Community Voices for Health

By: Janice Johnson-Plumer

I must say I am a reality TV junkie. I know many of you may ask, “When does she have time to watch that and run a household?” I have to admit, I know just about every person on all Bravo TV’s Housewives franchise. The Real Housewives of Atlanta is my main show, followed by Real Housewives of New Jersey, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and sometimes Real Housewives of Miami. Then it’s Love and Hip Hop, Basketball Wives and Million Dollar Listing to give me that boost to be able to sell million dollar especially Real Housewives of Atlanta. I swear, one day when I retire I will live in Atlanta, but I am not sure I will have the luxury of living and acting like those ladies do.

It has now become an addiction for me. Even my my son will ask, “Momma, are the Atlanta Housewives on?” He has been there with me, watching from the very beginning. We often recall certain episodes and sayings, which we find amusing. My husband does not. However, despite telling people he doesn’t watch those shows, my husband starts getting into it, asking me who is married to who or how they got that house, commenting on what they’re wearing or remarking at how attractive they are.

But then I have to ask myself, “Am I living in reality?” How many times have we watched those shows (those of you who partake) and tried to put ourselves in their shoes just for an hour? I know I have. I see these women who not only are housewives with kids and nannies, but who also have their own businesses. For instance, on the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Cynthia Bailey has her own modeling agency. Phaedra Parks has a law practice, is trying to open up her own funeral home and just had her second child. Kandi Burruss used to be a member of the R&B group Escape, but is now a songwriter for artists, started her own production company and has her own award-winning product line. With all that these women have going on, they still manage to raise their children, tend to their husbands and manage to look good while doing it all.

I can’t even cook dinner, clean up and try to get to bed at a decent time without something going awry. Maybe that’s why I like to imagine myself in their lives just for that short period of time. I  get away from my own hustle and bustle, and see what it’s like to live like them.

They have problems just like we do, except they may have more resources to get rid of them. They go through battles with their children and some of the wives have even gone through divorce, all in front the cameras.

I do like watching the fashions and the houses and just dream for a minute. How I would love to be like them. But at the same time, I would never give up what I have nor would I sacrifice my life by being in front of a camera 24 hours a day.

As you can see, this is my outlet. Am I proud of it? Yes, I am. I admit to it wholeheartedly. Sometimes I watch because I know what I have is far greater than any reality show. As NeNe Leakes would say, “I’m keeping it real!”

Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go and watch last night’s episode Real Housewives of Atlanta on my DVR (for the third time).

Which reality show or person can you relate to? Share your comments with me.