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The Housewife Who Keeps It Real
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Atlanta’s most outrageous housewife, NeNe Leakes, talks to The Daily Beast about the Obamas' sex life, her brawl with a co-star, and why Anderson Cooper is welcome in her henhouse.
Perhaps you’ve heard of NeNe Leakes, the former stripper turned millionairess and undisputed star of Bravo’s hit show Real Housewives of Atlanta—a weave-loving, trash-talking, bank-busting preacher of unadulterated truths.
Then again, perhaps you’ve just heard her.
Leakes has one of the loudest voices in the Western Hemisphere, something between an operatic soprano and an air-raid siren. She uses it to tell off “toxic bitches” and “second-place chicks” in clubs, on street corners, at department stores, across tables in fancy restaurants, from the comfort of her living room, and anywhere else her “larger than life” life takes her, with Bravo cameras in tow. At long last, that clarion call, which leaves “fakers” cowering and sends millions rushing to their TV sets every Thursday night, is now headed to a bookstore near you.
An example of NeNe Leakes, from an episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta, keeping things extremely real.
Never Make the Same Mistake Twice: Lessons on Love and Life Learned the Hard Way, is the memoir of Linnethia Monique Johnson, a sweet girl of modest means from Queens, New York, by way of Athens, Georgia. Abandoned by her mother, estranged from her father, young NeNe (pronounced "knee-knee," as in: one to the groin, one to the face) made a series of bad decisions. Most notably, she spent six years of her life, on and off, with a man who beat and raped her; who spurned their unborn child and impregnated another woman at the same time; who lived with his mother, was a sweaty slob, and once kidnapped her at gunpoint. She turned to stripping, first in upscale Atlanta clubs, then in private underground "jack shacks," to put her young son, Bryson, through private school.
In the end, Leakes stepped away from the pole and into the arms of a real-estate mogul, who paid her electric bill and spirited her off to one of Georgia's fanciest gated communities. One day, after drinking an entire bottle of wine on an empty stomach, Leakes welcomed a Bravo producer into her home, and the rest is history: two seasons of vicious bickering on a breakout hit reality show, a blog, a book, a forthcoming line of "just fabulous shoes for big-feet people" like herself.
Never Make the Same Mistake Twice: Lessons on Love and Life Learned the Hard Way. By Nene Leakes. 240 Pages. Touchstone. $24.99.
Leakes was in New York last week to promote the book and do a little gay-clubbing. On Thursday night, she made a guest appearance on Watch What Happens Live, the new late-night show hosted by Bravo executive Andy Cohen. She arrived at the studio at 10 p.m. in oversize sunglasses, head-to-toe white denim, and her 6.2-carat diamond engagement ring, accompanied by a three-man entourage of her assistant, her hair stylist and her hair stylist’s assistant.
She disappeared almost as soon as she arrived, sneaking away to have a tearful chat with Cohen about her book. That left Derek J., the hair stylist, a short man in Gucci sunglasses and purple toenail polish, free to strut around in Leakes’ brand new Christian Louboutin pumps. An assistant began to steam Leakes' outfit for the show: a black BCBG jumpsuit with the tags still on. A producer came to ask if they would prefer Champagne or a sweet Riesling, Leakes’ favorite.
“Both,” Leakes hollered from the hallway and ordered up some orange juice too because “that’s how we do our Champagne.”
“Could she be ready by 10:30 p.m.?," the producer asked her assistants in a whisper.
“Oh, that’s not doable at all,” Leakes said, storming into the room and settling into a makeup chair with a Sprite and two bags of Wise honey-barbecue chips. Susan, the makeup artist, approached with an eyeshadow brush. Leakes batted her away. “I have my makeup covered,” she said. “I have to do my whole face.”
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Lloyd Grove is editor at large for The Daily Beast. He is also a frequent contributor to New York magazine and was a contributing editor for Condé Nast Portfolio. He wrote a gossip column for the New York Daily News from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he wrote the Reliable Source column for the Washington Post, where he spent 23 years covering politics, the media, and other subjects.
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Rebecca Dana is a culture correspondent for The Daily Beast. A former editor and reporter for the Wall Street Journal, she has also written for the New York Times, the New York Observer, Rolling Stone and Slate, among other publications.
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Rebecca Dana is a culture correspondent for The Daily Beast. A former editor and reporter for the Wall Street Journal, she has also written for the New York Times, the New York Observer, Rolling Stone and Slate, among other publications.
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Lloyd Grove is editor at large for The Daily Beast. He is also a frequent contributor to New York magazine and was a contributing editor for Condé Nast Portfolio. He wrote a gossip column for the New York Daily News from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he wrote the Reliable Source column for the Washington Post, where he spent 23 years covering politics, the media, and other subjects.
Rebecca Dana is a culture correspondent for The Daily Beast. A former editor and reporter for the Wall Street Journal, she has also written for the New York Times, the New York Observer, Rolling Stone and Slate, among other publications.
Just what America needs, another obnoxious loudmouth with absolutely no discernible skills or talent.
Bravo indeed.
I can't stand these Housewives of Atlanta. I especially can't stand Kim who is nothing but a whore. She is a terrible example for her daughters. I wonder how many kids from their schools have seen the show and know that mommie dearest is a whore? NeNe is a loud mouth from the get go. But at least she keeps it real. I like her husband. He sure has alot of patiences.
I find it odd that anybody sees NeNe Leakes as anything another than a loudmouth joke whose 15 minutes are almost up. What does keeping it real mean? That she has the bad taste to speculate about the President and Mrs. Obama? They call Kim trailer trash? I haven't seen a woman on that show with the exception of the lastest addition that does not behave like trash. Spending an outlandish amount of money for those terrible clothes they all wear is hysterical. I mean She by Sheree with the nose job is the dumbest name for a collection. ...Not one of those ladies dresses her age nor is what they wear figure flattering. I cannot believe these people actually believe they are attractive and fashionable. I think NeNe could be the next Moms Mably if she tries really hard. She has the wardrobe, just get that comic timing. And I think those women behave in a very racist manner toward Kim when it suits their lie-telling. I think because she is white, some of the othe women do say things to her about the other women, knowing the other women will tend to believe each other rather than Kim. I happen to believe Kim. But then I have only seen two episodes of the show...which proved quite enough.
I agree with you 100%... also it was so offensive when Andy at the reunion told sheree the writer fromthe daily beast insinuated or said she might be a lesbian, and she Sheree tried to act like that was a bad thing, then when called on it (Andy said "well not that its a bad thing), then she tried to down play her reaction. Oh yes, and Kims opening statement is something like "In Atlanta money and class gives you power", by that statement alone shows she has no class or ideal about what class is. You are right southernyankee, Kim is a big time whore with no class, no education and a total lack of intelligence...every other word out of her mouth is a vulgar word, she is so disgusting.
"Gay Clubbing?" I thought she might be a tranny.
Really she is a "tranny"? And managed to have a BABY as a TEENAGER? WOW what new technology made that miracle possible TWENTY years ago?
BTW lots of heterosexual women with gay friends (her best friend is gay) go "Gay Clubbing", especially when they are married or in a relationship.
Yuck.
Seriously America...is it not time that we moved on and left this kind of nonsense behind us? Is that time not here, now?
I disagree with other commenters. She's overcome a lot and an inspiration. I like people who are who they are and don't need to change themselves. I will probably read her book.
Bravo turns men gay...
by making women look AWFUL on the various housewife series.
dozens of crass, unattractive, nasty nouveaux riche.
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i will give you all the benefit of the doubt and say the people leaving negative comments here have not seen nene in action.
this show is really popular for a variety of reasons, but nene is the standout by far. i live in atlanta, watch the show, and can;t get enough of nene onscreen.
i can't judge her for being who she is, how much class she has, where's she's been, what she's done to get by. we live a long time and everyone has a story to tell. nene may not have lead the most glamorous life, but she has a story, and she connects with all kinds of people (like this pretty little white girl).
if you take anything away from her story here, or from her book, or from her anything, "pursue your dreams to the fullest" is a good start. what, should we also hate her for pursuing her dreams?
nene you have my heart! love you girl!!
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the hoNJ are Mafia and crooks!!
I find this comment disillusioned in so many ways. First, many of the women on the show portray successful black business women...how is this a disgrace? Futhermore, real housewives of atlanta is refreshing..do you realize how many people in the U.S. aren't even aware of the high society black culture that is growing in Atlanta? Why keep watching boring rich white women? If this entertainment isn't for you then switch to PBS and stop complaining...RHOA is fabulous television
Aspen420...there are plenty of women in the world who have suffered more than NeNe will ever know. She is not special for having to deal with a tough life and seemingly survived it. Many women do that every day. It is fine to connect with her own that level, but I find the behavior of all the women on the show wanting. No class, no real conception of what having class means. .
I find all these type of reality shows..trash programming..
..when it comes to the "HOUSEWIVES" series on bravo.. the first was the house wives of ORANGE CY of LA..TRASH..then NEXT came the ATLANTA> HOUSE WIVES..FAKE AND PHONIES.. then the HOUSE WIVES of NY.. a bunch of "B's" for sure..then the House wives of NJ.. str8 up crimminals with no morals what so ever..SO all of these reality housewives reality series are in the GUTTER type of people..no matter how its painted up and scripted as FAB women..THEY AREN'T,, NONE OF THEM..and they ALL are BIG MOUTHS.. with scandelous past ALL OF THEM..it didn't take me long to get the picture of what BRAVO was TRYING to do.. it's SEWER programming with no source of anything worth looking at, its not funny..educational..morally just..etc., its FALSE, FAKE, and morally unjust...and GIVES housewives..and females the WRONG image as to what REAL women are suppose to be as WOMEN... and it is NOT reality for women..but yet some of thes same women..will at a drop of a hat..will be the first to say..to a males.."BE a MAN"..
.. when are PPL going to stand up and call these women on the CARPET..and say "BE a REAL woman..OWN up to your responsibility as WOMAN".. these housewives CERTAINLY aren't..
I adore NeNe. She lifts my heart and makes me smile. I wish there were many more people like her, and fewer people acting like grumps and pseudo-intellectuals. NeNe's friend Dwight is an extraordinary, sublime man, too. We could use a whole lot more Dwights and NeNes in this world.... life would be a lot more sane and joyful.
An obvious promo for the show. So classy, Beast.
BTW, it didn't work on me. Won't watch that kind of crap.
My only question is why NeNe didn't attempt to strangle Kim sooner? She would have been first on my list. I for one, enjoy NeNe. She is authentic and outrageous and loving to her family. Leave her alone just be cause she's got some flavor. Leave NeNe aloooooone.
neNe is a functioning DRUNK looking for her 15 seconds of fame.. and the rest of the females of these type of show are in the sewer type females.. trash programming..
These females CERTAINLY ARE NOT example of what REAL women are supposed too be..these females make choices on their own,,then a ll of sudden they are victims by their own choices(its the man's fault..that's BULL CRAP..especially with black females) be a REAL woman then you MIGHT attract a REAL man....drinking like a sailor and cussing and fighting in the street like STREET HO's is NOT what REAL educated , morally upright woman DO..
and if you as a female admire a females like NeNe..KIM and the rest of these Golddigger- pole climbers.. no wonder america is going down the toilet morally..
Ah why all the hate towards NeNe?Look before you cast judgment on NeNe, try and actually watch the show. It is entertaining that for sure.NeNe is truly real, by that I mean she did not let money make her uptight a bourgeoisie and she make no fence about being her. Kudos! So for all those haters out there, remember, do you!
rob1976...its not hate, it simply a reality that many of us see nothing particularly wonderful about how NeNe and her fellow housewives behave...its the Jerry Springer Show with a bigger budget!
It's becoming painfully obvious that casting requirements are "loud, rude, obnoxious, and bitch." Finally, we found some balance by adding Kandi...someone who appears so far to have some class despite the company that she now keeps with the other cast members.
None of these women reflect the women of Atlanta, just to be clear. As a native Atlantan, I find this show embarrassing. The graphic for the show even prominently displays the Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel (the tall cylindrical building) in the logo with the windows still blown out from a recent tornado. Do they really think it's supposed to look like that?
Bravo knows how to put entertainment together, and they also know how to kill the commerce of a city. Who would want to move to or visit Atlanta after watching this show? I wouldn't.
Thank you.
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