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NeNe Leakes has no shame about her stripper past life. During a sit-down interview with E!’s Giuliana Rancic, the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star shared details about her days of working the pole and admitted that the fast cash became her addiction.

“I remember going home and having something like $1,000 and thinking ‘I made $1,000 in one night. Baby we are doing this tomorrow night,’” she said. “I thought I made pretty good money. It was a great hustle.”

“It became an addiction,” she added.

MUST READ: Is Dutchess From VH1′s ‘Black Ink Crew’ Working The Pole Now? + 7 Strippers Turned Stars

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At the time, NeNe was a 23-year-old single mom and the victim of an abusive relationship. Today, 22 years later, the “Glee’ actress said she has no regrets about her decisions.

“I feel like strength comes from within. And…experience makes you strong. And I’ve been through so many things in my life and those things have taught me,” she explained. “I’m one of those girls, every experience, I learned from my experience.”

“I’m very proud that there’s a ton of African-American women who really look up to me and I’m very proud of that,” she continued. “I’m very proud to represent the strong black woman.”

Find out what the reality star had to say about her childhood and  divorce/remarriage to Gregg Leakes in her E! special, premiering Dec. 16 at 10 p.m.

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