Phaedra Parks on Her Estranged Husband Apollo Nida: "I'll Always Love Him"
The #RHOA mom reveals what's next in her dating life.
Back in March, Phaedra Parks revealed that her divorce from Apollo Nida was "in progress," and now it looks like things have progressed to an ending point. In an interview with ABC News, The Real Housewives of Atlanta attorney said that when the show returns, viewers will get to see "my divorce become final."
Apollo is currently serving an 8-year sentence for fraud and identity theft; she confirmed their split in October 2014. Together they have two sons, Ayden, 6, and Dylan, 3. Phaedra said the last time her sons saw Apollo was earlier this year, which RHOA viewers saw on the show. Now, she says, "I'm glad that I'm able to enter a new chapter in my life, but at the same time as a woman and as a probably anal person who's very ambitious, you don’t want to be the most successful business person and be a failure at personal relationships."
Regardless of their split, Phaedra will always have feelings for Apollo. "I'll always love him because he’s the father of my children so I can never be regretful of that because out of our union came these beautiful awesome kids," she said. "But as far as being in love with him romantically, I’m definitely not at that place in my life anymore."
The single mom says she has a strong support system in place when it comes to raising her sons (like her mom, life manager, and a governess). "Where we feel his absence [is] when the boys ask, 'Show me how to play football.' I know obviously quite a bit about the game, but I’m not the best football coach," she told ABC News. Earlier this year she told The Daily Dish, "I make it a point to try and engage good role models," citing Judge Greg Mathis, Pastor Jamal Bryant, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Louis Farrakhan as some of the men who serve as mentors to her two sons.
Phaedra admits that whatever man does come into her life in a romantic capacity will also have to be a right fit for her kids. "Obviously when you’re on a television show, you have to be somewhat guarded and when you’re a parent you have to be somewhat protective because I’ve got these two boys," she told ABC News. "I always said if I dated someone they would really be dating my two children. It would be a joint venture for all of us."
As for dating, she teased that she and her bestie, Porsha Williams, have created a dating app. "We actually have a dating app," she said. "We are trying to navigate those waters. We’re very excited and happy about that."
RHOA returns on November 6 at 8/7c.
