Porsha Williams Guobadia, a renowned reality television personality, and the esteemed ambassador for Nivea, is a dynamic force in the entertainment and beauty industry. In this exclusive interview, we delve into her journey, both on and off the screen, as she shares her experiences, insights, and the profound impact of her role as a Nivea ambassador. Join us as we explore the captivating world of a woman who embodies charisma, authenticity, and a commitment to empowering and inspiring others.
Can you share more about your involvement with the charities Hosea Helps and Hosea Feed The Hungry, and how your family’s legacy of civil rights activism has influenced your philanthropic work?
I marched with my grandfather from the time I was six years old, and remember having conversations with family members about what it meant to do what we were doing as well as why it was so important that we kept doing it. Those conversations and quite literally being a part of movements were a huge influence on me. I have always wanted to stay involved in any way I can.
Working with Hosea Helps and Hosea Feed The Hungry is a great way for me to consistently give back, especially since it feels so close to me and to my family. It’s important to me that I get to be a voice and share on my platform all of the wonderful accomplishments the amazing people there work so hard to achieve.
Your debut book, “The Pursuit of Porsha,” delves into your personal and public life challenges. Could you tell us about a particular moment or experience that was a turning point in your pursuit of happiness?
My daughter being born, happy and healthy. Having a child changes your viewpoint on so much. Once I had Pilar, I had a new understanding of who I was and all I could truly be. Seeing her and all that happiness in front of you, for the first time, was a moment of pure bliss that I can’t imagine my life without.
You were a part of the Real Housewives franchise for a significant period. How has your experience on the show shaped your career and personal growth?
The show was one of the most important time periods of my life. Not only for the lasting platform it launched for me, but also for the lessons it taught me. It showed me in real time that when people are upset at you, it doesn’t always mean they are upset with you. Realizing that, and really living it in front of so many people, helped me develop a higher level of patience and forgiveness that I use every day in my life.
Could you share your favorite memory from your time on the Real Housewives of Atlanta or any of its spin-offs?
Oh, it is always the girls’ trips. Not necessarily the moments y’all saw on camera, but when we’d be done filming for the day and head out for a dinner…those were great nights. Plus, we were in some of the most amazing places on the planet! When we were in Tokyo is a memory that comes to mind, but there were so many great moments.
As a successful entrepreneur, what inspired you to start Pampered By Porsha and Go Naked Hair? How do you manage your busy career alongside these business ventures?
Both my parents were entrepreneurs, so I grew up around that energy. It was the path I always knew I wanted to take, because of them. But what they taught me is you must make sure you build something you are passionate about because it takes a lot of work to make it successful. I created GoNaked Hair because hair is a way to express yourself, this is something that gives me the passion to develop more products and options for our customers. For Pampered By Porsha, luxury at the right price was our focus. Just because something has a huge price tag does not mean it is going to be a good product. This happens a lot with sheets! So, I took the time to find and develop our sheets so that our customers could pamper themselves every day! When it comes to my companies and ventures, if I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t do it. But when I love it, I put my all into it and I love all my fans who support my passion!
You’ve ventured into acting in scripted projects. What do you enjoy most about acting, and are there any specific roles or genres you aspire to explore in the future?
I love the chance to be somebody different. Trust me, I love my life, but it can be exciting to explore the mindset of somebody entirely new. What I find interesting about getting to that point, about the whole process, is that you have to explore yourself first. Because expressing the emotion of a character comes directly from your experiences. It proves that we are all very similar, that we’re connected by our spirits and our emotions.
I would love to explore the world of romantic comedies, specifically those holiday ones. There’s something so beautiful about when it’s a specific time of the year, like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, whatever, where the whole family sits together for a few hours and just gets in the spirit. It would be great to be a part of one of those.
How do you balance your role as a television host, media personality, actress, and author while being a mother to your daughter, Pilar McKinley? Any tips for other working mothers?
It’s all about knowing your priorities for the day. And I do it so I can actually be there as a mom. Being a mom is my top priority always. It’s so important to be present when you’re physically there. I know that sometimes it can be hard to take a step back from the stresses of working to truthfully listen when our children are talking but keeping that priority list at the front of my mind reminds me that PJ is always number one.
You’re currently a contestant on the reality competition series “Stars On Mars.” What drew you to this show, and how challenging has it been to participate in a space-themed competition?
It was just so intriguing, and it seemed like such an incredible challenge! I wanted to show PJ what it means to expand boundaries and to be successful, do things that are hard. What better way to do that than a show about her mom trying to survive on another planet?! Now maybe she’ll think about wanting to be an astronaut or a scientist…or maybe even a contestant on that show in a few decades.
Your voice acting in the animated movie “CarGo” was well-received. What was the most enjoyable part of voicing the character Carlotta, and would you consider doing more voice acting in the future?
Acting on screen in one thing, because you can use so much more to express emotion. You can use your face, your arms, your body, and all these different things to get a point across. But with voice acting, you’re relying solely on delivery, which means a lot of preparation needs to go into every word of every line. I just got into it, and I got to know the character really well. That was a lot of fun and super enjoyable. I would absolutely consider doing more of it in the future.
With your background as a “cornbread-fed Georgia Peach,” what aspects of your Southern heritage and upbringing do you value the most, and how do they influence your work and life in the public eye?
I’ve always loved the importance of a big family holiday in the South. Like for the big ones, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc., it’s important to go all out with the meals, the decorations, the people, the extended family, everything. I don’t know if this is specific to my Southern heritage, but it feels like it is to me! I think growing up in that culture and knowing that was happening all overplayed a part in how I approach my family life and probably why I’m sometimes a little extra!
NIVEA is known for its commitment to skincare and promoting self-confidence. How do you think your partnership with NIVEA aligns with your personal values and brand?
As a Black woman, I like working with a trusted brand like NIVEA that I’ve known and loved for years. The brand also keeps Black and Hispanic women top of mind with product development and addresses our specific skin care needs. That’s why I’m so happy NIVEA is launching its new Skin Firming Melanin Beauty & Hydration Lotion with Q10, which is specifically formulated for dry, ashy melanin-rich skin.
In your role as a NIVEA ambassador, what do you hope to achieve in terms of promoting healthy skin care practices and self-confidence, especially among your fans and followers?
Our skin is beautiful – period! I’m sharing my favorite products with my fans and followers because I want to help them feel confident and empowered in their own skin! We all know about my “Bye Ashy” moment – that really hits home for a lot of women. I’m happy to be able to turn my “Bye Ashy” moment into an opportunity, thanks to NIVEA, to let women reaffirm beauty on their own terms. Especially now as the season is changing, people with melanated skin like me will notice our skin needs more moisture. We need products that are made for us that enrich our skin like new NIVEA Skin Firming Melanin Beauty & Hydration Lotion with Q10. In addition to moisturizing, it firms the skin because we’ve got to keep our beautiful skin right!
It’s time for everyone to say, “Bye Ashy”, and embrace their beautiful, hydrated skin with NIVEA’s new Skin Firming Melanin Beauty & Hydration Lotion with Q10!
NIVEA has a long history of promoting inclusivity and diversity. How do you see your role in advancing these values as part of the NIVEA Skin Firming Melanin Beauty & Hydration Body Lotion campaign?
I’m excited to be working with NIVEA and be part of the “Melanin Beauty Campaign” to launch the brand’s new Skin Firming Melanin Beauty & Hydration Lotion with Q10. I learned early on the importance of lotioning my body every day. It’s a way to take time for myself within my busy day. Through the campaign, we’re encouraging women to care for and show off their beautiful black, melanin-rich hydrated skin.
Can you share any upcoming projects or initiatives you have planned with Nivea that your fans can look forward to in the future?
Right now, I’m launching NIVEA’s new Skin Firming Melanin Beauty & Hydration Lotion with Q10 as part of their “Melanin Beauty” campaign. I’m a huge fan of the brand and I’m so happy to be working with NIVEA to motivate women to showcase their confidence radiated by hydrated, melanin-rich skin.
Be’n Original
