Lala Anthony: Being a Basketball Wife Isn’t the Only Thing That Defines Me

February 10th, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

While baby mamas, side pieces, ex-girlfriends, and jump-offs of basketball players pull crazy stunts to appear on TV every week with the titled of so-called basketball wives, Lala Anthony, an actual wife of a basketball player, says the title isn’t one to be taken lightly.

The wife of Carmelo Anthony covers the latest issue of YRB Magazine, and inside she talks about everything from her reality shows to being a role model to her career aspirations, and of course, being a basketball wife. Check out highlights of the interview:

On Being a Basketball Wife

“I’m married to a basketball player. I love being [Carmelo’s] wife, so I don’t look at it as a negative thing. I think it’s just like anything else and what you are doing with whatever title you have. I’m a lot of other things, too, so that’s not the only thing that defines me.

“It’s an honor. Something like that comes with work. You are not going to be labeled that by just sitting around with Louboutins on and not doing anything. I want to get out there as I have been and make a difference in N.Y.”

On Her Personal Image and Lala’s Full Court Life

“I like that people think I’m so down to earth and real because that’s how I really am and I want to show that on the show, and also show that my life isn’t perfect. I go through things like everybody else. When there is a bad moment and you want to turn the cameras off, that’s not reality. I don’t want to do that.”

On Emulating Her Career After Oprah

“She started in radio; I started in radio. She produced; I produced Tyson. She has done acting. She has done branding – she’s done everything.There was a time when people only wanted you doing one thing. If you are a host, you are only a host, only an actress, only a singer… And now, in this day and age, it’s about doing a lot of things and being good at all of them. I just want to prove that one person can be good at a lot of different things.”

On Being a Role Model

“I don’t have to think about being a role model or doing things a certain way because all I do is really just be myself, and so far, that’s worked for me,” she says. The responsibilities might become overwhelming for another personality, but it’s all in a day’s work for La La. ”This is what comes with the territory of who I am. I would never complain about it. It’s a blessing to be in this position and do something that I love. I’m happy with my life, I’m happy with the position I’m in, and I’m happy to be in a position 
to help others and be a role model to girls out there. That’s a wonderful thing.”

Check out the rest of her profile on YRB.

Do you think Lala sets a good example of a basketball wife and reality TV star?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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  • gmommy1

    I only think you can be a role model when you let people know ALL that you have been through and how you have gotten to where you are now. Just saying you are a role model doesn’t cut it.There are people who knew you when and know the real you way before Carmelo so be real.

  • http://twitter.com/nelle_ROSE Janelle Caldwell

    Thank god for Lala. She’s beautiful, multi-talented, and a REAL basketball wife. A true role model for young black women.

  • Dina

    I liked LaLa UNTIL she got her reality show. No matter how she depicts herself and her life, to me she is just like the rest of the basketball wives. She’s getting attention FOR being a “basketball wife”. If you are “more” than a basketball wife, then do your own thing instead of announcing it 24/7. She has been with Melo for quite awhile now so there is no need for her to keep on mentioning the subject. She got plastic surgery done, is wearing more fashionable clothes, which there is nothing wrong with that. But it just comes off very fake, as if she’s just trying to keep up with Kardashian and company.

    • Atin

      Carmelo appeared on the show maybe twice. The show was based on her life. Of course Carmelo would come up in discussion because that’s her husband and he’s apart of her life. The show was named Lala’s Full Court, not Lala and Carmelo. She makes her own money and does her own thing. If they were to split, she would still be the same person doing the same thing.  Your reason for not liking her anymore doesn’t make sense. And maybe she mentions it because they ask. My parents have been married 26 years and they STILL mention one anther when speaking with people. It’s what married couples do.

      • Diamondgyrl

        There is nothing wrong with casually mentioning your spouse, I would hope so especially after 26 years of marriage. But in her case, it is different these people are in the media. If she is “more than a basketball wife” there would be no need to do continuous interviews about why she is “more than a basketball wife”. Everyone already KNOWS she is a basketball wife and who she is married to, so the keep reiterating it is un necessary. We get it, she should quit TALKING and just do all the wonderful, fabulous things supposedly so good at. The show and being Carmelo’s wife is the only reason why people even watched it in the first place. And when did that show start airing? After her WEDDING aired. 

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  • datmiamiboi

    I glad at least she’s not on Basketball Wives acting stupid, ahe is very classy, and sophsicated. A lot of these women can learn a lot from her.

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