘Do you want me to hold these for you until you come in?’, ‘Would you like these?’ And of course, I put them on hold until I can get there and actually try the shoe on and purchase them. So it’s a moment for me, when I do go into, get the shoes.

 

Sheena: What’s the hardest part of trying on a European shoe? I have a couple of pair of designer shoes myself, and I find that every pair is different. Do you have that same experience?

 

Kimbella: Yeah, I feel like, with Christian Louboutin, I have to go a half-size bigger. Because I wear 7 ½ – 8 and if that doesn’t fit, normally I would go to an 8 ½. For their boots, I’m an 8 ½. So it varies. That’s why when I do get a picture of a shoe, and they cross-reference with me, I say, ‘Listen, I will be in to try that shoe on, just to make sure’.

 

Sheena: Do you have a celebrity shoe crush?

 

Kimbella: Uh hmm. Let me see. I’m trying to remember if there’s anyone that- Oh! You know who’s big on shoes last year was, Monica! And I’d be like, ‘No, No, No. Who is she? And where did she get those shoes?’ I didn’t know she was such a big shoe fanatic. And I just noticed that last year. So definitely, Monica has her shoe game up.

 

Sheena: Any of the other ladies  off your show, you think would be a good fit for ShoeAcidal Hotline to have on because, they just have a nice shoe game as well?

 

Kimbella: Chrissy, I always see her in a nice pair of shoes, even from last season. Yandy and I go shopping  for shoes a lot so. definitely get her on the line. Emily, she’s a stylist so, I would consider her as well.

 

Sheena: Speaking of your relationship on the show with Chrissy. I follow you on Twitter, so I know your team ‘Still Pretty’ and ‘positive.’ We all know your intentions for telling Emily were good but the timing was off. Looking back, would you have handled that differently?

 

Kimbella: I can’t go back on anything that I’ve done. So I always try to turn a negative into a positive. I can’t say what I would’ve done if I would’ve known the repercussion would have been this. What I can say, no one should ultimately result to do the manner that we both, got into. I definitely didn’t come into it with malicious intentions. Let’s just say, there was a lot of editing with how it was portrayed. I was definitely on Emily’s side. Emily was good and that was the reason why she was cool with me. She was like okay, She even said herself, ‘I’m happy you told me because I saw your name in Fab phone and I was gonna ask you about that.’ So I’m happy, that we got this out right now-

 

Sheena: So, do you think that you and Chrissy will be able to mend things and turn this into something positive later on in the show?

 

Kimbella: You have to watch the show to see. Mondays on the VH1 at 9 PM. I can’t really give out that juice. Then you guys would have no reason to tune in. But, definitely tune in to see, where this goes.

 

Sheena: We are definitely looking forward to the rest of this season, and seeing where that goes. On another note, do you have any other projects you’re working on outside Love and Hip Hop?

 

Kimbella: Definitely! I’m transitioning from modeling into acting and singing. I’m launching my pop career, as we speak, recording in the studio, so look out for that! I am launching my Bella Brand. Basically, it’s gonna host, a line of watches that I’m creating for women. And also, my ‘Still Pretty’ t-shirts, those will be the 1st thing under my Bella line. There already in the making, I will be in contact with you to let you know that the shirts are ready for everyone to definitely grab one or two. I’m also gonna start a column, called ‘Vixen’s Day Off.’ I’m gonna start it off on my website, kimbellasworld.com, where I speak to, some of the models still-in-the-game now vixens, per say. The behind the scenes of who they are off-camera,  it’s gonna be interesting. I can’t wait to start that.

 

Sheena: Wow! It sounds like you have a lot of great things in store. I read the article that you twitted yesterday, that showed that you had a Master’s degree and considered, working in a medical field. Which intrigued me and gave me a better fill for your your personality. So I can’t wait to see what other ‘vixens’, do outside of the camera. That’s going to be awesome.

 

Kimbella: Right! Because you know, we all had lives, and we all came from somewhere before coming into the spotlight. There’s a lot of things that, people don’t know about me. That, I am educated, I had a 9 to 5 job and, I did work really, really hard. And I still do! It might not be as, intrusive as it was when I had to work in the medical field, support my child, and do modeling all at the same time. But, it still is a hardworking job, I’ve still got to grind and figure out avenues to make my money. I don’t live off Juelz Santana. I just fell in love with him, and we have a child together. And we’re a perfect match! So I’m just doing this to show people who I am. And don’t judge me because I’ve been around rappers, don’t do that! Get to know me, I don’t judge people. I get to know them before I can say anything about them.

 

Sheena: Rappers and Vixens are people too. They may be in front of the camera but, everybody is somebody behind the scenes. So I’m glad you’re speaking out and you want to do it in a positive manner so young ladies have someone to look up to who is not just beauty but also brains. So that’s amazing.

 

Kimbella: Thank you so much! So, yeah, that’s my purpose here. To definitely show the world, that’s what it is.

 

Sheena: Is there anything else you fans should know about you? Or any additions to the Love and Hip Hop story you want them to know? Or you just want keep it simple?

 

Kimbella: Well, I’ll keep it cute and simple. You know, with what I told you, I don’t want to go into a whole rant because, I feel like, gradually, throughout the season, people will get to know who I am. So I don’t really have to speak too much. Of course I wanna do as many interviews as I can to kinda open up to the world and explain to people that ‘Listen!, Kimbella is not just a video chick that was with a rapper,’ because, that’s important for me. Perception is a big deal for me, And that’s the reason why I’m out here, in the open, now, opening my life to everyone. Please take a chance to get to know who I am, and don’t judge me until you do.