Former ‘Real Housewives’ Lisa Wu Hartwell separates from husband
Lisa Wu Hartwell rehearses "Stripped" with Dorsey Levens, who plays a former NFL player struggling to adjust to life after the fame and fortune. Hartwell plays Brooklyn, the resentful wife. This was shot at Whole World Theatre on July 23, four days before the play's debut at the Ferst Center. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
Lisa Wu Hartwell, formerly a cast member of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” has separated from her husband and former NFL player Ed Hartwell, she Tweeted over the weekend. She deleted the Tweet (@1LisaWu) at about 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Sadly.We r seperated but wld NEVER b over money. That is so far frm the truth. Wish ppl cld respect ppl’s privacy during times like these
Her publicist Jonell Whitt, in an email, said Hartwell didn’t want to talk about it.
The couple married in 2005 and have a three-year-old son Ed Jr. Wu was previously married to R&B star Keith Sweat and also has two sons with him. (Sweat declined to appear on the show or allow the kids to be on air either.)
Hartwell’s Tweet references financial issues. Hartwell filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in 2007, and the couple lost their home to foreclosure in 2009.
Hartwell was on “Real Housewives of Atlanta” for the first two seasons in 2008 and 2009 but in 2010, said she quit because the show wanted to delve into storylines she wasn’t comfortable with. Plus, she wanted to pursue a serious acting career.
In a case of art imitating life, Hartwell last month had a starring role in a play called “Stripped” at the Ferst Center on the Georgia Tech campus. She played the wife of a former NFL player struggling to adjust to life after fame and fortune fades away. In the play, she is on the verge of divorcing him but at the end, the couple attempts to reconcile.
When I interviewed her last month, she did not talk about her marital issues but then again, I didn’t ask. Ed actually shows up in the play but only on video. He played a football player who had died so he’s in flashback videos.
Ed played for the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons as a linebacker from 2001 to 2006. He also ran a recording studio for a time. He played for the Las Vegas Locomotives in the United Football League last year and as of June, 2011, was still on the roster.
Why did Lisa Wu Hartwell even tweet this? Someone had gone on Ed Hartwell’s Facebook page and the public portion at the time said he was separated. (He has since deleted that.) The fan asked StraightFromtheA.com to confirm. The blogger Tweeted Hartwell, who then responded above. Mediatakeout.com claimed to be the first to break the story on Saturday but StraightFromtheA did. (There’s a reason why she calls that other site “Mediafakeout.”) StraightFromtheA had seen Hartwell last Thursday at a party and noticed she was not wearing her ring.
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By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV blog
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97 comments Add your comment
Wayne stuck in AL
August 22nd, 2011
3:37 pm
Big whoop.
Mr Fernwell
August 22nd, 2011
4:44 pm
This is news?
Stonethrower
August 22nd, 2011
4:51 pm
Shocked!………………………Not!
Marcus Bachmann
August 22nd, 2011
4:55 pm
OMG, have you seen the body and juicy behind on Ed Hartwell!!!! Lord have mercy. I would leave my wife Michele for one night alone with him. Yummy!
Lady K
August 22nd, 2011
4:55 pm
She looks foolish.
BigboomNY
August 22nd, 2011
4:56 pm
And this is news why?
Marcus Bachmann
August 22nd, 2011
4:56 pm
That Dorsey Levens ain’t so bad either. That Lisa Wu is a lucky girl. Not quite as lucky as my wonderful wife Michele.
NeNe
August 22nd, 2011
4:57 pm
Don’t be dissing my gurl Lisa nah…she gon be a’ight!
Liz Lemon
August 22nd, 2011
4:58 pm
And why should I care?
bamabelle2000
August 22nd, 2011
4:59 pm
Yeah this is about money lol
Rodney Ho
August 22nd, 2011
5:00 pm
@Liz Lemon No reason why you should care unless you followed “Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
Mass Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
5:00 pm
That is what happens when an ex-NFL player isn’t making money anymore. She needs to find a new player to keep her in the lap of luxury.
Martin
August 22nd, 2011
5:01 pm
Life imitates Art….like my boy Martin would say “Get a Steppin….”
Road Scholar
August 22nd, 2011
5:01 pm
How was the play? Any good? The acting?
Otherwise, who cares!
tina
August 22nd, 2011
5:06 pm
@Marcus….either that was a bad joke or you got a serious problem.
Marcus Bachmann
August 22nd, 2011
5:06 pm
@ Road Scholar.. the play was good. It would have been better if Dorsey Levens would have had a nude scene. Other than that, it was good. My wife Michele and I enjoyed it.
Chaz
August 22nd, 2011
5:09 pm
Wishes people would respect her privacy? You have got to be kidding, that show is a complete joke, it sure doesn’t represent the REAL housewives of Atlanta, I don’t feel sorry for her or anyone on that garbage program!!! Acting like teenagers, worse than that, grade schoolers!!
P-Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
5:09 pm
Never seen the show but she is beautiful. Now with that said…………..its about the money. Money is the number 1 reason for most divorces so why would this be any different. I am not the smartest man in America but I don’t think ex-NFL players make nearly as much as current NFL players. I wish them the best.
|ll|lll|llll|||ll|
August 22nd, 2011
5:09 pm
Wuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
popculturesucks
August 22nd, 2011
5:09 pm
It seems that these reality shows wreak havoc on relationships; unless they weren’t healthy to begin with which is unfortunately probably the case.
not shocked
August 22nd, 2011
5:16 pm
I’m so not shocked. I saw that chick at a private high profile party on a week night at 3AM… It doesn’t matter if she has so much money she doesn’t have a job to go to the next day, no husband wants his wife at a party like *that*. As soon as I spotted her I knew something wasn’t quite right with that marriage!
Pebblebeach
August 22nd, 2011
5:17 pm
When the checks stop coming, the lady starts a moving…she can say what she likes, we all know its about the money……just watch and see whose arm she starts hanging off….she is kinda cute I might add, not sure what she has to offer except for that cute little frame…maybe in her mind that’s enough…and in some circles it may just be…wish them both well as who am I to judge…
Cutty
August 22nd, 2011
5:18 pm
She should pick men on the upside of their careers instead of the downside. Surely, this was about money, bills, dividends, since neither of them were bringing in very many greenbacks.
killat
August 22nd, 2011
5:19 pm
If you don’t care why the f*&k are you posting?
PM
August 22nd, 2011
5:20 pm
yeah, she tweeted it and then said she doesn’t want to talk about it. These freaks are sickening.
Gimme a break
August 22nd, 2011
5:21 pm
“Respect your privacy?” You gave that up when you decided to pose as a RHOA. And filed bankruptcy yet still has a “publicist?’ If you want privacy, why do you have a publicist?
Tweaky
August 22nd, 2011
5:22 pm
He filed a Chapter 7 himself earlier this year.
The Ghost of Mike Vick's Dogs
August 22nd, 2011
5:26 pm
How can she complain about privacy when she exposed her life for money on a reality show? They only knew each other for a few months before they were married. Boy he’s dumb.
I wonder how much of his money he would have had he not married her, and isn’t she old enough to be his mom if she has kids with Keith Sweat??
Laughable
August 22nd, 2011
5:26 pm
I could see this coming a mile away! Too bad guys like Ed is full of hubris with the “it won’t happen to me” attitude. High maintenance women like Lisa, who has no way of providing that lifestyle for herself, is only there during the good times. Now with three kids by millionaires, she should be okay for the foreseeable future. Sad but true…
And by the way, the play was really good.
Fan Man at Bowe / Holyfield Fight
August 22nd, 2011
5:27 pm
A Sista will always leave when the money dries up. ALWAYS!. Men need to stay with Snow Bunnies and Exotic Females.
Adam
August 22nd, 2011
5:36 pm
Is anyone in the market for a 40 year old beautiful used up woman with 3 kids? I would put up with her for a couple of nights but that is about it.
Laughable
August 22nd, 2011
5:40 pm
I am willing to bet there’s another fool out there ready to sponsor this young, or not so young lady. A fool and his money…
Tired of Sista's getting the heat
August 22nd, 2011
5:52 pm
@ Fan Man you do not know what you are speaking of. I have been with my mate for 27 years and married to him for 19 years, I have gone through everything with him and I am still by his side even when he was not employed, you can stay with the snow bunnies and exotic females, but be careful out there son.
Eye Roll
August 22nd, 2011
5:57 pm
Professional athletes need a finance guru as soon as they sign a contract and put on a strict monly allowance. They should be forbidden to have sex or should be sterilized if they wish to do so. No marriage without an iron-clad prenuptual ageement. The NFL, MLB, NBA, etal are doing these rags to riches athletes a huge disservice from the onset of their “career”.
FYI you TWIT (Lisa Wu) – if you want your life to remain private, don’t be a porn star on a reality TV show and don’t tweet the demise of your financial union on Twitter. Where there is smoke (bankruptcy, foreclosure) … there is fire (divorce).
There are at least 5 gold diggers for every wealthy man. The odds were never in favor of you or your money, Mr Ed!
truthpaste
August 22nd, 2011
5:57 pm
Twitter is Skynet. It will be the death of us all, that’s why I don’t do it.
Hooe
August 22nd, 2011
6:02 pm
What da F**K that go’s on to show she’s all bout da MONEY HONEY
Tiger Woods
August 22nd, 2011
6:02 pm
Hopefully my trainwreck of a private life and career will serve as an example in the future for all black male professional athletes.
Marcus Bachmann
August 22nd, 2011
6:04 pm
Hey, my wife Michele is out on the campaign trail. Anyone know how I can get in contact with either Ed Hartwell or with Dorsey Levens? I am a big fan of both. Would LOVE to hang with both of them together. Nothing wrong with a nice threesome while the wifey is away. Tee hee!
YAWN
August 22nd, 2011
6:09 pm
Biggest problem for these NFL guys..they think the money is going to last forever, they have little to NO REAL education and believe every IDIOT who promised them an “amazing buisness opportunity”…sadly too many of them end up broke and full of life time injuries..and yes…I agree with many…no $ in your life..say goodbye to your wife!
TRUTH
August 22nd, 2011
6:13 pm
@Marcus,Hee”flappin’”larious!!! But Lisa can get it! (My bad, done been got by Keith Sweat and Ed Hartwell…whose next?
nypeach
August 22nd, 2011
6:15 pm
fanman, please stop generalizing. my cousin’s husband lost his job almost two years ago and she is nowhere near leaving. matter of fact, their marriage is stronger than ever because they are weathering the storm together as a team. We are no different than other women; we just want to be loved and respected.
Debby22
August 22nd, 2011
6:20 pm
It was definitely about the money. I could tell by the look in her eyes when he lost his job, she was ready to leave then. She is a Liar. She is about to get her a New Man with some New Money.
not surprised
August 22nd, 2011
6:22 pm
I saw Ed on Stone Mountain a few months back with another woman. He was with her and a little boy. They started up the hill prior to my group and when we saw them again they were resting midway on a rock. I said WHEW this is killer, she said girl sit down next to me and I did so I could get a good look. My nosey butt almost said where is Lisa…lololol
Fan Man's Accountant
August 22nd, 2011
6:23 pm
@ Tired of Sista’s AND nypeach
With all do respect, I highly doubt that either situation you speak of involves the demise of the BIG BUCKS.
Debby22
August 22nd, 2011
6:24 pm
@ Marcus don’t lie. Just do your thing. Tell your wife if she doesn’t know already u don’t want a commitment. U want to be a ho with those big fine sexy football men. I can dig it. Just go do u and let your wife out of the marriage. Life is short. So go do u and be Happy.
Phucker Jenkins
August 22nd, 2011
6:35 pm
People don’t respect your privacy because once you become a reality tv personality you forfeit that privledge! Who couldn’t see this one coming?
The Ghost of Mike Vick's Dogs
August 22nd, 2011
6:37 pm
5 bucks she’ll try to get in good with Dorsey Levens. Get a job lady and help to take care of your children!!!
Measha
August 22nd, 2011
6:53 pm
@ Marcus..I feel sorry that your wife Michelle doesn’t see you for the jerk you are!
I am LEGEND
August 22nd, 2011
7:07 pm
Maybe she can get Kroy Bierman now that Kim milked him dry.
OJ
August 22nd, 2011
7:10 pm
Here is a thought. If you wanted ppl to respect your privacy why would you tweet. Don’t put anything on social media that you dont want commented on or talked about. That makes no sense but those Un-Real Housewives really never make any sense.
Seriously?
August 22nd, 2011
7:17 pm
Who? This is a show that real people actually watch? Really?
Should Have Known
August 22nd, 2011
7:58 pm
Another Stupid Football Player just like the stupid NBA players don’t have enough sense to manage a dollar. The White man giveth to him and the white man taketh it back away and used him like a cheap toy!!! lmao.
Justin
August 22nd, 2011
8:04 pm
@ Marcus Bachmann
You’ve got me cracking up dude! LOL
Man I bet she got that fire!
August 22nd, 2011
8:09 pm
A ninja got a breeze card and 350 worth of stamps, whatzup LiWu? Holla at ya boy.
JJ Johnson
August 22nd, 2011
8:59 pm
Did anyone notice that when Lisa was on RHOA, in the intro she said,”if it doesn’t make me money, then I ain’t doing it”, I guess that meant marrying men, too.
Julia Sugarbaker
August 22nd, 2011
9:12 pm
Marcus Bachmann, I’m surprised you have time to peruse the AJC with all the gay boys you’re supposedly curing. Of course one must wonder how well you’re doing in that regard especially since “the cure” obviously didn’t take with YOU.
Renee'
August 22nd, 2011
9:25 pm
And THIS is a secret? NOT!!!!!
Honey Hush
August 22nd, 2011
10:00 pm
@Fan Man…tell that crap to Tiger Woods.
Shawn
August 22nd, 2011
10:25 pm
It’s all about the money. Whatever happened to for better or worse.
TK
August 22nd, 2011
10:28 pm
She probably has her eye on another baller. (Dorsey, watch out! Don’t do it!)
She is so transparent.
Wait a minute
August 22nd, 2011
11:58 pm
Tiger,
Are you really “black?” You are more than half Asian (from Thai mother and father who had some Asian lineage)…why do you call yourself a black athlete? Actually, think you call yourself Cablasian (have some Caucasian in there, too). A real melting pot.
Sorry, felt need to talk about something other than this non-story. Hmm, money runs out and money grubbing spouse leaves…news?
FYI!
August 23rd, 2011
12:22 am
FOR EVERYONE COMMENTING TO MARCUS – please notice the alias names. The wife, “Michele Bachmann” is a 2012 presidential candidate and Marcus Bachmann is her husband. Marcus’ sexuality has been questioned and joked about because of his “female tendancies” in interviews and on the campaign trail. IF this Marcus is actually living a double life, then he needs to be exposed. That’s putting his wife in danger.
Duh
August 23rd, 2011
1:55 am
It’s really obvious how many people do NOT read the rest of the ajc if they are giving “marcus bachmann” advice….I guess they don’t know who he is pretending to be. However, these same people know all about the RHO… names’ and spouses’ names….
No wonder we are in the straits that we are in this country!
mike scott
August 23rd, 2011
6:32 am
ditto that
Card
August 23rd, 2011
7:33 am
You are on a reality show and you expect privacy? Really?
justin
August 23rd, 2011
7:47 am
Dont play into Marcus post. Michele Bachmann is a running for President on the repubician ticket, this is some fool playing games.
Sanjeev
August 23rd, 2011
8:21 am
It’s not about the money? Let’s see 1st hubby a famous singer, 2nd hubby a former NFL player, and 3rd will be some other rich fool who thinks she loves him for him, and not his multi-million dollar contract. That’s got to be some nice fat alimony and child support payments.
Stonethrower
August 23rd, 2011
8:23 am
Basketball (not) wives and Real (not) wives have everything in common. It’s these former ball players who were too stupid to see they were being taken.
deegee
August 23rd, 2011
8:31 am
Did anyone know that Lisa Wu is in a play or is trying to be an actress before now? She is from LA and knows how to draw attention to herself. Let it go.
WTF?
August 23rd, 2011
8:51 am
If the moron wanted privacy what’s she doing tweeting about her separation? Too bad her brain can’t be discharged in that chapter 7 bankruptcy so she can start over with a fresh brain
Mike
August 23rd, 2011
8:57 am
Wait – she’s NOT EVEN on the show any more? And why would we care?
Realist
August 23rd, 2011
9:10 am
WHO GIVES A FLY FK!!! Really these shows Atlanta Housewifes, basketball wives depict the most foul and discusting parts of a African American woman that doesnt accurately represent who REAL BLACK WOMEN ARE!!!. These money hungry hoes are the worst example of women period. Its trash tv and its shameful anyone of color would support such negative depictions of women of color. I guess we still dont get it…
I also believe that what an individual finds as entertainment on television describes your actually beliefs and behaviors of thier own personality. SOrry but my mom always said who you hang around is the makeup of your own character, that goes double to what we watch and find amusing in entertainment
indiansummer
August 23rd, 2011
9:15 am
Who the hell cares about Lisa Wu Hartwell?
BayBay Williams
August 23rd, 2011
9:18 am
This trick ain’t nothing but a gold digger. The old saying goes you can’t turn a whole into a housewife. I am finding that to be so true. First it was Keith Sweat, his career started going down then she is off and running away. Now Ed Hartwell career is going down now she is running again. So, hell you tell me what it is damn it.
ATLDelta
August 23rd, 2011
9:29 am
@Fan Man and his accountant, they all run at the demise of the big bucks…race doesn’t matter. There are good, strong, loving, down for their dude type chics of all races. Don’t hate on the brown skinned women. Gold digging is gold digging and the truth of the matter is women of other races do it better. *ijs
ATLDelta
August 23rd, 2011
9:34 am
@Marcus Bachman…you are hilarious dude/chic.
@FYI! and justin, it’s too funny you all felt the need to tell everyone. What idiot actually believe it, I don’t know? I didn’t think anyone was that stupid. Hahahahahahahahaha
KimZ'sPackage
August 23rd, 2011
9:44 am
The Media HOE wants privacy? AHHAHAH I don’t want you or your Girlz in the media anymore either.
Greg
August 23rd, 2011
9:53 am
“I aint saying she no gold digger, but she aint messin with no broke n****!”
Greg
August 23rd, 2011
9:55 am
Athletes pay attention, you are the reason we have all these ex- wives tv shows in circulation, instead of playing, you idiots are being played, and it’s on to the next one for the ex.
Lisa Wu Money Ho
August 23rd, 2011
10:10 am
On the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, they are saying that Lisa Wu dumped Ed for MALCOLM JAMAL WARNER, who is in ATL taping a TV show. Malcolm is supposed to be with Regina King; would Malcolm jack a woman from Ed?
Baptist Preacher
August 23rd, 2011
10:10 am
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm. No. This IS about the MONEY. And anyone taking bets she has another (rich) baby-daddy this time next year?
Aha
August 23rd, 2011
10:17 am
Some of you ppl SOUND sooo STUPID! Who stays together forever anymore! No one in hollywood stay married anymore better yet NEVER. Kim Kadashian will be divorce in 3-6 months. Hey Kim, you could hav helped alot of homeless ppl out with those millions of dollars advertisers spent on your 2nd or 3rd wedding. Be strong Lisa. Have a grrreat day everyone!
KevinM
August 23rd, 2011
10:29 am
Aha said, “No one in hollywood stay married anymore better yet NEVER”…uh, don’t you have to get to H’wood 1st to be on that list?
When Lisa ‘dumped’ their mansion here in Duluth, it was only a matter of time….they bought at a peak and now its worth 1/3 of that value…Ed should have known better, but didn’t surround himself with the right people.
All I see is bad decision after bad decision…..how do you make it up?
Go coach kids, Ed! Get back to what you know!
More rewarding than what you’ve ended up with so far!
Lisa Wu spiraling downward as its about me! The curse of the RHOA!
1baddman
August 23rd, 2011
12:00 pm
In other REAL entertainment news;the music world is mourning the loss of Nick Ashford a singer/songwriter of one of the best duos in the music business; and had one of the best marriages in the music business as well (nearly 40 yrs) i’m sure they had their problems and went thru hell before acheving their success and never separate over anything if they did you never heard anything about it;that’s the problem with marriages today as long as everything’s good you’re standing by but as soon as the bad stuff happens….the finances get messy or serious illness or whatever nobody can’t handle it .
Monica
August 23rd, 2011
12:03 pm
@1baddman. At last, a post that I can appreciate. Thank you.
Former ‘Real Housewives’ Lisa Wu Hartwell separates from husband | Radio & TV Talk « THE LOWE DOWN
August 23rd, 2011
3:26 pm
[...] via Former ‘Real Housewives’ Lisa Wu Hartwell separates from husband | Radio & TV Talk. [...]
TrishaDishaWarEagle
August 23rd, 2011
4:54 pm
stories like this make me pause, reflect, and wonder why the fck I should care..
mike scott
August 24th, 2011
6:41 am
atldelta….. get back to smashin bags moron
Will
August 28th, 2011
9:12 am
Lisa and Ed, please try to work the marriage out according to God’s plan. If no one is violently abusive or committing adultery, then you have no grounds for divorce Biblically. If you leave this marriage and marry someone else, then you are committing adultery. Look up marriage and divorce in the Bible. Too many couples are divorcing over nonsense. Remember the vows. Also Lisa, it’s not about just you but your son also. If you and Ed have to live in an apartment in Decatur or East Point, then alright, but the marriage needs to continue. I am tired of all of these celebrities and none celebrities divorcing over superficia; reasons. Money and status is not a good reason for seperating or divorcing. if that was the case, then look at impoverished places in Africa and India. Work the marriage out and get sound Biblical counseling. A lot of pastors have great lessons on marriage from Creflo Dollar to Tony Evans. You can’t divide a covenant between yourselves and God over materialism and attitudes. Being physically beautiful is not important, being willing and unselfish is important. Please stop thinking of yourselves and get it together.
Tree
August 31st, 2011
12:46 pm
Marcus Bachmann…I take it you’re gay!!!?? And married??!?!?!? What the…
Tree
August 31st, 2011
12:47 pm
@ Marcus…and does your WIFE know you’re gay?
Vivelena
September 7th, 2011
4:34 pm
When people get on television showing off where they live and what they have, and who they are married to — Well, this is usually the outcome!!
sandra
September 10th, 2011
10:37 am
who surprise by this she is a gold digger she stayed with keith sweat as long as he was on top when he fell off so did she. she said herself “if it dont make her money…she dont do it” eds not making money and she not doing him. sorry ed you seemed sincere
A
September 10th, 2011
3:06 pm
Hey Marcus, you know her husband is a man right? and are you a Man?
mase
September 11th, 2011
7:57 am
Thats what the Gold diggers do…. The money is gone, now u got all sorts of problems….. ed was too dumb, probably didn’t pre-nup, and now he is broke playing for pennies…. ewf sings it best ” after the love is gone” ” what used to be right is wrong”
artjazz54
September 20th, 2011
10:45 am
Back@JJ Johson, I’m see your point, in-fact, on the one episode, where the girl who sang with escape( not a big fan of the show), what’s her name, asked Lisa had she and Ed prepared for life after the NFL, financially; all one had to do was see that look in her eyes, and you would know that she was contemplating leaving Ed, or or next move. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problems with Gold-Diggers per say, however, as long as the ultimate goal is love, companionship, and shared sacrifices.
Steve
September 20th, 2011
2:17 pm
What an absolute GOLD-DIGGIN’ HOE!!! These chicks are amazing…it absolutely makes me want to puke!! Hey Lisa..look over there!!! I think that guy has money…why don’t you go have kids with him, maybe he’ll even marry your idiot-ass!! Truly sad…