Model Tia Shipman Talks Joining ‘WAGS’ Season 2, Explains Why She’s Keeping Her NFL Boyfriend A Secret

Tia Shipman already has a successful modeling career and budding acting career. The multi-talented beauty has walked in shows for Walter Mendez, and snagged appearances on hit TV shows such as “Grandfathered,” “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “Ugly Betty.” Shipman is now getting ready to expand her resume even more by venturing into reality TV as one of the newest cast members on E!’s “WAGS.”

In an interview with International Business Times, Tia said that her good friend Nicole Williams, who’s retuning for Season 2 of the show, helped her land a spot on the cast. “We’ve been modeling together for years,” Tia said. “And I was totally on board.” While Tia admitted that she was a little hesitant about airing her life on TV, the model said she also saw it as opportunity to help expand her brand and try new things. Tia revealed that she’s interested in starting her own shoe line in the future or opening an online store. “Reality TV is really evolving,” she told IBT. “There’s so many different people that are doing it right now, and it’s really good for business. … So doing the reality route would be really, really good for me. It’s a way to market my brand.”

The model and actress teased that this season fans will see her working, partying, bonding with the other girls and also spending time with her NFL boyfriend. Tia and the athlete have been dating for a year, but have managed to keep their romance out of the spotlight. Things are so private between the lovebirds that E! network hasn’t yet revealed who this mystery man is. “It will be revealed,” Tia ensured IBT. “And the reason behind everything will be revealed a little later but I can’t say [his name].”

So why is the model keeping such a tight-lid on who her famous beau is? Tia explained that the only reason she’s not going public (yet) with the romance is because she wanted to give people an opportunity to really get to know her. “I wanted people to interview me for me,” Tia said. “And I know some of the interviews are based around who he is, but that’s only a small part of it and then I could move on and talk about something completely different. When you guys find out who he is, then that will completely change, but at least for right now you’ll know who Tia is first before you find out who her man is. And I think that’s important.”

In addition to Tia being a new face on this season of “WAGS,” beauty guru Sophia Pierson, whose sister is “WAGS” star Olivia Pierson, has also joined as one of the newbies. Tia said she and Sophia got along great, but admitted that she did have a few squabbles with some of the other ladies. “I love Sophia. She’s great, she’s a firecracker,” Tia said, adding that she had her “share of disagreements” with a few people. “But I’m still friends with everyone.”

She continued: “This season definitely gives you a little bit more drama. There’s more girls, but I think that we’re still all friends at the same time. So you will definitely see some of the girls evolve … maybe you’ll have new favorites this year.”

“WAGS” Season 2 premieres Sunday, June 26 on E! at 10 p.m. EDT.