Real Bitchy Housewives

Catherine Answers Viewers Questions

2010-09-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

Want To Buy A Salahi Photo?

2010-09-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

Article from Radar Online.

Real Housewives of D.C. stars Michaele and Tareq Salahi have figured out a way to pay off some of their debt without actually forking over any money.

Photo: Pacific Coast News

Brotman-Winter-Fried Communications -- who provided public relations for the Salahis polo events -- sued the couple for $20,000 owed for services rendered and won, but haven't been paid.

RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively that a deal had to be cultivated for payment because the Salahis are broke.

Sources close to the situation said that "after looking over the couple's assets it was determined they couldn't afford to pay their debt."

As a result, the Salahis signed 200 photographs of themselves pictured at the White House which are going to be "auctioned off on eBay for $100 each in an effort to get the $20,000 owed."

The deal was penned this week at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia and as a gesture of Michaele recently revealing her 17-year struggle with multiple sclerosis the communications firm will be donating 10 percent of the funds raised to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

For those interested in purchasing a photo can visit SalahiPhoto.com, which has been set up to help promote the photographs.

RHODC Recap And Fact-Check Episode #7

2010-09-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

The imposter Redskinette: D.C. 'Housewives' recap and fact-check (#7, Sept. 23)
By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts

Welcome back to "The Real Housewives of D.C." -- this episode brought to you by The Washington Post. No, really. We basically wrote the script for this one. All the stuff about how Michaele isn't really a Redskins cheerleader? Hello! -- the Housewives were only able to go there because the Post broke that news to the world. In fact, though the show doesn't admit it, it's clear to behind-the-scenes experts like ourselves that much of this episode was taped after the White House gate-crashing incident (again: brought to you by the Post), and that when the other 'Wives are talking about all the craziness with the Salahis, they're actually talking about stories they'd just read in the Post. After the gate-crashing. Which, in Bravo time, supposedly hasn't happened yet. Yes, more time travel. You're excused for feeling dizzy.

Photo: Jamie Christian

It opens at Cat Ommanney's home in Chevy Chase, where she and her photojournalist husband Charles are choosing photos for her memoir, "Inbox Full." (Apparently this is a real project. She told the NYT a few weeks ago the book has been back-burnered, but she said on Bravo last week that it's coming out in December.) A (seemingly editing-enhanced) moment of tension as they disagree on some detail. (The producers, who until recently were still patching this show together, seem to be catching up on the news of the Ommanney split and layering some foreshadows into the story.) Their relationship is "not always a rosy and sparkly as it seems," Cat tells the camera (bangs-less, which is to say, post-split). Charles outlines his upcoming business trip - photo shoots with Peter Jackson, Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Tim Geither. (Well played, Charles.) He won't be back until Sunday. (Minor-chord music hints at marital woes.)

At last, the cheerleading scene! Michaele Salahi shakes her pom-poms at Tareq in the "Thomas Jefferson Suite" at the Willard Hotel. (Should we assume this was comped in exchange for camera time, like the Four Seasons' Oprah suite?) "We still got it! It's alumni, but we're still rolling." She then goes on to tell the camera, "I'm a former Washington Redskins cheerleader for the NFL." (No. This is simply not true. In December, after the White House incident, the Redskins Cheerleader Alumni Association did the research and found that, despite her longstanding claims, she was never on the squad. She just showed up to alumni events -- and heck, even paid alumni dues! This story seemed to take the Salahi saga to a whole new level; it was one of the most-read stories on washingtonpost.com for several days.) We then see her alighting at rehearsal for an alumni performance -- big hugs for everyone -- and the quirky music and awkward steps are producers' cue to us that maybe she doesn't know what she's doing. (Indeed: The other cheerleaders told our colleague Paul Farhi they were freaked out by the whole thing, since no one remembered her and she didn't know the basic steps. Not all but a lot of faces are fuzzed out -- presumably they didn't sign Bravo's waivers. Oh, and there's some pretty serious time travel here, too: This rehearsal was Sept. 18 of last year, though much of the other action we see on this episode is November or December.)

Stacie Turner hosts an ice-cream party at her 16th Street Heights home -- kids invited. Usual gang, which is to say, everyone but Michaele, to whom the conversation quickly turns. Says Mary Amons: "Why do you think Michaele would claim to be a Redskins cheerleader?" Stacie tells the camera that "people are talking about Michaele, and the rumors are swirling." Phrases are thrown around like "pathological," and "what is the deal with these lawsuits?" (And just as Mary calls [bleep] on Michaele, I am calling [bleep] on Bravo. This scene was clearly taped after the White House incident and the revelation of various Salahi scandals and peculiarities -- notably, ahem, in our pages. It's very choppy and abruptly edited, probably because producers are having to edit around specific talk of the state dinner incident, which they don't plan to bring up until a later episode.)

But, a change of subject: Mary talks about her kids moving back home, including Lolly who has quit her miserable job. Stacie jokes, "You would not quit your job if it were miserable if you had rent to pay." (She says it lightly, but producers dub in a oh-no-she-diuhn't whoosh.) But then when Cat joins the teasing, Stacie's friend Erika suddenly turns on her: "That's the mean girl coming out! You're always negative every time I see you!"

(Did I mention that Erika Martin Hughes was in the room? Don't know much about her other than that she's very photogenic, and she has a "boutique lifestyle management and personal concierge service" ready to help you run your life. She's been on the sidelines of earlier episodes -- scowling at Cat during that Tyra Banks business and other racial-tension moments - but here she STEPS IT UP in such a way that you wonder why she's not a full-fledged Housewife. Seriously, why? Is she too cool to agree to wear pink sequined "Sex and the City" castoff cocktail dresses in the camera interviews? All I can say is: The season-two cast overhaul probably starts here. If there is a season two. Lisa de Moraes tells us Bravo won't decide for several weeks. But Erika is so ready. On Twitter she promised to speak the truth to the world tonight. I admire that she follows fewer people than even I do on Twitter, and that one of them is Idris Elba.)

Suddenly, ladies are yelling at each other, and most come to the defense of Cat. "Are you not placing judgment at this time?" Lynda Erkiletian asks Erika. Erika says she's tired of everything being all about Cat. Cat stalks off in tears and gathers her kids. Everyone follows, trying to console her, even Erika eventually, but she kind of makes it worse, apologizing but then telling Cat, "don't give me bad body language." Cat's all, "don't tell me what to do. Cameras pan to the baleful looks on little Jade and Ruby's faces. (This is child abuse -- the fact that they're getting exposed to all this drama, for starters, but especially the fact that they're getting filmed through the whole thing.)

At Mary's house in McLean, she and Rich and Lolly talk about Lolly's decision to quit her job as an executive assistant. Rich, skeptical, tells the camera, "Birds do have to leave the nest. Sometimes you have to kick them out to help them fly." (Is this why the Amonses are selling their six-bedroom McLean mansion? So their five cusp-of-adulthood kids won't be able to move back home?) Lolly says she wants to stay home for a while to work on her art. "Art's a hobby!" Rich says. "Art's never going to be a stable job!" Lolly says "that's not true!" (No, actually, it is true.)

The usual gang (everybody but Michaele) files into the office of D.C. Councilmember-at-large David Catania (You remember him from Edwina's odd party in episode five) to discuss the District's pending gay-marriage bill. (We're told this scene was filmed about a week before the gay-marriage vote, so mid-December... and therefore after the unmentioned White House incident. Cat's bangs are even beginning to grow out) You know who else is here? Well, Erika... and Paul Wharton. (Yes! We've missed Paul, the guy who single-handedly keeps the plot in motion; he's been all but AWOL the past three episodes, and I'm beginning to suspect this was a deliberate power move by Bravo, trying to limit his exposure as he films a new Paul-centric reality pilot -- you know, so he doesn't become too big. Because Paul Wharton was raised in a secret government camp designed to create and train the perfect Bravo reality stars.) Paul immediately notes in his camera interview that Cat greeted everyone except for Erika (see what I mean?) and complains that she's bringing down the whole love-and-unity vibe (but he's smiling... because he's glad to have deftly imposed thematic coherence on the scene). Anyway: Paul, Lynda, Cat and Erika are all in favor of gay marriage. Mary says she hasn't thought much about it "because it doesn't affect me" -- and Paul executes an exaggerated double-take (drama!) before telling the camera "a lot of Mary's friends are gay!" Everyone gangs up on Stacie and Jason Turner as they cite religious concerns that marriage should be a man-woman thing. Stacie's all for civil unions; Paul tells the camera if she doesn't support in gay marriage, he doesn't want to be friends. (Snap!)
Mary, Erika and Stacie meet at the Occidental Grille, a historic restaurant in the Willard Hotel, on Pennsylvania Avenue a block or so from the White House. (It's not identified, but we recognize it, and I'm thinking that this was their mid-December visit. If so, they've hidden the kids from the camera.) More debate about gay-marriage, then they switch to the Cat-Erika problem. This is intercut with footage of Paul and Lynda on the same topic over drinks (at Palette, the bar-restaurant at the Madison Hotel -- strangely not ID'd here either; they've either abandoned the old policy of lingering over every restaurant's name, or maybe the Madison already hit its shout-out quota in past episodes). Stacie criticizes Cat's rudely "Cat-like behavior," but Erika seems willing to move on. Paul and Lynda go deeper, though, talking about Cat's frustrations with Charles. "We're the only friends she has here," says Paul. Lynda wonders "what's keeping her there [with Charles] if it's really that bad." (And I have to wonder whether this conversation -- more heavily freighted with Ommanney marital woes than we've otherwise seen -- was maybe-who-knows-perhaps taped long after everything else. Who knows.)

Brief scene at the Willard Hotel: Michaele shaking her pom-poms at her mysterious "assistant" Jen, talking about the generational differences in cheerleading. "The girls every decade get better. See how I'm little [up top]? You wouldn't call me a brick house. [But] when you see the millennium girls!" (We think she means "millennial.") Jen is all, "boob jobs!" And Michaele tells the camera that she'd like some plastic surgery herself, no, haha, just kidding. Scene over.
Then the Salahis have a meeting with Virginia state Del. Dave Albo (R-Fairfax). The topic seems to be county regulations that restrict events at wineries (a real issue: there had been complaints about parking, noise, etc., when the wineries host weddings and other parties, which led to a wave of strict local ordinances limiting their practices. UPDATED 12:20 Friday: Albo sponsored a successful bill to limit counties' regulatory powers over farm wineries. The legislator told us he met the Salahis through this issue about four years ago and told us in an email that he likes them: "Granted, they are eccentric. But having wacky friends is fun!" While the meeting we see here was a little awkward because of the cameras, he said it was a real discussion of state business.). Tareq and Michaele basically claim that these restrictions caused all their family strife "because Fauquier wasn't letting us run our business" and now they want to fight for other wineries. (Yeah, this seems like a stretch. You can read for yourself about the Salahi family feud. And then read some more.)

Brief mother-daughter scene at the Amons house. Mary tells the camera that Lolly's "more like a girlfriend to me," only 20 years apart. Lolly chides her over the gay-marriage issue: "Gay people aren't just our hairdressers, they're our senators!" (Give us names, Lolly!) Mary agrees that gay marriage is probably a constitutional right, but then can't quite quote the Constitution, and Lolly prompts her: "Certain unalienable rights? Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness?" Quirky music, and Mary's all, oh yeah, that's what I mean. (Poor Mary, always the butt of the joke. And btw, that's actually from the Declaration of Independence.)
Cat meets Jason Backe for drinks on the patio of the Four Seasons (again, not identified, for some reason -- hey, while they were there, they should have asked for the Oprah Suite). Her bangs are quite short here again (which suggests it's maybe November) as she complains about life in "Chevy bloody Chase, and all the filthy desperate housewives who do nothing other than walk their dogs." More chatter about the Salahis crashing the Congressional Black Caucus gala, Jason along for the ride. "D.C.'s a small town," Cat says. "I'm surprised they haven't been exposed so far." (Or HAVE they been exposed already? Doesn't this sound like a backdated hindsight conversation?)

Finally, a completely trippy scene, in which the Salahis visit one Matt Carson, a laconic Piedmont-preppy type whom they tell us is a former Oasis employee who is supposed to help them write their "tell-all book" about all "the family dysfunction." (Turns out Carson was an unsuccessful candidate for a Virginia House of Delegates seat last year, running as Independent who opposed the Patriot Act. He also self-published a 2007 novel about good ol' boys launching a revolution against the government. Small world: Apparently he got a former Post colleague of ours to blurb it!... Awkward question, but -- why did Bravo blur out all the artwork on his walls? Matt says he has no idea: They were just innocuous prints, nothing dirty or racy. Must be a copyright thing.) The cameras catch Carson swallowing hard and smiling awkwardly as the Salahis lay out their literary vision, entitled "Wine, War and Roses" and haggle over who gets the credit or, you know, the money. "It's standard with these things, they give advances," Tareq says confidently. (Yeah, well... that's if you find someone else to publish it. This book project -- which Carson tells us he walked away from and never got written -- is not to be confused with their new book, "Cirque du Salahi," a collaboration with author Diane Dimond. Which, after making a lot of noise about shopping around to New York editors, they ended up self-publishing. It's available only via Amazon.) Tareq says he wants the book to be about Oasis's "huge successes," being "top 10 in the world." (Top 10 what? Though an acknowledged pioneer in the fledgling Northern Virginia industry, Oasis wine never had a reputation outside the region.) Irony alert!: Michaele tells the camera she's had such adventures since marrying Tareq; "sometimes I wake up and think, oh my god, we're going where? We're going to meet President Obama?" More irony alert: "I would love for it to have a happy ending."

Coming up next week: The state dinner incident! Michaele in Erwin Gomez's salon that fateful day, seemingly wondering how to handle the lack-of-a-paper-invitation thing. (Or we can only guess this is next week; Bravo says there are two more episodes left this season.)

Who wins this round? Erika. If everyone loves to hate you, then you know you're a star.

Stacie Would Like To See More Nuances Of D.C. In Season Two

2010-09-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

Interview from BV Buzz.

By Jawn Murray
She's the sole African-American cast member on a series set in a place often called Chocolate City. Regardless, Stacie Turner is no table-tossing, neck-rolling, Ebonics-speaking, stereotypical character one would come to expect from a 'Real Housewives' cast member; but instead she offers sophisticated sass while showcasing her business acumen on the debut season of the 'Real Housewives of DC.'

Photo:Bravo

A real estate executive with a heart for philanthropy, Turner received an undergraduate degree in Finance from Howard University and her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business.

The happily married mother of two not only talked about life as a one of the nation's capital's 'Real Housewives;' but she shared with BV Buzz during our lunch at the Eurasian restaurant Oya her thoughts on the infamous White House crashers!

Heck yeah! All women are different so to think that I can represent every lifestyle of every African-American woman in DC is like insane. To the extent that I can show what my reality is and reflect some of what I think African-American women can relate to is all that I can try to do. I definitely feel pressure!

Do you hold back on the show? Is there ever a time you feel your inner "sister girl" coming out, but tuck her away because of the cameras?
I'm always thinking that I have a little daughter and she can not see her mama show her behind on camera. In past episodes, they show how this whole topic of things related to race that comes up innocently and it's this expectation that you'll let it roll off and not go there with it. Meanwhile, it's like why does this even come up? We are sitting here having dinner so just because me and Ted Gibson are the only Black people there why does there need to be a connection about race? All it does is create a situation. And when it is brought up, why does the neck roll and the dialect change? It's just interesting.

Would you like to see them add more diversity to the 'Real Housewives of DC' franchise next season? Can we get another Black woman or even a Hispanic added to the mix?
I would. I know lots of women who would be great, but the question is do they have the nerve to put themselves out there. All of my friends thought I was crazy and people probably still think I'm crazy to do that, but so far they have been pretty accurate in their portrayal of our family and hopefully this series will be a little different in that they do try to stay true to form to women who are not necessarily doing the antics of some of the other shows.

You do high-end real estate for Sotheby's. Has being on this show been a boost for business?
When I was taping the show I worked at Sotheby's, but I've since left and now I work for Long & Foster. People had this perception that we only did high-end homes but I do the gamut. I moved to Long & Foster because they have the biggest share across all price categories and I formed a team so now I have a couple of people that work with me.

Has the real estate market taken a major hit during the bad economy?

Thank goodness DC has been ticking steady. Prices aren't down like they are in the rest of the country. DC is hot so there's limited supply, a lot of demand and my business is pretty much steady as it's been the past few years – knock on wood.

Who has been your favorite celebrity that you've met since being on the show?

Photo: Bravo

Maxwell! It was so brief. I wish I could say I was chillin' with Maxwell. He was here doing a concert and they had a get together social so I got to talk to him for about three minutes. He's just so cute and sexy.

You learn on the show that you're biracial and you're on this quest to find your birth parents. We've seen already that your birth mother, who is white, isn't helping you much with information. Have you finally found your father?

That will be open-ended. You'll see that the whole journey takes me to the Nigerian Embassy. I've met, talked to, had a letter correspondence with my birth mother who is Caucasian and has a whole other life that she has not shared with her family. Therefore, we really can't go there and she will not divulge information about my birth father. I think the Nigerian side would be much more open and receptive, because that culture is much more open and accepting of non-traditional families. You'll see that down the road it takes me to the Nigerian Embassy where I enroll their help to help me find my birth father. We don't find him this season.

You have a charity called Extra-Ordinary Life that's geared towards youth and aims to expose them to places and opportunities beyond their current access. Did being adopted inspire that?
It is and part of the reason that I started it is because I was lucky to be adopted. These children are still waiting for families. When I look back I could have been one of them and what made the difference in my life is that I had the parents who gave the foundational love, education, they took me on trips and paved the path that I followed which allowed me to be successful and boost my self esteem to make me feel like I could do these things. That's where our organization tries to step in and plug the hole to the extent that we can to really elevate these young girls.
Tell me more about the charity.
That's what I love to talk about. I started Extraordinary Life a year ago and it caters to teenage girls that are in DC's foster care system. There are about 2,500 girls that don't have a family or a permanent home. These are the girls that my organization tries to expose to people, places and opportunities that they normally wouldn't have access to, because they don't have that parent in their life giving them guidance on which way to go. We try to provide experiences that are above and beyond workshops and all of the life skill training they get. We inspire them to dream and believe that they can overcome their circumstance and be whatever they want to be. In July, I took eight girls to South Africa during the World Cup. I believe that travel is one of those perfect opportunities to expose all your senses to a variety of things. This was particularly significant because it was the first time the World Cup was on the continent of Africa and just happened to be in South Africa. Given the whole history of the people and apartheid, the resilience and the depth of the culture we thought that would be a unique place for the girls to go. Most of these girls have not set foot outside the beltway, let alone gone around the world.

What would you like to see different in season two of this show?
I haven't thought that far. I hope that they will show more of the nuances of DC that I don't think were fully captured in this season. There are really some interesting and exclusive events that happen here, but a lot of the population was so worried about how it would be played that it was difficult to get clearances to do cameras and so forth. I think that now they have seen that it's not quite as crazy as they expected, we will be able to get access to that. Hopefully, there will be more of a political slant to it next year. I'd like to see more provocative conversations which end up being dramatic because that's such a fabric of what's here in DC. We also need to see some more diversity. We need some more Black and Hispanic people. Again, this is an International city so we need to see more of that.

I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you about the Salahi's. Do you think the Michaele Salahi and her husband Tareq are going to be back next season? Will Bravo keep them around?
I think they were good from a marketing and PR standpoint, because everybody knows who they are and everybody is curious about the White House event. I think throughout the series they are definitely not dominant and you actually start to see a different side of them as it progresses. The White House thing happens at the end so it's kind of like the cliffhanger. I don't think that they're that important to it. Even when I read the blogs, the fans are sick of it. They're not worth talking about. I think it will be interesting to see if the Salahi's are back next year because the White House crash was kind of like it and then it was on to the next.

Simon Will Not Be Charged By The Orange County District Attorney

2010-09-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

Article from the OC Register.

The Orange County District Attorney's Office will not file charges against "househusband" Simon Robert Barney because of a lack of sufficient evidence, a spokeswoman for the O.C. District Attorney said Friday.

Photo: Pacific Coast News

Simon, the estranged husband of Tamra Barney, one of "The Real Housewives of Orange County," was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of throwing a dog leash at his wife Monday night. He was released Tuesday from Men's Central Jail in Santa Ana after posting his $10,000 bail.

Simon's case was submitted to the O.C. District Attorney's Office Friday morning, spokeswoman Farrah Emami said. The District Attorney's Office reviewed it and declined to file charges.

"It just shows that justice is blind, but it’s not stupid," Simon Barney said. "It’s not gullible, and it’s not persuaded by fame."

In a statement issued Wednesday, Simon, 46, said the leash-throwing incident and his subsequent arrest were a setup so Tamra could claim 100 percent custody of their three children. The two are going through a divorce, after 11 years of marriage and three years on the Bravo reality TV series.

Simon said he did not throw the retractable, plastic leash at his wife as she alleged. In an interview Friday, he said the reason for the hostility is a recent incident, in which "Tammy ran into my new girlfriend." He's been dating her for two months, he said.

Meanwhile, Tamra Barney, who has her own boyfriend in Eddie Judge of Ladera Ranch, has obtained a temporary restraining order against her husband, which took effect Thursday. As part of the restraining order, Simon was forced to hand in his firearm to law enforcement authorities in Aliso Viejo, he said.

She also tried to file a restraining order against Simon so he could not have contact with the children. That request was denied, Simon said.

In a text message, Tamra objected to Simon's statement that she's trying to claim 100 percent custody so she can allow their kids to be on the show. The "network has never put pressure on Simon to have the kids on the show ... Ever! And Bravo is not happy he is saying that! They simply asked if the kids could be on the main title shoot last week and he said 'NO' and they said 'thank you'."

She continued, "I did not want the kids on the show this year unless it was a situation where me, Simon and the kids were doing something together as a family. Just cuz your [sic] divorcing doesn't mean you we do not attend our childrens activities together ...

"It breaks my heart that he has acted that way in front of the children and I hope he gets the help he needs to control his anger. I never wanted him arrested. The cops made that decision for me. His statement was a lie and can be backed up by the network and my divorce docs."

Simon Barney said his soon-to-be ex-wife is lying herself, and "the only thing I care about is my children."

"I don’t want to be part of the show, part of the media; I want to go on with my life," he said. "I don’t want any part of fame. It’s destructive. It’s a drug. I’m still the same person I was five years ago."

RHOA Sneak Peek

2010-09-23T15:23:00.001-07:00

Stacie Visits Capitol Hill

2010-09-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

Article from Politico.

By KIKI RYAN

D.C. “Housewife” Stacie Turner made her first appearance on the Hill Thursday, joining members of Congress at a press conference to discuss the importance of strengthening foster care programs. Turner—who was raised by adoptive parents--explained her reason for doing the show is that she “saw it as a platform for bringing attention to my charity.” That charity, An Extra-Ordinary Life, supports girls in the foster care system.

Photo: Bravo

But is that enough motivation to make her do a second season? She’s not sure--there hasn’t been any talk to giving the Washington women another run.

“They haven’t talked to us about a second season,” Turner said. “I’m not sure whether I would or wouldn’t, but based on my experience, so far it has been positive [for my charity].”

The outspoken Obama supporter was joined by conservatives Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Michele Bachmann at the event, which was hosted by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and Fostering Media Connections.
“I guess what I love about the issue is that it’s totally non-partisan,” she said. “On both the Republican and Democrat side we can agree: We all have kids, we all love kids and we believe that kids are the future.”
Turner is the second “housewife” to appear on Capitol Hill. That is, if you count when Michaele Salahi testified before Congress about her alleged White House crashing.

Danielle And Lori Shooting A Music Video

2010-09-23T14:25:00.001-07:00

LuAnn And Jill

2010-09-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

Picture from LuAnn.

Power Lunching with Jill!

Bethenny Shopping And Filming In NYC

2010-09-23T14:11:00.000-07:00

Pictures of Bethenny and Jason in NYC today.

Photo:Pacific Coast News

Photos: Pacific Coast News

Dina Sits Down With My Work Butterfly

2010-09-23T13:12:00.001-07:00

Videos from My Work Butterfly.

Caroline Will Be At The Dog Walk And Pet Fair Oct. 2nd

2010-09-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

Bryn And Cookie

2010-09-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

Picture from Bethenny.

This is what life is about.

Ramona Is A Guest Writer For GLAM

2010-09-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Ramona's article from Glam.

Photo: GLAM

Guest Article: Ramona Singer on Life, Jewels, and the Housewives
By LAUREN BARTH

I would have never thought as a little girl I would be so fortunate to have found the success I have. My career started when I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BS in fashion merchandising and management. Upon my graduation I entered into the Macy’s executive training program and soon after became a buyer. In the early years I worked for big fashion houses like Calvin Klein and French Connection. I then went out on my own and started my very own RMS Fashions, a resale clothing company that I created from nothing and with a lot of hard work brought it to the top. During my 20 years in the clothing resale business I learned what it was like to be a woman in the business world. With dedication, courage and perseverance I shattered the ‘glass ceiling’ and was able to create an accomplished and successful company.

In 2007 I was approached by a production to be a part of a reality show called Manhattan Moms. It sounded like a great idea, as I would use this platform to show women how you can be a wife, mom and business woman – basically having it all. In addition I had been designing some pieces for my husband’s fourth generation jewelry company, True Faith Jewelry, and I wanted to begin sharing these pieces with the world. The show aired on Bravo under its new name Real Housewives of New York City. Needless to say it was a hit! Suddenly I needed to be wearing so many different entrepreneurial hats. In the past three years I have been fortunate enough to really exercise my potential when it comes to business. I have made a brand from my name by designing an entire collection for True Faith Jewelry, amazing art deco and estate inspired collections of jewelry for HSN and Tru Renewal, my skincare line. In addition I make everyday public appearances such as interviews and magazine photo shoots and I have many other projects that are in the works.

Photo: GLAM

Currently I am working tirelessly on my newest collection for HSN which will debut on Monday, September 20th between 3-5am EST and 3-5pm EST. I’m so excited to be back on the show to share the new line. Planning, creating and styling this all- new line has been an honor and frankly a lot of fun for me. We have experimented with all new materials and mediums and I am certain there is a piece for everyone! Some of my favorite pieces include gold vermeil with honey and amber citrines used to enhance the gold tone and beautiful green shades designed after my visits to Asian museums. In addition, I am introducing a fresh version of my signature cuff with a wider band, made with special black ebony with lapis lazuli, tanzanite and diamonds with a ring to match. This collection is designed for today’s fashions but with a timeless look that will never go out of style so it can be passed on through generations.

At the end of the day when I finally get to go home after a busy day of work I relax with my family, pour a glass of Pinot Grigio and smile because the thing I am most grateful for is my husband, Mario, and beautiful daughter, Avery. All the success is nothing if you have no one to share it with.

HeroBuilders Will Be Selling A Michaele Doll

2010-09-23T12:41:00.000-07:00

Post from Radar Online.

Photo: Splash News/AP Images

Fame seeker and Real Housewives of D.C. star Michaele Salahi has forever been immortalized in plastic in the form of an action figure dressed in her White House ‘gatecrashing’ attire.

As RadarOnline.com was first to report, Michaele had been planning to cash in on her notoriety by turning herself into a Barbie doll and now we have all the photos of her newly released action figure.

The doll bears Michaele’s infamous red sari dress and blonde hair, but appears disproportionate with a head that is oddly small for the body.

Michaele had originally wanted to sell the rights of the doll to Mattel in hopes of becoming the next Malibu Stacy, a source told RadarOnline.com, but the doll has instead been produced by a company called HeroBuilders.

Michaele isn’t the only celebrity immortalized by the company – they also have Sarah Palin, Jersey Shore and Jon and Kate Gosselin action figures.

Kandi With Rickey Smiley

2010-09-23T12:27:00.000-07:00

Picture from Kandi.

check out @RickeySmiley aka Ms Bernice

Will "Google Me" Be A #1 Hit?

2010-09-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

Post from Radar Online

Watch-out Rihanna and Lady Gaga - Real Housewives of Atlanta diva Kim Zolciak is confident her new song Google Me is going to be a smash-hit, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

Zolciak -- who’s last single Tardy For The Party became a surprise dance hit -- believes that her new single will do even better.

Google Me will be officially released on October 5, although a one-minute preview has already hit the web; the song features questionable lyrics like ‘Research me, you’ll find me, click them keys and google me!’

A source close to Zolciak told RadarOnline.com: “Kim actually thinks that she has a great voice despite the fact that vocal coach Jan ‘Mama’ Smith, who works with Justin Bieber, told her she couldn’t sing.

“But the success of Tardy For The Party gave her a lot of confidence and she really believes she can have a career in music.

“She already has a huge gay and trans-gender following plus a built-in audience from her reality show, so, the chances are despite what the critics might say Google Me could very well be a hit.”

The new Real Housewives Of Atlanta series starts in two weeks, and Zolciak is already planning some other projects to cash-in on the show which will run for around four months this season.
She has started to write a tell-all book about her life and the show, and she also plans to release her own line of wigs too.

The source added: “Kim’s relationship with ‘Big Poppa’ (Lee Najaar) is definitely off because he will never leave his wife for her.

“She is still dating Atlanta Falcons football player Kroy Bierman and the rumor is that they could soon be getting engaged.
“Kim is looking forward to penning her autobiography and wants it to be a really juicy read for all her fans.

“With the reality show about to return and the release of her new single Kim is in a positive frame of mind right now because she has a lot of things to look forward too.”

Fellow reality TV stars Danielle Staub (Real Housewives Of New Jersey) and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps (Real Housewives of New York) have also released singles in the past.

Stacie Sits Down With Eric Dyson

2010-09-23T12:12:00.001-07:00

Tamra In The Courtroom With Simon's Lawyer And Bravo Cameras

2010-09-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

Article from Radar Online.

The personal life of Real Housewife of Orange County star Tamra Barney is going from the small screen to the courtroom Thursday morning where she and her attorneys are trying to file a temporary restraining order, or TRO, against her estranged husband Simon.

Photo: Pacific Coast News

“She’s attempting to file the TRO and waiting for the judge to sign off on it,” sources inside the courthouse told RadarOnline.com.

Tamra arrived at the Orange County Superior Court Thursday wearing a black pantsuit and in good spirits alongside her two attorneys and a Bravo TV crew.

Simon is not there, but he is instead being represented by his attorney.

All parties involved are currently behind closed doors.

This latest legal action for the estranged couple comes after Simon was arrested early Tuesday morning on a domestic violence charge after he allegedly threw a retractable dog leash at Tamra which apparently hit her when she arrived to their Ladera Ranch, CA home where Simon was taking care of the couple’s dog.

Danielle Was Marked For Death

2010-09-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

Article from Radar Online.

The man who knew Danielle Staub as a hooker in Miami - before she was famous - has claimed a drug cartel wanted the Real Housewives of New Jersey star dead after a botched drug deal.

Photo: Getty

Daniel Aguilar was questioned under oath in a marathon deposition in Diamond Bar, California last month, in association with a slander suit against the star filed by her ex-husband Kevin Maher.

In explosive testimony, obtained exclusively by RadarOnline.com, Aguilar recounted how in the 1980s the mother-of-two -- then a prostitute, known as Angela Minelli -- became involved with the notorious Medellin Cartel, which was run by criminal leader Pablo Escobar.

She was introduced to the organized network of drug suppliers and smuggled by Aguilar, who was an "enforcer" of the clan.

He said Staub would often do drugs at his safe house - a haven of "drugs, weapons, cash" - including marijuana cigarettes that she'd "sprinkle" with cocaine.

Aguilar saw her do "more than 50 or 100 times," he told authorities.

"We became intimate friends... she would do her drugs... and sometimes I'd wonder was she hanging out for the drugs, which most girls back then did," he stated, in the documents.

In his deposition, Aguilar recalled how Staub soon went from dabbling in drugs to wanting to sell them, which led to her becoming a marked target for his cartel.

He said, "She started talking about, you know, 'I need to get money. I need money to do things.

"So she came to me and she says, 'I have this guy and he wants to buy big weight... four kilos of cocaine."

But the deal went bad when the $100,000 worth of cocaine was stolen during the transaction, leaving an infuriated Staub to claim she had been "ripped off".

Aguilar recounted, "Even my men were saying, 'We should just kill her. Get her out of the way. She's nothing but a prostitute and a b**ch.'"

Aguilar said he saved her from likely death after pleading with drug kingpins to 'find out what happened here'.

"I cared about this woman at the time and I believed her at this point," he said.

"I didn't want her life to end... I still thought that it was going to work out."

Ultimately, the FBI arrested Aguilar and he was spent nine years in prison after being convicted of extortion and intent to distribute cocaine.

Staub, however, cooperated with prosecutors and was spared jail in exchange for five years probation and mandatory cocaine testing.

"I was told by my people that she was dead," Aguilar said, in the deposition, "My people are my cartels."

When asked how he interpreted that, he said: "Her life was about to end."
"(I'm told) she's flipping (and) turned federal witness... that's when my people wanted her dead; they had called me weak for letting her live... (and) they told me, we should have had her dead to begin with."

According to Aguilar, he footed $100,000 in order to save Staub's life - a fee he now wants her to payback.

"What I did was to protect her, protect me," he said.
As RadarOnline.com revealed, Staub and her ex-husband were involved in failed settlement talks Wednesday.

Maher is suing Staub for $5 million over her accusations that he raped her on broken glass and hanged her dog.

The matter is now headed to a February trial where Aguilar, a witness for Maher, is almost certain to be questioned about the reality television star's sordid past, again.

He said: "Ain't nobody that stupid enough to make themselves publicly known after doing what they did."

Ramona And The Mayor

2010-09-23T11:11:00.000-07:00

Picture from Ramona.

With Mayor Young in mt vernon ny

Bravo Shut Down The Table Flipping Contest At The Funkey Monkey

2010-09-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

Post from TMZ.

A "Real Housewives of New Jersey"-inspired table-flipping contest -- hosted by table-flipping queen Teresa Giudice -- just got tossed ... after Bravo put the kibosh on the event.

The owner of The Funkey Monkey in Delaware tells TMZ ... just as they green lit the table-flipping contest for Teresa's appearance Saturday, Bravo caught wind of it and shut it down.
A rep for Bravo tells us the network has a hands-off policy regarding personal appearances -- but according to inside sources Teresa was told the contest might be a dumb PR move ... so she'd be better off not flaunting her famous Season 1 move (see video).

The club's owner tells us they've reached a compromise -- a look-alike contest. Nevertheless, he concedes, "I can't help it if the [look-alikes] get on the stage and flip tables."

Jason And Bethenny In Tribeca

2010-09-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

Bethenny and Jason take Bryn for an early dinner in Tribeca, NY.

Photo: Photo Agency

Photos: Photo Agency

Kyle Talks To Hollyscoop About The RHOBH

2010-09-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

Chris And The Jersey Shore Girl

2010-09-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

Article from Radar Online.

In a strange reality television twist, a member of the Real Housewives of New Jersey clan has got cozy with one of the stars of the Jersey Shore.

Photo: INF/Getty Images

Foul-mouthed Deena Cortese has met her match in Caroline Manzo's son, Chris, who were caught in the act at a New Jersey nightclub, RadarOnline.com has learned.

The unlikely duo ran into each other in the VIP section of hotspot, 118 Lounge, this past Saturday, where they got down and dirty on the dance floor.

“Deena was basically humping Chris in front of everyone,” said one onlooker.

Chris is a hit on the show, where he is portrayed as the 'cute class clown', although his penchant for naughty girls was an important storyline on the show, after he attempted to open his own bikini strip club/car wash.

Deena - who was originally denied entrance to the VIP section - has been labeled the new wild child of the Jersey Shore and is set to make her debut on the third season, which has just wrapped.

NeNe And Sheree Talk About Kim Dating Women

2010-09-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

Preview clip of the RHOA.

Teresa At The Funkey Monkey

2010-09-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

Danielle And Kevin Unable To Reach A Settlement

2010-09-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

Article from Radar Online.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s most controversial resident Danielle Staub has been embroiled in a federal defamation lawsuit filed by her ex-husband Kevin Maher for months, and it looks like it’s definitely going to trial.

Photo: Mike Derer/AP

RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively that all parties were in settlement negotiations Wednesday but were unable to come to a mutual agreement and the negotiations abruptly fell apart.

"The mediator Gary Donovan tried all day for a settlement and the other side jerked us around,” Maher told RadarOnline.com exclusively.

“We tried to settle this in good faith and negotiations failed. We are going to trial!”

Staub’s lawyers had filed a motion Tuesday requesting to exclude certain evidence from trial regarding Staub’s criminal history, Maher’s polygraph examinations, any references to Staub’s extra-marital sexual history, the testimony of Daniel Aguilar, and Caroline Manzo’s deposition testimony.
Staub’s attorney Peter Cook outlined 29 points in his motion requesting to prohibit certain evidence, including the following: any depictions of Staub as either a stripper, prostitute or cocaine addict by Maher; any use of video footage from The Real Housewives of New Jersey, any use of Staub’s book The Naked Truth; any and all references to her criminal history, sexual history; and any references to her past or present illegal drug use and sex tapes featuring Staub.
And when it comes to Danielle’s former reality co-stars, Cook requested the exclusion of all references to Danielle’s relationship with Dina Manzo, Teresa Giudice, Jacqueline Laurita, and Danielle’s interactions at The Brownstone owned by Caroline Manzo. Also, any references made by Caroline regarding Danielle’s reputation, alleged outstanding debts, and alleged deceitful acts.

Staub is scheduled to be deposed in the case on October 5 and Maher says it may have been a motivating factor to discuss a settlement.

"I believe that October 5 would be the worst day in Danielle Staub's life, worse than her arrest,” Maher told RadarOnline.com regarding the possible reason Danielle’s lawyers and Simon and Schuster (that published her book The Naked Truth) were attempting to settle.

Although Maher is disappointed in today’s outcome, has plans to take further legal action against the Real Housewife and those affiliated with her book.

“The mediator was talking to everyone involved so this didn't have to go to court and so I could put this behind me and she could put this behind her."

“What her lawyers did today is going to get Danielle sued twice! Danielle Staub with writer Steven Prigge and Simon and Schuster will be named as defendants in an upcoming lawsuit to be filed next week.”

Calls to attorneys for Danielle Staub were not returned.

The Real Housewives Give Makeovers

2010-09-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

Post from the LA Times.

By:Yvonne Villarreal

Over on “Maury,” the paternity tests are getting a break.

Taking a breather from the baby daddy drama, veteran TV host Maury Povich is enlisting the help of a few “Housewives” with another pastime of the longstanding talk show: makeovers.

In the episode, to air Thursday, Danielle Staub ("Real Housewives of New Jersey"), Ramona Singer ("Real Housewives of New York City") and NeNe Leakes ("Real Housewives of Atlanta") will help transform a few disheveled “real” housewives into moms worthy of being followed around by cameras.

Hmm. Images of knee-high boots with broken heels, age-inappropriate skirts and revealing tops are dancing in our heads.

Show Trackers, do you think these were the right “Housewives” to help with the makeovers?

Simon Does Not Want His Kids On The RHOOC

2010-09-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

Article from The Orange County Register.

By: PEDRO AND THE WATCHER
Simon Barney, estranged husband of Tamra Barney, one of “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” issued a statement Wednesday exclusively to The Orange County Register. He was responding to his arrest early Tuesday on suspicion of throwing a dog leash at his wife Monday night.

Photo: Orange County Sheriff's Department

Simon Barney, 46, was released Tuesday from Men’s Central Jail in Santa Ana, after posting his $10,000 bail. Here’s his statement:

“There are a lot of rumors and speculation about the events of September 20th. I am confident and have faith that the truth will come out in the courts instead of the media. This incident was a setup by my ex-wife and she is already using it to make a claim for 100% custody of our children. It stems primarily from me refusing permission for our children to be filmed on her reality show, ‘Real Housewives of Orange County.’

“Recently my ex-wife and the production company have pressured me to allow the children to be filmed. I have always refused because I don’t believe it is in our children’s best interest to be exploited in this way. This has not set well with my ex-wife. If she succeeds in obtaining 100% custody, she will then be able to give permission for the children to be filmed even though I object.
“I have never been a danger to either my ex-wife or our children, as she has recently claimed. As so many people know, I love our children more than anything in the world. To me, it is tragic that any parent would go to such extreme measures as using custody to allow their children to be filmed on a reality program. I pray for my ex wife and our children all the time.”

Simon, who still faces a charge of domestic violence, did not wish to comment further. When asked if he threw the plastic, retractable leash at his wife as she has claimed, he said, “No.”

He added that he will probably appear in court next week to respond to Tamra’s charge.

On Tuesday, Tamra Barney appeared at Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange to start the process of filing a restraining order against Simon. The two, who were depicted in three seasons of “Real Housewives of Orange County,” have three children together.

Kevin Has More Dirt On Danielle

2010-09-22T19:46:00.000-07:00

Article from E!.

By: Marianne Garvey and Whitney English

Real Housewives of New Jersey trouble-magnet Danielle Staub doesn't want to be called a prostitute or a stripper.

But ex-husband Kevin Maher tells E! News that he plans on revealing much worse about the reality star...

Staub filed a motion Tuesday asking the judge in Maher's defamation case against her to specifically exclude "any evidence that the Defendant was a prostitute, or a stripper, or is promiscuous, or has been featured in sex tapes."

But despite Staub's attempts to have her alleged sexual history excised from the record, Maher is fighting it, saying the dirty info he has on her will prove she is a "pathological liar."

"Since this woman put these serious rape and molestation charges against me, [information about her past] is relevant...What this woman has done to me…I can't even describe how she has ruined my life. She's without conscience."
Maher is suing Staub for $5 million over her accusations that he raped her on broken glass, hung her dog, and played Russian roulette with her lady parts.

"She lied from day one and I'm going to prove that she's a pathological liar," says Maher.

Staub is due in court Oct. 5 to give her deposition in the case.

"She's been ducking and hiding from her deposition since this lawsuit has been filed," says Maher. "Oct. 5 will be the worst day of her life, when she is confronted under oath with all her lies. She's going to be destroyed."

Maher and Staub's Housewives costar Caroline Manzo have both already been deposed. The trial is set for February.

Kim Gives TMI

2010-09-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

Post from Perez Hilton.

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak feels REAL comfortable discussing her very personal surgical procedure.

Photo: In Touch Weekly

Here's what Kim Z had to say about her boob job revision. Be forewarned - she gives graphic details:

"I had my nipple moved up half an inch, so my boobs were lifted without having a scar from the nipple to underneath the breast."

The week after the procedure, Kim tore her nipple stitches on a water slide in the Bahamas. Here's what she had to say about it:

"I felt a sharp pain in my left breast but didn't realize how serious it was until the bandages came off and there was a tear around my nipple."

Kim returned to the doctor to have her nipple properly sewn back on.

The new issue of In Touch Weekly will have even more details on Kim Z's boob/nipple situation, for those of you who didn't feel like you got way more than enough details here!

Would U go on a water slide a week after having a boob job revision?

Preview Of Danielle And Lori On Maury

2010-09-22T19:01:00.001-07:00

Kelly-RHONY

2010-09-22T11:45:00.000-07:00

Picture from Kelly.

Bethenny Raising Money For Breast Cancer

2010-09-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

Article from Hollywood News.

By: Linny Lum
Chef, author, mom, and reality star Bethenny Frankel of “Real Housewives” fame is now adding the role of philanthropist to her list of titles.

Photo: Wire Image

On Saturday, September 25th Bethenny will headline “Real Style Live” in New York- an event of shopping and style to benefit Breast Cancer awareness, research, and funding. The event will take place at Tanger Outlets at the Arches in Long Island, NY for a day of celebrities, shopping and saving, style, and a day to create awareness and raise funds for Breast Cancer- The event benefits the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition in NY.

Bethenny and her co-headliner style maven Charla Krupp will be on hand to meet and greet attendees answer questions, and give their own special brand of advice on style, and nutrition- all to benefit the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition.

Caroline And Bravo Working Together To Get Her Deposition Taken Down

2010-09-22T10:58:00.000-07:00

Article from Reality Tea.

According to a new report, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Caroline Manzo is not happy that her deposition video has leaked online.

Just days after TMZ posted the video, which shows Caroline admitting she gave Bravo an ultimatum that she would not return to the show if Danielle Staub did, Zap2It is reporting today that Caroline is fighting to get the video taken off the net. Wonder why?

Zap2It reports that sources close to Caroline tell them she’s working with Bravo to try and get the video pulled, though she’s uncertain TMZ will cooperate.

As for the reason Caroline wants the video off the web, a source says it’s not because she doesn’t stand by what she said or that she’s scared of Danielle, but rather because she wants the “Danielle Drama” over with and completely out of her life.

In other NJ news, days after Life&Style broke the story of Danielle Staub’s Range Rover getting repossessed, a rep for the fired Bravo housewife is now denying the story to HollywoodLife, claiming the story is “untrue.”

“As for false statement out there saying her truck was repossessed this weekend … the lease was up and she turned it in … plain and simple,” claims Danielle’s rep. Riiiight.

TELL US – DO YOU THINK THE VIDEO SHOULD BE TAKEN DOWN? DO YOU BELIEVE DANIELLE’S STORY?

Lynn's Latest Blog

2010-09-22T10:32:00.001-07:00

Click HERE to read Lynn's latest post about the RH.

Bethenny's Spiced Apple Cider

2010-09-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

From Health magazine.

Photo: Melissa Punch

By Bethenny Frankel

This is such a crowd-pleaser! And it has just 173 calories because I use extra spices in place of sugar and butter.

Pour 1/2 gallon apple cider into a saucepan. Add 5 cinnamon sticks, zest of 1/4 lemon and 1/4 orange, 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1⁄2 teaspoon ground allspice; bring to a boil.

Cook 5 minutes; reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and add 11⁄2 cups clear spiced rum. (Makes: 11 servings)

Michaele On Today Show

2010-09-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Picture from Michaele.

Dear friends, I am honored to be co-hosting the NBC Today Show 10 O’clock hour with Kathie Lee Gifford & Hoda Kotb on Friday from 10am to 11am. Please tune in for an hour of fun with us! We are going to Rock it!! OXO ps: More fun to come later today! ;)

Teresa Will Be In Raleigh Thursday

2010-09-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

Teresa will be at Still Life Nightclub and Ultralounge,400 W. North St., Raleigh, North Carolina.

Tamra Filed A Restraining Order Against Simon

2010-09-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Article from Radar Online. To See a clip of Tamra with Eddie at the courthouse click HERE.

The Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Barney showed up at an Orange County courthouse Tuesday to inquire about filing a restraining order against Simon, her estranged husband, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.

Simon was arrested early Tuesday morning on a domestic violence charge.

With her head down and wearing dark sunglasses, the reality TV star arrived at the courthouse in Orange County, CA accompanied by her boyfriend Eddie Judge and Bravo cameras.

When asked by RadarOnline.com if she could comment about the incident with her estranged husband, Tamra said, "I can't talk about it right now, maybe later."

And when asked if she was there to file a restraining order against him, Tamra said nothing, but responded by nodding her head "yes."

She then entered the courthouse; she left about 20 minutes later.

A source tells RadarOnline.com that Tamra will file a request for a restraining order against Simon this week.
A spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff's Department tells RadarOnline.com that an emergency order of protection (EOP) would be in place for 72 hours following the arrest of someone for domestic violence.

But to ensure continued protection, the victim of the domestic violence would need to file for a permanent restraining order with the court before the EOP runs out.

Tamra and Simon have been going through a bitter divorce since viewers saw their marital meltdown on last season's The Real Housewives of Orange County.

But it all seemed to come to a head -- literally -- when Simon was taken into custody by OC Sheriff's on suspicion of throwing a dog leash at his wife.

Simon was released from jail on Tuesday afternoon after posting bail.

Gretchen And Slade Helping To Raise Money For Cancer

2010-09-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

Post from PR Web.

Project Pink Info.

Project Pink Runway Show at Westfield Valley Fair to Benefit American Cancer Society Featuring Fashion Show, Entertainment and Celebrities

Westfield Valley Fair will bring a high-energy fashion production to shoppers in the Bay Area with the ‘Project Pink Runway Show’, presented in partnership with The Bay Area Fashionista. ‘Real Housewife of Orange County’ Gretchen Rossi will model in the event and actor Slade Smiley will co-host the event. Scheduled to be held on Friday evening, October 1st at 7:00 PM at Westfield Valley Fair, all proceeds from Project Pink will benefit the American Cancer Society.

Bethenny's Bluefly Closet Confession

2010-09-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

Danielle Is Worried About The Jury's Perception Of Her

2010-09-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

Post from TMZ.

Danielle Staub -- star of her own sex tape -- doesn't want to be called a prostitute, a slut, a whore or a sex tape star ... in court, according to the new legal documents she just filed.

Photo: Getty Images

It's all over the $5 million defamation suit the former "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star's ex-husband Kevin Maher filed against her -- claiming she falsely accused him of raping her on broken glass, sticking a loaded gun in her privates, and murdering her dog.

According to the new docs, obtained by TMZ, Staub wants to make sure any evidence depicting her as "a prostitute, or a slut, or a whore" -- including her sexual history and sex tape -- is excluded from the trial.

In the papers, Staub claims her dirty laundry would turn a jury against her.

Oddly, the motion to exclude makes no mention of her performance on 'Housewives.'

Melissa At Teresa's Party

2010-09-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

Pic. from Teresa.

My sister in law Melissa & baby nephew Joey! xx

Vicki At Redstone American Grill

2010-09-21T21:36:00.000-07:00

Simon Free on Bail

2010-09-21T20:58:00.000-07:00

Post from Radar Online.

The husband of Real Housewife of Orange County star Tamra Barney was released from jail on Tuesday afternoon following an arrest for alleged domestic violence.

RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively that Simon Barney was released on an undisclosed bail amount from the Orange County Jail at 2:29 p.m.

Tamra’s 46-year-old estranged husband was taken into custody at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday morning after she claimed he threw and hit her with a retractable dog leash while at their Ladera Ranch, CA home.

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, the couple’s 10-year-old son Spencer opened the door for Tamra and as she walked inside the house Simon allegedly threw the plastic retractable leash, which hit her wrist.

Simon was allegedly upset with Tamra because she planned a birthday party for one of their children at her new house. Although she invited Simon, he was angry and felt the party should have been held at a “neutral” location.

Kim And Kroy

2010-09-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Picture from Kim.

How cute!!!?? @biermann71 and I at Twist.... Adore him

Ramona Shows Her Jewelry

2010-09-21T15:13:00.000-07:00

Joe Could Get Out Early

2010-09-21T15:06:00.000-07:00

Post from Radar Online.

If Teresa Giudice’s husband Joe is on his best behavior he could get out of jail earlier than expected, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.

According to sentencing guidelines set by the state, as long as The Real Housewives of New Jersey star doesn’t act up, he could be out in nine days, not the expected ten.

Last week, a judge sentenced Joe to ten days in jail for driving with a suspended license – the consequence of a previous run-in with the law.

In January, Teresa’s house hubby was charged with driving under the influence after crashing his car into a telephone pole in Montville Township, New Jersey. He was taken to the hospital and then released to the police due to outstanding warrants. In March, he was fined $864, had his license revoked for 12 months, and was sentenced to 30 days of community service.

But Joe was pulled over again on May 17 in Lincoln Park, New Jersey for driving with a suspended license, which ultimately led to the jail time.

According to a spokesperson at the Morris County Jail, for every six “good” days Joe has at the jail, he gets one day off his sentence.
And the reality star isn’t alone in the pokey. Although he’s not sharing a cell, he does have some TV company -- Remy from TLC’s Cake Boss (who’s been charged with sexually assaulting a minor) is in the same jail!
Chief Frank Corrente told RadarOnline.com, "I have people in here that have killed people that aren’t getting as much attention as this guy."

Caroline Is Annoyed About Her Deposition Being Leaked

2010-09-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

Article from Zap2It.

By Jethro Nededog

In the latest turn in the Kevin Maher defamation suit against ex-wife, Danielle Staub, video of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey's" Caroline Manzo's deposition leaked to the media and the reality star isn't happy.

Sources close to the housewife tell Zap2it that the star was not pleased the video was leaked to TMZ. While she's working with Bravo to try and get the video pulled, she's unsure TMZ will cooperate.

In the video, Manzo's testimony in Maher's $5-million lawsuit confirms his claims that Staub had accused him of raping her, killing his dog and playing Russian Roulette by placing a gun inside Staub's vagina. All of which, Maher vehemently denies and forms the basis of his defamation lawsuit.

Later, more video was released from Manzo's deposition in which the housewife admits to giving Bravo the ultimatum that she wouldn't be returning to the show for Season 3 if Staub remains a cast member.

A source tells us that Manzo is not trying to get the video pulled, because she doesn't stand by what she says or she's scared of Staub, but that she wants the "Danielle Drama" over with and completely out of her life.

Bravo Has Not Had Any Discussions About Season 2 Of The RHODC

2010-09-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

From Pop Eater.

Bravo is pushing back at fresh reports that trouble-magnet 'Real Housewives of DC' star Michaele Salahi will be dumped from the cast if the show is renewed for a second season. In an exclusive statement to PopEater, the network says they'll wait until a second season is given the green light to even begin discussing which of the drama queens will be toast.

"We've had no discussions about a season two -- including any casting -- and won't until the freshman season concludes," a Bravo spokesman tells us. "Any speculation to the contrary would be absolutely premature. And let's face it, it wouldn't be a proper 'Real Housewives' franchise without the drama of casting rumors."

The rumors for the 'DC' cast have focused on Salahi and her husband Tareq, who ticked off their bosses when they claimed (in a new book about them) that their "iron-clad" contract with Bravo prohibits them from talking about the White House-crashing incident to the media. (Nevermind that they've talked about it at length, on the 'Today' show and others.)
In a surprise move, Bravo rebuked the couple publicly, releasing a statement Sept. 15 condemning the couple for trying to use their contracts as cover for their legal woes.

"Bravo [has] consistently and repeatedly stated to the Salahis and their representatives that they were free to speak to press, law enforcement, Congress and anyone else about attending the State Dinner," the statement read. "Indeed, they have given multiple press interviews on that very subject."

The new Page Six report saying Salahi will not be asked back echoes similar sources who told PopEater columnist Rob Shuter last week that she and her husband were being shown the door.

"The DC show is the only show in the entire franchise that isn't a true hit," an insider told our Naughty But Nice Rob in his Sept. 16 column. "And the Salahi's are the biggest reason for that. At first, execs thought they struck gold with all the attention the couple got over the White House dinner. But now they realize not all press is good press and this couple's involvement in the show has turned more viewers off than on."

Get A Makeover And Meet Paul Wharton-RHODC

2010-09-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

BE SURE TO JOIN ME AT MACYS TYSONS THIS SATURDAY SEPT 25th for Free MakeOvers, Fall Fashion Previews, & Much More!

Macys Fashion Director

Fashion/Makeover Event

DATE: September 25, 2010

TIME: 2:00pm

LOCATION: Macys Tysons I Mall

MORE: 1961 Chain Bridge Rd, Mclean, VA

Be a part of the ultimate face-off as Paul Wharton from The Real Housewives of DC will pair models up with contestants to create the quintessential look for a specific occassion. Winners will receive $100 Macy's Gift Cards! After the fun, sign up for a one-on-one fashion consultation with Paul. Get free mini makeovers, enjoy the DJ and delicious sweets and sips. We look forward to seeing you all this Saturday at Macy's Tyson I Mall!

"Google Me" Is A Song For Kim's Ex

2010-09-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

Post from Life & Style.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta's Kim Zolciak has a message for her ex: "Google me!" After debuting her singing chops last season with her catchy club hit "Tardy for the Party," Kim exclusively tells Life & Style her second single, "Google Me," is an official goodbye to her longtime ex, Big Poppa.

"I'm singing, 'Google my name, I'm doing my thing, I'll be all right without you,'" says Kim, who collaborated on the song with gal pal DJ Tracy Young, whom Kim started seeing after her romance with Big Poppa soured. "At one time, he was my world," says Kim, 32. "I'm in a different place now."

While Kim says her and Poppa remain friends, the mother of two confirms she has finally moved on from the longtime ex. "I don't have it on anymore!" Kim says about the engagement ring Poppa had given her. "At the end of the day, it has no meaning anymore. When I took a step back and reevaluated everything, I had a very great relationship with Poppa for a very long time, but, how can you be legally married, on paper anyway, and give someone a ring?"

And to get her message across, Kim will be trying something new: rapping! "It's a short portion of the song," says Kim. "But I think it's kind of fun."

The song hits iTunes on Oct. 6.

DC Style Makers

2010-09-21T10:27:00.001-07:00

Half Yard Is Looking For A "Bitchy" Replacement

2010-09-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

Post from Thaindian News.

New York, Sept 21 (ANI): Michaele Salahi won’t return as a star on ‘Real Housewives of D.C,’ according to sources.

A source has revealed that Salahi won’t repeat as a star to the show if it is renewed for a second season.

Half Yard Productions, a Bravo subcontractor, is hunting for a “bitchy” replacement for the housewife.

Bravo reps are annoyed with the duo for saying the network has held them back from coming clean.

“The notion that the Salahis have been barred under their contracts . . . from speaking . . . is simply not true,” the New York Post quoted Bravo as saying.

Castmates aren’t thrilled with Michaele either. Lynda Erkiletian and Paul Wharton complained to friends at Peacock Cafe in Georgetown last week about the couple’s publicity stunts.

Rumors About Lori

2010-09-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

Post from ShowBizSpy.

DANIELLE Staub’s lesbian lover is cheating on her — it has been claimed.

According to American tabloid the National Enquirer, the Real Housewives of New Jersey villain’s girlfriend, pop star Lori Michaels, is two-timing her with sexy back-up dancer Courtney Lynch.

Photo:WENN

“Danielle is crazy about Lori, but doesn’t know she’s seeing another woman,” a source said.

“Lori is a proud, openly gay woman, and the relationship with Danielle is just an amusing sidetrack for her. She’s really with Courtney.

“And if Danielle expects something serious and long-lasting with Lori, she’s going to end up being one heartbroken housewife.”

Jay Catches Up With Gretchen

2010-09-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

Article from Radar Online.

More than dinner was served when Gretchen Rossi got together for a meal with her Real Housewives of Orange County co-stars last Saturday night.

As soon as Rossi arrived at the party she was served - with a lawsuit, RadarOnline.com learned exclusively.

The suit was filed by her ex boyfriend Jay Photoglou and a source familiar with the situation said Rossi's attorneys refused to accept service, leading Jay to have Gretchen served publicly.

It happened at the home of Peggy Tanous, the new Orange County cast member. Stars from Bravo's reality series got together at Tanous' home for a dinner, that was taped by the network.

"Gretchen pulled up in her car and as soon as she got out she was served with the legal papers," a source told RadarOnline.com. "She turned away and acted as if she was going to try to avoid being served. But there were two people there to serve her and she had no choice. She finally just accepted service."

Photoglou is suing Rossi for libel, slander and five other counts. The suit was originally filed in Los Angeles but for procedural reasons he needed to re-file it in Orange County.

RadarOnline.com was first to reveal that Peggy Tanous was joining the OC cast. And while Bravo taped the "get acquainted" dinner at her house Saturday night, Rossi being served was not captured on video.

Rossi also has an active lawsuit against Photoglou.

Rossi has at times denied she was romantically involved with Photoglou but he has provided ample proof of their former romantic relationship. Now, their only relationship exists in court, where they have battled continuously for the past year - and it doesn't look like the war is going to end any time soon.

"They've spent a fortune suing each other," one source told RadarOnline.com. "But the money doesn't seem to matter. They each want to stomp the other one."

WWTCD- Fall Fashion And A Positive Body Image

2010-09-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

Article from OK! Magazine.

What Would the Countess Do?: Positive Body Image; Fall Fashion!
Author: LuAnn de Lesseps

When it comes to etiquette, manners and overall good behavior, even celebrities need help navigating the rough waters of stardom! It’s a good thing Countess LuAnn de Lesseps of the Real Housewives of New York is joining forces with OK! to school them on the right thing to do! In a rough situation, we just ask, “What Would the Countess Do?” This week she takes on body image issues and suggests some style for fall!

What advice do you give to your children on dealing with body image when in the spotlight?

I always tell my children that you can’t look good if you don’t feel good. Looking great and having an upbeat attitude depends on three things; getting enough sleep, eating smart and exercising daily. By making healthy choices a habit, you will have more energy to enjoy life and you will feel better about yourself. Being comfortable in your own skin is a prerequisite for moving through life with ease.

Tip: If you don’t take care of yourself, nobody else will.
What are your picks for fall fashion?
I love fashion because it allows me to be creative. This fall, I plan on updating my basics with a few trendy pieces to keep my look fresh and interesting. The few pieces that I see as being style staples this season are leather jackets, ankle or calf high boots, and skirts at or above the knee. I’m also loving the smaller handbags and that camel is a hot color. Another trend I like is the red dress.

Tip: While shopping for this fall’s hot items my motto is: when in doubt, duck.

Kim And Brielle

2010-09-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

Picture from Kim.

Why is @briellezolciak tryin to steal my new shoes.. If I was to wear sneakers it wud have to be these

Kandi Never Gives Up

2010-09-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

Interview from Loren Ridinger (LorensWorld).

Kandi Burruss the 34 year old former Xscape artist is no stranger to the music & entertainment industry. The songwriter behind TLC's "No Scrubs", Destiny's Child's "The Writing is on the Wall" , "Bills, Bills, Bills" was the first African American to win ASCAP's songwriter of the year award in 2000. A producing & writing career that has led her to work with some of the best artists in the world like Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Boys II Men, Da Brat, Nsync, Usher, Fantasia, Mya, Joe, Whitney Houston among many others. Most recently Kandi appeared on Bravo's Hit reality TV series The Real Housewives of Atlanta in where she gives us access to her world from working with artists to the launch of her new album Kandi looks to inspire and empower all women especially single mothers. With her new album launching this FALL, a new season of Atlanta Housewives in October, a new charity, a lifestyle website, Kandi the talented singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur and mom shows us that that if you can conceive you can make it happen.

Did you always know you wanted to be in the music industry?
It was not until I got to high school that I realized that I really wanted to be a music artist.

What’s the key to succeeding in the music industry?
Never giving up. I think that sometimes people give up too soon. It is not going to happen over night. I think it is talent and timing as well as drive and determination. Some people have the talent but not the drive. Some people have mediocre talent but their determination and drive is strong. They never give up, so eventually they’re going to knock the door down.

You have quite the resume when it comes to writing hit songs. What do you hope people take away when they listen to one of your songs?
A song that they can relate to. Most of my songs come from personal experiences and a lot of people go through the same things so I want them to feel like I am telling their story.

Of the songs you’ve written which is your favorite?
“Easier”, the duet I have with Faith Evan because it is the song I dedicated to my brother and anybody that has ever lost someone that hears the song says it lifts their spirits up.

We have a lot of single moms writing in asking for advice on balancing life, work, and motherhood. What advice would you give a single mom who is looking to move up in their career, but feels the guilt of not dedicating all her time to her children?
That is a hard thing that I struggle with myself. What I have realized is the saying “It takes a village to raise a child” is very true. Everyone needs a co-parent. If you are a single mother like myself and your child’s father is not really involved, you still need somebody to help at times. That person can be a family member or a friend. Just make sure you do your best to be at all the important events, but you cannot feel guilty about trying to make a better life for you and your child. Every time you can sacrifice a business situation to do something extra special for your child, do it. Do not let your career consume you to the point that you miss out on some of the most important memories of your child’s life. Money is important but not that important.

If your daughter told you she wanted to be in the music industry, what would you say?
I would support her 110 percent. She is already writing songs.

In 2009 you lost your former fiancé, Ashley “AJ” Jewel. What comfort you the most while dealing with your loss?
My family.

How did it change you?
It did not really change me because I had experienced losing someone very close to me prior to that.

What advice would you offer someone dealing with a similar loss?
I think everybody deals with death differently. For me I tend to focus more on work because I don’t like to think about sadness. I don’t like to sit and be depressed so I have to do things to keep my mind occupied. I don’t feel like being alone, sad, and depressed is healthy.

What is your meditation?
I pray a lot and I used to journal a lot which is something I will probably start back doing because it is good to get your thoughts out on paper. Of course, I pour my emotions out in my songs.

What do you think makes a woman beautiful?
Confidence.

Which other Housewives cast would you not mind being a part of?
None

What is currently on your ipod?
My new album that will be released November 23! I am so excited! As well as Fantasia’s new album. I love it.

If you could work with any artist who would it be?
Shania Twain, I love her.

What’s next for Kandi Burruss?
I am starting my foundation as well as the release of my album on November 23. I am going on tour with Fantasia in November and the expansion of my boutique TAGS in Atlanta.

Words to live by?
If you can conceive the thought, you can make it happen!

Didn't get enough of Kandi, send me a tweet @lorenridinger and I will ask her your questions.

xo

Loren

Alex's RHODC Bravo Blog

2010-09-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

Post from Bravo.

Let's Hear it for the Boys!
OK, mama is home and catching up on two episodes. Took the false eyelashes off, the hair extensions out, and it’s time to blog. Yes, it’s the end of Fashion Week in New York, and I’m feeling TIRED.

If I were Mary, I’d have wanted to jump over the table and pound that drunken Tareq for his horrible accusations. Since we are in D.C., not NJ, Mary did not do that. She listened to Tareq implicate her daughter for (what?) car theft? Equipment damage? Hard to say, and now of course there are stories online that this happened two years prior to filming, but never mind. Going off what we saw onscreen, Tareq didn’t have the cojones to come out and directly tell Mary what Lolly allegedly did, and I don’t buy it for a second.

Cat got sassy with Edwina Rogers, and I lapped it up. Personally, there’s something I truly love about women attempting to be polite when their political beliefs are questioned. Edwina really just wanted to be on camera, invite Cat to a party and serve some cucumber sandwiches. She didn’t want to talk about healthcare, which Cat sensed and pounced on. Well played, Cat.

The men came out this week! Jason continued his papa bear role, from backing up Mary last week with Tareq, to finding a potential bridge to Stacie’s birth father on Facebook this week. Meanwhile Rich wore fetching orange pants and sardonically reminded Mary that the only way her supersonic closet lock will work is if she uses it. We then moved on to the Men Against Breast Cancer gala, which touched us here in Brooklyn as Simon’s first wife is a 16-year survivor of the disease. What a great segment, of course made humorous by the ladies’ reaction to the male models on the runway. Were we at a fashion show or at Chippendales? Regardless, I’m glad we got to see Paul Wharton again, even if only on the runway!

8 million? 8 dollars? 800? 800,000? Did anyone else wonder what went along with the number eight Tareq mentioned as his house price range? Michaele busied herself with dreaming of the $20 million home they drove past in Spring Valley, or wanted to stay at the Four Seasons – she couldn’t decide which. No matter, as long as it’s not a condo. Perhaps they could have bought Lynda’s Ritz Carlton apartment?

Speaking of Lynda, she cracked me up. What former Southern Baptist converts to Judaism, burns sage and pours holy water all over her new house? Lynda, that’s who. I hope she does fabulous things with her windows and the other things she wants to fix up.

After I got over my anger at them being included on the show, I wanted to find ways to feel sympathy for the Salahis. I don’t. They bug me. I didn’t care about their renovation plans for the winery, or that Tareq and his mother have issues. I didn’t care about Michaele’s tears; I just wanted her off the screen. On the other hand, I wanted to jump through the TV and hug Cat when she tried to hold it together over the loss of her friend. Funny how that works.

Jeana Looking Great

2010-09-21T08:48:00.001-07:00

Picture from Jeana.

Lynn's Latest Post

2010-09-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to read Lynn's latest blog about NeNe,Jeana,Tamra and more.

Simon Texted Tamra That The Leash Slipped Out Of His Hand

2010-09-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Post from Radar Online.

The husband of Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Barney was arrested early Tuesday morning on a domestic violence charge, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.

Simon Barney, who is estranged from Tamra, was arrested by the Orange County, California Sheriff’s department at 12:30 am and taken into custody on $10,000 bail.

Simon and Tamra are divorcing. She will still appear on Bravo’s hit reality TV series.

RadarOnline.com learned exclusively that the argument leading to the altercations was over a custody battle -- about their dog!

Tamra and Simon have been sharing custody of their small dog and he brought the dog back to her house Monday night.

“He was angry and threw the leash at her and hit her with it,” a source with knowledge of the case told RadarOnline.com exclusively.
“Their kids were in the house and started crying.
“It was a bad scene.

Tamra recently moved into a new house. She now dates Eddie Judge and her relationship with her soon-to-be-ex is often acrimonious.

Photo:Getty

But this time Simon went too far.

“The leash hit Tamra. She wasn’t sure what to do,” the source told RadarOnline.com. “But she knew she couldn’t tolerate the violence. She called the cops.”

Simon apparently texted her after the incident, and after he left her house, saying that the leash slipped out of his hands.

“He knew he had a problem at that point,” the source said.

Simon was upset with Tamra because she planned a birthday party for one of their children at her new house. Even though she invited Simon, he was angry and felt the party should have been held at a “neutral” location.

Simon will be arraigned Tuesday. At that time, he is expected to enter a plea to the charge.

Joe Gets Out Of Jail On Sept. 28th

2010-09-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

Article from People.

By Tim Nudd

Joe Giudice, the husband of Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice, has reported to jail to serve a 10-day sentence for driving with a suspended license.

Giudice turned himself in Monday to authorities at the Morris County jail in Morristown, N.J., a police spokesperson confirms. Giudice has been segregated because of his celebrity, however he is expected to be moved in with the general population.

According to a police spokesperson, Giudice is also expected to serve 8 days of his sentence, putting his release date at Sept. 28.
The sentence stems from Giudice's DUI conviction following an accident in Montville, N.J., in the early hours of Jan. 14. He had his license suspended for seven months in that case, but was caught driving.

The Giudices have faced plenty of legal trouble in the past year. Last October, they filed for bankruptcy, listing almost $11 million in debt, multiple mortgages and unpaid balances on nine credit cards.
That bankruptcy case is pending in U.S. District Court in Newark.

Drama In The OC

2010-09-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

Article from Associated Content.

By: Jennifer Sale
Whoa...some dramz over in my ol' stomping grounds! The OC is full of cray-cray this morning!

So Gretchen Rossi leads off this story with this whole, "I'm gonna sue you just cuz" thing she's got going on with ex-whatever Jay Photoglou. Jay had to refile his libel and slander suit in OC instead of LA County, and Gretchen's been avoiding service. Gee...who might have taught her that? Surely not the houseboy...

Anyway, Jay busted into a party at new Housewife Peggy Tanous' house and served her. Owned. Please let there have been a camera on that!

I know it seems I've flipped the script a bit on Gretchen since I was in luuurrrrve with her last year, but she got bitchy with me on the Twitter over a JOKE about some houseboy of hers, and well, my Gretchen purse went to Goodwill, and I took the makeup back to the dollar store. So there. Ha. That'll learn ya. Mind your own beeswax, girl. Someone go make me a "Team Jay" T-Shirt.

In other news...

Simon "Crybaby" Barney got popped for a domestic with Tam-RA this morning. Turns out he was all butt-hurt about Tamra having a birthday party for one of their kids at her house instead of at a "neutral" location, and when they exchanged the family dog, he hit her with the leash.

Smooth move, dude. Smooth.
And good for Tamra calling the cops on his punk azz. I get the vibe from that guy that this in no way was the first scenario of being a violent tool. It was so obvious last season that he was a controlling dbag.

So there you have it. Some shenanigans on the west coast for a change! I am so hoping they got it all on film.

Kandi Going On Tour

2010-09-21T07:47:00.000-07:00

Post from SingersRoom.

True R&B fans have another treat coming their way. First Kem, Anthony Hamilton, Jaheim, Raheem DeVaughn, and Hal Linton came together for the 2010 Budweiser Superfest tour and now it’s the ladies turn.

Fantasia, Kandi Burruss and crooner Eric Benet will join forces for a tour this fall/winter, a rep confirms to Singersroom.
The pairing comes on the heals of Fantasia’s Billboard Top 200 #2 charting debut after selling 177,000 units of ‘Back to Me’ in the first week of release, marking her highest charting album to date. ‘Back to Me’ also debuted at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, a career best for Fantasia. "Free Yourself" and "Fantasia" peaked at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.

Singer Kandi Burruss, who also confirmed the tour via Twitter, stating, “I’m going on tour with my girl Fantasia in November! It’s gonna be so fun,” recently released her new single “Leave You” via Warner Bros. Burruss’ long-waited sophomore solo project, ‘Kandi Koated,’ is schedule for a Nov. 23 release.

Crooner Eric Benét is also gearing up to release his fifth studio album, ‘Lost in Time,’ via Reprise Records this fall. 'Lost in Time' is the follow-up to Benét’s ultra-romantic 2008 album Love & Life, which was nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award for “Best R&B Album.” The disc is led by the mid-'70s-vibed single “Sometimes I Cry.”

Tour dates will be announced shortly…

Jill At SWAROVSKI Event

2010-09-20T21:26:00.000-07:00

Jill at the 'Swarovski Elements 22 Ways To Say Black' event at Philips de Pury in New York City.

Melissa Featured in Boardwalk Journal

2010-09-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

From Boardwalk Journal.

Jail Is No Big Deal For Joe

2010-09-20T16:16:00.000-07:00

From Radar Online.

Photo: Getty Images

The husband of Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice — who turned himself in to jail Monday, as RadarOnline.com exclusively reported — has brashly told family and friends the slammer is just like a “vacation”.

The beefcake dad of four was sentenced to the next 10 days in the slammer for driving with a suspended license but he is supposedly looking at his time in the pokey as a paradise.

“He doesn’t care if he goes to jail because he said then he gets paid because the magazines will want his story,” a source told RadarOnline.com.

“He said he’ll be on vacation and getting paid at the same time.”

Said the source: “He is not bothered by it at all. He doesn’t care about going to jail. It’s absolutely no big deal for him.”

Joe Started His Jail Sentence

2010-09-20T16:08:00.000-07:00

Article from The NY Post.

By PERRY CHIARAMONTE
The husband of "Real Housewife" Teresa Giudice today began serving his 10-day jail sentence stemming from a drunk driving conviction, authorities said.

Joe Giudice, 40, the husband of the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star, was sentenced by a judge last week and also fined $1,000.

Giudice also had his license suspended for seven months and ordered to pay a $300 fine, according to court papers.

Giudice did not speak to reporters as he walked into the Morris County Correctional Facility.

Last month, Giudice appeared before a judge to appeal the DWI sentence he received in March. The drunk driving conviction was Giudice's first-ever offense and at the time the judge imposed maximum penalties of a one-year loss of his driver's license, a $500 fine and 48 hours at the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center.

The judge had also ordered Giudice to serve either 30 days community service or 30 days in jail.

At last month's hearing, another judge reduced the sentence -- cutting out the 30 days community service or jail time altogether. The judge also reduced the license suspension from a year to seven months, slashed the fine to $300 and told Giudice to complete 12 hours at the resource center.

Giudice was charged with driving under the influence in January after crashing his car into a telephone pole in Montville Township, NJ.

Africa Inspired This Seasons Collection

2010-09-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

Interview from Betty.

Exclusive: RHONY's Ramona Singer Dishes With Betty!

The reality star and designer talks about her new line, her inspirations and how she picks her TV outfits.

By:Brooke Sager/BettyConfidential’s multi-talented, fabulous intern

Ramona Singer of the Real Housewives of New York is unveiling her Fall jewelry line tonight on HSN! It’s a new twist for the designer; she’s incorporating new materials and like golds, exquisite woods, beautiful stones and tons of color. You’ll be tempted to buy it all. But don’t worry, everything is still affordable.

As Ramona puts it, “Whether you’re wearing jeans or a cocktail dress, my collection is designed for women who want the look of Madison Avenue and the red carpet without spending thousands of dollars.”

Tell us about your new jewelry line.
My signature has always been cuffs. I used to always do my cuffs in platinum, but this time I’m introducing wood and gold. For this season, I did this beautiful cuff in a special wood with a matching ring. I also did a cuff trimmed with onyx that looks like 14-carat gold. That one has matching earrings. I also did a lot of greens for fall. Believe it or not, colored jewelry works with everything—it makes any outfit pop. If you buy a beautiful blouse, you can’t wear that everyday. But a great piece of jewelry can accent a simple t-shirt in a fun way. Your attitude and how you feel just changes—I love jewelry!

Ramona Singer lapis, tanzanite, diamond, sterling and wood cuff ($649.90, hsn.com)

How is your jewelry different from what’s already out there in the market?

My jewelry looks expensive, but it’s totally affordable. It’s good quality at the price of costume jewelry. I did smaller diamond hoops this season. They go with everything and look like they’re thousands of dollars. No one would ever know they’re only $299! Also, the stones I use look precious. In one piece, I used a pink topaz that looks exactly like a sapphire.

Does most of your jewelry come in sets?
A lot of it does, yes. But the beauty of it is, everything can be worn matchy-match or mixed up. It’s like clothing—you can buy the matching outfit, but wear it different ways. In this collection, I did some pieces with blue amethyst. They look great alone, but can also work with pieces from past collections.

Ramona Singer green jade and diamond sterling silver wrap necklace ($299.90, hsn.com)

Do you have a favorite piece?

I love them all! They’re all like my children. Every day I wear something different. Today, I’m wearing my jade piece that can go from day into night. One of the great things about my jewelry is that it makes you feel very special and beautiful every day.

Who are your favorite designers?
I like anything with a sense of style. I especially love estate jewelry and deco jewelry because it looks just as good now as it will in 30 years. They’re investment pieces—you can pass it on to your children. I did I few little pieces inspired by a Fifth Avenue store that does floral and clover looks.

What made you want to get into the fashion industry, specifically jewelry design?
I’ve always been into fashion. I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and then went into jewelry with my husband (Mario Singer.) I have always loved jewelry, and I thought to myself, why can’t I create a line that is affordable for every woman in America?

What inspires you?
Mostly my travels and things that I see on people. I used a lot of green this season because I was recently in Africa—the colors there were so vibrant. That trip also made me want to experiment with wider cuffs and exotic woods. I also went to Capri, which inspired my huge pear shape ring and matching necklace.

What is it like to be on HSN?
HSN is a really great company. They’re so friendly and warm, I feel like I’m working for family. They’re fab and they love what they do—and to be successful in work, you must love what you do.

How is it different than the Real Housewives of New York?
Housewives looks for the drama. Then after you’re filmed, you don’t know how you’re being edited. HSN is totally professional, and I really enjoy dealing with a host who likes jewelry how much I do.

Do you get nervous on camera?
Nope. Sometimes I think I speak too much, and sometimes too little. It’s hard to gear that. I’m used to working when I don’t even know the cameras are there (on Housewives.) When I’m on HSN, looking directly at the cameras is hard. Sometimes I don’t even know where to look! I’m like, “which camera?!”

How do you pick your outfit for the HSN appearances?
I dress on HSN how I do in real life. I like wearing solid colors. Prints own you, and you need to be the one wearing the outfit! I’m kind of over black these days, though. I want to show people that it’s not only diamonds you can wear with color. If you’re in a purple dress, it’s fun to wear peridot or jade.

What do you do to prepare for your HSN show?
I talk to my jewelry! I look at each peace and caress it, because each one is my special creation.

Kelly's NYFW Blog

2010-09-20T13:40:00.000-07:00

Post from PAPERMAG.

Kelly Bensimon's Fashion Week Diary Part IV: Tory Burch Perfected Jet-Set Chic For Spring
By:Kelly Killoren Bensimon
It's 9 a.m. and it's time to check out Tory Burch's Spring 2011 collection. Would it be a show? A presentation? No one was clear. Was Jay-Z going to be there, or just the regular fashionites? One thing, however, seemed for sure: Tory's line would take the cool, chic, well-traveled look to new heights. I was right. For this collection, Burch's muse travels to souks in Morocco, cilmbs every mountain, and has a vaguely European, but unltimately unplaceable accent. The crowd -- which included hairdresser Frederic Fekkai, the "pied piper" of all the uptown ladies -- kept saying "I want that" over and over again. From high-waisted pants, to '70s inspired easy dresses, everyone wanted it all! I heard that Kayne West even made an appearance, but I must have missed him. Sugar! But I did see some cool looks that I was lucky enough to discuss with the lady of the hour -- Ms. Burch. The Spring 2011 line is looking hot, strong, and sophisticated. Get ready ladies, the sweat pants and t-shirts are gone for spring. It's time to look hot again!

The Real Housewives of Miami Rumors Continue

2010-09-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

Article from the Miami New Times.

By Kyle Munzenrieder
Miami seems like the perfect location for a spin-off of the Reality TV behemoth Real Housewives franchise that Bravo has unleashed on the world. Though, when The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills premiers next month there will be six distinct Housewives series, so we have to wonder if Bravo even has room for a Miami series.

We know the channel has been working on a series called Miami Social Club, a supposed revamp of the ratings-failure that was Miami Social. However, Lesley Abravanel says that the show is actually Real Housewives of Miami in disguise.

From Scene in the Tropics:

Our behind-the-camera mole tells us that an ``official'' Real Housewives promo -- you know, the one where the ladies are either fondling a peach or something to represent their geographical location (in Miami's case, a bag of cocaine or a saline implant wouldn't be such a bad thing since an orange was already taken) -- was recently filmed with all the gals in tow. We contacted our official Bravo mouthpiece who was cagey, telling us that since no air date has been secured, the show sort of remains nameless. But it all sounds like it's pointing to that splashy, trashy, trainwrecky drama-fest many of us, ahem, have grown to love.

Interesting.
Miami Social Club started filming way back in March, and seven months is an unusually long time to be filming a reality show. So, who knows, maybe the producers did have to retool.

Scene in the Tropics reported back in March that the cast included Lea Black (known, along with her Attorney husband Roy, for their lavish yearly charity galas), Marysol Patton (a PR professional), Christy Rice (Heat player Glen Rice's ex), Alexia Echeverria (executive editor of something called Venue Magazine), Adriana Sidi (art world socialist), Larsa Pippen (Scottie Pippin's better half), and Elayne Lancaster, the queen of South Beach who just happens to be a drag queen. That is a pretty feminine cast. The original post also mentioned a sole male cast member, Jason Clarke, an associate of Clarke's, but maybe he just plays a supportive role.

Of course, Miami is already home to Basketball Wives, VH1's baller themed knock-off of the franchise, and another knock-off of the series was filming over in Naples, but we'll full heartedly welcome an official Miami version of Housewives.

Kandi "The Bitter And The Sweet"

2010-09-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to see Kandi talk about why her cousin gave up a full scholarship.

Danielle Is A "Momager"

2010-09-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

Article from Times Of The Internet.

Danielle Staub might not be around for the next season of RHoNJ, but that just means that she can kickstart her career by being 'momager' to her daughters Christine, 16 and Jillian, 12.

Both girls are looking to launch their careers in entertainment.

The former Real Housewife told Star, "I am their 'momager.'"

To clarify her duties in her newly created position, she said, "They have legitimate managers, but everything comes through me. I have them with people I trust."

Christine is said to be interested in modeling while Jillian is looking to launch a music career.

Unlike 'momagers' that have come before her, Danielle isn't worried about her girls getting caught up in the fast lane. She continued, "Why would they want to destroy all that by doing drugs and drinking?"

There's no word when the adoring public can expect Jillian to release her first album or for Christine Staub to model professionally

Kim's New Single "Google Me"

2010-09-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

Preview of Kim's new song "Google Me" which is being released on Oct. 5th.

Danielle's Lease Was Up And She Turned Her Range Rover In

2010-09-20T10:55:00.000-07:00

Article from Hollywood Life.

By:Chloe Melas
The rumor mill is swirling with accusations that repo men showed up to Danielle’s house and took away her Range Rover, but her rep tells HollywoodLife.com it’s “entirely” untrue.

Photo:WENN

Danielle Staub might not be as “penniless” as you think. Reports surfaced over the weekend, that the reality TV vixen’s white Range Rover was repossessed Sept. 18, as she begged and pleaded for repo men to not take her car away. But HollywoodLife.com spoke to Danielle’’s rep who tells us that’s not exactly what happened.

“As for false statement out there saying her truck was repossessed this weekend … the lease was up and she turned it in … plain and simple.”

We recently told you the mom of two landed a hosting gig on WealthTV called Social and is trying finalize the details of her new spinoff. We’re guessing we’ll eventually see all of this on camera somewhere and it’ll make sense.

Lynn's Blog

2010-09-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

Click HERE for Lynn's latest post.

Cynthia Bailey At "Dance At Dusk With The 2011 Porsche Cayenne"

2010-09-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

Post from YBF.

Ne-Yo and Monica hosted "Dance At Dusk with the 2011 Porsche Cayenne" this past Saturday. The hosts and a slew of their friends got a chance to take the new Porsche Cayenne for test drives while living that "Champagne Life" style.

Photos via G Paras Griffin

Salahi Widget

2010-09-20T09:31:00.000-07:00

Virtual Book Chat: Cirque Du Salahigreat free widgetsWidgetboxMore info

Caroline Rules

2010-09-20T09:28:00.000-07:00

Article from GLO.

How Do You Ditch a Toxic Friend?
Caroline Manzo puts the real in The Real Housewives of New Jersey, and her fans relate to the reality star's no-nonsense attitude, focus on family and, above all, abundant common sense. Check back at Glo every Monday as Caroline helps solve your most pressing dilemmas.

Photo: Film Magic

The Dilemma: Ending a friendship is a topic we've touched on here at Glo, but the actual dissolution of said relationship is not just tricky, it can also be downright stressful. Sometimes the person you think is your best friend forever can morph into someone you can't stand in only a matter of years. Or perhaps you recently made a new friend who turned out to be nothing but bad news. While most of us know how to end a romantic relationship, navigating the end of a friendship seems much more difficult.

Caroline's Ruling: I'm sometimes amazed at what we “allow” ourselves to endure. First, you need to define the friendship/relationship. Is it a true friendship or just an acquaintance? True friendships are very rare; there is love, understanding and forgiveness that can withstand the test of time.

A friend is the one you tell your secrets and fears to, the one you can trust to be there for you at your lowest moments without judgment and is there to celebrate the highest of highs with you and for you. An acquaintance is someone who comes into your life but isn't your “go to” person, the one you tell your secrets and fears to. You may go out socially now and then or work alongside them daily, but they are not the ones you call when you need real friendship.

If you find yourself in a position to have to end a relationship with a friend, a true friend, then you have to do one very important thing first: talk to them. Make him/her understand what you're feeling, define the situation clearly and honestly. You owe it both to yourself and your friend. If there is no resolution or understanding, at least you can say you tried your best and were honest and straightforward about your feelings. Your friend heard it from you and no one else.
If, at the end of the conversation, you have no resolution, then at least you can tell them directly that the friendship is over. Never let it be heard through gossip; you both deserve more than that.

An acquaintance is a different story. If you find that your new friend isn't all that they represent themselves to be, just take a casual step back. I firmly believe that when you first meet someone, you are usually talking to his or her “representative.” People are on their best behavior when they first meet. It takes a little time for the real personalities to surface. No big deal, live and learn. I don't believe there's a need for a heart-to-heart unless there is a situation that really bothers you. If it's just some behavioral or personality quirks that turn you off, then step away, don't be so accessible. No need to bring unnecessary drama into your life!

In my life, I have a handful of people whom I call friend. I treasure their friendships and am so grateful for their presence in my life. I have tons of acquaintances; they come and they go. Sometimes for specific reasons, and sometimes for no other reason than life gets in the way of spending time together. I don't dwell on it. Life's too short. Live it with honesty to yourself and those around you. Trust me, you'll sleep much better at night!

Ramona Talks To Fashion News Live During NYFW

2010-09-20T08:46:00.000-07:00

Caroline Talks To My Work Butterfly

2010-09-20T04:23:00.000-07:00

Caroline Laid Down An Ultimatum

2010-09-20T03:01:00.000-07:00

Post from TMZ.

‘NJ Housewife’ — I Will Quit If Staub Returns

by tmz
“Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Caroline Manzo claims she delivered a strict ultimatum to the show’s producers — if Danielle Staub returned for another season … she’d quit the show.

Manzo spilled it on camera during a deposition in Staub’s nasty defamation lawsuit against her ex-husband, Kevin Maher.

During the depo, Caroline said, “I did tell Bravo and Sirens that there is no amount of money you could put on the table for me next year.”

She added, “If Danielle Staub is on the show, I am out because my integrity means too much to me … so for Season 3, they know it’s either Danielle or myself.”

Integri-what?

Ramona Getting Ready For HSN

2010-09-20T02:49:00.000-07:00

Pic. from Ramona.

Salahi Wedding

2010-09-20T02:24:00.000-07:00

Video From The Oasis Wedding.

Michaele And Tareq On Elliot In The Morning

2010-09-20T02:16:00.000-07:00

Kyle Richards At Fashion's Night Out

2010-09-19T23:53:00.000-07:00

www.lauriebstyle.com A special interview with Nony Tochterman of Petro Zillia and House Wife of Beverly Hills' Kyle Richards during Fashion's Night Out Los Angeles Sept 10, 2010.

Kandi Performs At The Atlanta Motor Speedway

2010-09-19T23:03:00.000-07:00

Greg Street, DJ Nabs, DJ Finesse, Kandi Burruss, and JC on "The Diron O Show" @ The Atlanta Motor Speedway for Fastlife Fridays.! Kandi starts at about 3:00 minutes.

New Avenues Have Opened Up For Lori

2010-09-19T22:19:00.000-07:00

Article from NJ.com

By:S. James Snyder/For The Star-Ledger
“It definitely felt like an overnight whirlwind, but I signed up for this a long time ago,” says the 37-year-old artist.

“I may not be as young as the Miley Cyruses out there, but I’ve learned how to hone my sound and embrace the business side of music, and how to constantly develop my talent. So this has happened suddenly, but I feel like I’ve been building toward this moment for a long, long time.”

Michaels, who lives in Bergen County, grew up in Fairview.

She trained professionally at Broadway Dance Center in New York and was a soloist in her local church choir. She later graduated from New York University, where her major was pre-law.

She is president of the nonprofit Reach Out, still leading the volunteer community service organization she started in high school more than 20 years ago. Some of her projects include H.E.R.O. (Help Everyone Reach Out — raising awareness and funds for breast cancer), A.N.G.E.L. (Awakening New Generations Enhancing Lives — an initiative promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention) and Dance for Health (encouraging communities to get involved in positive, healthy activities).

Photo: Noah K. Murray/Star-Ledger

Music remained a hobby for Michaels while she ran Reach Out and taught dance. Then in 2006, she created the hit stage show “Me & the Girls,” a production that filled what she believed was a void in the gay entertainment scene.

“I’m an alt artist, and I wanted to package something a little bit differently than what was out there for the GLBT audience,” she says.

“Typically, you would see mostly lesbian artists who were singer-songwriters taking to the stage with their guitars. There was nothing like a Pussycat Dolls show, which is exactly what ‘Me & the Girls’ set out to be.

“And I’ve been told by many people that what I assembled and orchestrated changed the rules of the game a little bit at pride festivals and clubs for professional GLBT entertainment across the country.”
As Michaels performed the show, she made a name for herself as a kinetic, fiery performer and a singer with a rich, deep, sultry tone.

At a much-publicized 2008 “coming out” party at the House of Blues in Atlantic City (“coming out” referred to the launch of her company, Lori Michaels Productions), “Me & the Girls” achieved a new level of attention.
And not long after the Atlantic City bash, she released her first album, “Living My Life Out Loud,” via Reform Records.
The Staub connection began last summer, Michaels says, when she met the New Jersey “real housewife” backstage at New York City’s Nokia Theatre following a benefit concert.
“I gave her my CD, and then we met very randomly again at a diner in New Jersey, and I was surprised that she remembered me.”

Photo:Film Magic

It was at dinner, Michaels recalls, that she befriended the entire Staub family, meeting Staub’s 12-year-old daughter, Jillian, who also is interested in music. Michaels says she invited the preteen to check out her recording studio and soon after, Danielle approached the musician with the idea of co-producing a song.

A year later, “Real Close” is reality, as is the constant speculation about the nature of their relationship.

“I would like to keep my private life private, and I guess that’s the hardest part to get used to,” Michaels says about the gossip surrounding her and Staub.

“I’m pretty secure in what’s going on between us behind the scenes, but when you look at People magazine and Us Weekly and all the major publications, I think it’s always a fine line between entertainment and reality.
“She’s on an entertainment show, I’m a singer-songwriter pulled into that through another aspect of the TV world. But I don’t think anyone has any right to invade my private life.”

Michaels says she’s more focused on building excitement at clubs and festivals around her hit new single, “Rebound,” a collaboration with disc jockey and producer Giuseppe D. In late July, the song hit the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart at No. 44, and was featured on iTunes top 20 dance tracks.

She says it’s been a wild and unpredictable two years since her coming out party.

“I’ve been taking risks all along, and once again everyone thought I was crazy to go and debut that song (“Real Close”) with such a simple arrangement on national TV. But then it caught fire, and we heard that the following Monday, Ryan Seacrest was promoting the song on his radio show, and we were suddenly on everyone’s radar.

“I very quickly realized that this was my chance to put forth all that I have in the hopes that something sticks with people. And the opportunities that are now out there for me, as a producer, a singer, a songwriter, have already changed my life.”

Ramona At CARAVAN @ Style 360 Showcasing Her Jewelry

2010-09-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

Alex And Simon NYFW

2010-09-19T21:33:00.000-07:00

Kelly NYFW Videos

2010-09-19T21:02:00.000-07:00

Short clips of Kelly at Anna Sui and Badgley Mischka during NYFW.

Kim Zolciak Should Star on Donald Trump's Next Celebrity Apprentice!

2010-09-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

B-Day Time

2010-09-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

Pictures from Teresa and Dina.

How pretty is her cake? I added some sparkle of course!

Its my god daughter's first birthday party!!!

Bethenny At Luxe Lab Retreat

2010-09-19T15:14:00.000-07:00

Post from Red Carpet Report.

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians sibling and the Bethenny Getting Married? star stopped by Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lab Retreat during Fashion Week in New York.

Khloe and Bethenny loved their Vintage Revolution jeans whose unique fabric was specially made for the hip denim company.

Kiki

Vicki's Book Signing In MN

2010-09-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

Pictures of Vicki at her book signing at Redstone American Grill in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Photos:Facebook

Teresa And Caroline On Dr. Phil

2010-09-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

Clip of Caroline and Teresa on Dr. Phil.