LeeAnne Locken with City of Plano Marketing Director, Shannah Hayley (image via twitter.com/ShannahHayley; photo credit unknown)

LeeAnne Locken‘s expression, “It’s a little Plano in here”, from episode one of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Dallas became THE comment heard around town. But why?!

I know I may take heat for this, but as a person who grew up in Plano, I never really took offense to the comment in the first place. And apparently neither did City of Plano government. Today Locken meet with Plano Mayor Harry LaRosiliere to share in a lovefest…not to apologize. After meeting with LaRosiliere, Locken and I had a quick chat. I wanted to know how the controversy made her feel as a former employee of the Plano Television Network…something the haters didn’t know until recently.

“Too many people are taking it to be a shot against Plano. The comment was never meant as a negative against the city,” said Locken. “I loved the response from the city, though.”

The response she is referring to came from the City’s Marketing Director, Shannah Hayley, via a meme of the Taylor Swift “Shake it Off” video and later a tweet of the “It’s a little Plano in here. And we like it!” t-shirts. (Order your shirt here!) Tweets that Locken stated she shared on her own social media.

When asked if she thought the controversy was over, Locken replied that there was never an issue with the city, but that some residents may choose to hold this against her because of who she is on the show.

For good or for worse, the show has captivated the metroplex, inviting discussion and sometimes creating outrage. And as this season of RHOD progresses, I have a feeling there will be even more exciting happenings to discuss.

Note: During the inaugural Downtown Plano Art and Wine Walk, I used a riff of LeeAnne’s comment. I thought it was fun and cute!