Bravo wanted more diversity in its latest spinoff of its "Real Housewives" franchise and honed in on Atlanta, considered a mecca for successful African-American women.
Originally, the show was to have five black women. But NeNe Leakes, the first person cast, had a good friend Kim Zolciak, a sassy blonde who the producers found intoxicating. "I have a lot of black girlfriends," Kim said. "I just don't see color."
None of these women could be mistaken for a Buckhead Betty. This is new school, new money. Three have married professional athletes.
Public reaction hasn't been uniformly welcoming. After Bravo showed a preview in late July, some bloggers on the AJC.com TV/Radio blog accused them of being gold diggers — or worse.
After being read some of those thoughts, Zolciak shrugged her shoulders. "I couldn't care less," she said. "They can shove it!
Indeed, the ladies revel in conspicuous consumption. Sheree, for instance, drops $3,250 for a purse in the first episode. "I don't shop on a budget," she says.
And a show like this would be nothing without conflict. NeNe and Sheree oblige. "I'm a little classier than NeNe," Sheree says in the opener tonight. "I am a lot classier than NeNe!"
She later added, "I wouldn't put Nene and fashion in the same sentence."
At a photo shoot last week at the W Hotel's Spice Market in Midtown, the pair said they are at a détente, at least for publicity purposes. "We're cordial," NeNe said. "We're sitting next to each other."
Here are quick snapshots of each woman:
NeNe Leakes
Show line: "I don't keep up with the Joneses. I am the Joneess!"
Quick take: She's loud, proud and bust to boot. "I'm here to have a good time and enjoy my life," she said. "I'm very blessed. I love the cameras. I love the attention!"
City of residence: Duluth
Marital status: married to a real estate entrepreneur Gregg for 10 years
Children: two sons, including one attending Clark Atlanta
On the first episode: She's close buds with Kim. Both are invited to Sheree's big shindig but things don't go smoothly when NeNe arrives.
Reality show personality index: over the top
Kim Zolciak
Show line: "If I die tomorrow, I'm going to die wearing Dior."
Quick take : A Connecticut native, she's snarky, opinionated and loves to spend money. She wants to break into country music, working with Dallas Austin. "He's never done country but why not try something new?" she says.
City of residence: Duluth
Marital status: Divorced, but she has a wealthy boyfriend who refuses to be identified or shown on camera. His nickname on the show: "Big Papa." She says he might pop up if there's a second season. Or five. "I'm confident we'll have five!" she says.
Children: two daughters
On the first episode: She buys an Escalade on a whim for $68,672.80. "Do I know that's a fair price or not? No," she says at the dealership. "Am I driving off the lot in five minutes? Yes." She changes into a custom-made school-girl dress for Sheree's party in a parking lot.
Reality show personality index: phantasmagoric
Lisa Wu-Hartwell
Show line: "If it doesn't make me money, I don't do it."
Quick take: Half Chinese, half African-American, she's entrepreneurial, with a real estate firm (Hartwell & Assoc.), a jewelry line, a baby clothing line, a modeling portfolio and script writing. She also paints and works out like a fiend. She seems to be the most grounded of the bunch — and the busiest. "I can sleep when I'm dead."
City of residence: Duluth
Marital status: Second marriage, this time for three years to Ed Hartwell, former NFL player still trying to get back in
Children: three
On the first episode: They hold bowling night at her home. Yes, she has a two-lane bowling alley in her basement.
Reality show personality index: pleasantly mild
DeShawn Snow
Show line: "I always knew I was destined for greatness."
Quick take: A Detroit native, Snow is confident, pleasant and focused on her DeShawn Snow Foundation, which raises funds to help raise self esteem for teenage girls. She was added on the cast after the producers rejected another woman who was in the original pilot.
City of residence: Alpharetta
Marital status: married to Cleveland Cavaliers captain Eric
Children: three
On the first episode: She moves into a 15,000 square foot mansion and begins hiring staff, including an estate manager, an executive housekeeper, a governess and a nanny. "This is the life!" she says.
Reality show personality index: muted, so far
Sheree Whitfield (pronounced Sha-RAY)
Show line: "People are intimidated by my success."
Quick take: An Ohio native, she considers herself part of the "elite" and cares deeply about her image. She has a fashion line "She by Sheree." She also has her own entourage, including a hairdresser, a makeup artist and a personal assistant, who happens to be Evander Holyfield's daughter.
City of residence: Sandy Springs
Marital status: Divorced from Bob Whitfield, whom she's trying to get "seven figures" from
Children: three boys
On the first episode: She decides to hold her own fabulous birthday party and celebrate her divorce. She's ready to date because "I'm 38 and I look hot for my age!"
Reality show personality index: Don't mess with Sheree!
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