'Mama Joyce' Opens Up in Our EXCLUSIVE Interview: "If Todd Makes Her Happy, I'll Just Have to Accept That."

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Tara Thomas Agency)

I don't like loud voices. I hate when people argue. If I can help keep the peace in a situation, I always choose to do so. So it's a bit ironic then that I am a ridiculously loyal fan of Bravo TV's Housewives series, especially "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," wouldn't you say? Let's just say that every episode keeps me entertained. From the fabulous fashion to watching the ladies take amazing trips, I totally live vicariously through them (and I know many of you do, too!). 

One of the most controversial situations this season has been the dynamics between Kandi Burruss, "Mama Joyce," and her fiancé Todd Tucker. On the show, Joyce has shown disapproval and frustration with her daughter's relationships with Todd, causing many viewers to incessantly (and harshly) tweet about what they believe Joyce's intentions are. I get it - I mean, I watched the same episodes as everyone else. But I also know that a mother's love for her daughter is indescribable. Yesterday, I got to hear firsthand how Joyce feels about Kandi, where she stands with her daughter and Todd's relationship, and what young, successful women should be doing when it comes to dating. Check it out! 

So how has it been getting so much attention regarding the drama or so-called controversy on the show this season?

Well…It’s been tiring.

How do you feel you’ve been portrayed on TV?

I feel that I was portrayed as a money-hungry mother who was more worried about her daughter’s money than her daughter.

When I watch the scenes between you and Kandi, I think it's clear how much you love your daughter and that you only want the best for her…

Well, that’s what I was trying to put out there, because that’s how I feel. You know, it’s not about her money or anything at all because I don’t need her money. I never have tried to use her money. As I tell everybody, I live in the same house as I did a month before she was born. So if I was after her money, I would have tried to get her to buy me a big house or something like that maybe 15 or 20 years ago. But that’s never been the case. I’ve always wanted her to build up her brand and take care of herself.

Which is something that I think all parents want for their kids – to see them grow and succeed…

Right, so you don’t have to worry about them, you know? That’s a blessing right there. And everything I accumulated is hers. I mean, if anything ever happened to me, everything I got belongs to she and Riley. And what’s there is quite a bit.

It just seems like this situation is hard for everybody...

And it is, because Kandi knows I wasn’t just a mom, I was very good mom.  I mean, I took very good care of her. I’ve had jobs where I had to be at work at 4 o’clock in the morning. I took very good care of her and her brother. I always gave them the best. You never would have thought they were middle-class. If you could have seen the way I dressed them, the way I raised them…People would say, “How did you do it?” Because for one thing, I never drank and I didn’t smoke, no drugs or nothing like that. I didn’t have people around me that did that. And I just made sure that they had, even if I didn’t have. And I always wanted the best for them.

So where are you right now regarding your relationship with Kandi? Are you at a ‘What will be will be’ mentality?

Now that’s where I’m at. I had to let it go, because it was really getting the best of me. I had never been in such a situation like that where Kandi and I were getting so estranged from each other. I love that girl more than I love myself. So to be on opposite sides from her and not talking to each other, and not speaking every day…You know, that was killing me. I just had to say hey, if this is what you want, right or wrong, it’s your decision and I’m just going to go along with whatever you want. And I pray to God that I’m wrong. And I hope to God that I am wrong. And if I’m wrong, I’ll be the first to apologize. And then if I’m right, I’m not gonna throw it in her face. But I’m gonna be the first one there for her.

I think of the guys I've dated and the disagreements I’ve had with my own mom...and could only imagine if the whole world saw it! I'm assuming that your situation playing out on TV is frustrating…

What bothered me so much was all the stuff saying that I’m more worried about Kandi’s money. “How does Kandi’s mama make it?” “Well, I guess Kandi is taking care of her. I would just cut her off.” That’s what Cynthia [Bailey] and Sandra Bernhard said [on "Watch What Happens Live"]. How you gonna say you’re just going to cut someone’s mother off when you don’t even know how someone’s mother makes it? They don’t know what my situation is. They don’t know that I have rental property, they don’t know that I have my own money. So to speak on something like that, you need to go and find out for yourself. Maybe that’s how it is in your situation. Maybe you have to take care of your mama, I don’t know. Kandi knows she’s never had to take care of me! I mean, I’m not saying Kandi isn’t good to me. She would give me anything I ask her, but I’ve never been anyone to ask her. When she was 18 years old, she saved up $100,000. What 18 year old that you know of, living with their mother, would save $100,000? That would tell you right there I wasn’t spending her money. I didn’t need to.

What type of tips would you have for a young, successful woman seeking a significant other?

Well, for one thing, I would never date anyone on the job I’m working on. That was always a no-no for me.  I also feel that for a young, successful – especially black – woman…it’s hard. We have so many successful, young, black women that have so much to offer. But there are men who don’t want someone that’s opinionated, they don’t want someone that has a voice. So a lot of time, we fall for those that sit back not doing anything, and all they want is for someone to carry them along.

If I was a young woman, I would not look for someone who was looking for someone to carry them. I would wait, take my time. Like Steve Harvey says about the six-month rule. Women got to know they can wait. You don’t have to rush in a relationship – you can wait. I would take my time – I would wait. And I’m not just plugging, but hey, if it takes a 'Bedroom Kandi' or whatever it is to do what you have to do, do what you have to do! But don’t rush into nothing with somebody just to get rid of that little itch that you have. Like Steve Harvey also says, “Act like a lady, think like a man.” Nowadays, men are acting like women and they’re doing the opposite. They’re not acting like men, they’re acting like women and they’re thinking like women used to think a long time ago. When you meet a man now, he wants to know where you were, what kind of car you drive, where do you live. Those are things – when I was young – we used to ask men! But now men are asking women that, because most of them live at home with their mama or live with a friend. Most of them don’t have a car. The roles have switched around!

I feel like there are so many women who don’t feel validated unless they have someone…

Women are so worried about what somebody else thinks. If they don’t have a man, they’re worried about someone else saying something. “Oh, she don’t have a man because she can’t get a man” or whatever. So what! You have to stop worrying about what somebody else thinks. Be happy with yourself. First of all, you’ve got to know yourself. You have to be happy with you. You can’t please somebody else if you’re not happy with yourself! So if you’re happy with yourself, then you can be happy with somebody else. And you don’t have to buy a man to make him happy. You don’t have to lower your standards to be with a man. If you set yourself a goal, set yourself a standard – stick with it and take your time.

So would you say that Kandi should have taken more of her time to get to know Todd?

I think she should have taken more of her time to get to know him, yes. I think she should have. But, you know, I’m leery about people you can’t get to know more about, because you don’t know someone who really, really knows that person. Like right now, everybody knows her [Kandi] family and they know her background and all that. But nobody knows anything about his background – you don’t know how a person was brought up…brought up to think, how they are supposed to treat women. You don’t know!

It’s true, you’re always taking a chance with someone.

But then you take the chance and you walk out the door! And, you know, some men…you need to feel a little more comfortable about. When Todd stopped working with the Housewives, and then he took two and a half months off…That’s when I felt uncomfortable. You’re taking two and a half months off to work on a relationship. Even if she wanted him to, he could have said, “Look baby, I’ve got to go to this next job. We can talk, you could drive up here, fly up here, and see me. Then on my off days, I’ll fly back to see you. But I’ve got to keep my grind going.”

Would you say that Todd got too comfortable too quick?

Too quick. He even said “When they call, if you keep turning down jobs, then they stop calling.” So he’s putting it all out there. So, you know,  you have to pick up on what people say. You listen to things and hear what people are saying.  But like I said, I’m out of it. If that’s what Kandi wants, I’m gonna go along with it.

So how does Kandi feel about you doing interviews and discussing the situation?

Well, it’s my business and I know she’s retweeted some of the interviews. But she hasn’t said anything to me about it.

I’ve always enjoyed the scenes when she would go to your house and it was just the two of you talking…It always appeared to be a nice mother-daughter relationship.

Things have made a 100 percent turnaround with she and I. It has gotten 100 percent better than what it was, because we are talking every day now. Whatever she wants me to do…If she wants me there, I’ll be there. If they don’t want me there, I won’t be there. But whatever it is, she and I are always gonna have our relationship.

Well, it’s been a pleasure. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. Any closing thoughts you want to share with my readers?

I’d just like them to know that I love my daughter more than I love myself. And there’s nothing that I would not do for her...I just want her to be happy. And if Todd makes her happy, I’ll just have to accept that. And I’ll be there for her whichever way it goes.

Thank you to Tara Thomas Agency for setting up this interview! 

Exclusive Interview: Entertainer QT Jazz Talks Fashion, Music, and Being Grateful!

She was singing by age 3, dancing by 7, and now at 18, QT Jazz is redefining (and refining) what a "Pop Princess" is. Godchild of "Mama Joyce," star of  "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," QT Jazz embraces her career as a solo artist and fashion maven. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of interviewing the Atlanta, Georgia-based star, who was born "Jasmine Robinson." Having traveled the country with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry and worked with a slew of awesome artists, including Neyo, Monica, B.O.B., Mindless Behavior, Diggy, Jacob Latimore, Issa, Jawan Harris, TI, Tiny, Kandi, and Lil Wayne, QT Jazz is coming into her own. 

After watching her video, "Heels Bags" (video above), I realized that she's not only a talented singer and dancer, she's not afraid to explore fierce fashion! I'm proud to feature this young, spirited entertainer on Good Girl Gone Shopping. With her supportive family and mature intellect, QT Jazz understands that hard work and perseverance is the name of the game. She's a big star in a small and ultra-stylish package! Thank you to Tara Thomas Agency for setting up our convo. Check it out:

First off, your “Heels Bags” song is HOT. So tell me about your own personal style!

Between my stage name, QT Jazz, and my actual name, Jasmine, there’s a running joke in the house that there are two different people…like a “Hannah Montana” and Miley Cyrus kind of thing. Jasmine’s style would be long sweaters and rugged sweaters…and cowboy boots. And QT Jazz, of course, would be the baggy pants, gold chains, hoodies, the hats, the leather…all that good stuff. So they’re very different.

(Photo Credit: www.qtjazz.com)

When it comes to performing, how much of a say to you have with wardrobe?

Well, for a performance, we all have to agree with each other. We’ll sit there for hours and throw out ideas between me and my mom…And you know, my family. It’s really easy for us to come up with concepts and try them because I design the clothes and she makes them.

That’s some awesome teamwork!

We got a Tina and Beyoncé thing goin’ on! Like I said, we all have to agree and have a say-so regarding what is and what’s not gonna cut it. Especially after long conversations, we want to end up with the best outfits.

What are some tips you'd give to teenage girls who are nervous to step out of their comfort zone with fashion? I mean there are so many cool trends that teens can try…

There’s no such as thing as wrong. Everything you can think of…mixing patterns, mixing prints…Anything you feel comfortable in is right for you. It may not look right or seem right to other people, but there is no such thing as wrong. It’s always what’s right for you.

(Photo Credit: www.qtjazz.com)

 I agree with that. There are so many trends out there, but not every trend is for everyone. 

Yeah, like the gold foil…that’s not really a trend for me! But…it might be for someone else. [laughs]

Another video of yours that is so adorable is when you’re about 3 years old, in 2001 (see video below). Even that outfit was so cute!

Well, it’s really always been inside of me. I started singing when I was about 3 and dancing when I was 7. So we’d always try different things, especially when going to auditions. My mom would make me outfits – I mean there are pictures galore in my house. The different things we did with feathers…And oh goodness! It’s laughable now, but back then, I was the hot stuff.

What’s great in looking at your photos throughout the years, you’ve seemed to stay true in having fun with fashion. That’s especially what I felt when watching your “Heels Bags” video. Fashion does have to do with brand names, but it really is about having fun with it…

It really is, especially because I drew out all those outfits. I literally penciled and drew out what I wanted to look like. I didn’t want to be too conservative but I didn’t want to be too grungy. I wanted to have a mixture of everything, like the cheetah jumper with the wedge sneaker. Stuff like that.

(Photo Credit: www.qtjazz.com)

I think it definitely works for your image! So how old are you now?

Well, I just turned 18 in October.  Shout out to the Libras! It’s interesting, the older that I get the more comfortable I get with certain things. Like as far as trying different styles.

So when it comes to your music, you’ve had some amazing experiences. What are some of your most inspirational moments thus far in your career?

Wow, there’s a lot! I guess one memorable moment that I did have was something that wasn’t a person-to-person conversation…It was seeing someone live. It was Monica. She sings just like her record, and it was so inspirational because she borders gospel, she’s R&B, and she’s fun with every genre. I opened up for her actually in Atlanta, Georgia…And I’ll never forget it.

So you must have grown up listening to her, and then you eventually opened up for her. That must have been pretty mind-blowing. 

You already know. I knew all her songs…I had just as much fun as the people that came to see her. I was backstage rockin’.

Now that we’re in a new year, what can your fans look forward to in 2014?

More videos…more ideas and content regarding who QT Jazz fully is. We did the “Heels Bags” video and the “Back Up Off the Wall” video, but I don’t think they showed the total picture of what or who I am. And now, it’s more of a 360. I’m gonna have more videos and getting ready for photoshoots, and all that. Really, we’re gonna go so hard!

(Photo Credit: www.qtjazz.com)

 It seems like you have a really great support system with your family...

Yeah. Like I said, there’s my mom who designs clothes and she’s also the “mom-ager,” of course. And also my brother ("Gphonics"), the producer of “Heels Bags” and “Back Up Off the Wall,” who is also producing my upcoming EP, which is coming out soon. I’m so excited! Hoping everyone loves it as much as I do, because it’s my first solid project.

As a solo artist, have you had many challenges?

I have. It’s a challenge because I’m one girl in this big industry and it can be kinda hard. There are so many of us! There are so many different artists where I’m from, in Atlanta, Georgia, and everywhere you turn. So the most difficult thing I would say is separating myself. And I do that through my clothes and through my music. There’s a borderline of what’s appropriate for kids and what’s entertaining…Whether I wear something revealing or it’s up buttoned up all the way up to my neck, it’s always a thought.

In a recent interview, I read that Chris Brown and Beyoncé are two artists that you would love to perform with...

Not only just to work with them (performing with or opening up for them), but to see their artistry and how they react to certain things – just to be there and pick up on the things that not many people can teach you. Some stuff you have to witness in order to learn it. So that’s the big picture when I say I want to work with artists like Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, and the Bruno Mars’. Everything I do takes a thought, and I would like to see what it takes for their event projects…their thought behind it.

I think a lot of people forget how much effort it takes to sing, dance, and maintain the energy on stage.

Well, I actually do have the most fun on stage, ‘cause you’re singing, dancing, and acting. You know, you’re acting out your music and painting a picture for the audience, so I mean it’s hard, but it’s fun. And it’s worth it.

(Photo Credit: www.qtjazz.com)

 At 18, did you think this is where you would be? And, are you where you want to be?

Well, I’m always grateful for being able to do what I want to do in life. So I would never say I’m not where I want to be, but I always plan to grow. I would never say I planned on doing this at 18 and 'No, I am no there yet.' That would just be ungrateful on a whole other level. I have goals and I’m working on them.

So my last question for you is fashion-related: What are your overall thoughts about the fashion industry?

You don’t see kids in fashion. You see the Rihannas and the Madonnas doing the high fashion, but you never see kids or teens or young adults. So I think that’s missing. I mean, it’s not that I don’t ever see kids in the fashion magazines, it’s that I’m not inspired by the pictures.

Well, I’m happy to feature you on Good Girl Gone Shopping, showing you as a young adult entertainer making fashion her own. Any last words?

If someone asked “What’s the first step?” I’d say just trying. Start now. Don’t wait until you go to college or finish college – start now. That’s something that people don’t really realize. I mean, the “Heels Bags” project was all independently done – my mother, my brother, and us as a family. That was just us. We don’t have to wait on anyone to give us something. Just claim it. Play with fashion.

(Sometimes, you're just born with it! I love this home video, featuring QT Jazz on the right, next to Zonnique Pullins - "Star"- of OMG Girlz)

Keep up with QT Jazz on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. You can also stay on top of the latest by visiting her website: www.qtjazz.com.