Caroline Manzo Talks Getting Real In New Book

Salon.com:

For all the table-flipping, name-calling and screaming on Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” there is a voice of reason among the cast. That belongs to Caroline Manzo, a straight shooter, happily married mother of three grown children.

Manzo can get worked up on the show, and she certainly holds her own in a battle, but for the most part, she seems irritated, if not bored, by the drama among her cast mates. One thing is evident: When Manzo speaks, everyone listens.

The 51-year-old reality star has expanded on her no-nonsense approach to life with a new book, “Let Me Tell You Something: Life as a Real Housewife, Tough-Love Mother, and Street-Smart Businesswoman,” written with Kevin Dickson and published by It Books.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Manzo talked about her book, family life and reality TV.
AP: Why did you decide to write a book?

Manzo: I got the idea from the viewers. They ask me the same questions over and over again, and it’s, ‘How do you manage to have three great children? How do you manage to have a close family, long marriage, happy marriage, backbone? How is it being in the public eye?’ … All I can say is what I’ve done in my life and that for me was the best way to answer the questions through little anecdotes about my life.

AP: You can tell on the show that you’re very close with your family. Did you notice right away that people were very interested in knowing how you achieved that?

Manzo: To this very moment I’m puzzled by the reaction to me and my family because I’m finding more and more that people find it unusual and it should be normal and that’s what puzzles me. Why am I unusual? Why is my bond with my children abnormal? And that’s what I find interesting.

AP: Why do you think so many people feel disconnected from their families?

Manzo: I think today a lot of parents worry that you lose ‘my time.’ You kind of lost that when you decided to become a parent. I always say you can’t press rewind. When you make the decision to become a parent, you have to dedicate pretty much your life, or a good portion of it, to that child. ‘Listen, I worked all day with this kid, when the husband comes home, it’s your turn, I don’t want to be bothered with the baby anymore.’ What? What? Doesn’t work like that. And I think that’s where the disconnect comes from, because most parents today see it as a chore. It’s a blessing, it’s not a chore.

AP: This book isn’t a tell-all. Did some people think you should make it one?

Manzo: There are some people along the way that said, ‘It would sell more copies.’ Well, that to me is not success. I want the book to sell because people want to hear what I had to say about things and are truly interested in learning about me and my family and the process of being on ‘Housewives,’ which I talk about.

I don’t bash anyone. I tell little behind-the-scenes anecdotes about ‘Housewives.’ To say that something is a success because you were negative about somebody is not the way I operate.

AP: Do you feel you’ve learned anything about yourself watching yourself on TV?

Manzo: The greatest gift in the world is to see yourself on reality TV. Everybody says, ‘Oh, gee, I hate my voice! Oh my God, I’m so fat!’ You know, beyond that, you learn tolerance and acceptance and things like that and you learn to look at yourself and say, ‘Gee, I could fix that about myself because it’s just not cool.’ So sure, I’ve had a lot of lessons throughout the five years of being on television and in the public eye. And I’m grateful for it. You know, there were moments that I wanted to crawl under the covers and just die, but you know, so what? OK, I’m still here, it’s OK.

AP: Viewers who watch “Real Housewives” think they know you because it’s a reality show. Do they really?

Manzo: I would say the viewers have a pretty good handle of who we are as people. However, you don’t know all sides of us. We are each multifaceted individuals, so you see one angle of us, you don’t see everything.

AP: What can we expect from the upcoming fifth season of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey”?

Manzo: This season gives you everything you want and more. We top it every year. I think this season is gonna give everybody what they’re looking for. If you’re looking for peace, there will be peace; if you’re looking for fighting, you’re gonna have fighting. You want to laugh? Laugh. You want to cry? Cry. There’s a little bit of everything.

RELATED:  Caroline Manzo Is Really Excited About New Season Of 'RHONJ' On 'Watch What Happens: Live' (VIDEO)

Vicki Gunvalson Talks Show Secrets and Season 8 of Real Housewives of Orange County

FOXNews.com:

On an unusually dreary day in Orange County earlier this month, inside a soundstage situated between a furniture outlet and a mattress store, the excitable insurance agent is perched on a chair in front of a green screen spilling her guts out to a camera — well, a producer sitting beside a camera.

Nothing is off limits: her divorce, finances, fights with her children, her relationship with God, you name it.

Of course, opening herself up for the world to see — and judge — has become second nature to the reigning queen of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Orange County," which begins its eighth season Monday. Most of Gunvalson's life has been proudly captured by reality TV cameras since 2006, back when Anna Nicole Smith was still alive and tweeting was still for the birds.

It's Gunvalson's new reality. Over the past eight years, she's remained the one constant in "The Real Housewives" universe, which now includes editions in New York, Atlanta, New Jersey, Miami and Beverly Hills, as well as international versions in places like Canada, Ireland and Australia.

While the rest of the inaugural "Orange County" ensemble moved on or wasn't asked back or whatever, and others have come and gone, Gunvalson stuck with the show, and the show stuck with Gunvalson. Why has she continued to allow reality TV cameras to document so much of her personal life?

"I have a sense of responsibility," she says following her on-camera therapy session. "I would've been (expletive) at myself if I backed out of season five or six and saw the success of the franchise keep going, and I elected to pull back because I couldn't handle it anymore. There's nothing I can't handle. I just have to figure out a way not to crumble when times get tough when I'm doing this."

When she debuted on the first season of "The Real Housewives," the 42-year-old Gunvalson was married with two teenagers and sold insurance from home. She's now a 51-year-old first-time grandmother with her own insurance company and 12 employees. She's also still trudging through a drawn-out divorce.

Sure, Gunvalson wishes she would have said and done some things differently over the years, but she has no regrets. In the same breath, she can blame the experience for the collapse of her marriage but praise it for giving her more confidence across all aspects of her life.

"The Real Housewives of Orange County" creator Scott Donlop, who cast Gunvalson for the series, remembers her apprehension about joining the show like it was yesterday. At that point, nobody had any inkling "The Real Housewives" would last for eight seasons, let alone ignite a cultural phenomenon.

"I remember sitting in Vicki's dining room with her then-husband Donn and her asking me, 'Why would you put me on a television show? I don't know anything about television,'" says Donlop. "She kept asking me, 'What are we going to do!?'"

"The Real Housewives of Orange County" was originally marketed as a reality TV take on "Desperate Housewives" set behind the gates of Coto de Caza, a ritzy private gated community in Orange County, Calif. The show began as more of an aspirational suburban anthropological experiment than the secret-spilling, cheek-kissing, wine-tossing, trip-taking, Bunco-playing soap opera that it's known as today.

The behind-the-gates conceit was mostly abandoned by the third season with the addition of outspoken real estate agent Tamra Barney, who lived outside Coto. Over the course of filming the show, Barney and Gunvalson became besties — on and off camera — but their degrading friendship was a pivotal plot point during the seventh season, an experience that reshaped how Gunvalson approached filming the eighth season.

"The reality is when we're not filming, we're not hanging out together," says Gunvalson. "We're not going on vacations together. I really had to separate my on-camera friends from my off-camera friends. That's helped me get through the uncomfortable times."

Later this year, "The Real Housewives of Orange County" will reach a TV milestone: its 100th episode. Gunvalson has been there for all of 'em. To mark the occasion, Bravo is planning a standalone two-hour special that will pull back the curtain on the series and revisit past cast members.

"There's a lot of people who have been on the show," said Shari Levine, Bravo's senior vice president of original programming. "The cast has changed over the years. People's lives have changed. It's interesting to be reflective. We're not usually reflective. It's an opportunity to do that."

While much of the show's veneer has been wiped away in recent years by tabloids, social media, talk shows and a savvy viewing public, that hasn't deterred viewership. The seventh seven, which added eye-rolling actress and plastic surgeon's wife Heather Dubrow to the mix, averaged 2.8 million viewers and was the highest rated season among younger audiences.

"The show is like a Venn diagram," says Dubrow. "You have the show, reality and the show's reality intersecting. It really does exist on three different planes, so to be doing an interview breaking down the fourth wall (for the 100th episode) was a little surreal."

Before the special airs on Bravo later this season, the eighth installment of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" fires up Monday with Dubrow preparing to host a clam bake, Barney adjusting to life with her finance and Gunvalson becoming a grandmother.

Gunvalson isn't sure if the network will invite her back to yelp her signature "WOO HOO!" for a ninth season. She's game, but she's at peace knowing the cameras will eventually go away.

"There will be a day when the curtains close or Bravo tells me they're going with a younger crowd or that I don't have a story anymore," she says. "I don't believe I'll never not have a story. I'm Vicki Gunvalson. I'm not boring. I'm always juggling 900 things at once. There's going to be a story. The question is does Bravo want it? That's their choice." 

RELATED:  Goodbye Miss Piggy, Hello Miss Plastic Surgery! Vicki Gunvalson Undergoes Dramatic Surgical Makeover

This Time Brandi Glanville Makes Kyle Richards Cry With Heartless Remark: ‘That’s The Meanest Thing You Could Say!’

Brandi Glanville is a cancer:

Kyle Richards breaks down crying in part two of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion special, which airs next Monday on Bravo, after Brandi Glanville makes a heartless comment about Kim Richards’  alcoholism, and RadarOnline.com has the shocking clip.

During the explosive reunion, Brandi accused Kyle of “always doubting Kim’s sobriety, and I almost feel like it would make her happy if she failed.”

At that point, as the other ladies attempt to interject their opinion, Kyle, visibly upset by the remark, barked: “Hold on, I’m going to speak here.

“You know NOTHING about my history of what I’ve gone through with my sister, or anything about us,” Kyle said, now crying.

“I’ve spent every (bleep) night of my life… every single night saying a prayer to God to keep my sister sober. First to get her sober, and now to keep her sober. That is the MEANEST thing you could say,” she continued.

“I’m not trying to be mean,” Brandi replied.

“Well it is!,” Kyle snapped back.

Brandi then attempts to defend herself by saying, “All I’m saying is that when I watch it back, every time, it seems everyone’s rooting for Kim, and Kyle’s like…”

“No one is rooting for my sister more than me,” Kyle said.

This is not the first time Brandi and Kyle have found themselves at odds with each other. As we previously reported, Kyle recently called Brandi “disgusting” for calling her fellow Real Housewives the “c-word.”

Part two of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion special airs next Monday, April 1 at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.

RELATED: Kyle Richards Reflects on "Real Housewives," Adrienne Maloof's Departure

NeNe Leakes and Kim Zolciak End Their Epic Feud

EOnline.com:

Quick, look out your windows, because pigs might be flying!

NeNe Leakes and Kim Zolciak have officially ended one of the Real Housewives franchise's most infamous and epic feuds!

The ladies, who starred on The Real Housewives of Atlanta together before Zolciak left in season five, have buried the hatchet after years of public feuding, which was prominently featured on the Bravo reality hit. (Leakes once accused Zolciak of being a racist, while Zolciak called Leakes "a moose.")

Of course, the New Normal star and the "Tardy for the Party" singer were quick to share the news of their reconciliation on Twitter.

Leakes posted that she was in tears after making up with her former BFF and learning that Zolciak's 16-year-old daughter was following her on the social media site. "Just had the best chat wit @Kimzolciak!"

Leakes wrote. "Now I see @BrielleZolciak is following me! I just pulled off the road 2 cry. This is 2 much."

Zolciak also tweeted about their makeup session, saying, "My heart is at such peace @neneleakes best chat ever! See u soon! #onwardandupward."

Oh, but the former frenemies weren't done gushing!

Leakes took to another social media site to express her joy, posting on Facebook, "Couldn't believe I had the best chat with Kim Zolciak yesterday. Then took a moment to reflect and it made me cry. This is too much."

"My timeline is full of happy tweets," Zolciak, whose reality series Don't Be Tardy... returns for its second season on April 16, wrote after fans responded positively to the news. "I must say I am very happy too that @neneleakes and I had a heart to heart! We made a pact!"

Of course, Kim facing a lawsuit from Kandi Burruss, has aboslutely nothing to do with her making up with NeNe....nothing at all. Being that we've gone down this road several times already, one would think NeNe would know better. Guess not.

RELATED: Kim Zolciak's Husband - I Wanna Adopt Kim's Kids!

Marisa Zanuck Hints That She's Quitting The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

USWeekly.com:

Adrienne Maloof isn't the only housewife heading for the hills. Marisa Zanuck, who first appeared as a part-time cast member during the third season of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, hinted she's leaving the reality show in her "final" March 26 blog post.

"In truth, I have moved past all of the drama, and I don't want to acknowledge it anymore," Zanuck wrote. She then thanked the show's producers, production assistants and other Bravo staff members.

"I have learned so much from this experience and it has changed my life in ways I couldn't have dreamed. My husband Dean and I have grown closer as we discussed the things I've said on the show. I regret many things that I have said without thinking, but my husband and I are deeply in love and after 16 years we know how we truly feel about each other," Zanuck blogged.

During her stint on the series, Zanuck often shamed her husband during conversations with her costars. Brandi Glanville often called the newcomer out, and even sent her a text message suggesting the spouses give each other a "hall pass" to sleep with other people.

After seeing herself on TV, Zanuck explained her behavior. "Dean is an incredible man and he knew that I didn't intend on hurting him," she wrote. "I am blessed to have him and my beautiful family and I am grateful for their love and support; it means everything to me." (The reality star's husband is the son of the late Richard Zanuck, an Oscar winning producer whose credits included Driving Miss Daisy, Jaws and Alice in Wonderland. Dean's grandfather, Darryl Zanuck, was one of the founders of Twentieth Century-Fox.)

The married mother of two added that she "never had an issue" with Glanville, insisting the "hall pass" text incident was blown out of proportion. "I really connect with Brandi because she says exactly what is on her mind. I do the same thing, and as you know, our unfiltered opinions have gotten us in to trouble," Zanuck blogged. "Despite that, we both have big hearts and are forgiving people.

"I don't think anyone or anything can prepare someone for becoming a part of the Housewives," the real estate admitted. "A Housewife must be many things: she must be media-savvy and tech-savvy. She must think about what she says and its potential impact, she must have a thick skin to handle the constructive criticism and a sense of humor about her to enjoy the creativity of the many writers that blog the show. A Housewife must also recognize that she is not perfect and be willing to learn from her mistakes. If 10,000 people are telling you that you are being a bitch, they can't all be wrong."

Zanuck concluded, "At the end of the day we are all very lucky to have this experience, and our jobs are much easier than all of yours and all of the people behind-the-scenes that work so hard. . . Thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this journey."

RELATED: Exclusive! Marisa Zanuck’s Team Responds To Mauricio Co-Listing Feud!

Kenya Moore Expresses Support For Porsha Stewart Amidst Divorce News

EOnline.com:

There's a drama-fueled wind hitting the Real Housewives of Atlanta today, but Kenya Moore isn't twirling away. 

After the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart filed for divorce from his reality star wife Porsha Williams, the former Miss USA has spoken out in support of the troubled couple.

No, seriously.

Fans of the hit Bravo show have seen Porsha and Kenya feud throughout the entire season (Moore even made a viral music video mocking their battle), but the outspoken 42-year-old has decided to take the high road when it comes to discussing her costar's impending divorce.

"It's no secret that Porsha and I have had our differences," Kenya said in a statement to E! News. "However, I would never want to see anyone go through pain or suffering such as in a divorce. I'm a hopeless romantic and believe in love and hope they can get past their differences. I do wish Porsha well and know she will do what is best for her."

Stewart and Williams wed in May 2011 and have no children together. Neither party has commented on the divorce, but Porsha has remained active on Twitter:

"Morning Dolls Today is the 1st Day of the rest of your Life! Make It GREAT!" she posted this morning on her micro-blogging page.  

RELATED: Kenya Moore and Nene Leakes Offer Porsha Support!!!

Melissa Gorga Reveals Cover of New Book: "Love Italian Style: The Secrets of My Hot and Happy Marriage"

USWeekly.com:

Melissa Gorga is stepping up the competition of Real Housewives book covers! The Real Housewives of New Jersey star has exclusively revealed to Us Weekly the cover of her upcoming book, Love Italian Style: The Secrets of My Hot and Happy Marriage.

Gorga, 34, poses on the tome's cover on a marble staircase in a black leather skirt, white sleeveless blouse and black pumps. Married to Joe Gorga for eight years and mother of their three children, Gorga previously told Us that her book gives readers "practical strategies on how to strengthen their marriage, amp up the passion, and the secrets that make my marriage as sexy and hot as it is warm and loving."

The Bravo star chatted with Us on March 23 at Las Vegas' Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino about recent rumors of cheating in her marriage.

"There's always people who look at where you shine and want to bring you down. So I feel that Joe and I shine. But, it comes with the territory and it's made Joe and I stronger," she explained to Us. "We love each other more than ever . . . We've shown everyone how great it is and I think everyone can see that."

Which is exactly why she wrote her book! "I can't tell you how many times Joe and I are approached by fans asking how they can have a marriage like ours," she told Us. "A great marriage doesn't just happen. It's a job."

Love Italian Style: The Secrets of My Hot and Happy Marriage is set to hit stores on Sept. 17, 2013, but fans can pre-order it now.

RELATED: 'Real Housewives of New Jersey': Melissa Gorga mentions Caroline Manzo's book

Porsha Stewart Says She Was ‘Completely Blindsided’ By Divorce

Hollywoodlife.com:

Devoted housewife Porsha Stewart is completely stunned that her husband of nearly two years, former NFL star Kordell Stewart has filed for divorce behind her back. The reality star says she was led to believe that her “king” was committed to saving their marriage.

On March 26, a rep for Porsha released the following statement to Us Weekly:

“Mrs. Stewart is disappointed about her husband’s recent filing for divorce. Mrs. Stewart had held off on filing for a divorce herself and remained committed to the marriage because Mr. Stewart promised to work on the marriage with her. Instead, he misled her and she found out about the filing in the media. Mrs. Stewart hopes to resolve these personal issues privately with the support of her family, friends and strong faith.”

Porsha also thanked her supporters via Twitter, writing, “Thank you for your Prayers,” along with an instagram containing the following quote, “Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.”

According to a friend of Porsha’s, the reality star had absolutely no idea about her husband’s divorce plans.

“She was 100 percent completely blindsided. Friends are trying to contact her but she’s not picking up her phone or returning texts,” says the friend. “Her whole identity is about being a happy, obedient wife. The other women criticized her for not having a backbone but she was like, ‘A real marriage is about honoring your man, your king.’ She is really upset.”

According to TMZ, Kordell filed for divorce on March 22, citing “irretrievably broken”. The athlete also stated that he does not want to pay spousal support because “[She's] an able-bodied person, earning income and is capable of supporting herself.”

A week prior to the surprising divorce news, Porsha told us that she was working on her marriage with Kordell and that they were still trying to conceive a baby.

When asked if Kordell was controlling, she responded, “Well I don’t have a problem with a man having an opinion. If you’re a man, I need to know where you are leading our family. And I love that about him and along the way, there are some things I agree with and some things I don’t. As long as he can respect my opinion and let me woo him into what I want.”

Kordell basically told Porsha on the show that she had to choose between having kids or her charity work.

RELATED:  Porsha Stewart: No Prenup For Me

Miami Beach Sued Over Home of Lisa Hochstein

MiamiHerald.com:

The fight over whether to tear down or preserve an 88-year-old Miami Beach mansion has made its way to court. 

Miami Beach resident Leonard Hochstein has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming that Miami Beach’s rules illegally gave a leading nonprofit preservation group — the Miami Design Preservation League — the authority to ask the city to designate his home as historic. 

The lawsuit also claims that the application for historic designation is delaying Hochstein’s ability to get permits to build a new home and that his constitutional rights are being violated. 

“The lawsuit is without merit and will be vigorously defended and ultimately dismissed,” city attorney Jose Smith wrote in an email to The Miami Herald.

John Shubin, an attorney representing Hochstein, didn’t return a call for comment. 

The drama centers around a Star Island mansion designed by Florida’s first registered architect, Walter DeGarmo. Celebrity couple Leonard and Lisa Hochstein — he, a plastic surgeon known as “The Boob God,” and she, a cast member of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Miami — bought the home late last year after it fell into foreclosure.

They asked the city for permission to tear it down and build a new, bigger home. The Miami Design Preservation League responded by filing an application to save the home from the wrecking ball by declaring it historic. 

The Hochsteins got their application approved first. But the Miami Design Preservation League on Tuesday filed an appeal of the decision. Their application for historic designation is also still pending. 

Miami Beach’s city code allows “any organization whose purpose is to promote the preservation of historic sites” to ask the city to designate a site as historic. The lawsuit claims that that section of the city’s rules is “unconstitutional” and is “being illegally enforced.”

Smith, the city attorney, countered in an email by writing: “In a prior opinion from the Florida 3rd District Court of Appeal, argued by John Shubin … the Court rejected an argument that a neighborhood association much like MDPL, lacked standing to appeal an adverse ruling from a county board.”

The lawsuit also claims that the league’s application for historic designation is preventing Hochstein from getting permits to redevelop the site of his recently bought home. But city officials say that the preservation league’s actions aren’t what’s holding up the Hochsteins. 

RELATED:  Lisa Hochstein Reveals Newfound Friendship With Adriana De Moura, No Longer Close To Joanna Krupa

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/26/3308062/miami-beach-sued-over-home-of.html#storylink=cpy

Kyle Richards Says Lisa Vanderpump’s Attack Was A ‘Low Blow’

RadarOnline.com:

Lisa Vanderpump’s vicious attack on Kyle Richards on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion show was the most explosive drama of the night, but her words were so harsh that the two ladies haven’t spoken since the taping!

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Lisa claimed that Kyle was only friends with Adrienne Maloof because her husband Mauricio Umansky wanted to sell her $26 million mansion.

“For her to say that is ridiculous,” Kyle told In Touch magazine. “It was a low blow.”

The reality show vixens have been battling ever since the season two reunion and Kyle said that she found herself in the middle of the Adrienne/Lisa feud.

“Lisa has never let go of the fact that I didn’t defend her on the reunion last year. I’m still being punished one year later for not jumping in.”

Defending her remarks, Lisa told the magazine that she and Kyle have not repaired their relationship.

“I don’t consider Kyle to be a loyal and supportive friend,” the Brit said. “She had a passive-aggressive stance against me all season. Last year I was blindsided during the reunion so this time I was there to be on the offensive.”

Part 2 of the RHOBH reunion will be airing on Monday, April 1 and a source said Mauricio and Ken Todd will be joining their wives for a “dramatic” twist!

RELATED:  It’s Over! RHOBH Season Finale Ends With A Bang: Everyone Fights!

Kordell Stewart Files Divorce Papers Against Porsha Stewart

TMZ.com:

Kordell Stewart -- the former Pittsburgh Steelers star -- has filed for divorce from his reality star wife Porsha Williams ... TMZ has learned.

According to Fulton County Superior Court in Georgia, the 40-year-old NFL alum -- who went by the nickname "Slash" during his playing days -- filed for divorce on March 22.

Stewart and Williams were married on May 21, 2011 -- they have no children together. Stewart has a son from a previous relationship.

Williams currently stars on "Real Housewives of Atlanta."

The issue of children came up often on the reality show -- Porsha wanted to have kids AND a career in charity work ... but Kordell told her she had to choose.


7:49 AM PT -- According to the divorce docs, obtained by TMZ, Kordell says the marriage is "irretrievably broken" ... and claims the two are currently separated.

It seems Kordell also believes he shouldn't have to pay Porsha a single cent in spousal support ... claiming, "[She's] an able-bodied person, earning income and is capable of supporting herself."

Kordell also says there are no marital assets subject to division ... which suggests there is a prenuptial agreement in play. 

Certainly didn't see this one coming, tho I'm sure there's some out there who'll feel that it was Kordell's "controlling" behavior that led to this. That said, from what I saw on screen I liked Porsha, maybe she's a little naive, but her heart always seemed to be in the right place and I respect her traditional values. Of course, don't be surprised if Kenya Moore can't contain the huge smirk on her face upon hearing this news.

RELATED: Real Housewives of Atlanta's Porsha and Kordell Stewart to Divorce

Adrienne Maloof Speaks On Missing ‘RHOBH’ Reunion, Future Plans

Celebuzz.com:

Adrienne Maloof is getting back to reality… off camera, that is.

But in true Maloof style, she’s getting the last word.

As was reported by Celebuzz, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star decided to ditch the third season reunion special, but the 51-year-old admits she had good reason to skip the show, despite Andy Cohen’s own on-air announcement of her absence.

“We know that frustrated you in the audience,” he added. “It frustrated all of us too. Adrienne won’t be here to tell her side of the story. Not only is she absent tonight, but she won’t be on the show next season. Adrienne Maloof’s final act as a Housewife was NOT showing up tonight.”

Maloof’s life off-camera was enough drama to deal with, so taking her final bow from the hit reality show came at the right time.

The mother of three, who split from her plastic surgeon husband, in early November after 10 years of marriage, battled it out in court and in the press over custody issues involving the couple’s children.

“It was time to go,” she added. “It was time to exit and the timing in life is everything and that’s been the way it has been through my family business. So to me, this was the right time.”

But the newly-single former housewife, who just called it quits with much-younger boyfriend Sean Stewart, isn’t putting up her Manolo-clad feet just yet. This entrepreneur has a few more projects up her designer sleeve.

“I have a new skincare line coming out in September, my vodka line Zing,” Maloof said.
“I have the jewelry line as well. And I’m co-producing a movie coming out with Dreamworks based on a true story about a friend of mine.”

RELATED: ‘RHOBH’ Finale Recap: Adrienne Maloof Departs After Her Divorce

Karent Sierra Leaving Real Housewives Of Miami???

RumorFix.com:

Dr. Karent Sierra is leaving Real Housewives of Miami, RumorFix is reporting.

The dentist-turned-reality star broke the news to our Mr. Real Housewife saying she couldn’t deal with all the cattiness and is going to focus on other TV projects.
She, however, did say she made some good friends on the show.

Mr. Real Housewife also tells us that Marysol Patton is being downgraded on the show from a full-time Housewife to a “Friend of The Housewives.”

Bravo does not comment on casting changes.

RELATED:  'RHOM' Star Karent Sierra Going Through a Tough Time?

Brandi Glanville Says She's 'Not A Slut…Or A Stupid Bitch!’

RadarOnline.com:

Brandi Glanville haters who think she’s just a dumb blonde, who sleeps around and spouts colorful putdowns, take note. The reality TV queen says she’s not a slut and she’s actually quite smart.

The 40-year-old The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star makes her comments in a question and answer session with fans on the OK! magazine website.

Asked to name the biggest misconception people have about her that she finds the most annoying, Brandi was quick with a response.

She said: “There’s a lot. I really get annoyed when people say: ‘Oh, you’re actually smart’. It’s such a backhanded compliment.

“I think that I wouldn’t be where I am today was I not smart in getting through everything that I’ve gotten through.

“But when someone says that ‘Oh you’re actually smart’ or ‘You’re actually nice’, I’m like: ‘Am I supposed to be a stupid bitch all the time?’

“So that bugs me.”

Brandi, who once confessed that Hollywood star Gerard Butler is one of her former lovers, also wants people to know that she is “not a slut.”

“I’m really not,” she says. She then jokingly adds: “I wanna be.”

But Brandi clarifies her current relationship status, saying: “I don’t sleep around.  I’m dating all these guys. I’m not sleeping with anyone.

“And if you sleep with someone I think you should be in a committed relationship with that person.”

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, in a recent episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Brandi’s cast mates gossiped about her sex life amid claims she had a threesome and was found naked in the bathroom at Kyle Richards’ white party.

RELATED:  ‘Don’t Introduce Your Kids To Your Dates!’ Brandi Glanville’s Top Tips For Single Moms

Melissa and Joe Gorga, Kathy and Rich Wakile Dine at Meatball Spot For Melissa's 33rd Birthday

RadarOnline.com:

She has been very good at pasting a smile on her face when seen out in public with her frenemy sister-in-law Teresa Giudice recently.

But on Friday The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Melissa Gorga was genuinely flashing her pearly whites in celebration of her 33rd birthday.

The Jersey girl is in the City of Sin to celebrate with husband Joe and their friends Kathy and Rich Wakile and RadarOnline.com has pictures of the happy event.

And while she posted a photo of herself looking svelte on Instagram the aspiring singer wasn’t afraid to indulge by eating at the Meatball Spot, a local restaurant owned by Top Chef contestant Carla Pellegrino.

The foursome munched their way through sausage and ricotta pizza, a variety of meatballs, as well as salad.

For dessert Melissa happily indulged in the creamy Birthday Cake milkshake.

It has been a month of birthday celebrations for the Gorgas.

As RadarOnline.com recently reported the couple apparently buried the hatchet with Teresa and her husband Joe Giudice long enough to celebrate their niece Milania’s seventh birthday.

RELATED: Reunited. Giudice And Gorgas Play Happy Families

Porsha Stewart Talks Being The "New Girl" On 'RHOA' And Being A "Submissive" Wife To Husband Kordell

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TheGrio.com:

Porsha Stewart is speaking up about her experience as “the new girl” on season 5 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. 

The recent bride to former NFL football star Kordell Stewart says that becoming a reality star has changed her life in a big way. 

“I’ve been recognized everywhere I go, even by my voice,” she told theGrio’s Chris Witherspoon. “It’s been great.” 

This season, Porsha shocked her fellow cast members when she refused to join the ladies at a Las Vegas strip club because her husband wouldn’t approve. Porsha says there is nothing wrong with being submissive to her husband, and believes that’s how it should be. 

“That’s not a bad thing, that’s a great thing,” Porsha said on being submissive. “We’re supposed to be submissive to our husbands and let them be the leaders. I’m old school in the way that I think about that.” 

Earlier this week rumors circulated that Porsha’s husband is “not allowing” her to return to do a second season of RHOA, but Porsha says that’s just not the case. 

“He’s 100 percent supportive,” Porsha revealed. “It’s who we are, and we’re just brave enough to share ourselves with the world.” 

This season Kenya Moore and Porsha had an argument which prompted Moore to coin the term “Gone With The Wind Fabulous.” Porsha says she can’t forget all of the things that Kenya has done to her, and has no desire to be friends. 

“I always thought I was the type of person who could forgive and forget. I feel that I’ve forgiven her at this point but I just can’t forget all the things that she’s done to me thus far. So us being friends… no…but me being social, and being a lady around her, I have no problem with that. “

RELATED:  Porsha hopes ‘RHOA’ reunion will dispel rumors

LuAnn de Lesseps Talks Real Housewives of New York Season 6 Filming Delays

Wetpaint.com:

The when and who of The Real Housewives of New York Season 6 is still up in the air. When will it start filming? What will the cast look like? Why such a long period of limbo? In a recent interview with The Examiner, LuAnn de Lesseps gave her perspective on what's going on.
 
"I think they [Bravo] don't want to see another winter in New York," she explained. She's under the impression they'd rather have a spring and summer season, "taking it back to the Hamptons in our sundresses." This lines up with what we last heard, which is that shooting will begin in April.

She also noted that "I think that they want to bring a new woman on or two."

As for her personal feelings on the new season, LuAnn said, “I think it’s very hard to predict how you will act in a future situation, I think it’s better to go in it without having a game plan, because otherwise you will see it on camera. I always try to keep peace…which never happens."

RELATED: Exclusive interview with Countess LuAnn on new tableware line & future of RHONY
 

Yolanda Foster Slams Faye Resnick, Reveals Extent Of Her Lyme Disease

RadarOnline.com:

It comes as little surprise Yolanda Foster has been oil to the water of some of her privileged peers on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and in her new Bravo blog, she calls some of them “Pit Bulls” while admitting she has little in common with the bunch.

The Holland-born beauty admitted that she was hesitant to take even a sip of alcohol at Adrienne Maloof‘s recent bash for her vodka line Zing, because she’s admittedly uncomfortable to let her “guard down amongst this feisty group.”

Yolanda wrote that once at the bash, she saw through “what these adult women with their high school antics were trying to do, which was clearly throwing Brandi [Glanville] under the bus” using her past against her.

She focused her ire toward peripheral players Marisa Zanuck and Faye Resnick, writing that when they began knocking Brandi, she came to the realization that she’s “trapped in a circle with a bunch of women [she] honestly [has] little in common with.”

She said she was “speechless when Faye inserted herself into our conversation uninvited,” and has “never seen anyone behave so rudely and inappropriately.

“I saw how these Pit Bulls treated Brandi last year, and that ain’t going to happen as long as this sheriff is in town,” Yolanda wrote. “The fact that Faye defines a woman by a Chanel bag is the most pathetic thing I have ever heard.”

RELATED:  RHOBH Trade Barbs Over Love, Liquor & Lies! Kyle & Kim Richards Tear Into ‘Mean Naughty Little Girl’ Brandi Glanville!

Caroline Manzo Talks New Book, Family "Affairs" and New Season of 'RHONJ'

NYDailyNews.com:

Caroline Manzo says it’s time for a reality check.

Known for brawling and bawling on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” the 51-year-old mother of three wants you to know she’s more than just a big bossy mama.

“I was frustrated that some people misinterpret my low tolerance for bulls— as some sort of vindictive meanness,” the 51-year-old mother of three writes in her memoir, “Let Me Tell You Something,” out next Tuesday.

The straight talk carries over when she’s asked about rumors her husband, Al, has had affairs.

“I know the man I married. He’s a good man. But he’s a man. I don’t believe there were any long-term affairs. If that were the case, this story would end differently,” Manzo tells The News.

“If something happened here or there along the way, it’s very possible. I have no inclination of that, but logic tells me …” the words drift off before she finishes the thought. “I can’t worry about 20 years ago.”

Perched on a stool in the bar of her husband’s Paterson, N.J., catering hall, the Brownstone, Manzo is softer and prettier than her TV persona would lead one to expect. But mess with her and she comes on strong.

“When I address something, it’s usually with a hard hand,” she acknowledges. “It’s fast and furious.”

It’s true that Manzo referred to her castmate, the outrageous and sometimes outraged Teresa Giudice, as an “ugly human being” and a “sociopath” before the Bravo cameras last season, but somebody had to say it.

“I never attack anybody,” she says firmly. “But when I’m provoked, I’ll address it.”

Here’s the deal. Giudice, married to the unsavory Joe, who does something to make money, made a name for herself and the show after she got crazy mad and flipped a table over in a restaurant in the first season.

She lives large in a swirl of bankruptcy talk and has written three best-selling cookbooks. In “Fabulicious!,” Giudice referred to Manzo as being “as Italian as the Olive Garden.” So unkind.

At any rate, the cookbook sniping and the fact Giudice dared to deny she’d been behind some unpleasant stories in tabloids made all the housewives angry. Manzo and Giudice had a ratings-bonanza confrontation at the end of last season that ended in tears.

“Afterward my entire body was shaking,” says Manzo. “Shaking. I went into my bedroom and I just broke down.”

Life, as she says, is at home with her family, but what happens onscreen can hurt — a lot. Especially when it involves her kids.

Her sons, Albie and Chris, and daughter Lauren, all in their 20s, are regulars on the show and have their own story arcs. The boys have started a business, BLK water, while Lauren, who has prominently battled weight issues, opened Cafface Beauty Bar in Franklin Lakes, N.J.

Both are opportunities that might not have come about without the exposure of the show. Manzo readily admits that the rewards of being on “RHONJ” are “amazing ... And the experience is incredible,” she says.

“But we’re targets. And there’s a valuable lesson in that for my children. Life is big. Life is tough. There’s adversity in anything you do. And you deal with it.

“When someone calls your daughter fat, or the perception is that my sons are gay, or mama’s boys, at the end of the day it makes them stronger. But it’s not easy going through it.”

Al himself wanders into the bar. Both he and Caroline have slimmed down over the course of the series and make an attractive couple. He’s playful with her, and she gazes up at him through heavy false lashes as he talks.

He is forthcoming about what he calls his wife’s “integrity.”

“All the things she fights over on the show are clearly wrong, disgraceful things that you can’t justify,” he says.

“But she’ll never go along to get along. Sometimes it just makes me nuts. Like enough already with this freaking integrity.”

Al is clearly delighted with his wife’s celebrity, though. Caroline has gone from sitting in the audience listening to his speeches for civic groups to holding her own on late-night talk shows. “She just killed on Fallon,” he says proudly.

But celebrity cuts both ways. A bit of nastiness that attaches to the family dates back to the murder of Al’s father, Albert (Tiny) Manzo, whose body was found in the trunk of a car outside a supermarket in Hillside, N.J., in 1983. He was executed mob-style.

“I will not give credence to the Mafia talk,” Manzo says of her father-in-law. “He was a good man, a family man. His death remains a mystery.”

Ultimately, she would love to do a talk show, perhaps a panel show like “The View.” But now she’s filming season five of “RHONJ.” Last season was so unpleasant. Could peace possibly break out?

“It could still happen,” she teases. While she admits to a couple of teary moments so far, she won’t say if they’re happy or sad, just that “we manage to top ourselves.”

RELATED: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Caroline Manzo Confesses: "If My Husband Cheated, I Would Forgive Him"

Adrienne Maloof Doesn't Attend 'Real Housewives' Reunion Taping and Andy Cohen Isn't Happy About It

 EW.com:

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion show is going to be missing one side of the story.

In a preview clip of the two-part reunion (which, don’t worry, will still have plenty of bombshells and crying), Andy Cohen announced that Adrienne Maloof, who finalized her divorce from Dr. Paul Nassif a few months ago, declined to participate in the reunion special – and that she won’t be returning to the show at all next year. This is on the heels of the news that Camille Grammer won’t be returning for the fourth season either.

“This season was hard on Adrienne – as you all know – a secret about her family was revealed by Brandi [Glanville] and from that moment on, Adrienne refused to speak directly about it,” Cohen explained. “We know that frustrated all of you in the audience, it frustrated all of us too…Not only is she absent tonight, but she won’t be on the show next season. [dramatic pause] Adrienne Maloof’s final act as a Housewife is not showing up tonight.”

Part one of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion airs Mar. 25.

RELATED:  Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Did Andy Cohen Just Throw Shade at Adrienne Maloof?

Phaedra Parks Talks Her Workout Tape, Funeral Business, New Book and How to Be a Southern Belle

Complex.com:

Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks is no stranger to hard work. Aside from being our favorite Atlanta housewife, this mom-to-be for the second time manages a law firm, a successful funeral business and a bootylicious workout tape called Phine Body. Not too shabby for a woman that does all of this while being filmed for one of our many guilty pleasure shows to watch.

We had the chance to chat with the southern belle and find out about her life when the cameras are off and the drama is on low. She's a determined business woman with tons to juggle but does it flawlessly and is sharing some of her secrets with us before her book comes out. So as Mrs. Parks would say, grab you a cup of sweet tea and have a seat as we get an inside scoop on her life outside of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Interview by Tannis Spencer (LaVisionary)

What’s it been like to be on the show and how has your life changed since the success of the show?I think the show has always been a guilty pleasure for many of the viewers. Since I’ve been on it—we’ve definitely seen a huge surge in viewers so anytime you’re a part of a successful anything it’s always very rewarding, because you’re obviously a part of something that people like. I think whether it be a show, a successful company, a member of a successful group, or alumni of a school, anytime, it makes you proud. I feel very proud of some of the accomplishments of this show. Obviously being from the south and a native Georgia Peach, I think the southern culture is definitely one that is unique. Our show is predominantly a minority cast and I think it’s always interesting for people to see diversity at its best. We have a very diverse group of woman and we’re constantly trying to do better and have more success by creating situations that are entertaining.

It’s clear that you are a career woman, do you ever find that some of the drama on the show affects your business ventures outside of the show? Mainly your law firm?No, I’ve been a lawyer for 14 years and I’ve only been a housewife for three so I was well established and very notable in the community prior to ever being on this show. I have been the president of the minority bar and a distinguished young attorney for the whole state of Georgia, so I had numerous accolades as a lawyer prior to entering the show. The show definitely did not create what was already in existence. Like I say on the show, “Google me,” my history definitely surpasses the show and it will never be contingent upon being a member of this cast.

On the show we see you going into the funeral business, how’s that going?It’s going great, I’m a licensed apprentice now. I’m in school full time and I’m almost halfway finished with my bachelors in mortician science so I’m excited about that and I’ve been working with Willie very successfully. Now it’s been about three years and I have expanded the venture to include pets as well so I think that’s the new frontier. In our present culture we have a lot of dual income households so people have become attached to their pets just like they are their children. You can just see it from the number of doggy daycares and doggy spas, so I just want to help people celebrate the life of anything they loved in a very respectful manner so being a mortician definitely helps you do that. But I think it’s a ministry, you really touch people and help people at a time when they need you most.

What is the most interesting part of the funeral business?I love every aspect of it. Now I’m really learning a lot of the technical things that I didn’t know previously when I was just dabbling in it for years, now I’m in school so I get to learn. I know every vessel, I know every part of the body, I know muscle of the face. It’s very intriguing to me to recreate something and restore it to what it was prior to its expiration. And that’s essentially what we do as morticians and embalmers. We make people, hopefully, look just like they did prior to death and it’s an art. I really enjoy the artistic aspect of being able to look at a picture and making someone look just as they did prior to passing.

A lot of fields are dominated by men and of course the funeral business is no different, it’s saturated with men so you don’t see a lot of women in it. You see these men recreating woman and I don’t think men can do a women’s makeup or know what a woman looks like without ever truly being a woman. I’ve got great guys that I work with—sometimes they ask me “Would a woman wear this color pantyhose?” or “What eye shadow is the best eye shadow for this skintone?” So you really get to do things that really enhance that person and hopefully make their family feel that they’re getting that last viewing of that person in the proper light.

Kandi recently posted on Instagram that you are hosting a contest called PhineBody, what's that about?It’s just a contest for people who have obviously bought the video. You submit three pictures and it puts you in a drawing to have a workout session and lunch with me and my husband. It started Mar. 1 and it ends Apr. 1. We’re really excited about it because we hear so many inspirational stories about people who are doing the workout and they love it. And of course our schedules don’t always permit for us to see everyone but we want people to have the opportunity to work out with us, we want people to have the opportunity to meet with us and have lunch, just hear the stories in person.

We recently heard that you and Apollo are expecting your second child. Congratulations! Can we expect that to be incorporated on the show at all?Thank you. Yeah the show would love to capture the birth because everyone loves a good wedding and a birth, you know that. Hopefully the cameras are back up when the baby is born, but who knows, it just depends on when we start back up. We’re on hiatus right now, we haven’t taped the reunion yet but that will be taped very soon. Usually we have a few weeks off and then we go back into production so it’s really just a matter of timing.

You have a book coming out called Secrets of the Southern Belle, what kind of secrets can we expect to be revealed in the book?The book is really about getting what you want and maintaining your dignity and respect while doing it. The secrets are things that most women should probably know but not every woman had the pleasure of growing up in the south so they might not have gotten that training or insight from their parents, guardians, colleagues, or friends.

It gives advice on how to say something the right way without offending anyone—maybe it’s a little nice/nasty but you convey it in a manner that you can still be friends at the end of the day. It’s a book of stories and things that I’ve learned that have definitely enhanced my life over the years. And I thought following this season this is something woman should know because obviously on our show not everyone has been brought up to know what not to say and do in certain situations.

Would you say the show is an accurate depiction of your real life and the women on the show?What you have to realize is that it is television. Television is a medium for entertainment, it’s not a documentary, it’s for entertainment and I think you are definitely entertained. It’s an ensemble cast so you’ve got six or seven of us and you’re seeing a limited amount of our time. The show breaks everything down into 10 or 15 minute segments so of course it can’t catch every facet of a persons personality but it is what it is. It’s not meant to be a documentary, it’s meant for entertainment.

With the success of the show, the funeral home, the workout video, and your law firm, what can we expect from you in the future?I’ve got my stun gun line that is completed and it’ll be available for purchase in the next ten days or so. It’s a wonderful product for whoever wants it, it’s a great safety device, it acts as a flashlight but it’s obviously a .7 million volts of wonderful electric fun for those who might need a little shock therapy. So that will be released soon and it’s called Phaedra Sparks. I’m really excited about that because it’s really safe and I think for woman like me that work late or are at the mall late, who like to jog at night and you want to be safe but you really don’t feel comfortable carrying a .9 millimeter in your undies, you can strap this right on your arm and jog. It’s pink, it’s cute, not too big and just zap someone if they need it.

RELATED:  Phaedra Parks, Kandi Burruss Sued Kim Zolciak Too Late? EXCLUSIVE

Lisa Vanderpump Slams Faye Resnick For ‘Spreading Malicious Gossip’, Denies She’s Out To Get Adrienne Maloof

RadarOnline.com:

We all knew THIS was coming!

The gloves are finally off between Lisa Vanderpump and Faye Resnick as the fellow Housewives go AT IT in the upcoming episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills – and RadarOnline.com has a sneak peek at the dramatic face off!

The pair comes to blows during a party at Vanderpump’s home after Resnick lays into Lisa – accusing her of siding with Brandi Glanville and enlisting the outspoken 40-year-old’s services to help fight her battle against Adrienne Maloof.

“I think you are out to to get Adrienne,” Resnick charges. “And you are using Brandi to get even with people.”

Vanderpump manages to stay relatively calm as she denies the accusations, but the temperature rises as soon as Faye starts bitching about Brandi “hooking up” with a man in the bathroom during Kyle Richards‘ recent White Party!

Lisa immediately jumps to her friend’s defense and brands Resnick a gossip and a hypocrite!

“Faye is being a little hypocritical here,” Vanderpump tells the camera. “Faye is guilty of what she was accusing Brandi of, spreading malicious gossip.”

RELATED: 'Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills' Recap: Yolanda's Wrath And Adrienne's Separation

NeNe Leakes Disses The Real Housewives of Atlanta

Wetpaint.com:

All season long, we've been suspecting that NeNe Leakes — the last original Hotlanta Housewife still standing —  might be outgrowing The Real Housewives of Atlanta... and now she's said it herself. Granted, this has happened before, but in the midst of a season with very little NeNe we think it could be the real deal this time. Uh-oh!

The Hollywood celeb recently took to Twitter to voice her frustration, writing, "When I watch the scenes wit these girls...I Ask Myself....Why I'm I still doin this😳 it looks so childish." While we get that NeNe is all A-list now that she's been on Glee, stars in The New Normal, and has a possible talk show in the works, let's not forget that it wasn't too long ago that she was the center of all the silly RHoA drama. And, let's face it, isn't that what made her a star in the first place? After all, NeNe telling Kim Zolciak to “close your legs to married men” is forever ingrained in our brain.

Glee and The New Normal creator Ryan Murphy did say he contacted our girl after watching her reality TV exploits...

RELATED: 'Glee' scoop: NeNe Leakes will return in Season 4 as Coach Roz

Adrienne Maloof and Sean Stewart Have NOT Broken Up!

A change of heart:

Adrienne Maloof and Sean Stewart are sill very much together, and didn’t care who saw them Saturday night, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 51, and Rod Stewart’s 31-year-old son were in the crowd for the Timothy Bradley – Ruslan Provodnikov fight at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

“They were sitting together ringside and totally making out with not a care that they were surrounded by people,” an eyewitness tells us.

I would have totally thought it was for publicity if it wasn’t for the fact that we were at a fight, and not courtside at the Lakers,” the source laughs.

“They were just going at it!”

Just last week the couple was reported to have split but Adrienne apparently wants everybody to know that’s not the case.

Early Sunday morning, Adrienne decided to share the news with her fans, tweeting  a photo of herself and Sean, cozying up at the fight.

And for those who care about the actual fight — Bradley won in what is being called a “thrilling” decision over the Russian Provodnikov.

RELATED:  Dr. Paul Denies Dating Beauty Queen Girlfriend Before Divorce From Adrienne Maloof Was Finalized!