‘Wags Atlanta’: they have each other’s backs
Sports stars’ other halves want to show they have personalities, writes Alyssia Birjalal
THEY argue, disagree, back stab and even break out into fights now and then, but the ladies of
Wags Atlanta will always have each other’s backs, no matter what.
The new Wags franchise takes viewers down south to follow the relationships and funloving sisterhood of stars Ariel Anderson, Niche Caldwell, Kierra Douglas, Kaylin Jurrjens, Kesha Norman, Brandi Rhodes, Shuntel “Telli” Swift, Sincerely Ward and Hope Wiseman. Tonight spoke to Swift about what to expect on the new season. What can we look forward on Wags Atlanta?
We see a dynamic between the nine women.
We all have different lifestyles, and face different situations with our husbands and boyfriends, but I think despite all this we share the same pain as women and we support each other and we come together instead of living in the shadows of our partners. Why did you and your heavyweight champion boxer boyfriend, Deontay Wilder get into the show?
We got in on it for fun. Deontay is a boxer, so to the public he comes across as being arrogant and nasty, but the show shows him in a positive, funny, goofy light. Also, I put my life on hold for so long. I was Deontay’s stylist, maid and the cook too. So I get to grow from that into my own self on the show. What’s your storyline on the show?
On the first episode, Deontay was saying how much he wants babies and then a few episodes in, I find out that I am pregnant. It was a shock to me because I’m so traditional when it comes to getting married first and then having a baby, so my journey on the show this season is about me wanting a ring on my finger. What’s different about Atlanta compared to Miami or LA?
All the franchises have a great dynamic of girls, but Atlanta is very family based and we empower each other. Yes, there are times when we have disagreements but there’s always someone trying to fix it. Were you all friends from before the show?
Some of the girls knew each other prior to the show. But, we came together for the show and we really formed a connection with each other. What were some of your highlights?
“I enjoyed filming the season. I got to grow in the show and really question my relationship with Deontay. I wanted more from the relationship and it made me think about us as a couple. We’ve been together for three years, and I gave up everything to be there for him.
So a lot of my questions were answered. Some answered in a way that I wanted it to be and others in a way that I didn’t. There are many perceptions about Wags – what are you hoping Atlanta does?
I really hope the show shows women empowering others. It must show that although we are wives and girlfriends of sports stars, we also have careers and our own personalities. And we want people to see that side of it. Are there any cat-fights?
Viewers will see some drama. It is a reality show after all and what’s a reality show without drama. So there will definitely be disagreements. But we are women and not little girls so we handle our business. It’s a great team and it’s going to be really funny.