♪ this week on "our world with black enterprise" the v personality lala vasquez is in the house. how much is too much in reality tv? that's what's going on in our world up next. [ male announcer ] next gear is over 25 years of innovation. next gear is being the best selling car in america and having some of the best mpgs in the class. next gear is the reinvented 2012 toyota camry se.

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♪ ♪ welcome to our "our world with black enterprise" her career as a tv vijay began more than a decade ago. since then, she's been in plays, starred in her own reality tv series. i recently caught up with la la vasquez anthony.

♪ i'm here with -- how should i refer to you -- broadway actress, host. >> the woman that does it all. >> the woman that does it all. i remember listening to you on the radio. you were a great radio personality. >> thank you. for me, i always, i'm never complacent. i want the next thing and what's the next thing? i'm always looking for that. acting is something that i always knew that i wanted to do. i was pretty good at it. i'm trying to find these cool ways to solidify my place in this other world because like you said i'm known in radio and hosting@d reality, i have all of that stuff, you know, kind of covered and i'm trying to put my foot into this other side. >> tell me about this movie thing "think like a man."

>> it's the funniest movie. it's based on steve harvey's book. gabrielle union, kevin hartford. comedy all day long. >> what? >> i am. i am. >> ms. loretta. i'm ready for the rest of the tour. >> the cast goes on and on. but it's such a great movie and it's funny and it's just cool to see these couples reading this book and trying to use all of these steve harvey tactics kind of against each other in e relationships. >> what's the problem with the men of this generation. >> ladies do you understand the mindset of the man? >> act like a lady. but think like a man. >> i'm so excited to be a part of such an amazing cast. we had kevin on set, it doesn't

feel like we're on t. >> tell me about this reality tv, being host of reunion special to do your own show. what is that like? >> it's fun. et's fascinating to me that people are that intrigued by my life. >> how is it living in that hotel? >> horrible. >> it's definitely a different place, because you have to be willing to open up that much of yourself to an audience and when you do that, you have to be ready for the criticism that comes along with that. they're not going to like how you manage, run your life. >> how much is that representation of you? >> my show is 100%. i try to give the truth to people and that's what they want to see. >> moments that you want to say, stop the camera i'm about to snap?

>> there's been times when i wanted to stop the camera for my son. when i feel like it gets too much for him and then an awhole another person comes out. i'm a mom. i still want to protect him. that's the only time that i felt that way. >> one thing that you have to prepare for is making your marriage public, how does that feel with everyone looking at it? >> marriage is one thing that i protect on this show. it's because my husband is a basketball player, that's where his priority lies. i don't want anyone saying, he's too focused on the reality tv show. i didn't want people to think they were getting a newlywed-type show. the focus isn't on our marriage

or us together. it ee's more about a woman, juggling, marriage, life and career. the craziness that goes on in my everyday life. >> basketball wives was another project that you were invited to be a part of you declined. >> at that time, the show when l like it fit into everything that was going on in my life. hats off to o'neal for creating that franchise. i think the show is entertaining. i watch it and my friends watch it. my show brings something different to television. it doesn't make one show better thananot what's great about television there's a balance. there's something for everybody and every show you watch. >> when people were talking about basketball, they gave these reasons for why you don't want to be on the show, i'm glad

you set the record straight, how do you handle rumors constantly as a celebrity. >> you know, you just, it comes with the territory and so it doesn't bother me. i'm so secure in who i am as a woman that i don't let that stuff bother me and most of it is not true anyway. when you're secure you can laugh at it and not feed into it. my family is fine. we're happy. >> there are a million girls out there, what kind of advice would you give them? >> work hard. i didn't wake up and be in this position. you know, it took a lot of hard work. i started to intern with ludacris at a radio show. we just con stisistently worked hard. >> what's the next big thing for la la? >> if i could settle into a cool acting place, that would be great.

to continue to do cool movies that''s my ultimate goal. the reality stuff is amazing. but, to me, ultimately, if i'm happy, you know in my marriage and as a parent and just, you know, my family life, all of these other things fall into place. that's first for me. >> seems like you're on the right path. >> thank you, thank you. it was so nice talk to you. when we come back -- a closer look at reality of reality tv and the realm of reality shows there's a lot of diversity. the great thing about reality tv shows we realize

♪

welcome back. it seems you can't turn on television these days without finding a reality tv show. but how much is too much? we sit down with a panel of experts to find out. joining me are social media soci socialite smith, global entertainment editor for the associated press alicia quarless when i turn on the television now, all i see is news, reality show, what is too much? >> i think the public is going to be the people. we're going to determine when it's too much. right now, we have this need to pry into those celebrities lives. >> really? >> interesting. when i look on the tv guide, most of the people with shows these days aren't famous. >> if you look at something like "basketball wives."

started in miami, it became a runaway hit. now there's basketball wives l.a. reality tv shows are cheap to produce. i watch them. >> i'm glad you mentioned basketball wives. i asked la la about this rumor she rejected an appearance to be on that show. the sense that i got from her, this doesn't fit who i want to me. >> she's a perfect example, she comes off in a very positive light. she's on broadway. >> right. but they have a platform to stand on beforehand. they were already famous. i'm talking about people that are famous for nothing other than being on a reality show, fighting, throwing drinks on each other. that's really, that's vastly from la la vasquez. >> reality shows are the new

soap operas. reality shows have helped kill soap operas. reality sws are an ov overdramaticiz overdramaticiz overdramaticized shows to watch. the further you can take it, the bigger your brand can be. what's the brand -- >> that's my thing. right? that's not really a brand. >> it is a brand. >> no, because a brand has staying power. a brand is mcdonald's. those are not brands those are fade tomorrow. what about in our realm. this is called black enterprise. let's go back to the black reality show. tell me about their

endorsements. did she have an endorsement deal? >> i don't know if she has an endorsement deal. it won't work for the next 30 years. >> exactly. >> they're on the style network. one of their biggest shows -- it's a realty show. >> you have this insane need to be seen. >> let me push the envelope on this. these celebrities have an insane to be seen. aren't we all pseudocelebrities? >> no. i used twitter as a platform. it's a platform for me. >> but not all reality tv has to be in -- >> it seems like you're already famous you're okay having a dignified show? >> if you watch a drama on tv, you don't want to watch a drama that's boring. you want to see some action. >> what's the representation for black people?

>> it eesno it's okay. >> i'm not saying it's okay. if people didn't watch these shows they still wouldn't be made. >> have an opinion on this when it comes to reality shows, when i hear a lot of black folks say, those kind of people shouldn't be on tv. they shouldn't be there. what does that mean? it almost has an elitist tone to it. they're too loud, they're too ghetto, they're too black. are we trying to have positive representation on reality shows? >> part of what people are saying, there are not many black shows. white people can have jersey shore because they have the news. >> right.

>> i got to challenge you on that. i think in the realm of the reality shows there are a lot of diversity. the great thing about reality shows, we realize they're all trashy and tawdry. >> 7.5 million will watch the game. why aren't we making more shows like that they know we're watching it. >> it just cheaper to do reality tv. >> this may not be the most intellect chully thing to say, i prefer reality tv over scripted? >> really? >> we're obsessed with other people's business? >> no. >> i don't know. >> escapism into other people's business. >> i work in news business. it's nice to go home and escape for a little bit. >> here's t problem when you're watching those shows, it's very glamorous.

these women are traveling the world, they're seemingly successful, they got rich husbands or boyfriends. as we know in our community, bling, the surface flash that's what people are really attracted to. we have girls in the inner city, they're getting it, i want to get it, too. >> every generation has its stuff. in the '80s, there was the cosby show, different world. >> you watch those shows and you see how much we're really lack zmrg now there's basketball wives. >> black folks had issues with the cosbys. not a real remgs of how afric african-americans are. >> aren't we obsessed with other people's business? >> i think some people are obsessed of putting their business out there. >> it seems to me we all love other people's business.

my only hope that at some point the representation goes up and the quality of tv stops going down. >> agree. >> thanks so much for being here. up next, an athlete introduces a new generation to the world's most popular sport. >> i need to eat, breathe soccer all the time. [ male announcer ] next gear

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♪ grew up in a small town and when the rain would fall down ♪ ♪ i'd just stare out my window ♪ ♪ dreaming of what could be and if i'd end up happy ♪ ♪ i would pray i could breakaway ♪ ♪ i'll spread my wings and i'll learn how to fly ♪ i'll do what it takes till i touch the sky ♪ ♪ i gotta make a wish, take a chance, make a change, and break away ♪ ♪ out of the darkness and into the sun ♪ ♪ i won't forget all the ones that i love ♪ ♪ i gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change, and break away ♪

welcome back to "our world with black enterprise." soccer is the most popular sport in the world but many inner-city youths don't get a chance to play. one woman is trying to change all that. ♪ every time i chase the ball, every time i attempted to score it was just -- i felt so much joy in playing. >> she started playing soccer as a child in south carolina. the only girl on a youth team. >> of course it made me a lot tougher and it forced me to develop my abilities, running and keeping up with the boys.

>> that toughness has helped her make her mark in the sport. as a global soccer ambassador. >> the company's mission is to introduce to underexposed communities the sport of soccer and also inspire participants of soccer and fans of the game. >> martin began her career in a law firm in atlanta. >> there was a great opportunity and position with a secure paycheck and a predictable schedule. however, my heart yearn to go towards my dream as aspiring to play soccer in the olympics. >> at the start there was some tough times, particularl in south america. >> it was a hard experience because of the preconceived notions that people have of americans. we're more alike than we are different. >> now she's using what she's

learned to open up new worlds for new kids. >> they'll be able to exercise their creativity, build confidence and develop new friendships and it's important for me to spread and share this tool with as many youths as possible. >> beginning with child at the martin luther king recreation center in atlanta. >> what she's taught our children you must be persistent in pursuit of your goals. >> soccer is the universal la langualan langua language. adults not family ar with the sport they're being left out of a very important dialogue. >> it begins with the opportunity to have a good time. >> you can work on your footwork, you can make great

friends. >> helping to change perceptions is something that she's doing as a spokes model for the sportswear company fila. >> i'm able to show women it's possible to be a career changer and pursue your dreams. it's possible to achieve great things and athletic fitness. >> she also knows the challenges of chasing a dream. >> many of us sometimes when we have a dream we start working on it but we don't see anything coming from it and we get frustrated and she has some advice for pursuing your heart's desire. >> take one step, one action, it just builds momentum, before you know it you're at your dreams and many times you surpass your dreams. >> we'll be right back. hey you. so you think chocolate's gonna make up for everything, huh? oh, actually it's hot chocolate... with caramel. caramel, huh?

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♪ that wraps up for this edition of "our world with black enterprise." visit us on the website. and facebook us and follow me on twitter at marc lamont hill. see you next week. i love you

i love you too. c'mon, let's do it then. all brain cells to battle stations. inner conflict. [voice 1] should we, shouldn't we, should we, shouldn't we? [heart] we love each other. why not? [vce 2] girl, we are only 15! [voice 3] we could get pregnant! [voice 4] half of teen pregnancies occur within six months of first sexual intercourse. [heart] but it feels right! [voice 5 one word: aids! [voice 6] not to mention syphilis, gonorrhea... [heart] we don't want to lose him! [voice 7] just tell the truth [voice 8] we love him. [voice 9] but we're not ready. [heart] ok, that makes sense. i want to wait.

whoo! [truck playing music] mom, can we get some ice cream? please, mom, please? no, we're having dinner soon. [music playing] you don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. hold up! there are thousands of children in foster care who will take you just as you are.