One thing we have here at VSB is amazing connections. After last night's airing of Love & Hip Hop Hollywood's Episode 9 (we'll get to a full episode recap later), we we were able to reach out to Willie's wife, Shanda, to see if we could talk to her about her decision to get back on that pole and strip for her kids futures. Yes, this interview is totally real. As a quick recap, Willie had been trying to get out of a record deal, and lied to his wife when she asked if he had. Upon finding out that he lied, she walked right out the door and into one of the strip clubs owned by the family of El Plastique, Nikki.
Peep the interview below.
VSB: Hey, Shanda, thank you for sitting down and talking to us. I have lots of questions. Like, lots.
Shanda: That's no problem. I always take my interviews between my turns on stage, so fire away. We have lots of time. A lot more women work the 2-8pm shift than you'd think. Plus, "Antidote" is a much longer song than it seems like, so Tisha Emerald will be out there for a while.
VSB: I see. You really enjoy this life, don't you?
Shanda: I don't know what you're talking about. What do you mean?
VSB: I mean, stripping. Like, you don't feel ANY tad bit weird about the fact that you're a stripping mother of two, who is married to a man who is trying to get his R&B career off the ground so he can provide for his family? Like, the more I watch the more it seemed like you were just WAITING for your opportunity to get on the pole. Do you just like poles? I feel like you have to really like stripping to be in your position.
Shanda: First off, get it right. I'm a provider for my kids! I do what I need to in order for them to have the things they should have. Willie lied to me about our situation so I had to take matters into my own hands.
VSB: Did you mean that pun?
Shanda: Nigga, Big Pun is dead. Don't you read Wikipedia?
VSB: Never mind. Look, I get the provider angle. But don't you have ANY other skills you could use?
Shanda: There's nothing wrong with stripping. It puts food on the table and isn't that the most important thing?
VSB: Sure, if you're a single woman with kids who can't read. But you're not. You're a married woman whose husband is vehemently -
Shanda: Vehe-what?
VSB: Vehemently. You know, like, like really strongly…
Shanda: Why didn't you just say that then, nigga?
VSB: My bad. I don't want you to take my language as a sign of disrespect. So let's try again…your husband strongly opposes you stripping. Yet, and still, you keep trying to make a case as to why you should. Don't take this the wrong way, but you're not helping the "you can't turn a ho into a housewife" truthers.
Shanda: I've never been a ho. Who told you that? Zola. I never trapped! I mean, that one time but it wasn't just me. Fuck her. Bitch writes ONE story on Twitter and everybody is taking her word for shit.
VSB: Shanda, I don't know her.
Shanda: I'm just saying, Zola be yappin. Anyway, look, my man couldn't provide and we have bills to pay so I did what I had to do. Plus, I like stripping.
VSB: That much is obvious. I've never seen a single person make SUCH an issue out of her husband's desire for her NOT to strip. It seemed to piss you off. Can you at least understand why he wouldn't want his wife on the pole? Being ogled as she shares the parts she promised to her husband to any strange man who wants to see them?
Shanda: No. Look, Willie knows who he married. I got off the pole for him but it ain't like I wanted to. My body is still on fire and, fuck, I like the attention. It's just shaking my ass in a stranger's face or putting my titties in his face. Who hasn't seen titties. Willie needs to get over it. IM A STRIPPER!
VSB: Real talk, you talkin' mad greasy right now. I feel sorry for your husband.
Shanda: What about our kids? Do you feel sorry for them and the Velveeta cheese they have to use in their macaraoni? Huh, nigga? There's a lot of judgement coming. Don't judge me nigga. That nigga lied to me and put us in a bad spot.
VSB: Look, I agree about that. Willie shouldn't have lied. I get why he did, but it was a dumb lie. Especially since the manager can't hold water and likes to talk about his client's business to their spouses when they're not around. So yeah, it was a dumb lie considering all of the facts. However, that's not really a good reason to hit the pole. Do you care how your kids will view having their mother be a stripper? You realize LHH is, like, on television.
Shanda: They'll be fine.
VSB: Word? That's all you have.
Shanda: Them lil niggas ain't eating air are they? And sure Willie got out of his deal, but he ain't putting food on the table right now. You know who is? Katrina.
VSB: Who is Katrina.
Shanda: *points between her legs* She turns niggas into refugees…from their homes.
VSB: Dammit. As a family unit, y'all are married, and all, why not respect your husband's wishes to NOT strip and get another job. Maybe it doesn't pay as much, but couldn't you find steady, respectable work? At least from Willie's perspective. It sounds like you're willing to risk your marriage for your right to…strip.
Shanda: He ain't going anywhere. Plus, if he'd get his shit together we wouldn't have this problem, now would we. Bills are getting paid. Niggas strip everyday, b.
VSB: So Willie is being unreasonable, given you all's financial situation? Is that what I take from this?
Shanda: Yes. I been saying that. Listen.
VSB: Well, look. I don't live y'alls life and I just watch and laugh because y'all make weird decisions.
Shanda: But you're here talking to me so who's losing here? It's almost my time to get on the pole. Watch me work and see if Willie is trippin'. Peace, nigga.
VSB: Peace, indeed. *throws crumpled up dollar on stage*