The 'RHOA' Husbands Tell All

Each week on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, we're taken into the high-stakes drama surrounding NeNe, Phaedra, Kenya, Cynthia, and Porsha—and after each episode, the ladies dispel rumors, dish gossip and sometimes sling even more mud on their blogs.

But what about the husbands and boyfriends? Perhaps moreso than any other season, Apollo Nida, Gregg Leakes, Peter Thomas and Todd Tucker have found themselves at the center of much of the drama: Gregg has rekindled his marriage with NeNe for a second time; Peter and Cynthia have dealt with communication and health issues that have put a strain on their marriage; Apollo's found himself embroiled in a triangle with Phaedra and Kenya; and Todd's been dealing with a disapproving soon-to-be mother-in-law Joyce.

This week, Gregg, Peter and Apollo dropped by Bravo HQ—they also appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Todd—and we got them to dish on their 'Wives, their craziest fan interactions and more.

Has it gotten any easier to see your personal lives shown to millions of fans each week on RHOA?
Apollo Nida: You have to develop some tough skin to manage and just know that it's for a better purpose. The first year was agonizing: I was just getting out of prison and, of course, my life had changed. I came out with one particular goal and just like, you're married, you're on a TV show, and you have a baby. The whole thing just totally switched. It was like going to school for astrology and the next day you're a carpet cleaner. But I love it.
Gregg Leakes: Sometimes you get hung up about things that are said about you but you always have to focus on the end, you have to look at where you're going. That makes it worthwhile. Otherwise, I'd quit.
Peter Thomas: There's not too many shows on television that you see the African American male protrayed in a positive light. So what we try to do...if we get along, we have to make sure we're responsible for how black men are portrayed. Everyone says, "Tell us about the drama." It's a reality show, and we have to be as authentic as possible. We have to let them shoot our life.

What are some of the best and worst moments from watching RHOA over the years? Anything that makes you cringe in retrospect?
Gregg: When my wife and I were divorced, I would not watch the show. But one night something inside of me said watch the show, and the episode I saw, it's the one with NeNe and the Italian guy [from Season 4]. I tore everything up in my house! [Laughs] I busted my TVs, I busted the dishes. Emotionally, I thought I had it in check, but visually I was a ticking time bomb. It only let me know that NeNe and I had to get back together. I can't afford to break anything else!
Apollo: When Ayden was born, that was touchy to me [to let the cameras film it].
Peter: When me and my wife have an argument, and it's filmed, it comes on four or five months later and we have to relive it again! [Laughs]
Apollo: Once someone's apologized and it's over with, you can't continue to live that. You'll get slapped five times--and then the reruns come on.

Any insane reactions from fans that you've experiened in person?
Apollo: Just last night, we went to Kandi's show, NEWSical: the Musical, in New York City and there was a guy there with two of my DVDs and he said, "I've been waiting here 30 minutes for you to sign these." That was awesome.
Peter: A guy in Home Depot came up to me and asked me when I was going to give Cynthia back her money. I wasn't ready for that.
Gregg: The strangest thing that happens is when people say, 'I don't know why NeNe took you back!' It's like, 'Damn!' I have two fans somewhere, I think.

What are your wives like when the cameras are off?
Peter: NeNe and Cynthia are always on the phone. I always overhear what they're talking about. Sometimes I'll give her a look, like, 'Yo. End that.' When we're not taping, those two girls are always talking about the show.

What would your Housewives tagline be?
Gregg: Puttin' up with it and keepin' it real.