Royce Reed Reveals Why She Left 'Basketball Wives'
Royce Reed was a cast member on the popular VH1 reality television show "Basketball Wives" for four seasons, but now the dancer and entrepreneur is opening up about why she decided not to take part in the upcoming fifth season.
The 31-year-old outspoken dancer and mother took to her personal Tumblr account to speak about her Fantashique Apprentice Dance Company in Orlando, Fla., and close out 2012 by clearing up rumors concerning her stint on "Basketball Wives." After VH1 took down her original blog posting, Reed decided to write "Goodbye 2012! Hello 2013!" where she sounded off on her truth concerning the four seasons that she took part in reality television.
Although "Basketball Wives" cast member Shaunie O'Neal also serves as executive producer of the show, Reed wanted to make it clear that this in no way reflected her paycheck or participation in the series.
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"I'm honestly tired of people stating that Shaunie was over my paycheck or even my role on the show. This came out in interviews before the show aired so I'm not really sure why its being hidden now," Reed revealed in her blog posting. "The BBW Show idea was that of Tom Huffman, not Shaunie O'neal. Shaunie originally turned down the idea of BBW because she wanted to do her own show with her then husband Shaquille O'neal."
According to Reed, she did more to bring the show to life than the 38-year-old executive producer.
"In even more blatant terms, however, Shaunie wasn't there to sell the show…I was. I was the only cast member flown into LA to pitch the show to over 10 different stations with Tom because no one else wanted to be connected to a possible failure," Reed wrote. "Shaunie was NOT there. We got 6 offers back after those pitches and they (Shed Media) chose to go with VH1. So in more BASIC terms…I played a MAJOR role in the pitching of this show & Shaunie in no way, shape, or formed controlled my contract, paycheck, or anything of the sort."
Reed thanked Shed Media and Huffman for the opportunity to participate on the show, but admitted that she had a different idea for the series.
"The way the show was pitched is completely different than what it has become. We pitched the show as being positive and with goal oriented and career driven woman that also like to have fun while dealing with the stresses of their exes or spouses and life," Reed wrote. "Our common bond was Basketball and we all had a child/children. Yes, the BBW brand has millions of viewers and has pulled in ratings but I have to admit I wish it would've taken a more positive route."
While Reed took partial blame for the negativity showcased in "Basketball Wives" that has even been the subject of a number of petitions on Change.org, she said she is happy to have moved on from the series. However, the former cast member did take time to write about her dislike for Evelyn Lozada, who was made popular on the show.
"When asked about my former cast members, I state whom I still speak to but in no way do I speak negatively about anyone….until now. Evelyn, have several seats and watch Netflix," Reed wrote. "I reached out to you when you got head butted and I also hugged you at the reunion (Of course that wasn't aired…too positive). For you to have been a part of a show that was supposed to 'Fix Your Life' and you're still broken is a problem."
After calling Lozada a "lost cause," she advised her former cast member to concentrate on the important things in life. While wishing past and present "Basketball Wives" stars Tami Roman, Jennifer Williams, Meeka Claxton, Suzie Ketcham, Kenya Bell and Kesha Nichols the best, Reed let it be known that she was not fired from the show.
"I was NOT fired from BBW. I tried to leave Season three and Season four but was negotiated into staying," Reed wrote. "For Season five, I refused to take part in the ignorance and drama on purpose so it was a mutual decision. When someone tells you things aren't going to change regardless of the backlash, you have to step back and think about what's more important… your dignity or a supplemental paycheck. I chose my dignity and I've never been happier."
Despite her issues with the "Basketball Wives" show, Reed said she would consider doing reality television again.
"Would I ever do another reality show, yes. Will it have drama, of course but it will be REAL and stem from actual events," Reed revealed. "I will never bite the hand that feeds me. I have thanked Shed Media and VH1 for giving me the opportunity to show the world who I really am. The good, the bad and the ugly."
