Marlo Hampton: 'I'm raw, I'm captivating and I'm real'

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Marlo Hampton, the newest addition to The Real Housewives of Atlanta, has been a hot topic amongst fans of the show this season. Who can forget the now infamous screaming match she had with Sheree while the ladies were visiting South Africa?

Shortly after season 4 of Housewives began, reports surfaced that the self-proclaimed ‘socialite,’ had a criminal background. She later revealed on-camera to her friend and co-star NeNe Leakes that she had been arrested seven times. She said that she attacked a woman in a club and was subsequently arrested several times for probation problems.

But Hampton is not letting her dark past keep her from being fabulous these days. She dazzled and captured the attention fans this season as she stunned us all with her fashion sense and knowledge of social etiquette.

In an interview with theGrio, Marlo talked about what her experience has been like on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and addressed the hot topic of her love for dating older white men.

theGrio: So it seems that people love to hate you, would you agree with that? And why do you think that is the case?

Marlo Hampton: The people that do love to hate me, can’t take me. I’m just too much. I guess it’s because I’m so opinionated and I speak whats on my mind. It’s the majority women. The gay community loves me, men love me, but I guess I’m just too much for some women to handle.

People are still talking about your fight with Sheree. Have two of you made up yet?

We’re not friends; I mean we’re cordial. If I see her I would say hi, but that’s about it.

Which of the women from the show would you consider your friend today, if any?

I would say NeNe. I don’t have any problems with Cynthia, we’re cool, we are cordial and in a good place. NeNe is the only one that I probably speak to every other day. I built a friendship with her and trust her.

The source of your wealth is a hot topic on the show. People tend to often question where you get your money from. Can you say on the record how your acquired the money that affords you to live so well?

Before I started taping with Bravo, I owned Red Carpet Boutique here in Georgia at Perimeter Mall. I owned that for three years and closed it right before taping with Bravo. And of course I’ve always been spoiled by the men that I date. But more than anything, I just invested my money. I knew from my background, coming up in a foster home, that what was important to me was having a home that’s paid for, because there is just something with me where I don’t want to go from home to home. I needed to have a home in my name and paid for. I don’t have children, so I shop and I love fashion.

I know that you and NeNe talked about how you both dated older white men on the show this season. NeNe even said “white is right.” Can you tell me what are the perks to dating a older white man?

Race is not an issue to me. I like older men period. I just feel that there more mature,. I never have to ask for anything. Older men just know how to treat you. They pray over the food and open the car door for you. They just know how to treat a women.

I get looks from some black people when I am in public with a white man. Its crazy because people look and stare at you and they just feel its so wrong. But you know me, I don’t care. I’m doing what makes me happy and if you make me happy I don’t care if you are Chinese, Indian or whatever. If your interesting and you make me happy I’m going to date you.

Some harsh critics of reality shows say that people on the shows are talentless. What would you say is your talent?

My talent is that I’m raw, I’m captivating, and I’m real. My story is so real. I know people can really relate to my story.

What was the most surprising thing that you learned after going from being a viewer of the show to actually being on the show?

The most amazing thing that I have learned when I sit here and watch myself on the show is that I see the mistakes that I’ve made. I learn a lot from it, it’s like growth. I grow from looking at the things that I did wrong and sometimes I’m like ‘oh my God, I can’t say or do that again.’

You have become a bit of a household name, do you think you needed this show to be well known?

I think I was already on my way, but I do feel that Bravo expedited it, but I can definitely hold my own.

NeNe recently tweeted that during the reunion show “there were a lot of shots fired and lies were told.” Can you give some insight as to when went down during the taping?

No I can’t do that, but I definitely can say tune in for it. It was exciting and you won’t have one dull moment.

Do you see yourself returning to take part in season 5 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta?

I have no idea yet. I have no idea if I’m coming back or not.

If you’re asked by Bravo to return, will you come back?

It depends. But it’s likely. I have to weigh my options.

Follow Chris Witherspoon on Twitter at @WitherspoonC