She's loud, far from sample size, hated on by many, but unapologetic about it all. The larger-than-life personality of Linnethia "NeNe" Leakes helped to make the first season of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" a certified hit and the second season is definitely well on its way. Now the Queens, New York-born apple turned Georgia peach is releasing a memoir about her life, love, family and more. "Never Make the Same Mistake Twice" (Touchstone) is in stores today and is sure to bring the diva another hefty legion of fans (or haters). The wife and mother checked in with ESSENCE.com to chat about the book, why she's so comfortable in front of the camera, and she even shares a couple of secrets about the infamous Big Poppa.

ESSENCE.COM: What do you want women to take away from your new book?
LEAKES: I want this book to be a lesson to young women. I want them to learn from the things that I've gone through. I talk about being a single mom and the jobs I've had to take in the past as a single mother. I won't say that it was a mistake for me to have my oldest son, Brice, but it was a mistake for me to have him out of wedlock. I was married to Gregg when I had my youngest son, Brent. It took me forever to break up with my oldest son's father because I didn't want to become a part of the cycle. I wanted us to be a family so it was very difficult for me to end that relationship. I didn't want my son to end up like me. My mother and father didn't raise me; I never lived in the same house with my mother or father. My aunt raised me.

ESSENCE.COM: We've already heard a lot of buzz about the book. I understand some of your cast mates are speculating about it. Do share.
LEAKES: Kandi was on the radio in Atlanta saying that I wrote in the book that Kim was a former stripper in Atlantic City who went by the name Barbie. Now wait a minute, let me tell you: I am the author of the book, I wrote the book. [Editor's note: Veteran writer Denene Millner contributed to the book as well.] I didn't know that. Had I known that I woulda put it in there. I do say that she's dated married men.

ESSENCE.COM: Why do you think you've become the "breakout star" of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" crew?
LEAKES: Reality television is good for me because I'm very outspoken. I have what I like to call "camera balls." So, when the camera comes on, my balls just drop out and I just say whatever it is I have to say. What you see is what you get on the show. A lot of people don't believe it but we are not scripted at all.

ESSENCE.COM: Before we go, please give us one last scoop! Can you tell the audience who Big Poppa (Kim's on-again, off-again flame) is?
LEAKES: Now you know I cannot tell you who Big Poppa is! But I will say he is not Black. Kim does not date Black men. I know people thought that for a very long time. I guess because the name Big Poppa sounds like a name someone Black would have, but Big Poppa is not Black this time. He's not even big, honey (laughs)!

"Never Make the Same Mistake Twice" (Touchstone) is available at amazon.com.

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