Black Entertainment Exclusive Tea (Loren Interviews Kandi Burress, Wallo and Gillie and Ciara at BET Media Room)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – Black Entertainment Exclusive Tea

Episode Title: Black Entertainment Exclusive Tea (Lauren Interviews Kandi Burress, Wallo and Gillie, and Ciara at BET Media Room)
Release Date: June 9, 2025

---

Introduction

In this episode of The Breakfast Club, hosted by Lauren LaRosa, listeners are treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the BET Awards' 25th anniversary celebrations. Lauren shares insights from her recent experiences in the BET Media Room, engaging with notable personalities such as Kandi Burruss, Wallo and Gillie, and Ciara. The episode promises rich discussions on pop culture, entertainment news, and personal anecdotes from influential figures in the Black entertainment sphere.

---

Spotlight on New York La's Rising Music Career

[00:37 - 02:37]

Lauren introduces New York La, Gilly's daughter and an emerging music artist. The conversation delves into New York La's upcoming projects and her journey as a female rap artist in an alternative music space.

• Lauren LaRosa: "I'm your daily dig into all the things right. And all the conversations that shake the room."

• New York La: "I'm working on dropping my debut album in July called Rain on my Parade and I'm dropping a fire single next week with my brother, Hit Maker, called Bad Luck."
  [02:14]

Lauren and her guests discuss the challenges and pressures of releasing a debut album compared to individual singles. New York La expresses confidence and enjoyment in the creative process, highlighting her evolution from alternative and R&B influences to her current sound.

• New York La: "I feel like it's really been fun more than anything."
  [02:24]

---

Navigating Journalism and Authenticity with Gilly Wallow

[02:37 - 05:14]

The conversation shifts to Gilly Wallow's approach to journalism. Gilly shares his perspective on maintaining authenticity and strategic communication in the media landscape.

• Gilly Wallow: "I do come from the world of the Internet, and that's why you know what you're doing. I'll be like, yo, she's so fire."
  [03:31]

Lauren addresses comments about not taking journalism seriously, prompting Gilly to elaborate on his commitment to strategic social media presence and understanding the importance of focusing on core content over peripheral matters.

• Gilly Wallow: "Sometimes you gotta keep the main thing. The main thing is the one that's really going to take you to the next level."
  [05:00]

The discussion underscores the balance between personal branding and professional integrity, emphasizing the necessity of prioritizing meaningful content to achieve long-term success.

---

Kandi Burruss on Broadway Success and Reality TV Controversies

[05:14 - 09:36]

Lauren transitions to an interview with Kandi Burruss, focusing on her accomplishments in Broadway productions and her tenure on The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

• Kandi Burruss: "Let me say thank you to every single person that bought a ticket and helped us break records. Tomorrow is our last show on Broadway."
  [06:26]

Kandi reflects on her journey producing successful Broadway shows featuring prominent Black talent, highlighting the significance of representation in the arts.

• Kandi Burruss: "We really started setting records and showing that shows that starred Black actors... could still sell tickets."
  [07:12]

The conversation shifts to the recent controversy involving Kenya Moore's departure from Real Housewives of Atlanta. Kandi expresses her confusion and frustration over the mishandling of false photos and the subsequent lawsuit against Bravo.

• Kandi Burruss: "I'm confused, too. I don't know... who came up with that when?"
  [08:53]

Kandi emphasizes the importance of accountability and thorough investigation in media practices, questioning the network's ability to protect their talent effectively.

---

Personal Connections and Russell Wilson's Move to New York

[09:36 - 12:23]

Lauren shares personal interactions with Kelly and Shamia, expressing excitement about potential future collaborations on the podcast.

The discussion then moves to Russell Wilson's recent move to New York to join the Giants, featuring insights from Wallow about the family's adjustment to the new city.

• Wallow: "I love New York, really. The culture, the people, the food. It's amazing."
  [10:20]

Wallow describes the positive aspects of New York, including its vibrant culture and culinary delights, and touches upon the couple's efforts to maintain a balanced personal life despite Russell's demanding football career.

• Wallow: "We love our date nights. We love going to the movies. We love just being with each other and having our fun as best friends."
  [11:43]

---

Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events

[12:23 - 14:08]

Lauren wraps up the episode by reflecting on her experiences at the BET Media Room, expressing gratitude to her audience for their support and highlighting the impact of the podcast's reach.

• Lauren LaRosa: "There's always a lot to talk about, and you choose to be right here with me. I appreciate you guys so much."
  [13:10]

She promotes the upcoming BET Awards special broadcast, where Jim Jones will perform, and teases exclusive content to be shared on The Latest with Lauren LaRosa.

• Lauren LaRosa: "Make sure you guys tune into the BET Awards going down tonight, June 9th, 8:00pm Eastern Standard Time."
  [13:45]

Lauren encourages listeners to continue supporting the podcast as the Lowriders make their mark in the entertainment industry, promising more engaging conversations and exclusive insights in future episodes.

---

Notable Quotes

• Lauren LaRosa: "I come from TMZ and I come from this journalist background, but I also do come from the world of the Internet."
  [04:24]

• Gilly Wallow: "That's family. So as I mentioned in an interview, I don't take anything personal. It's more so of like I understand it's all love."
  [05:15]

• Kandi Burruss: "My first one was Thoughts of a Colored Man. And that was when Broadway was first coming back open after the Pandemic."
  [07:12]

• Wallow: "Sometimes you gotta keep the main thing. The main thing is the one that's really going to take you to the next level."
  [05:00]

---

Conclusion

This episode of The Breakfast Club offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the latest happenings in Black entertainment. From New York La's musical endeavors and Kandi Burruss's Broadway triumphs to personal insights into Russell Wilson's life in New York, Lauren LaRosa skillfully navigates through diverse topics, providing listeners with valuable perspectives and exclusive content. The inclusion of notable quotes and timestamps enriches the narrative, making it accessible and informative for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.

Transcript

[Host]

This is an I heart podcast.

[Gilly]

Let's get to it. Time to do it.

[Host]

I'm the homegirl that knows a little.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Bit about everything and everybody exclusive.

[Wallow]

You know she don't lie about that, right?

[Gilly]

Lauren came in hot.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Hey, y' all, it's Lauren LaRosa. And this is the latest with Lauren LaRosa. As I always tell you guys, this show is. It keeps you up to date. Everything, pop culture, entertainment news. I'm your daily dig into all the things right. And all the conversations that shake the room.

[Wallow]

But.

[Lauren LaRosa]

But if we are doing a behind the scenes at a grind check in like we normally do. Low riders back on the grinding.

[Host]

I. I've.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I've talked enough for the. The week. Uh, but we had a. We are here in LA. We've had a really, really great past two days in the media room for the BET Awards. They're celebrating 25 years of 106 in park and some iconic moments that went down on the shelf. So there was so many amazing talent names that we got to speak to via the radio room or the media room for Breakfast Club and for the podcast. Just want to get into some of, you know, those interviews and those conversations because bringing you all the latest means I'm right there. It's happening in real time. And that is exactly what we did. So let's take a listen. I got done with Gilly and Wallow from million dollars worth of game and Gilly's daughter, New York la, who was a music artist.

[Host]

We talked about her career, but we.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Also got into the fact that Wallo done said, I don't take my job seriously as a journalist. So y' all know, I had to ask him, well, why you feel like that? And I got the family with me. Gilly, W. What's going on?

[Host]

Tell the people what you have going on right now. I want to throw to you first because I've been following you for some time on social media. This is my first time meeting you in person, but I am so proud.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Of you as a artist.

[Host]

As a female music artist, it is so different for a rap woman to break through. And you, you have such a cool audience.

[New York La]

Thank you.

[Host]

Talk to the people a bit about your music, where you are right now, and just being here at the awards with, you know, dad and Unc, the.

[New York La]

Whole process has been really, like, fun. I'm working. I'm working on dropping my debut album in July called Rain on my Parade and I'm dropping a fire single next week when my brother, Hit Maker called Bad Luck.

[Host]

So when you talk about working on your debut album, is it a little bit more nerve wracking than just dropping songs and kind of filling out your audience, putting together that, like, actual project Is. Is it pressure?

[New York La]

I feel like it's really been fun more than anything.

[Host]

I.

[New York La]

My. When I first started dropping music, I dropped two eps in the alternative and like, R B realm. So I feel like that's like, helped me to like, gauge, like, really like, what my fans want to hear.

[Host]

Yes. Well, let's talk about the alternative space and then I'm going to take it out here to you guys. Because also too, what I love to see is, is the fact that they push you. Y' all are like, she don't even need promotion. Y' all are walking billboards for her everywhere that you guys are, even if she's not there. But being in an alternative space also, too, as a black female artist, people are. I don't even think they're understanding it, but they're trying to. Now do you feel that turning point of, like, people understanding what you're doing, your aesthetic, your music, how you feel to your.

[New York La]

Absolutely. Absolutely. As I've been like, building my catalog and really like showcasing my art and what I'm about? Absolutely. I feel like it's translating really well.

[Host]

Got you now, Gilly. Congratulations.

[Gilly]

Thank you.

[Host]

On everything. Always.

[Gilly]

Congratulations to you. I see your podcast, you got a million streams like this. Congratulations to you. I watch everything. I mean, you. You court tv. Now you in recording, you everywhere.

[Host]

Because I heard you said I wasn't taking it serious.

[Gilly]

Listen, man, I did. You know, I'm gonna talk about that.

[Kandi Burruss]

Yeah.

[Gilly]

You want to talk about that?

[Host]

Yeah. I'll be waiting.

[Gilly]

I gotta make sure, you know, I'm real strategic. And I understand. I understand deals. I understand who watching and who not.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Gilly]

So I understand social posts. So you gotta be on point because you never know who your next partner may be.

[Sierra]

But let me tell you something. If he said you wasn't taking it serious, you know what that showed me?

[Host]

What?

[Sierra]

He lit a spark up under you.

[Host]

Oh. Because when I heard that, I said, hold on, wait, here we go.

[Gilly]

Don't post this. Post this.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Wait.

[Host]

Yeah. No, because I think for what I do, I think a lot of people don't understand that. Like, I come from TMZ and I come from this journalist background, but I also do come from the world of the Internet, and that's why you know what you're doing. I'll be like, yo, she's so fire. Because you have a way of Appealing to your audience that like a lot of artists. Artists aren't doing. I'm a journalist, but like, I'm doing it in a way that people don't even understand. Like people literally don't understand my trajectory. They don't understand the fact that I have a personality. But I'm also. I care about the facts. I care about good conversation. So a little bit of it, I was like, why Wallow giving me the old head and hip hop talk that don't understand the artist.

[Gilly]

No, no. This, the whole thing now you, if anybody know, you know, me and Gil understand culture now and tomorrow. That's why we be destroying it out here.

[Host]

Yes.

[Gilly]

I'm giving it to you on a tip. Like, I'm gonna give it to you more off of the offer here.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah.

[Gilly]

But I understand you talking to the people that got the big money, the biggest money out here.

[Host]

Yes.

[Gilly]

Whereas though we know the deals, I understand what's important in the post and what's not. And it's like sometimes you gotta, you gotta, you gotta keep the main thing. The main thing.

[Host]

I get you.

[Gilly]

And that's the one that's really going to take you to the next level.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Gilly]

Sometimes the other stuff on the side be cool, but it's like that ain't why they gonna give you 10 million and 15 million.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Gilly]

So that's what I'm more on. Focus on that. The work is all that. But sometimes it be the extra stuff that be like, that's not necessary. Focus on this.

[Lauren LaRosa]

It's all love, though.

[Host]

Y' all know Gilly Wallow. They, they family.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I, you know, first of all, New York la, who is Gilly's daughter, she is dope. Please make sure you guys go and follow her. Her sound, her aesthetic, everything is fire. But y' all know Gillian Wallow are family is very much giving unk energy. So as I mentioned in an interview, I don't take anything personal. It's more so of like I understand it's all love. And I think people are just very.

[Host]

Protective of the space that I'm in.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Right now and want to see me doing well. And I appreciate the feedback. I get it all day long from people I respect. Um, and I appreciate just being in a space to have people want to pour into me in that way. Now, I talked to Kandi Burrs, the Kandi Burst. We got into some things. We talked about Othello on Broadway. Because my girl as a producer is just doing things that are so much bigger than I think what people give her credit for now. We also talked about the fact that the thing that made Kenya not be able to appear on the show in the first place, those photos. Britt Eady, who the photos were allegedly of, came out and said the photos weren't even her. And she dropped a $20 million lawsuit against Bravo because of that. Let's take a listen to Kandi and her reaction.

[Host]

Let's talk Othello.

[Kandi Burruss]

Let me say thank you to every single person that bought a ticket and helped us break records. Okay, tomorrow is our last show on Broadway. So we finish our. We finish our run tomorrow. And it's so crazy because everybody's like, oh, my God, you know, y' all gotta bring it back. But we knew when we started it that it was going to be a limited run, and I'm just thankful to be a part of it. Okay. To be able to say, you know, I was a producer on a show that starred Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal is, like, amazing.

[Host]

And it's Broadway. That's, like, for a lot of people. People are probably wondering, like, how did you even get into that conversation? Because people may think it's out of your wheelhouse, but that is such an epic thing for a person who's been on screen performing.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Right?

[Kandi Burruss]

Like, yeah. So my career has, you know, led up to this point. My first one was Thoughts of a Colored man. And that was when Broadway was, like, first coming back open after the Pandemic. And I mean, well, it was during the pandemic still. So that was the first one. And then we did the Piano Lesson, and we really started setting records and setting, you know, showing that shows that was starred black actors, directed by a black female director, had a black producing team that we could still sell tickets. And really. Because at that time, Piano Lesson was really selling crazy amount of tickets as well. And I think that was, like, the problem prior to people were scared to invest in shows that start all, you know, black talent.

[Host]

Another big part of your life for so long was Real Housewives of Atlanta. You decided to take a season.

[Kandi Burruss]

I did 14 seasons straight.

[Host]

I know looking at this season, you happy you stepped away?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes.

[Host]

Well, it recently came out that, first of all, Kenya being let.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Let.

[Host]

Let go from the show for the rest of that season. That those photos that they.

[Kandi Burruss]

Which I was upset about.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah.

[Host]

You had talked about the fact that you felt like the network doesn't protect their talent, but now we're finding out that the photos weren't even Britney. Britney posted the statement saying that she was not in those Photos. And then she sued.

[Lauren LaRosa]

She sued or she.

[Host]

She dropped a suit against Bravo because.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Of, you know, the distress that it put her through because they allegedly were.

[Host]

Supposed to have done this investigation. I'm so confused how that happens.

[Kandi Burruss]

I'm confused, too. I don't know. I wasn't there, but, like.

[Lauren LaRosa]

But you get what I mean.

[Host]

It's like, if you're looking at a photo, you can tell whether it is or isn't a person. Right?

[Kandi Burruss]

Well, I mean, my thing is, I. I like, everything changed because I thought at one point they was trying to say she was underage in the. In the photos. So how did they know that if the photo wasn't even her? So who came up with that when? Remember, they was trying to really come down heavy on Kenya. They was trying to say, you know, that she put these photos out, which was inappropriate. And then they was like. And at one point, they was trying to say, and she was underage at the. And I'm like, well, who said she was underage then if that wasn't her in the photos? I don't know. My thing is, I went there. I'm glad I went there. And my name, Benny, I ain't in it. And we can move right along.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Y' all know I love a good housewives conversation. And I actually got to meet Kelly in person in the media room, and she is. She's a doll in person.

[Host]

She's actually a lot shorter than I thought she would be.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And Shamia finally met Shamia in person as well, too. Shamia says she wants to come here and do the podcast. Did not know. Shamia is a radio girly. She was there doing the media room.

[Host]

As well, doing some interviews and stuff.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So she wants to come and break.

[Host]

Down some topics on the podcast.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So we'll. We'll get our girl on soon. But in other news, the latest, if y' all don't know, Russell Wilson has brought his family to New York because he is playing for the Giants now.

[Host]

And I actually got to talk to.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Sierra about what that move to New York has been like for her and.

[Host]

The fam in New York now. Because I know.

[Wallow]

Yeah, we live in New York now. Yeah, we do.

[Host]

What is that adjustment been like for you?

[Wallow]

Oh, my gosh. New York. What up? Listen, I love New York, really. The culture, the people, the food. It's amazing. Like, my dad's from New York.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Got you.

[Host]

Okay. I didn't know that.

[Wallow]

Yeah. So I've always had an appreciation for the city. I used to honestly be like, new York is Kind of overwhelming. And because I'm from Atlanta and I'm.

[Host]

Like, a lot of people don't feel.

[Wallow]

Like that it's dirty, like all these things. But then I'm like, now that I'm older, I appreciate everything that you should appreciate about the city from my perspective. And I'm excited for our new chapter in New York. I love the people. I love the accent. I love the culture. I just love. I'm excited.

[Host]

What's your favorite dish? Are you eating the, you know, bacon and cheese from the bodega?

[Wallow]

Bodega. I actually had someone gift me a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. I was like, oh, this is kind of interesting. They. Well, they gave it to me as like a warming kind of moment, but I was like, I don't know which bodega you went to. No, but I. The pizza. The big cheese pizzas, big slices. My kids wanted me to take them, so we did that already. And I love the Italian vibes in New York. And I also love just everything in.

[Host]

This new chapter in life with Russia because I know that there's so much pressure on him right now. People are waiting to see what he's going to do. He delivers, like, what do you guys do just leisurely to kind of just.

[Wallow]

Oh, my gosh. We love our date nights.

[Host]

Okay.

[Wallow]

You know what Russ does is he's really good at it. Compartment. Compartmentalizing. He has his football. When he's in it, he's in it and he's super focused. He wakes up every day at 4:30 in the morning, and when he leaves football, he leaves it there. Like, I do like talking about football with him sometimes I'm like, I want to be a fly on the wall because I love what he does and I think he's the best at what he does. But when we're together, it's our chance to, like, just enjoy ourselves. And so we are really intentional about that. We love our date nights. We love going to the movies. We love just being with each other and just, you know, having our fun as best friends. It's a blessing.

[Host]

I love hearing you talk about him.

[Wallow]

Yay.

[Host]

Yes. Go up.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Not y' all Gifting Sierra a scene with Trina Bodega as a housewarming gift. That's low key. Kind of crazy. Like, I would be like, what? Why don't get me on sandwich? But Sierra was cool, though. It was a very light real life fan moment because I was such a Sierra fan for a long time. I thought I was going to be dancing in the next Sierra video. So to sit with her and have the conversation, I was just like, oh, my God. But that was the media room for me. Like, I'm such a fan of so many different people and these outlets and these platforms and the conversations. So getting to see a lot of the people in real life who I haven't met so far through the the Breakfast Club, I very much was in there, like, oh, wow, look, that's fire. Or meeting people in person.

[Host]

More so, though, y' all, as y'.

[Lauren LaRosa]

All heard with Candy, even finding out that certain people are, like, tuned in to, like, you know, me reporting on the Breakfast Club or the Diddy trial via social media or just anything freaked me out. Like, wait, I'm on your notifications list. But that's because we bring you guys the latest and we do such a good job here of it. So thank you guys for tuning in, because everybody was saying, hey, congratulations on a million downloads on the podcast and just everything you have going on. So y' all, as a family, as the lowriders, we're making our mark.

[Host]

That's. I left the radio room feeling like.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Okay, girl, you doing something, you doing it. Now make sure y' all tune into the BET Awards going down tonight, June 9th, 8:00pm Eastern Standard Time. I am so looking Forward to the.

[Host]

106 and park tribute.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Jim Jones will be performing on that to read as well, and we got.

[Host]

To talk to him, too. And I'll be backstage for bet, but.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Bringing, of course, some of that content right here on the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. Make sure you guys come on back. And I say it every episode. At the end of the day, there is always a lot to talk about, and you guys could be anywhere with anybody talking about it, but you choose to be right here with me. I appreciate you guys so much for that, and I will see you in my next episode. This is an I Heart podcast.