I am speechless Divas and Divos! Thank you for your love and support. It's not easy accept correction. It's even harder to correct yourself. Just moving forward, one day and one step at a time... Muah!

Reflections...

Divas and Divos...

I realize how we women sometimes tear each other apart in anger when in truth we're really just feeling hurt or betrayed. But that's not the woman I want to be.

I don't want to be a Diva who seeks to destroy another with words or "reads," while the crowds cheer on our bloodsport ratchetness. No one wins, except the ratings of course! Believe me, I'm not mad about that, (no ratings, no show!) I just think we have more to offer. Don't you agree?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not backing down, giving up or punking out. Trust and believe, I will NOT be Bullied at anytime by anyone!

I'll always stand up to those who try to knock me down, dig up my past or throw shade on my name and I encourage all my Divas and Divos in training to do the same. At the same time, I don't want to BE a bully either. It's not cute, or in fashion. It won't raise my star power and surely won't increase my bank account!

The truth is... I love it when women, especially black women, overcome obstacles to succeed despite all the challenges we face. Everyday I'm striving to be like the women I admire. Beautiful, accomplished, intelligent, yet flawed women who make mistakes, fall down, hit rock bottom - only to prove that like a phoenix, they can and will rise again from the ashes.

I can't fake hurt or anger because I'm human and I'm always going to be real. When I care for someone, I'm doing so without any ulterior motives. And, while being betrayed by family or friend can take you "there," retaliating with an equally inappropriate verbal or physical assault can never be justified. So I'm checking myself.

Whether I want to be or not, I am a role model to my glam it up girls, nieces, goddaughters and other young women who are watching and imitating my behavior. I need to do better. I can't promise you I'll turn the other cheek if I'm slapped, (don't suggest anyone try me, I'm not there yet) but be patient ya'll, God is still working on me!

So... I apologize for my part in this shameful drama that reinforces stereotypes about who we are as black women. And pray that one day we'll realize nobody wins when even one of us loses.

To all the RHOA/Bridesmaids I have offended: Phaedra, Kandi, Kim, Sheree, Diana, Pat and NeNe, I apologize. We may never be friends or see eye to eye on anything, (and I'm cool with that!) however, I don't need to tear you down to build myself up. I know who I am - The Diva, Marlo Patrice Hampton and I am the spotlight, but so are you. Let's all bask in it. God made sure there would be enough shine for all of us.

Marlo...

 

Chinese Proverb: Beware of people throwing shade while wearing bad toupees!

Divas and Divos, I’m doing my best to be the one to take the high road, but these last few weeks have been filled with lots of shade and haterade from people promoting products from Donald Trump’s hair emporium!

Say what you will about me, but I’m always going to be real. I’m always going to be that Woman who will come straight from the heart with no chaser and no BS. I’ve never claimed to be perfect, flawless or without regrets. Who is? Definitely not the fake bleached blond with the bold ambitions! She talks about my past incarcerations, her past includes pole sliding, lap dancing, lights, cameras and action! Which one of us is worse? Both of us have come a long way since then haven’t we? Good thing we took advantage of “opportunities.”

I’ll never forget where I came from. It’s what keeps me grinding towards a future of bigger and better things. That’s why I became so emotional when confronting the drag queen impersonator. When I went to speak to her I genuinely wanted to express my disappointment that I hadn’t been asked to join her team with the other bridesmaids. That really hurt me. But in order to get past it, I wanted to initiate a truce. Sometimes friends have disagreements, and then they forgive and forget. I have said many times I looked up to her like a big sister and valued our relationship, so I wanted to break the ice, kiss and make up. However, when the water was thrown at me, along with the nasty attitude, I wasn’t having it! I didn’t need to kiss her a$$ because she didn’t bring me up. When she met me at my boutique I was already that girl who styled her, (on a budget) for season 2. And at the time, she was on team I.O.U, NOT team Rich!

I didn’t become a stylist yesterday. I’ve been a fashion trendsetter since I was mini Marlo and if it wasn’t for me, she’d still be rocking Dots jeans with Payless boots! No disrespect to the brands or those who wear them, but neither is known for their couture lines. I put her on and stepped her fashion game up. You’re welcomed! Why do you think she hired me to be the creative director for the wedding?

Imitation is the highest form of flattery! (Photo credits: http://straightfromthea.com/gallery)

What person who is really secure about who she is feels the need to dictate what others can and can’t do if they are her friends? I didn’t sign the friend contract that said I agreed to be anybody’s possession. I guess Kenya, Kim and Sheree didn’t either. If she really believed she was in the spotlight, then why worry about others trying to steal her shine! Truly confident people never waste time or energy worrying about the next person on the come-up. The same way really rich people NEVER speak on their wealth and they definitely don’t silkscreen it in rhinestones across their chest! That’s what “new money” with no class does because they are faking the funk in the social circles of the well-to-do.

For the record, Ms. Marlo doesn’t wear knockoff designers or faux fur. In other words, I don’t like fake things or fake folks! Ain’t nobody got time for that! Real friends have ups and downs, but if they are “real,” then nothing and no one will be able to come between them. NeNe calls herself a “loyal” friend? I wonder if any of her other “ex” friends would agree with her on that. Doubt it! Even some of the friends on “Team Rich” see her in a different light because now they know her loyalty was a one way street and the only person benefitting from it was her!

I heard she wants nothing else to do with me, but because I’m against toupee abuse, I’m still willing to hook her up with Lawrence, Dawn or Kemya, three of ATL’s top hairstylist so she can free that small furry animal on her head. My people are on speed dial, just holla at ya girl! That’s what friends are for… Bloop!

Thank you!

To all my Divas and Divos, those new to Team Marlo and especially my ride or die crew. I just want to thank ya'll for the love you're showing your girl! I'm sorry if I can't reply to each post. I read them all, even those chock full of haterade, (luv u 2). I respect everyone's right to their opinion, continue to do you. (No shade, no side eye...)

Just know, I appreciate you all. Love you to life! Muah!

 

 

Ready to dish????

Heeeeey Divas and Divos! Yes, I know, we’ve been out of touch these past couple weeks, but you’re always on my mind. Your girl has just been laying low til all the dust settles from the latest RHOA drama. I was chillin with my girl at the All-Star Game, eating too many Po’boys and drinking way too much on Bourbon Street! But let’s get to it… Ready to dish?

Well, my time on the show this week was brief and unfortunately, I couldn’t be there for the charity event. I was already scheduled to be out of town for another engagement, but definitely supported Ms. Kenya and the very worthwhile cause she wanted to help. Let me start by saying that while Kenya and I are not best friends, (we only met recently) I refuse to let others determine whether or not I should befriend her.  She has done nothing but support me and whenever we’re together we always have a grand ole time. I don’t need to sit in judgment of her… She has enough judges and juries already! As far as I’m concerned, we’re cool!  Time will tell how it all works out in the long run, won’t it?

 

 As I said, when I first started spending time with NeNe, (who initially was not too happy about me being on RHOA, but then “appeared” to take me under her wing), I didn’t let the warnings from Kandi and Phaedra deter me from giving her the benefit of the doubt. I looked up to her as a big sister since she and my oldest sister, (who is 8 years my senior and full of wisdom) are the same age. I really thought she understood where I came from and how I was trying to change my life for the better, just as she had done. We all have a past, but we can choose to leave it behind us. (I guess I should have listened to the ladies, huh? Sorry…)  

 I’ve been called an opportunist, often! But honestly, who among us does not take advantage of opportunities that improve the quality of our lives and allow us to realize our dreams? Who among us doesn’t use our gifts, brains, beauty and talents to our benefit? Let she/he who lives in the glass house, (of delusions) throw the first stone at me. Unlike some of us, I don’t believe that there are people who “are not on my level!” Last I heard, God created all of us equal.

That “taste” of Hollywood is like fresh, sweet ice cream. The only problem is, eventually it will melt and the “taste” will fade leaving not even a linger of flavor…  Perhaps some of us should learn the meaning of humility because just like an elevator, the people you put off, might be the same ones you want to hold the door when you’re trying to get back on… Ijs!

 See ya next week. Muah!