Financial Lovemaking: Steve Harvey's Ex-Wife Talks to Charlamagne Tha God

Filed under: Dr. Boyce Money, News

One of my favorite on-air personalities is Charlamagne Tha God, one of the members of "The Breakfast Club" with Power 105.1 in New York City. Charlamagne was also the co-host of The Wendy Williams Experience, arguably the most popular radio show in New York at one point in time. I appeared on the show six times between 2006 and 2009 and it was a great experience each time.

Charlamagne is known for his raw, in-your-face and borderline insulting interview style, likely something he picked up from working with Wendy Williams for so long. I have no doubt that he's made a few enemies in the industry, but I also doubt that he gives a damn. The man fears no one, and neither did Wendy.


With that said, I noticed Charlamagne's peculiar interview with Mary Harvey, ex-wife of Steve Harvey. You probably know that Mary seems to have made it her personal mission in life to destroy everything that Steve has worked for. His ex-wife of 17 years went public with a scathing video detailing infidelity, abuse, and abandonment she alleges that Harvey committed against her in the past. The video surely makes you feel for Mary, as she mentioned that she'd stood by Harvey during the lean times, only to be left behind once Steve became a superstar. Given that I wrote the book, "Financial Lovemaking 101," I've spent a lot of time thinking about Steve and Mary's situation and what the long-term financial implications might be for Steve.

Clearly, Harvey's reputation as the relationship savior for black women all over the world is now in jeopardy after Mary's serious allegations. I've sometimes wondered why African Americans are so quick to rely on a divorced comedian to give them critical relationship advice. But then again, Steve has built a catchy brand and gimmick that has made it rain money for everyone around him.


We can easily see that there are obvious, significant financial consequences that may result from Mary Harvey's actions. Steve has his mega-deal with the TV Show "Family Feud." I'm sure the show's corporate backers aren't interested in seeing the host of a family-oriented show engaged in a family feud of his own. There is also Steve's nationally-syndicated radio show, which may lose millions of black female fans who are disgusted with the way he allegedly treated Mary. Finally, there are his New York Times best-selling books that once flew off the shelves faster than sugar-covered chitlins. I'm sure Harvey's publishers are just a wee bit irritated with Mary for messing up their highly profitable hustle.

Personally, as a businessman, financial scholar and black social commentator, I watched Mary Harvey's videos with great concern and intrigue. I wondered how hard Steve Harvey had worked to settle things with his ex-wife before she flew off the handle. I wondered if he'd used carrots or sticks to keep Mary's dirt under wraps. If he tried to work with her and offered her plenty of money to go along with the program, then I am in agreement with his strategy.

But if Harvey instead took the role of the arrogant superstar who believed he could not be touched, then I feel sorry for him. Steve Harvey, as well as the rest of us, must realize that we can always be touched, and the ones with the easiest ability to take us out are those with whom we once shared a life. Effectively, Mary Harvey appeared to be a woman with nothing to lose: She mentioned being homeless, losing her family and having her child taken away. She also released her video without any fear of pending litigation or long-term consequences for revealing her version of the truth. Mary Harvey's fearlessness in the face of such daunting and overwhelming consequences effectively makes her into Steve Harvey's worst nightmare. You could almost call her a "financial suicide bomber": someone who will destroy herself just to make sure she hurts someone else. This kind of hostility only comes from serious, deep and persistent pain and having your entire family taken from you is just the kind of thing to cause it.

If there is a way for Steve to make Mary Harvey happy, he'd better do it. This also goes for any other woman out there who has dirt on Steve that makes him vulnerable. Just like the Tiger Woods debacle, Harvey and other celebs must realize that forgetting about the "little people" can lead to your financial and professional demise.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and author of the book, "Financial Lovemaking 101: Merging Assets with Your Partner in Ways that Feel Good." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

 

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