Evelyn Lozada I couldn’t help but shed a few tears when talking about the ending Basketball Wives for the first time
“My excitement doesn’t come from the end of the show, that’s emotional too. It comes from how many people depended on this show,” Lozada, 50, said on the Wednesday, Feb. 4, episode.Drop the Lopodcast “There were so many people who loved working on this show. We were a family. I saw people have children, get married, become a grandmother. I’m so grateful.”
In 2010, VH1 aired the first episode of Basketball Wives. Season 1 was based in Miami, Florida and featured Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Mesha O’Neal, Royce Reed, Faith Rein i Shaunie O’Neal.
Over the years, the show expanded to Los Angeles and added additional cast members, incl Tami Roman, Suzie Ketcham, Draya Michele, Jackie Christie and more
“It was a double-edged sword for me,” Lozada said when describing her career on the show. “Although it helped me achieve so many beautiful things in my life, it was also difficult because I was very open about my life and it’s not easy.”
Shaunie, who was also the show’s creator and executive producer, confirmed via social networks on January 29 Basketball Wives would not return
“This is not an end, it’s a transition,” he explained to his followers. “I’m entering a new season with exciting projects ahead that align with where I am personally and professionally. More to come.”
Lozada confirmed that she has been able to speak with Shaunie and other cast members, incl Brandi Maxiell, Ty Young i Ming Lee – to process the news.
Shaniece Hairston and Evelyn Lozada
Courtesy of YouTube/Drop the Lo Podcast“I thought it was well said,” Lozada said when addressing Shaunie’s announcement. “We were waiting to see what happened and then I felt sadness. When something has been a part of your life for so long, the end of an era or the end of something is difficult. I didn’t sign on to the show to ‘be famous’. I did it because it was work and it was work and I had a shop at the time and I was going to help my shop.”
While Lozada understands that some people will be upset by the news, he acknowledged that Basketball Wives it couldn’t be in the air forever.
“It had to end at some point. It’s 16 years. I don’t think people realize that,” she told the podcast’s co-host and daughter. Shaniece Hairston. “We never had our heyday, but we were 16. What more do we want? Do we want to be around for 25 years? We’re all getting older, times are changing, reality shows are changing.”
Lozada is confident that she will be able to maintain her friendships with some of the cast, including Shaunie.
She’s also proud of herself for saying yes to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in 2010 that turned into a life-changing job.
“I just took a leap of faith,” he said. “I didn’t know what reality TV was and it really changed my life.”