MMX talks to Lisa Wu Hartwell of 'Real Housewives of Atlanta'

On the heels of “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” Bravo’s unlikely reality hit about mature women, who are moms at that, living the good life and stirring things up and “The Real Housewives of New York,” the docu-series’ first spin-off, Atlanta gets a turn. Because it’s Atlanta, things are a little different. Let’s just say “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” is a tad more colorful than other versions in more ways than one. Since Atlanta is crawling with more than its share of athletes and music phenoms, there has to be some bling somewhere and Atlanta’s “real housewives” are determined to flash it.

Putting in their bids for reigning Head Georgia Peach are Sheree Whitfield (ex-wife of former Atlanta Falcon Bob Whitfield),  NeNe Leakes, DeShawn Snow (wife of longtime NBA veteran Eric Snow), Lisa Wolciak and Lisa Wu Hartwell (wife of current NFL free agent and former Atlanta Falcon Ed Hartwell). Lisa Wu Hartwell, super entrepreneur and a mother of three, was super gracious to give us a little insight into her life, as well as the show.

The explosive reunion show will surely be the most entertaining to date. Full of "Oh my God" type situations. The episode airs on Tuesday, November 25th at 9 p.m. on Bravo. You don't want to miss this one!

How did you find out about “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”?
Well they were looking for another housewife and there was a guy named Ken that was working with Sheree (pronounced Sha-Ray), he had styled me before on a previous photo shoot, and he said ‘you guys need to check out Lisa Wu Hartwell’. [My publicist] April Love text messaged me and was like, “Are you interested?” I was like “let me talk to my husband and see.” And the rest is history.

Did you watch “The Real Housewives” before the show?
You know what, I did not watch it and I was not a follower and I was not really big on reality television because I do film and I’m an actress, but it was a great platform for all of my businesses and I was like it’s great exposure, so why not.

By now, I trust that you’ve caught the show. How is Atlanta different?
Demographically, of course we’re different. Atlanta culture is totally different from New York and Los Angeles. We have that Southern hospitality. In New York, it seems like they’re fast-paced and can be rude at times so we definitely bring a different element. Of course, it’s obvious the diversity [Hartwell is Black and Chinese] that we bring, but we’re a lot of strong women that are very independent.

What are you doing in this installment of “The Real Housewives” that you think is a different representation?
A lot of reporters are saying that “you’re kind of like the odd person in. You really, really work and you’re an entrepreneur.” And I do. It’s not all about shopping for me. I’m all about really laying the foundation and a legacy for my children.

Are they all in your face? Are the cameras always with you?
They’ll say ‘okay Lisa, the crew is with you from 8 a.m. and we’re going to wrap at midnight’ and I’m like ‘No, they’re not!’ You do have some control over it. There were days when I was exhausted and I was like "You’re not going to get anything out of me today. It’s going to be as boring as watching paint dry. Like, I have nothing to give." Some days you’re just really, really tired because not only are you conducting your business on a regular day basis. Now you have to be prepped for the camera and ready, make-up, hair and yet still trying to conduct business. Then they’re certain people that don’t want to be on camera so you have to work around that as well.

You seem so nice. Do you just get along with people all the time?
I’m cordial with everybody. I do. I don’t like drama. It’s like not worth it to me. It’s like I have too many other things to do. I don’t have time for that. There’s some drama in the show and, of course, that will bring the viewers in and entertain people, but I really didn’t feed into it too much.

Do you think you guys will get another season?
I think we will. Absolutely! A lot of people will tune in because of the curiosity and the drama. That pulls the ratings in and there’s drama. We resolve it because, at the end of the day, you’re all like sisters. When you have five women that are very opinionated, strong and independent in their own mind, you’re going to have some conflict and drama.

 Watch the show debut on Tuesday October 7, 2008 on the Bravo network and tell MMX what you think.