Baller Alert Entertainment & Lifestyle
We got the chance to interview Joumana Kidd, ex-wife of Dallas Mavericks Jason Kidd. We’ve written about their relationship before & it’s no secret Joumana & Jason have had a pretty tumultuous and public relationship. Joumana has moved passed the physical abuse, passed the messy divorce and on to bigger and better things. Check out the interview below:
BA: You recently starred on “Let’s Talk About Pep”. How did you feel about the show not being picked up for a second season? Have you considered furthering your television/acting career?
JK:I was bummed. It was a fun show to shoot. I think it just wasn’t edgy enough for VH1. I’m currently doing some free lance hosting as well as a couple projects that are in negotiations. I’m also in the process of looking for representation so I can get back out there.
BA: How do you balance dating and focusing on your family life?
JK: My kids keep me so busy that dating just hasn’t been a priority. It’s just where my focus is right now. My kids have pretty much told me I need to call ‘Match.com” [laughs]
BA: You went through a very public divorce with Jason, how do you rebuild & keep it all together?
JK: I believe God kept me at the eye of the storm. I surprised myself at the strength I had. My focus was to stay strong, consistent and solid for my kids.
BA: Would you ever consider dating another athlete?
JK: How did I know you were going to ask me that? [laughs]Lets see.. I would never rule anyone out due to their vocation but I would certainly go into any relationship with more wisdom and knowledge.
BA: Are you currently dating anyone now?
JK: Nothing serious
BA: Rosa Blasi listed Jason as a “cheater” in her book ‘Jock Itch: The Misadventures of a Retired Jersey Chaser’, how does this make you feel?
JK: I appreciated the fact that she insinuated I was not the abusive one in the relationship. That’s the way it was painted in the media (due to a high dollar amount spent on a top notch PR firm. That was a quick shoutout to Jason) But the honest truth is I never like to see anything negative written about Jason either, I guess it’s an old habit.
BA: Being the wife of a pro athlete, was there ever a time where you were aware of his infidelity and turned a blind eye?
JK: No, I think that’s why we fought so much! haha It was hard to ever hold solid proof because there are so many people around him enabling and protecting him. I also loved him and wanted to believe I was wrong.
BA: Did you accept things in your marriage that you may not have accepted from someone who was not an athlete?
JK: No, my expectations were pretty standard no matter what he did for a living. I want open communication and trust. We are all human and bound to make mistakes. I’m probably too forgiving at times. I just want someone who respected me enough to make me a priority and not put me in harms way. I want someone who has a conscience, a conscience that accuses him and not EXCUSES him.
BA: Do you still hold any ill will towards Jason? How is your relationship now?
JK: Believe it or not I never did. I do my best to make it work because of the kids. I have three beautiful children because of him and two amazing step kids that I’m very close to.
BA: Do you have any advice for women in physically or emotionally abusive relationships to help them move forward?
JK: I think we have to be careful what we make our ‘norm’. We are creatures of habit and we tend to get comfortable in certain situations thinking it’s more acceptable than it is.
BA: What signs do you look for to know the relationship just isn’t working out?
JK: Not having trust! If you don’t trust one another it’s pretty much a wrap!
BA: Why do you view women who are clear in what kind of men they like/want as “groupies”?
JK: I think knowing what you want is a huge accomplishment. Some women happen to be attracted to fame and power. I don’t group these women as “groupies”. To me a “groupie” would be a women who sells herself short by compromising herself and her values. Someone who will do anything to get next to an athlete by any means necessary, even if it means breaking up a family.
BA: You have been doing a lot of philanthropic events and such, what is your favorite cause/charity and why?
JK: I’m the spokesperson for Marble Jam kids. Its a charity set to provide training and education for autistic kids. I’ve watch this organization grow from the beginning and admire everyone’s dedication who is involved. Honestly, any time you throw kids into the equation… I’m in!
BA: After being on the Anderson Cooper show with BallerAlert how do you feel about the website?
JK: I feel like it offers a wide variety of information. I noticed you cover many topics. After meeting the founders and seeing that they are professional business women who are pretty much giving a wide audience what they want, I say more power to you!
Find out more about Joumana by following her on Twitter @JoumanaKidd, visiting her website JoumanaKidd.com and checking out her ‘Ask Joumana‘ advice column on The News Burner. You can also check out her author Jessica Roberts’ new novel ‘Reflections’ on Amazon.
