Draya Michele is one of the most controversial figures on reality television, and regularly grabs headlines for her on-screen catfights and off-screen relationship drama. But now, after four seasons on VH1's Basketball Wives, the former video vixen is ready to retire from the spotlight and focus on her other passions, including fashion design.
We sat down with Draya to talk about what she's learned from being on Basketball Wives, and why she's not looking back. "Reality TV is really tricky," she tells us. "The first two season of [Basketball Wives] were the hardest, but that's when I enjoyed it the most. The last two seasons were the easiest, but I was just mentally over it."
Explaining the decision to leave BBW, Draya says, "I got to grow up in front of America. But now that I'm grown, I don't need every single thing I do to be on TV and to be judged...I just don't like it anymore. I just want to live a more private life." 

The reality star has experienced her fair share of negative press, especially surrounding her relationship with Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick. To those who are considering following in her footsteps, she warns — don't try this at home. "I don't recommend doing it," she says. "I think it ruins families, relationships, work relationships. I think it tarnishes your name."
Watch Draya get real about reality TV in our exclusive interview below:

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