From being called a bully to being the center of a boycott to get Basketball Wives off the air, Evelyn Lozada has been more than publicly slandered for the aggressive nature she portrays on the reality show. But the 36-year-old Puerto Rican by way of the Bronx, New York, isn't dwelling on the negative feedback. Taking full responsibility for her actions and hoping to learn to control her temper a bit better moving forward, Mrs. Chad Ochocinco says there's so much more about her personality that people don't get to see on TV—and XXL was privy to this.

During a phone conversation with Good Life, Lozada discussed her million and one side ventures, which include a cosmetics line, a jewelry line, a clothing store and her first novel, Inner Circle, which will be released through Cash Money Content on Tuesday (June 12), among many other things. Now, factor this.—Mariel Concepcion (@Mceezy)

Good Life: First off, tell me about your book, Inner Circle? How did the idea come about to pen a book and what is it about?

Evelyn Lozada: The idea for the book came about... I had these journals when I was in my previous relationship, and when I was moving out I found them and I started reading them. Everything in them wasn’t negative— there were some good things in there, but to read it and relive those moment, I was like, this is pretty good. I connected with [author] Courtney Parker and she helped me write the book, which we decided to make novels. I feel like not only have I been in that [sports] world so long, I have a lot of girlfriends and family members that are in the same world, and to be able to show an inside perspective is pretty therapeutic. [The book is based on] real life experiences with fiction. You wont know what is Evelyn, but you will wonder.

What was the process of putting this book together like and how long did it take?

Oh, man. It was sitting there, reading journals and sharing stories, and then having Courtney add her twist. I probably started this whole process with her last season, so it took a good eight months, almost a year. It definitely a while. We didn’t want to rush it, we wanted to make sure it was good but that definitely required a lot of late night conversations.

How and when did you come about with a book deal with Cash Money and can you break down what kinda deal it is?

It’s a series of three books. I'm good friends with Teresa Caldwell, who is Bow Wow’s mom and manager, and her and I were talking about the journals. She said, 'Let me talk to Baby,' 'cause you know her son is signed to his label and that’s how it came about. They had a convo about it. I had a few other deals on the table but when this one came about, I mean, Cash Money,—everything they touch turns to gold and they are supportive of each other. I feel good about this situation, you know?

Definitely. Inner Circle is part of The Wives Association series. Are you already working on the next installation? And, if so, when can fans expect that?

I just recently started working on it because this book took a while. I’m filming two shows and have a million and one things going on, so we just started working on it and I don't want to give away to much about it just yet.

You've gotten crucified in the media for being a bad representation of women, minority women, on television. But, the truth is you're a lot more than just a hot head and the book is a perfect example. Tell me about your other side ventures?

Let me just say first, all these other side gigs are things I love. Of course, when you’re doing shows you get all these offers, but I don’t agree to just do anything. From season one, my earrings were big deal and it became big thing. So after the first season, in the second season, I started my first earring jewelry line which did very well. Now I have a new line coming out of pigment. Pigments are like glitter for your eyes, and I love it! I took a chance and wore the lime green color on the show once and that could've been a hit or big fail. But, it was a big hit. So, I was like, aside from eye shadow and blush, I want my own line of pigment, 'cause if you put it on the right way it looks great. There's also my tee shirts with my little sayings on them, and I'm also working on a line of maxi dresses. You can find everything on EvelynLozada.com.

Will you be going on a book tour?

Yes, I start a book tour next week. The first date is going to be in the Bronx at Barnes and Noble.

FOR MORE OF EVELYN LOZADA, GO TO PAGE 2

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Congratulations. Now to Basketball Wives. I know you’ve been asked to death about your behavior on the show, but, you have a ton of business ventures and things going on in your own life that can be viewed as inspiring. I want to know, in your opinion, what are ways that you think you are and have been a role model for women watching you?

I take full responsibility for what I do. I don’t agree with everything being said, but I take full responsibility for letting anger get the best of me and showing my ass. I always say, TV can be a gift and a curse, and for me to be able to have that mirror and look at things I’ve done and reflect and say, I definitely coulda done that differently. But, I’m also so thankful that I do have my own show because people get to see a different side of Evelyn. BBW is catty and there's drama, but on my own show you'll see a different side of me, like me with my family, me with Chad, our kids—you get to see a different side. Thank God I’m able to show that. I feel after this last season, the network and everyone else involved is like... I get it—we film all types of stuff, but we aren’t in control of edits, and out of all the controversy, they’ll finally be a balance. Shaunie has been fighting for that since season one. It’s a good thing. I’m happy because during the whole period, while I was up in all the blogs and the boycotts, it forced everyone to say, why is this happening? In the beginning it was like, fuck this, who cares what everyone thinks? But it doesn't work that way. You’re on a show and people are watching.

Speaking of the show, I know you recently told another publication that you missed [co-star] Jen and that you take some responsibility for the falling out. Do you think you two can let bygones be bygones and be friends again? Like before? And if so, what would have to change for it to work?

Of course. That blew into something big. I was friends with Jen for 10 plus years. For you to totally erase everything you’ve experienced together, it’s not easy, especially after you've spent so many years of your life together. Can we be BFFs again? I don’t think I can answer that right now because there's so much going on legally, with one of my friends— it's still a sticky sitatuion. I’m in a cool space, I could be cordial. It’s going to take time for us to get past everything. Plus, I'm not in the space where I was when we were filming. There was a lot going on during that time but that was months again. Time has passed since.

This is true. Plus, you're a busy lady. You're in the midst of planning a wedding which can be stressful.

I don’t know how I’m planning that. Planning that, alone? Listen, I have major things going on in my life. Planning a wedding, filming the show, doing a book tour—it’s been very challenging, to a point where I’m like, am I way over my head with this? But I have a great team and people helping me as much as they can. The wedding is happening regardless. I will do what I have to do to make it happen although it is very challenging. I wont complain, though. I rather be busy.

And your relationship with Chad? I think a lot of people anticipated you two wouldn’t last, but here you are two years later. What makes your relationship work?

My relationship with Chad works because we are very much alike and because we have good communication. We probably shouldn’t be talking about certain things, but we talk about everything. There’s nothing about me he doesn’t know—that’s how candid we are. We keep it real. What our lifestyles' bring— it's not easy having public relationship. Every week is something new. I would say, it’s a cliché answer, but communication and us being able to speak about everything is refreshing instead of hiding things.

I know our Eye Candy readers want to know: are you as aggressive in the bedroom as you are during real life disputes?

Oh yeah!! I like talking about this type of stuff. I'm VERY aggressive and very open to try things.

Have you read the book Fifty Shades of Grey?

I haven't read it but I just bought it. I've been hearing a lot about it. From what everyone tells me, the stuff that goes on in there is right up my alley! I bought it for that reason. I can't wait to read it.

Hit me on Twitter and let me know what you think. Changing gears: are there any other reality shows that you like to watch other than yours?

I do. I like to watch Jersey Shore. My daughter always asks me, 'why are you watching that?' I think it’s funny, for some reason.

One last question for you: everyone, including myself, is gushing over your Maxim photos and your insane six pack. How do you keep yourself in shape? What’s your workout routine and diet regime?

Those photos! Let me just say, I've heard so many stories that Evelyn spray-painted her abs. I mean, who does that? As tired as I may be, I make sure I work out several times a week. I don’t eat meat and I don’t drink any soda. I drink water all day, every day, I don’t eat junk food. I do have my moments, but I'm a pescatarian and I work out and eat right and make sure I don’t eat McDonalds every day. It forces me to make smarter choices that I don’t eat meat. When you don’t eat meat you have to be a little smarter. Sometimes I even skip my meals. I will have fish and vegetables and I know running around, fimling so much, that I won't eat fast food so I might bring my own food. I have supplements and protein.

A pescatarian, huh?

Yes. I've been pescatarian two years now. It was actually... mentally, you think, oh my God, how can I give up steak and chicken? But me and my daughter started a bet. She read the book Skinny Bitch and she broke down what they do to animals. She said, 'I bet we can't do two weeks of no meat,' but it's been two years. Both of us, started together and never went back. If you like seafood, that’s what you have to order. It really wasn’t that bad. Once you do you’ll feel lighter and you’re also going to automatically make better choices when its time to eat. I'm Puerto Rican, I like my pernil, but, it's definitely doable.

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