As one of the newest peach holders of the hit reality TV show Real Housewives Of Atlanta, Angela Oakley knows she’s going to be under scrutiny from the Bravo fandom. Having built a successful career in real estate investing and tax preparation and becoming a self-made millionaire, Oakley has never backed away from the challenge. Oakley is married to NBA legend Charles Oakley, and together they have a beautiful blended family.

As Oakley enters this new chapter of her life, her husband has been there every step of the way. “Charles has been right by my side the whole time,” said Oakley. “He’s guided me into and through the spotlight.” The former New York Knicks player won over Bravo fans everywhere after he took his wife aside at Shamea Morton‘s surprise birthday party to tell her that her wig was askew. “I was standing there in front of the group of girls and not one of them said a thing,” laughed Oakley. “He didn’t have the words, but he let me know the issue.” “He was just like, ‘man down, man down. Danger, Danger. Go to the bathroom,'” recalled Oakley.

Though her husband had her back, Oakley can’t say the same for the other RHOA women, other than her pal Drew Sidora. Oakley had a hard time fitting in with fellow newcomers Kelli Ferrell and Brit Ealy, whom she calls “mean girls.” “I tried to give everyone a chance before forming my opinions, but you’ll see where I’m coming from soon,” assured Oakley. Oakley also clashed with Morton after Morton passionately defended her best friend Porsha Williams who publicly scolded Sidora for working on her music with Williams’ daughter’s father. “Shamea is Gretchen Weiners 2.0,” said Oakley. ” I let her know most of what I needed to say in the moment.”

Oakley stopped by the DECIDER studio to talk about her first season, her incredible love story, her first impression of Phaedra Parks, and more.

DECIDER: How are you feeling about your first season on Real Housewives of Atlanta?

ANGELA OAKLEY: I am ecstatic. I’m happy it’s done [laughs]. I’m ready for the fans to get to know me and all that I embody.

You came into the season as Drew’s friend. How did you first get to know her?

Drew and I shared the same hairstylist back in Atlanta. Drew and I both had wig issues, so we had that in common. We have a little support group where we talk about managing our wigs [laughs]. We became close over fashion and hair and things like that.

Were you familiar with any of the other women beforehand?

Only that I watched them on the show. My husband knew Cynthia Bailey a little.

Which of the ladies made the best first impression?

Cynthia made the best first impression. She’s amazing. We love Cynthia.

There’s a line in the second episode you say after revealing that you’re a self-made millionaire: “There’s not a dollar I don’t want.” Will we get to see your business savvy on the show?

You will see my business savvy this season. However, I made some mistakes too. I think it’s important to be transparent. You’ll see the growing pains that any good entrepreneur experiences.

I noticed that both you and your fellow newcomers Kelli and Brit are all successful business woman and entrepreneurs. What do you think draws powerful women to Atlanta?

There’s a community of successful people in Atlanta that look like us, that act like us, that talk like us, and that come from our background. It’s just a good place for entrepreneurs to flourish, women in particular. Atlanta has been good to me.

It’s clear from the start that Kelli and Brit are very close. Were they accepting of you as a fellow newbie?

No, they’re mean girls [laughs]. I tried to give everyone a chance before forming my opinions , but you’ll see where I’m coming from soon.

This might be your first reality tv show, but you are no stranger to celebrity being married to NBA superstar Charles Oakley. Was he happy for you to step into the spotlight?

He’s guided me into and through the spotlight. He’s been right by my side the whole time. Charles is a great support. He’s given me tools and tips on how to navigate the media.

You have an unbelievable romance that was 10 years in the making. What do you think audiences, especially single women, can learn from your love story?

Your person will come to you. You could be worlds apart, and your person will find his or her way back to you, like Charles and I. We met each other and then there was a 10-year gap. Eventually, Charles and I were able to come back together and create a family and a life together. So, live your life and don’t worry. Your person will find you when the time is right.

I know Charles is no stranger to having fans, but do you think he’s prepared for the passionate Bravo fanbase?

Charles is ready for the Bravo fan base. They love him already, from what I see. He’s prepared for the love and the hate.

I know he won a lot of folks over when he took you aside at Shamea’s party to tell you that your wig was lifting.

You know what? I was standing there in front of the group of girls and not one of them said a thing. My safe spot was my husband. I walked to my husband, and he told me: “look, something’s not right. Go to the bathroom.” He didn’t have the words, but he let me know the issue. He said: “Man down, man down. Danger, Danger. Go to the bathroom.” [Laughs] I love him for that.

I love Porsha, but showing up late and getting in the middle of Shamea’s surprise and then getting into a fight with Drew was not the best way to celebrate her friend’s birthday. What were your impressions of Porsha that night?

I was like, “why are you late?” Who comes late to their best friend’s birthday party? I think that was everyone’s question. She could have been here on time. The rest of us were.

Now, what do you make of the whole Porsha/Dennis/Drew situation? I know Drew is your friend.

I think Drew took the proper steps. I mean, not the steps that I would take, but Drew had a good reason for deciding to work with Dennis. I mean, the price of eggs are $10 a carton. Everyone has bills to pay. She had to do what she had to do.

You and Shamea clash a little bit at the workout in the second episode. Do you regret calling her Porsha’s lap dog?

No. I wish I would’ve said more. I didn’t get it all out, but I let her know most of what I needed to say in the moment.

What can you tell us about your dynamic with Shamea over the next few episodes?



Remember when I mentioned Mean Girls earlier? Well, Shamea is Gretchen Weiners 2.0.

Uh oh! Well, it’s no secret Phaedra will be returning to the franchise this season. What did you first think of her?

Phaedra is a lot of fun. She came in vibrant and ready to party. We had a good time together at first.

At first? Did your opinion of Phaedra change the more you got to know her?

Next question [laughs].

Okay! Everyone knows this season of Real Housewives Of Atlanta is going to be explosive. What can you tease, if anything?

Explosive is the perfect word to describe the season. It was beyond anything I expected. I think the fans will be surprised as well. There is nonstop drama, nonstop relationships, turmoil, friendship makeups. We’re not talking today. We’re talking again. [Laughs] It’s a roller coaster of good and bad things.

New episodes of The Real Housewives Of Atlanta air Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo