Attorney Phaedra Parks of The Real Housewives of Atlanta hit the red carpet of the 2012 Grammy Nominee Party in Atlanta with her hubby, Apollo Nida, Tuesday evening (January 24, 2012).

Phaedra was reportedly the very last to stroll the red carpet at the event, which was held at the W hotel downtown, but everybody knows that was simply because she likes to make an entrance.

Parks has faced a bit of criticism over her decision to join the popular reality show, but she assured reporters on the red carpet, that her participation is “for entertainment purposes only”.

Details + more photos of Phaedra on the red carpet below…

According to Jennifer Britt of the AJC, Kim Zolciak and her hubby, Falcons player Kroy Biermann, were also scheduled to appear but didn?t show up. They also didn?t bother telling organizers, who had to learn second-hand, from a text Kim sent a friend. (How dreadful!)

As for Phaedra, she spoke about her decision to join the show, stating:

?The show came at a good time,? she said. ?It was a great opportunity.?

?It is TV,? she said of her colorful personality on-screen. ?It is for entertainment. You?re peeking at moments between friends that happen to be taped for television.?

Apollo says that his participation on the show was a bit overwhelming at first, but now he’s handling the attention just fine.

?I?ve embraced it,? he said. ?The first year was a little difficult.?

Phaedra tells the AJC that she doesn?t consider herself a comic, but we all know that’s not the case. Her one-liners are killin’ ’em this season and Apollo agrees.

Nida said his wife is as funny off-camera as on.

?I never consider myself funny,? said Parks, who cracks up viewers with comments like the one she made regarding the funeral home business. (?I love the dead. They?re so quiet.?)

?I just think of myself as down home,? Parks said. ?I?m just being me.”

Phaedra has grown on a lot of people this year and she and Apollo are hands down the cutest couple on-air IMO!

How do you feel about Park’s “Southern Belle” swag?

View more photos from the 2012 Atlanta Grammy Nominee Party HERE

FULL PHOTO GALLERY