Basketball Wives LA star Laura Govan has cleared up one persistent rumor going into the season premiere of the highly anticipated spin-off. Laura’s sister Gloria Govan made it through a season a half under intense pressure from Shaunie O’Neal to reveal whether her sister Laura indeed carry on an affair while she was married to Shaquille O’Neal. Apart from denying the affair, Laura also speaks on her relationship with Gilbert Arenas, the pending lawsuit and what she hopes viewers will learn about her from the show.
Why did you decide to join Basketball Wives LA?
For me, it was clearing up exactly what was said about me previously on the first season of Basketball Wives Miami. And also…I wanted to be the voice of myself, not someone else.
You talked about clearing things up, and a lot has been said about your relationship with Gilbert Arenas and Shaunie O’Neal. What would you like to clear up about those situations?
For me, I’m not here to clear up sh*t. If I haven’t done anything, I have nothing to clear up. I want people to understand the dynamic of what I actually went through. I’ve never been in the media. It’s always been someone else has the upper hand on that. This was my time to set the record straight on my relationship with Gilbert, my relationship with the Shaunie/Shaquille stuff. It’s been three years. We still talking about that dumb sh-t? And he’s moved on and has 100-past relationships, plus he has a solid girlfriend now. Get your life together! Get the hell out of here!
What do you hope this show will show viewers about you?
I think it’s really going to reveal who I am. You know, TV is TV. They can edit and say what they want, whatever juice they have, they’ll put out there. …It was like therapy. I just got to get sh-t off my chest and actually talk about some things I want to talk about and really give you who I am, which is I’m funny, I’m hella’ cute in person, girl. I know they be killing me talking about, ‘She looks busted.’ Man, f-ck you! I look good in person. (Laughs) For me, I’m just having a good time. I’m loving and living life right now with my kids. Like, we’re having the best time ever.
And because a lot of fans want to know…did you sleep with Shaq?
Hell no! Have you seen his feet? How you gon’ sleep with somebody who has feet like that? Like, I’ve seen him in his sandals. I love Shaquille to death but I would never get down with Shaquille. I know him that’s why it’s hard for me… I think it’s funny. I can never say no with a straight face because that’s absolutely hilarious. And it’s funny because I feel like when I’ve seen him or been around him, we just have a good time. We’re like brother and sister. And if you don’t pick up on that dynamic then…
I just think that Shaunie [O’Neal] had her own agenda and did things for the show. And it is what it is. But at this point, three years later, I don’t want to talk about him. Talk about somebody else. Talk about somebody I actually like.
Were you concerned about still being on the show after Gilbert filed a motion to stop the show?
Hell naw! I don’t think about nothing until something happens. Since he just filed the motion, that doesn’t mean that it’s happened. Do I think it’s still going to air? Of course I do. Do I think I’m still going to get to say what I want to say? Of course I will. He’s not going to stop that. I just think that at this time I’m just focusing on now—this is my life. So it’s my time; not his time. He had his time. He’s doing his time. You know what I mean?
Have you spoken to him since he filed those papers?
Yea, I talk to him all the time. He’s still the father of my children. And we have a great relationship. It’s funny because we’ll sit and we’re talking and I’ll be like, “Damn, dog. You’re suing me like a hundred times. Like, what’s up with that?” But, we’re cleaning it up. It just takes time because he’s filed so many goddamn things against me. And now we’re at the point where we’re just cleaning stuff up. We’re just looking to really, really be good parents to our children.
Well yes, is there anyone in your life that you’re dating?
Not yet. Not yet. It might be Gilbert girl, who knows now? I’m not sure…I mean, I do still like the ni**a. …We’re doing good though. He and I are in a good space right now.
When the casting was revealed that for Basketball Wives LA, Shaunie openly stated that the cast is trashy. If this interview is any indication of what is to be expected from the first season of Basketball Wives LA, I must honestly say I’m a little scared – maybe a lot scared.
Basketball Wives LA premieres on August 29th – will you watch? Check out some audio from Laura’s interview with Loop 21 below:
