Real Housewives of Atlanta: Episode 6 'Alter Ego Photo shoot'

Kandi, Nene, Lisa, Kim, Sheree - Bravo TV's Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 2

That old saying of "a photo speaks a thousand words" is so true in this episode 6 of Bravo TV's The Real Housewives of Atlanta. From the girls' alter ego shoot to Kandi's personal tragedy, the ladies truly extend themselves to send their own powerful statements.

Before we read further, here are some brief acronyms you may need: RHOA = Real Housewives of Atlanta; OC= On-camera-to-audience talk the ladies give as their one-to-one personal perspective; TMI = Too much information. Last week's RHOA Episode 5 recap here.

SCENES

Minx'ing it up:

Episode 6 of RHOA 'Alter Ego photo shoot' opens with the show's breakout star Nene entering a salon where she meets Sheree and Kandi for a little pamper me/chat time. Minx nails is the service of choice for all three ladies. Sheree is quick to let us know she was one of the first to wear Minx nails in Atlanta after hearing that both Beyonce and Rihanna are Minx nail fans. (Click link above to learn more about Minx nails.)

When Kandi arrives, Nene asks Kandi (playing around) if she will be grooming her "coochie hair". A little TMI when Sheree reveals that she is completely hairless below or as Nene poignantly puts it "she's bald-headed".  

Nene informs the girls about the alter ego photo shoot she set up with celebrity photographer, Derek Blanks and how it is the hottest thing now.  Nene's OC: "Derek Blanks did alter ego photo shoots for Diddy, Jennifer Hudson, Pharrell, and Ciara". Both ladies look happy to hear about the shoot. But then, Nene adds that she will be both director and stylist for the shoot. Now, the once looks of happiness have turned to worried glances. However, this is a great idea that Nene has i.e. to have the girls become their rumored personalities. 

Who will they be:

Nene reveals she will be both a stripper and the guy watching the stripper.

Nene tells Sheree that she wants Sheree breaking into an ATM for 7 figures while dressed in a prison costume. Clearly a reference to Sheree Whitfield's divorce settlement from ex-husband ex-NFL player Bob Whitfield. Sheree's face is less than enthused and a bit skeptical. Sheree's OC moment: "I don't feel like I robbed the bank. If I did, sh&$ where is the money."  Sheree only accepts NeNe's idea after learning that can be a sexy robber. Details on Sheree's divorce settlement from Bob Whitfield here. 

Nene tells Kandi she was going to make Kandi both the bride and groom (being that Kandi is engaged) but then on second thought, Nene realized that having Kandi be "hood" makes more sense. No matter what a person says, you have to hand it to Nene because whether Nene says it as an OC moment or with the other girls, Nene will definitely voice her opinion to the person's face. After Kandi laughs the hood remark off, Nene actually tells Kandi "You are ghetto".  But what is funnier here is how Kandi actually comes across in her OC moment with "Nene, had the nerve to say I was ghetto. If you ask me, she's ghettoist oneofus all" [sic]. (Kandi slurred the one of us all together so much that it sounded like one word so it is written that way on purpose.) In reference to Nene, Kandi goes on to say "If I'm ghetto, she [sic] ghetto". Kandi laughs Nene's comments off with her own comment about Nene bringing ghetto wherever Nene goes.  Quickly, Nene lets everyone know she would definitely tell you if she was from the hood, but she's from Athens (Georgia). She goes on to say that Athens is definitely not the projects.

Favorite topic:

Next, Kim becomes the topic of conversation. Kandi tells the girls she will be producing Kim's "Tardy for the Party". Kandi suggests to Nene that they go out to her car and listen to the song again. Nene and Kandi sit in Kandi's car while they discuss what they will do with Kim's possible breakout hit. Remember Kim told Kandi that she wanted both she and Nene as artists on "Tardy for the Party". Kandi finds out that neither Nene nor Kim have recording experience. Kandi looks scared to have her name attached to an amateur project while Nene looks confident she can pull it off. Nene's OC moment: "I'm not telling the world I'm a singer, what I'm telling the world is that I can sing better than Kim". Kim's final recording of "Tardy for the Party" heard on Ryan Seacrest below. 

After hearing Kim sing in studio with music man Dallas Austin last season and hearing what Kandi was able to do with Kim singing the updated version of "Tardy for the Party", Kandi may need to moonlight as part magician.  Song is quite a cute pop song.

Roll it gals:

Four out of five of the girls turn out to learn how to belly dance, not sure where Kim is on this day. Moments to enjoy were Kandi's split like she is on "For the Love of Ray J"; Nene's salt shaker booty shaking; Lisa and Kandi's '80s "Kid n' Play" moves. However, we see a very hip-challenged Sheree make a valiant effort and wiggling.  Please go and watch the extended version on Bravotv.com.  Clearly, the belly-dancing moves from Nene are meant to foreshadow her alter ego stripper show.  

Kim & Kandi:

Kim's driving to a meeting with Lisa when she decides to call up her new BFF Kandi for a pep talk.  Kandi always comes across as having a level-head when giving advice to Kim. However, in episodes of late, Kandi does get a little gossipy with moments of her innocent-kind-of-inciting awkward topics of conversations. Kandi says to Kim "Speaking of Queen Bee, Derek Blanks is letting her [Nene] direct the photo shoot". This prompts Kim to talk a bit of trash about her on-again/off-again/old/new/BFF/Sworn enemy Nene. Interesting how both Nene and Kim talk trash about each other in the company of others but when they are together, Kim and Nene are like the keys on a piano. Hmmm, looks like neither one of these ladies really trusts the other.

Mistress meets wife:

Kim arrives to Lisa sitting on the patio. Lisa opens up the awkward meeting with the rumor that Kim called her a crack whore.  Kim responds with a Google excuse? Yes, she blames it on Google... well partly.  Kim explains that she subscribes to Google Alerts for herself.  She goes on to say she was reading a website aloud to whomever was listening. Kim says the site said something negative about everyone including a reference to herself and Nene being former strippers; a reference to Sheree bouncing checks; and a reference to Lisa being or having been a crack whore.

Lisa does not let Kim get away with a Google excuse. Lisa lets Kim know that she not only heard the crack whore comment from Sheree but from various people in various circles. Kim denies the comment in a very Sarah Palin-ish "I'm-resigning-as-mayor-of-Alaska-way" with ramblings that don't quite connect (without any sports references). Bravo TV's camera shots of Lisa rolling her eyes and quick edited shots of Kim's rambling are hilarious.  Lisa interrupts Kim's rant explaining that while neither Lisa nor Kim need to like each other, they both need to respect each other's space. Kim agrees and adds that she understands that when Lisa was angry that Lisa' words were meant to cut her. A spirited Lisa responds with "I was't trying to cut you but I said I'd flip you over the couch".  All in all, meeting goes well and both apologize. Lisa's OC moment gives us all a lesson on dealing with people - be aware of who people are and respect the other person's space because in the end, that is all anyone can do.

Absentee fathers:

While Kandi and Sheree enjoy a sweet treat at Chocolate Pink, Kim is the topic of conversation again. Sheree starts it off with a general Kim warning to Kandi. Kandi lets her know that while she appreciates the warning, she really would rather give Kim the benefit of the doubt. It seems that Kandi feels like she has to explain a little further why she and Kim are cool, so Kandi talks about her bond with Kim. Kandi shares that her daughter Riley's father does not take an active role in Riley's life and how her new BFF Kim understands this concept because she is also a single parent. But Sheree quickly adds that she, too, is suffering from an absentee father when it comes to her own children.  Kandi is surprised to hear of this since she and Bob were cool back in the day and how everyone in the streets thought Bob was the cat's meow.  Sheree's OC moment: "I knew Kandi knew my ex. Kandi used to date one of Bob's best friends".  Sheree says it was the "street version" of Bob she fell in love with but at home he was a completely different character.

Drunk driving tragedy:

Still at Chocolate Pink, Sheree asks about the engagement party for Kandi and AJ (Kandi's fiance). Kandi shares that a week ago (from this particular day of taping) AJ's son and her cousins were spending the night at her home for Spring Break. She adds that both she and AJ decided to let the young people go out that night.  While their family members were hanging out their vehicle was hit head-on by a drunk driver.  An emotional Kandi says that her cousins are on crutches but AJ's youngest nephew is still in ICU. Kandi says that she knew drunk driving was an issue but it never occurred to her how devastating it can be until it  happened to her. She further states that everyone must be aware that a drunk driver can change your life in an instant. Sheree and Kandi share a few tears and bond. Sheree tells Kandi that both she and AJ and their respective families are in her prayers.

The search for Mary Poppins:

Kim's first Bravo TV nanny said that Kim's children were going to hell for rapping a prayer said in Spanish. That same nanny ended up leaving the children alone on her quest to search for a tampon. Needless to say, Kim had that nanny fired and continued her search. This time we meet prospective nanny candidate Tianna. As Kim interviews Tianna, this clever girl interrupts Kim with a "I like your boots" comment. Smart move Tianna! The holy grail is in Kim's eyes as she hears the comment and proceeds to put down Tianna's resume in awe. It looks like Kim has found the best nanny ever. One interesting tidbit here is that Kim says that she can have the major grocery store chain, PUBLIX, deliver her tampons and other needs. Um, I did not know they do personal deliveries, I will have to test that theory on a later date with my influential friends. Oops, I guess I should mention that there is a quick glimpse of Kim's assistant, Myleik. (Still not sure why both an assistant and a nanny is needed for Kim Zolciak but maybe we will learn their job functions on future Bravo TV episodes. Yeah, that with the true identity of Big Papa.)

Wine Interlude with L&N:

Over Lisa's house, Lisa tells Nene how she met with Kim today. Lisa reiterates why she met with Kim "to let her know my boundaries". Within this social call, Nene shares that she has been hearing that Kim has been complaining about Nene's styling choice for her own alter ego photo shoot. Nene's OC: "It's just playing dress up for the day. Be a black girl. I mean really, I would be a white girl".

Nene shares with Lisa that Kandi called Nene and decided to have her alter ego photo-shoot become a sort of political statement due to her family tragedy.  Great idea Kandi! The anticipation to see Kandi's shoot grows.

Alter Ego photo shoot:

Nene is outside Derek Blanks' studio explaining today's alter ego photo shoot to easy-going hubby Greg. Nene explains that the shoot is of two separate shots of each person. These shots will then be merged into one amazing alter ego photo. When discussing the girls, Nene seems frustrated when we hear that Kim's decided to be a "Stepford Wife" along with her second look of being a mistress. Nene says "she's a mistress anyway" and Greg adds "Well, there's no rehearsal in it for her". You can completely understand that Nene really wanted to have Kim push her boundaries. Greg lightens up the mood by telling Nene he has to go by the bank so he can "make it rain" bills when he sees Nene do her stripper dance.  Nene blushes and says that she would love to do an alter ego photo shoot for the husbands - quickly adding "the 2 (husbands) we got".

Derek Blanks' indoors:

At Derek Blanks' studio, Lisa is up first. Lisa is the good girl/bad girl.

Shoot Lisa - Good Girl/Bad Girl:

Nene has Lisa dress up in a Girls' Scout outfit complete with cute girlie style and cookie boxes. The idea is to have Lisa and her cookies, pushed off her bicycle by her motorcycle-driven bad girl alter ego. And man oh man, Lisa's alter ego is fierce. She looks like a sexy futuristic head of an Asian punk gang.

Shoot Kandi - DUI/ Drunk Driving Victim:

When Sheree arrives to the studio, she and Kandi talk. Kandi tells Sheree she spoke with Nene and decided she wants to create a statement regarding her family tragedy.  Kandi decided on having one of her alter ego looks be a drunk driver behind the wheel of a vehicle while her second look would be of Kandi hit by that same drunk driver. Kandi's shoot goes over amazing. Kandi gripping a liquor bottle with tears streaming down her face while sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle- powerful. And when we see Kandi's second look of laying draped over the windshield of the vehicle with blood smeared on her cheek? Kandi did this shoot justice. Nene can't give enough praise to Kandi for doing such an amazing job in the face of such a recent tragedy.

Civil War:

Sheree and Kim are left alone. But instead of a hair tugging brawl, Sheree breaks the ice and starts talking to Kim in a civil manner. Sheree tells Kim she would like to do a dinner in support of what Kandi is going through. Both seem to lay down their swords for a moment, but their digs were not far behind with Kim saying that she loves Kandi because she is "very level-headed, very honest"  and Sheree retorts with "and real". LOL (Clearly a dig from Kim's run-in with a hair-tugging Sheree after she called Sheree a liar and a dig from Sheree claiming that everything about Kim is fake.)

Shoot Kim - Holly Hobby/Lolita:

Kim's up next. And she is mortified with her "Stepford Wife" wig. She hates the dark-haired-bob look.  Dwight arrives and sees a disgusted Kim but Mr. Fashion lets Kim know that her dark-haired-bob- wig works well with her eyes. Kim shoos off his opinion but that does not spoil Dwight's fun. Of course, Nene's BFF does not disappoint the viewers when he decides to put on some heels and tantalizes us a with a slight drag show.  You just have to love Dwight!

This is just not Kim's episode.  Kim's shoot is clearly the least soul searching effort of all. And because of this, numbering form is in order: 1. Laundromat 2. Kim 3. Shoot. We all wanted to see Kim stretch herself further and do something like being a black girl but she played it safe and it was boring.  Kim still comes out pretty but still it is a *snore*.

Shoot Sheree - Fashion Diva/Gold Digger:

Thank God we get to see Sheree and Nene after Kim's boring shoot.  Sheree's first look is that of a fashionista getting surprised by her second look - a sexy robber holding cash. Sheree admits that after hearing all the negativity about her divorce, she is happy to make fun of herself. Sheree's shoot is feminine and gorgeous.

Shoot Nene - Aristocrat/Ebony Vixen (nip alert):

Nene's first look is playing a high society woman sitting at the table giving up dollar bills to her second look - stripper girl with the red corset. Dwight has a brief OC comment about Nene having great melons popping out of her red corset.  Nene may not be a pearl-wearer but she looks lovely just the same and demure just the same.

However, Nene's alter ego look is something else fantastic. Nene begins her pole dancing and hubby Greg is seen looking extremely happy while taking pictures with his camera phone.  With tongue flickering and gyrating pole dancing, Nene's melons caused the red corset to have a brief Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction. The show is taped so Bravo had a slight blur over any suggestion of her "suckle part". 

Show ends with Nene saying she cannot wait to reveal these alter-ego photos at an upcoming party she plans on hosting. We can't wait either!

Next week:

-Greg is heard saying to Nene: "Bryson is too old to be in this house and not contribute". - Lisa and Sheree seem to have a little competition going on with their respective fashion lines. - Nene may go a little too far at Kim's wig party when she mimics a conversation between Kim and Big Papa. - Kandi talks about her ability to make anyone she produces hot (hear song above). - Lisa puts on her debut fashion show and Sheree is "Tardy for the Party".