Laura Govan looking like... well, a reality star and ex-girlfriend of an NBA player. ( Jonavennci Divad )
The on-again/off-again relationship of Gilbert Arenas and his girlfriend/babymama Laura Govan played like a reality show, so it was probably inevitable that it would end up on television.
Govan has joined the cast of “Basketball Wives LA,” VH1’s spinoff of the hit series about the wives, girlfriends and exes of NBA players. Also on the show: Govan’s younger sister Gloria, who appeared on the first season and is long-term engaged to Matt Barnes of the Lakers.
“I just wanted to showcase a new chapter in my life,” Govan told us Monday. “A fresh start, a fresh outlook on life as a single mom.”
Not just any single mom: She gave birth just three weeks ago to son Aloni, her fourth child with Arenas. The two broke up six months ago (he was traded to Orlando, she went to L.A.) and are locked in a contentious child support case. Govan said she and Gilbert “don’t communicate” but are working “for the best interests” of the children.
Is it wise to go on a reality show amid all of that?
Laura Govan, right, with her sister Gloria and reality TV persoinality J. Alexander in NYC last fall. (Michael Loccisano/GettyImages for IMG)
The show, which debuts in late August, started filming just before the baby was born. Pollack calls Govan a “spark plug” who doesn’t hold back and can really drive a story. “I just showcase who I am,” she said. “My needs, my wants, my frustrations.”
But that didn’t work for Allison Mathis, ex of Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh. The two are suing each other: She was part of the cast of “Basketball Wives” until Bosh went to court claiming she was infringing on his name. Mathis claims she was dropped from the cast and is now countersuing for damages.
Govan told us she wasn’t worried about Arenas trying to block her appearance on the show: “Whatever happens happens.”
