“I Wanted to Do Something Different”: Cynthia Bailey on Keeping Her Relationship with New Boo Le’Prince Private [Video]

Cynthia Bailey is glowing, and it’s not just the red carpet lights—it’s love! Baller Alert caught up with the Real Housewives of Atlanta star at the Truth Awards, where she opened up about her new relationship, why she kept it private, and the biggest lesson reality TV has taught her.

After taking a break from social media, Bailey admitted she’s been enjoying keeping her romance low-key with her boyfriend, Le’Prince, an Amsterdam-based musician and DJ. Earlier this month, the couple was spotted cozying up at LAX before catching a flight to Atlanta, marking their official public debut.

“In the past, old Cynthia would be like, ‘Yay, I’m in Amsterdam with my boo, I’m in Switzerland with my boo,’” she joked. “But this time, I wanted to do something different. I felt like I needed to protect this relationship until I knew we were really in it, that it was really happening.”

Now, after almost a year of dating, Bailey and Le’Prince are no longer hiding their love. “TMZ popped us out about a week ago,” she laughed. “We were always outside, just discreetly. Now, we’ve really popped out outside outside.”

When asked about what reality TV has taught her about friendships, Bailey shared that it’s all about meeting people where they are. “Everyone’s on their own journey. You don’t know what people are going through…so you just have to be your authentic self and give people grace.”

As for the biggest misconception about her? That her kindness means weakness. “I’m kind, but I ain’t weak—be very clear,” Bailey said. “I know how to defend myself, I know how to create boundaries, and I know how to walk away from situations that no longer serve me.” And if necessary? “I know how to cuss somebody out—I don’t want to, but I will.”