Last week it was announced that the highly anticipated new series Basketball Wives L.A. will make it’s television debut on August 29th at 8 p.m. ET/PT. This week, we have your first look at all the ladies who will appear on the show.
Check out our gallery with images of all the women who are starring on the show, and read on for the full press release about the big premiere.
“Basketball Wives LA” Premieres On VH1 Monday, August 29 at 8PM ET/PT
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JULY 28, 2011 – VH1 is expanding their ‘Basketball Wives” franchise with an explosive new series set in Los Angeles which features the wives, girlfriends and exes to some of the hottest players from the Los Angeles Lakers and other legendary teams. Let the games begin on “Basketball Wives LA” premiering Monday, August 29 at 8PM ET/PT on VH1.
Elbow throwing, trash talking and in-your-face action: forget the NBA, we’re talking about their wives! The successful VH1 franchise “Basketball Wives” just tapped a new team of leading ladies to take Los Angeles by storm on VH1’s “Basketball Wives LA” premiering Monday, August 29 at 8PM ET/PT. “Basketball Wives LA” introduces a group of dynamic women with relationships to some of the biggest basketball players in the game. “Basketball Wives LA” cast includes:
GLORIA GOVAN – fiancée of LA’s Matt Barnes, Gloria may be fairly new to the West Coast, but not to viewers of Basketball Wives. After relocating to Los Angeles and surviving Barnes’ first season playing for the most recognizable team in the world, she’s keeping busy both as a mom to her twins and taking on a new challenge: easing into the Southern California lifestyle.
LAURA GOVAN – sister to Gloria Govan, Laura may be rebuilding her life with just her kids and brand new baby to keep her company, but she’s never alone as Govan family ties run strong. Like her sister, Laura has no trouble speaking her mind or sticking up for family when things get rough.
KIMSHA ARTEST – self-described ‘partner’ of Ron Artest and mother of three, Kimsha is proud of her New York (Jamaica, Queens) roots and not a fan of living in Los Angeles. After seventeen years with Artest, she’s rolled with the punches when it comes to the basketball lifestyle. Kimsha refuses to resign herself to the LA “party” lifestyle, also shying away from the bling.
IMANI SHOWALTER – ex-fiancée to player Stephen Jackson and mother of three, Imani has fought hard against being stigmatized since parting ways with her famous ex and isn’t shy to confess that she hasn’t dated since. A former singer with a New York girl group, Imani says she’s in the process of “rediscovering what makes me happy again… I want to find my passion and that’s where I want to go.”
MALAYSIA PARGO – wife of Chicago’s Jannero Pargo, Malaysia grew up in Compton, California before meeting her husband at 22. On being a basketball wife, she confesses that she always has her guard up and that one has to be a strong individual in order to live this lifestyle because it will “swallow you up and spit you out.”
JACKIE CHRISTIE – wife of retired player Doug Christie, Jackie claims to have the strongest marriage in basketball, and it shows: she and Doug renew their vows every year! Bulldozed in the press for being overbearing and controlling in her relationship, she’s not one to hold her tongue, even with other players’ wives. She loves the spotlight and seems unfazed by her reputation as a polarizing figure in the world of basketball wives.
DRAYA MICHELE – Draya is currently a model and aspiring actress in Los Angeles with several music videos and magazine covers to her credit. A controversial beauty with a history of dating players, the funny and engaging Draya says “I have a million haters. I open the list of haters and it rolls across the floor.” No word yet if any of the new LA wives make that list.
This 10 episode, hour-long series will dive into the real-life locker room of these leading ladies, giving viewers a never-before-seen look at what it takes to live in La La Land and be connected to a famous professional athlete. For the most part, these women live the life with the best cars, biggest mansions and hottest bling but living the high life is not all glamour and often there is a price to pay. Cameras will follow these women as they attempt to juggle their relationships, infidelity issues, children and friendships while trying to find the perfect balance between supporting their families and realizing their own career ambitions. “Basketball Wives LA” brings a full court press to VH1 on Monday, August 29 at 8PM ET/PT.
Shed Media is producing the series. Executive producers for Shed Media are Nick Emmerson, Alex Demyanenko, Jennifer O’Connell and Sean Rankine. Tom Huffman is a consulting producer. Shaunie O’Neal is an executive producer. Executive producers for VH1 are Jeff Olde, Jill Holmes and Noah Pollack.
[Photos: Cody Bess for VH1]
195 responses to to Get Your First Look At The Basketball Wives L.A. Cast
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Looks like she tried her daughter’s dress on. She covers up on the show and shows skin on the pictures. She is so confused.
Why isn’t Tanya Williams a part of the lineup? Isn’t she a part of the cast?
these women are ghetto and are talking about these other women are ghetto. they want to blame strippers and other women for the misgivings of their men. The blame goes to the husband or boyfriend or fiancee, they were not forced their infidelity was a choice. and they need to get over it and stop blaming the women coming on to them
These women are a poor example of mature women, i dont care for this show at all, i like vh1 other show’s but not this show
u is hot
I had nothinng better to do, so I tunes in in B.B.W.L.A. Not surprised it’s the same old soup warmed over. I’m very upse and tired of seeing my sisters act up the way that do. How real is this? And although it’s TV Still set some boundries for yourself, have more respect for yourself. Having no class isn’t cute nor worth the cash that they pay you. Tanya didn’t want to play that game, as a result is she gone? Give me a break what are you guys going to tell your kids if the happen to see the show( and they will see it). Laura I think might get it. Gloria is a wanna be leader of the LA wives ha! ha!. She sin’t even the WIFE. I’m not a hater, but I’d like to see the real deal is that possible? Just have more RESPECT for yourself and family.
The women from the first Basketball Wives series were classy women, including Meeka. Meeka was full of lies, but she was still considered classy. These women on BW of LA are very negative and naive. I agreed with Tonya by not moving to stop the fight because it was a childish fight. What was the fight about? DUMBSH_T. These women disrespected their family and friends by going on national television to act like sumo wrestlers. I think Tonya is on the wrong show. She should have been on the first series of BW. These women are Basketball Wrestler of LA. Whatever the cast is getting paid to do the show, do the show, get your money, and hurry up and bring back The Real Basketball Wives: JENNIFER, TAMI, SHAUNIE, EVELYN, AND SUZI.
These women show that they have no life other than their husband. Everyone of them except Tanya are hustlers. I do not blame Tanya. I would not stop two ignorant black women from fighting. Why should she participate in such stupidity? Do any of these women have an education? Or are they solely depending on their bodies and good looks to take them through life? Maybe that’s why the men did not marry them. They got pregnant to hold on to these men or was a way of getting money without having to work?
Don’t really like ths show. The lady’s are knda of old. I think they should take the younger ladys under their wing.. As far what ppl have done in ther past that is none of anybodys bussiness. I bet they have alot of secrets in their closets.Why can’t black women stop putting each other down. Iman mine your damn bussiness. and who are u anyway u suck.
Laura Govan takes the cake, I have never seen a more idiotic female on tv. She asked Tanya to SPEAK GHETTO because she speaks properly. Tanya please come of the show you have too much class for this. Ignorant people are always threaten by positive and educated people. What a ignorant insecure little girl, I cant call any of these girls woman on this show. This will be the first and last episode I watch. This just makes black woman look bad and I refuse to give them ratings. its a shame these girls have children and passing this ghettoness on, not everyone is meant to have children.
I love your shoes by the way and dont worry about these ignorant females and who cares if you where stand offish u didnt know them and you where trying to feel them out if they dont like it tell them all to go kick rocks with open toe shoes they just mad cause they asses are old and shapeless
I am not a fan of Tanya preaching, but I am glad she removed herself from the fighting. And why is anyone responsible for breaking up someones fight? On you. Secondly, the judgment about how people got their husbands, whether they are gold digging, single, did not get ring, close the deal, are/were strippin, judging other folks…….um, everyone wants something for their life and for the women who judge the other, what’s your role? How did you get your money and your place? Except for the women who have time in with their husbands who have hopefully been loyal and worked to keep each other happy, some of the women who think their stuff doesn’t think will find themselves single in a few years. Been done. And get your own education and identity…do you instead of shopping all day, bragging, wasting time and looking in the mirror. That stuff fades. Then what? Half of nothing is nothing. All money isn’t good money.
These women are very negative and judgmental. Fighting on the 1st show really?!?! An who the hell made Imani god?? Really?? So what if the young lady (Draya) stripped or strips for a living. Doesn’t make her a bad individual. You would have thought the poor girl was a murderer or a pedophile my goodness. These ladies are very tacky. I won’t be watching this show. And I thought the show Bad Girls was terrible!!
I recently tuned in to the show basketball wives of L.A. And i have to say that i wasn’t impressed at all with the show .The episode that I watched had me a little upset because some of the women were downing malaysia because of her name which they were saying is laquisha malaysia.I wanted to know who gave these women the right to judge someone because of the name that they were given.They are no better than anyone else.That really offened me personally because that is the name that i was given.And i would like for these women to know that not everyone with that name is a hoodrat or ghetto.most of us weren’t handed everything on a silver platter by our partners. But most of us do work for a honest living ,live in nice homes and try to strive for the best all with putting God first of course.The name laquisha was also knocked in the movie coach carter .For example names like laquisha ,kesha and even Imani which is a very pretty name but most people consider it to be ghetto and over the top.And why knock another women instead we should enpower one another.
I just watched the first 2 episodes of the show and I can relate to those that find some of these women judgemental. Aren’t we all judgemental at times? I had to remind myself that this is TV, not reality. Reality cannot be found on shows like this. This is a glimpse into the lives of these woman but keep in mind that this is also VH1. True reality can be found on Investigation Discovery or Biography. This show is mostly entertaining to say the most.
Get this crappy show off the air. Those women are a real joke,
iMAINI IS THE REAL GOLD DIGGER. HERE IS WHY HER MARRIAGE WAS CALLED OFF HE ASKED HER FOR 6TH MONTHS TO SIGN A PRE-NUP SHE ALWAYS SAID WOULD NEVER SIGN A PRE-NUP. SO ON HER WEDDING DAY SHE CAME TO THE ISLE AND HE WAS NOT THEIR. MOTHER, SISTER AND WEDDING PLANNER ALL KNEW HE WAS GONE, SHE DID NOT BELEIVE THEM. HE WAS NOT WAITING FOR HER LOL! ANOTHER NOTE HE JUST FOUND OUT SHE HAS A SON BECAUSE HE WAS AT THE WEDDING. HOWEVER SHE NEVER TOLD HIM ABOUT HER SON. HE THOUGHT SHE ONLY HAD A DAUGHTER. THIS ONE HO THAT HAS NEVRES TO CALL SOMEONE ELSE OUT.
Pleaz don’t give MALAYSIA PARGO a hard time. Cus them L.A. chic’s don’t know nothin about the chi. We don’t play when it come to Nero so don’t be tryn to clown his wife.
I think the show is boring and the ladies are some hater’s how you just go judge someone based off what you heard abt them every show they say they go give Draya a shot but everything she do the turn up there nose at her
I can’t believe there is a spin off of the other disaster of a show,but since it’s on I must chime in! Y’all are ridiculous!!! Draya hold your ground girl because these some jealous, boring ass women! I don’t see where Draya acted any better or worse than the rest of y’all. I think her gift was thoughtful because she didn’t just think about her but him as well. Everything that comes out of y’all mouth concerning Draya is negative! Grown ass women act like grown ass women!
Imani how dare you judge another human being like you don’t have skeleton(s) in your closet. (why can’t you keep a man) You have no right to expose someone business on national tv as if you are so damn perfect. If you don’t like Draya then stop talking about her and making Draya your project. You are absolutely wrong!!!
I’m so sick and tired of Black women bashing Black women. And why are they so offended if Draya did have problems with her life and if her child was removed from her home, what does it have to do with them? These reality shows are scripted and boy are they (script writers) having fun making these women look like………. What’s funny is they have the nerve to act like they’re better than someone else when it’s clear how phoney they all are. And is Gloria trying to be the Shaunie of this show? If so, why? She’s not a basketball wife either. After this show, people won’t envy not living in SoCal, because this show makes Black women look like fools. But some people will do anything for money. I hope this is the last season of this show.
With a classy black woman in the White House, we have a bunch of classless black females who carry themselves on a level far below junior high clicks.
OMG – so I caught a few episodes and I of course have some opinions.
These women are very sad.
Imani is a total opinionated stuck up – with no right to be – beeyotch! They take everything out of context and the factt that GLORIA that major looser is a part of this is reason NOT to watch! Is Shaunie making money from this too? It makes me miss Basketball Wives Miami – and that is REALLY SAD! OTFLMAO!
Haters….always lurking…..your cute, light complected and thinner than all of them…of course they hate on you.
love u draya,u are so pretty.the other girls have nothing on you.
Dear jackie Chrstie
I know that your mom is dying ,but asked your mom to give her life over the lord and let him saved my soul and forgive me for all my sins, then she can rest in piece,And she want be afraid of dying.justed knowing that she is in the hands of the lord.Once she has giving her self to lord that you will see her again in heaven.please! don’t let her leave this world with out saying lord saved my soul and for give me for all my sins then she will become a child of god ,and he will wrapped her in his arm forever. may the lord bless you and your family with love,
I THINK LAURA GOT IT TWISTED SHE DID NOT KICK MALAYSIA AZZ. LAURA IS VERY JEALOUS OF DAYA SHE NEEDS TO GET A LIFE AND LOSS WEIGHT..
who do jackie think she is ? she actin like she is the head of bella mafia.imani needs to stop judging draya they all are mad draya look better than them and the past is the past.
yOU KNOW jACKIE NEEDS TO COME OFF HER HIGH HORSE BECAUSE SHE IS SO 2 FACED. tHEY ARE ALL JEALOUS OF DRYA BECAUSE SHE IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. JACKIE IS FAT , BABY MAMA GOVAN IS EXTREMELY FAT AND THEY ARE ALL A BUNCH OF FOLLOWERS. EXCEPT FOR DRAYA. jUST LIKE ON SHAUNIE’S SHOW FOLLOWING EVELYN AROUND. dRAYA AND royce need to hook up cause the rest of them hooks is lame.
I couldn’t belive that big amazon put on some boxing gloves to box that little pettite Draya. Girl, you should be so shame of yourself. Thsts like puttin an alligator in a box with an ant. You hasting her that much. he isn’t thinking about you and you 4 kids. You got such a job with those kids , how do you have time to hang out with the girls. Where is your husband. None, I am most certain. Sit down, go to your therapist and stop hatin on Draya. Everybody has a past. Oh yea! mama including you and Miss got a great marriage Jackie. Girl, who would ever want your man but you. Jackie and Hulk Hoe gan leave Draya alone cause she is real and you all are not.
SAD!!!SAD!!! ANOTHER CLASSLESS SHOW , I AM FOR THE HOOD BUT WE TOOK CARE OF EACH OTHER….. SEE THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WHITE FOLKS IN MONEY COME IN COONING BUFFUNING HAVE AT IT U DUMMYS AND I HOPE THE MONEY IS WORTH IT U MAKE ME SICK!!!!!!
They’re absolutely hilarious. I mean this is a group of washed up groupies passing judgement like their queens of the court. Take out your bad hair pieces, lose the make up and the hurdles and what do we have….a bunch of low budget, no class hood rats!
P.S. Jackie and Laura try running up on someone that just might stomp a mud hole in your behind. Not impressed!
*girdles
JUST SAYIN: here’s a tidbit, Jackie y so paranoid about ur husband been w/mine 20 yrs w/o planning a wedding xcept one. Imani may b ur man left bc ur 2 n luv w/urself. Gloria ur the crowd uh huh rite uh huh. Laura pls come out the closet an admit u suffer frm a penis complex. Maylasia u go gurl they tried 2 catagorize u but way 2 show u can b frm the hood yet FABULOUS. N last but not least Draya boo give em ur but 2 kiss u dont owe no 1 anything but the lord so praise him n go bout ur life. my exit line 2 the men on the show Mr Jackie pls ask ur wife 4 ur sac back and 2 Gloria’s guy please postpone the ceremony AGAIN.
Isnt this the chick who was humping Shani’s husband? Now on the show she is all frustrated, judgmental, horny and angry. She is a pretty woman dont get me wrong but hoes will be hoes. Dont be mad at Gilbert because he kept it moving, you were dead wrong honey for emailing and sleeping with Shani’s husband and you will never be able to live that down boo boo and Gilbert wont either. just like when he brought the gun to practice.. Idiot!
I thing its pretty ridiculous how every one on this except Malaysha has flaws, but only seems to point out the flaws of Draya….WOW…..Draya I believe your story on being set up….and yes people can post false information about you on the web…if people who do not have anything else in life to do, but ruin others (such as hackers), then yes they can post dumb, and wrong info about anyone…..Draya dont take this nonsense these perfect women have to heart, because what will not kill you, will only make you stronger….Be Bless
My bad… retack my first sentence…..I think its pretty ridiculous how everyone on this show……..
FAIL!!
In what century did Jackie’s husband play basketball? What relevance does Jackie and her husband have today? I could see if Jackie was a role model, but, she is sooooo far removed from reality that she should be an embarrassment to her entire family. Speaking of family, did you guys notice when Jackie’s daughter was on the show how Jackie pretended to cry….lol. There was not a damn tear in her eyes.
I been following the show since the beginning, Laura is jealous of Draya and is very bitter. Jackie is nuts, she likes to feel needed and be worshipped, in order to build up her self-worth. Draya needs to tell all of them to kiss her behind and keep it moving.
Jackie is an immature,competitive,insecure, deviisive, two -faced, fake, ghetto- acting, trash-mouthed drama queen. She dresses far too young for her age and believes hanging with women half her age keeps her young ! Not ! You have your poor husband rocked to sleep, but he”d better wake up fast since you nearly let him die choking because of you stupid insecurities. You should be somewhere in your rocking chair reading stories to your grandchildren. and not making a complete fool of yourself each episode.
I thnk dreya is a real prety girl. She is young and she makes hr money the best way she no how just lke sum other woman in dis world. Damn I hve a bad body and I love 2 flaunt it just lke dreya. People are always judging.
Laura is the only real one,and beauty full,I saw her in Orlando with her kids,very loving mother.
I LOVE YOU DRAYA (: #TeamDraya
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