Many people recognize AJ Johnson from her beloved role as the mother in the ’90s cult classic Baby Boy. However, Johnson’s career spans over three decades as an actress, fitness model, and most recently, a trusted life coach. After training many of her celebrity peers, Johnson realized there was a holistic connection between health and quality of life, hence adding certified life coach to her many hats. With her celebrity status and coaching background, it’s no surprise that VH1 tapped Johnson to be the featured coach on the current reality series, “Couples Retreat.”
On the series, five reality star couples vacation together with the hopes of strengthening their relationships. “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” stars Kirk and Rasheeda are featured alongside “Love & Hip Hop NY” Bonnie and Clyde couple, Yandy and Mendecees. Comedian Michael Blackson and his girlfriend Rada are also featured, along with Exonerated Five survivor Raymond Santana and his “Flavor of Love” alumni wife, Deelishis. On-again, off-again couple Ray J and Princess Love make up the final and perhaps most challenging couple.
Infidelity, past incarceration, infatuation and incompatibility are some of the issues the couples are attempting to rebound from and Johnson hopes to offer the tools to help their relationships get back on the right track. Johnson acknowledges finding synergy for some of the couples could prove challenging and they all have different needs.
“Kirk and Rasheeda are kind of the OG couple,” Johnson said. “They’ve been together a long time and along the way managed to create successful businesses together. At this point, the business is proving to be the focal point more than the marriage. My hope for them is that they are able to rediscover why they got married and put that before business. Yandy and Mendecees have some hurdles to get over stemming from his time away. With London (Deelishis) and Raymond, there was a strong physical chemistry and they got married very quickly. I want them to slow down and truly get to know each other.
“With Michael and Rada, there is a total different issue. We see Rada allowing certain behavior early in the relationship, but struggling to find her comfort level now. It’s my hope that Michael loves her enough to make changes if needed. And of course, last but not least, there is Princess and Ray J. People always laugh when they hear that couple. I’ve known Ray J a long time from the business. I think he’s been able to get away with immaturity in some areas because of his star status. There are two beautiful children at the center of this relationship and so, my hope is that Princess and Ray J are able to come together and co-parent successfully. I’ve seen many examples, so it can be done.”
Johnson says she hopes the couples are willing to do the work to get the end result they want.
You can watch the progression of the couples on Mondays on VH1 at 9 p.m. EDT.
View the entire interview with AJ Johnson after the jump.
