Q&A with Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Sheree

Sheree Whitfield is one of the sexy, sassy “Real Housewives of Atlanta.”  I’m not ashamed to admit the Bravo show is must see TV in my Brooklyn abode.  So I was thrilled to interview the mother of three prior to the two-part second season reunion special, which she calls “a shocker.” 

Sheree Whitfield at Fashion Week in New York City.

This season, Sheree’s near fisticuffs with a hot-tempered party planner spawned the catch phrase “Who’s Gonna Check Me Boo?” and she debuted her She by Sheree clothing line.  The designer sites Dolce & Gabbana as her style icons, admits she’s not “bald-headed” but likes to rock  clip-in hair pieces, and loves “the daily grind” of New York City.  Let’s find out more about the glamorous socialite.

Hot Mama Daily: What’s the most difficult part about doing the Real Housewives of Atlanta?

Sheree:  The schedule is a little challenging, but I would say the most difficult part is putting your life out there for the whole world to judge.

HMD: This season we saw that you had to move to a smaller house and your divorce was finalized. Was it difficult to go through that on TV?

Sheree: It was a bad situation, but it was my life. It’s a reality show and at the time that’s what I was going through.  When you get married you never think this would be the outcome.

HMD: Would you say the show accurately portrays you?

Sheree: The show is kind of accurate, but people are only seeing part of your life.  My personality is multi-faceted, but on the show they may only show one side of my personality.  This season they were able to capture more of my personality.  But you really can’t get who I am out of two hours [of editing].

HMD: You had two of the most memorable moments this season, with the party planner and the Kim wig incident.  Would you say those incidents reflected you accurately?

Sheree: Those are sides of me.  I don’t like to go there, but I can. [Regarding the party planner] Was he a lunatic or what?  Before I went to meet with him he hung up on me.  He had promised the producers all these things like the helicopter, which was his idea. And he couldn’t deliver, I told the producers I wasn’t going to work with him, but they told me to go for the meeting so the story would have continuity.  So I think he did what he had to do to get on the show and get air time.

 HMD: Which housewife are you closest to off-screen?

Sheree: It’s a working relationship.  When we’re not taping we really aren’t hanging out.

HMD: We got a glimpse of She by Sheree in the season finale. When will it be available and in what stores?

Sheree: The pieces from the fashion show in the finale are custom pieces.  I also did a Spring/Summer 2010 presentation during Fashion Week in New York. That collection will be available in select boutiques next year. I owned a boutique, and it’s about exclusivity. I worked with a lot of up-and-coming designers and it’s about being in demand.  The clothes from the show are custom pieces and those are available in late December on www.shereewhitfield.com.  I also have “Who’s Gonna Check Me Boo?” t-shirts; the t-shirts keep selling out but will be back up soon.  They sell for $30 and up.

Sheree Whitfield, Lisa Wu Hartwell, NeNe Leakes and Kandi Burruss

HMD: What was your most favorite and least favorite moment from this season? 

Sheree: My favorite moment was the She by Sheree fashion show. My least favorite moment was I wish Bravo showed more of me during the fashion show.  The fashion show was amazing.  I wanted something classy and high-end. Dwight came in at the last minute, and I appreciate what he did.  But it was a team effort.  He didn’t do everything; but Bravo made it look like he did everything.

HMD: You’re obviously in great shape.  How many times a week do you work out?

Sheree: Besides my family and fashion, I am passionate about health and fitness.  I want to motivate and get people in shape.  If you look good you feel good.  When I’m not taping “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” I work out 4 to 5 times a week.  That’s my “me time.”  People always talk about my arms, but I don’t do a lot of weight training.  For me, it’s all about [working my] butt and thighs.  I do a lot of plyometrics, spinning, and walking in the park.

HMD: If you could replace Kim with any cast member from one of the other Housewives’ shows, who would it be and why?

Sheree: I would replace Kim with Gretchen from the O.C.  I met her and she’s cool, there’s no drama, and she seems to tell the truth.

HMD: Will there be a third season? 

Sheree: We put the “Real Housewives” [franchise] on the map. I can’t imagine [Bravo] wouldn’t do another season.

(Image credit: Newscom)