Kenya N. Byrd



Some say that DeShawn Snow was the quiet in the storm of drama that rained on Bravo's dramality series "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." In reality television, playing it safe doesn't lure viewers or make the grade; when it comes to ratings, only diva antics, tension and catfights will do. As the remaining ladies—Lisa Wu Hartwell, NeNe Leakes, Sheree Whitfield and Kim Kolciak—gear up for the second installment, Snow learned on Monday that she would not be returning to the cast. Snow spoke candidly with ESSENCE.com about the call that hurt her, why Bravo won't be able to replace her, and how she plans to keep it moving.

ESSENCE.COM: We hear that you are no longer returning to "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." Is that true?

DESHAWN SHOW: Yes, one of the producers called me yesterday and said that they wouldn't take my option.

ESSENCE.COM: What reason did they give for not inviting you back for the second season?

SNOW: [One of the producers] called and said that I was "too human for a circus show" and that because the show did so well, they are about to pump up the drama and they didn't think that I would fit in. He gave me an example, saying that during the reunion when I found out what a few of the other ladies said about me, they were expecting me to say more, but I'm not the type to go "television" and start acting crazy because somebody's talking about me. I'm fine with the decision. It wasn't my decision. They let me go and there are no hard feelings. I am thankful for the opportunity.

ESSENCE.COM: So were you at all shocked by the decision?

SNOW: I didn't see it coming. I was shocked because I just talked to them in December about the new season. It's not like they came to me and gave me an option by saying, "We're going to take a new direction and we want to know if you could be more like this." I was a little hurt, but I just look at it like I am what I am. [My personality] didn't seem to be a problem before, but I suppose the show took a different direction and they no longer see me as the right fit. If you look at all the other housewives, they are all different. I believe God moves people out of your way. It's about God having his hand upon you and doing things for you. I'm not judging my situation. I look at the show as just a shutter-glimpse of what God has in store for me. I enjoyed being on the show and hanging with the girls. At the end of the day, I was the same person throughout the show. I never changed. I was authentic and true to myself and I can't control what other people do.

ESSENCE.COM: There are rumors that Tameka Foster might replace you. Is that true?

SNOW: Yes, I heard that, but I don't know. I wouldn't say that they are replacing me because they didn't think I was real enough or too real enough for the show, so I doubt they are going to bring in someone who has a similar personality as mine.

ESSENCE.COM: What can we expect from you in the near future?
SNOW: I'm still in school. I have a lot of opportunities and I'm thankful for all the fans. I'm writing a pre-teens and teenagers book series, which is faith-based and inspired by my life. I also have the college fair coming up again in March for the foundation and our second annual fundraising dinner in May; and of course, our annual summer camp. In terms of speaking engagements, I have a few lined up during the inauguration and I'll be receiving the AGAPE award along with Juanita Bynum.

ESSENCE.COM: We love that you are keeping it moving. Any parting words to your fans?

SNOW: I'm thankful for my fans that've sent me a lot of e-mails saying that I inspire and encourage them. I'm also a monthly columnist for Streamingfaith.com. Again, I just want to stress that there are no hard feelings about me not returning to "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." Please join my Web site and know that you haven't seen the last of me. I wish the girls much success. Our show had the highest ratings, and I can always say I was a part of its success.


http://www.essence.com/news_entertainment/entertainment/articles/deshawn_snow_off_show



Wow. That's messed up.  They axed her because she was boring.  What's really messed up is how they never mentioned it when she talked to them the first time.  I wonder if they are about to start taping the second season sometime in the next couple of weeks.  Oh well, that's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes. You're damned if you do, and damned if you don't.