Baller Alert Entertainment & Lifestyle
Last night we got to meet Nia (pronounced Nya) on the latest episode of Basketball Wives. Before her job as Evelyn’s assistant, Nia was a good friend of Jennifer Williams. Last night things got heated between the two and resulted in Nia slapping Jen in the face. Many have opinions on how the situation was handled, so we reached out to Nia to get her thoughts on last night.
BA: Could you explain your previous relationship with Jen? How did you meet, how long did you know each other, how close were you?
Nia:Jen & I met back in 2005 at Evelyn’s 30th birthday party. It wasn’t until Rahshida (from season 1) was gonna beat Jen’s ass that we got really close. Jen gears to rescuers. When that whole thing went down I stood up for Jen. I wouldn’t have let anyone put hands on my friend. So I guess seeing how she is now, she took a liking to me because I stood up for her. But that’s my core, I’m a loyal friend/female. Anyone that knows me well, knows that about me. Jen & I grew closer & we started hanging out a lot more. I considered her one of my closer friends. She was with me in the hospital, checked on me all the time & we hung out all the time. I introduced her to a lot of my friends & put her on to the club scene. She stayed at my house, regular friend shit.
BA: In true Reality TV fashion, I’m sure scenes are edited. What are some of the things that were said that maybe we didn’t see?
Nia:What I wish would have aired was more of Shaunie’s dinner. When Eve gave her 2nd speech, she pointed to me & said, Jen this was your girl right here, you don’t even fuck with her anymore. Jennifer looked me in my face & turned her head. After I had just spoken to her & kissed her when I entered Phillipe’s. Its crazy how shit gets put in & taken out but maybe the viewers would understand more if they see exactly how shit played out.
BA: What is the situation with the “keys”? Did you ever get the keys back?
Nia:This key shit is a funny subject. The thing is, before all of this occurred I tried to get Evelyn & Jen to reconcile their differences & move past that whole “doing interviews” thing. I loved them both. I spoke to Jen & Evelyn separately for like 2 hours. I told both of them at the end of the day, yall have known each other for over a decade & yall started this thing together. No matter what happens during filming or after filming you should never let that shit come between a true friendship. Evelyn broke down on the phone with me, she was hurt. In this whole reality shit it can take a toll on you. But Jen is not an apologetic type of person. So she held her ground & said, ” I’m soooo busy, I’m traveling to Chicago, I’ll call her on Tuesday, if Evelyn has a issue with me she needs to come to me, I don’t have an issue with her.” Mind you, this convo was on a Thursday. I said, Jen if you can sit on the phone with me this long just yall talk & settle this shit. Filming will start back up soon & it makes no sense for this to break yall apart. I told Jen, Evelyn broke down on the phone with me, your friend needs you, talk to her. Finally, when Jen got around to calling Evelyn, her number was changed, so she panicked. She called me & said, Evelyn changed her number I emailed her & she never replied. I told her when you wait that long to contact someone you consider your best friend, what did you think was gonna happen.
At this time, Jen said well we need to catch up & get lunch maybe & I also have to give you back your keys. I honestly, forgot she even had keys to my apartment. The thing is, I don’t mind if my friends stay here. That’s friend shit. When her & Eric would go back & forth & Eric held her bentley hostage in Miami or Eric’s son (that she hates) was in their Jersey apartment, she would just stay here. Even when she had shit to do in the City or we went out & she didn’t wanna cab it or ferry it back to Jersey. Jen came in & out like her name was on our lease. & I’m not throwing her under the bus or putting her out there but let’s be all the way real here. Every human on this planet goes through shit rich or poor. So if your accounts are frozen & your husband has taken over everything & you walk around living this lavish life & you still want people to think you’re rolling in dough by all means a front is put up. I don’t have any reason to lie about Jen staying in my apartment. Someone even found her tweet on twitter about her saying she has my keys. Oh & no I never got them back my best friend/roommate Putt changed the locks being that I now live & work in Miami. & believe me I’m not the least bit concerned with her doing something to me or my apartment. My only concern was the new people she’s around. I don’t know what her new boot lickers are capable of.
BA: You seemed very hurt by the sudden change in Jen’s friends. Did you two have a falling out at some point?
Nia: The thing is, hurt is the wrong word to use. I’ve had my best friends for 20+ years. So Jen exiting my life won’t ever hurt me. I was more shocked & confused by her behavior because I never once got into the middle of that situation. All I attempted to do was to mend it. As for the falling out, no we didn’t have one. Her & another friend of mine got into it & Jen & I remained friends. I don’t really know what occurred. From what I’m told & what I’ve seen is that she is looking for fans. She wants rose petals thrown at her feet. In our camp we don’t give two fucks about a fake ass status. We don’t need whatever level she thinks she’s on to get into anything or anywhere. Like no one is higher than the other. I don’t care what your tax bracket is. What I’ve learned tho is Jen identifies with what her status is at that point. Once her accounts freed up she was back on her shit & we were beneath her. None of that shit matters to me honestly. But the argument that occurred on camera could have happened off as well. That TV shit doesn’t make or break me. I am completely true to my character. Oh & by the way, I did have a verbal chat with Jen about her new friends. She told me when I called her about Mia that she wasn’t friends with her she was just someone that lived near her. I told Jen, Mia & I had history & we are all adults I don’t care who you are friends with but as a friend, I’m just giving you a heads up with where I stand with a person that you are becoming cool with.
BA: How did you meet Evelyn & when did you become her assistant?
Nia:I’ve known Evelyn for like 8 years now. We met through my other best friend Michele. Their dudes played on the same teams & they got close. So of course we all became close. Evelyn was the first female that I liked out of all the basketball chicks that Michele would bring around us. We rolled the same & our square was complete. Evelyn & Michele were bff’s & Putt & I were bff’s. Me becoming her assistant happened from my mother & Evelyn’s daughter Shaniece (who I call my niece) having a whole discussion about me & me working with Evelyn. The thing is, I have Stage 4 Endomertiosis so a regular 9-5 never really worked for me. I’ve been sick for 7 years now. I would be in & out of the hospital all the time so assisting was something I could do & still keep my health intact. My bosses understand my illness & are very lenient with me. I also assisted a few other friends prior to me working for Evelyn. I’m really great at what I do so this was a perfect situation for the both of us. In this business, someone close to you is best because all the personal information is shared & you can not just have anyone all in your personal shit or personal space.
BA: Why did you think Evelyn got so upset when Jen started talking about your financial status & “2 Bedroom Apartment In Harlem”?
Nia: Evelyn is loyal, as am I. It hurt her more for all the negative shit that Jen had to say. I don’t give a fuck what comes out of Jen’s stink breath mouth. Those words are not gonna change anything going on in my life. What’s funny is, if she felt that way why were you ever even here? Its not like she paid for anything or helped me out. Shit, Jen never paid for shit. Either we split dinner bills or drink bills or someone that I introduced her to took care of bills. Since I met Jen that was always a problem. We use to say, fly ass cheap Jen. The one that pretends she’s worth 25mill table hops & hangs out with drug dealers to pay for everything. I promise you guys, all that TV shit yall see is all for tv. And wait, am I missing something? What is wrong with a two bedroom in Harlem? I pay bills just like everyone else. I don’t need to live a life style above my means. I love my life & if you know me, sleeping in my two bedroom after I leave the club dancing the night away smiling & enjoying myself makes me complete. Jen slept on my two bedroom sofa many of nights.
BA: How do you feel about your portrayal on the episode?
Nia: Honestly, I really don’t care. People are gonna say what they like regardless. I went on television raw & uncut and not caring. This is what upsets people. The way I look, the way I sound, what I did blah blah blah. Walk in my shoes then let’s chat. Yet still, you tune in & watch & care that much to comment. So negative or positive, you’re still a fan. Who the hell is giving out gavel’s by the way? Because Lord God mofos are harsh. But hey, that’s to be expected. I love who I am & like I said before, my character will not change regardless of what viewers think. My future awaits me.
BA: Had you gone to the race track with the intention of things getting physical between you and Jen?
Nia:Hell no I did not go on television to slap Jen. Before I entered that suite I had a few cocktails & 30 mins of conversation had already taken place between Shaunie, Tami, Evelyn & I. What viewers don’t understand is, the 3 minutes you see was actually like 45mins of filming at the race track. I knew I was gonna address Jen. But me asking her what happened between her & I and her reaction to me, took me by surprise. Let me say this, I’m not out here gang banging threatening people & acting like I will bust everyone’s ass. However, please believe, I was not raised no punk & I don’t lip box. If you disrespect me, I will react. Whether the cameras were rolling or not, I would have slapped the shit out of Jen. Jen was real bold with that mouth but she gets like that when she thinks she will be rescued. This was one incident where her rescuing team didn’t get to her fast enough. So I had to slap some sense into her ass. I didn’t think it would ever go that far but the words coming out her mouth were punching me in my face. As my bestfriend Michele told me, A person who can control their tongue has power over their whole body. No need to run, thank them.
BA: Do you regret slapping her and what was going through your mind at the time?
Nia: I’m not going to lie, I did regret it after it happened. I actually prayed on it. It bothered me that someone I love & someone I know, became someone I use to love & someone I knew. Jen & I had great times together. I had a flash of “I missed her” before my eyes. But that shit went black when her words were so sharp & she was pretending for the cameras. That whole incident was a lot for me.
BA: Had you and Jen ever had a falling out before?
Nia:I think Jen & I had one little spat prior to this. When she didn’t show up to a mutual friends charity event because she went with her celebrity friend to a Knick’s game (crickets). At this time, Jennifer thought she was dating Mr. #1. Jen was dating a fake player that she met on facebook posing as the real one. We “knicked” named her “innanety” because she met a dude on the internet & never made sure it was the correct person. So she thought she would be noticed at the game by him (long story). Anywho, I called her out about it & she got smart & I told her, don’t let me catch you in these streets. She asked me if I was threatening her we hung up both angry. Then we spoke days later went to lunch & it was over (no relationship is perfect. If you don’t have tribulation in every relationship the shits fake.) I just didn’t get how going to a knick game to see a player that you really aren’t dating was more important than supporting your friends. But everything with that chick is a photo opp or an interview.
BA: Jen kept saying “Why are you here?”, is it uncommon for you to be around Evelyn?
Nia: The reason why Jen said that shit is because of what I said, about niggas done ran through you. How are you holier than thou? You walk a straight line & are so busy with this whole fake life you live. Jen plays this role that she just started dating & she’s new to it all, yada yada. Bitch please… You have had your share of dick receiving & dick sucking just like everyone else. I’ve checked Jen into a hotel to skeet a dude, during her marriage. Let that princess mother of pearl shit fool you all you want. Jen gets it in… Me being with Evelyn & around Evelyn is normal. When I would go to Miami I either stayed with Evelyn or 1 time I stayed at Jen’s apartment. The shit is as common as a females monthly.
BA: How do you comment to those saying that you’re stirring up drama to get a permanent spot on Basketball Wives?
Nia:First off I don’t want a role on the show. I tried to defuse that whole shit but Jen is so far gone now we can’t get her back. Jennifer Kardashian… I will never in my life surround myself with a bunch of ‘yes’ men. The only person I think she has around her that will open up a can of whip ass on her is Mia. It will be but so much Jen can say or do before she puts her in her place. So that drama shit I could care less what people think. The funny thing is perception is everything in a reality show based world. You would think a real story is told but all of the stories have holes. So with that being said, I’ll just have to deal with the heat I’m getting for this.
BA: Other than being Evelyn’s assistant, what else do you do?
Nia: I’m also Evelyn’s event booker, I’m an event planner, & I’m a writer. Oh & some would say I’m like a body guard. They call me the police in our crew. Nothing gets passed my eye.
BA: Obviously the show was taped several months ago, have you spoken to Jen since?Hell Nia: No. My bestfriend Putt spoke to her about her twitter rants with her friends & the key situation. But that friendship has sailed that shit isn’t docking anytime soon. My homeboy said, “You & Jen will speak again”. My response was, “where in Heaven?”
BA: Has Jen attempted to sue you (as stated in the episode)?
Nia:Jen is killing all these trees with all these paper trails. She filed a police report after I slapped her but it didn’t go anywhere to my knowledge. I also filed one for my protection. But what’s weird to me is, she preaches non-violence & lawyer shit all the time. But she’s the same one with friends sending threats to me on twitter. & her thumb thugging, lip boxing ass is retweeting it & popping shit as well. Now let’s make this clear. How I was raised with no silver spoon & all, there are two ways to handle things. In the courts or in the streets. Jen needs to pick a lane & stick to it. Does she want me to get beat down or locked up. Her whole situation has holes. She claimed she’d never been smacked but her husband hit her in her face with a glass. If yall can’t see the real through her purple contacts in all of this, yall are really blind.
BA: If you could take the situation back, would you?
Nia:The thing is I live for today. Dwelling on my past mistakes & regrets will never allow me to be productive in my today. What happen, happened. God is my only judge & I’m a work in progress. I prayed on it, I serve a 2nd chance God. His forgiveness is all I seek.
BA: Do you feel you over reacted simply because Jen doesn’t want to hang out with you anymore? What do you say to those who say “Just get over it”?
Nia:Let’s set this shit straight, I never wanted to hang out with Jen nor did I every hang out with Jen. Jen hung out with ME. Jen rolled with me. I connected Jen to the NY life scene. This is my City. I am well connected. My personality is how I meet & become almost family with people. Real recognizes real. I don’t need anymore plus 1’s, I’m good. I have my core. Even though, we let big foot creep in for a period of time & had good times with her that’s not stopping no show over here. We are fucken good. Oh & I’m so over that shit. To this question I would normally just say, Zzzzzzzz’s
BA: How do you handle the criticism on twitter, fb, blogs?
Nia:I don’t let it bother me, it can’t. I hate the way I looked in those scenes. I criticize myself. I’m a strong being, all of this chatter about me too shall pass. My future awaits.
BA: If you had control over the production how would you have wanted the scene edited?
Nia: I’m fine with it… But I would have liked yall to see more of the salsa dancing her & I was doing. Oh & she did not get up that fast nor did I walk fast to get to her. Jen had so much time to get up & defend herself or walk out. Notice how Kesha got her ass up quick. I hope & pray after reading this the fans & viewers see the real.
