Sorority Sisters’ Lydia Raquel: The show’s name is what caused so many issues! It’s no longer about sisterhood — just politics and power. [INTERVIEW]

February 4, 2015 by tjbwriteratlanta in Latest News with 0 Comments

Lydia Raquel: I think I was. I mean there is always some things that you see and you’re like oh for real? For the most part I feel like I was. I mean what I saw on TV was me. I didn’t feel like they clipped me to look any different than exactly who I was. I’m pretty comfortable with what people saw on television. That really is who I am.

theJasmineBRAND.com: What surprised you most about the entire process?

Lydia Raquel: I think the whole process was just surprising just for me in period. Just coming from living a normal life and just everything, cameras in your face and hair and makeup. All of that was just like wow for me. You know, it’s almost like you’re being exposed to something that you never thought you would’ve seen before. So I would say that the whole experience was always like a oh my goodness moment for me.

theJasmineBRAND.com: Did the network tell you why they decided to rush
and abruptly close out the season?

Lydia Raquel: They didn’t. A lot of the times we were finding out information with the public. Even when we watched the show, we were watching it with everybody else. So no, we didn’t receive a lot of information as far as why they were making the moves that they were making.

theJasmineBRAND.com: There was a lot of backlash, were you surprised at all?

Lydia Raquel: You know, I think that when you have a show of VH1 it’s going to naturally come with backlash. Just because of the nature of shows that they tend to have of that network. So no, I was ready for some skeptics and critics, but the caliber of backlash is what got tome. The nasty talking and the putting down is what got me.

theJasmineBRAND.com: For the people who were not fans of the show,what do you think their real issue was?

Lydia Raquel: The title of the show. To me I feel like that’s the biggest thing. If they would’ve put us all on that show and never said what organizations we were a part of and people would have had to try and figure it out, I think it would have somewhat been okay. I think because the organizations were named from top to bottom, people put that stigma on it and we were no long individuals. They want to make us out to be representatives of the organizations and that’s not what we were doing. We came in just to tell our story and our experiences through Greek life. That’s what connected us. That was the only common denominator of that show besides the fact that we were all women and all members of sororities.

theJasmineBRAND.com: Before filming the show, did you reach out to your organization and give them a heads up that you were doing the show?

Lydia Raquel: No, I didn’t. I’ve never alerted Delta about any moves that I’ve made in my life. I didn’t feel that it was important for me to alert them about this. I mean I wouldn’t even know who to call. I’m a little confused as to why I should have to reach out when I live my
life as Lydia. I just so happen to be a Delta. So no I didn’t check in with nobody.

theJasmineBRAND.com: Were you surprised at all when you found out that
you were expelled?

Lydia Raquel: Surprised? I think it was the delivery too that I think it was just like oh for real this is how we’re conducting business now? I really was thinking like the way it came because I hadn’t talked to anybody. I have yet to speak to anybody on the national level as far as Delta is concerned. So I’m finding out from bloggers, media people are calling me and hitting up my inbox, like is this true? They’re sending screenshots of the website. I’m like oh for real? I didn’t know it was true. So I just think that the manner in which it was done was really, really shiesty. The fact that they went that far, I think it was uncalled for. I [was] just really looking at them sideways because I’ve known people to do a whole lot worse in the world as far as Greek life goes and they’re still in the organization. But we make a decision to further our careers and do something with our lives and now we’re expelled. I just think it got a really bad message because it’s like sisterhood and politics don’t go together. I feel like politics kind of took the lead on this one.

theJasmineBRAND.com: What do you think the real reason behind why they expelled you is?

Lydia Raquel: I think it was politics. I think it was a power move. I think the AKA’s made their decision perfect, they only suspended the girls for a few months. I mean hey, If that’s what they felt like they were going to do then that’s fine. I just feel like Delta tried to come back and be like we’re the powerhouse and we’re going to make some serious moves. I don’t know, I feel like it was more so for show than really thought through as to how we were affected and everything that was going on. Again, I have not spoken to anybody at nationals about this decision. I mean do we have a trial? They laid down the
hammer and they didn’t even talk to me.

theJasmineBRAND.com: Do you think that it was politics and they were
trying to one up the AKA’s?

Lydia Raquel: I mean I wouldn’t put it past them that that had something to do with it. Like I said at the end of the day it’s politics and power. It’s no longer about sisterhood and everything that we went through it for. You know people always love to talk about the issues back then are not the issues now. They’re not. We have our own set of issues that we are not focused on because y’all are too busy trying to boycott a show.

theJasmineBRAND.com: Do you have any plans to try and fight the decision?

Lydia Raquel: You know what, after the process you have to care and I know people keep getting pissed off because I say I’m unbothered by negativity but at this point I honestly am. They put a very bad taste in my mouth as far as what this organization is today. Because I know it hadn’t always been like that. Also people have to realize that every platform is different. Who’s to say that the last president would have come down this hard on us. So I don’t know what their mentality is right now but I just don’t think it was a good look for Delta. It’s nothing that I want to entertain right now at this point in my life. I rather focus on my business. If they want any money from me they’re not getting it. I just feel like I have other things that I would rather put that into.

Cast Member Shanna McCormick & Lydia

theJasmineBRAND.com: Do you still feel like a Delta?

Lydia Raquel: Absolutely, my line sisters were telling me there is no 6 without 33. You know, there is no 33 without 6. You cannot undo everything that we’ve been through as far as Delta goes. You just don’t unlearn history. I’m waiting for someone to come out with that Men in Black thing and just erase my memory. It’s unheard of. I do still feel connected.

theJasmineBRAND.com: What’s your relationship like with your line
sisters or your chapter sorors?

Lydia Raquel: I have still received a lot of love. Like my DP that brought me in and just everybody who was already close to me before and people who really knew me. We’re still good. Everybody has sent they’re love and everybody has been good. There’s one or two that are silent. You know you’re too old to be acting like this. At what point does it stop? But for the most part it’s been love.

theJasmineBRAND.com: What’s the biggest misconception that people have
from seeing you on the show?

Lydia Raquel: I don’t know. I feel like it was what it was with me. Everybody took me as what it was. I don’t even feel like I came across like somebody who is use to doing reality TV. Cause at times I was looking at myself like, ‘oh for real.’ I don’t know.

Lydia with TV Host Tanika Ray

theJasmineBRAND.com: Now that the show is over, how do you plan to
take advantage of this platform?

Lydia Raquel: You know what I came in on a mission and when that lady first met me I said you know what I never even considered doing something like this in my life, let’s be clear. So I am coming in here with much purpose and much reason. When I told her what it was it was strictly about that non-profit because I knew that it would be hard for old Lydia to go to somebody and be like I have this non-profit, I need some help, you need some money for your kids. I felt like this would be a really good platform for me to really reach out to some people. Be a recognizable face. That’s all I wanted. I just wanted a platform for my program. I know I got something on my hands that could really change our communities.

theJasmineBRAND.com: What is your biggest fear?

Lydia Raquel: I would probably have to put it back on that non-profit. That I’ve done all this and it doesn’t get to where I need it to be. I don’t even think I can really call that a fear. It’s just something that I pay attention to because I never wanted to do this just to do this. I really wanted it to be a platform for embrace. So if it won’t be that then I think it’ll be in vein.

theJasmineBRAND.com: What is your biggest vice?