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'Real Housewives ATL's' Phaedra Parks on her husband: 'Why is it anyone else's concern?'
Phaedra Parks, the Southern belle attorney and newest member of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," had some hesitation when Bravo asked her to the join the cast.
"At the time, I really didn't know, because it wasn't always well-spoken of in Atlanta to be very honest with you," Phaedra tells Zap2it. "But then a lot of people came to me and said, 'I think that you would bring something different from what we have been seeing.' And that really is what made me want to do it."
Once she did decide to join, Phaedra didn't hesitate to get right into the mix, though. In the Season 3 premiere, she commented on hometown acquaintance and fellow castmate NeNe Leakes' lack of ladylike manners and she has been Dwight's "wing-woman" as he threw financial allegations out at both NeNe and Sheree Whitfield.
While the new housewife says she didn't follow the series before joining, she says she knew a bit of what to expect.
"I've done reality TV a few times, so I'm pretty familiar with it," she says. "At the end of the day I understand that what makes for good TV are sensational events and drama and cattiness and some of this other foolishness sometimes. And that's just part of the madness of TV, and particularly reality TV."
In the last episode, the women were all abuzz over Phaedra's husband, Apollo. Sure, he's a looker, but the women seemed more interested in his criminal record.
"At the end of the day, you have to realize I married him," Phaedra says. "He doesn't have to sleep with anyone except for me. No one has to be bothered with him except for me. So, why is it anyone else's concern?"
Phaedra maintains her husband did his five-year jail time for racketeering - a "white collar crime." Of course, racketeering is a loaded word, which most people associate with the mafia.
"That's what most people think of. You're correct," Phaedra acknowledges after we asked her about allusions to the mafia. When we asked the new housewife if she can help us understand what racketeering meant in Apollo's case, she told us she hadn't read the case file and wasn't comfortable speaking on it.
In a preview clip for Monday's Oct. 18 episode below, NeNe says she heard Apollo was convicted of stealing cars.
"I think at the end of the day," says Phaedra. "That's what he was convicted of - was for racketeering. He was not convicted for stealing cars."
Even though she doesn't approve of all the gossip swirling about her, Phaedra sees the bright side of it, as well.
"They're talking, because hey, I'm on their mind," she says. "So, I guess it's a good thing. When they stop talking, that's when you have to worry."
Watch the preview clip below, in which Phaedra and Apollo talk about the gossip:
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Photo credit: Bravo
Photo credit: Bravo
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Phaedras comments about her husband being the same as Martha Stewart says alot about her lawyering skills and ability to reason and exercise sound judgment.
Her self serving statement is inconsistent with common sense and reason.Appollo is not like Martha Stewart. Stewart was a highly educated , rich , well known , accomplished business woman before and after she committed her crime. Appollo is an uneducated , poor( no means of income)no career having man. Martha was convicted of a true white collar crime insider trading. Appollo was convicted of racketeering with stealing cars as the predicate offense ( he and more than one other person stole many cars ).He is a petty car thief not a millionaire white collar criminal.
He is fine though.
Ok seriously you sound so stupid. You know that you grew up on collar greens, hamhocks and pigs feet who are you trying to fool....ps lay off the make up
It's very annoying how shallow she is - and saying she grew up with gourmet food...seriously? Also, when she said she wanted gifts as a statement of love, I was disgusted. He is right, going to prison probably put things into perspective...maybe she should needs a rude awakening too...
she is a a racist always talking about her boyfriend being raised by white people and not knowint wha they are doing
I am a soon to be law graduate and also married to a person who is a convicted felon. However, my husband owned up to his crime, paid his dues, and is moving on with his life through education and Christ. My mom told me to make sure that my husband was "doing something for himself" and not concerned about what I will attain or achieve in life. I took heed to that advice and Phaedra needs someone to tell her to do the same because it appears that this man is using her for her money, and connections. What is he doing for himself? Besides spending her money to buy her $3900 versace shoes (isn't that crazy). I'm done judging....I'm just saying.
I have to something about Phaedra's comment's in regards to her husband growing up in a "white household".
First, I do understand that there would be clear differences between growing up in a white verses a black household. However, I don't think either is negative. I'm sure her husbands upbringing can bring some positive to there new family.
FYI Phaedra, white households can and DO cook decadently.
I was mortified by Phaedra's comment that her husband doesn't like elebroate dishes because he grew up in a white household and then implied that white's eat canned food and packed meats as a norm. Growing up in a white southern household in the suburbs of Atlanta that is very inaccuate. Southerners both black and white savor their meals and fine foods ranging from BBQ slow roasted for hours to elebroate dishes that we ourselves prepare for our families. Please be better informed, Phaedra.
I could not believe what was coming from Phaedra's mouth. She made two separate comments about her husband being raised in a white home. First about raising children then the gourmet foods comment. She is a self serving, ignorant, snob wanna be princess. I wouldn't hire her to represent me if she were the last lawyer on earth.
Phaedra Parks' comment regarding her husband's culinary ignorance was both offensive and racist. She blames his ignorance on his upbringing in a white household on "camp food and canned goods". How is it politically correct for her to imply that white people raise their children on canned foods, but yet saying that black people LIKE fried chicken is a no-no??
I am highly offended by this wanna be "southern bell" and her racist comments. A true southern bell has class and doesn't offend, esp when she doesn't know what she is talking about. Phaedra - you are so ghetto and bougie!