Star Jones and Nene Leakes are Exhibiting Celebrity Inmate Behavior

The Velvet Rope Syndrome, or the sense of entitlement because you are a celebrity, plagues the vast majority of those in the national spotlight. Due to the ever expanding genre of reality television, virtual unknowns are experiencing true 15 minutes of fame for at least 30 minutes or longer.

NeNe Leakes, the most popular of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, became known from the first season of the show as being the most ghetto with no class. Although she lives a somewhat well to do lifestyle, her behavior can be compared to current inmates, rappers Da Brat ( Shauntae Harris) and rapper Remy Ma. Both of these inmates have caused stirs for special treatment at their facilities because of their celebrity status.

Jenny Triplett, co-editor-in-chief of Prisonworld Magazine, gave the Real Housewives of Atlanta some words of wisdom on a morning show and is now doing the same again for NeNe. “Someone at Bravo has created a monster. You have the audacity to call Star Jones a monster while the behavior you are displaying is that and then some. You are on a show that is supposed to be about class but you are showing just how much class and tact you actually lack. As an African-American woman I am embarrassed for you. I could never be embarrassed by you because you do not represent me. As someone who deals with inmates and their behavior, I can honestly say that some of them that are locked up have more class than you do.”

Star Jones, an accomplished lawyer and talk show host with a high self-esteem, tried to take the high road after being bashed in the media by Leakes. As a survivor of heart surgery, Jones has learned to be grateful for her life. Her behavior can be compared to former inmates Martha Stewart and Marion Jones. Martha Stewart stayed posed and classy throughout her entire ordeal with the criminal justice system. She walked out a prison a grateful woman, a multimillionaire and was happy to return to her life. Marion Jones learned a hard lesson and took the high road of apologizing to her teammates and America.

“When someone picks a fight with you, your defenses are automatically activated. If you are on the attack it makes you act one way. If you are on the defense it makes you act another way. It is your decision to what level you decide to stoop. Some inmates instigate as NeNe has done. Some inmates try to ignore foolishness and remain civil as Star has done. NeNe decided to go to the maximum security level while Star decided to say at Club Fed. They are not on the same level.” says Jenny.

Fame comes at a cost, whether you seek it voluntarily or involuntarily. Inmates with high profile cases such as Andrea Yates and Susan Smith are just as much a celebrity as reality show stars. Media bashing has been known to prolong one’s celebrity status. Murderers stay in the media longer than drug dealers. The velvet rope could mean VIP access or a private cell. Celebrity status is all relative.

Jenny Triplett, co-Editor-in-Chief of Prisonworld Magazine, is currently on a speaking engagement tour which includes several stops in South Georgia and Florida during the first week in April. Jenny and her husband Rufus are in high demand for interviews as a husband and wife team because of their knowledge on various subjects and infectious chemistry as a couple. For more information on interviews and speaking engagements, contact Jenny Triplett 678-233-8286 or [email protected].