This was posted Monday, July 3, 2017 by Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Actress and model Eva Marcille is filming with "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," a possible new foil for a show seeking new blood, according to TMZ.
TMZ said she has shot scenes with NeNe Leakes, an original cast member who has returned to the show for season 10 after a short absence. With the all-but-done departure of Phaedra Parks, "Real Housewives" producers are hoping to find a new, drama-driven queen to enter the kingdom. The show is in production and set to return on Bravo this fall.
It has been five years since "RHOA" has been able to find viable, sustainable characters: Porsha Williams and Kenya Moore both entered this reality show world season five. Since then, RHOA has given two others full-time cast honors (Claudia Jordan, season 7, and Kim Fields, season 8). Neither lasted more than one season.
Marcille - a Clark Atlanta graduate who won "America's Next Top Model" season three under her original name Eva Pigford in 2004 - is reportedly dating Atlanta mayoral candidate and attorney Michael Sterling. They were together on the red carpet at the recent BET Awards.
She lives in Los Angeles but clearly travels to Atlanta frequently to be with Sterling. She hinted at possible engagement to HipHollywood four months ago.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
She brought plenty of drama on the set of "ANTM" 13 years ago but times have changed. Can she still stoke those fires for the TV cameras?
Here's a classic moment:
Marcille last year was part of a short-run reality show called "About the Business" for BET focused on female entrepreneurs. She also shot two seasons of the scripted TV One show "Born Again Virgin" in Atlanta, which aired in 2015 and 2016. She played a sexy Samantha-like character.
Bravo tests new people every season, shooting scenes with them. Sometimes, those scenes never make the light of day. Sometimes, that person will get part-time status (e.g. Marlo Hampton, Demetria McKinney, Shamea Morton.)
The potential payday of becoming a series regular of such a popular show is generous, based on reports over the years, and provides a person opportunities to expand their brand. The trade off? Snarky and downright rude comments on social media as edited versions of yourself are scrutinized by would-be couch psychiatrists.
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