Celebuzz.com:
At 41, Dina Manzo is reinventing herself.RELATED: Dina Manzo Separates From Husband: 34 Other 'Real Housewives' Who Have Divorced
After a brief stint as one of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, Manzo has landed the role of Allessandra on NYC Brand Productions’ soap-within-a-soap dramedy Tainted Dreams, news that Celebuzz broke exclusively last week.
In preparation for the new gig, Celebuzz spoke to the Jersey wife about her future endeavor, including how she got the gig in the first place.
Of course, we also had to dig a little into her past with the hit Bravo series — specifically her relationship with the infamous Teresa Giudice. (Yes, they’re good friends!) Have a look at the full interview, below.
How did your role as Allessandra DiGiacomo on Tainted Dreams come about?
I’m a friend of [the creator] Sonia Blangiardo, and we’ve worked together before. I also worked with [My Big Gay Italian Wedding star] Anthony Wilkinson, who is playing my brother on the series. Anthony and I have a natural chemistry together, so Sonia picked up on that and wrote the role with me in my mind — which is funny because my character is kind of a bitch! [Laughs] But I think she’s a bitch with a good heart.
Would that describe you?
[Laughs] When I’m at work, I can definitely get my b**** on. It’s going to be fun.
Have you acted before? And, if so, how cool is it that your first role was written specifically with you in mind?
I have not acted before. This is my first official acting gig, so I’m very excited. As a little girl, I wanted to be a back-up singer. I never wanted to be in the spotlight but I knew I wanted to be a part of it. So, I either wanted that or to be on a soap opera. I would have loved to have been a [recurring or supporting] player on All My Children or One Life to Live, so I could just be a part of Erica Kane or Viki Lord’s lives, [respectively]. And now it’s happening!
Not a lot of reality TV stars have successfully traversed into the acting world — with the exception of Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes. Are you worried that all eyes are going to be on you?
No! I’m totally excited. I just turned 40, so I’m all about experiencing new things that I’ve never done and cross some stuff off my bucket list. The only thing weighing on my mind is memorizing all that dialogue, but other than that I’m excited to dive into something new.
Is acting a new long-term career goal?
I don’t know. What’s funny is that NeNe always wanted to pursue an acting career. For me, [this role] just came to up. Once I get into it, I’ll see if I like it and, if I do, I’ll pursue it. I love and respect the whole industry from production to the writing. Even with my own show, I’m fascinated with the production realm of it all.
We really admired you for leaving Real Housewives of New Jersey; it was a very brave move. Do you regret leaving? Or are you happy you invested in your own catharsis by focusing on your real, not reel, life?
I don’t regret it, and I’m so happy I did leave. I had to be true to myself. Everyone thought I was crazy walking away from a super-successful show, and all the red carpets you’re invited to. But it wasn’t me. I wasn’t going home from work every day happy — and that, to me, is very important. I have my own show now on HGTV [Dina's Party]; I’m starring on Tainted Dreams; and my charity, Lady Bug, is nationwide and very successful.
Having said that, I want to also add that I do not regret ever being a part of Real Housewives because the show has made [everything] all possible. I’m not thrilled with what the show did with my relationships with a few of my family members, but I’m confident one day when the show is over, we’ll be back to normal. We’re waiting to see this pass.
It was nice, albeit shocking, to see you back on the series this past season. Were you nervous — even though you only appeared in a few party scenes?
I was super-nervous! I had my reasons, which I will keep to myself. It had nothing to do with anything happening on Housewives; it had to do with my foundation, LadyBug. I do support Teresa [Giudice] behind the scenes. I mean, I go to all of her events. I had asked [the producers] not to mic me, but one thing led to another, and when you drink you some Fabellini, well, one thing leads to another. [Laughs] It is what it is, and I can’t do anything about it now. In hindsight, I would have gone to support Teresa, but I would’ve refused to wear a mic because they did twist my words.
Are you surprised you and Teresa are friends? Do you think Teresa is misunderstood? We liked the Teresa we saw on Celebrity Apprentice.
I’ve known Teresa for over 15 years, and the Teresa I know is the one I saw on Celebrity Apprentice. Housewives is somewhat produced and — I hate to say it — set up to put you in a [contrived] situation you normally wouldn’t put yourself in. Would I go to a dinner with Danielle Staub? No, but I had to [contractually] attend that dinner. The Teresa I know is misunderstood. She is somewhat quiet. She’ll go out and have fun with you, but, in 15 years of knowing her, I have never seen her flip a table before. I have never seen an ounce of a temper from Teresa. In these Housewives situations, it brings out the worst and the best in people. There’s a log of egging on behind the scenes.
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