Source: Twitter

Everybody knows the real reason people join the cast of “Love & Hip-Hop” isn’t to launch whatever singing or rapping career they claim to have, they’re looking at dollar signs. The question is, just how much is clowning on TV and telling all your business to $3.5 million viewers every week worth? According to CelebrityNetworth.com, that answer is a pretty penny because some of these reality stars are cashing in big time from the show’s high viewership. Take a look at the estimates some of these stars reportedly earned in 2012.

sohh.com

I sat watching Love and Hip Hop Atlanta last night, wincing at Mimi’s semi-emotional scene with the rest of the world as she poured her heart out to K.Michelle about Stevie’s baby fiasco with Joseline. Part of me wanted to feel sympathetic for her, I mean no woman wants to hear that her man has gotten someone else pregnant, but then again is Stevie even qualified to be called anyone’s man at all? I mean his penis pretty much seems to be public property. Then, I thought woah, Mimi is way too calm. This probably isn’t the first time this has happened. *sigh*

Ride or die chicks have been around since the beginning of time, Bible days if you will (go read the story of Sarah and Abraham if you need proof). Before they were known as “ride or dies”, they were simply known as women who stood by their men and didn’t dip out at the first sign of stormy weather. Somewhere around 1999 we were introduced to the term “ride or die chick”, and since then all hell has broken loose. Good women who once stood by their men in the face of normal adversity such as financial hardships, sickness, etc. were now being expected to toss all of their God-given sense out of the window and stick by their man no matter how ridiculous the foolishness is that he brings to her doorstep. This term has been marketed and romanticized by music, novels, and television to the point where it is sickening. Women eventually began to proudly rock their ride or die titles as if it were some Girl Scout’s badge of honor, which was no different than writing “I’m a fool” across their foreheads because riding for a man through any and everything is downright foolish. Every woman should draw the line somewhere.

Women have many different reasons riding with their men through the craziest of situations, the most sincere reason being love. For example, Tashera Simmons, wife of rapper DMX. I’ve always deemed her as one of the strongest wives in the entertainment industry. It can’t be easy to stay with a man who struggles with substance abuse, not to mention his countless run-ins with the law. Yet, somehow, she found the strength to stay. Sadly, in return she was cheated on and left to cope with the fact that he had six children  outside of their marriage resulting in her eventually filing for seperation. It really makes you wonder what the point is in riding for your man if this is what the end result will be. What I will say is that the man who came up with the “ride or die” philosophy is absolutely ingenious. He’s convinced women across America to give their all only to receive crap in return.

Then, you have Mimi and Stevie J. While I do believe that Mimi loves Stevie, I can’t help but think that there has to be another driving motive accompanied by love that is keeping her stagnant in that relationship.  The disrespect that Stevie demonstrates over and over is unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed before. Lastly, there’s Emily B., baby mama of Fabolous and one of the only reality stars that actually moved me to tears. I felt for Emily as she’d burst into tears on camera. It was clear that she genuinely loved Fab and was devastated that he was so reluctant to claim her publicly, not to mention the fact that he was constantly being photographed by the media with different women. Things do however, seem to be looking up for Emily these days.

Sticking by your man through hard times is one thing, but allowing him to make you his fool is something else. To be a good woman who stands by her man is admirable, to be a ride or die is foolish. Sometimes staying isn’t what makes you strong, but knowing your worth and deciding that you won’t tolerate abuse or disrespect. People do make mistakes and forgiveness is important, but once a mistake becomes a habit it is time to reevaluate.

Sound off, ladies: At what point did you have to say enough is enough?

Jazmine Denise is a New York City based Lifestyle & Relationship writer. Follow her on Twitter @jazminedenise

The pair hitting up the 40/40 Club re-opening.

Pictures can easily tell us things that people would rather not have us know–like if and when they’re creeping. And that’s what I’m sure a lot of people were thinking when a pic was unveiled of former 3LW singer Adrienne Bailon and rapper Fabolous (Emily Bustamante of Love & Hip Hop‘s ALWAYS discussed on and off again love) walking into the 40/40 Club in NYC together for its re-opening. It was looking pretty suspect only because the two were walking pretty close and there didn’t seem to be a big entourage around them that signaled a crew outing (date night possibly?). While that may be suspicious, what makes the prospect of an Adrienne and Fab hookup all the more suspect is the fact that Adrienne and Emily seem to be somewhat chummy. They’ve been seen taking photos together (look down), even though we’ve never really heard Emily acknowledge what those two crazy kids are. But for the most part, it seems that where Fab goes…Adrienne will be.

But in an interview with Power 105.1 personality Cherry Martinez, she said that the two are not getting it in, but are simply really good friends. Mhmmm. That’s probably what Cassie said too.

“We’re over it. We’re literally like 3 years into saying that I date Fab! Em [Emily], me and Fab … we’re over it.” She continues: “My best friend Ashley is Fab’s assistant. Like we’re literally a family, a crew, we all hang out together. And that’s totally normal guys. Like that’s normal. I actually don’t think I’ve ever hung out with Fab by myself. If ever someone can find me a picture of me and Fab alone–anywhere in life– PLEASE come forward. Come forward. Leak it to the blogs. We hang out … I’m great friends with his manager and we’re all friends.”

Once again: mhmm. Have Emily tell it on Love & Hip Hop, and it seems that Fab didn’t really want to make time to be at home with her when she wanted him there, but he sure gets snapped at all these random events with Adrienne. Not that this is an all too important life or death situation, but I’m pretty sure we were all giving her appearances around town with him the side eye after a while, because she sure spends more time with him than she does singing, acting or doing things to put her name back out there for her talents. I just wonder if I were in Emily’s shoes, if I would be so excited about someone I’m with (off and on) being seen out more with another female (who I doubt he was besties with before we got together), snapping and taking photos with her when he had me playing in the background for years–like Quasimodo–so people wouldn’t know I was his woman. But he’s grinning and cheesing with her any and everywhere? No matter what’s going on between Adrienne and Fab, that comes off a bit shady in my opinion. But hey, if Emily is cool with it and gets it, then it I guess it’s all good! That’s all that “being realistic” ish, right? (*sarcasm*)

More on Madame Noire!

• Evening Eye Candies: 6 HOT Reasons to See “Red Tails” NOW…The Delicious Cast
• Sisters In Hiding: Not So Famous Sisters of Famous Celebs
• Delusions Of A Thirsty Chick
• Racism? Why I’m Not Surprised By The Help’s Nomination For Best Picture
• 7 Curl Defining Products to Get Your Curls and Coils Poppin’
• Traits of Trifling Parents
• He Loves Me: Men Who Just Adore Their Wives
• New Documentary Gets ‘In Our Heads About Our Hair’

Kimbella and Emily

Who checked out the premiere of Love & Hip-Hop last night? I’m sure many people did because some of the cast members and the show were trending topics on Twitter last night, so discussion about the season premiere was going all around the Internet. I must say, when I first started watching this show during the first season, I was impressed with it way more than the Basketball Wives and Real Housewives-type shows because there WASN’T any real fighting. People would bicker and have their disagreements, but in reality, the show followed a group of women trying to get their hustle on, career wise and love wise (even if Chrissy’s hustle is just to get a ring). I could respect that. Now they’re back and they’ve had the full VH1 makeover: folks are fighting now, and over dumb stuff.

Last night, the talk of the town was the big brawl between newbie Kimbella (the mother of Juelz Santana’s son) and Chrissy (coincidentally, Jim Jones’ long-time girlfriend). What was crazy about it was the fact that the fight was over issues that had nothing to do with Chrissy. We all know castmember Emily’s drama with rapper Fabolous and their torrid relationship (he failed to acknowledge her in public and cheated repeatedly). Well, she moved on (allegedly), and to celebrate that, Emily threw an independence party and invited all the ladies, including new cast member Yandy, who brought along Kimbella. In some type of Evelyn-meets-Tami of Basketball Wives drama, Kimbella had it on her heart that she wanted to tell Emily about a past relationship with Fabolous–a relationship that occurred while Emily was pregnant with his child. She was hoping it would clear the air and keep the two women from having any drama in the future, because she didn’t want that. And while Emily appeared a bit hurt, she thanked Kimbella for being upfront with the information, and said it made her even more proud that she left her situation with the rapper. They somewhat squashed it, and were all set to raise glasses for a toast of some sort…but that wasn’t good enough for Chrissy.

Chrissy didn't want to feel the love when the conversation was over...

Enraged at the fact that Kimbella thought Emily’s independence party was the appropriate party to break such embarrassing and hurtful news, she set it off. The ladies squabbled: weaves were pulled out, behinds out, screams and grunts all a-flutter from those in the room. After the show ended and the dust had settled, people were all over the blogs and Twitter praising Chrissy for her act of “valor” and for having Emily’s back. Many hours later it still seems like I’m the only one who thought that girl’s behavior was horrendous–and no, I’m not talking about Kimbella. Yes, she could have told Emily later during a private dinner, or at least pulled Emily to the side, but I don’t think attacking her with a suckerpunch and literally kicking her while she was down was the next best reaction by Miss Chrissy Lampkin.

I once had a friend of mine ask me what I thought makes someone a good friend. I definitely think having your friend’s back when they need you is important, but I also think a good friend will know when to step back and let you fight your own battles. Cover me if I get jumped, but step back and let me do my thing otherwise. The only thing I’ve heard Kimbella say since she popped up on screen that made sense was that Emily is a grown a** woman with a child. That, she is, therefore, she should have been the one to handle Kimbella and her confession in whatever way she saw fit. If that meant brushing it off as one of many side pieces Fabolous had and dropped the issue, that’s on her. Now, if she wanted to dropkick Kimbella, that would have been a little left, but at least that’s her right and her fight. Sorry, but I can’t stand when people don’t let folks talk for themselves.

Maybe the definition of what a good friend is, is vastly different to everyone, because I saw so many women on social media last night saying they would have done the same thing for their friends. Really? Why? A good friend should allow you the chance to fight your own battles and learn from them so you can grow, and on their end, be there to listen and support, not stomp somebody out. Chrissy has enough drama of her own, what with Mama Jones recording diss tracks about her and her man losing his engagement ring (the ring she gave him when she proposed), so the last thing she needs to do is try and play hero for someone else. Credit should be given to Emily for making the decision to leave Fab in the first place, even if temporarily, so the same credit and respect should be given to her to handle her OWN business. Please: be grown, and act grown.

What were your thoughts on last night’s battle royale? Check it out in full here.

More on Madame Noire!

• 6 Bangin’ Hairstyles for Lovers of Bangs
• Are White Men Trophy Husbands to Some Black Women?
• 8 Reasons Why Water is So Important to Our Health
• Ask the Luv Coach: “He is Not Interested in Sex With Me Anymore”
• 6 Lies Women Tell To Make A Man Like Them
• 7 Things NOT To Tell Your Mom About Your Relationship
• Is Wearing a Weave For Everyone?