Dina Sits Down With My Work Butterfly

Videos from My Work Butterfly.

B-Day Time

Pictures from Teresa and Dina.

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



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



Danielle Says Dina Still Hounds Her

Post from E! Online.

By: Marc Malkin
Danielle Staub may not be living near her Real Housewives of New Jersey costars anymore, but she says one of them is still in touch.

Photo: NBC/Wire Image

 

But they're not exactly exchanging pleasantries...

"Dina [Manzo] texts me," Staub told me the other day. "Yep, Dina—who's not even on the Housewives anymore. She's hanging for dear life. Shut the f--k up, Dina!"

Uh-oh!

"She's threatening me," Staub claimed. "She's an idiot. I don't answer them."

Manzo begs to differ. "I left for a reason to get her out of my life," she said. "I wish she would just do the same and move on."

Staub also said that she was hospitalized during season two when she was writing her autobiography, The Naked Truth. She said rehashing her troubled younger years took a toll on her. "I got to write my book, which was extremely healing and difficult, but there were times when I just got sick," she said. "When you're I was hospitalized for three days, but for three months I was very ill. It was all my intestines and my head hurt. I didn't feel good."

But now, despite last season's hair-tugging drama and raucous reunion, Staub insists she's all good. HollywoodLife.com reported this morning that she's signed on to host Social, a Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous-like show for WealthTV.

"I think I'm better than them," she said referring to the other Housewives. "They think they're better than me by calling me garbage? Um, no! And I am way, way more comfortable with myself than any of them will ever be—collectively."

Project Dina

Dina's latest video.

RHONJ At Bloomingdale's

Caroline,Jacqueline and Dina attend Bloomingdale's celebration of Fashion's Night Out at Bloomingdale's 59th Street Store in New York City.

Dina At The US Open

Pic./tweet from Dina.

Me & Lex freeezing at the US open (hence my red nose) Wish Tommy had a twitter so he'd Hurry up w sweatshirts!

Dina Talks About Freshology And Fashion

Danielle Was Fired From The RHONJ

Post from Pop Eater.

By Rob Shuter
Bravo confirmed Monday that 'Real Housewives of New Jersey's' most controversial cast member, Danielle Staub, will not be returning to the show. However, despite rumors that Danielle quit to focus on her own show, sources tell me she was actually fired.

Photo: Getty Images

"Cast members Caroline [Manzo] and Jacqueline [Laurita] made it clear that if Danielle stayed they would leave," a 'Housewives' insider tells me. "Bravo had already lost Dina [Manzo] because of Danielle and couldn't risk losing another two cast members from the top 'Housewife' show in the whole franchise."

Bravo executives have said many times that they believe what makes the Jersey show so special is the family dynamic, which gives family members Caroline and Jacqueline far more power than any of the other cast members.

"Bethenny [Frankel] left the New York cast and the ratings stayed the same," a TV executive confirms. "Several cast members have left other 'Housewives' shows and no one cared. The only 'Housewives' that Bravo needs to hang onto are the Manzo family. They are TV gold and Bravo knows it."

Any reports that Staub is getting lots of offers for her own show can be ignored. Her contract with Bravo makes it very clear that she cannot appear on her own show with any other network until two years after her deal with Bravo expires.
"The only network that you will legally be able to see Danielle on for a few years is Bravo," insiders tell me. "Bravo owns these ladies. Look at Orange County housewife Jeanna Keough; she is returning to TV on 'Thintervention' with Jackie Warner, which happens to be a Bravo show."

The RHONJ Talk About Gay Rights

Post from Next Magazine.

By:Christopher Dilley

Even without seasoned villainess Danielle Staub, the Real Housewives of New Jersey can truly pack a dramatic punch. Fortunately for us, all of the table-flipping goodness was staged—and for a great cause—on Wednesday, as the ladies started their first stint of performances in off-Broadway’s My Big Gay Italian Wedding, the gay-marriage comedy produced by former cast member Dina Manzo. The ladies started a 4-day run in the show that ends tonight, but they announced at curtain that they'd be returning once again October 20th–23. (A portion of proceeds benefit Marriage Equality New York, so you'll be laughing and doing a good deed.) “The fact that the production was so hilarious and so heartfelt—and that I believed in what it stood for—made me want to get involved,” said Manzo at a post-show reception at Etcetera Etcetera. “It’s so funny and marriage equality is so dear to my heart that while I still have a voice I’m going to use it to raise awareness for good things like this.” Manzo jumped in to help turn the show from a one-night-only performance in Staten Island with writer-star Anthony Wilkinson and soap hunk Scott Evans to its current home at St. Luke’s Theater, where first Reichen Lehmkuhl, and now Big Gay Musical's Daniel Robinson join Wilkinson on stage.

Flexing her acting chops and turning out one of the best performances for the night was Dina’s sister, Caroline Manzo, who took on a matriarchal role not too far from her own on the Bravo hit. “In our family it is all about acceptance and loving one another for who we are” said a newly svelt-and-slicked-back Caroline. Dina and Caroline’s brother (and co-star Jacqueline Laurita’s brother-in-law) is gay, which has been brought up in Real Housewives first-season reunion after a few slurs were thrown around. “I was amazed at my parents, who are old-school Italian, [welcoming] my brother and his partner with open arms” recalled Manzo. “The first thing my mom and dad said was, ‘Be happy.’ My father was that typical Italian guy that you would be afraid of and think, ‘Oh my god, don’t mess with him’ but when you have children, you love your children. The only thing you want is for them to be happy. They taught us that lesson and in turn our children learned that lesson. Wouldn’t it be nice if everybody was able to follow suit?” mused the straight-talking mother of three. “At the young age of 9 I realized ‘Alright, I get it’” echoed Caroline’s daughter Lauren Manzo who also stars in the production.” I realized there was nothing wrong with it so since then it’s always been a normal thing to me.”

Chatting up Laurita and co-star (and Andy Cohen-shover) Teresa Giudice, we discovered the ladies had their fair share of gays even before their hit Bravo show debuted. “I worked with a guy named Matthew who was so flamboyant and over-the-top then with another guy named Dennis who wasn’t and I loved them both,” Teresa revealed. “We worked at Macy's together in the buying office so I was not surprised by our gay following at all. Why wouldn’t gays like me? I love them!” said the hot-headed but charitable gal. “I’m a cosmetologist myself so I’ve always had gay friends,” revealed Laurita, who stars in Wedding alongside daughter Ashley Holmes, and sports a quite convincing Brooklyn accent for a Las Vegas native. “When the issue of marriage equality came up it was a total non-issue to me. Chris’ family was very open and accepting of me and in fact when we moved to New Jersey we lived in Caroline’s house for 6 months, which was a lot of fun,” she told us of the accepting Manzo clan. While some Housewives might seem to be taking the gay community for a ride of late, these ladies are proving the “Real” part of their series title through action! Just no one release a dance single—please!

Money Was Part Of The Reason Why Dina Left The RHONJ

Post from the NY Daily News.

Photo: Bravo

BY Carson Griffith

Don't blame it all on Danielle Staub. Dina Manzo claimed she left "The Real Housewives of New Jersey's" second season in June because of Staub, the show's antagonist, but a source close to the 40-year-old Manzo tells us she split because of money, too.

Jacqueline Laurita revealed at the after-party for the opening night of "My Big Fat Gay Italian Wedding" (in which the ladies guest-starred) that she thinks "there were a lot of reasons Dina left the show."

Our insider tells us one reason was her disagreement about the network's financial setup and the salaries for the gals.
While the blond single mom hasn't spoken out about the topic directly, she did mention at the fete, held at Etcera Etcera restaurant, that it wasn't her "ideal contract."

Jersey Girls Promo For "My Big Gay Italian Wedding"

Dina Only Watched Half Of The Reunion

Post from People.


By:Sabrina Ford
Former cast member Dina Manzo, was not one of the millions of fans glued to their televisions last Monday for the explosive first half of the Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion special.

Photo: Splash News

“I watched half,” Manzo told PEOPLE Wednesday at a party for My Big Gay Italian Wedding, the Off-Broadway play she is producing to benefit the Marriage Equality of New York organization. “I got annoyed and turned it off.”

“I was invited to be there and I chose not to be there,” said Manzo, who left the show mid-season.

In recent months, Dina has accused her former castmate (and adversary) Danielle Staub, of trying to manipulate her ex-husband, the father of her daughter, Lexi, and interfere with the co-parents’ relationship.

When Danielle mentioned Dina during the reunion special, Dina’s protective older sister, Caroline Manzo, shot back, “Do not speak of my sister!”
“I just wish my name didn’t come up and, of course, that my daughter didn’t come up,” said Dina, who says she doesn’t regret leaving the show. “It’s all bull—t and there’s a line between life and entertainment, and I think the line was crossed.”

These days her time is focused on family and the foundation she founded for children with cancer, Project Ladybug. “I’m really enjoying what I’m doing now,” Manzo said, “food shopping, cleaning and taking my daughter to tennis.”

RHONJ Attend After Party For "My Big Gay Italian Wedding"

Pictures of the Jersey girls at  "My Big Gay Italian Wedding" ater party at Etcetera Etcetera Restaurant in NYC.

Anthony J. Wilkinson, Daniel Robinson With The Jersey Girls

Dina Is Happier Since Leaving The RHONJ

Post from Hollywood Life.

Chloe Melas, reporting by Lindsey DiMattina
We had a heart-to-heart former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dina, and she told us life is so much better now that she’s off the show!

Photo: Splash News

Dina Manzo, 40, is finally back to her pre-fame self! We spoke to the former reality star Aug. 28 at the 2nd Annual Ferrari Hamptons Rally at the Hamptons’ super swanky Georgica Restaurant & Lounge, and she looked great! We told you first that Dina was thinking about leaving the show — and we were right! The former Bravo housewife revealed that she doesn’t miss the heated drama with Real Housewives villain Danielle Staub one bit!

“I’m totally getting back to myself,” she told HollywoodLife.com exclusively. “I was back to myself really the day after I stopped filming the show. It was a huge weight off my shoulders. I’m truly at peace … I meant what I said when I left. I was so happy except for that whole situation [with Danielle] I was like, ‘What am I doing? I don’t need this!’”

But she did comment on the recent rumors that Danielle won’t be back for a third season.

“We don’t even know if that’s true or not,” she said. “But if it is, it will be a different kind of show. It will probably be what I initially thought it would be … about a crazy family who likes to have fun.”

But above all, Dina is thrilled that her children’s cancer foundation Project Ladybug, made a name for itself through the show.

“My foundation has gotten so much recognition,” Dina told us. “I don’t regret doing it [the show]. We all grow and everyone comes into our lives for a reason.”

Dian Attends The 2nd Annual Ferrari Hamptons Rally

Pictures of Dina at the 2nd annual Ferrari Hamptons Rally at Georgica Restaurant & Lounge, in East Hampton, New York.

Dina and Nathaniel Christian

Dina and Ranee Bartolacci

Jacqueline And Dina Talk About The RHONJ Reunion

My Big Gay Italian Wedding Review

Article from NJ.com.

BY MARK KENNEDY
The Record
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


THEATER REVIEW
MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING

Off-Broadway production at the St. Luke's Theatre, 308 W. 46th St.
Directed by Teresa A. Cicala. Written by Anthony J. Wilkinson.
With Anthony J. Wilkinson, Daniel Robinson, Brett Douglas, Tricia Burns, Randi Kaplan and Joe Scanio.

Schedule: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Tickets: $29.50 and $69.50.
Telecharge: 212-239-6200 or telecharge.com.

More information: biggayitalianwedding.com.

Whether you'll want to see "My Big Gay Italian Wedding" or not may depend on how you react to the title.

Feel like a bawdy, big-haired romp? Well, come on down. Don't care if it's a bit derivative? You've come to the right place. Mind enough stereotypes to make an Italian-American anti-defamation activist weep? Hop over to St. Luke's Theatre.

"My Big Gay Italian Wedding" is a comedy that's got beefcake and an over-the-top wedding planner, pouffy bridesmaid dresses and hyperventilating parents, boisterous dancing, a licentious Catholic priest, a hip-hop version of "Ave Maria" and heaps of fa-bu-lous voguing. What were you expecting?

And yet, deep down, it's got heart. This off-Broadway production is really just a big, sloppy same-sex smooch, wrapped in a gooey cannoli.

It works because it winks at the very people it lovingly mocks. And, judging from the audience's reaction at a recent performance, no offense was taken; roars of laughter greeted even the lamest joke.
The original production, which first debuted in 2003, was written by Anthony J. Wilkinson, who also stars. He has since revised the comedy's script, bringing it up to date on the current debate about same-sex marriages.

But while there are a few digs at anti-gay marriage advocates such as Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee, this isn't a politically strident or preachy work. The only on-stage anguish is about getting everyone to the altar on time.

The 16-character play opens with Anthony (Wilkinson) informing his parents he wants to marry his boyfriend Andrew (Daniel Robinson).

"I want to be committed in the eyes of God," Anthony tells his parents.

"Oh, you should be committed all right," his mother shoots back.

Anthony's Italian-Catholic parents agree only on two conditions:
The family priest must perform the ceremony, and Andrew's estranged mother must attend the ceremony. Both will be tough to pull off, especially with a secret affair threatening to ruin the special day. Cue the shenanigans.

Much of this will be familiar: There are echoes of "Tony n' Tina's Wedding" with a dash of "La Cage aux Folles" and, of course, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," the smash 2002 film. The show recently got a little verisimilitude when Dina Manzo, a former cast member of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," signed on as a producer. Manzo's fellow "Housewives" — Teresa Giudice, Ashley Holmes, Jacqueline Laurita, Caroline Manzo and Lauren Manzo — will appear in the production Sept. 1-4.

Standout performers include Brett Douglas, as the insanely fussy wedding planner, who seems to single-handedly lift the show whenever he appears; Tricia Burns as Anthony's squeaky-voiced sister; Randi Kaplan and Joe Scanio as Anthony's parents; and the quite appealing Wilkinson.

Some of the best bits occur when the cast interacts with the audience. One night, Kaplan spied someone in the crowd her character deemed underdressed: "You wore shorts to my son's wedding?" she roared. "I'll get you a 20 percent discount at Macy's!"

Teresa A. Cicala directs this frantic confection and choreographer J. Austin Eyer keeps the action percolating on an impossibly small stage. And when it's all over — uneven, goofy and yet sweet, just like a real wedding — the two grooms meet you at the exit and thank you for coming.

Project Dina

Video from Dina's You Tube.

Caroline and Dina At "In The Heights"

Caroline Dina  with singer Jordin Sparks when they attend Jordin’s Broadway debut in “In The Heights” on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre New York City.

Photo: Life

Tweets From The RHONJ

Recent tweets about Danielle leaving the RHONJ.

Dina: “Who knows, maybe they will recast everyone, no one's talking about season 3 yet anyway. I'm just happy doing my thing right now.”

Jacqueline: “I won't comment on those recent articles, I'm sorry.”

Danielle: “Actually, I’m not even thinking about season 3 right now as I am considering many incredible options that have been presented to me. Right now I just want to let fans know that we have a fantastic finale coming up next week and explosive reunion shows on August 30 and September 6. Don’t worry next year, I’ll still be the one you either love to hate or hate to love.”