Tiffany Pollard has become a staple in reality television. From a girl who was spotted on the street by a casting director in L.A., she has come a long way. Her big break began on VH1's Flavor of Love where she was given the nickname New York by rapper Flavor Flav then named herself "Head Bitch in Charge" ( HBIC ) to taunt the competition.
Pollard was so popular that she went on to two seasons of I Love New York as well as New York Goes to Hollywood and New York Goes to Work.
This year she competed on the British version of Celebrity Big Brother, finishing in fourth place.
Also in 2016 she was on the Next :15 on TV One and is wrapping up Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn on VH1.
Windy City Times: Hi, Tiffany. What was it like the first time you saw yourself on TV?
Tiffany Pollard: I could not believe I was on television. I looked at myself on the screen then looked back at myself in the mirror and I said, "You are way prettier in person!"
I get that all the time. [Laughs]
WCT: Your big breakthrough was on Flavor's show?
TP: Yes. It was so long ago. I think like over a decade! To still be in the industry and still have notoriety is unbelievable. I don't even know how to describe it. It is unreal that people still remember quotes from the show. I feel accomplished.
WCT: People recognize you on the street?
TP: They definitely recognize me. They ask for pictures. With social media I get so much love and it helps me to have newer fans. Some of these young ones weren't around when I Love New York was around but now they know me from YouTube. On Instagram I am Tiffany_HBIC_Pollard, follow me!
WCT: Are you ever tired of the cameras?
TP: The cool part is I work enough to where it is not too much. I'm not one of those people that is in it for fame because I do like my privacy. By the time I get in front of the camera I am ready to take it on. It is not a constant thing for me.
WCT: So you separate New York from Tiffany?
TP: I definitely know how to separate them. New York is always at a 10. She likes to have fun. Tiffany does, too, but at a lower simmer. New York is going to scorch the bottom of that pan because she turns it up!
WCT: How was filming Family Therapy?
TP: It was the craziest thing I have ever done. I have worked on television before with my mom but I never had to sit down, talk about our emotions and our relationship. I found it to be very difficult because I had to be real. In therapy they will ask questions and put your back up against the wall. Out of everything I have done, it was hard to be that vulnerable.
WCT: Were you surprised your mom was a hit on TV?
TP: I was not surprised at all that my mom was a huge breakout star. She deserves her notoriety. This is where I get my ways from. I am an outspoken woman because I grew up around an outspoken woman. I wasn't surprised that America loves to hate my mom!
WCT: Didn't you just finish the Next: 15?
TP: Yes—that was drama. It was me being typical New York. I gave people what they are used to seeing me like. I like the fact that Family Therapy is so different from that. It really shows a different side to me. People didn't know Tiffany could have these emotions. I am inspiring people.
WCT: People either seem to love or hate New York. How do you handle that?
TP: At the end of the day, it is about how you feel about you. It is not my job to make people love me. If it was I would be exhausted. I just do my thing and say how I feel then let the chips fall where it may. I think people really respect that in me. I think we should all express ourselves. Why hide it?
WCT: When was the last time you talked to Flavor Flav?
TP: I haven't talked to him in about four years. The last time I saw him was at the Key Club. He was doing a performance and we went backstage. We had a really good time. We partied and he put his hand around me. He was giving me those signals to see if there was a connection. We left it as friends.
WCT: Were you surprised that David Otunga from I Love New York 2 is engaged to Jennifer Hudson?
TP: It was funny because after I eliminated him when I knew the connection wasn't there, I found out he was being managed by her management. I figured they met through a work event. I was happy for him because I didn't want him. It wasn't like this was my winner and she stole my man.
WCT: How was Celebrity Big Brother?
TP: The experience living in that house with all of those strangers was interesting. The Brits were taking out the Americans so I had to earn my place in that house. They really wanted to take us out. One of the cast mates told me how to work my stuff a little bit to stay in that house. It was nothing like here. They were not accepting New York. They wanted to learn who I was and not the TV persona.
WCT: You did very well in the competition.
TP: I got fourth place. I wanted to be number one but they told me I did well.
WCT: You were on Botched?
TP: I had to get my breasts done. That was a real vulnerable moment for me. They showed the pictures and it was obvious why I was uncomfortable with my chest. I also got my nose fixed, too. I'm happy now.
WCT: I see you have several appearances at gay bars coming up.
TP: Yes, I have been working with The Rise Up Project. It is young gays coming out and being supportive. We want them to rise to the top and to be comfortable in their own skin.
WCT: Naomi Smalls just impersonated you on the Snatch Game episode on RuPaul's Drag Race. Where do you think the gay fans come from?
TP: I heard Naomi did that. I was honored, honestly, because they relate to passion and strength. They can also unfortunately relate to rejection, even some forms of bullying. I used to get teased all the time on schoolyards for being different. I have a lot of gay fans and we talk about that similarity that we have in common. We never give up but we are going to express us and do us until we die!
WCT: Will you always be the HBIC?
TP: I feel in my heart I will always be the Head Bitch in Charge. My mom wants me to change the word bitch into boss!
Family Therapy comes to a close on Wed., May 18, on VH1.
