Friday, October 23, 2009

NeNe Battles 'Housewives' Producers, She Claims They Edited Her to Be The Villian


Mrs Linnethia Leakes is taking The Real Housewives of Atlanta producers to task after she claims they "misrepresented" her and made her seem like an "evil" person by concocting fake beef and crafty editing. While this practice is common on reality shows -- none of those shows are actually "real", they all have writers and are heavily scripted -- she says the producers took it to the extreme this season, especially in the season finale where she let What's-Her-Face have it!

In an interview with Essence magazine, NeNe tells it like it is. From the sound of it, don't expect to see NeNe much longer on the show.

Essence: You expressed that you wanted to set the record straight about the season finale. What gives?
NeNe: I had a meeting with production because I was really upset with the final episode because I believe I was portrayed as this evil person.

How so?
Well, a lot of things are edited to be seen a certain way, when in reality it's really not that way all the time. Don't get me wrong, the events that are taking place are real, but depending on the editing they can cut and paste and make it appear as if you say something at a certain time when it didn't happen in that sequence at all.

Understood, but you're not an ingรฉnue to dramality TV and this practice is nothing new, so why are you so upset about the show's portrayal of you now?
Yes, I know that's what they do, but the first season they didn't edit me. It happened this season because we have a different show runner and this season has been a lot more planned and scripted. Last season they just let us go which made for a great show, but this time around, the show runner will say something like, you need to go over there and talk to Kim about "Tardy for the Party." They've also been making a lot of changes to the sequence of events. For instance, we all arrived to Sheree's fashion show late because there was a huge car accident, and when we arrived they all ushered us to our seats and the show began immediately, but when you see the episode they show me talking to Kandi which is not what happened.

Again, what has you so upset?
This finale really makes me look like I'm the villain, as if I choked Kim. There's a scene where I'm mad at Kim and they make it seem like I'm mad about her not wanting me on the song "Tardy for the Party," when in fact she and I discussed that already and afterwards attended Sheree's independence party and had a good old time. The reason I was mad at Kim was because we all attended the Bravo A-list Awards and I found out that she has been talking sh- about me, Lisa and Sheree to the New York and Orange County housewives and that's why I was upset. The producers told Kim I was upset and gave us time to talk, but once they realized they couldn't use the language (meaning there couldn't be any mention of the Bravo A-list awards) they did additional pick up shots to create [our beef] as something else. For instance, during last week's episode featuring Kandi's engagement party they had Kim's stylist, Derek J, come to her house and do her hair as if she were getting ready for the party that night, and Kim told him NeNe isn't coming for the party. Well, that was a pick up shot that the producers did after that fact. None of the ladies knew I wasn't showing up until after the party because I was dressed and ready to walk out the door when I decided not to go. The reason I didn't go is because Kandi and I had had an argument and I felt that this was to be a joyous occasion and I just didn't think I should be there after she and I argued.

What did you and Kandi argue about?
After Kim and I got into a disagreement, Kandi came to me and said, "Well, NeNe, I heard you've been talking about me also." I said," Who? What? When?" Kandi proceeds to tell me that the producers told her I had a conversation with them and was saying all this stuff about her. I went bananas because I was just out having dinner with one of the producers she claimed told her that who just happens to be the show runner. I even took him on the red carpet with me to the opening of the W and fed his ass, so I was pissed. However, the viewers won't see any of that and the scene makes it appear that I've started this argument with Kandi and tell her she's not interesting for no reason. It's very unfair.

In parting, what would you like your fans to know?
I like to tell it like it is and keep it real. I understand that the producers have to change it up and that's why I didn't make a stink about the first time they misrepresented me during Sheree's independent party, but to make me seem like this evil person is not right. I'm not evil and I'm learning that this entertainment business is very difficult for someone like me who is loyal. The truth of the matter is that I was the first housewives and referred all these girls to be on the show. If I scratch your back you need to scratch mine, not stab me. I'm not saying you have to kiss my ass because you should only do things out of the goodness of your heart.

Does this mean you're giving up reality television?
I have no desire to be a reality star, but I would love to have my own talk show. I've been offered my own reality show, but again, I have no interest in being a serial reality star. I would love to do what I'm doing on "The Insider" as a commentator talking about entertainment and different topics. I'm learning that this entertainment business is a tough place for a loyal person to be in. It's really hard for me to see because I have always believed what's meant for me is meant for me. I could have always been on the top if I was willing to backstab, sleep with folks and do whatever for the sake of [progressing] my career. Last year, I was the one that a lot of people connected with and showed interest in me and it was often a difficult position to be in with the other ladies. But I want people to know that I'm still the same person that I was last year and I'm never gonna change no matter how they try to portray me.

source


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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

NeNe lower's herself with petty fights that valadate the likes of Lohan and Kim...they really aren't worth her breath. The show is so fake and Kim is even more fake.....eeeewe!!!! Click....

The Misses said...

Nene is soooooo messy and full of drama. I don't think that the editing that is being done is any way short of who she really is. Everybody, except Kandi, acts like they are afraid of her. No one will step to her and put her in her place. I still haven't figured out why Greg married her, she is so beneath him. Greg, you can do a hell of a lot better. Nene, work on that underarm fat you got going on, it was out there during the Heel the Soul marathon.

Anonymous said...

Nene, I loved you in the first season and love you more this season. You are the reason I watch House Wives of Atlanta. Kim is fake and she is not and can never be her own friend. BTW, why is it that all of the other Housewive shows, does not have a black wifeon them but as soon as we get a show with black females we have to include a white one? That is ridiculous. That's what these crazy folks should be writing and commenting about, not all that other stuff that makes reality TV what it is. Everyone out there should know that reality tv is about ratings and they don't make you who you are. You are a beautiful lady that a lot of sisters including myself can connect with. Always, keep it real and stay true to yourself. Greg married you because he loves you and that's all what matters.
The sky is the limit, reach for it.

Anonymous said...

I just can't believe how gullable people are; judging individuals by their "reality star characters". These ladies are actresses, doing a job they are paid to do. Producers will manipulate, play scenes out of sequence and flat out tell lies to these people to get the drama that they need for show ratings. The public believes all the hype. smdh.

Anonymous said...

Le Nouveau Noir,

ROTFLMAO!! You got me choking over here. You're dead wrong for that one!

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