We have all been waiting to hear what Kim Fields thoughts were on filming with RHOA this season. By the way, contrary to what you may have heard, filming is still ongoing, the Bravo entourage was at Phaedra’s house again today. They were also there last week to film a scene about how Phaedra spends so much time with her boys. As the fatherless clan made pizza, Phaedra allegedly remarked about her new “round pan” as if it was an object she had never seen before. But I digress.
We’ve all been wondering what if any team Kim would land on. I’m still waiting for my spy at Demetria’s single release party to get back with me with all the tea from that. I may just give up and post some of those photos here. Anyway, all signs so far have pointed to Kim riding the fence as skillfully as an Olympic equestrian rides a horse. But in the latest interview with her by Tanya Young Williams published by Huffington Post Kim says she is closest to Phaedra because they both have “faith at their core.” I’m not going to go there today, but that time will come, probably in 2016.
Kim says she will keep it classy this season. She even up and left Miami when all that ratchet sobbing on the floor stuff started to happen. She says that Bravo promised her that she could focus on her solid family life and they have been good about letting her do that. Interesting. Overall, Kim comes across as very confident. Confident right up to the point of being arrogant without actually crossing the line.
Here is an excerpt from the Tanya Young Williams exclusive:
How has your experience been during taping The Real Housewives of Atlanta?
Overall, its been an quite the adventure. Let me just say, it’s been “different”. But at this stage of my life I welcome – “different”. This experience has awakened many creative voices in me. I love that I get to be me and not play a character. It has been an eye-opening experience to say the least.
How has it been working with the ladies in the cast?
For 14 years I was in an ensemble cast filled with women. I can surely navigate my way through this. Throughout the process, I’ve gleaned a little something from each lady. A pinch of each of them is in me. Kenya is very girly, ultra famine – in terms of her exterior. I say, yeah, I can do more of that. Kandi is straight forward – all the time. I’m a bit more diplomatic – sometimes to a fault. Yet I say, how can I use some of her candid style. Going out with ladies and having ladies night out has been very healthy for me. I give and give and sometimes I can’t find me. I’m sure many moms and wives go down that same rabbit hole. I realized that I hadn’t really had “me” time since 1998. Living Single was ending and I was going through a divorce, contemplating a move from Los Angeles, so I thought that since I was by myself I was having “me” time. But my sister said, “healing time” is not “me time”. I realize that I was healing from a lot of pain and my faith was shaken. So I was just going through the motions of being happy. Hanging with the ladies helps me see that “me time” doesn’t mean I’m a bad mom or wife. If fact, it recharges my battery to be a better mom and wife.
This unprompted positive mention of Kenya and Kandi first is a good sign… right?
What is your take on your cast mates individually?
It’s way too early to know how my relationships will pan out. In fact, we went on a trip and things got out of hand and I bounced. A cast member said, you have to stay, we are all in this together and I said, “I just met you, I don’t owe you that!”. I’m closest to Phedra because we have certain things in common at our core – our faith. We both also have 2 young boys to love and raise. Our kids have played together. Cynthia and I have the “married” thing in common although she is working through some challenges. She’s also a model so we have the celebrity stuff in common. I find Porsha to be hilarious. She is in post-divorce mode and it seems to be a liberating place for her. Some may call it “wilin’ out”. I’ve been where she is. Kenya – it’s way too early. She is the wild card.
I love that she bailed on Miami and didn’t care what anyone said. I’ve already mentioned the Phaedra stuff, but I’m still SMH. In this part she forgets Kandi entirely and seems to be allied with the wrong team altogether. Porsha is still hilarious after filming with her for weeks? Really? At least she doesn’t mention the two non-peachholders.
I read online that Kenya directed, produced and starred in her own pilot. I would think that’s common ground for you. Have you seen the pilot?
Yes. I’ve seen the pilot. I’ve seen worse. It’s not that bad. She seems to get in her own way sometimes but that happens when you wear so many hats on a project. But, it has potential and the fact that she actually got it done is nothing to sneeze at.
The interviewer presses her on Kenya and she shows you her Olympic fence riding skills again. I’ve heard feedback from filmings that Kim is boring. Now I am starting to see why. She doesn’t give a shit about any of these women. She is there for a paycheck. It’s a J O B and she is not going to pick a team. Which actually is the smart way to go into this gig.
The trailer recently released by Bravo shows you crying in one scene. What was that about?
I’m not an emotional person, but there have been touch points during the taping that have caused me to be uncharacteristically emotional. That particular scene I was talking about what I shared already – losing myself. I am an outstanding mother. I work very hard to be a dedicated wife. I am a stellar actress and I know that I am a fantastic director and producer. The evidence is when you see my sons and when I receive accolades for my work. So I knew who that person was, but I didn’t know who “Kimmie” was. There have been real and very emotional moments for me.
Well, that was a self-aggrandizing non-answer to the question. I wish Tanya would have followed up.
In light of the pettiness, appalling antics and sometimes violent nature of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, what kind of drama will you bring to the series?
Maybe I’m bringing something different to this party. I can’t and won’t shake my home training and dignity. “Class” is in. As the younger generation would say, “Class in on fleek”. Still, I’m not perfect and I can get aggravated. If you get me to my tipping point, I can become what my Living Single cast mates called me, Ruth- the ruthless, assassin child star. When you bring me your toxins, a detoxing has to happen!
I love that she used the term home-training. That’s a southern phrase I wouldn’t have expected from her.
Are you prepared to deal with the attacking and controversial conversations that are the breeding grounds for high drama on all of the reality shows?
I don’t have the brain space to worry about, or strategize what I’m going to say in an upcoming conversation. I’m too busy worrying if I’ve missed my son’s appointment, making sure by boobs aren’t hanging to low, or what I will I feed my family for dinner. I don’t have time to prepare for pettiness. What you see is what you get. My faith keeps me grounded. My faith causes me to hold myself to a higher standard. It takes a lot for me to reach my tipping point. Also, I don’t take for granted the love and respect the public has for me. They’ve invited me into their living rooms for many years. They’ve experienced the highs and lows of my life. They don’t view me as a stranger, they see me as their sister, niece or cousin and so, I will always be the Kim they know and respect.
You are on the wrong show, Kimmie.
What has been your most surprising experience with The Real Housewives of Atlanta?
I went into this with no real expectations or judgements. I didn’t know anyone’s history because I don’t have time to read and watch the gossip. Now, if their drama was on Nick Jr. or Disney Channel, I would be up to speed. So when the ladies are sharing very personal and shocking information, I’m thinking, “Y’all know people can hear you and cameras are here” and “did you just say that out loud?”. I promise you, every one of my reactions is real. But then I realized, this is their world. This is what made them famous. Their honesty and transparency is what their audience expects and what makes The Real Housewives of Atlanta a successful show.
It’s so funny how many of the newbies swear they didn’t watch the show. No one agrees to be on a show without watching it.
Fashion is a big part of all of the Housewives shows. Will you be wearing couture.
I will be wearing “Kimtoure”. I just made that up. I like it! I do not have an off-the-rack body type (laughing), so my fabulous designer and stylist, Victoria Shaffer, makes sure I’m putting my best foot forward. She has designed for legends in the business – so I’m good. Even this – the struggles I have with my body and wardrobe is a journey we’ll share. Listen, I’ve been in the entertainment world for almost 40 years, but this reality game is on another playground. Still, I’m really excited to be playing in this space!
Should we talk about the sequenced shift dress in your Bravo opening? Probably not. Love your hair though!
The above is only a portion of Tanya Young Williams exclusive interview with Kim Fields. Please click the link and read the whole story!
Psyched for premire!
Re: Kenya’s pilot – “I’ve seen the pilot. I’ve seen worse. It’s not that bad.”
That’s certainly what I’d call “damning with faint praise”!
I read that as a slight. She doesn’t sound very Kenya friendly. Maybe Kenya doesn’t enjoy her fence sitting and calls her out on it at some point. It would explain why Kim sounds a bit ‘iffy’ with her and relatively fine with everyone else.
I thought it was a pretty honest appraisal of Kenya’s pilot. It’s not very polished, but it’s not awful either. And I’ve seen worse. 🙂
She sounds very egotistical to me. Wears being a mom and having faith as armor. I think her hairdo is a longer version of ramen.
Being a mom is my armor too! It has helped me get through a lot of tough thing in my adult life. IJS
Damn right!
Not a fan of her attitude.
Armor was probably not the right word. She sounds like being a mom and religious are reasons she is above reproach. Not an uncommon attitude. I pick up on it as I am neither, and find it irritating. It is not an excuse to be self righteous.
Okay, I get your point better now. I call the self righteous religious people “churchies”. They do my head in. I hope that Kim is not one of those.
We can only hope that Kim is serious about her faith, but not in a way that’s sickening. Think about it, though. 30-50 years ago most women didn’t think of themselves as special just because they were married and had children. That was normal back then, an ordinary condition. Kind of like breathing. Now a good number of mommies use that to make us unwed, childless ladies feel like shit. That’s crossing a line, IMO.
I adore you and your wit Chay. And being a mom IS something to be proud of. I just don’t like it when some women arrogantly play the mommie card. We’ve seen Phaedra do it and it’s not okay. I’m just hoping that Kim F doesn’t turn out to be a stuck up “I’m not a me I’m a mom” martyr and churchie like Phaedra.
Minky, I totally feel your points. Bitches will always find a way to look down on people. Kids, religion, type of house, degrees, career… ugh. The list goes on. I can’t stand any of it.
I agree with TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsYoya. It’s always insecurity or lack of real substance! (cough cough, NENE, cough). BTW, I’ve gotten raised eyebrows, diverted gazes, sympathetic nods, and even a few why nots before I had kids. After my first child, I thought those days were over. Then I ran into the moms-with-more-than one-kid-club. Their mission is to look down on moms with ONLY one child. (They are experts at squinting and pursing their lips.) Nice, huh? Well Minky my dear, I have four kids. This has introduced me to the why-do-you-have-so-many-kids-club. Their mission is to imply a mom with more than two kids is simple, selfish, and ignorant about birth control. Like WTF are these people tripping over? I respect everyone’s reality. I can appreciate others and yet I still do me. THAT is the sword I use to slay them. with. :0)
@Minky, I tend to think it comes from a place of insecurity when women like Nene and Porsha reassure themselves that having ever gotten married (no matter that your marriage failed!) was some sort of life accomplishment. Likewise for women like Phaedra who try and hold children over the heads of childless women – it comes from an inferiority complex. It’s the only thing she can think of that might make her better than someone else.
Thank you so much for responding Chay. I was beginning to worry that I had taken a tone in my comment that could be interpreted as unsympathetic to all mothers. That was NOT my intention.
I had no idea that moms could be so snarky to each other regarding motherhood. And I didn’t know that some women think that having children is similar to competing in an olympic sport. Live and learn. Phaedra’s “scrambled eggs and rotten vagina” comment at the reunion still makes my blood boil every time I think about it.
Ha! And here I was thinking MY tone was unsympathetic. We are too fabulous. MWAH!
oh Dawn I love your ramen comment, I am so not a fan of yellow hair. I’ve always loved her so I’ll be tuning in for sure. Nene who?
Me too! You took the words right out of my mouth. And, that Ramen noodles hair is horrible.
I guess that’s why Nene was so threatened…someone to match her ego?
@Minky, I tend to think it comes from a place of insecurity when women like Nene and Porsha reassure themselves that having ever gotten married (no matter that your marriage failed!) was some sort of life accomplishment. Likewise for women like Phaedra who try and hold children over the heads of childless women – it comes from an inferiority complex. It’s the only thing she can think of that might make her better than someone else.
I agree. I never understood that. Being a mom and a mother doesn’t mean you have to lose your individuality and sense of self. That can be just as unhealthy. You have to have me-time as well, some type of balance. I like her but I feels like she hinds behind that.
TT wrote: “I love that she used the term home-training. That’s a southern phrase I wouldn’t have expected from her.”
In my culture (Jamaican) we call it “brought-upsy”, and it’s considered really bad if you don’t have any in you. I love Kim’s maturity. Let’s see if it translates to ratings though. ;0)
Oooohhh……Ms. Eday, I have to admit I have been watching some stupid people on Bravo that may have been ” brought- downsy”.
Ha! Maisey, you crack me up. I’m going to use that one. LMBAO.
I loved that she said home training (MS girl over here). Maybe this is a dumb question, but did Demetria get demoted because she was boring, or what? I’d think Kim wouldn’t want to lose her peach. Also, how long does Porsha get special Grace for being “post-divorce?” The marriage was pretty brief. Sounds like Kim was throwing shade at Kenya and Cynthia. Maybe Kim really hasn’t watched the show – yeah right – if she doesn’t know Porsha and Phaedra are trashy with no home training.
I enjoyed Demetria, but I found the Roger Bobb thing suspicious. TT had stories here that she was difficult to work with if I recall.
What is that orange rag Porsha’s wearing? It’s the most unflattering thing I’ve ever seen!
Nice piece!!!!
It was actually your nice piece, Tanya. Which I hope I said enough times. Good work.
Yes you did 🙂 Yet is takes talent to shape it and make it your own – Job well done.
I would respect Kim so much more if she just straight up said I don’t like Kenya instead of giving those fake ass answers. Porsha didn’t even know who you were but your feeling her more? Oh ok Kim I see you.
I want to like button this comment.
I was thinking the same dang thing… I’m afraid my opinion of K.Fields will change for the negative after watching this show. “Me and Phaedra have our faith in common…” Um… WHAT?!?!?!? =S
Same here Dannay. She’s showing signs that she might be SHADIER than Phaedra. I didn’t know that was possible.
@MS.Wife. Yes!
Kim also seems really into “me-time”. Isn’t a person’s whole life me-time? Or is that just a really narcissistic thing to say? Did I miss something?
So Kim you’re a classy family oriented woman of faith but you’re feeling the violent ignorant ratchet thot that is Porsha. Where have I heard this before? I was so looking forward to your appearance on RHOA. Now I’m just confused. Is she there to help rehab and elevate the images of the ratchet or be this seasons’ Claudia and shade team pretty? Both?
“I’m an outstanding mother”. Wow. Good for her. I feel like when I can say I’m an alright mom at the end of the day I did a good job.
I have always found people who profess how outatanding, super devout ect…. Usually are the ones that are the total opposite. But maybe I just know a lot of self righteous assholes? Oh and I’ve never seen the show but signed up to air my \family dirty laundry -yea right! I hope Kenya will have a great season, I need some good non drepressing HW shows.
It’s true, huge red flags when people try to convince you they’re something fab. Ie. the used car salesman who told me “I’m the most honest car salesman you’ll find”. Sure buddy, moving along! Truly honest people, outstanding mothers, etc. would never dream of saying this about themselves.
Same here, Anastasia.
In the trailer it seems Kenya did some major sucking up to Kim. As a TBT on instagram Kenya also posted old photos of both she and Kim Fields together. Something must have happened between them during filming.
It does seem that the “teams” *How immature is that? LOL* Is Kim Fields, Porsha, Phaedra and Shamea hang together. While Kenya, Cynthia, Kandi and Sheree hang together.
Between the silver dress and the troll doll hair, her stylist needs to be replaced…
Seriously.
Kim is just outrght boring with her responses. This show is already torture with one phak Phaedra not again. I get it , you are a great mum but don’t talk as if you need validation or superior because you got kids . I have 3 lovely kids under 10yrs but i can stand as “mother superior.” I love my RHOA with some action not phak criminals miscoding bible verses.
I don’t dislike her…..yet. Some of her phraseology sounds a bit ego driven. I would remind her that Tootie was a hundred years ago in an industry that only cares about what you did yesterday. While Living Single was nice, it was neither phenomenon nor juggernaut like Empire or Mad Men. She’s had a nice, little career. When she gets an Oscar, we’ll revisit.
I kind of like that she isn’t choosing sides. I personally think that one of the worst things to happen to all of the franchises is the need to pick a team. I blame Jill Zarin for that. Before the team stuff, the shows were funny and the women were either interesting enough to stand on their own and sustain their own story line, or they were gone the next season. It would be nice to see all of the shows get back to that.
Weird how she describes Kenya as girly and feminine ” in terms of her exterior”
Huh? what the hell is that supposed to mean? Exactly where else is a woman supposed to be girly and feminine? INSIDE on her spleen??
I’m already picking up some jelly shade about Kenya.
Lol, inside on her spleen. Maybe she thinks Kenya has a “masculine” energy cause she has a driven and competitive side? I don’t think that’s exclusively masculine but perhaps that’s her thinking?
Mmm hmm. Yes to you both Maisey & TAFKAYoya. Looks like Kimmie subscribes to the same phony southern belle mentality that a woman has to bat her eyelashes and pretend to be helpless in order to appear feminine. Funk that!
I love it when a women speaks her mind, is smart, and doesn’t put up with anybody’s shit, but also isn’t coarse and mean, a.k.a. Kenya. These women need to re-watch the Kill Bill movies. Uma Thurman’s character literally slays fraudulent femininity AND negative, abusive masculinity while she’s going through her to-do/kill list. Every young girl/woman should watch it and take notes.
Glad to see you commenting again, Minky. Amen to your commentary.
@Toddy: XOXOXOXOXO!!!
You know someone is not all there when they refer to Porsha’s idiocity as “hilarious”. Nope, she ain’t right. And I think she’s gonna be playing the same phony funk that Phaedra is.
I have always said when NeNe goes I go. After Kenya came I knew I was through. Kenya came in to get rid of Nene. The last straw was when they set Phaedra up with Mr Chocolate. Who does that. Peter needs a peach stuck in his mouth permanent ly. Good luck Kim. 55 less life long viewer’s.
How did this one ^^^ hop the fence? Delusions Abound.
Lol
TT thanks for posting, purple penning and linking the original article. It was interesting and I wouldn’t have come across it on my own.
What the heck is Cynthia wearing in that picture. It looks like a bed sheet, low thread count at that. Can she be on her way to a toga party or her baptism?
Kim is so confidant, mature and settled in herself. I’ll not be surprised if she only sticks around for one season.