Sheree Whitfield , formerly of The Real Housewives of Atlanta posed for the photo above after being auctioned off for about $800 during a celebrity charity event in Atlanta last month.

No word on how that $800 date went, but the ex-housewife is currently getting her life in order after being unceremoniously booted from just about the only job she’s ever had.

As you know, Sheree was fired from the popular show and when speculation ran rampant that she’d gotten the boot, she attempted to save face by issuing a cleverly worded statement proclaiming that it was actually her decision to walk away from the drama.

Needless to say, no one believed her. So in a recent interview, Sheree attempts to clear the air yet again.

Whitfield reiterates that her split from Bravo was her decision. She also discusses the status of her child support battle with retired NFL ex-husband Bob Whitfield, why the big bad wolf will never blow down Chataeu Sheree (click HERE for a recent view of the property), and gives a bit of advice to Kenya Moore, her new replacement.

Details + more photos below…

Sheree spoke exclusively with Essence Magazine where she revealed a few tidbits about her future.

What?s been going on in your life since you officially left Real Housewives of Atlanta?

I?ve been spending more time with my kids and my family and planning my next move. I?ve got a couple projects that I?m working on that I?m really excited about. I?ve partnered with a company called Xooma to create a 5 million-pound fitness challenge. We?re trying to help a generation get healthy. I?m really excited about it because this is my realm and what I love.

RHOA is so successful. Was it daunting to make the decision to leave?

Well, you know what, I had been thinking about it for a while. We don?t see the show until it airs, or a couple days before it airs. Even when we were taping, there were a few things I wasn?t happy with as far as how I was portrayed. I was going through some really tough things in my life and watching back and seeing how it affected not only my life, but also my kids? lives, I made a decision that I didn?t want to be selfish. My kids come first.

How do you respond to people who say that you were actually fired instead of quitting?

I don?t have a response to that. I could really care less because I know what happened. It was an amicable split. I was ready to move and I don?t need to explain myself to anybody. I am super happy and I?m moving in a different direction. This is what I know. I?m not about just being on a show bickering and fighting with women. There are big parts of my life that weren?t shown that I?m ready for everybody to see.

How is construction on your new home, a.k.a. Chateau Sheree, going?

It?s going really great. You know, that takes time, and I want it done right. I don?t want nobody to come over, blow on it and it falls down.

When you say you were going through tough times during the last season, are you talking specifically about your child support issues with your ex-husband Bob Whitfield or your life in general?

In general. Bob and I have been going through a lot since day one, and then the child support thing happened.

All the drama on the show didn?t help. I don?t want my daughter thinking it’s okay when you have women constantly ? we didn?t fight ? but we bickered and we had arguments all the time.

You?re put in situations where you?re with people that you wouldn?t normally be hanging out with.

How are you and Bob now? Have you worked out the child support issues?

No, we haven?t. One day I hope Bob and I can sit down and become good friends and even better parents to our kids.

Are you keeping in touch with any of your co-stars?

Actually I just saw Kandi last night. I wish all the girls the best. The ones that I like and the ones that I don?t like, I wish everybody the best.

[PHOTOS: Rasheeda Parties With Kandi, Sheree, Toya & More… ]

Was anyone on that show a genuine friend to you?

I would say there?s a couple, yes. I won?t name them but they know. But I would definitely say there are two people.

You and NeNe [Leakes] showed how much you didn?t like each other on that reunion show. Has anything been resolved between you two?

Resolved how? I don?t think we?ve had a friendship for some years. I?m surrounding myself with confident people so I?m just living life and having a good time and doing me.

Have you heard about former Miss USA Kenya Moore possibly replacing you?

Honestly, I haven?t followed the show since I left. I know they?ve thrown a lot of names out. I wish whoever gets the spot the best of luck. [FULL ARTICLE]

In my opinion, Sheree is still clearly delusional about her departure from RHOA. Trust and believe that walking away was NOT her decision.

However, contrary to popular belief, I wish her well and hope that Sheree’s “life after RHOA” true story doesn’t end up on TVOne…

[SIDEBAR: I’ll follow up on Sheree occiasionally just like I do DeShawn Snow, Sharon Millette Lisa Wu Hartwell, Dwight Eubanks and anyone else who was previously on RHOA.? So get ready… ]

What do you think the show will be like without Sheree to make fun of?

FULL PHOTO GALLERY