Mention It All - Bringing ATL To Scotland, The Porsha/Shamea Smackdown, & Making History On RHOA Ft. Phaedra Parks

Episode Date: July 14, 2026

Phaedra Parks joins Dylan to talk all things The Real Housewives of Atlanta, from the dramatic cast trip to Scotland and Porsha and Shamea’s fractured friendship to why K. Michelle has been such a strong addition to the group. She also reflects on RHOA’s lasting cultural impact, the iconic soundbites that continue to live on, and what it was like returning for a full season. Plus, Phaedra opens up about preparing for the reunion, her Broadway debut, navigating friendships within the cast, and what she hopes comes next for RHOA. Go to the BravoByBetches YouTube page to watch full length episodes every Tuesday & Friday: Youtube.com/@BravoByBetches Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Hey everyone, welcome back to the Mention of All podcast. Today we are joined by a legend of Real Housewives of Atlanta, a Traders alum. She has, you name it, she's done it. Lots of jobs. Fadra Parks. Welcome back. Hey, how are you doing? It's so great to be here.

It's so great to have you here. We are, you know, well into this season of Real Housewives of Atlanta. Yes. We're in Scotland right now. So good. It's been a great season. So crazy. But it's so good.

Yes. How are you feeling this summer? How is this stage of life treating you? What's what's what's what's up with Fager these days? I am so excited. Well, I mean, everything's awesome. Working. Teenage boys.

Yes. Aiden is driving. That was so crazy to watch. Yeah. He just turned 16. Just got his license. Okay. So he's a great driver.

So he's in the car with no without you now. Yeah. He's doing errands for me now. There you go. And so that's the best thing. That's why you let the teenager get the license is to say, okay. Go pick up your brother. I'm busy.

Yeah. You're not. Exactly. Not busy at all. But you know how when you first get your license, you love to drive. Yeah. It's when you've had them forever. And you're just like, I'm good on driving and sitting in traffic.

Well, Atlanta traffic is no joke either. No joke. It's not as bad as New York, but it's definitely. It's a lot of sitting on the highway. Yeah. Somewhat, you know, we've got rush hour. Yeah. That's crazy.

Well, I love to see you in New York. I know while you're here, you had the opportunity to do this Cats, the Jellicle Ball appearance. And you were with Andy. Yes, Andy and I were the judges. Best time ever, if you got to go. It is such a feel-good moment. I mean, interactive, beautiful costumes, great music. And I mean, I was in heaven.

It's so crazy to think about, I mean, over the. the last, what, 15 years that you've been on this journey, like all of those little kind of random opportunities you get to do, fun, just kind of like those extra things. I have to imagine that there are a lot of little moments that you've had in your life now where it's like, who knew that I would be here doing this? Yeah, that was my Broadway debut. What better thing, you know, how else would I come to Broadway except for, you know, I was dressed just, I got to shake the outfit.

It was fabulous. So this is now your second season back on Real Housewives of Atlanta. Last season, you came in midway through, which is a stressful way, I would imagine, to kind of reenter. You know what? It was 10 days, but it was a great 10 days. You made an impact. Well, I mean, obviously I did. You got to work.

Me and June bag. Yeah. So what was it like this year, knowing that you were coming back? getting to do the full season, being really a part of the group from the beginning again. How was it this year kind of approaching that experience?

Well, you know what? It was good. We got two new cast members, so we had newbies again. And so some of the same things that we had issues with last year, they reappeared. But it was a good time.

I mean, Kaye, Michelle, best addition to this cast. Okay. you know we've got pinky she's a vegan mori povich said survey says she's a vegan she's a vegan and I never said the girl ate meat clock it

so you say that Kay Michelle is the best edition ever I mean she she's very feisty she's quirky and funny I mean you know now that we're somewhat well we will get past the plot. Okay. The scheme. The scheme. The tide set up. We will get past that. So,

but I mean, she and I have a very close relationship off camera. Yeah. Well, I think it's so, I mean, having her join an iconic show like Housewives of Atlanta. And she wants to be there. Yes. It's, it's an interesting addition because she has, you know, she's been on her own iconic franchise. Yeah. She's, yeah. You've been on a lot of different shows over the years. So it's, it's, it's a new flavor in a way. And I think over the course of the season, you have kind of seen her figuring out how does this show work. Exactly. Because every show is different. And I think sometimes, you know, people can be very intimidated by Housewives because unfortunately they watch. And instead of coming in with fresh eyes, you know, you can be impacted by, you know, whether it be cast members or just

stuff you've seen on the internet. And, you know, I think that sometimes, you know, makes it difficult for new cast members. One of my favorite funniest moments of the season was when you guys went on that trip to Dallas and Kay Michelle said, I didn't realize how famous Fager Parks was until we're in the airport and the white women love her. It was because I feel like that was such a, like Kay Michelle is, you know, she's, she has her own platform. Everybody on this show has their own stuff going on.

But those moments where it's like, oh, ooh. Fadre has it going on in a way that maybe I didn't realize. Yeah, well, yeah, I mean, yeah, it caught off guard. You know, she's like, white women falling out that sky to see me. But, you know, I love white women. I mean, I love all women, but, you know, those are my sisters too. So, I mean, that trip to Dallas was. Oh, God.

Something. It was cuckoo for cocoa puffs. Cynthia was here a few weeks ago. I love Cynthia. And so we talked about it. And obviously it was, for her, it was her own thing. It was very stressful for Cincinnati. Cynthia because, you know, Cynthia is, you know, God's personal assistant. She's like an angel.

And so, you know, for anyone to really find fault with Cynthia, that's a hard, that's a hard sell for me because she's so kind. She's so considerate. And, you know, they just gave Cynthia hell about those rooms. And it just wasn't warranted. I'm like, God, you act like we're living here. Just park your butt in the bed, go to sleep, get up, and we're going to do 80,000 activities during the day. Like, what's the big deal? on a lot of these trips. Yeah. And you know what? I'm more concerned about my home that I live in. Yeah. Which of course, a lot of the girls are in jeopardy of losing them. So, I watched the home tour video that you did recently. Your house is beautiful. Thank you. And you did that whole renovation yourself, right? Well, I supervised. Not with the hammer in the nails, but. But you, you oversaw the renovation of that house. Of course. Yeah. I bought that home and I bought

in 2016, totally gutted it, and we moved in in 2017. Okay. So yeah, so it was a fresh start. So for a while, for about two years, I had two homes in Buckhead. Okay. Now, that was a money pit. Uh-huh. And nothing went in foreclosure.

Clock it. I, speaking of a pit, I have seen going around a lot recently, the audio of you and Kenny back in the day going to Chateau Chalet. Oh, God. Yes. it was Chateau Shire. Because with that, with that reflecting pool.

The reflecting pool. In D.C. Someone sent that to me yesterday and I, boy how I cackled. It's definitely not going to be ready by the holidays. It's definitely not going to be ready by the holidays. Nope. That is something though.

I talked to Cynthia about it when she was here. You all were a part of this show in an era. I mean, it still is, but in that era of Atlanta when it was just. So fresh. So new. And back at that time, we were groundbreaking because we had no one to look at.

So we were really being ourselves. Yes. And so it was very authentic. Now, obviously, people can study the show. They can watch it. You know, you can, I mean, it's on season 17. So you've got years of footage where you can watch it and, you know, emulate different characteristics of, you know, other cast members. And we just didn't know.

We were just being ourselves and living our lives and being fabulous. It's being fabulous. Are you crazy? Do you ever like to go back in and watch old episodes or maybe you just see little clips and stuff? Well, I mean, because I literally live. Right. So I'm entertained when people send me the reflective pool. Yeah.

And this is what was hilarious. It was some children at my son's school that did it on TikTok. And so the teacher sent it to me yesterday because we went to boarding school together. And she's like, you've got to see this video. Like, oh, Mrs. Parks. And I was like, and they're like, they're like 13 year old kids. And I'm like, how do they even get this sound bike? Well, I think that's the, I mean, that's the beauty of it.

I feel like that's the marker of real like cultural impact when people who haven't even watched the show know the sound. Yeah. Get those. You know, people, people are quoting Nini Leaks that don't even know who Nini Leaks is. Exactly. And it's that like ripple effect. It's crazy.

History. You all, you all did that. We did it. It's pretty cool. Yeah. I mean, and looking back on it, I mean, we really didn't know how big it would be. Yeah. I remember Nini and I having conversations like,

Fadre, how long do you think it was last? And I'd be like, well, if it lasts 10 years, I mean, we're doing as good as friends. And, you know, we're 17 years in now. It's like, who would have thought? The 20th season of Orange County just premiering. And then the ultimate girls trip that I know you got to participate in with, it's what, like, lady something. Oh my gosh. Every iconic housewife will appear. Nuts. Yeah. So you've got to tune in because every city you're going to see your favorites

show up. It's it's such a yeah. I'm so glad that we're we're going to get to watch that. And I think it's it's the perfect kind of way to mark that occasion of there are so few properties like this that ever make it to a milestone like that. And it's cool to get everyone to together and celebrate. No, but I mean, it was great because, you know, the housewives is a sorority that many have applied, but few have gained entrance in. And so to say that you have been on it,

you know, I don't know, I mean, to make it, the cut is awesome. But when you think of the longevity of some of the cast members, like Vicki, that's my girl, she's actually here today, watch what happens live, we talked earlier. And just to see her document 20 years and be at the forefront of it all. Yeah. Well, I think it's, I mean, the last couple of years seeing you and Portia back together

has been so fun. And now the trip to Scotland, you guys are hosting that together. And it's just, I mean, the frickin frack legacy is alive and well. What has it felt like these last couple years doing this experience with her, again, knowing that you have so much history? Well, you know what? I love Porsche. And we're really friends off screen.

You know, we spend holidays together. We live two miles from each other. So she pops by, I'll pop by. I mean, and the beautiful thing about our relationship is she knows that at any time she can pick up the phone and say, and be transparent. And no matter if it's good or bad, I'm going to support her. I'm going to encourage her. And it won't change how I feel about her.

And so that's, that is what true friendship looks like. And what is it like? it's different for every relationship, I feel like, when people in the group have issues with her and you are navigating your own relationships with them, like we've seen Kelly and Portia go back and forth a lot. Obviously, you've been supportive of Kelly. Yeah, because that's not my fight.

I don't have a dog in that fight. So, you know, I try to make sure I can separate myself from the madness and chaos. So I have my own relationship with Kelly. and, you know, I want to see them, obviously, be friends, but, you know, they have to want to be friends. And, you know, but at the end of the day, I like Kelly. What do you think about, I mean, we've seen Portia and Shemia over many years now.

Yes. And this season in particular feels like they're barely even speaking the same language. No, they're definitely not speaking the same language. Do you see, you know, Crystal Ball? do you think there's a future for them? I think the ball broke. We lost the ball. The ball is gone.

I mean, and the thing is, is their relationship predates housewives. Yeah. And so what they share has nothing to do with this show. Obviously, things have transpired on the show. But at the end of the day, they're two adults. They have to make the decision if they want to continue the relationship and if they want to try to man fences. I try to stay out of it.

of it and be very neutral because, you know, I don't have a problem with Shemia, you know, and I love Portia. But, you know, I'm not going to force Shemia on Porsche and I'm not going to force Porsche on Shemia. Yeah. They've got to want to be friends. And that's, you know, that's beyond me, honey. That pay grade is in heaven. And I think, too, like, when people are having an issue like that,

that clearly there's some deepness to it. Yeah. If it, you can, you can tell when people just men fences to have the moment on the show, to, to have the storyline or whatever. So it's like, it would be great for them to be in a better place. But if it was just like, oh, the season finale is coming up. Time for us to be friends. Be friends again.

I think, I think we would all be able to feel maybe if it was a little hollow. And so sometimes you need that. Yeah. Not in this season. I don't think you're going to see that. But yeah, it's like those relationships. relationships, like, it can take a lot of time to really find your way back to someone. And after Scotland, I mean, it definitely turned a new corner that no one saw that we're down a very dark alley.

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How special was it for you to get to go back to Scotland with this group, knowing that Traders was such a huge moment for you? Man, I was so excited because I love Scotland. I love the experience I had in Scotland. You know, I love the people of Scotland. You know, they've got the black Scots and they're so fun. Yeah, but I digress.

So, you know, it was so good. And, you know, Alan Cummings is just the best. And, you know, he's from Scotland. So he gave me a lot of ideas on things we should do. And it was just a brilliant trip. It was beautiful. Obviously, we had a lot of drama. because that's just what we do.

But we had a lot of beautiful moments that brought us together. And at the end of the day, we fight. But, you know, we're sisters and sisters fight sometimes. It did feel like that trip was something that everybody was excited for. Yes. And excited to participate in. And then no bad rooms. That's true.

So no one could complain about that. That's true. The rooms were on point. It's a good way to start the trip. Uh-huh. And, you know, maybe later. maybe later we fight but first you know we appreciate

yeah everybody's got a room with the bathroom and we're all in the same castle yes there is a lot of a lot of you know friction between Shemia and Angela that we've seen over the course of the season

but it seems like in Scotland it's really picking up there's like allegations being thrown around we're phoning a friend to get you know context I know that you had your own issues with Angela. Yeah.

And it feels like you two were able to really figure it out in a way. And I think with Angela, she was new. Yeah. And when you come in new, sometimes you have these, you know, people are giving you these theories. And so I think with her issue with me, it's because basically she just was new and really didn't have a sense of what was going on. And so I think I was an easy target, to be honest.

but, you know, we move past that. And so we are on a friendship trail. I mean, but her and Shemia, they've had their own relationship. And she's known Shemia. They've had a longer relationship than she and I have. And so whatever's happened between them is definitely more in detail

than the issue that she had with me that was sort of... Yeah. Didn't make sense at all. And it seems like, I mean, with them and obviously there are other... conflicts in the group, but it feels like it's like we'll take one step forward and then two steps back and maybe we sat down and it seemed okay and then all of a sudden I'm hearing that there's

something else happening. In your experience like how much do you try to just focus on what's happening between you and the other person versus like all the noise that comes with? Well, I mean, I think some girls are argumentative and that's just their nature. And some people like to pick fights. And some people like to start a fire and let the house burn down and run outside and act like they don't know that they threw the match in. So I think you've got a lot of stuff going on in this group. And, you know, things will be very clear after reunion. You said you were the peacemaker at reunion this year.

And I wasn't doing no shady prayers, honey. You've been through a lot of reunions. what's your, like, what's your kind of approach to it? Obviously, this season, you were in a position to be more of a peacemaker. Is reunion something that you prepare for? Not me personally, because I was working up. Literally, I came from Ireland. Well, did I come from Ireland?

Yeah, I think I, yeah, Arlenore, Oregon. I was working up until basically 24 hours before the reunion. So my dress came out. of Australia, it was a custom dress. So I was just happy to get the dress. It fit perfectly and get on the flight to New York and get six hours of sleep before the reunion started. I, you know, and we obviously get to watch the episodes,

but I was so busy with new projects I have coming out. Thank you, Jesus. I, you know, I can't get caught up in the madness. You're like, I'm gonna finish watching 10 minutes before my butt touches the couch. Exactly. Yeah, but, you know, not, I just, just had to use my own memory. I was there. So, you know, you don't always know how the episodes are cut, but you're there. And so I knew what I didn't do. I knew what the people did do.

So I was like, okay. I'm curious for you with the stuff that's going on with Kelly this season that she's dealing with in her personal life, with the finances and everything, watching the season, has there been anything that you were kind of like, oh, I didn't know that. piece of it or it kind of changes your No, I think I mean obviously Kelly became a client and so I helped her through her

matter with her, you know, child support and the issue she was having with her divorce degree. You know, and it's yeah, life can be hard, especially when you're an entrepreneur. And, you know, this season we saw a lot of rich broke.

Yeah, there was a lot of rich broke going on on the show. I know, because I mean, I think that's one thing watching the show and, you know, I don't understand everything about bankruptcy and whatever, but like watching Pinky kind of decide what to do and navigate her situation. It's been, it's been tricky to know kind of like where, where everything really stands, I think. Yeah. Sounds like you agree. It's interesting to watch, but also it's like, it can go on for a long time.

I mean, we've seen Drew and Ralph now also for like three years in a row of him in the basement. Well, I mean, I think that resolved itself. So we're out of, you know, the court has spoken and the judge has made a decision on that case. I was, you know, so a lot of, I think this year what has happened, a lot of things have been resolved with the court cases. I was bummed to see your Reiki sound bath dinner. dinner. I know. Went a little left.

It went all the way down the wrong turn. That seemed like such a nice event you had planned for everyone. It was so beautiful. I had a wonderfully planned, you know, curated menu of just the best of everything. And yeah, it's like once that float deflated, it's like the energy just went south. But, I mean, you know, that's, yeah. After everybody left, me, Portia, Angela, and Drew, we sat back down and had a wonderful dinner. I think that's like, I feel like that has to be so important when you're on a show like this,

is figuring out how to kind of like, okay, this didn't go the way I wanted it to. But I have, you know, I have my girls. And we're going to enjoy what's left. Yeah. Exactly. And I think it's nice. It feels like the group this season has a lot of those moments where it's like, this first plan went sideways. but you know what, we're going to figure it out.

We're a regroup. There's a regroup. There's a plan B. We're still going to have fun in Dallas. We're still going to make it to Scotland. Everybody's going to have a good time. Yeah, exactly. But I mean, I think after a reunion, it's resolved.

A lot of things that, you know, the fans had questions about and even the people on the couch had questions about. It has revealed and resolved. So there will be a lot of resolved. Mm-hmm. Yeah, like it's so interesting to think about like when you guys are filming, you don't see everything that everybody is saying. Exactly. So everybody having, you know, like when Angela's like who's plotting. Yeah. Eat some breakfast, honey.

Settle down. Yeah. Because we, yeah, I mean, because you don't know. I mean, so you just sort of, you, I mean, you go to this, you know, you have the scenes that you have, but you don't know what is being done outside of what you see. self. Do you think, you know, you talked about there being a lot of clarity and like answers and stuff after the reunion. How do you, how much do you see that impacting the group moving forward? Well, I think it's going to allow a lot of more cohesiveness. Because, you know, it's, you can see in Dallas there becomes this divide, you know, it's like these four girls

over here, these five girls over here. And that's really not what it's about. You know, we've had the talls and the smalls. But at the end of the day, you know, it was a different type of division. It wasn't this where people assume that, you know, these people are against me because all of us just want to have fun and hopefully, you know, make great TV and enjoy each other's company in real life. So I think after the reunion, a lot of people will be able to move forward, you know. I think, yeah, the key to a show like this is like you want to have obviously some conflict, some, some, you know, disagreement or whatever to keep things a little spicy. Yeah. But you want there to be a cohesive element where it's like, we can all have fun with each other and then, you know, something happening on the side.

But at the end of the day, it feels like a group, yeah. Yeah. Just a little bit. Okay. So maybe season 18. We're going to get a... Oh, no. I'm praying, Lord.

But, yeah. So, I mean, you know, you get... But like I tell people, conflict will happen naturally when you have a group of women. You don't even, you know, you just... If you're living, you're going to have conflict when it's a group of very strong-minded, independent women. So you don't, you know...

But you, at the end of the day, we should all be able to sit down and have a good dinner together and laugh with each other. And, you know, congratulate each other. Yeah. there is that sense of accomplishment of you guys are you're in this experience together and i i've talked to other people about you there aren't very many people who know the experience of what you do and like ultimate girls trip having all those people in the same place yeah there there aren't that many people who can say like okay this is how a housewives situation goes down this is the reunion this is the

moving forward and i feel like you have some people in the group that are equipped to to do that Yeah, no, I think so. So I think going forward after reunion, I think, you know, you won't see the division you saw this year. Okay. I mean, there's a lot of people that still don't like you. Famous last words. But I think we'll move forward as a group. Okay.

Now that reunion's done, you know, we're still going to watch the end of the season. What are you excited about looking forward to in your life now that the show is like, you know, cooled off for a second. Well, has it cooled off for a little? Well, I don't know. But, you know, you got the summer. Well, yes. So this summer I've been working on some great new projects.

I'm super excited. I'm getting ready to do Dancing with the Stars Khan in Palm Springs. So I'm getting ready to go in full-blown practice mode for that. Call me dancing mama. But yeah, so I'm super excited about that. But the boys and I were getting ready to go to Italy for a two-week vacation. So that's going to be great. That's like so, it's so nice.

seeing them grow up and getting to do experiences like that with them, that has to be so gratifying that you've made it to this point and get to do things like that as a family. No, definitely. We take two international trips each year, one to do our Christmas card pictures. And the first one is just for summer break. So, you know, but my sons love to travel. So they choose the locations and I just, you know, let them map out exactly what they want to do. And as long as it's a little shopping and a little relaxation, I'm good.

So, yeah, so I'm super excited. It's been so fun to watch them, you know, get bigger and bigger and, you know. And they're good boys. The prince and the president, you know. Yes. And now we have an older brother that's joined us. So that's good too. So it's three, my three sons.

Well, I hope you enjoy your trip to Italy. I feel like you've earned it. I have earned it. And maybe a little group cohesion in the future. But first we got to get through Scotland. and reunion and yes congratulations thank you because it's a big achievement thank you yes thanks pedra oh thank you for having me of course thanks everyone for watching until next time be cool don't be all like uncool betches