Popular cast-mate and “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” star Atasha ‘Tommie Lee‘ Jefferson revealed in season 6 that she struggles with alcohol. During Monday’s episode, VH1 producers stepped in and addressed the star’s habit.
The Atlanta staff brought Tommie in their eastern production office where she sat down with a substance abuse expert Joe Schrank. She explained to the counselor that “alcoholism runs deep” in her family and that it’s “embarrassing.” The film crew believed her excessive drinking was the cause of her prior physical encounter with the Atlanta staff.
Jefferson was prohibited from filming with the rest of the cast due to her explosive confrontation with the Atlanta staff. According to VH1, she reportedly physically attacked producers and security behind the scenes and threatened to hurt them and their family members. Many of the crew members refused to work with the reality star and the executive producer Stephanie Gayle said Tommie was “spiraling.”
The reality star opened up to the substance expert and explained that alcohol helps her “cope with a lot of things going on in my life.
“I donât really have support. To deal with the thoughts of my mom, not liking me, hating me and the stress that Iâm going through with my brothers and sisters like how big my heart is and open to everybodyâ they donât feel the same way about me so that kinda like hurts,” Tommie added.
Schrank told the reality star that in order for her to continue to film and be “a part of the show” she would not be allowed to drink on the show. He asked Tommie if she considered herself an alcoholic and she said, “No I don’t and I’m not.”
Jefferson added how important it is to “make her mother proud even if we don’t get along.”
Fans sympathized with Tommie and hoped that she receives the help she needs.
Iâm praying for you seriously Tommie đđđœ. Mental health is so important #LHHATL
— CAPONE đ (@Do_Re_Mesha) June 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/serde_/status/1008863441786941446
I hope Tommie gets the help she need because i really do like her. #LHHATL
— LYRI! (@aalyrianna) June 19, 2018
Tommie is just breaking my heart đ I donât think she a violent person, I just think she is naturally easily provoked and liquor increases that! I do think she is an alcoholic and should get help. The first step is acceptance. đą#LHHATL pic.twitter.com/RfyTT7EwBe
— FINEST NY APPLE đ (@iamraygoldie) June 19, 2018
Other fans were not keen on the intervention and accused VH1’s Mona Scott-Young of exploiting Jefferson for television ratings.
I understand why Tommie was removed from the cast, but Mona and her crew monopolize on dysfunction and then penalizes when the drama gets too cose for comfort. I'm guessing this talk with Joe is their way of showing accountability. #lhhatl
— Doctah Lecia (@LookNLive) June 19, 2018
Can we talk about how Mona & the tv producers claim to want to help Tommie yet in the same breath are capitalizing off of her alcoholism for tv ratings….#LHHATL pic.twitter.com/TPsuU9pHTW
— KOFIMANIA (@willyoncejr) June 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/MzMetto/status/1008875165504167936
