The Celebreality Interview - Tamara

During her one-episode stint on I Love Money 2, Tamara made more of a splash than most competitors make over the course of a season. That’s no mean feat for someone who’s afraid of water! Below, Tamara talks about her remorse for her elimination meltdown, the exploitation factor of reality TV and being there to make friends.

It seems like you had a rough time on this show.

Yeah. I feel kind of silly because I made such a scene and I lashed out at the wrong people. I shouldn’t have gotten the crew into it. I feel bad about that. I really like the producers. Mark, everyone. They were all so nice. It was so rude of me! My whole meltdown was kind of immature and inappropriate. I wasn’t sure about going on the show to begin with because I had a feeling it wouldn’t be good, regardless of what happened. So I went on anyway, and I figured, shoot, if I’m the first one to go, I better go out with a bang.

That you did. Looking back, though, was there any legitimacy to the stuff you were saying?

Yeah. I think so. The exploitation comments and the stuff about how a bunch of those people are idiots. But, then again, I was in the mix, too, so I shouldn’t be talking. There was some truth to it, but I did not mean for it to go as sour as it did. That was not cool.

Is there a difference between exploiting yourself on a show and being exploited by a show?

I guess if you agree to do it, I see your point, but once it’s happening, things are different. You go in thinking, OK, I’m going to keep it together and not do or say anything ridiculous to get blasted by other people, but then you can’t control it. There is a slight difference, but sure, I knew what I was getting myself into.

You made reference to your portrayal on Rock of Love as making you appear unintelligent. Did that experience teach you anything?

Yes. That’s why I was hesitant to go on. I saw how bad I looked on Rock of Love, and worried about it happening again. But I just gave it a shot and I thought, why not? It’s a good network. It’ll get a good audience, I guess.

Regardless of the editing, you do say outlandish things. Your houseboat comment was hilarious.

That was true! That’s what I wanted.

But it’s funny. And for you to say later, “I’m afraid of water, maybe I shouldn’t get a houseboat,” is beyond funny.

Well, you’re right. That was kinda weird. But after the mud, they did an interview with me and asked why I freaked out. I said, “I have this weird water thing. I can’t float around in water comfortably, let alone mud.” And then they were like, “What about the houseboat?” I’m like, “Well, that’s different because it’s a boat and I’m confined.” I don’t get seasick or anything. My issue is being in the water with my skin, that type of thing.

There was some speculation on the Internet that you were maybe on something during elimination. You were kind of twitchy.

I read some of the blogs that were like, “Was she on meth?” “Was she on crack?” I really wasn’t. I probably drank too much. That I know. I was kinda nervous and uncomfortable because I knew I was gonna be the first one gone. After half the cast was chosen, I was like, “Oh, I’m out for sure.” Actually, I thought T-Weed was going to pick me. I think he was going to until I made such a big fool out of myself.

Early on in the episode you were already saying that you wanted to leave, mainly because you felt ostracized. The funny thing is that one of reality TV’s most reliable clichés is, “I’m not here to make friends.” And yet, there you were, trying to make friends.

Yeah. I’m naturally kind of shy. It’s not an easy breeze for me to just walk up to people and befriend someone. I was just waiting for people to start talking to me, and I started feeling more uncomfortable because everyone knew each other a little bit and I was probably the least known person there. Nobody really talked to me except toward the middle when Heat, Bonez and 20 Pack saw me walking around. They were really nice. That’s when I told them about not knowing if I wanted to stay. They were like, “Oh no, stay. No one’s gonna eliminate you, you’re not a threat.” 20 Pack totally told me that and then he didn’t choose me.

What was making you think about quitting in the first place?

I’m not good with those kind of things. I knew that from the beginning. When I got there I said to myself, “Shoot. I’m definitely not going to win.” I knew that once I saw everyone. A couple of people were being rude from the beginning for no reason. Buddha was kinda mean. I was uncomfortable and I didn’t want to make a fool of myself, because I had a feeling that would happen. In the end, I probably should have just kept my mouth shut and walked off gracefully.

And walked off in the right direction.

They made it look like I walked into a closet. I was just walking in the house to get my suitcase and stuff.

I thought you were supposed to walk down the path and retrieve your stuff later?

They didn’t tell me where to go. I was the first one gone, so I didn’t know.

I know you have your magazine work on display on your website, but do you want to go over your resume for those curious about your having done 50 magazines?

That was stupid. That was just me being rude. That had nothing to do with it. I just threw that out there because I was mad.

You said, “I’m a winner.” Do you feel like a winner today?

I feel fine today. I’m having a good day so far.

On your MySpace, you are listed as being of “Black/African descent.” Are you?

No. That was a mock page, I had a whole big page but I took it down because it was kind of silly. I forgot to take that down.

What’s your plan for getting the houseboat now?

I don’t know. I guess I’ll just have to keep working hard.

Keep up with Tamara via her FamousVH1Friends.com profile, her MySpace and her official site.

Related content
I Love Money 2 show page
I Love Money video and extras

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 5th, 2009 at 4:32 pm