Angela Yee Blogs For VH1 About Debut Episode

Angela Yee Blogs For VH1 About Debut Episode

Angela Yee wrote a guest blog for VH1 talking about her initial feelings on doing a reality show and reaction to the first episode of The Gossip Game.

Why would you agree to do a reality show? That’s the first question I get in almost every interview. It seems that everyone and their mama has a show now, or is working on a pilot for a show, or has an idea for a show that could work. There’s a stigma about reality shows and the people who star in them. Reality shows mean your career will end, your marriage will be cursed, you have to fight and/or throw a drink, or you’re going to end up broke and a has-been when the series ends. Only a slim percentage of people will go on to profit and reap the benefits.

When I interviewed Marlon Wayans, he pulled me to the side after and warned me not to get into a fight or act crazy on TV. Of course, that was never my intention. I’ve seen people “turn up” for the camera, thinking that this is the best way to maximize their platform and get more camera time. This formula works, but it’s shortsighted. When the season ends, where do you go?
The Gossip Game is supposed to defy this formula. There are 7 women who have their careers and reputations on the line. After working over 8 years in radio to build my brand, I would never want to misrepresent myself. I’ve had to deal with racism, sexism, rumors, malice, a little bit of everything. I’m used to being around men at work all the time, and dealing with a cast of women is a completely different arena. The first episode centers around the Power 105/Hot 97 beef. Kay Foxx refers to Power as “the other station” repeatedly, and Flex gives one of his ageing rants about how he has the crown, blah blah blah. I never looked at our situation as “beef.” I always viewed it as they don’t like us and feel superior.

After watching the first episode, I knew I made the right decision coming to work at Power. We go hard, respect each other, and love coming to work every day. I did the show because I want young people to know that you can have a profitable career doing what you love. But you can’t get distracted by the people around you who want to see you fail. The one thing that matters to me the most is what is on the air every single morning. I don’t care who hates me on twitter, who thinks they could do my job better than I can, who thinks I’m unattractive or can’t dress… I care about who supports me and what I bring to the table. I see the humor in life every day, and I laughed a lot last night!

I just finished reading Robert Greene’s “Mastery,” and I feel like this quote sums up the importance of letting your work speak for you:

“Work that is solid also protects you from the political conniving and malevolence of others – it is hard to argue with the results you produce. If you are experiencing the pressures of political maneuvering within the group, do not lose your head and become consumed with all the pettiness. By remaining focused and speaking socially through your work, you will both continue to raise your skill level and stand out among all the others who make a lot of noise but produce nothing.”

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