Shamari DeVoe recently disclosed in an interview with the Jasmine Brand the reason behind her abrupt departure from “Real Housewives of Atlanta” was solely because the show’s producers portrayed her as a “drunk” during her stint. DeVoe first appeared on the Atlanta housewives franchise in season 11 alongside Nene Leakes, Kandi Burruss, Cynthia Bailey, Porsha Williams, and Eva Marcille.
She told the publication on July 7 that editing played a massive part in her decision to leave “RHOA” after one season while promoting her latest reality show, BET’s “The Encore.” “There’s a lot in editing, so they make you look like something that you’re not. So there was a scene that I did during [“RHOA”] that was about couples and learning different tools and skills to keep your relationship going. And they cut that whole scene out. But they wanted to show me with my [little] wine and make it seem like I’m just this drunk or whatever.”
She added, “But that’s not me. There’s a balance. Like they didn’t show the fact that I was doing the Married 4 Life Walk, that I was helping people come together, and the thing about [me drinking on camera is] I hadn’t drank in like 2 years because I was pregnant with the boys, I was breastfeeding. When I got on, they just shoving drinks at [me] left and right. … So I’m like ‘OK cool, I can finally get away from the twins.’ … [The drinks] went straight to the head.”
The mother of two also said that despite her issues with production, she is willing to return to “RHOA” if and when the timing is right. “But I love all of the ladies on the show, and I love them and I wish them well. And I’m not saying I would never go back to [“RHOA”] or anything like that, but it just has to be right for me and my family. … [The editing] got to the point where my mother was saying ‘Shamari, [why] are you drinking so much? Are you an alcoholic?'”
Rumors about DeVoe’s departure began in April 2019 after “RHOA’s” longtime friend of the show Marlo Hampton made a remark while on Instagram Live that suggested the Blaque singer wasn’t returning following the season 11 reunion.
Hampton’s response came after she was made aware that DeVoe was throwing shots at her by retweeting a post about her mugshots. She said as she mimicked the shoulder bounce that DeVoe and her husband, New Edition singer Ronnie DeVoe, did during a performance, “Shamari, c’mon now. You peachless.”
Hampton added, “You really still up here tweeting tonight? Peachless Shamari still tweeting. But, hey, girl. Stay a fan, just be a fan, now. Be sweet now, you’re peachless now.”
