Keshia Knight Pulliam is like a Puma and this kitty’s got claws.
While to the public, Pulliam’s life appears to be falling apart at the seams, “The Cosby Show” alum says “the show must go on.”
“I’ve definitely had a trying week,” she began during Play.it’s Kandidly Keshia, on Friday, July 29. “I’m grateful. I’m here. I’m well. Baby girl is well and at the end of the day, that is all that matters.”
The 37-year-old expectant mom was referencing recent news of her former NFL star husband, Ed Hartwell, filing for divorce, just one week after the pair announced they’re expecting. Hartwell has also reportedly requested that Pulliam take a paternity test.
“I thank you, thank you so much for the village — my family, my friends, people who I don’t even know who have reached out, who have supported me, who have sent love, who have sent blessings, who have sent words of encouragement through every way known to man,” she continued. “It’s meant the world to me.”
In addition to thanking friends and family for their support, Pulliam used the opportunity to get a few things off of her chest — mainly regarding Hartwell’s ex-wife, former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Lisa Wu.
“Lisa Wu and I have never, will never, be friends,” Pulliam declared. “I have no ill will for her, I don’t know her like that, it was never a situation of stealing anyone’s husband. They were divorced many years before we even started dating and yes we live in Atlanta, it’s a small town. Have I run into her? Have I taken a picture with her? Absolutely, but I take pictures with people every day. And if you were categorized as friends with everyone you took a picture with, would that be accurate?
“I just want to say that I have no desire to continue to be a part of that lie and to continue to be part of a false made up story line that puts me in a defamatory, derogatory light and I don’t have anything more to say about that. But my attorney will be dealing with that from a legal standpoint with TV One and that whole situation, Lisa Wu, so forth and so on. It’s very simple, no need to say my name, because I’m not a part of it. I respect her for being EJ’s mom because I love him dearly and our connection is that we’re going to have the same ex-husband and our children will be siblings, but beyond that, that’s all. I wish you the best, and I’m moving forward.”
She also clarified that her Thursday, “Entertainment Tonight” sit-down was not a paid gig. “I took no money. I would not accept any money for it because truth is priceless,” she added. “Integrity is priceless and there is no amount of money that could replace that. It was about having the opportunity to share my truth.”
During the revealing interview, Pulliam claimed she and Hartwell had almost broken up previously due to his alleged infidelity. “In the process, I found out I was pregnant. And I had to take another hard look and decide if I wanted to try to work through this and forgive him for the sake of the child. Like, I had divorce papers ready. I presented it to him. … Once I was pregnant, I did decide to give him that one last chance.”
However, just six months following their secret nuptials, the former athlete called it quits.
Meanwhile, she insists starting a family was not part of the argument. “This is his baby. He wanted more children. He was excited once he found out that we were having a little girl. There was never a question about that,” she said. “No point after we got pregnant was there an issue of the fact that we’re having a baby.”
In the meantime, however, the actress made it clear she wants zero part of the Hartwell name; stating she no longer wishes to be referred to as “Mrs. Hartwell.” “I have no desire to continue to be married to him.”
