We’re just four episodes into Love & Hip Hop Atlanta and the show has proven itself to be one of the most entertaining things to watch on TV in some time. Unfortunately, while we are being entertained, the characters are living their real lives right in front of us. One of the stand out members of the cast is Mimi Faust, long time girlfriend of Stevie J and arch enemy to Joseline Hernandez.
When I got the chance to interview her, I wanted to ask her every question you guys have ever wondered. I wanted to know why she stuck with Stevie so long, why didn’t she slap Joseline in her mouth and how she feels about looking “weak” on national TV. I asked and she answered. I didn’t transcribe the ENTIRE interview so you have to check out the Youtube/Audio & a couple of excerpts below. Make sure you listen to the whole thing because it really was GOOD!
Part 1
BA: To clarify, you have been with Stevie J off and on for 15 years, correct?
Mimi: Correct. Off and On.
BA: And during those “off” times he dated other women?
Mimi: Correct. I was not with Stevie while he was in any other relationship.
BA: So what we’re watching on television now, how long were you and Stevie “on” at that time?
Mimi: Almost 4 years.
BA: Ok, so now the timeline kind of makes sense because a lot of our readers were asking ‘Hey, 15 years. Well, where did all of these other women and children come from?”
Mimi: He had all of the other children before we got together.
BA: On the show you entered into a business deal with Stevie. To clarify what were you getting 20% of Joseline’s project? or 20% of all of Stevie’s dealings?
Mimi: Both. It was 10% of Joseline and 20% of Stevie and everything Stevie does.
BA: I’m one of the few people who watches the show AND the bonus clips on VH1.com, on the bonus clips we see the side of you that the show edits out. We see a more feisty Mimi. A Mimi that stands up for herself. A mimi that isn’t gonna take any mess from Stevie J or anyone else. While on the show, it looks as if you are a pushover and let Stevie J get away with anything he wants. How do you feel about the editing of the show to make you look weaker?
Mimi: Whoever makes the decisions on editing, that’s not up to me. I definitely figure they’re putting out the best show they know how to put out and what they want to display but I know who I am and how I am. I know me. Whoever sees it and has an opinion about it, that’s fine, they’re entitled to their opinion but I know what I’ve done and I know what I’ve said and if it’s not being displayed or showed I can’t really do anything about it.
BA: Does it ever concern you that the public is only seeing a more passive, pushover Mimi? There are a lot of scenes where you were just going in and it was “Go Mimi!” but then on the show you don’t see that.
Mimi: It bothers me a little bit but like I said, the show is what it is and I can’t do anything about that.
BA: At the table scene Joseline mentions something about you being a “groupie” and involved with Ja Rule back in the day. Is there any truth to your Ja Rule involvement?
Mimi: Yes, I know Ja Rule very well. Yes.
Part 2
BA: What do you have to say to those who feel you were wrong for staying with Stevie for so long?
Mimi: They don’t know my situation. They don’t know what’s involved in my situation. Like I said, they can have an opinion about me and my situation all day long but they don’t know me. They see me on television. They’re getting a glimpse of a few minutes into and for them to form an opinion about me and what i’m doing with my life…..like you said, it’s just bits and pieces. It’s really not even a full scope so I think it’s ridiculous that they’re judging and forming an opinion about something they know nothing about fully. They’re entitled to that though.
BA: Why did you stay (with Stevie) for so long?
Mimi: Let me tell you this, I’ve KNOWN Stevie for 15 years. We have not been together all that time. You say, why did I stay. The times that we were together things were good. He’s not always a horrible monster. He’s not always the person that you’re seeing on the screen. I would ave NEVER laid down and had a child with THAT person that you’re watching on the screen. Never, ever ever ever! I don’t know WHO this person. So he has many sides to him. The person I fell in love with is a very nice, sweet, kind, loving man. THIS GUY? Not so much.
BA: He showed us a little bit of that loving side when he serenaded you on Episode 2
Mimi:[laughs] but did you see him look up at the end like ‘Is she buying it? Is she buying it’ You see that? [laughs]
BA: Watching yourself on TV, does it serve as a reality check in any way?
Mimi: Absolutely. It absolutely does. To live it, then to relive it and watch it is a completely different ball game. I would absolutely say it was a reality check for me and it’s really opened my eyes. I can not in any shape, form or fashion say I don’t know or I don’t understand or any of that. I can’t say any of that.
