If you’ve been keeping up with the second season of Love & Hip Hop, you know we’ve been getting two cast mates for the price of — or should I say at the cost of — one. Emily Bustamante’s BFF, the level-headed/match-making/one-liner slinging (three-one-thrizzle, anyone?) Teairra is a staple in recent episodes. Not to mention, viewers have recently been introduced to Erica, the “model” who has a penchant for hair-pulling and hating on video chicks.
So, where is Somaya Reece? The season one alum, musician and resident pot-stirrer has been increasingly absent as the new season progresses. So much so, in fact, that Twitter recently erupted in pleas to bring back the fan favorite… for more than just the opening credits. In a recent interview with the site MommysDirtyLittleSecret.com, the VH1 star opens up about her recent edit (to put it mildly!), her relationship with her cast mates, upcoming opportunities and whether we’ll get so see her again this season.
Excerpts from her discussion are below.
Monica: Why don’t we see you as much on Love & Hip Hop this season?
Somaya: I was in the first few episodes. I have no idea what happened because I did have a lot of story to add yet I don’t see it on the show. The fans made sure they bought me back! There was so much you didn’t see this season, my life is on fast forward right now with great stuff happening and they showed none of it. Like what happens with Swift, the album, the developing friendship with Chrissy [Lampkin], my rap single Eh Mama, my re-negotiation with Barry, my family issues, the image development, my signing with the top talent agency in Hollywood that I got by myself? What happened to all of that?
Monica: Speaking of music, what’s up with your music career?
Somaya: They are covering everyone else’s music process and career development on Love & Hip Hop….interesting! After I signed with my investor I made a mix tape series called “Rebel with a Cause” drops in Jan 2012. Each tape has future album cuts on it! They didn’t show my team. Grammy award producer Richy Pena and a Denver team KMG. I just signed with Rebel entertainment partners who also rep Mario Lopez, Eva Longoria and the list goes on! I have evolved so much since season 1… But fans didn’t get to see any of it!
Monica: Did you know you were cut out of so much of this season of Love & Hip Hop?
Somaya: Not at first, but I honestly am in such a good place, I am working on so many projects that it wasn’t until my fans got pissed that I realized how much I mattered to the show. I’m humbled by the love from the fans.
Monica: What is your relationship with the other girls from the show like now?
Somaya: Do not mistake what you see on TV to be real relationships! None of those girls reach out to me really. I like the girls regardless but truth is the ones that reach out off the show are: Mama Jones, Kimbella [Vanderhee] and Yandy [Smith] once in a while. Emily now and then!
Monica: How many more episodes will we see you in?
Somaya: Love & Hip Hop is on episode 6 out of 10 but I’m only on one more episode! Later there is drama with Kimbella and someone else… I walked Kimbella off the edge, I was a mentor because she is a nice person, I don’t want her to lose her children or go to jail. I realize what she said was just bad timing at Emily’s party. But she is a likable person in real life. I don’t want that to happen to anyone, I’m just not cold hearted like that. Oh and back to this note to anyone though, I can forgive but if you bring s*** to me it’s on! But I’m not looking for it.
Monica: Are you coming back for another season of Love & Hip Hop?
Somaya: Ratings are good but…… I need to decide what I’m going to do because other TV projects that will respect and see the value in my story are scouting me. I’m excited no matter what I decide. I love TV.
Somaya ends the interview with her own star struck situation of late, revealing, “I recently met Beyonce while we were shopping for shoes and she said, “Congratulations Somaya on your career and what you’ve accomplished I’m proud.'”
She continues, “Remember I told Olivia about Beyonce? Beyonce has everything she wants in life and did not have to even acknowledge my presence. Yet she was so humble and took the time to talk to me and tell me she knew me from the show and congratulated me. Now that shows class, and that is how all artists should be. If you know you a bad b***** then you don’t have to hate on another artist. I nearly fainted at her humility! She has inspired me to go harder.”
Here are the pluses I take away from this interview: First, Beyonce is a Somaya fan — that’s pretty Sasha fierce! Second, she still keeps in touch with Mama Jones… and let’s be honest, if I were ever involved in some way, shape, or form with rap videos, “dating” hip-hop moguls or birthing the next generation of adorable little mini-players, Mama Jones would be my most favorite friend and ally. Because I’m “phsychotic.” Finally, she’s being “scouted” for other television venues? Seems like VH1 needs to jump back on the bandwagon it created. And to think, Somaya used to get on my nerves!
[Photo Credit: Mr Blue/WENN.com]
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SOMAYA’S INTERVIEW? ARE YOU SURPRISED SHE GOT THE BOOT SUCH A SEVERE EDIT THIS SEASON? THOUGHTS ON HER ONLY KEEPING UP WITH A FEW OF THE LADIES? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF SOMAYA?
