By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, originally filed January 22, 2015
Adrene Ashford, one of the five women on "Sorority Sisters" expelled last week from her sorority, apologized and expressed regret for being on the VH1 show because it cost her her membership.
The series ended last Friday after a tumultuous month where many accused the women of not representing their organizations in a dignified fashion.
Adrene told V-103's Big Tigger at 3:30 p.m. today: "I deeply apologize to all my sororities and to any other affiliated sororities. Delta Sigma Theta is my heart. It's my life. I love my sorority. At no point did I intend to disrespect, misrepresent or bring any shame to my sorority. I wouldn't do that. Being part of this cast and being part of this show was more about allowing my brand, my fashion brand, to have legs to grow."
Adrene wanted to expose the fact she's a boutique owner, an image consultant and fashion designer.
She said this year would have been her 20th anniversary as part of Delta Sigma Theta. "I would never exchange the platform of TV for my pearls or my membership," she said. "I had no intention of misrepresenting or defaming my sorority in any way."
Adrene was one of the the more divisive, difficult women on the show, verbally arguing with several of the other sorority sisters.
"Was it a portrayal thing?" Tigger asked her about her character, which he didn't recognize when he was acting and she was a fashion stylist.
"In the portrayal on TV, the hat you saw me wear was a woman who owns a fashion boutique. She was protecting her business." She noted that in the first episode, she got upset when she saw flyers of a rival boutique in her store. "I had to defend my business. Any time anyone would approach me with a conflict, e can have a conversation or a situation. I would always choose to have a conversation and keep it classy. It's not just about my feelings but about my brand."
He asked if she foresaw this backlash, given the name of the show. Her answer wasn't clear there but she implied she knew controversy would raise her profile.
"I work in show business," she said. "Controversy brings conversation. Conversation brings growth. I will say to you more people know about my brand, my business and me individually... I'm not saying it's okay to be on reality TV and fight. I didn't fight. I defended myself. Would I have done it at the price of membership? No. I'm 20 years vested! I'd ride or die for my sorority. I believe I am a strong representative." She noted she did community service long before she became a Delta. Her mom was a domestic violence survivor and she volunteered at age 10 at shelters.
She said she found out about the expulsion via social media but got an official notice from the sorority yesterday.
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