Okevia Wilson is among the cast of WE tv’s new reality series, Selling It in the ATL. Luckily, we got a chance to speak with the Realtor and owner of Atlanta hair salon, Lux: The Salon, during her recent visit to NYC.
Wilson, whose been a Realtor for the last 10 years, spoke openly about what we can expect from the new show, how much of her personal life we’ll see, and all about the drama that comes with “selling it in the ATL.”
Cotten Kandi: What were your first thoughts on the opportunity to be on a reality TV show:.
Okevia Wilson: I didn’t think twice about the opportunity to show Atlanta in a different light than normally shown on reality shows that gives Atlanta and a bad rap.
And as a real estate agent I didn’t see how it could happen if we’re all about business and professionalism and to show a different side of real estate, politically as well, and not just selling houses.
Whether she had any desire to be on a reality TV before?
Never have I thought about doing a reality show. It actually presented itself to me through a friend. She actually DM’d me on Instagram after seeing the casting call for it.
My first thought was, ‘girl bye.’ Then I sent her a picture and a bio and minutes later I got a phone call. Sometimes things are destined to be instead of looking for it and being thirsty for a reality opportunity.
Thoughts on the stigma of being on a reality show, especially as an African American woman; whether it’s possible to get high ratings with no TV drama:
I think that it’s possible. Unfortunately TV definitely wants that kind of scenario. There’s a certain audience for foolishness and I think as a business person myself, you kind of look at business and engage in areas where you’re going to make money. You think, ‘hey will people buy weave? Let me engage in a business where people will buy weave.’
People love drama so let me engage. So you do have to have willing participants at the same time. I will say that in the beginning, as an individual, you do have a certain perspective of the way that you’re going to be as soon as you get in there, but, unfortunately you can only control you.
Wilson, who’s recently divorced and ready to date again for the first time in 15 years, speaks on how much of her personal life as well as the professional she’s willing to show:
On this particular show, on the business side you’ll see a lot of me — a lot of reality on how to be a business owner and an entrepreneur and having to make major business decisions. On the personal side, my children will be off limits a little bit. They have been seen, however, I’m not going to discuss a whole lot about my kids. My dating life, there’s nothing really at this point that’s interesting to talk about (laughs).
Response to criticism geared towards a predominantly all Black female cast versus their White female counterparts with regards to reality TV
I think that’s sad. If people know what they’re talking about then they’ll look at Real Housewives of Orange County at get foolishness. You can look at reality shows in New York and get foolishness. I think it’s an individuality thing. It’s a motive thing. It’s what the individual is willing to expose. I can see how individuals willing to do a reality show can turn into characters and then you have to ride that character all the way out.
On whether people “put on” for TV?
Yes, [they] put on for the city [laughs].
What she hopes people will take from the show and learn about her:
I want people to see Atlanta more. There’s the real estate side but it’s definitely comprised of more cities. Just to learn more about the real estate and investment opportunities, purchasing opportunities then it would have served its purpose.
As for me, again, I can only control me and I want people to see that I’m a real person. I want people to see that I’m being Okevia. There’s no character here. I’m a woman. I’ve gone through struggles, ups and downs like everybody else. At the end of the day, I don’t allow anyone else to dictate who I will be.
Whether there will be some reality TV drama and if she has any alliances or nemeses:
Yes, there will be drama. I have alliances but I came into the show with no alliances; more so a relationship and not an alliance.
I’m cool with all of the ladies; however, behind the scenes, behind the business, it kind of goes left…you just have to watch.
Wilson also shared some additional thoughts on what we can expect from the show and her stance on the kind of clients she deals with:
You’ll see some alliances gained and some alliances broken. All that glitters ain’t gold. People need to focus on professionalism and just be real. A million dollar home isn’t the end of the real estate industry. You don’t have to sell a million dollar home to be a real estate agent.
My nickname on the show is “any money” because I deal with any client. Everyone on the show wants to say they sell million dollar homes. I deal with any money because it’s the American dream to buy a home. I’m not going to limit my access to say, ‘well if you don’t have a mil I can’t deal with you.’ No, that’s not me.
The show also features cast mates (from left) Tahlia, Gwen, A’lana, Sarah, Chrishena, and Jae.
“Selling It in the ATL” airs every Thursday at 10/9PM central.
