Phaedra: "There've Been a lot of Times Where I Wanted to Rip Somebody's Wig Off"

More often than not Phaedra Parks is known for her calm demeanor — but that doesn't mean she doesn't get riled up. The Real Housewives of Atlanta career woman covers this month’s issue of Rolling Out magazine and opens up about what it’s like to try to not get caught up in the drama of reality TV. “The way I’ve conducted myself has set me apart because I really try to think before I speak,” she says. “I try not to say things that I can’t come back from. I’m always very careful, and just because you’re thinking something doesn’t mean that you should say it. But there’ve been a lot of times where I wanted to rip somebody’s wig off.” Phaedra's children, Ayden and Dylan, also play a role in her decisions. "If my children are watching this show 10 years from now, I don’t ever want there to be a moment where they’re disappointed or embarrassed, because at the end of the day, you are your children’s role model."

But Phaedra is also aware that she can be seen as a role model to others as well — specifically those who are enduring difficult situations because she's experienced hers publicly. "In this past year, people have seen how I’ve dealt with my husband being incarcerated, and I became a single mom in front of the world," she explains. "But I think that on the flip side, people saw me as a pregnant woman, going to school and getting my degree. I had both of my children on the show. And I was still able to come out of all of that unscathed."

"People have seen me at the best and at the worst of times. They’ve seen me in heated situations where I handled myself respectably," she continues. "I can speak to the students because I know what it’s like to stay up all night studying. I know what it’s like to be pregnant and go to school. I can speak to the person who is in a marriage with issues; I’ve been that person. I’ve been in many adverse situations where I’ve succeeded and didn’t compromise my morals. I think a lot of these things resonate with people because these are things that we all deal with. Tests build testimonies. As long as you’re questioning, 'God, why am I here?' and not accepting defeat, that’s when you know you have the option to get out."

Although no wigs were harmed at this dinner party, Phaedra did lose her cool once with Kenya Moore. Refresh your memory with the clip below.

And take a look back at Phaedra before she came to reality TV.