After four years of curse-outs, cat fights and bottle tosses on the hugely successful Basketball Wives, Evelyn Lozada is ready for the next stage of her life. With a future filled with endless possibilities, the reality show diva has evolved and continues to define her life on her own terms.
Story and Styling by Darius Baptist // Photography by Carlos Arias // Hair by Ursula Stephen for Motions/Epiphany Artist Group Inc // Make-Up by Lucky Smyler for MAC Cosmetics and Devoted Creations/Epiphany Artist Group Inc // Location courtesy of The Room Mate Grace Hotel NYC, NY
After bursting on to the scene four seasons ago on VH1’s highly rated reality show Basketball Wives, New York native and now self-proclaimed Miami Mamacita Evelyn Lozada has become one of the most sought out television personalities of today. Whether she’s cursing out a cast member, spending time with her daughter Shaniece or playing girlfriend and soon to be wife to football star Chad Ochocinco of the Miami Dolphins, Evelyn has set her sights on establishing herself as a brand. And from the looks of it, it appears to be a success. You would think balancing a book deal with Cash Money Content (The Inner Circle), a cosmetics line (E by Evelyn), an online upscale shoe boutique (Dulceshoes.net), planning a wedding and many other business ventures in the works would almost seem an impossible feat to manage. But not for this unstoppable force. With her new show Ev & Ocho chronicling the days leading up to the nuptials between Evelyn and Chad, she guarantees us that we are destined to see another side to her. Never one to bite her tongue, this give-it-to-you-straight woman has no qualms about the fact that the public persona she has isn’t quite as desirable as one would think. We sat down with Evelyn during our shoot to try and uncover another side of this complex personality. Whether you love her or hate her, one thing is for sure: Evelyn Lozada gives it to you straight, no chaser.
YRB: First up, let’s talk wedding. What details could you give us about it? Evelyn: I can’t really say too much because we’re filming, but what I can tell you is I’m wearing a gown designed by Ines DiSanto. Her designs are always sexy, fun and very couture.
YRB: Aside from the actual wedding, what else can we expect to see on Ev & Ocho? Evelyn: You’ll get to see a different side of Evelyn and Chad. Especially me, since I was on Basketball Wives, which had a lot of cattiness. With this show, you get to see me with my family, and how Chad and I interact with one another. Our show is a family show with a twist. I’m happy that I get to show a different side of me outside of the drama [Laughs].
YRB: How accurate has your portrayal on BBW been? Evelyn: Everything I say and do, I own up to. I haven’t always dealt with everything how everyone else would. With Basketball Wives, you only get to see one side of Evelyn. I would never say I’ve been portrayed in a bad light, because I take responsibility for saying and doing those things.
YRB: What would you say is the downside to fame? Evelyn: I would say the downside is that people only get to see one side. We want balance, we want to see different things but when we’re not in control, it’s just that: we’re not in control. YRB: You’re establishing your own brand with your book The Inner Circle and the E by Evelyn beauty line. What has that experience been like? Evelyn: I’m the busiest I’ve ever been. Not only am I planning a wedding but I’m promoting and trying to make my 15 minutes last longer. I never thought I’d be an author. My books are sold out in a lot of stores. It’s a blessing. It’s those things that make me work harder. It makes me think, “What else can I do?” It’s been great. Tiring, but great.
