All Articles Tagged "O’Neal"

You Need More People: Shaunie Says She Was ‘Blindsided’ By Basketball Wives Cuts

June 18th, 2012 - By Alissa Henry
Share to Twitter Email This

Source: Poptower.com

After “Basketball Wives” creator and executive producer Shaunie O’ Neal announced that she wouldn’t return to “Basketball Wives” for Season 5 unless three castmembers were cut, Kesha Nichols, Royce Reed, and Jennifer Williams all received pink slips. Now all of a sudden Shaunie is saying she was totally “blindsided” by the cut.

TMZ reports:

“Basketball Wives” star Shaunie O’Neal says it’s not her fault three cast members were axed … telling people she learned the news when everyone else did …

But Shaunie is telling friends, despite the accusations, the cuts were NOT made by her. Sources close to Shaunie tell TMZ she was blindsided by the news. Shaunie says the production company leaves her in the dark about everything after she butted heads with them over the violent direction the show was headed (i.e on-air brawls and cat-fights).

According to our sources, Shaunie is upset over the current situation and wants Shed Media (the production company) to know she is willing to walk away from the series if it becomes something she no longer believes in.

So, Shaunie expects us to believe that she had nothing to do with the cuts? Is Shaunie redefining the word “blindsided” to mean “not blindsided at all” the way her show has redefined “wife” to mean “not married to anyone”? Maybe Shaunie is saying that she was blindsided by who got cut — especially since many thought it would be Tami and Evelyn. Still, it is hard to believe that she isn’t exerting control over who is in and who is out.

Further, her threats about walking away from the show if it becomes something she no longer believes in doesn’t make sense. What could possibly happen now that would make her walk away considering she has stayed put despite what happened last season?

Shaunie trying to distance herself from the problems on that show is ridiculous considering she is the creator and executive producer. But I guess the reality show star’s finger pointing isn’t surprising considering she has already said: “I won’t take responsibility for what [the show] has turned into.” Clearly, she will place the responsibility on any and everyone else instead. Shaunie is hard to believe though because, like with this most recent backpedaling, it is evident she is all about the drama both on-screen and off.

Do you think Shaunie is really in the dark about “Basketball Wives?”

Alissa Henry is a freelance writer living in Columbus, OH. Follow her on Twitter @AlissaInPink or check out her blog This Cannot Be My Life

More on Madame Noire!

Pick Three: Who Should Be Kicked Off Basketball Wives?

June 12th, 2012 - By Alissa Henry
Share to Twitter Email This

Source: bossip.com

If you watch VH1′s  Basketball Wives reunion episodes, it may be the last time you see at least three of the ‘wives’.

If not, executive producer Shaunie O’Neal says she is out.

She told Insider.com that she doesn’t want to go back and “has no problem walking away from the franchise.”

From Insider:

Asked when it’s time to say when, Shaunie replies, “I say when right before it’s time to sign on the dotted line … [at the] end of summer.” She adds, “I won’t take responsibility for what it has turned into.”

Shaunie says she is worried about getting physically hurt, and sick of the drama and of taking the blame, as she’s been widely criticized for not doing enough to stop the outrageous behavior.

“It’s always going to be drama because it’s women together,” says Shaunie, “but I think the level of where it’s going is out of control and I do believe that certain ladies realize that and are taking responsibility.”

Still, the show’s executive producer tells Kevin exclusively that changes need to be made to the cast, and that means ejecting a few from “the game.”

“Three [from Miami],” says Shaunie. “Immediately. No questions asked. Not anything personal, just not where I’m trying to go. Not on the same page. … If I would like this franchise to keep going, yeah, three would have to go.”

Not sure where Shaunie is “trying to go” with Basketball Wives but it seems this show has been there and back. Good luck trying to tone it down! Doesn’t seem fair to pin the blame for this chaotic show solely on the cast members when, clearly, producers and editors are stirring up the drama we see on screen. But, then again, I guess Shaunie would know better than anyone who is at fault.

So which three do you think it will be? Do you agree that putting women together automatically means there will be “drama” as Shaunie says?

Alissa Henry is a freelance writer in Columbus, OH. Follow her on Twitter @AlissaInPink or check out her blog: This Cannot Be My Life. 

More on Madame Noire!

Get the MadameNoire
Newsletter
The best stories sent right to your inbox!
close [x]