Unpopular Opinion: I Feel Bad For Kenya
TLDR: I feel like Kenya’s first season was the birth of her villain era because she was not supported, was misunderstood, and wasn’t given grace in her low moments.
Hear me out.
I’m in the middle of my first rewatch and I’m specifically talking about Kenya’s debut season, season 5.
Kenya is not perfect (by far), but I really feel like all of the ladies were very hard on her for no reason.
1. Porsha and Kenya at the charity event.
You went out of your way to invite someone but can’t even get their title right and guessing at the year. That’s like inviting Ms. America 2001 but you introduce her as “Ms. Georgia..2002?”I’m not saying that Kenya’s reaction wasn’t dramatic, but come on, anyone would be a little annoyed. On top of the event just being whack. It just felt like a party for Porsha because Kordell surprised her with a designer bag in the middle of an all women’s dinner. The whole event just seemed weird and tacky.
2. Phaedra and her donkey butt dvd.
She was wrong for not wanting to pay Kenya had she produced the DVD. And then Kandi, out of all people, sided with Phaedra?? The same Kandi who was pissed that Kim Z wasn’t trying to pay for Don’t Be Tardy and The Ring Didn’t Mean a Thing, but wanted all the profits??
- I’m skipping Anguilla because her and Porsha’s spat spilled over from the charity event, so it is what it is. Also, she was absolutely wrong for flirting with Apollo on the trip.
4. LA/Vegas and they kept bringing up Walter.
That lady told yall they broke up and she doesn’t care to speak on him, yet they continued to taunt her and bring him up just to upset her. Now she’s crazy and dramatic for reacting.
4.5. As much as the “Loooserrr” scene cracks me up.
When you know the full context, it’s giving mean girl from Phaedra. Because we’re having a girls night. There was no need to comment on Kenya’s strawberry sucking and say “I’m sure somebody like it.. but I guess not Walter. Loserrr!” I know that was her get back from Anguilla, but. Come on.
5. Kandi’s housewarming.
Everyone was giggling and grabbing their popcorn because Walter is there with a date (who looked like she was on 10 and ready to pop off).
When Kenya arrives, Kandi gives her heads up, and now Kenya is dramatic and crazy for leaving the party? She didn’t confront Walter, she didn’t go off on Kandi, she immediately found the exit. And whether she was exaggerating about him being a stalker or not, I really didn’t appreciate Kandi laughing in her face saying “I’ve never heard of him being called a stalker”. And??
6. No one was a girl’s girl when it came to Kenya.
Even Cynthia chastised her after Kandi’s housewarming, saying that she needs to move on and learn to be in the same room as Walter. But she keeps telling yall she’s not ready to be in the same room and she’s trying to move on. But yall fake asses keep bringing him up or inviting him to the same events.
7. Kenya’s Hollywood party season finale episode.
I will say that Porsha coming as Halle Berry/Dorothy Dandridge did feel and look way more on theme than if she would’ve followed Kenya’s request to come as Halle Berry from BAPS. BUT. If you felt like Kenya was trying to play you, you should’ve declined the invitation or not shown up. Or even suggested “hey can I come as Dorothy Dandridge instead?”
But you don’t follow instructions, do what you wanna do, show up and puff your chest out at the party like “yeah I didn’t come as BAPS. And what?” It was disrespectful. And then everyone rallied behind Porsha and left the party after she got kicked out. THEN Kenya came outside, apologized (which she didn’t need to do), and they still had a problem.
I just feel like she was damned if she did, damned if she didn't 🤷🏽♀️
Edit: And don’t get me started on the mental health “jokes”. I think all of them at one point in season 5 made a “joke” about Kenya being crazy, bipolar, or needing medication. I don’t care about it being 2012, that’s cruel to continuously say to and about someone.