E1140 - Going Deeper with Kelli Potter

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Viall Files - “Going Deeper with Kelli Potter” (E1140, June 10, 2026)

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Episode Overview

On this special “Going Deeper” episode, Nick Viall and the Household are joined by Kelli Potter, entrepreneur, restaurateur (“Nana’s Chicken and Waffles”), and cast member of Real Housewives of Atlanta. The discussion traverses Kelli’s high-risk twin pregnancy, the realities of single motherhood, her television and culinary career, and her navigation of co-parenting and public life following divorce. She candidly opens up about struggles, triumphs, and the importance of authenticity on reality TV, with plenty of lively Housewives tea.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Life as a Twin Mom: High-Risk Pregnancy and Miracles

• Kelli’s Journey as a Twin Mom

  • Kelli shares her experience carrying “momo” (monochorionic-monoamniotic) twins, a rare and high-risk pregnancy type.
  • “Momo twins are twins right before you become conjoined… one out of 200,000 pregnancies… typically one twin doesn’t make it.” (05:22, Kelli)
  • She spent three months in the hospital on bed rest; only allowed one hour a day outside her room.
  • Details the emotional turmoil and gratitude when her twins were safely delivered, calling them her “miracle babies.”
  • One memorable moment: “I'll never forget, the doctor wrote on the board in my hospital room: ‘Stay pregnant as long as possible.’ That was your goal.” (06:36, Kelli)
  • Kelli also recounts funny mishaps, like mixing up her twins and hospital trips.

• Identity and Individuality for Twins

  • Kelli discusses the challenge of fostering individuality in twins who look identical.
    • “Please don’t call us twins. Call me by my name.” (12:40, Kelli quoting her daughters)
  • She shares anecdotes about their personalities, differing tastes, and refusing to dress alike as they grow older.

• Balancing Bonding and Motherhood

  • Advice on how to bond with twins and other children, emphasizing separate quality time and letting each child claim their space.
  • “They want their separate times…they’re known as twins…now they're like, no, please don’t call me twin…” (12:40, Kelli)
  • Stresses the importance of giving oneself grace and prioritizing self-care as a mother.

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Overcoming Adversity: Health Challenges & Family Support

• Illness and Resilience

  • Besides the high-risk twin pregnancy, one twin had a condition called brittle bone disease (osteogenesis imperfecta), which required immense care.
  • “My twins also had OI… that was the hardest… not just even delivering them safely, it was being able to handle any challenge they might have faced.” (15:05, Kelli)
  • Kelli’s grandmother, Nana, moved states to support her during and after the twins' birth — inspiration for naming her restaurant.
    • “Nana sold her house and moved to Georgia to help me… that’s how I named the restaurant after her.” (14:46, Kelli)

• Advice for Expectant Parents

  • “Give yourself grace and take time for yourself… you can show up as mom, as wife, as everything else.” (16:35, Kelli)

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Career, Restaurateur Life, and Joining Real Housewives

• How Kelli Entered Reality TV

  • Kelli admits she wasn’t a fan of RHOA before joining and turned down the opportunity twice due to personal reasons.
  • “The third time… shit, it was two years later… might as well document and share my journey.” (21:18, Kelli)

• Restaurant Business & Manifestation

  • Prior career in TV cooking shows (including Oprah and Food Network).
  • Nana’s Chicken and Waffles was born from vision-boarding and family inspiration; opened when her twins were just one.
  • Shares love for cooking, especially Sunday family dinners and oxtails (24:44).

• Empowerment Through Transparency

  • Decided to do Housewives while going through her divorce, seeing it as a way to inspire others enduring hard times.
  • “I wanted to be in a space where I would motivate and inspire the next man or woman after divorce not to give up.” (25:58, Kelli)

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Navigating Divorce, Single Parenting, & Co-Parenting

• On Co-Parenting

  • Openly admits: “I haven’t navigated that… we are not in a space where we co-parent… my girls are always my priority.” (28:13, Kelli)
  • Emphasizes maintaining stability for her children despite their father’s absence, striving to keep their life as unchanged as possible.

• Support Systems and New Love

  • Credits her “village” — family, friends, and her partner Jarvis — for providing support.
    • “My guy now… he is like a cheer dad around here. He has really showed up in some of the most important phases of our lives, and I’m forever grateful.” (31:21, Kelli)
  • Discusses Jarvis’s respectful approach to parenting her kids and the delight of his consistent, genuine presence.

• Life in the Public Eye and with Kids

  • Kelli describes explaining her reality TV fame to her daughters — their reactions, and how she works to keep life “normal.”
    • “I’m just their mom. Chance will humble me so bad. Like, nobody cares about you. You’re not that famous.” (37:47, Kelli)
  • Addresses the challenges and perks of being recognized, including increased safety concerns.

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Housewives Drama: Friendships, Feuds, and Resilience

• On Accusations and Allegations

  • The recent season’s feuds, especially between Shamia and Angela, and false rumors affecting cast members.
    • “Sometimes we just go a little too low… people have families and businesses and children who see these things.” (46:47, Kelli)
  • Frustration with baseless rumors and the cyclical nature of drama:
    • “I don’t know why they just throw out these random accusations just to see if they stick… I don’t like when we go to the depths of hell and then it’s hard to come back up.” (49:23, Kelli)

• On Portia and Phaedra

  • Portia admitted seeking “revenge” for a past slight (“I got my lick back.” – 51:48, Kelli).
  • Hurt by Phaedra’s alleged comments but maintains respect for her.
    • “I love Phaedra… it was hurtful because I’ve spoken so highly of her, and I still will…” (54:48, Kelli)

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Financial Hardship and Realness on TV

• Openness about Money and Divorce
  • Kelli addresses fan speculation about her finances following a costly divorce and the challenges of running restaurants, especially during and post-COVID.
    • “That’s three years worth of attorney’s bills… even a multimillionaire, a billionaire, that would hurt you.” (55:55, Kelli)
    • “Being real and raw with people is what gives that next person not to give up.” (57:59, Kelli)
  • She clarifies not filing bankruptcy but emphasizes the importance of financial literacy for herself, her daughters, and her community.

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Relationships with Housewives & Final Reflections

• Friendships in the Cast

  • Shamia, Kimberly, Pinky, Phaedra, and Cynthia are her closest cast connections.
  • Shares fun fact: Cynthia would order her chicken and waffles and send her assistant to pick it up. (61:54)

• On Her Authenticity and Composure

  • When asked about her knack for comebacks: “I just say whatever comes to my mind and I think that’s been a problem. I just say how I feel. That’s it.” (62:55, Kelli)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Once you have them and you welcome them into this world... It's like a light. It's something that's so empowering and so inspirational." — Kelli (08:25)
• "I haven’t navigated that. We are not in a space where we co-parent just yet." — Kelli on co-parenting (28:11)
• "Consistency, that was one of the things, too, because it's like, okay, well, you'll go to the first one. And he went and goes to the second one. And no matter what, he always shows up." — Kelli on her partner (33:51)
• "When they go low, Kelly goes high—well, I’m gonna... I don’t know about high. I’m gonna take it down to hell." — Kelli (55:08)
• "Being real and raw with people is what gives that next person not to give up." — Kelli (57:59)

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Key Timestamps

• Twin Pregnancy Stories: 03:25–08:09
• Motherhood & Identity: 09:00–13:22
• Family Support and Restaurant Origins: 13:45–25:03
• Joining Housewives & Empowerment: 21:10–25:58
• Co-Parenting & Family Dynamics: 27:27–31:21
• New Relationship and Blended Family: 31:21–36:10
• Navigating Fame with Kids: 36:13–40:43
• Housewives Drama & Reactions: 46:06–54:48
• Financial Transparency & Resilience: 55:44–60:33
• Friendships and Final Thoughts: 61:38–64:22

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Tone & Style

Kelli is open, grounded, humorous, and practical. The conversation is heartfelt but also full of reality-TV wit and personal strength. Nick Viall and co-hosts keep the tone lively, supportive, and curious.

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Conclusion

This episode is an intimate, unfiltered look at Kelli Potter’s resilience, humor, and candor—from motherhood and high-stakes reality TV to business ownership and personal reinvention. It’s a powerful listen for fans of Housewives or anyone interested in stories of strength, vulnerability, and personal growth. Expect wisdom, laughs, and inspiring honesty from Kelli—plus some delicious dish on Atlanta drama.

Transcript

[Kiana]

I'm Kiana and I leveled up my business with Shopify. Once I figured out that Shopify was a thing, I never turned back. I can create a site with my eyes closed. Shopify thinks ahead of us, you know, and it thinks about the customer more than anything. Every day I'm thinking about some other new business, but Shopify is doing it to me because it's so easy to use. It's like I can't stop. I'm addicted. Start your free [e-mail].

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Commercial Announcer]

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[Kelly]

Do crazy.

[Interviewer 1]

Kelly. Welcome to the show.

[Kelly]

Thank you.

[Interviewer 1]

We are so excited to have you honored.

[Kelly]

I'm so excited to be here.

[Interviewer 1]

Where do we start? We were actually, before, we just started talking. We were talking about.

[Interviewer 2]

I did not know you were a twin mom.

[Kelly]

Yes, I'm a twin mom. I mean I've been a twin mom for 10 years now.

[Interviewer 2]

10. They're like, they're. She's gonna get. She's gonna turn 10.

[Kelly]

Like she's gonna turn 10 and they're gonna do it at the same time.

[Interviewer 3]

That's crazy.

[Kelly]

And then they're gonna want different birthday parties. Oh yeah.

[Interviewer 1]

It was so funny. Nally was telling me this story last week. You went to the grocery store.

[Interviewer 2]

I don't know what story you're gonna tell. So I don't know the guy who

[Sponsor Host]

said he never met.

[Interviewer 2]

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Interviewer 1]

It was just kind of. It was always this funny because like ever since we found out Natalie was pregnant with twins.

[Interviewer 3]

Uh huh.

[Interviewer 1]

The amount of like twin parents we've met. Right. And it just seems like, you know, it's one of those things, you know, when you break up with someone and then you're like, I've only see their goddamn car everywhere. Everything reminds you of them, but you're kind of like looking for it. But I don't know if it's like the universe, but like Natalie went to the grocery store and you tell the story.

[Commercial Announcer]

I went to the Grocery store.

[Interviewer 2]

And the sweet man bagging the groceries was like, you know, wow, how far along are you? Look like you're close. And I'm like, yeah, I am. You know? And he said, is this your first? And I said, no, it's my second and third. And he was like, I've never met anyone with twins. Never in my life have I met a twin or anyone with twins.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Interviewer 1]

And I thought. It just made me think. It felt so fascinating because you know how in life, like, we're just kind of. Like, we have that tunnel vision.

[Kelly]

Yes.

[Interviewer 1]

You know, we just kind of like. And until something gets brought into our world. Because, like, I've certainly have met twins.

[Kelly]

Yes.

[Interviewer 1]

But, like, ever since we found out Nelly was pregnant with twins, I can't tell you how many. Like, we went on vacation, and we ran, like, the. And the lovely lady who was like, concierge, kind of like. And she. You know, it was early in the pregnancy, and it came up. She's like, I'm a mother of twins. And then we met a couple on the beach, and they were like, we have twins. And it was like, it's so weird how the universe kind of does that.

[Kelly]

And let me. It's so empowering. Like, first of all, you are absolutely gorgeous. Like, you are, like, glowing. And I'm seriously. And just to think, like, as a woman, like, you just being able to carry two children at a time. So funny story. I would have never thought I would be pregnant with twins, you know, Like, I would have twins.

[Interviewer 2]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

So the last person in my family that was pregnant with twins was my grandmother, who's Nana, who I named the restaurant after.

[Interviewer 1]

We were gonna ask.

[Kelly]

And she lost her twins when she was. You know, So, I mean, Nana's 80, 88 now. But, you know, just think about back in the day. They clearly, they didn't have all of the resources that they, you know, that we have now. And when I found out. So she told me that I was pregnant with twins. So I had. I found out I was pregnant. And she said, when you go to the doctor, I want her to check for twins because you're having twins. And I was like, nana, you are tripping.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'm like, you're gonna take a nap.

[Kelly]

No way, Nana. Okay. You know, and I get to the doctor, and I said, hey, you know, my grandmother said that I was pregnant with twins. Can you just look and just make sure it's one baby? So the nurse looks and she says, well, tell your grandmother she's wrong, because you're only Pregnant with one. So the next. Literally, the very next day, I go back. And this time I went back without my husband because he had to, like, go out of town or something. And he was like, you sure you don't want me to stay? And I was like, no, it's not my first rodeo. You know, I can do this. You know, I'll call you and tell you, you know, when. When we're having a baby. So I'm doing the ultrasound because at this point, I, you know, we're trying to figure out how far along because it wasn't planned clearly, and the ultrasound tech is, like, taking forever. And I was like, is everything okay? Like, is the baby really quiet? How is it taking so long? You know? And she's like, I'm sorry. I'm gonna have to go and get the doctor, girl. The doctor came, and she said, because, you know, I was feral at the time. And she's like, Mrs. Farrell, I have some news to tell you. And I said, well, what is it? And she's like, you're pregnant with twins.

[Interviewer 3]

And I'm like, what do you mean

[Kelly]

I'm pregnant with twins?

[Interviewer 3]

You just told me yesterday it was just one baby.

[Kelly]

And she's like, well, that's the other part. And I said, well, what is it? She said, you're pregnant with something called monochromatic twins, and it's short for momo twins. So I'm like, so what does that mean? Because I was just here yesterday, and you said that I was only pregnant with one. And she said, so momo twins are in the same sack. So when she looked. Yes, you know, the day before, she only looked for the sack. She didn't look for anything else. So she, you know, so I'm pregnant with momo twins. It's the most high risk pregnancy that you can have. So what people don't know is momo twins are twins right before you become conjoined. So I had a really high risk. And it was like one out of 200,000 pregnancies, you get momo twins, and typically one twin doesn't make it. So I had to live in the hospital for about three months. So I lived in a hospital. I was on bed rest for 23 hours a day. I only had one chill, one wheelchair ride a day for one hour. And I would have my husband take me downstairs and get McDonald's. And I love a fish filet to this day.

[Interviewer 3]

Fish filet.

[Kelly]

Fish filet and Big Macs were my thing. And I had one wheelchair ride a day, and I'LL never forget the doctor wrote on the board in my hospital room, stay pregnant as long as possible. That was your goal that night before I went in labor, because we. You had a planned labor. Because I knew I had to have a C section. You. You couldn't go the full term.

[Interviewer 2]

Right.

[Kelly]

It's too high risk. And that whole night, I mean, I was, like, miserable. And the next day, the doctor came in and did his rounds, and he said, Ms. Farrell, you're having twins today. And I was like, what? And I remember crying, and I was

[Interviewer 3]

like, oh, I want to have my babies on Friday the 13th.

[Interviewer 1]

Your birthday is Friday the 13th.

[Kelly]

So they were born on Friday the 13th.

[Interviewer 3]

And then the other thing I thought about was I didn't even get my wax yet. It was the most craziest thing, because

[Kelly]

at that time, like, I had people that would come into the hospital and, like, do my nails, do my toes, do my hair, like, get my. Cause I lived there. Like, I literally had to be, you know, to make sure that my babies would live and make it. And, yeah, I had them Friday the 13th, and I'll never forget it. And they were my miracle babies. They're my mar. They're so special, so to say twins and have, you know, identical twin girls and just be a twin mom is so special. So just enjoy every single moment. Because they go so fast. They go so fast. But it is the. I mean, it's fun.

[Interviewer 2]

It's like, how many did you have before you had your twins?

[Kelly]

Two.

[Interviewer 2]

Okay, so we have one. And I felt like this pregnancy.

[Kelly]

It's.

[Interviewer 2]

What you were just asking me if I had a registry. I'm like, I. Or a baby shower. I had no idea. It feels so foreign. It feels like this is my first pregnancy. Like, I have no idea what I'm doing. Is that normal?

[Kelly]

Yes. Okay. Once you have them and you welcome them into this world, you'll. It's like a light. It's like. It's something that's so empowering and so inspirational. Like, it. It's. It's a beautiful thing. It's. I mean, it's. You're strong. Like, you are amazing to carry two babies, give birth, give life, breastfeed. I mean, all of the things you're gonna. You're gonna figure it out. Something like. Clicks. Yeah. The only thing I would probably suggest is. I'm sure the. My kids have been mixed up several times at this point.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, they say.

[Interviewer 1]

Is there a possibility that it is. Name is the other.

[Kelly]

No, Seriously?

[Interviewer 3]

You're not entirely sure I took.

[Kelly]

I have all the craziest, like, twin stories that we, like, made a mistake and took one baby to the hospital thinking it was the other baby. And we got there, and you're like, this one's sick.

[Interviewer 3]

It was like, their ears look fine, y', all.

[Kelly]

I'm telling you. And, you know, so we. So they were in NICU for a very long time. So one twin came home before the other twin. That was probably one of the hardest things.

[Interviewer 2]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Once we got them both home, we had to do bracelets because, I mean, they were literally identical. Like, I mean, identical. And, baby, once those bracelets came off, I You. A few times. We. Some. They're not the right people, but they're fine.

[Interviewer 3]

They're fine.

[Kelly]

They're doing great.

[Interviewer 3]

They're totally fine. They're doing great.

[Interviewer 2]

Do they still look identical today?

[Kelly]

Do you feel like people to me? I mean, I know. You know, I mean, every now and then they have their days, and I'm

[Interviewer 3]

like, who is that again?

[Interviewer 2]

Do they mess with you?

[Kelly]

They don't, but they mess with their teachers, and they just got to this point. I'm like, you can't be doing this because I won't take them out of the same class. I'm like, there's no way I'm putting you in separate classes. That mean I got. I have to get double. I already get double everything. But then I got to go to two different things. I'm like, you. I'm. You're gonna make my life as easy as I can until I can, so. But they have fun with it. You know, other people get them mixed up, but their personalities are so different. Really?

[Interviewer 3]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

And then they got to the age now where they don't want to dress alike. They're like, oh, you will cry when I. I didn't realize how emotional I would be when I'm like, what do you mean, you don't wanna wear the same thing? And it's like, no, Mom. Like, I have one twin who loves. One of. Chastity, loves skirts, and Chelsea loves sweatpants. Like it. They just. They are complete opposite. So I just. I have to also realize that I have to let them be their own individual selves. So. And they're learning that, you know, they. But the twin life is very, very, very.

[Kiana]

How was it?

[Interviewer 1]

We were talking this morning because, like, we have River, a two and a half year old, and obviously, like, she's our first.

[Kelly]

Yes.

[Interviewer 1]

The quality time that we both get to have with her is always special.

[Kelly]

Yes.

[Interviewer 1]

Now that River's getting Older, like, it's. I'm bonding with her more.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Interviewer 1]

And I was honestly thinking about this last night where it's just like, not that I'm worried I obviously will love them the same, but, like, there's this. How do I love both of them at the same time and bomb with them in a way that I was able to do with her, with. With just my daughter.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Interviewer 1]

How did you figure that out? Or did that was like. Was that something that you process or you. It.

[Interviewer 3]

It.

[Interviewer 1]

It just takes care of itself because it almost feels like.

[Sponsor Host]

Yeah.

[Interviewer 1]

There was all these special moments, and it was just River.

[Interviewer 2]

And I've seen so many videos of, like, when they're both crying. How do you choose which one?

[Kelly]

How do you choose which one? Well, you want the crying to stop. So at this point, it doesn't matter who. Who has the runniest tears at this point. But one thing I can say is, first, I think it comes natural because I had two when I was pregnant with my twins and Chance, you know, and I was in the hospital, so it was really, really, really hard to, like, do that. What I've enjoyed now with my girls is that even with the twins, like, we have separate dates. Like, we have separate moments now. So, like, we love getting cheeseburgers. And Chastity was like, I don't want to go. I'm just gonna let you and Chelsea go. And then sometimes, you know, so to be me and Chelsea. And then chassis's like, let's go get ice cream. Chelsea wants to stay home. I'll take. You know, so we have our separate times. I mean, it's pretty hard, you know, but they actually enjoy it. And they enjoy, like, having that one on one.

[Interviewer 1]

You see them kind of gravitate for that independence.

[Kelly]

Absolutely. They want that independence. They want their separate times. Right. Because the twins, they're known as twins. And they say to me, or they'll correct someone. They'll say, please don't call us twins. Call us child. You know, call me by my name. Because, you know, in the family, be

[Interviewer 3]

like, twins, come here.

[Kelly]

We're already doing twins. Yeah. It's like, twin. And now they're getting older and they're like, no, please don't call me twin. I'm Chess, I'm Chelsea, or I'm Chastity. And they speak, you know, they. And they say it in the way where it's like, well, that's what they said. You gotta call them by their name. So they are learning how to, you know, individualize and identify as you know, separate.

[Interviewer 2]

Now, how old was Chloe in Chance when you were pregnant, in the hospital, when you were made to be state

[Kelly]

stay in the hospital, Chloe was probably. Chance was like, three, so she was close to River's age. So she was like three at that time. And it was really. I remember Chance, like, can you please, like, shut them up? Like. Like, Chance is like, these babies are crying.

[Interviewer 3]

They won't stop crying.

[Kelly]

Mommy. I think I have a video of Chance saying, like, mommy, the babies just won't stop crying. And, you know, I must say that I'm forever grateful to my grandmother, Nana, who literally once, you know, once she found out that I was pregnant with twins, she was living in Maryland at the time. And once I told her about this pregnancy and this high risk, because my par were also in Maryland, Nana sold her house and moved to Georgia to help me. And that's how. That's what many people don't know. That's how I named the restaurant after her, is because she literally, you know, she wasn't working. She was retired. And my grandfather had, you know, been passed away for some time. And she said, I'm gonna help you raise these babies. So technically, I'm just a surrogate at this point. You know, we always say Nana's like, their real mother.

[Interviewer 1]

What was her intuition that made her know that you were gonna have twins?

[Kelly]

I mean, let her tell it. She's know. She knows everything. And she did. She knew that.

[Interviewer 1]

That's so, like, you know.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Interviewer 1]

I'm not the most spiritual person, but you hear stories.

[Kelly]

It was very spiritual. Yeah.

[Interviewer 2]

Throughout that whole period, I'm sure, was very overwhelming. How did you push through that and find strength and find, like, make yourself not be in that rut. Be like, no, I'm actually doing what's best for my babies right now.

[Kelly]

That was hard.

[Interviewer 2]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

I mean, it was really hard being away from the girls. You know, it was, like, during. I remember it was like, Halloween time, and I couldn't take them trick or treating. I'm a really big holiday person as well, so, you know, trick or treating and, like, first days of school, like, it was really, really hard. But I knew that also, you know, my goal was to try and deliver very healthy babies as much as I could. And on top of that, you know, not only were they momo twins, monochromatic twins, but like I spoke about on the show last season, my twins also had oi. They had osteogenis imperfecta, which was brittle bones disease, which I raised money for last season. And so that was really, really hard. So it wasn't just even delivering them and getting them here safely. It was also being able to handle any challenge that they might have faced. Because at that point they said it was a 50% chance. And we didn't know until one of the babies were. Had a broken bone, like from the nurse feeding her. And I mean, that was the part for me that. That was the hardest. That was one of the hardest, hardest challenges.

[Interviewer 1]

But is that something that's still deal with today or is that something that they've got?

[Kelly]

Yeah, so they out. They outgrow it, basically. It never leaves them. But then they get so strong now that they. It no longer affects them. So what I realized about them is they had a. They have like a stage one where it's like, you know, they only deal with it up until like one or two years old. And then after that, I mean, they flip, dip, dive. Yeah, they. I mean, they are so healthy and thriving and doing absolutely amazing. So, you know, I would just recommend and encourage to just give that time. Give yourself grace too, because I. It's a lot. Give yourself grace and take time for yourself, you know, really, honestly, like after having the babies, take time for yourself and step aside, even if it's for an hour a day. You know what I mean? Just sit in your space and just get your. Get everything back together, you know, for you so you can show up as mom, as wife, as everything else.

[Interviewer 2]

Yeah, I feel like I could pick your brain about this.

[Kelly]

Yeah. Oh, we could talk about it all day. All day long.

[Sponsor Host]

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[Interviewer 1]

You know, you love to cuddle with your kids, and it's always great to

[Sponsor Host]

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[Interviewer 1]

If you're watching this soft, cuddly thing, I'm not ashamed to acknowledge that I just like to get cozy in a soft, cuddly blanket.

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[Interviewer 1]

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[Interviewer 2]

But I do want to know how you got onto the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Were you a fan of the show? What was going on during that period of your life?

[Kelly]

I wasn't a fan of the show, so I hadn't watched the show in years. Like, I'm not, if anyone knows me, I'm not a huge TV person. I don't watch television. I barely know where the remote is in my house, especially in my room. I did watch the show like back in the day. I mean, I think everybody did, right, one of those first seasons when it first came out. But I hadn't watched this show in years. However, I was approached three times about the show. The first time I was actually married to my ex husband at the time and you know, he basically said absolutely not. And the second time I was just newly going through my divorce and I knew that I was not in the right space to navigate being on reality tv. And the third time, I mean, shit, it was two years later, still going through a divorce. Might as well, might as well document and share my journey. And so, yeah, I mean, it just, you know, it all worked out.

[Interviewer 1]

And prior to that, you were just having a successful career being a restaurant, is it Restaurateur?

[Kelly]

Restaurateur.

[Interviewer 1]

Restaurant. Restaurateur, yes. Was that always a passion of yours?

[Kelly]

I've been in the restaurant business for 10 years and a lot of people don't know. I just talked about this on another show. I did TV prior to being on reality tv. So I did a ton of cooking shows. Oh, I was on one of Oprah's first cooking series, Food Food Fantasies. I had done about three shows on Food Network. You know, I've done cooking things on like Hallmark and Good Morning America. X is Hollywood. So I was in my own right already doing amazing things pertaining to food. Not just showing my other life, you know, the other part of my life. And it is something that I've always enjoyed. Although you would have never told me I would be a Restaurateur. My degree was in fashion, merchandising and design. It had nothing to do with food. And I did this little thing for the first time in my life where I did a vision board. And on the vision board, I put everything that I wanted. And we had, you know, a restaurant on there and cars and vacations and houses and all the things that I just, you know, wanted to manifest in my life. And that year, we opened up Nana's Chicken and Waffles the day after Christmas. The twins were one, and I was a nutcase. And I'm like, what am I doing opening up a restaurant the day after Christmas? And we had been working on it so long, I was like, well, we're just gonna turn the open sign on and see if people come in. And from there, that was scary. Literally, that was crazy. And from there, that's how Nana's manifested.

[Interviewer 1]

So you like to cook?

[Kelly]

I enjoy cooking.

[Interviewer 1]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Yes.

[Interviewer 1]

What's your favorite thing to cook? I love. I like to cook.

[Interviewer 3]

I like to cook a little bit of everything.

[Kelly]

I'm not like, a one thing girl. What I can say is, like, I like to cook stuff that's fast. I don't want to be in the kitchen all day. Now, Sundays I will, like, I have to be in the mood, and my family knows that. But I'll cook, like, a big Sunday dinner for my family. My dad is probably so bad. My dad recently had just got out in the hospital. He had to have open heart surgery, and he requested that I cook some oxtails and.

[Store Announcer]

Okay.

[Interviewer 3]

Oh, cool.

[Kelly]

I was like, dad, I'm not gonna

[Interviewer 3]

be responsible for this.

[Kelly]

Oh, but you cook.

[Interviewer 1]

He's the guy. Every time I go to the grocery store, you know, you get, like, a steak and they have, like, some kind of, like, oxtails or, like, like a full octopus.

[Kelly]

I'm always like, I am the person that's getting the oxtails. All of the oxtails. Wow. So I cooked a beautiful dinner. An oxt. Oxtails.

[Interviewer 1]

What does oxtail taste like?

[Kelly]

Amazing. You gotta try my oxtails. You know, we'll do it with the gravy and onions and beans and bell pepper.

[Interviewer 2]

Who taught you how to cook?

[Kelly]

My mother and my grandmother.

[Interviewer 2]

Really?

[Kelly]

Yeah. My mother and my grandmother.

[Interviewer 2]

Are you kind of doing that with your girls, too, or are they.

[Kelly]

Yes. There. Yeah. So, Chastity, the twins really enjoy cooking. The twins are like little old ladies. I probably shouldn't say the twins, but yeah. Cassidy and Chelsea are like little old ladies. They love to cook. They love to. They knit, they crochet. They love horseback riding. They're like, just the ultimate, like, dynamic duo.

[Sponsor Host]

You said.

[Interviewer 1]

I think it was like, was it your first season that coming on Atlanta Housewives felt like divine timing? What was it about that that felt like it was you mentioning that was your third time being asked. But what was it about that that felt divine? And it felt like this was the moment you were supposed to say yes to this opportunity.

[Kelly]

It was empowering for me. I just felt like I was in a space of my life where a chapter, really, a story had ended, and this new space in my life is starting. And it's. What better way than to document that, right? And to, like, journal. For me, I feel like being on the show is, like me just journaling everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly. But it was also that I wanted to be in a space where I would motivate and inspire the next man or woman after divorce not to give up. Right. Because, yeah, you know, some people go through divorces and it's easy, you know, or they might, you know, they figure it out. I. I didn't get that. I wasn't fortunate enough to get that opportunity to have it so easy, and I knew that it would be difficult, but for me, it was just empowering and motivating to. To share what that looks like and to know that, hey, I'm gonna fucking get through this, you know, like, I'm gonna evolve. I'm gonna make these restaurants work. I'm gonna still be an amazing mom. I'm still gonna be a great friend. I'm still gonna be a great daughter and sister. And, you know, I'm gonna keep going. Just because that part of my life ended didn't mean that just everything else around me had to fail. And I just wanted to make sure that, most importantly, I showed my daughters, you know, with that strength and resilience. Looked like.

[Interviewer 1]

I mean, obviously divorce is so difficult and traumatizing for everyone involved, especially the couples. But like, so many people with children who go through divorce, the co parenting aspect obviously, is, you know, is it difficult? And every situation is different. What have you. What was been.

[Sponsor Host]

What was the most difficult part about

[Interviewer 1]

figuring out how co parenting worked for you two and what was something that you learned or maybe advice that you have for anyone going through divorce, kind of embarking on this early stages, worried about, how am I going to figure out how to take care of the thing I love the most? My children with someone that I'm not, Like, I'm at such odds with, like, how did you Navigate that.

[Kelly]

Well, one is. I haven't navigated that.

[Sponsor Host]

Okay.

[Kelly]

All right. We are not in a space where we co parent. Parent just yet. I do know that having to co parent with someone that you are trying to heal from can be very difficult. And I think that's the space that I am right now. You know, we still have some core issues. We still have some issues that are. We're trying to get resolved. And, you know, the main priority for me is always my girls. That has always been the most important place in my life, is to make sure that my girls are not affected by our decision as, you know, as. As much as possible. Right. So whether that be just having a parent present and showing up for them or, you know, our lifestyle changing, people don't realize that. Like, I know my, my kids wouldn't know. I asked, I actually asked Chance, I said, well, you know, do you see anything different, you know, besides dad not being with us? And she said no, because it. It didn't. And that was the most important part for me. Right? It was like, I. I want to make sure they still go on vacations. I want to still make sure they can do all their extracurricular activities. I want to make sure that they still feel supported, you know, like I. People don't realize that part about it. When you don't have another parent that's as of part present. Because for whatever reason, do you feel

[Interviewer 2]

really proud of yourself for being able to maintain that for them?

[Kelly]

Absolutely fucking lutely, yes, I do. You know, like, that was the one thing for me where it's like, I gotta figure. I gotta figure this out, you know, And I think as a, as a mom, you know, just. Just being a strong woman and saying, I'm not going to allow this to take me down.

[Interviewer 1]

Who, if maybe more than one, has been like your support system, you know, we are so. We talk about. We're so grateful to have each other. You know, when you're. When a relationship is feeling good, it's. If nothing else, just, you know, the word partner means so much more because it's like when you're nervous or scared about what's going on, you turn to that person. Obviously when you go to the divorce, that person that was that person is no longer. Do you have people in your life that you have replace that, not necessarily romantically, but have shown up for you in a way where, like, you're feeling scared, you're worried. Who are those people for you these days?

[Kelly]

My village. I mean, I have a village. When I say you know, my amazing mom, my grandmother, my dad, my sisters. I mean, my friends, you know, my team, you know, like, my. My public is my. Like, all these people, like, really showed up for me at the time where I truly did need them the most, you know, And I am forever grateful for that. My village, my family, my friends, they. They all pitched in and they still do, you know, and even, you know, my. My guy now. I mean, he has.

[Interviewer 1]

Jarvis.

[Kelly]

Jarvis? Yeah. Oh, my God, he's name Jarv. Miss one of Chance's cheer competitions.

[Interviewer 2]

Wow.

[Kelly]

I mean, he is like, he, like a cheer dad around here. Like, I mean, he has really showed up in some of the most important phases of our lives, and I'm forever grateful.

[Interviewer 2]

Did you expect that from him or was that just. Were you, like, total surprise? He's just filling shoes that he didn't even need to fill.

[Kelly]

Totally surprised. Yeah. I don't have it. I don't. I would never want to hold that expectation from anyone, you know. Is it appreciated? Absolutely. But, you know, he came in and he's just been a really great guy to me and the girls, and I really appreciate that he has a different relationship with each of them, and I think it's super cool. We always say Chance is his favorite. He's gonna be mad I said that.

[Interviewer 1]

But how did he go about, like, he has to have a conversation with or was he. Did he just kind of start, like, showing up in ways and kind of getting to know them, or was it more like, hey, is it cool?

[Kelly]

He always asks. He is. He always asks. He's always like. I mean, he is so respectable, like, when it comes to, like, the girls and like, even, like, standover. Like, it's like a whole thing. Like, it's not. You know, it took a very long time before he would even, like, like, come over and do things and. But. But always. And. And sometimes the girls would ask him and then he would say, is it okay? You know, he would always. He always gets my permission, like, is it okay to come? Is it okay? And. And he hasn't missed not one.

[Interviewer 1]

Does it feel like, almost like. Because it must be so challenging for any person to come into a relationship and they already have kids, but it must be, like, such a green flag for you, just as, like, who am I dating? Because it, like, not, say, forces him, but it sounds like it's given him an opportunity to show you just, like, how considerate he is. Because he's always checking in in ways that sometimes you have to date someone for a period of time. Before they have an opportunity to know that they're really being considerate. Because it's always easy to show up early on and do the things and whatever. But has that been, in a way, that's giving you the ability to trust who he is as a partner, how he's shown up for your children?

[Kelly]

Yes. I mean, that's super important. It's one thing to show up for me, but to show up for the extensions of me is huge. And consistency, that was one of the things, too, because it's like, okay, well, you'll go to the first one. And he went and goes to the second one. And no matter what, he always shows up.

[Interviewer 2]

Hey, cheer competition this weekend.

[Kelly]

I mean, he knows it more than I do.

[Store Announcer]

I think he loves you.

[Kelly]

And, I mean, he's pretty good to me. And I'll never forget, we were actually on the trip in Dallas, and Chance had something, and I said, you know, I'm not going to make it back in time. And he was there. He was early. He sent me all the videos and the pictures and all of the things, and I was like, damn, that's a good man, Savannah.

[Interviewer 3]

That's a good man.

[Kelly]

Good man, Savannah.

[Interviewer 1]

Can I ask, does he have kids as well, or is he.

[Kelly]

Does. He has two older kids and. And they're men, you know, their sons, so he didn't. He's never had girls either, so that girl's got a pretty. They give him a run for his money.

[Interviewer 2]

Oh, I'm sure they do. Was it his decision to be secretive, or was that kind of y' all coming together, you being in the public space?

[Kelly]

It was both of our decisions. I mean, you know, I'm dating. I'm trying to navigate the space and still take my time and not give people so much input about that. I mean, I was also, you know, going through a very nasty chapter of my life, so I wanted to protect him from that as well, you know, for so many reasons. And, you know, this is. This is my life, not his. But he is so supportive, and people don't realize that. Right. So it's like, even though you might not see him on the camera, he's probably beside me. You know what I mean? You know, he's been. I mean, we go a lot of places, so it's not that he's a secret. I think he's just. Just trying to protect what, you know, I love, and I want to make sure that it's the right thing and when it's the right time, I mean, he'll come, you know, you'll see him on camera a little bit.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Figured.

[Interviewer 1]

One thing I honestly would love your advice on, and I'm just curious as a public figure, we're in the public eye a little bit. River's too young to have any idea what that means. But it's weird to think that at some point we're gonna have to explain the bizarreness of our lives. I don't know if you had this conversation before Housewives. Cause you were certainly very successful and known. But obviously being on TV and Housewives is a whole different element. How did you explain to your kids as you were about to become a housewife, like, what that was gonna look like? And what advice would you have for us at the right time, when river gets to be a certain age, of how to normalize something in a way that's not normal, but not have it change their perspective about who her parents are?

[Kelly]

So I didn't know that it was gonna be as big as it was. I had no clue that it was gonna be as big as it was. Was. So, you know, I talked to them about being on the show. I'm like, we're going to be on tv and, you know, a little something. They might, you know, people might know us every now and then. Because, I mean, people would know me, but not, like, know me like that. Not, like, going public snow me. Right. And that first season, the twins were like, my teacher asked about you, Mom. And I'm like, oh, God. Like, so I. I've had the conversations with them. The great thing about my kids is I'm just their mom.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

They could care less about any of this. Chance will humble me so bad. She will humble me so bad. Like, nobody cares about you. You're not that famous. But then she just told me, yeah, Mom, I want to go to Miami for my birthday, Nepal baby style. I was like, what the hell is that?

[Interviewer 3]

What the hell is that? Nepal baby style is.

[Sponsor Host]

I'd almost be impressed.

[Kelly]

Has anybody seen this trend of Nepal baby, baby style?

[Interviewer 3]

Okay.

[Kelly]

It's a thing. It's something like when your parent is a celebrity, and it's like, you know, it's like you're a trust fund baby. It's like a big. I don't know, it's. She sent me some crazy meme. She's 13. Yeah.

[Interviewer 3]

So funny.

[Kelly]

You're going to Chuck E. Cheese. How about that? You're gonna have all, you know, unlimited pizza.

[Interviewer 1]

I could just imagine you going to, like, a parent teacher conference. You're like, your kids are great, but

[Sponsor Host]

can we talk about episode five.

[Kelly]

Can we talk about five, please? I mean, it's, it's, it's so funny. So I mean, you know, the fans are, the fans are fans. The kids don't watch the show. You know, they couldn't really film with me this season. But the, they still don't really watch the show. Chloe watches the show every now and then and everybody just, you know, we don't take it so serious. I think the only time Chloe probably got upset, oh, Chloe is like, mom, these fans are so silly. They think you bought me 18 bags but didn't buy me a car.

[Interviewer 3]

And I was like, I was like, well, Chloe, you know, we don't have

[Kelly]

to explain everything to them. You know, Chloe got a car before she even had her driver's license. She got her car and took a driving test in her brand new car. And it's like, you know, we don't have to explain everything to them, but I mean, we just have fun with it, you know, the girls do. I, I, I appreciate people and, and fans for not like sometimes approaching me when I'm out with the girls or, you know, I look homeless half of the time that I am like running my errands. But I'm, you know, I have fun with the fans. I speak, I, I try and take as many pictures. I'm at my restaurant all the time. So I'm, I'm really working and people are very respectful of that. So I, I appreciate it. But it is a different life to navigate. You know, I'm not just same any more. I have to be a little bit more conscious of, you know, who I'm with and what I'm doing and places and just for safety reasons too, you know, I mean, just for the girls, I'll never forget. And that's what I realized. I was like, oh, damn, this is really happening. The girls were, the nanny was getting the girls off the bus and the person wrote past and said, you're the

[Interviewer 3]

girls from Housewives of Atlanta.

[Kelly]

And the nanny was like, no more bus for them. I was like, oh, okay. And that was probably one of the only things, you know, but they listen, they enjoy the perks.

[Interviewer 1]

Nepo baby style.

[Kelly]

Nepo baby style.

[Interviewer 2]

You opened up this, this season about not being able to film with your younger three. Did they struggle with that in seeing Chloe film or were they totally understanding?

[Kelly]

No, they were not understanding. No, no, no. That was so hard. Just because I am a single mom, that is, that is my life. Like not being able to share my life was the Hardest thing because it's like I'm. It was like a piece of my. A huge piece of my life that was missing. You know, of course, you know, they enjoy watching Chloe, and they actually went with me when I took Chloe to Spellman. People just didn't see that. We, Me, my mom, Nana, the twins, Chance, we all did, you know, a whole generational celebration for her to be there so all of us could experience it. But no, they were really hurt by that. And that was a really uncomfortable conversation that I had to have with them because they, you know, they enjoyed, you know, those Mommy and me moments with the camera. You know, they enjoyed cooking and, you know, just having fun like we normally do, we would do on an ongoing basis. So they were really disappointed about that. And I had to, you know, just. I had to tell them the truth. And that's one thing that was a little uncomfortable for me, you know, but I. I had to. I didn't want them to find out from anywhere else. And that was a whole thing at that time. And so. Yeah, but, you know, they. They understood and. But it was difficult for them. It really was. It was difficult because, like, last season, you know, we. I had a huge, like, watch party running out the movie theater, and they invited their friends and their, you know. You know, they invited people to, like, we're gonna be on tv, you know, and they were super excited about that. And even still, you know, but they. I love that my girls are understanding and they give mommy a lot of grace. And, you know, they always know as well that mommy is fighting really, really hard for them. And that's the part that was most important, you know, and. Yeah, I'll just leave it at that. Yeah.

[Interviewer 2]

You recently did go back to Potter. What was your reasoning for that?

[Kelly]

Oh, my God. That's who I am. You know, that was. That was the old chapter of my life. I didn't want to be the woman that needed to keep the last name. Yeah, I don't need that last name.

[Interviewer 2]

How was that process?

[Interviewer 1]

Paperwork sucks.

[Kelly]

A lot of paperwork sucks. Yeah. But the judge had awarded me my La back my last name in my divorce, so I was okay. Yeah.

[Interviewer 1]

Crazy how it has to judge.

[Kelly]

Isn't that crazy? Yeah, sure, you can have it. Yeah, please.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Interviewer 1]

much better for it.

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[Interviewer 2]

Everything that's going on right now with Shamia and Angela.

[Kelly]

I can't believe you guys only gave me water.

[Interviewer 2]

What do you.

[Sponsor Host]

What do you want?

[Kelly]

You have everything.

[Interviewer 3]

What do you want?

[Kelly]

I feel like we're about to get into some other stuff. I feel like I need a little. Well, you know, they were tearing me up about yesterday, the other night's episode. I'm like, guys, I wasn't saucy because I just had a glass of wine. I was saucy because I had pain medication and wine.

[Interviewer 1]

Oh, that will do it.

[Interviewer 3]

That'll do it. Yeah, that'll do it pretty quick.

[Kelly]

I mean, I was. Boom. Yeah.

[Interviewer 2]

The drama between Shimmy and Angela, like,

[Commercial Announcer]

what is your perspective of it?

[Kelly]

Okay, I don't like it. What I don't like about that whole thing is the accusing of the. I. I think sometimes we just go a little too low and, you know, people have families and businesses and children, you know, who see these things, and, you know, we already have enough real drama as it is, you know, so to create these narratives and allegations, you know, that I know are false, I. I just think it's hurtful, you know what I mean? And I just. I remember talking to Angela last season, and I hate that we didn't. You didn't really get to see the full. Full conversation that her and I had. And we talked about, you know, the conversation of the allegations and rumors about, you know, her marriage and her husband, and we had such a great conversation. And, you know, I apologize to her and I clear, you know, she cleared some things up to me because I didn't just make those things up. It was things that were already said online, and she just cleared it. And she. I don't remember her saying she didn't get to clear it because Wendy Williams had went off air. Right, right, right, right. So she didn't get to clear it. And her and I talked about that. And I remember, you know, honestly, like, how much it bothered her. So I think I was more shocked than anything to hear about the things that she had said about Shamia and

[Interviewer 2]

kind of like, you know how it feels to be on this end of things.

[Kelly]

Yeah, you know how it feels to be on this end of things. So why would you. Why would you say that?

[Interviewer 1]

You know, why do you think? And it seems like even more so this season, there's so many of these types of allegations with this cast. In a weird way, it's almost like in the best way, assuming they're not true. It doesn't seem like you all let it get to you, but on some level, because I'm watching it, you have these allegations, and you guys kind of just move through it. But sometimes, like, it does wear you down, and you have people online speculating, and it only takes just a grant, just a small little rumor to turn into something big, and you have people just discussing it. Does it ever get to you or get to other women on the cast? And is it ever, like. Is there ever, like, a, hey, why are we going, like, you said, so low when there's so many other great things and it never really feels like these rumors are ever resolved in a way, and it kind of just lingers over and it feels like, I guess, unnecessary, but, like, yeah, why do you think that happens?

[Kelly]

I don't know why they just throw out these random accusations just to see if they stick. I mean, it is hurtful, clearly. You know what I mean? And anything that I've said, I've pretty much backed up with a receipt, you know, So I don't just say crazy things just to try. And now, you know, I can't speak for other people, but I don't like when we go that low. I don't like when we go to the depths of hell and then it's hard to come back up, you know, I think. I think it's very hard, too, to have people say those things about you, and then it's hard to come back from that. You know what I mean? Like, it's hard to, like, move forward in the friend group when you're saying things that are, like, so low down, you know what I mean? I don't know. I don't know why they continue to lie. I just. I don't know what's happening.

[Interviewer 1]

Was that, like, coming into this group of women, was that one of the bigger surprises? Was that a big surprise? And if not, what has been the biggest surprise or something that you weren't prepared for?

[Kelly]

I would probably say that, like, that was probably. I was like, oh, y' all really just be over here lying like that? Like.

[Interviewer 2]

Like just throwing.

[Kelly]

You just be throwing to save a

[Interviewer 3]

stick on the wall.

[Kelly]

I mean, this is getting crazier about it.

[Interviewer 3]

Dead.

[Interviewer 2]

I mean, speaking of throwing out, we had Portia be like, pastor, kids fly. I mean, like, yeah, what. What even is any of that?

[Kelly]

I wouldn't be able to tell you. I mean, I just know that I didn't want to be banned from church. I wanted to be welcomed on Sundays and not have any issues you know? Yeah, it's just like. It just. It's. Who's believing this stuff? You know? I think that's the only reason why I just. Sometimes at this point, you just have to laugh at it. Cause it's like, did you just make that up? Like, are you making that up as you go along?

[Interviewer 1]

How are you and Portia today?

[Kelly]

Um, I wish her well.

[Interviewer 1]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Interviewer 2]

Do you feel like she kind of came for you because of your friendship with Shamia, or do you think it was something else?

[Kelly]

Well, she said it in that scene. She said it when we were at Phaedra's sound bath. She said, I got my lick back. I wanted to get you back. And she's been saying that all along. I just don't know if it's. If it's been picked up as much. But, I mean, she basically hurt people, want to hurt people. She. I mean, that's just what it was. She was. She was still mad at me about last season and what I said. And that's the difference between her and I, to some extent. It's like when I say things, I back it up and justify. You know? Justify it. I asked you about. Ask you a question that the whole world wanted to know. I asked you a question that I wanted to know. I asked you a question that nine times out of 10, 10 times out of 10, somebody in this group was gonna. Gonna ask you that question, and maybe you were just bothered that it came from me, you know? And even in that scene, it wasn't that I wanted to ask her that question and be disrespectful. Shamia had told me, ask her when you see her, you know, and that's what I did. When she came over there, she said, what are you guys talking about? I told her exactly what we were talking about. And, you know, I mean, that's just what it is. So in regards to that, I just. I just wish that we would be a little bit more considerate when it comes to certain things. And, you know, just. I mean, if you're gonna say something, you have every right to say it, but just have some facts or some proof to it.

[Interviewer 2]

So do you have any idea, like, what she's. I mean, Phaedra was like, yeah, I know. I've heard about this too.

[Kelly]

Yeah. You know, I. I don't know what she's talking about. I never slept with a pastor. I never slept with anyone at. And that's just what that is in regards to Phaedra, what's hurtful about the whole Phaedra of it all is that I had talked to Phaedra several times, and not once did she ask me or even allude to any of those things. So people don't realize. I heard what Phaedra said. When you guys heard it, I didn't hear it in the midst of everything that was going on, because you think good and goddamn well, I wouldn't have asked her when I bought 200 worth of food, wine, and flowers over to her house to talk to her and apologize. I wouldn't have asked her about that. So I didn't know that that had happened until I'm watching with everyone else.

[Interviewer 2]

Is that something that you would, like, pick up the phone, call Phaedra and be like, hey, what the. Or is this like.

[Kelly]

Yeah, absolutely. Because, I mean, when you think about that, and, you know, first of all, I've been. I love Phaedra. Like, I. I asked her to represent me. You know, I hired her firm to represent me. And everything that I had going on, I would. I would have never done that if I would have known that she was not. Not even in pertaining to what was said. But the fact that you're even alluding to client attorney privileges in regards. You know what I mean? Like, I would have never done that.

[Interviewer 3]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

I mean, you know, but it was hurtful because I've spoken so highly of Phaedra, and I still will. You know what I mean? I've. I've supported Phaedra. I talk highly of her on and off camera, and, you know, I've came to support her in her endeavors and things like that. So, I mean, it was really hurtful for me, and I'm just saddened that she didn't ask me.

[Interviewer 1]

Well, when they go low, Kelly goes high.

[Kelly]

Yeah, well, I'm gonna. I don't know about high.

[Commercial Announcer]

Medium.

[Interviewer 3]

Ish.

[Kelly]

I'm gonna take it down to hell.

[Interviewer 3]

I'm gonna take it down to hell.

[Sponsor Host]

You know, it's one thing I really

[Interviewer 1]

admire is, like, this, the willingness to talk about, like, sensitive topics and obviously talking about finances. That's something you've opened up about. We recently saw Pinky talking about her struggles as well. How did you grapple with that in terms of your willingness to open that up? Because, again, fans can be nosy and pry, and, you know, you can open up about your vulnerability, and sometimes it feels like fans will take that vulnerability and then, like.

[Kelly]

Like use it against you.

[Interviewer 1]

Use it against you or make accusations. And. Yeah, I would just love to know how you came to that decision. And is that Something you're glad you did, or do you have any regrets about some of the vulnerable things you've shared?

[Kelly]

I don't regret anything that I share. One, two. I have always been an open book. So, like I always say, the good, the bad, the ugly or indifferent. I think it does disappoint me, though, when it comes to the fans, because it's like, you know, I'm giving my real reality. I went through a very nasty divorce. I went through a divorce for three years. That's three years worth of attorney's bills, that and fees that you had to pay, and that is. I don't know how much more expensive it can get. You know what I mean? I mean, that would hurt. Even a multimillionaire, a billionaire, that would. That would hurt you. You know what I mean? So I've been very open and honest, and again, remember, I went on the show too. Be that real, raw motivation and inspiration, and I'm never gonna allow the fans or anyone else to deter me from that. I think I speak on my truth in regards to, you know, the financial hardships that you do go through. I am a single mother raising four daughters. I told you, it's very important for me not to allow them to feel the effects of divorce. You know what I mean? And that was very important. I'm running a restaurant. This is the hardest time to open up any business, let alone a restaurant. Okay. I was able to survive everything, even Covid. But this was a really difficult time for me. It was a difficult time of year in that in hospitality. I think over a hundred restaurants had closed in Georgia in 2025. You just heard about mine because I'm on TV, right? Being real and raw with people is what gives that next person not to give up. I love that me and Pinky could have the conversation about bankruptcy. Right. You know how many people and your favorite celebrities have filed bankruptcy, including our president, including Abraham Lincoln. Okay.

[Interviewer 1]

Did Abraham Lincoln run?

[Kelly]

Yes, he did.

[Interviewer 1]

I did not know that. The more, you know,

[Kelly]

the president, he didn't do personal, but he did some of his businesses. I think, you know, people speak on bankruptcy, and I have not filed bankruptcy as of yet. Let's be very clear. Um, I'm still figuring out, but I'm at a space where I just want to be raw, be real, and talk about financial literacy. You know, that's something that I have to share with my daughters, with Chloe, you know, with my family. Like, it's very important. So I think for people to try and use that, like, oh, she's broke. Well, now you filed bankruptcy, so you don't go broke, right? You file bankruptcy. So you can kind of save the little bit that you have. And whether it's whatever chapter, you have some time to pay things back, and for them not, you know, to help you with your finances. So I think, you know, for people to use that and say, you know, even with my restaurant, even with that second location, people didn't realize that I didn't open that location for the show. That wasn't a show business, okay? That was a business that the lease was signed prior to me being. Even signing my Bravo contract. That was something I had already worked on. That was something I had already actually poured money into. I mean, it was a shell. That space had not even had a tenant since COVID in it, okay? So I had to redo everything in that space. Plumbing, electricity. I mean, it was a lot. So for people to think that that's a. A easy, you know, an easy thing to do, it isn't. You know, it was very hurtful to hear some of the people say, ah, she's broke, or she, you know, she

[Interviewer 3]

didn't have all the money or what.

[Kelly]

No, I actually spent a lot of money.

[Interviewer 1]

It must be so challenging. Context matters, obviously, right? And it's like the context of. Yeah, you know, it's like they. They'll think of your divorce, separate that in their mind, and separate your business struggles. But, yeah, just, like, when you think about just the cost a divorce and just, like, the stress and having. And then, like, you just explained. Just, like, props to you, like, to be able to, like, do what you did while truly survive. I mean, survive. You. You only survive divorce, right?

[Kelly]

Like, it's only survive. Attorneys are 500 an hour, by the way. That's crazy.

[Interviewer 1]

And they know how to.500. They know how to stay busy, you know?

[Kelly]

And I mean, as soon as you pick up the phone, the time is ticking. Okay.

[Sponsor Host]

With your lawyer.

[Interviewer 1]

And they're like, you know, just keep this real short.

[Sponsor Host]

I don't need to keep talking to you.

[Kelly]

Like, just. Just text or text. You're like, so, how are you doing?

[Interviewer 3]

What did you do this week? And you're like, I don't want to have this conversation.

[Kelly]

It doesn't matter how I'm doing. This is what we need to talk about.

[Interviewer 1]

What are your thoughts on Brit, Edie, and are you guys still friends?

[Kelly]

I have no thoughts.

[Interviewer 1]

Okay.

[Interviewer 2]

Zero thoughts. What are your thoughts on Drew?

[Kelly]

No thoughts.

[Interviewer 2]

She had some name calling on Watch what happens live last night.

[Interviewer 3]

I heard and I'm like, I had

[Kelly]

a nerve to call me Miss Proportions. I'm like, girl, I just seen that BBL before and after it and I

[Interviewer 2]

don't even know what a stuff cornish hen is.

[Kelly]

Well, I have stuffed Cornish hens in my cookbook and they're, I mean, they're great. It's the first picture, so I don't mind. It's like juicy, you know, like brown and juicy. So I mean, I don't care, but I'm like, the nerve of you, baby. You. You weren't a baddie over there before you, you know, and then you talk about as my second one. Oh, your second.

[Interviewer 1]

Which of the wives have you become really close with since becoming a housewife?

[Kelly]

Of course. Shamia, Kimberly, Pinky, and even Phaedra. You know, Cynthia.

[Interviewer 1]

Yeah, we love Cynthia.

[Kelly]

I love Cynthia. Cynthia. Maybe Cynthia would call in her chicken and waffles order and send her assistant to pick it up. She didn't play about her chicken and waffles.

[Interviewer 1]

Yeah, well, we know you have to get going and catch a flight soon.

[Kelly]

I do.

[Interviewer 1]

Justin is also just a massive Atlanta fan. Do we have any rapid fire questions for our girl Kelly before we send her on her way?

[Kelly]

I don't think so. I think you got it all. Did I answer some things for you guys? I think you got it.

[Interviewer 1]

Oh, my God. We can keep talking forever.

[Interviewer 3]

I know.

[Interviewer 1]

Such a delight all day.

[Kelly]

Thank you. Thank you so much.

[Interviewer 1]

It's really great to know you and it's been so fun to like have you on the show and you know, like, sophomore slumps are a real thing in a lot of phases of life. And obviously this being your sophomore season, it's just you, you, you're not slumping at all. It's, it's been great to have you on and you know, obviously in this season of Atlanta, everyone's like singing its praises. I think everyone's always as envious of how you guys in your comebacks. It's always like, I wish I was that shy. Where do you think that comes from, being able to be so good at? It's like, even when it's mean, it's fun and entertaining. Where do you think that comes from?

[Kelly]

I have no clue at this point. I just say whatever comes to my mind and I think that's been a problem. I just say how I feel. That's it.

[Interviewer 1]

Well, Kelly, thanks for taking the time. We know you have to go. It's been a real, real pleasure having you on. Congratulations on all your success and really, truly, it's been great getting to know you better. You're obviously an inspiration even for us embarking on being twins.

[Kelly]

Come back. Absolutely. Please.

[Interviewer 1]

I just have so much respect for people who have been through a lot of adversity and come out the other side stronger and, you know, life is full of peaks and valleys. And we were just talking last night, just like you go through different phases and you clearly are someone who just keeps on going and has a lot of success. And that's just really cool to see and something that's just fun to, you know, I have so much respect for people who are able to keep powering through, so. And you're clearly evident of that.

[Kelly]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. Thank you. And congratulations to you both. And I can't wait to see the twins.

[Sponsor Host]

Oh, one more question.

[Interviewer 1]

What can we expect at the reunion and what energy do you want to bring to that reunion?

[Kelly]

I'm just going to come into reunion and just be myself. I can't be anyone else but Kelly with an I. And, you know, I'm there for peace. I'm there for resolution, but I'm also there for truth. And I'm gonna hold you accountable. Accountability. Yeah.

[Interviewer 1]

Thanks for listening, everybody.

[Kelly]

Yes. Thank you.

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