[FLASHBACK: Meet The Cast of ‘Hollywood Divas’… (PHOTOS)]
The ‘Divas’ premiere episode aired last night (October 8, 2014) and the drama began almost as soon as it came on.
Actress Paula Jai Parker and her family are living in an extended stay hotel, Countess Vaughn is having issues with her weight and is seeking lipo to be more marketable, Elise Neal and Golden Brooks are seeking A-list acknowledgement on D-list credits, and Lisa Wu (formerly ‘Hartwell’) has packed up her store bought booty and relocated to the west coast to launch her an acting career.
The actress, best known for her roles in Hustle & Flow and Friday is now telling the world that she’s been ‘blackballed’ because she married a former production assistant, who just so happens to be sitting on the bed across from her.
“I’ve never been poor before… ” Paula states during the show.
It’s a sad situation but it makes one wonder, ‘what REALLY happened to make Hollywood turn it’s back on the once popular actress?’ Hmmmm?
Yes… it’s a clique-ish world in Hollywierd, but I refuse to believe that this woman’s entire career went up in flames because of her husband and child.
Moving on…
The actress, who’s appeared on shows like ‘Moesha’ and ‘The Parkers’ has gained quite a bit of weight over the years and feels that she’s no longer desirable as an actress because of her appearance.
“I want to get lipo because casting directors would definitely look at me differently. I won’t be called to be the maid all the time… “
Countess’ fellow ‘Moesha’ friend Shar Jackson is also along for the ‘SURG’ (as they call it)… the two meet in the waiting room of the plastic surgeon’s office and discuss their desired procedures.
There’s a lot of things going on with Countess…. if you recall, she used to sing occasionally during her television stint, but now, her voice is raspy and from the sound of things, it seems as though she’s having issues breathing.
Maybe it’s the weight…? or it could be from smoking cigarettes…? hell… I dunno!
Clearly, I’m not a doctor. But the doctor that was shown on the show barely mentions her weight or any other physical problems, as he seems happy to suck out her fat for a check.
[Sidebar: somethings not right about that either… but I digress.]
Brooks is determined to find a way back into the spotlight as well and we witness a meeting she has with her agent regarding finding work.
Apparently there’s not a high demand for her ‘type’ right now and she’s not happy about the lack of work.
We also find out during that meeting that Golden’s ‘Girlfriends’ well went dry because of Tracie Ellis-Ross’ decision to walk away from the show.
She?s definitely been living the LA lifestyle and has been fortunate to land several lead roles on TV shows like The Hughleys and All of Us, and also appeared in several films including, Rosewood and Hustle and Flow.
As a result, Elise knows her worth and what she brings to the table. But as Janet says… what has she done for us LATELY?
I’ll wait….
Yeah, moving on.
Last but certainly not least, there’s Lisa Wu (formerly Hartwell).? The divorced ex-‘housewife’ brings Hollywood back to the ‘A’ briefly in the premiere episode as she plots her escape to the west coast.
While we all know Lisa from her role on Bravo?s The Real Housewives of Atlanta, she’s apparently attempting to shed her ‘housewives’ image by pretending to be an actress.
Sure… Lisa has hit the stage in a few local Atlanta plays (CLICK HERE if you missed that), but apparently she wants us all to believe that ‘acting’ has always been her passion….
Along with real estate… fashion designing… physical fitness… oh… and let’s not forget, she’s a mother too!
Lisa pulls a ‘Torrei Hart’ and leaves her kids in Atlanta to relocate to join a reality show jump start her acting career in Hollywood.
She joins the other ladies, who all give her a ‘side-eye’ for having the notoriety they so crave, without ‘putting in the work’.
Lisa Wu is unwillingly tied to the stigma that reality stars have no talent but apparently she has a few movie credits to rival those in Hollywood.
While Lisa doesn?t feel the other actresses should be upset by her presence, it’s clear that they see her as a threat or as Golden Brooks put it… someone who hasn’t studied the ‘craft’.
Will these ladies be able to put aside their differences and work together towards a common goal? Only time will tell….
VIDEO: FUNKY DINEVA RECAP: My Hair is Layed Like Hard Times (Hollywood Divas Ep 1)