‘Friend of Mine’, ‘As We Lay’, and ‘You Should’ve Told Me’ are just a few of many memorable titles that have propelled R&B belle Kelly Price to prominence.  Wooing music lovers into a nearly two decade long love affair with her vocal stylings (decorated with melisma, belts, and oft-lauded range), 2013, however, has proven the range of Price’s talents – as evidenced by two new television ventures – does not rest behind the microphone alone.

Chatting exclusively to That Grape Juice, the ‘Himaholic’ hitmaker dishes on her starring role in TV One’s new hit show ‘R&B Divas:  LA’, new music, reality show ‘Too Fat For Fame’, and so much more.  As ever, you won’t want to miss this:

‘R&B Diva’ Kelly Price Shouts Out That Grape Juice

That Grape Juice:  Kelly, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us today!

Kelly Price:  Not a problem at all!

TGJ:  So, we’re seeing that ‘R&B Divas: LA’ celebrated its premiere last week and already fans are raving about it. First, how exciting is it to finally have this project up-and-running?

KP:  So exciting! We were all excited!

TGJ:  What inspired you to join the cast?

KP:  I’d been talking back and forth with Nicci [Gilbert] and Faith [Evans] and I’m also friends with one of the producers Phil Thornton. So, it’s literally something that’s been circulating in my radar for three years.

I had to kind of figure out that it was something I was actually willing to do. What we’ve seen of reality TV, I was concerned. So, the ladies were gracious enough to accept that I really wanted to see what they did with the Atlanta show before I could give an answer.

Cast of ‘R&B Divas: Atlanta’

KP (continued):  I watched the first show anxiously from a friend standpoint and fan standpoint, but I was also wanting to see how they handled these women who I was friends with for a long time. when season 1 of atlanta was over, they contacted me and I told them I thought they did a great job of representing those women. Then, I agreed to come on as the anchor for LA.

TGJ:  What are you hoping people walk away knowing about you that they didn’t before the show?

KP:  I’m trying to figure what I’m going to find out about me when the show is over (laughs). What I’m hoping they will know is that who they’ve always known me to be is exactly who i am. I have an opinion and give it when its necessary.

KP (continued):  I am passionate about everything I do and love which is God first, then my family, then my career. Who I call ‘friend” I fight for until the end. I stand for integrity and truth. In a room full of “no” i am willing to say yes and vice versa if its the right thing.

KP (continued):  I’m willing to do what’s not easy for the sake of what’s right. If these are the things you’ve always loved about me, [after the show] you will love it even more and if you never liked that about me, you won’t like me even more. But, I was me the entire time.

What I found about me is that reality TV is a lot of what i thought it was and more of what I didn’t know it was. With that, it’s not something I will ever shy away from again since I know how it’s done.

TGJ:  Great!  But, as this still your first-go-round, so to speak, did you find it difficult to adjust to cameras?

KP:  I think it’s easier to remember that cameras are there because there are bodies or people actually holding them. Sometimes you do forget the microphone, though. I think we all learned that.

We had to remember, even when going to the restroom, to take the mic pack off or turn it off. When you step away from the video camera you have to remember that mic. That was an adjustment.

TGJ:  Now, as some may know, ‘R&B Divas’ is not your only reality show venture.  Tell us about your new show ‘Too Fat For Fame’.

KP (audio):
 

TGJ:  Any word on a tentative launch date or network?
KP:  We have a couple of networks that we are looking at right now. But, for me it’s about making sure that it lands in the right place. I have camera crews and all of that, so I’m moving forward [without a network if need be]. I’m the executive producer, so if I have to shoot this myself, I am more than willing to and we can sell it after the fact.

It is very important that this not happen wrong. Because under no circumstances do I want this to turn into something that’s gimmicky or something that’s used as a platform to be made fun of.

TGJ:  What are you looking for in the “ideal” contestant?

KP:  Anyone who finds themselves in the position of being cast on this show, they may not know it, but they’re going to work. Yes, I was a “fat girl”, and that worked against me. But, what I had to do was work 1000 times harder than my skinny counterparts.

TGJ:  Last, but certainly not least, tell us what’s going on with new music?

KP:  Oh yes! You can expect a new single by the end of the year and new music by the top of the year.

TGJ:  Conceptually, where are you going with the new album?

KP:  (audio)
 

TV One’s ‘R&B Divas: LA’ airs Wednesday nights at 10/9c!

Interview by: Quinno Rashad (That Grape Juice US)

(@blueeyedsoul517)

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