Phaedra Parks discusses divorce, cheating rumors

"Well you know, my husband pled guilty to fraud in federal court and he’s sentenced to eight years in prison. So he reported to prison a few months ago," Phaedra said.

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Ellen asked when the lawyer turned reality-show personality knew something was up, saying, "Did you have any idea?"

Phaedra's response:

"I really didn't, I mean, I just got my fifth college degree. So I'm pretty much an overachiever. I have two very small children. I just stopped breast-feeding three months ago. So I didn't have any idea this was going on until he called me and he said I've been arrested and I'm having this problem, but it's not true. So I went out of my way to get him the best attorneys the best investigators and to do anything I could. I'm an attorney myself and so I wanted him to have the best. So we could fight this together, but obviously it did not turn out like that."

Ellen asked if Apollo's background had been any sort of clue: "So when you first met him he was on parole right? So, there was a flag there right? Or no?"

Said Phaedra: "Well, um. Well to be honest he had been to prison and he was a changed person. So the person I married. I thought he was changed."

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Credit: Jennifer Brett

"It is extremely hard," Phaedra said. "I mean my heart aches for my two sons because they are the heart and soul of who I am. That's the best thing we ever did together. We have these great kids. I never wanted to do anything to diminish his character in public. But we've had some times where he's done things that weren't so cool. Weren't so nice."

Now that she has announced plans to end the marriage, Phaedra is dealing with accusations that she stepped out on him, Ellen noted.

"I think it's totally absurd to think that I cheated," Phaedra responded. "They're saying that I had an affair with a man from Africa named Chocolate. Now, everybody knows that I do like a Snicker's bar every once in a while, but it's definitely not a man from Africa that I've ever had an affair with. It's just absurd. I think sometimes when people are hurting they do things to hurt over people. There's been a lot of lashing out from Apollo because I think he's in a place, a very angry place, and I think you hurt the people closest to you sometimes."