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How Real are 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta'?

By Matt Whitfield | Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 12:08 PM


Georgia's juiciest peaches: Lisa, Sheree, NeNe, DeShawn, & Kim
Bravo/Virginia Sherwood

During this time of economic uncertainty, we all need a mental vacay. Wondering where to head after yet another tumultuous day? How 'bout the dirty South? Hotlanta to be exact, where the bling is blingin', where the Chardonnay never runs dry, and where "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" don't hesitate to drop what you pay in rent on a pair of must-have heels.

 

In the third edition of Bravo's most fabulous franchise (which unfortunately ends its debut season on November 18), audiences are introduced to a new group of gals who surprisingly give their Orange County and Big Apple counterparts a run for their money. We aren't exaggerating. If you think Vicky, Lauri, Tamra, Bethenny, and Ramona are controlling, enhanced, narcissistic, crass, and delusional, wait until you meet Lisa, Kim, Sheree, NeNe, and DeShawn! Even Anderson Cooper of CNN fame is obsessed with this hot mess. The refined newsman recently told Jay Leno, "…now, they have 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' and really nothing compares to them!" We couldn't agree more with the Coop; these eccentirc exhibitionists have us hooked.

 

The on-screen drama has been delish. From NeNe's paternal woes to DeShawn's disastrous fundraiser to Kim's attempt at a music career, these ladies never fail to deliver. However, much of this season's juiciest action is taking place online. The blogosphere has been running wild with the alleged stories of these over-the-top ladies' lives. Luckily for you dedicated "RHOA" fans, we've summarized the rampant rumors…

KIM ZOLCIAK

  • Busty
  • Blonde
  • Divorced mother of two
  • Aspiring country songstress
  • We were shocked when Kim claimed to be 29, but the bloggers dug in on this assertion and confirmed with DMV records that she is not a lady who lies about her age. We find that refreshing. However, on-air Kim claims she has been getting Botox treatments for years. Isn't a 29-year-old a little too young for that youth-defying procedure?
  • The big mystery surrounding Kim is her sugar daddy, Big Poppa. Apparently her main squeeze wants to remain a mystery, but the bloggers can't get enough of this story and have uncovered his identity: He is a married commercial real estate developer, well known throughout Atlanta.
  • Signature quote: "In Atlanta, money and class do give you power."
  • Favorite on-air moments: trying guacamole for the first time, unsuccessfully spelling cat "k-a-t," butchering every song she attempts to sing.

NENE LEAKES

  • Loud
  • Proud
  • Wine aficianado
  • Rabble Rouser
  • Online blogs claim NeNe did the show because she really wants to be an actress, even though she claims to have participated in the show to promote her domestic violence foundation, Twisted Hearts.
  • Reports have also surfaced that our favorite housewife is a former "dancer."
  • Signature quote: "I don't keep up with the Joneses, I am the Joneses."
  • Favorite on-air moments: singing an offensive ode to her former BFF Kim behind her back, learning how to add fractions, talkin' smack about Sheree 24/7.

LISA WU HARTWELL

  • New mom
  • NFL wife
  • Boring... until you do a little digging
  • Behind the scenes, Lisa is probably the housewife with the most interesting and sordid past. She was previously married to R&B star Keith Sweat. According to the blogs, she has two kids with him, but they are not featured on the show. It's unclear who has custody of the children. Scandalous!
  • Lisa claims to be an expert businesswoman, dabbling in both real estate and jewelry sales, but she hasn’t always had the success you’d imagine, and she filed for bankruptcy in 2007.
  • Apparently, Lisa has also gone by multiple aliases in the past, including Sharon Millette Wu, Sharon Lisa Sweat, and Lisa Wu Sweat. WHAT?!
  • Despite appearing to be one of the more stable housewives, Lisa apparently got into a huge fight with Kim, who now allegedly has a restraining order against her costar.
  • Signature quote: "If it doesn't make me money, I don't do it."
  • Favorite on-air moment: pretending to be besties with DeShawn the entire season while secretly hating her.

DESHAWN SNOW

  • Mother of three
  • NBA wife
  • Atlanta newcomer
  • Deshawn claims never to have seen her 15,000-square-foot mega-mansion before she walked into the decorated home after it was completed. Wouldn't that be nice?
  • OK, there isn't much else because, unlike Lisa, this housewife doesn't have such a secretive past.
  • Signature quote: "I always knew I was destined for greatness."
  • Favorite on-air moment: crying in her lavish bedroom as her tragic fundraiser fell flat.

SHEREE WHITFIELD

  • Sophisticated (insert laugh)
  • Former NFL wife
  • Mother of 2... or 3?
  • While Sheree has two children with ex-NFL star Bob Whitfield, bloggers claim she also has a 23-year-old daughter. Apparently in an interview in Essence magazine, she identified this alleged daughter as a "friend." Oh, snap!
  • During Sheree's "She by Sheree" fashion show, we never actually see one of her garments on display. Interesting!
  • Signature quote: "People are intimidated by my success."
  • Favorite on-air moment: telling Kim that she's a great singer while not laughing at the buxom blonde.

 

How can the season be ending just as all these juicy details are emerging? How are we supposed to survive without new episodes? How excited are you for the reunion show on November 25 at 9pm?! Perhaps the real question is: When the fourth season of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" returns that same night at 10pm, will we even care? Or, will we just want more NeNe/Sheree showdowns? Real or not, we love these ladies. Long live Hotlanta!

 

Talk About It: Who is your favorite housewife?

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