Guest Editor Kandi Reveals Her Role Model, Focuses on "Kandi Factory" [Pg. 2]

Who are your role models?
Definitely is Queen Latifah. I don’t know her personally, but when I was younger she won the Sammie Davis Jr. Award; it was at the Soul Train Music Awards. When she won, she was doing her TV show, she had her management company, she was an artist, she had multiple things going on. I remember saying to Tiny, 'I’m going to win that award one day.' By seeing her doing so much at the same time, being successful in all areas entertainment, she was the one who inspired me to want her do all of these things. To see her do it, and do it in such a major way, it gave me a drive to want to go after it too. I’m sure she has no clue she inspired me to do a lot.

Where do you see yourself as far as reality TV shows? Will you continue to do them?
Well, now I’m doing the Kandi Factory and that’s a little bit more in my lane. It’s not about the drama, it’s about helping people and it’s more fun. It’s about the dream. I’d keep doing that forever if I could. As far as Housewives, I enjoyed being a part of the show. Really, it’s a big infomercial. You need to go on there with a plan of how you’re going to build your brand. The people who just are on there clowning and aren’t accomplishing anything, they’re wasting a bunch of energy, because when the show is over, you’re over. You’re only going to do this for so long, either you’re going to get tired of it or they’re going to get tired of you.

Are you sad to see Sheree Whitfield leave RHOA?
I was. I thought she brought a lot, as far as the craziness of the show. I know people don’t want to be associated with it, but it did bring entertainment. Yes, I wasn’t feeling her in the moment we got into it, but it wasn’t enough for me not to want her there. She’s a cool person. The whole Africa thing irritated the hell out of me, but it wasn’t enough for me to fall out with her forever. It was a moment where she just rubbed me the wrong way. We’ve hung out a few times since then.

Can we expect any special appearances on Love and Hip Hop Atlanta?
No, unfortunately, but Rasheeda and I are super tight. I pushed for her to be on the show. My close friends that are in entertainment we always help each other. Me, Rasheeda and Tiny, we all hang out on a regular basis. We always try to help each other come up. We boost each other.