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

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.

Stacie Visits Capitol Hill

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.

Stacie Sits Down With Eric Dyson

Stacie's Home Tour On Shine

Stacie's Bravo Blog

Post from Bravo.

What is Salahi-ism?
By: Stacie Turner

PREFACE: What is Salahi-ism?
(n) 1. a condition of, or pertaining to total self-centeredness; 2. A mental state; characterized by absolute pre-occupation with oneself and/or self-interests. See also: narcissism.

Photo:Bravo

The craziest people in the world, the ones who really do the most damage, ironically, are the same ones who believe that they are completely sane; that it's the rest of us who are crazy!! When their craziness is exposed, they see themselves as the victims, not the offenders. The rules of society that most of us abide by, regardless of culture, are completely irrelevant to the condition of Salahi-ism.

Tareq works extremely hard to convince others that he's the blue-blood Virginia gentleman: Polo player, wine maker, global connoisseur, philanthropist, and overall bon vivant, married to the tall, cute blonde. In HIS mind, he's wealthy, polished and knowledgeable; he's THE winner everyone wants to be. He's "the most interesting man in the world." Michaele is his enabler; she reinforces the crazy and validates the crazy as normal. Together, they are convinced that they are THE couple everyone wants to be around. She has a fancy hotel room key, a white stretch limo, and a horse named Sparkle to prove it. He has Oasis and a dream. Tareq and Michaele are perfect for one another!

"Something about Mary"

We didn't know the Salahis previously. They seemed cool, we shared similar interests, kicked it in Paris; we basically gave them the benefit of the doubt. That was then, this is now. For Jason and me, family is the most important thing in our lives. All jokes stop when dealing with family. Our commitment to our kids, their values and experiences is, like most sane people, our number one priority in life.

So when Tareq launched into a tirade of criminal allegations against Lolly, on national TV no less, we were shocked and horrified at the same time. All we could both think of was how literally sick to our stomachs we would be, if we were in Mary's shoes. All I could imagine was my husband flying across the table and whippin' some a-- if Tareq even thought to say something crazy about our kids. What kind of man attacks a woman, especially without the presence of her man? Like Rich says, there are some SERIOUS man rules being violated here. Rich and Mary are lovely people - and Jason really likes Rich. Both men are so funny and sarcastic - which as Mary says can get on our nerves sometimes...but a man with a sense of humor IS sexy isn't it??

I don't knowingly deal with shady or suspect people; but now finding out about all the people the Salahis have charmed (read: tricked) in recent months (years), all I can say is that the Turners are in good company, and will not be fooled again.

Cat Out of the Bag

I loved the scene with Cat and her kids finding something outrageous to wear to the stuffy healthcare forum. TV could not capture how truly hysterical the moment was when she arrived at the party dressed as Sarah Palin. Too funny! Just what a boring party needs to pep it up. This is a side of Cat's personality that I really like. She is not afraid to do the unexpected - say what's on her mind (i.e. as she shares her opinion on healthcare and Republicans to a Republican). Say it to her face - with no shame. Edwina was so not ready for the directness. I've gotten used to it - and rather like it. In time, I have seen the authentically fun, endearing side of Cat's personality. Now while I still believe that she is impulsively inappropriate in many situations, she is also extremely smart, funny, and deeply sensitive. We can see that the death of her close friend was extremely difficult, especially when Cat is thousands of miles away from her extended support system. My heart really went out to her. I can vouch for the fact that Jade and Ruby are delightful, smart, and highly poised young ladies for their ages.

Still, adult reactions to death and grieving must be hard for an 11 year old to digest...

Lynda - The Southern Baptist Jewish Astrological Love Child

Lynda is a naturally sweet person who genuinely tries to live according to "energy based principles". In fact, I love being in her company because she always exudes such positive energy. I actually wish Jason and I had some of that sage blessing when we first gut renovated our house 10 years ago! I was flattered that Lynda called to talk to me about her plans to purchase a home in Virginia. She called me as a friend first - who happens to know the real estate market. So I felt compelled to express to her my surprise that she was leaving her FAB-U-LOUS condo (can I say huge, waterfront, prime location, amazing views, etc.) to move to the suburbs seemed extreme. I didn't like seeing myself seeming to "bash" Virginia, where I'm a licensed real estate agent. Besides, I grew up in Virginia, love Virginia wine, my hubby is a UVA alum, Aunt Frances is in Virginia - we are VA loving people - we just loving living in the city right now. To be clear: I was not a fan of Virginia for Lynda - knowing her lifestyle and (selfishly) knowing that I would no longer enjoy cocktails on her balcony overlooking the Potomac. Lynda is so connected to the city - running a DC based business and having a very active social and civic life - that I wanted to make sure she had fully thought through the lifestyle changes which are equally important as making a smart investment decision. I am just happy that Lynda and her family are happy - and I know that her new home will be as inviting and warm as the previous. I can't wait for the housewarming party!

I can't leave a Lynda discussion without sharing my thoughts about Lynda and Ebong as a couple. I love low-maintenance people who are happy, which is what comes through when you hang out with them. They have that real, easy, laid back, "love is good" feeling that you can maintain with a boyfriend - she's had enough experience to know a husband is a little more complicated. I love Jason to death, but I am a big fan of her relationship "boot camp" for men idea! Where do I sign him up? Gotta keep your man in shape!!

Real Estate for Dummies

For real, I am no joke when it comes to my real estate practice. I love the benefits of the profession - the freedom of running your own business and unlimited income potential - but it comes with a price.

Any successful agent knows this gig can be tough on family, as I routinely put in 50+ hours per week. I work nights and weekends on the regular - so sadly, I miss many dinners with the family. Sunday brunch after church? I think not - got an open house from 1-4! Needless to say, my time is valuable, and I don't waste a minute of it.

When talking real estate, I draw a thick line between business and personal. As a friend, I can freely give my personal opinion (like saying I don't see the Virginia suburbs for Lynda's lifestyle). As a realtor, my personal opinion doesn't matter; I work to meet my clients'
objectives wherever (i.e. McLean is a great buy). I am always happy to talk to friends and family about real estate matters, but I also recommend caution when considering hiring an agent you know too personally. As a buyer's agent, that friend must be willing to share their most sensitive financial information with you, which can be difficult for some (mission impossible: Salahi). When listing a friend's home, it can be difficult to explain why you think your friend's place isn't anywhere close to what they think it's worth! This is why I am extremely numbers based as a professional - the market dictates value, not your faux-painted accent wall.
I somewhat reluctantly went out house-hunting with Tareq and Michaele. Defunct (but gorgeous) wineries don't generate cash flow. Michaele doesn't come from wealth that I am aware of - so I am SERIOUSLY doubting their money making mojo! An $8 million dollar home? Are you kidding me?

For perspective, a qualified buyer will need proof of income around $2.0 million annually to even entertain a contract. Regardless of price, my serious buyers are prepared, and quickly produce such documents. Know this: your buy/sell agent's market reputation is a BIG factor at the table. People know that my clients can do the deal. I am baffled about what "business" they can work this deal through. Time is money. I don't have time, and now, I don't believe they have money. See "Salahi-ism" above.

Legitimate clients, please go to http://www.stacieturnerhomes.com/. My team and I are at your service.

Facebook Family

Jason promised me years ago, just after my Dad died in 1999, that he was going to find my birth parents for me. I thought that was sweet of him, but did not think much more about it. Of course, in retrospect, I should have known that my husband's resourcefulness, creativity, and love for me would make it happen. The problem with knowledge is that once you have it, you want more of it. And especially when it comes to who I am...who my children are...and those whom I don't know, but whose presence I can sense in some weird way. Jason has been very patient with me over the years of this search. He understands that I want this knowledge more than anything, but that it is also scary as hell to confront a past and future that is totally unclear, and potentially painful.

I was so shocked when Jason discovered my birth mom's son on Facebook. I mean technology is so crazy! Here my birth mom is keeping me from what I feel is MY story, and my blood family! I am so deeply appreciative of her sacrifice...she could have easily aborted me.

That action of carrying me to term says so much about who my birth mother is, and the tough choices she made in a tough period of time in the mid-sixties. The thought of connecting with her son on Facebook seems so devious to me, kind of like I am breaking the "rules" in some major way. Yet, FB is the people connection tool of the 21st century...like me not getting in a car because I might drive past her house (since I know her address, this has crossed my mind). It's crazy how birth-mommy imagination-TV plays in my head. Sometimes the mental show is happy, deeply appreciative to someone I don't know; other times its anger on demand! We'll see what happens with this route...I mean it's just a friend request. He won't even know who I am right?? More than anything, at that time, that day, reaching out on Facebook really shows the urgency, and increasing anger that I feel about getting the full truth - by any means necessary.

Stacie Was Hesitant About Joining The RHODC

Interview from Hope Today magazine.

More Than Just a Housewife Real Housewives of DC: Interview with Stacie Turner
By Tori Griffin

Photo:Stacie Turner

Catfights, shout matches, gossip, slander, and a maxed out credit limit are just a few thoughts that come to mind when one thinks of a housewife. Well, that is if she’s on Bravo. But there’s a new housewife in DC, with class, poise, a career, a perfect family, and the perfect reputation to match. As the only Black woman on the Real Housewives of DC, Stacie Turner holds it down, keeps it real, and keeps the catfights to a minimum, as she juggles her marriage, motherhood, a career, a foundation, and begins the search to find out who she really is. In this candid interview, we see why Stacie Turner is living the Extra-Ordinary Life!

HOPETODAYMAGAZINE.COM: You have a BA from Howard, a Harvard MBA, you’re a successful realtor, you’ve started a foundation; what on earth are you doing on the Real Housewives of DC? What prompted you to be on the show?
Stacie Turner: Like everyone I was very hesitant at first. I received a phone call from producers while on vacation with my family. I initially said no, but they were persistent. After having conversations with them, they said they wanted to do “DC” differently by showing real life experiences and showing women in a positive light. I thought it would bring visibility to my business and to my charity, so I decided to take a chance and take the plunge.
HOPETODAYMAGAZINE.COM: You’re nothing like your Atlanta Housewives counterparts (in terms of the drama that is normally associated with the Housewives franchise)…Were you anxious about being labeled different or less interesting aka boring?
Stacie Turner: I was surprised that Bravo would even have a character like me. Because I was going to stay true myself and true to my life. And there were a lot of things that I’ve seen on other episodes that are not things that I would do. But I think they’re really trying to celebrate the diversity of women and the different lifestyles that are here. So once I saw who the other characters were and how different we were; yet had the same experiences, I thought that would be interesting. Lots of times you don’t have to flip the table to be dramatic. There’s drama in conversations, there’s drama in a purchase, so I was real pleased the producers were open to a different type of drama.

HOPETODAYMAGAZINE.COM: On paper you’re a great role model for black women. How important is it for you to portray that positive image on the show?
Stacie Turner: That was so important to me. I have a daughter, so at the end of the day I want to conduct myself in a way where my daughter would still be proud to call me her mama. So there were boundaries that were set. I also run a charitable organization that is geared towards young women and teenagers in the city, so it was important that I represent myself in a way that is real and positive.

HOPETODAYMAGAZINE.COM: You were adopted by a loving family. Your adoptive parents were black. We don’t often hear about black couples adopting children. Tell us about that experience and how that shaped you.

Stacie Turner: I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones who was adopted as a baby because a lot of the women that I serve in my charity are teenagers and have never been adopted by a family. I believe that women who give their children up for adoption are angels. It’s such a selfless thing to do and it brings so much joy to a family that may not be able to have children. I always knew I was adopted, in fact my parents told me I was more special than the other kids because they chose me. They provided a wonderful life for me. They gave me an education and support. I don’t even think of them as my adoptive parents because they raised me. And the people that raise you are your parents.

HOPETODAYMAGAZINE.COM: You have a foundation, the Extra-Ordinary Life. Tell us about that, what motivated you to start it, and how readers can get involved.

Stacie Turner: My organization is targeted to teen girls in DC who are living in foster care. These are all girls who either don’t not have a permanent home or who don’t have a permanent family. When I think about all the influence my adoptive parents had on my life and all the exposure I had that really shaped the person that I am, and gave me confidence and self-esteem and all the tools to be successful, I wanted to do the same thing for young girls. Through local programs and travel experiences, I ‘ve had the chance to show these girls that the world is their oyster, and inspired them to dream and believe that they can overcome their circumstances and do anything they want to do. For instance, in July I took 8 girls to South Africa for the World Cup. These girls have never been outside of DC before, let alone in another part of the world. You can only imagine how going to a foreign country, with all of the sights, being in a new culture, meeting new people, just expanded their minds in a way that a workshop or a lecture could never do. It was an amazing experience for them and for me. Fortunately BET International took a film crew with us and documented the transformation of the girls and their experiences. Our website is www.extra-ordinarylife.org and you can learn more about the organization there and how to help.

HOPETODAYMAGAZINE.COM: There’s been so much controversy about Michelle Obama’s trip to Spain. The country and the world aren’t used to seeing successful, powerful black women travel like that. Tell us your thoughts on the First Lady, and share some stories where your success/power has been scrutinized.
Stacie Turner: I admire Michelle Obama and the Obama family. Barack Obama is such an intelligent and highly qualified man who’s making such a difference in a company. His wife is such an asset and I really love the fact that they’re a team. I’d vote for Michelle Obama for President. She’s that thorough, that together, that smart, that knowledgeable, I love that they're a strong couple. I love that as First Lady, she’s focusing on new issues like childhood obesity, and I also love that she’s stylish yet real.

HOPETODAYMAGAZINE.COM: How do you juggle the career, motherhood, being wife, the foundation, and the show?
Stacie Turner: I’m trying to keep it all together! What I’ve learned that we’re always striving for balance. And it’s just so impossible. You have to pick what’s the priority. And in my case, family is always priority. At the point when all of my outside stuff starts to infringe on that, I cut things loose. I also surround myself with really good friends and people who are supportive of what we’re doing so I can lean on them and rely on them when things get to be a little bit too much for me to bear alone.

HOPETODAYMAGAZINE.COM: How did you husband feel about you and your family being on the show?
Stacie Turner: I think Jason was more accepting of it then I was initially. He was like “let’s not be scared of it” and I was scared. He made me feel more comfortable about doing it. There’s this perception that cameras are following you 24 hours a day. And it’s not. It’s scheduled based on what you have going on. We were also able to set boundaries around our children, making sure they weren’t interviewed or filmed too often because we want to protect their privacy. Jason was supportive and it was really fun doing it with him. I think that he and I are in more scenes together than any of the other couples on the show, which it made it particularly fun for me.
HOPETODAYMAGAZINE.COM: Who are your role models? Who do you admire?
Stacie Turner: I admire so many people. I really admire people who are not afraid to do the non-conventional. So when I see people who are building houses in Haiti or who are on missions trips to Africa, those are the people I admire. They’re making a difference in the world and they’re not afraid to make it happen. I always believe there’s nothing to it but to do it, so more so than people who are always in the spotlight, I really admire those people who you often don’t hear about that are doing important work and making a difference in the world.

HOPETODAYMAGAZINE.COM: I read that you’re in the process of looking for your biological father. What’s that journey been like?
Stacie Turner: My biological mother will not give me any information on my biological father. So you’ll see that my journey takes me to the Nigerian embassy to begin the search. There’s such a curiosity to know my heritage, not just for me, but for my children. It was really surprising to find that my birth mother is Caucasian and that my birth father is Nigerian. Although I respect the privacy of my birth mother, the fact that my birth father does not know that I exist, it makes me more curious. He should know that, and I should know who he is and we should have the option to decide if we pursue a relationship or not. In the African culture, it is so family-centric; they’re much more accepting of the non-traditional forms of family. There’s polygamy, there’s compounds were multiple families live together. I don’t believe he’ll view me as a negative thing. But I’d like to find that out.

HOPETODAYMAGAZINE.COM: What don’t we know about Stacie (or what gets edited by Bravo) that you’d like for us to know about?
Stacie Turner: So far, I think that Bravo’s done a great job of creating the character that I am. One thing that I’m disappointed in is that out of the many events filmed during the season, one big event that took up the majority of my time was not filmed. That was my big fundraiser for my charity. For instance Mary does fashion shows, and donates a portion of the proceeds to charity. My event was 100% for my charity to launch my organization and unfortunately it was not filmed. I really want people to know that Extra-ordinary life is a huge part of my life and is my passion and you may not get that from the show.

HOPETODAYMAGAZINE.COM: DC is known as Chocolate City, yet you’re the only black woman on the show. What do you think about that?
Stacie Turner: I was surprised that I was the only African American cast. There’s this level of pressure that I really didn’t want to have. I tried my best to make sure that the black experience in DC is represented as best as possible. You’ll get a glimpse of our experiences, and inclusion of my friends. You’ll see more unfold and hopefully we do a good job of showing all lifestyles.

Pop Candy Invited To WWHL

Article from USA Today-Pop Candy.

Photo: Bravo

By: Whitney Matheson

I love visiting TV show sets, because I'm fascinated by how everything works behind the scenes. So even though I'd never seen an episode of Bravo's Watch What Happens: Live all the way through -- it airs too late for my tired eyes -- I eagerly accepted the invite last week.

I'll admit, I watch a few Bravo shows (Top Chef, Work of Art, even some -- ugh -- Housewives). When it comes to actually discussing these reality programs, though, I don't dare ... unless it's with my magical hairdresser, Will.

I brought Will to Watch What Happens, because, mainly, I wanted to watch what happened when he got to shake host Andy Cohen's hand. Here's a rundown of the evening, in case you're another closet fan of Bravo's addictive programming.

Ten things I learned from attending Watch What Happens: Live:

1. This is the tiniest studio ever (next to my bathroom). When Will and I arrived at Embassy Row (the production company behind WWH:L), we expected some sort of lavish surroundings. And while the office itself is pretty spacious, the studio is miniscule. "This is the size of my living room!" Will said. The studio audience consisted of about 15 of us balancing our cocktails on folding chairs.

Photo: Bravo

2. Housewives need their liquor. Did I say cocktails? While there may be a shortage of chairs at this studio, there's certainly no shortage of booze. When you're doing a live show with tense personalities, that's probably a good idea. Or maybe not.

3. "Oh my god, is this a remix of Planet Claire?" Andy Cohen is the senior vice president of production and programming at Bravo. He's also the host of WWH:L and a big music fan. Props to him for recognizing a classic B-52's track within seconds.

4. The set is a re-creation of Andy's living room. Andy told us that if you look carefully at the WWH:L, set, it's a replica of his actual living room at home: the furniture, the books, the tchotchkes, everything. Will and I spotted one particularly awesome item and gasped at the same time. "Did you see that?" I asked. "The BANANA PILLOW!" we said in unison.

5. Andy calls the shots. On a lot of shows, the host is just a host; he/she won't do anything until the director says so. But this is such a small operation -- and Andy has such a powerful position -- that he often makes decisions on the fly about what will happen in certain segment, etc.

6. Celebrities watch Bravo. During the show I saw, supermodel Naomi Campbell called in with a question for the housewives. Andy Cohen was clearly flustered. Afterward, the executive producer said the call was for real; someone had run into Naomi at a party and she admitted she was a big fan of the show.

7. Kids watch Bravo, too. Another guest happened to be this kid named Ben Wiener, a 10-year-old "Real Housewives super-fan." Will and I agreed that Ben was super-cute and seemed very smart, though we shared the concern that his Housewives hobby may be interfering with his schoolwork. I mean, sometimes I wonder if I'm too young to be watching this show.

Photo: Bravo

8. Teresa Giudice likes nachos. The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member requested them while Will and I sampled a dip at a buffet table. For a second I wondered if I may have to make them for her.

9. Teresa has her own makeup artist. He sort of looked like Rip Taylor. (For the record, I like Rip Taylor.)

10. The audience gets no TV time. Will might've been bummed, because he looked ready for his close-up that night. I, on the other hand, was too busy eating the Twizzlers I'd scored from craft services to care about an on-camera moment.

Stacie Shares Her Beauty Secrets

Post from Essence.com.


by Tia Williams

"Real Housewives of D.C." star Stacie Turner visited the ESSENCE.COM offices yesterday, and we all had a blast! We're pleased to report that along with being funny, charming and candid, Turner was drop-dead gorgeous (and tall... who knew?). We couldn't resist asking Bravo's newest reality star to let us in on a few of her beauty secrets...

ESSENCE.COM: We're loving your bronzey gloss! What did you use?

STACIE TURNER: It's a combination of a lipstick and a gloss -- MAC Lipstick in Meltdown, and Laura Mercier Lipgloss in Bronze.

ESSENCE.COM: Is there any one makeup product that's always in your purse?
TURNER: Blotting papers. I don't go anywhere without them. In fact, we had to stop by Sephora to pick some up on the way here!

ESSENCE.COM: Your hair is lighter than it is on the show. Did you just have it done?
TURNER: Yes! The funny thing is, my hair is usually highlighted like this, especially in the summer. I decided the summer's almost over, so I might as well go for it. I go to Bruce Johnson at the Avatar Salon in Silver Spring, MD.

WWHL After Show

Teresa And Stacie On WWHL

Pictures of Stacie and Teresa when they visited Andy on Watch What Happens Live.

Aunt Frances Speaks

Stacie-RHODC Talks About Cat,The Salahi's And Her Birth Mother

Article from Essence.com.

by Hillary Crosley
Last week, "Real Housewives of D.C." cast member Stacie Turner told us about her trip to Paris with her husband. While in France, they met up with the Salahis -- also known as the White House party crashers -- and the couples had a wonderful time.

This week, Stacie chatted with ESSENCE.com about discovering her birth mother, the Salahis, and Catherine "Cat" Ommanney calling herself a racist...

ESSENCE.com: Why did you share such a personal story with Michaele Salahi in Paris about finding your adoptive parents?
STACIE TURNER: We were in Paris with a number of family and friends and I felt comfortable sharing it with Michaele. While in Paris, I saw a different side of her than the other ladies have.

ESSENCE.com: After finding your mother, you realized that your birth was a secret?
TURNER: This search has occurred over a period of eight years, because I wasn't focused on it and needed some medical history. I ended up locating my birth mother and corresponded with her -- the reality is that she has a whole different life now. She's never shared with anyone that she had a child, that's a secret. I contacted her and I have no interest in divulging her secret but I also have the expectation that she would share with me who my birth father is and any information about where I come from. She was unwilling to do that, likely out of fear of her being found out.

ESSENCE.com: Were you hurt that your mother withheld information about your father?
TURNER: I totally took it personally. On one hand, I couldn't be more appreciative that she gave me up for adoption which allowed me to have a better life. But given that it's 40 years later, she should be willing to share some information about my birth father. In this week's episode, I find out that he doesn't even know that I exist. That made me more interested in finding him so we can both decide if we want to have a relationship. A person has the right to know if they have a child or not.

ESSENCE.com: Are you comfortable sharing such a personal struggle with the "Real Housewives of D.C." cameras?
TURNER: I don't have any negative feelings about being adopted, I think it's the most selfless thing that a mother can do and the most loving thing another family could do. My search for my birth parents was something real and was happening at the time of taping. There's no way I could do a reality show about me and not show something that's taking up the lion's share of my time.

ESSENCE.com: During the dinner for Ted the hair stylist, Lynda made a comment about the Supremes and your friend Erika wasn't impressed. What happened?
TURNER: There's always some racial comment being made at these dinners. I think that the ladies are sometimes insensitive about these things. Why, when we talk about integrating salons or the Supremes, do we have to start talking like, 'yeah, girlfriend.

ESSENCE.com: Why does the word "racist" keep popping up with Cat?
TURNER: No one has ever called her racist, she's come up with that on her own. Why are you self-proclaiming yourself a racist if you're not? I'm really sick of it because it's just so silly. However, what was interesting to me was her use of the word "colored." She's British so I don't think that she understands that people would think that that was offensive, but she would if she knew the history around that word and how people fought not to be called that.

ESSENCE.com: What do you think about the Salahis not paying for Paul's party?
TURNER: Oh, that was crazy! I was shocked. That was just so inappropriate, horrible and tacky. Here is where all these conflicting stories pop up about Michaele. If I look at how she has treated Jason and I in Paris, then I hear about her not paying for Paul's party, I start to wonder, who are these people?


ESSENCE.com: What can we expect this week?
TURNER: This week we go to the Oasis winery, owned by Michaele and Tariq, for a grape stomp. It's funny because you can tell that back in its day the winery was a sophisticated operation. It just clearly hasn't been functioning for a couple of years and as a result it's showing neglect. So we're coming to have a grape stomp, but there aren't any grapes on the vine

Stacie's Blog

Stacie's latest blog.

WHEN OPPOSITES ATTRACT
by stacie turner

Before Real Housewives of DC (unlike the other ladies and Paul), Jason and I had never met the Salahis or had any interaction with them personally or professionally. We knew nothing about them: their finances, their history, how they roll, none of that. I suppose we could have “researched” them, but who does that? We don’t.

You can probably tell by now, we love wine. So at Mary’s birthday dinner, when I discovered that the Salahis owned a winery (Oasis), and Tareq proclaimed himself as an “Ambassador” for the Virginia Wine Association, I invited them to visit Sugarleaf Vineyards, owned by our good friends Lauren and Jerry Bias. Every fall, they host friends and family for a harvest party on their 130 acre vineyard outside Charlottesville, Virginia. We take the kids down for tractor rides, great food, and for the adults – wine sippin’ all day (no driving). To be clear, all this happened WAY BEFORE the White House dinner incident – (so no, Jason and I are not that crazy). Make no mistake: Sugarleaf Vineyards (unlike the now defunct Oasis) is LEGIT. Their wine was selected and served by the White House at this year’s Governor’s Ball!

In retrospect, I wonder if the Salahis were expecting a red carpet affair at Sugarleaf, because they rolled up in a big white stretch limo, dressed to the “nines”. We, on the other hand, were chilling in jeans—after all, we’re in a vineyard in the mountains, tossing balls around with the kids and making sure they stay out of the lake. Besides looking like they were at a movie premiere, Tareq and Michaele were gracious to our friends. They brought a bottle of Oasis wine to share and really seemed to enjoy both the visit and the Sugarleaf wines.

While strolling among the vines, I mentioned that we were going to Paris in a few days and flippantly said, “you should go” (Big Ballers). Jason’s brother Adam, aka Beat Assailant (B.A.), has lived in France over 10 years where he is a hip-hop sensation (who knew the French loved rap music? It’s the biggest market after the U.S.). He was dropping his 3rd album, celebrating a hit single called “Spy” and headlining a sold-out concert at the historic Elysee Montmartre! Truth be told, I seriously didn’t think that anyone would book a trip to Paris with 72 hrs notice for a concert (except maybe to see Prince or Bono). Jason and I actually work every day (and have children to consider), so we have to plan these things in advance. Apparently, a quick jaunt to France was no biggie to the Salahis!
We did not talk to the Salahis after the vineyard visit–so imagine my surprise when we received a 7:00 am call at our hotel in Paris from Michaele —“Hi Love…we’re here”. WHAT? WOW. So I can vouch for the fact that the Salahis are spontaneous and will “jet set” for fun. And–they didn’t crash Paris. While I certainly don’t agree with their decisions (and behavior) of late, I can say that they have been nothing but nice towards Jason and me from the outset. We drank Dom Perignon on the balcony of their lavish suite (overlooking Place Vendome) and danced like fools at the concert to 5 encores!
Personally, I SO admire people like Jerry, Lauren and Adam who follow their passions, conquer their fears and go for it! Jerry Bias wanted to create great wine so he bought land and a grape vine and started his vineyard from scratch. Do you know how hard that is to do?!?! Adam/Beat Assailant — moved to Paris to pursue his music career—not knowing a soul in the business or a lick of French. Ten years later, he is a recognized name there, is fluent in French, and has produced three popular albums! What was also cool (that you didn’t see on TV)–was our family dinner in Paris at Jason’s cousin Charmaine’s flat. We had a big contingent of family and friends join us to celebrate. It was so nice to gather with my other family—even a million miles away from home.

Perhaps the atmosphere of family on that trip compelled me to share with Michaele, a journey I’ve been on for the past 9 years. It wasn’t until my parents were deceased and I had a medical need to know my birth history while pregnant, that I became curious about finding my birth parents. This led me to discover that I am bi-racial with a Nigerian father! Imagine my surprise to find out that I am AFRICAN American with a nuclear family connection to Africa — but it also opened a door and a deep desire to know my roots and heritage, not just for me but also for my children.

In sharing this story, for the first time, I saw a “different side” to Michaele. A calmer, more engaged, more down to earth side. The only catalyst I can point out to explain the difference is that she was alone (no Tareq –for the first time, ever!). So I saw a glimpse of “that girl”, originally known as “Missy”. The girl that Lynda and Mary remember (and liked) from “back in the day”. I don’t really know who the infamous Salahis are now without their media costume. We will find out together as the show progresses. Earth to Missy?…….

Sunday Dinner With Aunt Frances

Go HERE to get Aunt France's recipes from last weeks RHODC Sunday dinner segment.

Stacie-RHODC Talks About Aunt Frances,South Africa And Cat

Q&A from The Washingtonian.

From South Africa to Northwest
By Alyssa Rosenberg

When Washingtonian.com last caught up with Stacie Turner, it was at the party sending her, and a group of young Washington women in foster care, off to South Africa as part of Turner's Extra-Ordinary Life charity, inspired by her own youthful experience in the city's foster care system. Since she got back, Tuner's been caught up in the whirlwind of promotion for the Real Housewives of Washington, DC. But we talked on Wednesday about her Aunt Frances' now-famous hospitality, the tension between her and Cat Ommanney that's marked the first two episodes, and who Turner and her husband are backing in this year's hotly-contested District Mayoral race. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

First off, I wanted to ask, how was the trip to South Africa?
It was phenomenal. It is just amazing how the girls just blossomed, from the time we got there to the time that we left. I think they had an amazing experience. And what I loved is that we really got a real experience. We got everything from the poorest of shantytowns, we really interacted with the people, and it just gave them a perspective that I think exceeded any of their expectations, I know it exceeded mine.

You’ve come back from that amazing trip and that amazing experience to the premiere of the show. How has it been seeing yourself on camera?
It has been bananas. The whole experience for me has been surreal, starting when we went on the publicity tour, and were out in LA, doing red-carpet events with all the NBC Universal shows, to going to New York and being on the Today Show and the View. These are all things I have watched as a viewer and thought were so cool, and it’s me, doing it. It’s been a lot of fun. The response to the show among fans in DC and even outside of the city has been tremendous. I’m excited about it.

One thing I’ve enjoyed about watching you on the show is you’ve been bringing the other women and the audience, by extension, into your personal Washington, your home. Was it scary at all to open that up for cameras and people you were getting to know? And what’s it like seeing those events on screen?
It was scary. Your home is your more personal place, and what if people don’t like it? I’m sensitive, too, and I’ve found you just have to develop a thick skin. I also wanted to protect some of the boundaries and the privacy of the people closest to me, because I made the decision to be on the show, and by default, they are involved as well. So far it has not been overwhelming, or overwhelmingly intrusive.
I want to talk more about Aunt Frances, because she is a born reality star. Did she get a huge kick out of that?
Aunt Frances is my godmother, and for my entire life, since I was a little girl, I have been going there after school, and especially on Sunday for Sunday dinner. What people love so much about Aunt Frances’ is there are no fancy pretenses there, everybody is welcome. You can really tell the pride and the satisfaction she gets from opening up her home. She has a reputation for good food and hospitality that stretches far and wide.

How did she react when you asked if you could bring the lady and the camera crew by. Was that something she was into?
Aunt Frances was in her eighties, so when she told her friends that we were coming, and the cameras were coming, it was a big event in her life. She was insisting that the crews eat, and that everyone eat. It never matters how many people, who the people are, the more the merrier. It was fun for her.

One thing that’s been a theme for the first two episodes is it looks like you and Cat aren’t getting along that well. Do you feel like the two of you came out of it all right?
Cat just has a style that’s very different from mine. When you don’t know someone, than many times, their wit and their candor can be taken as rudeness and being impolite which was definitely how I felt in the first two episodes, particularly the second episode, when I know my family is opening their home out of love. I don’t care if the wine is vinegar, you just don’t say it. But you’ll see our relationship evolve throughout the season. Cat’s very nice. She’s often misunderstood. And now having gotten to know her, I find her candor very refreshing.
It also seems like she’s going through some difficult things in her life (Ommanney has since split from her husband), and I don’t know if that’s influenced how she was behaving.
She is the perfect example of how you never know what’s going on in someone’s private life, which might cause them to act in a particular way. I ahve learned that there were things that were going on behind the scenes in her storyline, since we taped separately, that give me just a little bit more understanding.

You’re the only African-American cast members on the show, you live in DC, a lot of women live in the suburbs. What was it like getting those women together?
I think that I was able to introduce the ladies to some experiences that are different than what they’re accustomed to. Definitely, Aunt Frances’ was different for everyone, but it seems like everyone enjoyed it, except for Cat. My brother-in-law is a big hip-hop artist in France, and Salahis went to Paris, so that introduced them to something new. We have a scene later on in the series where we have a party at Ben’s Chili Bowl, and a number of the ladies had never been to Ben’s Chili Bowl before.

And speaking of DC and politics, what do you guys think of the upcoming Mayor’s race?
Ooh, this race is tough! We have been supporters of Mayor Fenty since he was the councilperson for Ward 4, and so we think he’s done a really good job for the city. I definitely believe the city is better today than it was four years ago, and I’ve been particularly impressed by the development that’s happened with the recreation centers and the libraries in areas of the city that had not had any investment for several years. And because I have young children, all of the attention that’s being put on the public school system is important. I think he’s focused on the right things. I’ve admired Councilmember Gray over the years. I think he’s provided strong, solid leadership to the city council, and he definitely knows the city and has been involved for a number of years. So I think this race is going to be really tight.

Michaele Gives Us Her Opinion On The Other Housewives

Post from Radar Online.

WireImage/Fame Photo

Michaele Salahi, the world’s most infamous ‘gatecrasher’ and star of Bravo’s Real Housewives of D.C., is responding to claims she is anorexic — and has her co-stars in her sights.

Proving the pen in mightier than the sword, the over-the-top blonde has penned a brutal blog in which she dissects a number of her co-stars and provides a cutting assessment of arch-rival Lynda Erkiletian, who has accused Michaele of being paper-like thin.
“Lynda takes pleasure in tearing down other women, which I think is wrong,” Michaele wrote on her website, adding she is “sick of her not being up front and talking behind my back”.

While Lynda admits she's had worries about costar Michaele’s health, the D.C. Housewife insisted last week she has never called Salahi anorexic.

"At the beginning of filming, when I would see her I felt that she had lost a lot of weight and I was genuinely concerned," Lynda said.
"As a [modeling] agent, I don't ever use the A-word, which she's been parading around and making up and the media has picked up on. I know better."
But according to Michaele, Lynda -- who she met 15 years ago when working as a make-up artist -- is obsessed with her former pal turned foe’s weight.

“Lynda, as seen in episode one and again in this episode, continued with her obsessive behavior, ranting and raging about my weight... good grief,” Michaele wrote.
“Who cares what size I am?”

Said Michaele, “I have tried my best to teach Lynda that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes -- and shines from within.

“I have repeatedly forgiven Lynda for her anger and hate, and have moved forward. Girls need to celebrate one another and build each other up. Life is hard enough!”

Michaele also took aim at co-stars Catherine Ommanney and Mary Schmidt Amons, who visited the Salahis now closed winery for a polo lesson under the tutelage of husband Tareq, during the most recent episode.

As Mary arrived, clearly bemused, she said "we were told the dress code was going to be jeans" when she realized Michaele had dressed up in riding chaps for the occasion.

According to Michaele, both Catherine and Mary “are always the type of women who have to wear what I wear”.

“Silly really,” she wrote.

“Cat and Mary decided that they wanted to be a little sarcastic about my attire - they were upset that they were in jeans and I was wearing riding pants.

“I am married to a polo player - of course I wear riding pants.”

As for Mary, a second generation Washingtonian who spent summers at the Kennedy residences as a child, Michaele noted: “It was a dream for Mary to get involved in our world and to be included in the polo and the wine community.”

Stacie-RHODC Talks About Episode #2-RHODC

Post from The Buzz Cincy.

By: MusicJunkie

Stacie Turner, the only African-American woman on the must-watch “Real Housewives of DC”, sent HelloBeautiful.com this exclusive video blog speaking on the dramatic second episode of the hit show.

If you missed last night’s episode, Stacie invited the wives over for dinner at her Aunt Francis’ house and let’s just say things did not go as planned. In this video, Stacie gives us a little bit of her history: her mom died when she was 13 and Aunt Francis who is her godmother practically raised her and has fed the neighborhood for over 43 years.

Stacie-RHODC Talks To ESSENCE Magazine

Article from ESSENCE.COM.

by Hillary Crosley
Last week we introduced Stacie Scott Turner, the one African-American housewife on Bravo's "Real Housewives of D.C." Stacie discussed growing up as an adopted child and how her experience inspired her to begin the charity Extra-Ordinary Life, which helps teen girls who are foster children in our nation's capital to think beyond their circumstances.

This week, ESSENCE.com chatted with Stacie about the "Real Housewives of D.C." debut, her first impression of castmates Mary Schmidt Amons, Catherine "Cat" Ommanney and Michaele Salahi, and where all the Black folks are on "Real Housewives of D.C."

ESSENCE.com: How was your appearance on "The View" last week with the cast of "Real Housewives of D.C."?
STACIE SCOTT TURNER: It was great, we had dressing rooms with our names on them! That was an experience!

ESSENCE.com: Speaking of, what happened with the Whoopi Goldberg vs. White House party crasher-cum-"Real Housewife of D.C." Michaele Salahi scuffle? Michaele said Whoopi hit her, but then the talk show host denied it on "The View" the next morning?
TURNER: That is so unfortunate because I'm a Whoopi fan.

ESSENCE.com: On a lighter note, are fans recognizing you on the street after the debut of "Real Housewives of D.C."?
TURNER: A few have and it seems like viewers have really tuned into the stories of the "Real Housewives of D.C." and people are excited about it from the comments we've been getting from people.

ESSENCE.com: Let's talk about Cat's hating on Tyra Banks because you seemed to be personally offended by her saying that Tyra is not her favorite person.
TURNER: The episode with Cat was the first time that she and I had intersected socially. So I'd invited Mary to my house and I invited Cat too because I wanted to get to know her. It was really about a first-time guest coming to your home and I was a little bit taken aback by how outspoken she was and how she was so negative about people that I think highly of. I perceived it as completely rude and off-putting for the first time you're meeting someone. It's interesting that if you look at it, what was driving her opinion was a personal disappointment and love for her husband. Of course if your husband is doing something great, you want everyone to support him, even the President of the United States! Nothing should be more important than his event, so as a wife and lover of my husband, I could see where she was coming from.

ESSENCE.com: So Cat seemingly discrediting Obama, was more about Bush RSVPing to her wedding rather that Cat supporting Bush in your home as an Obama-supporter?
TURNER: I think that it was hurt feelings. Her husband is a White House photographer and he's taken a number of really memorable photos of Obama that have been plastered all over the place and the papers. So they're clearly supporters of Obama and it surely wouldn't make sense to speak negatively about him if he's your husband's employer, so there has to be more to it.

ESSENCE.com: How about Mary Schmidt Amons supporting Black and White unity through "integrated" hair salons?
TURNER: That was Mary having a good time at her birthday party and celebrating her day with plenty of champagne.

ESSENCE.com: Birthday or not, we were wondering exactly what she was talking about. Obama in the White House means we should all get perms together?
TURNER: Ha! That's what I was thinking when I was looking at her, 'what are you thinking?'

ESSENCE.com: Many of our readers, both on Facebook and ESSENCE.com, wondered since Washington D.C. is the "Chocolate City," where are the rest of the Black folks? Besides your girl Shirley, of course.
TURNER: That's so funny that people recognized Shirley! She's my hair dresser and a well-known stylist here in D.C. You'll see Black people throughout the series and as the only African-American housewife, I know everybody is wondering if there's any diversity, are there any Black people represented on the show? There are throughout the story because my world has a number of Black people in my circle and certainly with my friends and family, so don't worry.

ESSENCE.com: What can we anticipate in this week's episode of "Real Housewives of D.C."?
STACIE SCOTT TURNER: This week we're going to Paul Wharton's birthday party and we're going to have a soulfood dinner at Aunt Francis' house in Virginia. This one's fun because you get a glimpse of my family and I believe you really get to know a person once you meet their family and see where they come from. I believe that the ladies also go horseback riding with the Salahi's because Michaele gets a new horse.

Cat And Stacie RHODC Have Become Closer

Post from TV Guide.

by Denise Martin

It had been a long day of hyping their new Bravo series, and The Real Housewives of Washington, D.C.'s Catherine "Cat" Ommanney desperately wanted to change the subject from co-star and alleged White House party crasher Michaele Salahi.

She and her castmates — Stacie Turner, Mary Amons, and Lynda Erkiletian — had been asked quite enough about Salahi, thank you very much. (Salahi was absent during this chat two weeks ago, later explaining to TVGuide.com that she and husband Tareq had been busy hiring a lawyer, Lisa Bloom — and just in time, it seems.) Ommanney instead wanted to focus on the premiere, and specifically the questions she was fielding about her tirade against Tyra Banks and President Barack Obama. Indeed, last week's series opener had more than a few racially charged moments.

There was Amons' tipsy, drawn-out declaration that black and white women should be going to the same D.C. hair salons — "I had been drinking," she said during the group interview— followed by Ommanney's dismissals of Banks and President Obama.

Banks, Ommanney said in the episode, thinks she's "the most important woman on the planet ... beautiful but hideous."
And Obama, well, he didn't show up to her soon-to-be ex-husband's award ceremony and that didn't sit well with Ommanney. Photographer Charles Ommanney was feted last year by the White House News Photographers Association for his shot of Obama moments before he would be sworn in as president. "I'm sorry, I've been really impressed by you and all the hope you've given America, but you know what, Obama, you've just gone down in my estimation," she said.
Turner, the D.C. edition's "grounded" housewife, defended Ommanney. "I thought the scene with Cat and I was a little amplified and made to have a racial undertone to it, which really didn't exist when it happened," Turner said. "The reason we're reacting like this is because every single reporter has brought up the exchange between Cat and I — when it was happening, it was more of a healthy disagreement."
"In Washington, there are many different opinions." Amons added.

"The fact that I was putting Tyra Banks down and mildly disappointed with Obama, it has nothing to do with color," Ommanney said. "It just happened to be two people I mentioned on the same night. I despise racism and sexism."

The Real Housewives of Washington, D.C.: Power players? Get real!

Ommanney — who split with her husband after the show stopped filming — said that as "the shocking Brit" she's probably "too outspoken, but Stacie now says I'm quite refreshing."
Turner said the two have since become close. "If she did that today, I'd be like, 'Yeah, Cat, whatever.'"
Erkiletian acknowledged that they all want their show to be a hit — no matter the cost.

"There's always something that's going to be pulled for each episode, and we can only hope that it's interesting enough that people want to keep watching — whether it's true or misconstrued," Erkiletian said. "The fact is we want our show to be a success."

Stacie Turner Will Not Act Like A Fool On The RHODC

Post from Hollywood Life.

By: Lindsey DiMattina
Stacie doesn’t want to be like any of the other Housewives — drama doesn’t go hand-in-hand with her nickname as the “diplomat!”

Image is very important for The Real Housewives of Washington D.C. star Stacie Scott Turner. She wants the world (and her kids) to see her as the the politically correct member of the cast. “I have small kids,” Stacie told HollywoodLife.com exclusively Aug. 5 at the Real Housewives of D.C. premiere after party at Buddha Bar. “I can’t be out there acting a fool. I don’t want them thinking badly of their mama.”

“I think about that in all the scenes we do,” Stacie explained. “I am always labeled the diplomat. I try to be [agreeable]. We’re grown women and I don’t have time for little petty stuff. … I felt like I was relatively unscathed [by my]” portrayal on the show. They really showed my reality. So far, I think it’s reflective of the work that we did.”

But even though Stacie acts as the mediator among the other D.C. Housewives, she admits this isn’t the most appealing role. “I don’t necessarily want to mediate,” Stacie said. “I have so much going on in my life, I don’t have time to be in the middle.”

Stacie’s also adjusting to life in the spotlight. “I’ve had a hundred interviews in the last seven days,” Stacie said. “Being on The View — The View and the Today Show are my two favorite shows — we’re like kids. We had a dressing room with our names on it and we were taking pictures. All of this is new and surreal! … It was just weird. Seeing it on TV and seeing other people’s reactions — we are like ‘Wow, wow WOO!’”

Hopefully for Stacie’s sake, Bravo continues to portray her as the “diplomat” of the show, because she doesn’t want to embarrass her family and friends!