Salt N Pepa

Noted broadcast news anchor and radio correspondent Jacque Reid has made a name for herself over the years with big-name gigs at BET 'Nightly News,' CNN 'Headline News' and the 'Tom Joyner Morning Show.' She's had sit-down interviews with both President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama. Yet, she has remained committed to keeping her professional image separate from her private one.

Until now.

On Jan. 11, this poised Southern belle will become the first black news journalist to venture into reality TV with her new VH1's show, 'Let's Talk About Pep.' The show centers on Salt 'N' Pepa rapper Sandra "Pepa" Denton and her three gal pals, which include Reid.

The Clark Atlanta University graduate knows that the public is used to seeing her "so serious," but her television venture allowed her to open up.

"I don't sit around with all of my girlfriends and talk about orgasms and sex toys. This forced me to say out-loud different things I was feeling," Reid shared with BV Newswire this week.

Some of those topics include her desire to have a baby and perhaps before tying the knot with Mr. Right. The premiere episode of 'Let's Talk About Pep' finds Reid discussing the idea of having a child before marriage with her friend and hunky 'Why Did I Get Married' star Lamman Rucker.

"The baby stuff – I don't really talk about as much, and the orgasm stuff, I don't talk about it at all, so it gave me an opportunity to focus and hone in on things that were going on with me," she explained.

She describes dating in New York City as "really hard" but believes that people will relate to the show and her on-going struggle.

"I think it's always the perfect time to focus on women and relationships because it's a never-ending situation trying to deal with relationship drama," Reid laughed.

"We're all past 35, and it's something that so many of us go through and it can be something that all women, and men too, can relate to."

In between juggling her many hats, including co-hosting on D.L. Hughley's morning radio show and her bi-weekly appearances on 'Tom Joyner,' Reid is hoping to produce a documentary and write a book in the near future.

But, in the meantime, she's stopped being anxious about her new foray into reality television.

"After I saw the pilot, I realized this is a good thing, and I let myself have fun and go with it."

'Let's Talk About Pep' premieres on VH1 on Jan.11 at 10:30 p.m. EST.