V Exclusive: Kanye's Ex Alexis Phifer Talks Amber Rose, Life Post Yeezy + Industry Lessons

Not every ex-darling of Kanye West's wants to stack up on Twitter minions or become international blog fodder. Some enjoy the private life. But allow us to reintroduce you to Alexis Phifer, mother, fashion designer and former bride-to-be of Mr. West. Why haven't you seen her face in about three years? Because she wanted it that way. VIBE caught up with Lex to talk life beyond the spotlights, her ex, his other ex, and if she's worth remembering.—Tracy Garraud

Even though you were making moves pre-spotlight, many folks were introduced to you via Kanye West. How have these last years been with less media attention?
I think after experiencing being with somebody that is a celebrity, it's really nice to have your anonymity. I'm a mom so I would much rather be able to be out with my son and have nobody recognize me. I really think that's a cool thing as opposed to doing red carpets or something like that, but only if it's really pertaining to my line because that's what I'm trying to sell… I'm not really trying to sell myself.

Guess we can assume there will never be an Alexis reality show?
(Laughs) I've been approached a few times… I don't know, first and foremost I'm a mother and I just feel like it's important to be represented a certain way and it's a lot to put your image and the things you say, or how you're perceived into someone else's hand and I just haven't been comfortable with that. Now if it was something like a documentary style, maybe. But I'm not interested in fighting with some girl or talking about my ex because those relationships are personal. I mean the album [808s & Heartbreak] was bad enough at first, but a TV show, I don't know, it would have to be real tasteful.

True. Reality shows are very tempting though. It’s an easy thing to do for an extra check.
It is very tempting, but I’m also kind of shy, so I'd probably just be awkward honestly. It definitely is tempting, especially since I'm a designer and I need every check I can get because it's so expensive to have a line. But God will order my footsteps, however that's supposed to pan out, it will.

Another one of Kanye’s exes, Amber Rose, once went on the radio and said something to the effect of "You see Kanye's other ex, he was with her for six years, took her the same places and no one even remembers her name now..." Did that sting?
I believe that you get what you want out of a situation and Kanye will tell you, that I didn't [want that attention]. It's weird. I'll get on the red carpet and over-criticize myself. I don't want that attention. She wanted that and that's what she got out of it. But if I want to go to King magazine [Ed Note: This interview was conducted prior to Amber Rose's June 2011 King cover] right now and be in a sexy bathing suit I'm sure I'd generate some type of interest. It's just the decisions you make that put you where you are. She is where she's at because that's where she wants to be and I'm where I'm at because that's where I want to be also. I was kind of like "Girl please." I just laughed that off, brushed that one right off my shoulders. She doesn't really know what she's saying, so I can't even be mad at her. She doesn't even know the half.

What was your reaction to seeing those two for the first time?