The OG Housewife Phaedra Parks is back! The former “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star is making her return to Bravo’s hit TV franchise for an all-star special as well making her acting debut in ALLBLK’s “Covenant.”
Atlanta Black Star caught up with the attorney and reality star to discuss it all.
Parks will appear in a housewife spin-off following the “Ultimate Girls Trip,” that filmed in Turks and Caicos earlier this year with Kenya Moore, Teresa Giudice, former housewife Cynthia Bailey and others.
Parks explained that although fans enjoy the typical structure of the “Housewives” franchise, this spin-off show will be more “classic.”
“We had a wonderful week plus-plus in the Berkshires at the Blue Stone Manor, which is Dorinda [Medley]’s fabulous estate. It’s classic housewives: fashion, foolery, fun, tears, fights, everything. Classic. It’s gonna be awesome.”
Including Parks, the second season of “Ultimate Girls Trip” stars housewives Dorinda Medley and Jill Zarin of New York, Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge of Orange County, Brandi Glanville and Taylor Armstrong of Beverly Hills, and Eva Marcille Sterling, also from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
“I think it was a great fit because what makes the ‘Housewives’ successful is you get very big personalities. You put them together, and they explode or crash and burn,” Parks said. “I fell in love with a lot of the women ’cause … in every character you can see a little bit of yourself from some perspective.”
Parks admitted she was warned about certain castmates, such as Glanville, whom she described as a “wild child” she adores. Nevertheless, she said she enjoyed being surrounded by a group of “iconic” women who were essential in building Bravo’s franchise series, including the 2008 premiere of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
“I don’t think anyone knew it would be what it obviously turned out to be,” Parks shared, thinking of her introduction to the series in 2010. “I remember talking to NeNe [Leakes] about it when it first started.”
“NeNe and Sheree [Whitfiled], we all knew each other in real life and were in the social circle,” she continued. “But I don’t think anyone imagined [“RHOA”] would reach half the level of success that it did. We just went into it not realizing it would become this whole pop culture phenomenon. And it did.”
Parks also dished on prepping for her scripted role in the third installment of the four-part anthology drama, “Covenant.” She will play Bernice Whitfield, beloved mother and wife to CEO and founder Conroy Whitfield. Her goal is to maintain her family’s legacy by having her two sons take over their dad’s multi-million-dollar real estate firm.
“I took acting classes. When I first read the script, I loved it but wanted to definitely get a substantial role,” Parks said. “Bernice is the role I wanted. So I took private coaching lessons, classes, and auditioned just like everyone else, and got the role.”
“It’s definitely a journey,” she added. “I had to learn the theories behind different acting styles but it worked out so I’m super excited. It’s my acting debut.”
As with any of her other entrepreneurial efforts, Parks always has the support of her family and two sons, Ayden, 11, and 8-year-old Dylan Nida.
“My family is super excited but they are always supportive of whatever I do and like always, they jumped on board,” Parks shared. “My youngest brother, [Albert Bell], he helped me as well as my sons go over lines. We practiced and to see it come to fruition, it’s going to be amazing.”
“Covenant” is available on ALLBLK’s streaming services.
More news from our partners:
