The Real Housewives Blog: December 2013

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Mauricio Umansky Not Cheating on Kyle Richards, Bravo Tries Familiar Storyline

Is Mauricio Umansky cheating On Kyle Richards? The allegation carried earlier episodes this season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. And reports claim that Bravo will revisit the allegation in later episodes again this season as well. But while Mauricio Umansky was never cheated on Kyle Richards, fans have been more skeptical of the cheating storyline this year. Other viewers are shouting foul over the network’s apparent embellishment of the storyline. In fact, a cheating spouse storyline has been used by Bravo on virtually every housewife show this year.

Whether its Orange County, Atlanta, or Beverly Hills, Bravo has pushed a cheating storyline this and last through its “reality” show franchise. But fans are not exactly reacting positively. This week, Kenya Moore’s Apollo Nida storyline, which seemed dead last year, was brought back from the grave one more time on RHOA. As the women of Atlanta headed to Savannah, Kenya Moore is back telling NeNe Leakes that she doesn’t want Apollo. Earlier this season, Apollo told Phaedra Parks that Kenya allegedly tried to bed him, a claim she has denied.

This spring, Orange County viewers were told that Vicki Gunvalson’s boyfriend Brooks Ayers was allegedly dating a “video” star behind Vicki’s back. Lauri Peterson told viewers that Brooks Ayers allegedly had been seen around town with a much young woman, a claim Brooks later denied.

And last year, fans watched as Joe Giudice was accused of cheating of Teresa Giudice. The couple would defend their marriage both on camera and off. Finally, last this winter, Bravo pushed once again the envelop, now with Mama Joyce’s claims that Kandi Buruss’ boyfriend Todd Tucker is cheating on her with her assistant Carmen.

This winter, Bravo tries its hand at the same storyline once again, now in Beverly Hills. The newest target is Kyle Richards and Mauricio. Of course Mauricio never cheated on Kyle. And the “source” of the allegations is a tabloid story. Whether its Kandi and Todd or Kyle and Mauricio, Bravo apparently is far from over with its cheating storylines this winter. One unconfirmed report claims that same cheating spouse storyline is set to strike the upcoming season on RHONY as well.

Alex McCord Recaps Best Reality TV Moments of 2013 Plus Real Houseives of Atlanta and Beverly Hills

Taylor Armstrong in 'Couples Therapy' Talks Russell Armstrong Suicide Still Haunting Her, PTSD & More

Enstarz.com:

Taylor Armstrong and her fiance star in season 4 of VH1's Couples Therapy and in the show, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star opens up about still being haunted by her ex-husband and the abuse in their relationship.

Armstrong's former husband, Russell Armstrong, committed suicide in August 2011 at the age of 47. Together they had a daughter named Kennedy. Taylor has since moved on and got engaged to attorney John Bluher in August 2013. The couple came on the VH1 show only a few months after getting engaged.
Dr. Jenn Berman will continue her therapy duties on Couples Therapy.

In a sneek peek clip that Enstars exclusively obtained for the upcoming season, which premieres Jan. 2, Taylor talks to costar Farrah Abraham about the physical abuse she suffered from her late husband. Russell punched her in the eye, which forced her to have reconstructive surgery, when he believed she was having an affair.

Taylor told the cameras "I'm always afraid that something's gonna end up happening that used to happen in my former relationship." Speaking about the time she was married to Russell, she said the following:

"I had the house, and the husband, and Beverly Hills and was just trying to convince everyone that my life was perfect -- but it was a facade. I was in an emotionally and physically abusive relationship for about six years."

The premiere episode of Couples Therapy also reveals the audio of the 9-1-1 call in which Taylor's friend reported Russell's death as Taylor cries in the background.

"After [Russell's] death I was lost. And it took about a year of me just being alone to really figure out who I was," Taylor later said to the cameras.

Monday, December 30, 2013

The Feud Continues for Caroline and Dina Manzo as 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Films New Season

NYDailyNews.com:

Although it’s the holidays, there is no peace in New Jersey for the Manzo family.

The feuding reality clan featured on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” has not found harmony, despite reports that all is fine between sisters Caroline and Dina.

“They have not kissed and made up. In fact, the ladies are still at war,” a source close to the production tells us.

The show started filming its sixth season Thanksgiving weekend, says another source, and everyone behaved the first few days of filming.

“The season is starting slow as always, everyone making nice,” says our source. “But that won’t last.”

Expect Dina to stop playing nice right away. She quit after the first season because she couldn’t work with her sister. But since Caroline recently left the show, Dina has returned.

Dina has been telling pals that everything is fine within the family and that Caroline and she are “best friends” again.

But we hear Caroline has accused Dina of spreading lies to boost her popularity before she returns to the spotlight.

“Don’t believe a word of it. They did not make friends,” a Manzo family friend tells Confidenti@l. “Dina has no interest in family, just fame. It is very hurtful. She has made zero attempt to be with the family.”

In October, Caroline Manzo announced her departure from the show on her blog: “Going back to film another season of ‘Housewives’ would only make me a hypocrite. For me, peace and integrity cannot be bought with money or fame.”

Yolanda Foster Continues To Battle Lyme Disease: ‘Money Can’t Buy Health & Happiness’

RadarOnline.com:

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Foster spent the holidays surrounded by friends and family, but her battle with Lyme disease weighed heavily on her heart, RadarOnline.com has learned.

As many housewives scurried to pick up last minute gifts, Foster started a 20-day intense treatment to try to repair the damage the Lyme has caused neurologically.

“Because of my health situation and not being able to run around, we’ve decided on no gifts this year. This took a lot pressure off of me and I am beyond happy with this free pass,” she wrote on her Bravo blog.

David Foster’s wife, 49, revealed more details about the clinical trial she’s taking part in.

“Getting a clear diagnosis last week of the inactivity in my left frontal lobe was the best Christmas present I could have ever dreamed of. Obviously anything damaged by an outside organism is scary, but at least it validated that I have not lost my mind and that we now have clarity as to why I have been isolated at home for the past year and a half with a paralyzed brain.

“I am lucky to have entered a clinical trial which I hope to one day be able to share with you as I am counting on being one of the 70 percent success stories they have had so far,” the Dutch model added.

Despite her seemingly glamorous life in Beverly Hills, Yolanda opened up about her struggles with the disease.

“I wish I had more glamorous and fun news to report to you but unfortunately this is my reality… The one thing money can’t buy is HEALTH and happiness.”

Sunday, December 29, 2013

‘The Feud Is Over!’ Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice Kiss And Make Up

RadarOnline.com:

‘Tis the season to stop feuding.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey sister-in-laws Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga have set aside their differences and are putting family first RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned.

The pair, whose feud erupted last season, were spotting enjoying a nice Christmas dinner along with Rich Wakile and Rosie Pierri over the weekend, and Radar has all the details.

“Cousins Christmas dinner! This makes me smile!” Gorga captioned a photo of the group with everyone smiling.

A source close to the arch-enemies told Radar that the in-laws are working hard to not fight.

“You will NOT see any Teresa and Melissa fights this season on RHONJ. Those feuds are over,” the source exclusively revealed to Radar.

“The drama is going to come with clashes with the new ladies and not with these two families anymore.

They’ve put that all behind them. No one wanted to see it, it was getting boring and repetitive on the show.”

The two families have been working to repair their relationship.

As RadarOnline.com readers know, it’s been a rough year for Teresa and her husband Joe Giudice, who were indicted on 39 counts of financial fraud earlier this year.

The Bravolebrities are facing up to 50 years in jail on 41 counts of fraud. The Giudice’s trial is set to start in April 2014.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Kandi Burruss Shows Off Beach Body Amid Weight Criticism From Kenya Moore

Zap2It.com:

Kandi Burrussis striking back at

"Real Housewives of Atlanta" co-star Kenya Moore and her nasty remarks about her weight during recent episodes of the Bravo hit in the best way possible: By sharing a photo of her hot body in a revealing bathing suit.

After Moore took potshots at Burruss, telling her she "could afford to skip a few meals" after stopping at a Chick-fil-A and remarking, "I don't know what got into Kandi. Maybe she smelled some Chick-fil-A or a burger upstairs," while Burruss rushed to claim the best room in a bed and breakfast, the music producer shared a photo on her Instagram on Christmas day.

"Yesterday at the beach!" she captioned the photo of herself in a black hourglass shaped one-piece bathing suit, enjoying a Christmas Eve outing with daughter Riley, 11.

It looks like Burruss is getting the last laugh in the situation.

Caroline And Albert Manzo Told Son Albie To Lie About Where They Lived

RadarOnline.com:

Caroline Manzo told her son Albie to lie about where they lived years before the family became famous on Real Housewives of New Jersey, the reality TV show son has revealed, and RadarOnline.com has all the details.

In an extended tweet about their family dog dying on Christmas, Albie wrote that when he attended grammar school, his parents encouraged him to fib about their living arrangements in Wayne, New Jersey, so he could attend another area school and make new friends.

When Albie was in the grade, he explained via Twitter on Thursday, “We decided to move out of Wayne and build a house in Franklin Lakes.

“The construction was obviously going to take some time and instead of having me be the new kid in high school (when our house would be finished) my parents (Mom, mostly) insisted that we lie about our address so I could get to know new kids before High School.

“So for a solid 2 and a half years we still lived in Wayne while I went to school in Franklin Lakes,” Albie wrote.

The revelation was a surprise to fans who thought they knew everything about the close-knit RHONJ family!

But there is no doubt there’s more to come because matriarch Caroline, husband Albert, Albie, his sister Lauren and brother Chris have left the Housewives to star in the upcoming 2014 Bravo spinoff, Manzo’d With Children.

Albie, for one, wants fans to know about the Manzos’ humble roots.

“We all shared a little bedroom in a house that is actually smaller than my current office,” restaurateur Albie tweeted about growing up with Lauren and Chris in the Manzos’ Wayne, New Jersey home.

“We grew up super modest and to be honest I think that’s why we’re still so close and protective of each other.”

Friday, December 27, 2013

Kenya Moore Finally Apologizes to Phaedra Parks for Texting Her Husband

LifeandStylemag.com:

Fans of Real Housewives of Atlanta were shocked when Phaedra Parks accused Kenya Moore of propositioning her husband on the show’s reunion last season. Kenya brushed off the accusation, but now admits for the first time that she crossed a line.

While she insists she never sexted Phaedra’s husband Apollo, Kenya tells Life & Style, “I do feel I was wrong in responding to his text messages. He’s a married man.”

Newbie cast member Kenya butted heads with Phaedra last season over their competing fitness tapes. Originally, the former Miss USA had hoped to partner with Phaedra and Apollo on their "Donkey Booty" video but when they couldn't reach a financial arrangement she made a rival video instead. Kenya said that she and Phaedra's husband texted each other over business matters, but Apollo insinuated that the texts became more flirtatious over time.

After scoffing at her original claims, Kenya has finally apologized to Phaedra, but hasn’t been forgiven. “I hope that maybe in the future, Phaedra and I can be on friendly terms again,” Kenya shares with the mag. “I am truly sorry.”

Joyce Giraud Calls Brandi Glanville A ‘Nasty Drunk’

RadarOnline.com:

Yet more drama in the 90210 as the feud between the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills stars Joyce Giraud and Brandi Glanville heats up because she thinks Eddie Cibrian‘s ex-wife is a nasty drunk, and believes Bravo isn’t revealing footage that would show what a hot mess the single mother of two truly is, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

Giraud and Glanville have had no love lost in the former beauty queen’s first season on the Bravo hit, as she’s accused LeAnn Rimes‘ nemesis of racist comments and an addiction to booze.

Even though Glanville has been shown drunk on the show, “Joyce is shocked that more of the blonde’s outrageous behavior isn’t even aired. Brandi has flashed her private parts during filming, but it never aired,” a source close to Giraud told Radar.

“Joyce believes Brandi sucks up to Bravo and producers of the show so that the really bad stuff isn’t aired. Brandi has made racist and inflammatory comments that were never included also. It makes Joyce question how real this reality show really is.”

On Sunday, Glanville wrote on her Facebook that “Joyce’s ongoing comments, accusations and labels have endangered my family and cost me jobs, and opportunities.” (Giraud’s mogul husband Michael Ohoven is a film producer, and the founder/CEO of Infinity Media.)

However, Glanville did admit she was “embarrassed” for some of her behavior in the episode, adding that it was “extremely difficult for [her] to watch;” and that Giraud’s true colors were exposed in “a defining moment” of the show this season.

“Trust me it’s not pretty,” she wrote. “I can only hope that the show decides to air it because not everything we shoot makes it in.”

But according to Radar’s source, “Joyce isn’t out to get Brandi…she is simply holding her accountable for the hateful disgusting comments she made.”

Porsha Stewart Breaks Down Over Divorce, Says She Misses Ex-Husband Kordell

RadarOnline.com:

With her two-year marriage to Kordell Stewart over, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Stewart has a dramatic breakdown on Sunday’s upcoming episode.

In a new preview, Porsha has moved past her Underground Railroad confusion, and has a full blown meltdown about missing her ex-husband.

NeNe Leakes tries but fails to comfort Porsha as the pair talks about what’s bothering her.

“I’ve tried to be there to support Porsha, but our relationship is very one-sided. It’s very frustrating,” NeNe tells the Bravo cameras.

Porsha, who is clearly grieving the family she had when she was married to Kordell, sobs to her co-star. She reveals that she’d been looking at Instagram photos of her stepson Syre, so she could feel close to him again.

“I try not to talk about it because I can’t get a word out. It just hurts so bad,” she tells NeNe through tears.

A more composed Porsha explains to the Bravo cameras, “As much as I want to get over Kordell, being around these different women talking about children and babies, it just made me think about the family that I wanted and the family that we shared.”

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Vicki Gunvalson On Gretchen Rossi: "I’m Glad She’s Gone" From RHOC

DailyMail.co:

When it launched over seven years ago, the TV series The Real Housewives of Orange County proved such a hit with viewers that it went on to spawn a seemingly endless array of clones.

Providing a peek into the gilded lives of America’s wealthy and fabulous, the success of the show eventually led to further off-shoots such as The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, even extending overseas with The Real Housewives of Athens.

A complicated miscellany of catfights, hair extensions, marital discord, bling and group hugging, the shows make for baffling yet compulsive viewing – none more so than the original series which is currently filming its ninth season.

Vicki Gunvalson, the doyenne of the OC franchise, has the distinction of being the longest-serving member of the series and is the only housewife to last all nine seasons. ‘And I guess it’s because I’m just a glutton for punishment!’ she says. ‘I don’t know why I’ve lasted the distance, other than it’s because my life has been so eventful.

'I’ve raised children, become a grandmother, I have my own business and I’ve been through a divorce and that’s everyday life for a lot of people out there these days.’

While some viewers may relate to the show’s glamorous characters, it’s perhaps more reasonable to assume that most keep watching because of the incessant squabbling.
A cast reunion which aired earlier this year not only managed to throw up tears (from Housewife Gretchen Rossi) and tantrums (between Housewives Heather Dubrow and Lydia McLaughlin), but also accusations of a threesome (directed at Vicki, who promptly denied everything).

With tensions running high, little wonder then that some of the Housewives have reportedly been axed since the last series, namely the afore-mentioned Gretchen as well as Alexis Bellino, who appeared on the show for four seasons.

Indeed, Vicki herself seems to confirm this by saying: ‘I’m sad about Alexis – she was very beautiful and good eye candy for the viewers, but Lydia [who recently quit the show after just one season] I never really knew.’

And what of Gretchen, who recently took to Twitter, implying that Vicki had bullied her? ‘I never bullied her, that’s just not true,’ says Vicki. ‘And I’m glad she’s gone. She’s a troublemaker and 90 per cent of her stuff was fake.

'Actually, who knows if what she did was real or fake but my perception of her was that she just wasn’t authentic.’

Authenticity may not always be the first quality Real Housewives’ devotees look for, but there’s no doubt that the show has its fair share of drama, not least when Vicki is on screen.

During her seven-year tenure on the show, she has divorced Donn Gunvalson, her husband of 16 years, taken up with a businessman Brooks Ayers (who then ended their relationship during the afore-mentioned reunion special) and has been accused by recurring Housewife Lauri Peterson of indulging in a threesome.

One imagines that her relationship with Lauri in particular is somewhat frosty these days? ‘There is no relationship,’ admits Vicki. ‘She’s a liar who caused trouble and then left. There was some dirty, dirty stuff she said which wasn’t true. [The threesome allegation] was all lies.’

More troubling perhaps for fans of Vicki – and indeed for her own family – is that despite the apparent break-up between Vicki and Brooks, she now reveals that they are in fact still together.

Brooks has come in for repeated criticism throughout their on-off relationship, not only regarding rumours that he was unfaithful to Vicky with a stripper-slash-porn star (which he denied), but in particular when secretly recorded audio tapes were released where he declared his plans to ‘f***ing beat [Vicki’s] ass’ and referred to his girlfriend as a ‘f***ing whore’ (Ayers subsequently apologised for his comments).

'We are still seeing each other from time to time,' says Vicki. 'He lives in a different state – but he was wrongfully abused on the show, both by other cast members and my daughter [Briana].

'They magnified the truth. I wouldn’t be with someone who didn’t treat me right, who didn’t treat me like a princess, and I don’t need to be protected,’ she says, adding: ‘I mean, I’m 51 – I’ve got this!

'We tried breaking up and it didn’t really work for us, but I’m just dating him – we’re not married or engaged – and dating someone is how you find out about them.

'I know my daughter worries, but she’s only met him four times and in any case, we each have our own lives to lead – we can’t lead anyone else’s life for them. Other people have their opinions but I really, really care for this man.’

Alex McCord Recalls Faked Scenes On ‘The Real Housewives Of New York’

RadarOnline.com:

Following our lid-blowing report on pre-arranged scenes on the Real Housewives of Orange County, former Real Housewives of New York cast member Alex McCord shares her own experiences with the Bravo franchise’s penchant for re-creating history, one take at a time.

McCord recalled an incident in the show’s first season in which castmate Jill Zarin summoned her to a shindig — which producers threw a wrench into.

“Jill’s going to call you she’s going to invite you to a Girls’ Night, and ask her if you can bring [husband] Simon [van Kempen] and she’ll say ‘Yes,’” McCord recalled. “Then, full speed ahead as planned, when I showed up to the dinner with Simon, [Ramona Singer] blew a gasket she wasn’t told about any of it in advance, and she reacted honestly to a guy being in the middle of the Girls’ Night!”

McCord said “another way that they can manipulate is reenacting something that already happened, a do-over.

“Sometimes these do-overs just go back to catch something significant that happened when the cameras were done filming, but sometimes they can rewrite history. What am I thinking of? I’m thinking of Bethenny Frankel‘s engagement.

“In real life, she broke the news to me at a crowded bar, in a dark hallway. We were told the audio was no good and, since we have to do it over, why not do it at home? It made for much better reality TV … it made us look good.”

McCord said she could go on with similar stories “for an entire year and not be done, so let’s put this aside.”

Celebuzz Interviews Joanna Krupa

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Sonja Morgan Talks Christmas Decorating, Seasonal Specialties, And More

RadarOnline.com:

The Real Housewives of New York City star Sonja Morgan is ready for Christmas and has already kicked into full gear with the holiday season.

“For the holidays, I have my mom, my sister, and my two aunts visiting my daughter and I,” Morgan told RadarOnline.com exclusively.

They have some special holiday traditions that they love to do as a family.

“We always do a thousand piece puzzle and play scrabble,” Morgan said.

And it wouldn’t be the season without some of Morgan’s homemade dishes.

“We have a bunch of different meals,” she said. “We are having fig jelly with cheddar cheese right now. We had peeking duck. I make it in the toaster oven with orange glaze. I also made turkey soup.”

Before her family arrived, Morgan’s friends helped her decorate her house.

“My girlfriend Cindy Hussey she came over and helped me decorate with red sparkly tulle,” she said. “That was the fun part. We wrapped that around the banister and at the base of the tree.”

Morgan also decided to break away from her traditional tree decorating.

“This year we decided to go with color lights,” she said. “That’s a big decision.”

And the ornaments she selected to match the furry members of her family.

“The balls are bronze and gold kind of like our dogs: one is blonde and the other is red,” she said.

On top of the decorating and cooking, Morgan has already received a special gift from a friend.

“Edward from The Dog Store dropped in and gave me a new dog with no notice when another client decided to go with two French bulldogs instead of the poodle,” Morgan said. “He’s peeing all over the house but I love him.”

Rouge, the new dog, joins Morgan’s other dog Marley and her cat Tigre.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Carlton Gebbia Shows Off Her Fifty Shades of Grey Playroom

People.com:

We already knew that Carlton Gebbia was a witch, but we learned on Monday's Real Housewives of Beverly Hills that she also likes to dabble in the dark arts when it comes to sex.

The 40-year-old showed off her future "playroom" – a place Christian Grey would be proud to call his own.

"I want a room in the house where I can lock the door and have completely no inhibitions," Gebbia said. "Mommy and Daddy's playroom."

She was intent on designing a room that would make her husband (as well as Fifty Shades of Grey's Anastasia Steele) blush.

"I like to play. I like to experiment. I like adult toys," Gebbia said, showing off racks of revealing lingerie as well as ankle restraints and a red leather mask with ball gag. "David does not know yet what he's in for … I think he'll be a very happy boy."

Maybe that explains why Gebbia was unable to attend Yolanda Foster's fabulous party, which featured a private performance by her husband, David Foster, and The Tenors, as well as a touch of favoritism.

"How come some people have little hearts on their cards and some don't?" asked Foster's longtime combatant Kyle Richards when she noticed the handwritten place cards. "I don't."

"There was absolutely no rhyme or reason," Foster, 49, said, later adding, "It was my unconscious speaking without me knowing … but my unconscious was accurate."

Brandi Glanville and Lisa Vanderpump received hearts, while Kyle and Kim Richards, along with Joyce Giraud, did not.

"Maybe she's making a statement," Vanderpump, 53, remarked coyly. "I have a big heart next to mine."

"Really?" Kyle, 44, said. "We have to earn the hearts."

"Friendships are earned," Foster said.

NeNe Leakes Makes Cynthia Bailey Cry Over Parenting Skills

With all the trouble eldest son Bryson has been in over the years, NeNe's one to talk about somebody else's parenting skills:

Get ready for a crazy new episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta this coming Sunday, December 29. Titled "Midnight in the Garden of Tea and Shade," the last Atlanta installment of 2013 will include the unimaginable: besties NeNe Leakes and Cynthia Bailey turning on each other! That's right, it's Tall versus Tall this week, when NeNe brings Cynthia to tears.

Here's the episode description from BravoTV:

"With the ladies still enjoying their time in Savannah, things quickly take a left turn when NeNe and Cynthia come to a heated disagreement about parenting, causing Cynthia to have a major breakdown. After attending an outrageous drag show, the ladies enjoy one last home-cooked Savannah dinner together — but an unwelcomed guest creates a huge commotion, causing the meal to end on an unexpected note."

Earlier this season, NeNe and Cynthia revealed their different views on parenting when NeNe felt that Cynthia's daughter, Noelle, was way too young to have a boyfriend. Meanwhile, Cynthia thought that it's better to support Noelle's choice to date by maintaining open communication with her daughter. That way, Noelle is upfront about her love life instead of ending up sneaking around behind her mother's back.

Based on this sneak peek, it seems that NeNe wasn't finished with the topic, though, because Cynthia ends up having to leave the room after breaking down into tears. "I'm not saying you're a bad mom," NeNe insists, as Cynthia excuses herself in a flood of tears.

"NeNe is a little harsh in judging Cynthia," Kandi Burruss tells the camera.

RELATED: NeNe Leakes: I Dated Chuck Smith Too!

Racist, Alcoholic Wench Brandi Glanville Says Joyce Giraud Has ‘Endangered My Family & Cost Me Jobs’

No, it couldn't possibly have anything to do with her racist remarks, drunkard rants, demeaning behavior and all-round public debauchery:

Brandi Glanville took to Facebook Sunday to blast her Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills castmate Joyce Giraud — accusing the beauty queen of dragging her name through the mud to stay relevant as a Bravolebrity — and we’ve got all the details for you right here on RadarOnline.com.

As we previously reported, Joyce and Brandi have had no love lost in Joyce’s first season on the Bravo hit, as the former Miss Puerto Rico has accused Eddie Cibrian‘s ex of racist comments, and an addiction to booze.

Brandi wrote on her Facebook that “Joyce’s ongoing comments, accusations and labels have endangered my family and cost me jobs, and opportunities.” (Joyce’s mogul husband Michael Ohoven is a film producer, and the founder/CEO of Infinity Media.)

“As a single mother, supporting my two little boys and running a household by myself I hope Joyce feels really really good about what she is doing to my family as she sits atop her mansion with her giant diamond ring and zero worries.”

Brandi said she wishes Joyce “were more interesting so that trying to ruin my life wasn’t her only storyline.”

Brandi said that part of her tension with Joyce stems from phoniness, as she thought she ended on “good friendly terms” with Joyce following filming — and even had a cordial run-in at a restaurant — only to find her arch-rival verbally incinerating her “the second any press would listen.”

Joyce was “giving interview after interview about me needing rehab or me being prejudice or anything me and all negative,” which Brandi said “speaks volumes about her need for attention her vicious ambition and her true colors.

“I really hope this woman can stop obsessing over what she thinks my issues are and focus on the help she needs to get for herself.”

Brandi did admit she was “embarrassed” for some of her behavior in the episode, adding that it was “extremely difficult for [her] to watch;” and that Joyce’s true colors were exposed in “a defining moment” of the show this season.

“Trust me it’s not pretty,” she said. “I can only hope that the show decides to air it because not everything we shoot makes it in.”

Monday, December 23, 2013

57-Year-Old Ramona Singer Flaunts Sexy Bikini Body

RadarOnline.com:

Pinot does a body good!

Ramona Singer and her husband Mario fled the Big Apple for warmer weather, taking a romantic getaway to Naples, Florida.

Clad in a skimpy bikini, the Real Housewives of New York City star flaunted her toned tummy – as she wrapped her arms around her hubby, whose washboard abs were on full display.

Despite facing cheating allegations earlier this year, the couple was all smiles, posing for photos near the Waldorf Astoria Hotel swimming pool.

“In Naples, Fl with Mario for a little weekend getaway!” the Bravo star wrote.

Ramona posted another sultry bikini shot on Twitter, captioning the photo: “So happy to be in a suit in the hot sun at @WaldorfNaples rather than a down coat in NYC!”

Showing off her sexy bikini body, Ramona, 57, is looking better than ever.

She wrote on her Bravo blog that to get ready for warm weather, she cuts her portions in half, kicks up her workout routine, and takes the occasional Duzoxin pill.

'Fake' Lawyer Who Represented Jacqueline and Christopher Laurita Is Indicted

NJ.com:

The Franklin Lakes man who posed as an attorney for cast members of the Real Housewives of New Jersey accused of beating a Paramus man was indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday, according to Ridgewood Patch.

Mark J. McGuire, 53, was charged by Ridgewood police with a single count of "unauthorized representation" for telling three Ridgewood police officers he was allowed to practice law in the state of New Jersey.

McGuire, who isn't a licensed attorney in New Jersey, had "represented" Jacqueline and Christopher Laurita after a Paramus man claimed the Lauritas and fellow cast member Joe Gorga assaulted him in a bloody confrontation at the grand opening of a Ridgewood business.

The criminal charges against the Housewives, as well as countercharges filed against the accuser, were dropped in September. The accuser, Johnny Karagiorgis, has filed a civil suit against the reality stars seeking damages.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

NeNe Leakes, Phaedra Parks Dispute ‘Head Doctor’ Comment

S2Smagazine.com:

According to Phaedra Parks, NeNe Leakes apologized for referring to her as “The Head Doctor,” but while she might be sorry she said it on national TV, NeNe insists that she did not lie.

During the most recent episode of “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” NeNe commented on a rumor she’d apparently heard while living in Athens, the same town where Phaedra Parks grew up.

NeNe laughed as she revealed Phaedra’s alleged nickname that didn’t have anything to do with brain surgery, she clarified.

Phaedra called into “Watch What Happens Live” to address the gossip.

“NeNe saying I was some head doctor, that is definitely a lie,” Phaedra told the “WWHL” audience. “First of all, she didn’t know me in high school, as she made very clear. She did apologize for it. She thought it was funny, but of course, it’s never funny when you’re making up malicious lies like that.”

While Phaedra may have been annoyed by NeNe’s “joke,” it seems NeNe took issue with Phaedra suggesting she lied.

“A hit dog always holla!” NeNe wrote in her most recent BravoTV.com blog. “I didn’t say I knew Phaedra was ‘The Head Doctor,’ I said it was a rumor! We have all heard rumors about somebody we didn’t go to school with. It wasn’t said with malicious intent, but it was said. I’m definitely a jokester, but the one thing I don’t practice is lying.”

NeNe defended herself and countered that Phaedra is just getting a taste of her own medicine.

The two got into it during the season 5 reunion show when NeNe revealed that Phaedra had contacted NeNe’s siblings in an alleged attempt to dig up dirt on “RHOA” original cast member.

“This is the show we signed up for! Don’t get new now! I can’t count the number of times Phaedra has lied about my character. It works like this: don’t ever think you can dish on me and I can’t do the same to you.”

Real Housewives of Orange County Signs New Castmembers? Lizzie Rovsek, Shannon Beador May Be Joining Season 9

Of course, it's always best to wait till we get an official statement from Bravo on these matters. Then too, I don't think letting Gretchen (tho it'll be nice to know that we'll never see Slade Smiley's mug again...on RHOC anyway) and Alexis go was a good idea:

Can these ladies handle the heat? Real Housewives of Orange County had a typically major shakeup following season 8, with longtime castmembers Alexis Bellino and Gretchen Rossi leaving the cast, alongside with first-season newbie Lydia McLaughlin. Filling their high-heeled shoes? Elizabeth Rovsek and Shannon Beador, Us Weekly can exclusively confirm. The twosome will join returning women Vicki Gunvalson (the Bravo smash's only original star), Tamra Barney and Heather Dubrow. Bravo has no comment on the casting news.

In her early thirties, Rovsek (who goes by "Lizzie") has a background tailor-made for the Housewives universe. The former model was crowned Miss Kentucky USA back in 2002, and wed OC real estate executive Christian Rovsek in September 2009. She parlayed her Fashion Design and Merchandising Degree into her own business: Sun Kitten Swimwear by Lizzie, which creates "high-end, special occasion designer swimsuits" featuring jewel embellishments, according to the company website. She and Christian share sons Preston and Kingston.

One enticing clue about her new reality gig? Rovsek recently tweeted at Joyce Giraud -- another former beauty queen and one of the newcomers on the current season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. "You are so beautiful! Inside & out!!" Rovsek gushed Dec. 10.

Shannon Beador -- whose casting has been rumored by fan blogs for weeks -- also seems to fit the Housewives mold. Reportedly 49, the California native and construction mogul husband David Beador have three kids, and live in a massive home in Newport Beach's Bonita Canyon neighborhood. In a recently posted Twitter photo, Beador posed with Tamra Barney.

Although season nine has not officially been announced, RHOC is expected to return next year.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

"The Wendy Williams Show" Interviews Kenya Moore

Tamra Barney Suffers Big Setback In Bid To Have Children With Ex-Husband Simon Appear On ‘RHOC'

RadarOnline.com:

Real Housewives of Orange County‘s Tamra Barney suffered a huge setback to have her three children with ex-husband, Simon Barney, appear on the the hit reality television show because a judge ordered a custody evaluator and investigation to determine if they should appear on camera, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

In a brief hearing Friday morning in an Orange County courthouse, the judge ordered an independent custody evaluation and investigation to determine if the former couple’s three children should appear on camera. It was a dramatic development, and the judge refused to issue a temporary ruling allowing the kids to appear on the original Bravo housewife franchise, pending the results of the investigation.

Radar broke the story: A furious Simon said the couple’s eldest children — Sidney, 15, and Spencer, 13 — had experienced “social ridicule” after scenes were aired depicting their mom’s “head in naked strippers crotches, sex toys and sexual comments” during the last season of the popular program.

The pair also has another child, eight-year-old Sophia.

The fiasco began last week when Tamra went to an Orange County court in a desperate attempt to have a judge overrule her ex and allow their three children to be filmed as part of the show.

Lawyers for the Bravolebrity are arguing that under the family code, she should be able to act alone to permit the children to participate in the show, but only during her periods of her physical custody.

In his response, Simon said his ex-wife was “seeking to take away my right to parent and make decisions regarding the lasting effects and impacts the show may have on my children.”

On Thursday, Barney fired back in a sworn declaration and said, ““From a positive standpoint, I do not have to hold myself accountable to the Petitioner anymore for what I do on my own time.

“I am currently in a happy and “healthy” marriage for the first time in a very long time. My husband and I having ‘fun’ at a bachelorette/bachelor party is not atypical of what other soon-to-be spouses do prior to getting married. In any event, we do not involve the children in any of these scenes and the Petitioner’s self-serving declaration and exhibits verify this fact.”

She revealed that her decision to ask for court intervention came after Sophia “expressed a desire to participate with me” in the series.

“Petitioner attempts, in his response, to fit my request to adhere to Sophia’s wishes to film with me into the category of a ‘major decision,’” she said.

Simon Barney’s attorney Simon Aziz Budhwani from Core Law Group, told Radar: “The judge on the record stated, ‘“This is not a routine decision that Ms Barney can make on her own, it’s a major decision. It requires both parties consent.”

A hearing will be held on February 25, 2014 to determine if the kids will be allowed to appear on camera.

Friday, December 20, 2013

NeNe Leakes Potentially Fatal Blood Clots Are Not Entirely Gone

EOnline.com:

We're happy to report that NeNe Leakes' health is steadily improving.

"I'm not 100 percent, but I'm trying to get there," The Real Housewives of Atlanta star tells me. "It's been tough, but I've been pretty strong. I'm coming back."

Leakes was hospitalized last month when doctors found she had blood clots in her lungs. "It takes about six weeks to really get back to feeling yourself, but I'm on blood thinners now," she said. "I would have to say I'm about 80 percent. I'm doing a lot better."

I caught up with Leakes at her Atlanta home while she was promoting the E! Entertainment Special: Nene Leakes, her in-depth interview with Giuliana Rancic airing tonight on E! at 10 p.m.

Leakes is getting ready for the holidays. She'll spend Christmas at home, but then she'll be in Las Vegas for New Year's with family and friends.

Lisa Vanderpump Slams Bethenny Frankel — Stop ‘Trashing Me!’

RadarOnline.com:

Lisa Vanderpump’s Real Housewives feuds are going bi-coastal.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills diva called out Bethenny Frankel on Thursday, claiming the former Real Housewives of New York star bites that hand that feeds her, RadarOnline.com is reporting.

After a fan thanked Vanderpump for carrying Frankel’s Skinnygirl cocktails at West Hollywood hotspot Sur Lounge, an excited Frankel tweeted: “That is very nice!”

Unfriendly, the Vanderpump Rules star wasn’t so cordial and quickly shot back: “Yes, even though she keeps trashing me!”

She continued to blow off the talk show host, adding: “I don’t pay attention… never mind and good morning.”

Frankel has not issued a response, but there’s definitely a Housewives feud brewing!

It’s not clear what spurred the drama, but RHOBH stars Brandi Glanville, Kyle Richards, and Kim Richards have all been airing their dirty laundry about the British reality star on Frankel’s talk show.

Most recently, Kim stopped by the show and admitted Vanderpump was never her friend.

“She’s just never been a real good friend to me and that’s okay, she doesn’t have to be. I’m over it. I’m over the things she’s done. There are little things that you will see that will happen over this season that her true colors will show,” she said.

“She’s letting the audience think she’s my friend when clearly she was just dragging all my stuff out for the world to see more and more.”

LuAnn de Lesseps Is Dating Again, Turns To Comedy After Relationship Ends

RadarOnline.com:

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps cured her post-breakup blues with comedy, recently graduating from an improv class in New York, RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned.

After her steamy three-year relationship with Jacques Azoulay ended, the Real Housewives of New York City star started a Level 1 class at People’s Improv Theater.

“She came to The PIT before with Bravo — but she returned on her own to take the 8-week class because she thought it was fun,” her improv instructor Jamie Cummings exclusively told Radar.

“She fit right in – and was pretty funny.”

During the final class performance on Dec. 17, the “Money Can’t Buy You Class” singer tickled everyone’s funny bone during a sketch in which she played a “stoned pizza worker.”

“She was really in character. The skit was actually her idea,” Cummings revealed about LuAnn, who is currently signed on for Season 6 of RHONY.

During the Dec. 17 show, LuAnn gushed about the experience and posted a photo of her class.

“Having so much fun at my first improv show,” she wrote on Twitter.

In September, Luann was joined by her co-star Carole Radziwill for their first entry into performing comedy. Other ladies from the Housewives franchise – and of course Bravo cameras — were on hand for the evening as they poked fun of their royal titles and much more.

The comedy routine is set to air during the upcoming season, sources confirmed to Radar.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Cynthia Bailey Reveals: My Husband Peter Almost Left Me

LifeandStylemag.com:

The past two years have been hell for The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Cynthia Bailey, who was diagnosed with fibroids — non-cancerous tumors that develop in the uterus. The health crisis left her exhausted, suddenly 20 pounds heavier and pushed her marriage to Peter Thomas to the breaking point.

The reality star now admits to Life & Style that if she hadn't undergone corrective surgery this summer, her husband would have left.

“We’d be divorced for sure,” Cynthia reveals to Life & Style, on newsstands now.

Peter’s quick to agree: “I know we would have been done,” he tells Life & Style. “There is absolutely no way we could have survived another year if things hadn’t changed.”

The main issue plaguing the couple was Cynthia’s suddenly nonexistent sex drive, due to bloating and discomfort from the fibroids. Cynthia admits to the mag that sometimes they went three months without sex.

At one point, he confesses, he thought of cheating on his wife: “Me and my buddies were planning a trip to Venezuela because nobody knows us there.”

After undergoing a fibroid embolization to rid herself of the tumors, Cynthia says she is healthy again and their relationship is better than ever. “We’re intimate a lot more now and it feels great,” says Cynthia.

Joyce Giraud Slams Brandi Glanville Over Racist Remarks: Says ‘I Really Dislike Her’

RadarOnline.com:

Brandi Glanville has tried to offer half-hearted apologies for her racist remark to Joyce Giraud that she didn’t swim because she is black, but her co-star says the efforts ring hollow and that she really dislikes her now.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills ladies have been battling since Bravo aired the ill-fated Palm Springs trip footage showing Glanville mocking Giraud for not getting in the pool.

“What she said was racist and hurtful,” Giraud said in a new interview with Life & Style magazine.

Glanville is digging in her designer heels, claiming that without her outrageous antics the show would have no story lines or attention, saying: “Honestly, if Carlton Gebbia and I hadn’t kissed, I hadn’t said this stupid joke and Lisa Vanderpump and I hadn’t gotten into a fight, we wouldn’t have a show. I’m just being honest.”

However, Giraud doesn’t see things the same way.

“Brandi didn’t apologize and [I should’ve said] ‘Pack your bags and go.’ It was my trip – I was the host!”

She also says she was inclined to forgive Glanville until she began “slamming” her on Twitter once the episode aired.

It doesn’t seem like those two will be getting along anytime soon, with Giraud saying: “I really dislike her.”

Rumors Circulating That Porsha Williams Was Fired From ‘RHOA’

If this is true than it was the wrong move by Bravo. "Real Housewives of Atlanta" is killing it in the ratings right now and IMO Porsha's sudden divorce from Kordell Stewart played a huge part in that. Yes, Porsha is clearly not the brightest bulb in the room and she often comes off as super corny and naive, but her being the youngest member of the cast and the good chance that viewers may want to see how she moves on from her marriage, could keep her story appealing. Then too, if it ain't broke, don't fix it and let Porsha stay on however long she wants to:

Reportedly a mix of “boring” and “annoying” has threatened the reality TV future of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Porsha Williams.

According to gossip blog MediaTakeOut.com, Porsha was fired by Bravo earlier this week and an announcement will be made about her exit later this week.

Porsha is one of the newer co-stars, having joined the cast last season with Kenya Moore. Since then, she’s become a fan favorite as viewers watched her cope with divorce from ex-husband Kordell Stewart and adjust to single life again.

“I want to express how thankful and appreciative I am of how you all have surrounded me with love and support,” Porsha wrote in her most recent BravoTV.com blog.

While that might sound like a farewell, HollywoodLife.com reports that Bravo execs denied the rumors of Porsha’s departures.

Though NeNe Leakes was once a fan of the idea of kicking Porsha off the show, describing her as fake, she later retracted that. After Porsha’s divorce from Kordell, NeNe and others found Porsha more real.

“I did feel that Porsha…needed to leave the show, “ NeNe said on “Watch What Happens Live” earlier this year. “I kept feeling like Porsha and Kordell were not being real enough.”

Of course, Porsha would not be the first cast member to leave the show. Since its premiere, four women have left the series: Sheree Whitfield, DeShawn Snow, Lisa Wu Hartwell and Kim Zolciak.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Kyle Richards Says Yolanda Foster ‘Isn’t Genuine’

RadarOnline.com:

On Monday night’s episode of the Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, Kyle Richards broke down after a heated argument with Yolanda Foster — and their catfight is far from over, RadarOnline.com has learned.

“In hindsight, a part of me is mad at myself for being so quick to want to fix things with Lisa Vanderpump and Yolanda that night. It’s clear that Yolanda wasn’t genuine from her interview comments saying she doesn’t have time for Kim and my antics,” Richards wrote on her Bravo blog.

“Yolanda contradicts herself nonstop. She does talk a good game though. If only her actions matched her words.”

During the episode, Richards – who had been dealing with her husband Mauricio Umansky’s alleged cheating rumors – broke down, but later admitted to Foster: “Your problems are bigger than mine. You’ve been sick.”

“Please don’t cry,” Foster, who is battling Lyme disease, said while hugging her co-star. “Let’s move forward.”

But her tune quickly changed. “I’m battling for my life… not for Kim and Kyle and their little antics,” David Foster’s wife told the cameras.

Richards continued to vent about the drama, blaming her RHOBH co-stars for her on-air meltdown.

“I had been so stressed with everything going on that all the negativity with the women was proving to be too much for me,” she wrote.

“Lisa kept saying I was upset about what going on (meaning the tabloids), but it wasn’t just that. The mean behavior of this group of women is what sent me over the edge that night.”