Whether she's your kind of housewife or not, Sheree Whitfield definitely makes an impact. No matter if she's indulging in a shopping spree or trying to get her clothing line off the ground, the Queen Bee keeps her eyes on the prize. As the second season of the highly rated "The Real Housewives of Atlanta"  debuts, Whitfield opens up to ESSENCE.com about the tension between her and Kim and how she's faring in the recession.

ESSENCE.COM: Judging by the previews, you and Kim Kolciak waste no time bringing the drama. Weren't you two bosom buddies?
SHEREE WHITFIELD: TV made [our relationship] seem like a lot more than it was. Kim and I were not friends, we were associates, and I take the word friend to heart. I'm not friends with any of the girls. Even though I'd heard lots of things about her, I give people a chance. I didn't know Kim was talking about me during the first season. I wouldn't talk about someone just because my friend didn't like them, and that's what  she did when she and NeNe were friends. I made my own assessment of Kim and you will see.

ESSENCE.COM: What went wrong?
WHITFIELD: It's so crazy because this show is real life. Sometimes you get taken to that point where you don't want to be, but we all have our limits. I'm usually pretty laid back and can hold my composure, but it's only so much I can take and they were able to catch a few of those moments. Having someone constantly in my face, pointing, screaming and making me feel threatened, I'm going to have to retaliate. You have to watch and see.

ESSENCE.COM: There were reports that you had words with a gay club promoter. What really happened?
WHITFIELD: I've always had gay friends and didn't get them for the show—not saying any names. This guy was a party planner planning my independence party after my divorce and he was acting queenish. He said he would ‘F' my mother and I said you don't even like women. You have opportunist who want to be on TV and seize the moment and that's what he did. I really have had to tighten up my circle. Even people who've been around you find out are around for the ride.

ESSENCE.COM: So how's it going with the new addition, Kandi Burruss?
WHITFIELD: With all the complaints of the girls being single, especially me and Kim, I was surprised they would get another single woman. I was familiar with Xscape and her songwriting and met her when she was dating one of my ex-husband's teammates, and she wasn't that friendly then. But now she's cool. I didn't know what they thought she would bring to the table, so I'm interested to see.

ESSENCE.COM: Lastly, we know your divorce settlement wasn't what you'd hoped. How has that and the recession impacted your lifestyle?
WHITFIELD: On the first episode you will see I have downsized and it was an abrupt move to another house. I'm not shopping as much, and I have to really love something to purchase it. I still eat out a lot, but you have to cut expenses. With my ex-husband, I just want him to do the right thing.

Tune in to watch more of Sheree Whitfield on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" (BRAVO) on Thursday, July 30, at 10 P.M. ET.