Tameka Raymond Explains Her Behavior On Reality TV: Drama is value.

Tameka Raymond is new to the reality TV world. And after only three episodes in, some suggest that the ex-wife of Usher Raymond isn’t the most pleasant cast mate on VH1’s Atlanta Exes. This week, Tameka penned a lengthy open-letter of sorts on her personal web site, sharing her side of what she feels viewers have not had the opportunity to yet see. Check out a few excerpts.

On bad editing: 

Drama is value. Be it good or bad. No other place is this understood more than the medium of television. As with any reality show, we filmed hundreds of hours from which aggressive editing was initiated to elevate tension and create story. All of us, the entire cast understood this going in. We signed up for it. However, several scenes were placed together that did not happen in real time as they appeared. One joke, one side-eye or one critical comment transposed to another unrelated scene can create synthetic arguments that in reality did not occur. Editing can be and is dangerous!

On being viewed as negative:

When you watch the show, you may wonder why I ‘appear’ to be so negative. Or you may ask yourself, why did that happen? Or why did she say that? –I was going through a lot in my life. This isn’t solicitation for pity, rather understanding, especially from those who’ve experienced such times in their lives. I felt we were putting together a fluid narrative, but the editors took much of the logic out in the editing room and omitted a few kinder, more lighthearted scenes.  So, much of what you saw attitude wise didn’t make sense. And when things don’t make sense the viewer assumes the worst – which is exactly what is happening.

On initially believing Atlanta Exes would be more positive and inspiring: 

When “Atlanta Exes” came together, I was actually proud to be a part of this group of strong women who have all shared the same experience of being married to a celebrity.  I had turned down several other reality series because none of them had the promise of presenting a positive take away for the viewers.  This show was supposed to be different.  It was to be about ‘sisterhood’ and shared experiences between like-minded women. It was supposed to be positive and inspiring.

As you have seen in only three episodes, it has gotten out of hand and turned into something like the other Reality Series – the same ones I turned down in the past. The ones that further the stereotype of