Reality TV???

Last evening I had the opportunity to attend the Love and Hip Hop Atlanta reunion show viewing party. As always, Studio Couture looked amazing and so did all the gorgeous guests. The main viewing area was elegantly set and our BFF Blogger Corner was in a prime location to see and be seen. Although, I have to be honest with you, I had only watched one other episode of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta prior to this viewing party.

Studio Couture & Love & Hip Hop Atlanta Guests

Blog Fab Fashionitas and Guests

I personally found the first episode to be draining. It was only 30 minutes long but the range of emotions that I experienced during the show were so extreme, that I chose not to continue watching. I found the depiction of black women in Atlanta to be deplorable and very damaging to our image. Many of the women on the show are portrayed as emotionally unstable, opportunistic and overly aggressive. Because of my initial feelings about the show, I was unsure that I would be able to offer an objective review of last night's events.

However, after reflecting and pondering, I thought to myself, "shame on me for being so judgemental." "Who died and left me chief of the morality police?" I ultimately determined that there are two sides to every story and I needed to see how real, is reality TV? I am so thankful that I put my preconceived notions aside and attended the event.

Meeting Momma Dee, mother of rapper Lil' Scrappy and breakout star in her own right,  was definitely memorable. She is a very self assured, confident woman who has taken advantage of this Love and Hip Hop "opportunity" and is using it as a catalyst to build her own brand.  She was a very composed and gracious hostess, and took the time to make sure that all her guests were contented. She was also clear that if we wanted something to eat or to drink, we would do it before the show aired, because there would be no walking during the viewing because everything would be done in decency #andinthatorder, #yaheardme!

Me and Momma Dee #andinthatorder #yaheardme

In addition to Momma Dee, reality TV star Neffe, of the Frankie & Neffe show, also lent her star power to support this event. Meeting Neffe was like running into an old friend that I hadn't seen or spoken to in 10 years. The familiarity that her personality exudes was both inviting and refreshing, definitely not indicative of the way she was portrayed on her own "reality TV" show. Lil' Scrappy was also on hand to support his mother at this event and was very attentive and considerate.

Me and Neffe

Momma Dee & Neffe

With all that being said, I really had to sit back and wonder, if someone took 24 hours of my life and sensationalized the most unflattering parts and edited it into a 30 minute show, is that really and accurate portrayal of who I am? Of course not, because at the end of the day I AM HUMAN.  I am multi-faceted and experience a wide range of emotions daily. I make mistakes and I have certain aspects of my life that I would like to remain private. The only thing that makes me different from a celebrity is that my indiscretions are not the topic of public conversation.  When considering myself in their shoes, I can definitely empathise with the cast of the show. We only see an edited snippet of what is taking place in their lives, therefore leaving way to much room for us to gather unfair presumptions of their character.

From this day forward, I am choosing to be a lot less judgmental and much more open-minded. I am coming to realize that if you give someone the benefit of the doubt, they just might surprise you.

xoxo-

<3 Parker S.

Image Architect, Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds and Me

Blog Fab Fashionitas, Lil' Scrappy, Momma Dee & Neffe