The charismatic Kenya Moore started with pageants and wound up being "Gone With the Wind Fabulous." The Detroit native was crowned Miss USA in 1993, and then appeared in a flood of television shows such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Martin and The Parkers. Her movie appearances include Waiting to Exhale and Deliver Us from Eva.
She joined the cast of Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta, and that led to becoming a cast member on Celebrity Apprentice for season seven. Along the way, she's also released a single, "Gone with the Wind Fabulous," taken after a phrase coined on the Real Housewives show.
Windy City Times found her backstage at Metro for Black Pride at 4 a.m., when she took a few minutes to talk to the newspaper.
Windy City Times: This has been a long day for you. How has Chicago been today?
Kenya Moore: I love Chicago. I have family here. I haven't been here in years. I can't even remember the last time I was here. I have been having the best time. The people have been so gracious to me. I definitely want to come back when I have more time.
WCT: What was your journey to the Real Housewives of Atlanta like, in the first place?
KM: I was already friends with Miss Laurence Washington, [from] the show Fashion Queens. He told them that I was moving there. They wanted to meet with me and the rest is history.
WCT: So you were already moving to Atlanta?
KM: Yes. I have been looking for property there for years before they were even doing the show.
WCT: Do you love Atlanta?
KM: I do. It is growing on me. It is really different than LA.
WCT: How is your TV pilot, Life Twirls On, going?
KM: It's good. We are negotiating what the home will be for it. It was such an overwhelming response that we had a lot of people coming to us.
WCT: With NeNe Leakes leaving the show, are you ready to take the reins of the next season of the Real Housewives of Atlanta?
KM: I felt like I took them when I first came on the show, but thank you anyway!
WCT: Have you ever regretted saying anything on the show?
KM: Honestly, I don't live my life in regret. I believe every moment is a teachable moment. Even if you make mistakes you aren't perfect through life and you can learn from it. There is no regret and that is why I don't have any gray hair.
WCT: You have fabulous hair and a new hair-care line now.
KM: I do. It is available for pre-order now. It is launching Aug. 15 at the Bronner Bros. Hair Show for purchase. It will be at retail stores after that. I'm very excited. I have been working on it for years.
WCT: Where did you connection to the gay community begin?
KM: I grew up in Michigan and was a model. I think that kind of creative environment allows gays to be themselves. A gay guy loves a beauty queen, a model and a singer. I have always had gay friends. I have never been taught to discriminate against anybody for any reason whatsoever. I think people know that is my spirit. I know we are all the same.
I don't even consider it a difference because that is my friend. That is my brother and I don't put anyone in a sector. I think of someone's spirit—not who they are having sex with, which way they go, if they like to wear heels or how they look. Are they harming children or killing people? No, so we're good!
To me, supporting the LGBT community is the same as supporting education and young girls. They are all the same to me.
WCT: You have a charity with helping girls.
KM: I have a lot of charities that I support but the one closest to my heart is the Detroit Public Schools Foundation because I am from Detroit. I had a hard time and I believe in giving kids every opportunity possible.
WCT: Any other projects?
KM: To be announced. I am constantly updating my social media. The season starts next week and I am just getting into the swing of things. I'm getting back on the machine and making it a great season.
WCT: You are friends with Cynthia Bailey. Maybe I should interview her for this season. She is one of the few I haven't spoken with.
KM: I can say this: Out of the current girls on the show, [the ones who] are genuinely supportive of the gay community would be Cynthia [and] Kandi. I would say NeNe, but some of the comments she has made recently could be read either way.
I feel like I grew up like this; Cynthia did, too. That is second nature to us. I was happy to be here for this event and Pride.
Visit KenyaMoore.com .
