Tag: Carlos King

  • K. Michelle Seeks Growth on ‘RHOA’, Hopes to Mend Ties with Porsha

    Amidst the drama and critiques from fans on ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta,’ singer K. Michelle is speaking out, asserting her need for space to grow within the show. She’s also addressing the ongoing tension with co-star Porsha Williams, expressing a desire to mend their fractured relationship.

    Seeking Room to Grow

    K. Michelle recently pushed back against claims made by Porsha Williams, who suggested K. Michelle was overly focused on ratings and ‘doing too much’ as a newcomer. K. Michelle insists she’s genuinely trying to build connections with her fellow housewives and avoid ‘declassing the show.’ However, she admits she’s reaching her limit with the constant scrutiny.

    She shared that she maintains friendships with most of the cast, regularly communicating with them behind the scenes. K. Michelle highlighted her connections with Cynthia, Phaedra (whom she feels is misunderstood), Angela, Shamea, Kelli, and Pinky, emphasizing her desire for genuine female friendships, something she admits she hasn’t always had. She stated, ‘I mean no harm. REAL LIFE.’

    Mending Fences with Porsha Williams

    The friction between K. Michelle and Porsha Williams largely stemmed from a misunderstanding where Porsha seemingly conflated K. Michelle’s complications from a butt-shot removal with a miscarriage. K. Michelle felt this was a disrespectful dig. While they had a private lunch to discuss the issue, K. Michelle revealed that their friendship is still a work in progress.

    Porsha had reached out to apologize, but K. Michelle felt the apology wasn’t fully received. She later referred to Porsha as a ‘bimbo’ on Twitter, reigniting tension before their lunch. K. Michelle explained that Porsha believes she’s ‘picked a team,’ which K. Michelle denies. ‘I do love her we just aren’t in a great place I want to fix it eventually,’ she stated, indicating a desire for reconciliation on their own terms.

    Standing Her Ground

    During a performance at Xscape’s Mother’s Day Love Affair concert, K. Michelle declared she was ‘trying not to declass the show’ but was ‘down to my wit’s end.’ She made it clear she has no intention of backing down from her role on ‘RHOA’ and refuses to let criticism diminish her position. She also hinted at lingering issues, particularly with Drew Sidora, whom she notably left out of her list of friends.

    What are your thoughts on K. Michelle’s desire for growth on ‘RHOA’? Do you think she and Porsha Williams can truly mend their relationship? Share your opinions in the comments below!

  • Porsha Williams on RHOA Exit, Karma & New Love

    Porsha Williams is back and ready to spill the tea! The beloved reality star recently joined Carlos King on his podcast, ‘Reality With The King,’ for a candid conversation about her return to ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta,’ her past relationships, and her perspective on the show’s evolving dynamics.

    Embracing the ‘Face’ of RHOA Season 17

    With several OGs like Kenya Moore, Kandi Burruss, and NeNe Leakes no longer main cast members, Porsha finds herself in a new position as a central figure for Season 17. While she admits she never envisioned being the ‘face’ of the franchise, she feels a sense of destiny. “I just knew I would be successful,” she shared, reflecting on her natural ability to open up for the cameras.

    Porsha also expressed nostalgia for the early days of RHOA, describing the cast as a “sisterhood” and a “family” that “owned” the show. Now, after a three-year hiatus following Season 13, she’s embracing her role and hopes to be a “good keeper of the house” for the franchise’s legacy.

    Addressing Kenya Moore’s Suspension and Friendship Dynamics

    Porsha admitted that it “hurt” to see her former friend Kenya Moore suspended during Season 16 filming. Despite their often tumultuous relationship, Porsha felt they were building a new, more respectful dynamic. “I respect you, you respect me. Damn… I miss you. You miss me. Forget the drama,” she said, emphasizing a desire for genuine connection over conflict.

    She expressed a hope that the cast can remain “strong” together, especially after experiencing personal time away from the show. This sentiment extends to her feelings about the show’s overall atmosphere, which she described as “very toxic” in the past.

    Friendship Fallout and Shade Towards K. Michelle

    When it comes to her former best friend Shamea Morton, Porsha kept it brief, revealing she’d distanced herself after Morton did something “low down” and “disrespectful.” Porsha accepted the end of their friendship, stating, “She’s got her position, and she should shine, period.”

    Porsha also offered some subtle shade towards newcomer K. Michelle, hinting that the singer might regret some of her alliances and is perhaps trying too hard for the cameras. “I don’t think that what was happening with her and Drew is going to go over as well as maybe she thinks it will,” Porsha commented, suggesting K. Michelle might have “chosen the wrong team” and should have been more “authentic.”

    The Real Reason for Her RHOA Exit and ‘Good Karma’

    Porsha clarified the reason behind her departure from RHOA after Season 13. It wasn’t solely due to her marriage to Simon Guobadia, but a planned decision to step away and experience “real life in real time outside of the cameras.” She had prepared financially and mentally for this break, even stepping away from other jobs like hosting ‘Dish Nation’.

    Regarding the contentious divorce from Guobadia, Porsha scoffed at claims that it was “karma” for “stealing” him from Falynn Pina. “Well, if it was my karma, it’s good karma,” she stated, emphasizing her current happiness. She believes her marriage needed to end for her to find the love she deserves now.

    Finding Love Authentically

    Porsha is now happily dating entrepreneur Patrice “Sway” McKinney. While her relationship with a woman might surprise some, Porsha revealed she’s “always” known about her attraction to women but never imagined living that truth so openly. She described her connection with Sway as feeling like “home” and “natural,” calling it the “best” relationship she’s ever had.

    What are your thoughts on Porsha Williams’ return to RHOA and her candid revelations? Do you believe her divorce was ‘good karma’? Share your opinions in the comments below!

  • Candis Grace & UBS Honor Black Cultural Leaders

    Creatives, tastemakers, and industry leaders recently gathered in downtown Manhattan for an exclusive dinner experience called ‘The Toast, New York.’ Presented by entrepreneur Candis Grace and in partnership with UBS, the intimate event celebrated culture, excellence, and the lasting legacy of Black trailblazers.

    Honoring Trailblazers in Culture and Business

    Held at The Chica & Don on November 6th, the evening featured modern Latin American cuisine and drinks from notable Black-owned spirit brands, including D’usse, Gran Coramino, and Ja Rule’s Amber & Opal. The event specifically honored three individuals making significant impacts in their fields: Carlos King, CEO of Kingdom Reign Entertainment and a renowned reality TV producer; Cari Champion, a respected sports broadcast journalist; and Santi Miller, Head of Diverse Wealth Initiatives at UBS.

    Champion, accepting the ‘Champion of Women in Sports Award,’ spoke passionately about her commitment to advocating for Black and brown people and women. “I was at ESPN for 10 years, and now I’m at CNN, and I am unapologetic in the fact that my agenda is for Black and brown people [and] for women,” she stated. “It’s costly and sometimes scary, but I know that when it is all said and done, if you look in the history books, I’m doing it for the right reasons.”

    Stories of Legacy and Empowerment

    Carlos King, receiving the ‘Cultural Storyteller Award,’ reflected on his behind-the-scenes work, noting, “It is not every day that I get celebrated because, being behind the scenes, it’s our job to celebrate others.” The award was presented by former NFL player Wale Ogunleye, who now serves as Executive Director and Head of Sports and Entertainment at UBS.

    Santi Miller was honored with ‘The Legacy Builder Award.’ She shared how her upbringing as someone who often felt like an outsider, being born in Vietnam, fueled her passion for empowering diverse communities. “I was born in Vietnam, and I was always the other,” Miller explained. “The higher you climb, the lonelier it gets. And, guess what? The dots get smaller and the target gets bigger.” Her work at UBS focuses on expanding the firm’s presence in diverse markets, ensuring authenticity and relevance within the communities it serves.

    A Vibe of Community and Collaboration

    Beyond the honorees, ‘The Toast, New York’ brought together a notable group of activists, authors, and reality stars, fostering an atmosphere of community, collaboration, and Black excellence. Attendees included music executive Lenny S. Santiago, Real Housewives of Miami star Guerdy Abraira, media personality Bevy Smith, former VIBE Editor-in-Chief Datwon Thomas, and social justice advocate Tamika D. Mallory.

    Candis Grace, founder and CEO of The Brand Group, described the event’s vibe as intentionally “unorthodox, beautiful, sexy, and vibey,” moving away from anything “stuffy.” She aimed to create a space where guests could genuinely have fun and celebrate their peers. Jeffrey Morneau, founder of Jeffrey Morneau Atelier, who partnered with Grace on the event’s production, praised the collaboration, stating, “Candis’ vision and commitment to uplifting our community made this collaboration especially meaningful.”

    Grace also acknowledged UBS as an invaluable partner, highlighting their continued support for her annual events. BLACK ENTERPRISE was also recognized as a media partner, having previously honored Grace with the 2024 Business Disruptor Award. “Black Enterprise has been an integral part of my journey from the very beginning,” Grace said, expressing deep gratitude for their support in uplifting the community.

    What are your thoughts on events that celebrate Black excellence and cultural impact? Share your opinions in the comments below!

  • Saucy Santana Defends Yung Miami Amid Diddy Backlash

    Saucy Santana is never one to shy away from speaking his truth, and he recently sat down with Carlos King to discuss his close friend Yung Miami and the backlash she’s faced, particularly concerning her past relationship with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Santana feels Yung Miami is long overdue for an apology and is hurt by the negative attention she continues to receive.

    Santana Defends Yung Miami Against ‘Hate Train’

    In a candid clip from the interview, Santana expressed his frustration with what he calls a “weird Caresha hate-train.” He noted that the criticism directed at his friend, especially now with Diddy’s legal issues surfacing, is particularly hurtful. Santana recalled an interview where Yung Miami stated that her experience with Diddy was different from others, a point that seemed to be dismissed by many.

    “Jane Doe said, ‘I was jealous…of her. She wasn’t like us, she didn’t get treated like us,’” Santana shared, referencing allegations made against Diddy. “We told y’all that in the ‘Caresha, Please’ interview… that wasn’t her experience. But…it wanted to go over everybody head.” He questioned why people are critical of Yung Miami for celebrating her partner, suggesting it’s a common behavior: “Who ain’t braggadocious about they man? It’s [what] every girl is doin’.”

    Fans Show Support for Santana’s Loyalty

    The interview clip quickly garnered attention on social media, with fans flooding Carlos King’s Instagram comments. Many praised Santana for his loyalty, with user @lachante_carrigan writing, “He is a great friend!“ and @kan.disaa adding, “I love me some Santana. A true friend🤞🏾🩷.”

    However, some users questioned the need for an apology, asking, “Apology for what exactly?” Others acknowledged Yung Miami’s own statements, like @prissygirlbebe who commented, “Although it wasn’t her experience. She was aware of his abuse towards them.. reason why she made the ugly comments. Good friend though to support her.” Ultimately, many echoed Santana’s sentiment that Yung Miami’s personal experience differed from the allegations surrounding Diddy.

    Yung Miami’s Past Statements

    Back in August 2024, Yung Miami herself addressed the noise surrounding her connection with Diddy in an interview with Saucy Santana. She clarified that she wasn’t Diddy’s “cheerleader” but that he was “on brand” for her at the time, meeting him during his “Love era” when he was receiving widespread praise. She questioned why she’s now being criticized for supporting someone the world was celebrating, stating, “I can’t speak on something that wasn’t my experience. And, I can’t speak on something I don’t know.”

    What are your thoughts on Saucy Santana defending Yung Miami? Do you agree that she’s facing unfair backlash? Let us know in the comments below!