[INTERVIEW] Carlos King Reveals His Biggest Fear With ‘Hollywood Divas’
It’s safe to say, TV One’s Hollywood Divas, certainly has some of us talking. On premiere night, the show garnered 1.2 million total viewers.
And Carlos King, the executive producer behind the show, has a habit of having his hand in shows that bring entertainment, drama and some would argue a bit of ratchedness. With shows like “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta”, “Season 25: Oprah Behind The Scenes” and Bravo’s hit franchise series the Real Housewives of Atlanta and New Jersey, the proof is in the pudding — or numbers.
In a recent interview with theJasmineBRAND.com correspondent @SmithWorldwide we chat with him about Hollywood Divas; Real Housewives of Atlanta rumors (How does he feel about Porsha Williams’ demotion and did NeNe Leakes quit the show?); and if the opportunity presented itself, what type of cast swapping would he do?
Peep some excerpts below.
theJasmineBRAND.com: So you work on numerous reality shows what makes this particular show different?
Carlos King: This particular show is different than any other reality show that I’ve done because its about five black actresses in Hollywood and the thing is these women are thriving in this world of Hollywood and no one knows what it’s like to be a black actress in Hollywood, the journey that these women are on and the struggle that it takes. So I wanted to do a show that really told that story we know what housewives do, we know what it’s like to be behind the [scenes in the] hip-hop world but what is it like to be in the world of Hollywood as a black actress? This show offers that.
theJasmineBRAND.com: I love that. So most of these women did not come from the reality world so were they apprehensive to filming. How did you help them with that process?
Carlos King: You know with these women being actresses they were kinda not feeling the reality aspect of it. They’re very private people and you know the Hollywood acting world kinda looks down upon this genre so it took a struggle for them to really trust the process. Then honey when Lisa Wu walked in they said, ‘Wait a second I thought this show was about actresses? Why is Lisa Wu here?’ So throughout the series you get to see Lisa Wu trying to prove herself to her peers.
theJasmineBRAND.com: If you had to swap out one of the member from Atlanta housewives with this cast who would you swap out?
Carlos King: Ooooh you are messy …Well you know I think Nene has proved herself to be an actress. Kenya Moore is an actress and it’s funny because when I was developing this show I thought to myself if only I had Kenya Moore two years ago because I think that she would’ve been great for this show, Kenya is spicy.
theJasmineBRAND.com: She brings the drama.
Carlos King: Kenya is the drama but in a good way.
theJasmineBRAND.com: Twirl.
Carlos King: She’s the drama, but you get to see a different side on Kenya this season seven of housewives, November 9th at 8 o’ clock.
theJasmineBRAND.com: Speaking of housewives we heard recently that Porsha is not going to be coming back as a lead character. Can you explain a little bit of that give us a little insight on that? Was it the altercation?