Jennifer Williams: These 'Basketball Wives' Do a Lot More Than Shop All Day

How did you get involved with 'Basketball Wives'?
I got involved through Shaunie, she's a good friend of mine. She had the idea to do this show and we had a whole conversation. Basically, she just wanted to portray our different lives and what we do. We don't sit around all day and go shopping and go to the spa. I have a business, I have a foundation. We wanted to make sure we were shown in a positive light.

What was the filming experience like?
It was definitely an experience. I had never done a reality show, so I didn't know what to expect. It was very time consuming. I didn't realize how much time it was going to take out of my day. Pretty much for two months, I was committed to this. I didn't really have much time for myself. I had to get used to that. But other than that, it was definitely a good experience.

What can we expect from the future episodes?
There's definitely some drama. We had a little run-in with a groupie. Some of the girls get into disagreements. You'll see me interacting with my husband, looking for locations for my business. I think it's pretty well-rounded.

With reality shows filming so much and editing it all, were you ever worried about how you'd be portrayed?
Yes. I was definitely worried about editing. You do kind of forget the cameras are there once you get comfortable and you don't know what they're going to use and how you're going to be portrayed. But I was confident, because Shaunie is an executive producer, so I knew she wasn't going to have us looking crazy. I was pretty comfortable with that.


From L to R: Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Erikka Moxam, Shaunie O'Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Suzie Ketchem and Gloria Govan

Which one of the women brings the most drama to the table?
Well, you know, Royce is a character, but I really like Royce. She's a free spirit. She doesn't care what people think and she's going to do what she wants to do. That's definitely entertaining. I think Gloria has a little bit of drama with herself... the whole thing with Gloria's sister and Shaq. That all plays out.

Did you know all of the women beforehand, or did you meet some through the show?
I met Royce and Gloria through the show. Everyone else, I knew. Evelyn and I have been friends for like 10 years, she's one of my best friends. That made it easier for me, because I was going through this experience with one of my best friends. We would have conversations on camera that we would have normally. It wasn't forced, where if it's four other women you don't know and the cameras are right there, it could be a little uncomfortable. I think I was cool because Evelyn was there.

Similar shows just throw these women together on camera, so it must feel better this way.
Right. They have to kind of force those friendships. But this was stuff we'd do with or without the cameras.

You have your Flirty Girl Fitness and your real estate career. How do you balance everything?
Just time management. It definitely can get a little crazy with my husband's schedule and my schedule. But as far as Flirty Girl Fitness, I'm not doing day-to-day things, so that makes it a little easier. I also have a non-profit foundation. I did an event on the show, for Haiti, and that was a little crazy, because I didn't have time to do much preparation, but I have two business partners who had to do a lot of work with the event because I was so busy. I kind of make it all come together, but at certain times I'm like, "Oh my god, what am I doing?" But you figure it out.

In the first episode, you talk about your relationship with your husband and how it's been difficult. You were telling me you're talking with your girlfriends like you normally would. Are you ever apprehensive to talk about your relationship, because the cameras were there?
My husband and I go through our rough periods, and then there are times when everything's really good. I think that's like any relationship. So at first I was worried about the whole world knowing what's going on with my marriage. But I didn't want to be fake on camera -- it's a reality show, and that's actually a part of my life. I think whoever's married can relate to that. Everything's not great... if it is, good for you, but people go through ups and downs. I was happy to get that out there, I think people can definitely relate. That's just life, and not every day is sunny.

How does Eric feel about the show?
He was very supportive while I was filming. He saw the first episode and didn't have much to say. He was like, "Oh, so you're about to be single?" He actually sent me a message when he saw the trailer and was like, "How much of our lives did you put out there?" I told him we go through ups and downs and that all plays out. I said, "What did you think, I was going to act like Gloria, like everything is perfect? That's not reality." So we'll see.

What other shows are you a fan of?
Lately, I haven't really watched a lot of TV, with the filming and everything. We wrapped a month ago and I was just starting to get my life back together. I love 'CSI: Miami,' and I don't know if I'm biased because I live in Miami. I like a couple of reality shows -- I like 'Dancing with the Stars' depending on who is cast. I like the shows on E!, and I'm a big fan of CNN because I've got to keep up with what's going on in the world.

Who do you like in the NBA playoffs?
Oh... um... I don't even know who's in the playoffs, to tell you the truth. Probably the Lakers and Cleveland? I want to see LeBron win.

Would you do a second season?
I definitely would. I think I'd be more prepared as far as time. I was kind of just thrown into it. I think a second season, I'd know what to expect -- you need three or four outfit changes a day. I left my house every day with a suitcase!

Watch the First Episode

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