Cynthia Bailey recalls 'Cosby Show' role: 'He was always respectful to me'

theGRIO REPORT - 'RHOA' cast member Cynthia Bailey opens up about guest-starring on 'The Cosby Show,' and discusses her past working relationship with Bill Cosby....

Cynthia Bailey of the Real Housewives of Atlanta is breaking out from her often reserved demeanor this season on Bravo’s hit reality show.

The model/CEO is braving feuds with cast mates and a swell of criticism on social media, all while navigating marriage and motherhood.

In an interview with theGrio, Cynthia talked about how she’s being perceived this season by viewers and discussed her transition to being a fiercer housewife.

“If I am just nice and classy and laid back, I’m a doormat and boring … and as soon as I turn up, now all of a sudden I’m a bi**h, I’m a mean girl and I’m a bully,” she said.

“I think Kandi [Burruss] said it best: it’s like I can’t win for losing.”

Cynthia also addressed rumors that she’s had cosmetic surgery.

“I’m still the same. The only thing that’s changed is my hair color … it got lighter, and as my hair got lighter, it made my skin look lighter, so people started to think I started bleaching my skin,” she said.

“Portia [Williams] made a dig about Botox, I mean I’ve had a little bit of Botox, but like a drop … in between my eyebrows. I’m not like frozen face or anything.”

In September, Phaedra Park’s husband, Apollo Nida, reported to prison to start an eight-year federal sentence for a fraud conviction.

Cynthia says her husband, Peter, has remained in contact with Apollo since his incarceration.

“Peter keeps in touch with Apollo more so than I do,” she said. “He has been in touch with him … he’s gotten letters from him, and he’s gotten calls from him, just letting us know how he is doing.”

Cynthia added that she thinks Phaedra should take her children to visit Apollo while he’s in prison.

“The picture that Phaedra has always painted was a very united front. I never really knew what was going on in their household.”

“It just surprises me that as his wife still, that she’s just not supporting him as he has to go do what he has to do.”

Lastly, Cynthia weighed in on the rape controversy surrounding Bill Cosby.

Early in her modeling career, Cynthia made three appearances on The Cosby Show.

“I was completely shocked. I’ve known Mr. Cosby, he’s someone that I’ve worked with. He’s always been respectful to me, very appropriate to me. It was just kind of crazy watching all of this, but I never really experienced any of those things with him.”

Tune in for all new episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Sunday at 8/7c.

Follow theGrio.com’s Entertainment Editor Chris Witherspoon on Twitter @WitherspoonC.

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