EXCLUSIVE: @TraciSteele Explains Why She “Turnt Up” on Tameka Raymond on ‘Atlanta Exes’ Ep. 2

“Atlanta Exes” made its VH1 debut on Monday night with back-to-back episodes.  The show follows five fearless women who, at one point in time, shared loving relationships with high-profile men. Well, the glory days are over and now Tameka Raymond (ex-wife of Usher Raymond III), Torrei Hart (ex-wife of Kevin Hart), Christina Johnson (ex-wife of CeeLo Green), Monyetta Shaw (ex-fiance of Ne-Yo), and Sheree Buchanan (ex-wife of former NFL player Ray Buchanan) are all moving onward with love and their careers.

During the season one premiere, Tameka was in the process of moving out of the home that she and Usher shared. The packing process seemed a bit tedious and emotional for the veteran stylist, which indirectly catapulted into misunderstandings between her and a few of the women. Off the rip, Tameka seemed like a “know-it-all” and Sheree and Torrei weren’t too kind of her ways. In fact, by the second episode, Torrei finds herself not really liking Tameka at all. Eventually, their friendship (or lack thereof) was tested at Tameka’s charity event.

One individual who was surprisingly thrown in the middle of the bickering was Traci Steele. All of you “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” fans should remember Traci Steele. Her relationship drama with her child’s father, DJ Baby Drew, was aired out in season two of “LHHATL”. Traci’s contract ended after only one season. Apparently, that wasn’t the last we’d see of her.

On “Atlanta Exes”, Torrei invited Traci to Tameka’s charity event. Things quickly went left and Traci found her self “turning up,” a reaction that Tameka labeled as “ni**afied”. In case you missed the quarrel, take a look at how it all went down.

WATCH: Traci Steele Lashes Out At Tameka

Well, STACKS Magazine got on the phone with Traci Steele yesterday to find out more about the incident. She made it clear that Tameka’s attitude was not cool from the time they walked in. Also, Traci defends her actions by explaining why she won’t hesitant and “turn up” if one of her friends are being attacked.

 On the nature of her relationship/friendship with Torrei Hart…

Torrei and I have been friends for a long time. She came out to Atlanta, we hung out a few times. So, she said, “I’m going to this event and I’d like to invite you.”  I said, “Sure, let’s roll.” And that was how that [the scene on episode 2] occurred, how the beginning started.

 

On whether or not Torrei previously shared her thoughts to her about Tameka Raymond…

No. I had no idea. I didn’t know that they didn’t have a good relationship at the time. Also, I didn’t know what event I was going to. She was like I’m coming to get you and we’re going to this event. And I said, “OK cool.” So, when she came and got me and we went in, I had not a clue that it was a charity event. It was like four people in there, nobody was really there. So, I was like oh ok. As soon as we walked in – I mean like instantly – Tameka was just rude. She wasn’t inviting. She wasn’t welcoming. And, she started clowning Torrei, talking about her clothes and her eye makeup. I was like, “Uh, mmm mmm.”

A lot of people was like, “Why are you fighting her battles?” It’s not about fighting battles. That’s my road dog and that’s how I roll for my friends. Anybody I’m down with, you’re not going to talk reckless to them and just stand there and take that. Sorry.

Ms. Bels:  There’s always one or two people in your crew that’s pretty much down-for-whatever….

Yeah, I know. That’s me. As long as you’re my friend, I’m going to ride for you. If you’re rude and disrespectful to my friend, I’m going to ask why. What’s going on? I’m confused. What’s happening?!

On if she knew Tameka prior to “Atlanta Exes” and this event…

I’ve known Tameka for a while. I’ve worked with her on a couple of things she’s done. A couple of events where she’s either hired me or asked me to attend. She’s asked me to help promote some of the charity work that she’s done. So yeah, I’ve known her for a while.  When I walked in, she knew exactly who I was. And you know, that’s how it was.

On if there’s been any prior ill feelings between her and Tameka…

No, not at all. ‘Til this day, I don’t have a problem with her and she don’t have any with me. After the event, she called me the next day and said, “What happened? What’s going on? What is this about? Why would you come to my charity event and act like that?”  I said, for one I didn’t know that was a charity event. [laughs]  And she said, “Didn’t you see signs?”  I said, NO. What signs? I saw no signs. I had no clue. I just knew that I was going to an event and I knew that this was how you [Tameka] was towards my friend. So yeah, I’m going to say something.

One thing I do what to say is, everything that you [viewers] saw did happen. But, they [producers] cut out a lot. Like, it look like I went from 0 to 100 in three seconds. It was way more time that built up and stuff going on between that. They cut all of that out. So you know, Tameka said get your friend and ya’ll leave. OK cool. Torrei is still going to stand up for herself regardless, no matter where you are. If you are talking to me reckless, or talking to Torrei reckless, she’s going to stand up. She’s not going to be like, “Oh, you know what. We are at you’re event so I’m not gone speak.” No, if you’re going to be disrespectful to me at whatever location, I’m going to speak back.  She was reading her. Her eye makeup, her clothes. Then she said something about me. It was just ridiculous.

As I was leaving with Torrei, like she asked, people were still running their mouths and popping off. She called me “ni**afied” and my nose. Yeah, the turn up was real. I put my purse down and it was on and popping. You’re not going to talk to me disrespectful. I’m sorry. I’m just not gone take it. But when she called me the next day and told me about what the event was, it was for her son. I had to apologize. I said Tameka at that end of the day, I should not have acted like that at that event…AT THAT EVENT. [laughs]

On if viewers will see her on any future episodes of “Atlanta Exes”…

Oh NO. I’m good. I’m good with that. I’m going to keep it moving and continue to work on the things I need to work on within my company. My online store at www.SteelePretty.com that’s doing really, really well.

I’m so thankful and grateful for all of my supporters. Even now, people seen the episode and they still support me. They rock with me and I love them. So, I’m just going to focus on SteelePretty.com and focus on building my brands and my company and leave it at that, ’til something else comes along.

 

Follow Traci Steele on Twitter/Instagram @TraciSteele !!

To watch “Atlanta Exes” Episode 1 and 2, visit www.VH1.com.