NeNe Leakes Says Basketball Wives 'Looks Really Bad' With Fighting and Bullying
NeNe Leakes, star of reality television series "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," is speaking out about the bullying and fighting that has taken over another popular show, "Basketball Wives," in recent weeks.
Although Shaunie O'Neal, ex-wife of NBA star-turned-correspondent Shaquille O'Neal and producer of VH1's reality show "Basketball Wives," said the show would tone down its violent messages and bullying behavior, Leakes spoke about the difference between her show and O'Neal's.
"We don't do that. We definitely have had our verbal fights, but never physical fights," Leakes told Vibe magazine recently. "I can't believe the fighting and the bullying. It looks bad. It really looks bad."
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Leakes said the "Basketball Wives" franchise has begun to disturb her, with the amount of fights broadcast on the show each week.
"The truth is the truth. It has just gone too far," Leakes told the publication. "Too many fights, my God!"
The RHOA star who is also focusing on her acting career with roles in "Glee" and "The New Normal" said she may be outgrowing her own reality television career.
"You gotta have drama and entertainment, but some of the stuff has driven me insane. I do really think that it's personal growth," Leakes told Vibe. "It's almost like being in a relationship and you're like, 'I done taken all I can take and I can't take no more."'
Leakes questioned whether some of the women on "Basketball Wives" would be able to pursue a career outside of the show, after showcasing violent behavior.
"They can't want to do too much in their careers. A good ole argument, everybody likes that every now and then to tune into, but you couldn't be trying to have too much in your career because that stuff, it don't work," Leakes said. "You can't represent a product and be that way. That just doesn't work."
Still, O'Neal said she is looking to present more of a balance on the show next season.
"We take responsibility. After talking and seeing ourselves this season, this season was bananas," O'Neal told S2S magazine last month. "We're all on this page of getting some balance and getting some good and positive content."
The "Basketball Wives" reunion special airs Monday night at 8 p.m. ET on VH1.
