5 Minutes With: Lynda Erkiletian

WaPo.com:

Lynda Erkiletian, who has the distinction of starring in the only U.S. “Real Housewives” franchise not to make it past Season 1, still thinks Washington could make it to the big time. Although some argue that Washington will never be more than a political town, Erkiletian isn’t buying it. Thirty-three years after opening the Artist Agency, her D.C.-based talent firm, the onetime reality star continues to push Washington into the limelight.

What was your experience like on “Housewives”?

When I started doing the show, I had already been in business 26 years, so I had my tribe of industry people who knew who I was. But it was wonderful to have the platform of Bravo and be able to showcase our industry across the nation and, in some cases, across the world.

Overall, was the experience a positive or a negative?

I won’t say it was all a bed of roses. It certainly was not. As you probably know, we had our White House crashers, and the FBI — which [“Housewives” executive producer] Andy Cohen just recently talked about — came in and seized all the film and footage. It was very uncomfortable. We were the first “Housewives” show that didn’t go forward for a second season. We knew that [before they told us] because they stopped filming, and we knew the FBI requested all the footage because they had to make sure that Bravo didn’t have anything to do with it. That’s a monster breathing down your back when you’re trying to do a reality show.

Did you have any idea that was going to happen?

Oh, no. I didn’t really film with the Salahis with the exception of being at other people’s parties, because that was part of my contract. I had done business with them in the past, and I didn’t want the association. We had done her [Michaele’s] polo event before for the fashion show, and, unfortunately, it wasn’t a very good business arrangement. We had to sue them to get our money. So, I really didn’t want to pretend that I liked who they were. But I think the “Housewives of D.C.” was certainly worth doing it. I have no regrets as far as that goes.

How do you feel about “The Real Housewives of Potomac”?

I haven’t seen this season, but I do have favorites. I think it’s great to have a reality show in D.C. I used to live in Potomac. It’s a fantastic city. It’s wonderful that they’re doing it. We need something to showcase our city on a national level. If that’s what it takes, I’m all for it.

RELATED:  ‘Real Housewives Of DC’ Where Are They Now?

Ex-Real Housewives: Where Are They Now

Glamour.com:

Mary Schmidt-Amons
Mary "I don't make money, I spend money" Schmidt-Amons divorced her husband, Rich, about a year ago. The Labels for Love founder also recently launched bodybymaryamons.com, a website that scarily knows where you're clicking in from and appears to have something to do with diet supplements.

Lynda Erkiletian
Lynda's company, The Artists Agency, actually celebrates its 29th anniversary today. That's the good news. The bad news is that she's no longer with Ebong. Boo.

Stacie Scott Turner
I'll admit to falling in love with Stacie's search for her biological father--and I'm sad to say that she and husband Jason, who went on the quest with her, have since gone their separate ways. She's still running her real estate business.

Catherine Ommannen
Cat has written her autobiography and a sequel to her autobiography since the show aired. Let's disregard the fact that many world leaders have been captured in a single volume and just focus on how good she looks. (She also recently had a baby girl!)

Michaele Salahi
Michaele and her rocker bf Neal Schon are reportedly considering getting married on TV, while the rest of us are reportedly going "nah, we're good."

Now let's travel back to the origin story that was Real Housewives of Orange County and catch up with some of the first women to hold up fruit on television ever.

Jo De La Rosa
Jo's LinkedIn profile lists her as director of sales for the media company Optimal Fusion. I say: any position other than "Slade Smiley's television in" is a major step in the right direction.

Jeana Keough
The fact that Jeana rarely smiled at anything made her one of my favorites on the first season of RHOC. But I had to grin at this: Jeana recently took daughter Kara, who got engaged last year, to find a dress at Kleinfeld's in New York! PLEASE let this be an ep of Say Yes to the Dress.

DeShawn Snow
Well hey, DeShawn wrote a series of kids' books called Lil' Shawnee aimed at empowering young girls. I can't say anything snarky because I'd be lying if I said this cover, with all its preteen awesomeness wouldn't have brought me to a screeching, captivated halt in the library's YA section back in the day.

Danielle Staub
One-woman drama machine Staub won VH1's Famous Food (I know, I didn't see it either) in 2011--but her restaurant, The Lemon Basket, has since closed. There have been rumors of her returning to RHONJ, but no official word.

RELATED:  Divorced 'Real Housewives': More Than Half Of All Current Cast Members Are Divorced

IRealHousewives Interview Lynda Erkiletian

IRealHousewives:

iRH: Hi Lynda, welcome to iRealHousewives, how are you?

LE: Better than ever. Thank you.

iRH: How were you approached to be a “Real Housewife of DC”?

LE: I was approached by a production company who purported to be looking for interesting, intelligent women in the district to share their personal and professional lives. We did not initially know the show was to part of the Real Housewives franchise.

iRH: What made you decide to be part of the show?

LE: I thought the show would be a perfect opportunity to showcase THE Artist Agency and acquaint the viewing public with the Washington DC fashion industry, as well as the many worthwhile cultural and charitable organizations with whom we collaborate.

iRH: How is life after being on “The Real Housewives of DC”?

LE: In the beginning it took some adjusting to not having the cameras following me around but my life continues to be full; full of blessings and tests, or rather opportunities. And thankfully, both THE Artist Agency and The James and Paula Coburn Foundation continue to grow and thrive, providing a sincerely gratifying outlet for my professional and creative energies.

iRH: Do you still keep in touch with any of your DC cast members?

LE: I am still very much in touch with Cat and Mary, and occasionally I will see Stacy.

iRH: Last time we saw you, you were in a relationship with Ebong, are you guys still together?

LE: My mom moved in last year to undergo cancer treatment and recovery, which was an extremely emotional time for me. I found my main focus became her well-being and I was tapped out physically and emotionally. Ebong and I had a very special relationship that like most had its share of ups and downs. So when push came to shove I had little to give and he deserved more. As many of the viewers came to know, he is an incredible person and bestowed many blessings in my life. I will love him always.

iRH: Are you currently single?

LE: I am currently single (laughs), I have donated that one to the divine.

iRH: Can you give my readers an update on how your kids are doing?

LE: The kids are great! My oldest sons both graduated earlier this summer; Aaron from the Corcoran College of Art and Design, and Mihran from St. Joseph's University, where my youngest son, Sam, has just completed his Freshman year. Jessica has moved with her boyfriend to the Philadelphia area and she is currently assisting with the James Coburn Biography that we are preparing to release. And I am gaining a daughter! When Aaron marries his longtime girlfriend, K.C., who has been a beloved part of our family for years.

iRH: You've been very vocal about being diagnosed with dyslexia. At what point in your life did you realize you were dyslexic?

LE: When I was young, not many people were familiar with or considerate of learning differences like dyslexia. I had an unnecessarily difficult and discouraging educational experience and was thrilled many years later to find an academic and professional network of support when my son was diagnosed. It was a blessing in disguise however in that it was the dyslexia that drove me to seek out alternative options in different creative fields. Also the key to success with dyslexia is surrounding yourself with a team of English majors.

RELATED: My Washington: Lynda Erkiletian

Real Housewives of D.C. Mary Amons, Lynda Erkiletian, Stacie Turner and Catherine Ommanney Reunite With Andy Cohen

WaPo.com:

The Real Housewives of D.C. — minus Michaele Salahi or any made-for-TV meltdowns — reunited Friday thanks to one man: Andy Cohen.


The Bravo network executive behind the “Housewives” franchises and other guilty pleasures has become a pop culture phenom himself; in something like the Dick Cheney veep search, Cohen cast himself as the network’s nightly talk-show host and on-air pundit of his own programs.


Which made him the star attraction of Bethesda Row’s three-day fashion event last weekend. The line of fans Friday night stretched around the block, clutching copies of his new memoir, “Most Talkative”; groupies gave him custom t-shirts, flowers and even original artwork. “It’s mazel mayhem!” proclaimed Lynn Blitzer, who sat with husband Wolf and Cohen during the runway show.


Also in the front row: Four of D.C.’s erstwhile Housewives — Mary Amons, Stacie Turner, Lynda Erkiletian and Catherine Ommanney — who said they showed up out of affection for Cohen.


“Oh, we love Andy,” Amons told us. “He’s a really likeable guy. He’s very smart, and he knows how smart we are as a group. I think he really appreciates that.”


“And what he’s done with the network and how he’s extending himself is exactly what we’re looking to do,” said Turner.


No hard feelings, in other words — despite the fact Cohen canceled their show after one season. Forget that playful exterior, he’s first and foremost a shrewd TV programmer. What happen, Andy — was Washington just too boring for your fans?


“Every reporter in D.C. says to me, ‘Why is D.C. bad for reality shows?’ And it’s not,” he claimed. The local version was one of the most successful first seasons for the network; he believes it was derailed by the Salahis’ White House State Dinner crash.


“It hurt it because it sucked up all the attention about the show,” he said. Plus, the Miami and Beverly Hills franchises were launching and there were concerns about “Housewives” overkill. No regrets: “We set out to do a show about proximity to power, about race in a city with its first black president.” They got some provocative discussions about race, he said, and “we certainly got the story of what people will do for proximity to power.”


What about the ’Wives — would they do it all over again? None of them got rich off the show; and all four stars married at the time of production have since split from their husbands.


“Absolutely!” said Amons. “It was just a great opportunity for me to get into the entertainment business that I’ve loved and longed for for so long.”


Turner hesitated for a moment. “I think so,” she said. “I’m not sure.”

The Real Housewives of DC: Where Are They Now?

Zimbio.com:

The Real Housewives of DC was canceled after only one season, but the ladies haven't been forgotten. Check out what all of your favorite housewives from our nation's capital have been up to now that they're not bickering and backstabbing on your TV screens.


Mary Schmidt Amons
Before she was a Housewife, Mary Schmidt Amons founded a charity called Labels for Love, which aims to help women and children in need. DC's Fashion's Night Out 2011 recently helped raise funds for the non-profit. Mary also co-founded the District Sample Sale, which donated ticket proceeds and silent auction earnings to the WEAVE charity this year.


Lynda Erkiletian
According to her Twitter, Lynda is still a mother of four, President of The Artist Agency, and Executive Director of the James & Paula Coburn Foundation. Based on her tweets, she also seems to be supporting Chaz Bono on this season of Dancing With the Stars.


Stacie Scott Turner
Stacie was profiled in June in emPOWER magazine about her Extra-Ordinary Life foundation, which helps DC foster care teens. She also visited Nigeria in January 2011 to meet her biological father and half-siblings for the very first time.


Catherine "Cat" Ommanney
Cat recently broke up with her boyfriend, Ricky Martino after she said no to his marriage proposal. She kept her sense of humor about things, though, tweeting: "“OK two rumors I need to address…Firstly I am not engaged. Secondly I do not have Michaele Salahi.”


Michaele Salahi
We've all heard about Michaele Salahi's recent "journey" by now. In September 2011 her husband reported her missing, but it turned out that the Housewife (and White House crasher) had merely run away with Journey guitarist Neal Schon.

Lynda Erkiletian And Catherine Ommanney On D.C. Cancellation: 'Get Over Yourself, Michaele Salahi!'

God, I wish Bravo would change their mind and give these women a shot at another season:

After Bravo officially announced that The Real Housewives of D.C. wouldn't be returning to the small screen, former castmates Lynda Erkiletian and Catherine Ommanney talked to RadarOnline.com exclusively about their disappointment.


Catherine also had some harsh words for Michaele Salahi, addressing her recent comments that there can't be a Real Housewives of D.C. without her.


"Get over yourself, Michaele! There are a lot of things that can be done without you, actually a majority of things which aren't psychologically disturbing," Catherine told RadarOnline.com exclusively.


"I think there was disappointment and relief," Lynda told RadarOnline.com of the network pulling the plug.


But Catherine said she wasn't shocked by the news. "I was slightly disappointed, but not really surprised. It was the right decision.


"Bravo knew that we weren't prepared to work with Michaele again. I don't think any money or fortune or success was worth the mental strain with her, full stop. I couldn't do that again," said Catherine, who's working on a follow-up to her book, Inbox Full.


The Gatecrashing incident heard around the world -- when Michaele and her husband Tareq allegedly crashed the White House State Dinner in 2009 -- literally took over the premiere season, Catherine added.


"Their gatecrashing the dinner was during filming and it resulted in a lot of other story lines being cut out. Everything had to be about the gatecrashing. It was such a dangerous thing for them to do."


Catherine was quick to point out Michaele wasn't the reason for the cancellation. Lynda agrees, adding that she would have come back -- without Michaele.


"I wouldn't have done it if Michaele was a part of it, mainly because I found her husband to be unpredictable and scary at times."


She says the first season's Salahi storyline wasn't a fair portrayal in her city.

I don't buy for a second that Cat and Lynda wouldn't have come back if Michaele was there. Not that either one needs the money, but I don't think their ego would've allowed for Michaele to be the reason they didn't return.

RELATED: Michaele Salahi on 'Real Housewives of D.C.' Cancellation: 'I Knew This Was Going To Happen'

It's Official: Real Housewives of D.C.' Is Cancelled

WaPo.com:

Ta-ta self-edit-gene-lacking Cat Ommanney!


Bye-bye, modeling agency matron Lynda Erkiletian!


So long, mom-of-five/Arthur Godfrey granddaughter Mary Amons!


See you ‘round, real estate agent Stacie Turner!


And, we think we’ll miss you most of all Michaele Salahi!


“The Real Housewives of D.C.” has been cancelled.


Though Cat confidently told The Post in late February that the deafening silence since the show’s October 2010 finale, “has made people think there won’t be one, but I’m quite confident that there will be a second season,” the fat lady sang for the show on Thursday afternoon.


Bethesda-based Half Yard Productions contacted the cast to let them know Washington’s contribution to Bravo’s hot docu-soap franchise would not be picked up for a second season.


It marks the first time in “Housewives” history that an iteration has not moved forward for a second season. The franchise got its start 2006 at the height of ABC network’s “Desperate Housewives” mania.


“We had an amazing season and we told stories that were unique to any other in the franchise. I wish all our DC Wives the best and hope to work with them again in another capacity,” Andy Cohen, Bravo’s executive vice president of original programming and development, said in a an e-mail exchange with the TV Column in response to our query on Thursday.


“In fact, Cat is booked on our April 28th ‘Watch What Happens Live Royal Wedding Spectacular’,” added Cohen – ever the showman.

This news is sad to say the least and really surprising considering that RHODC did really well in the ratings. But then maybe what with Andy Cohen's recent announcement that there wouldn't be any more 'Housewife' series', could it be that the 'Housewives' franchise has become too much of a good thing? Not that that makes any sense either considering that the survival of a TV show usually depends on ratings. Then too, what about the talk that Cohen seems to be trying to make himself bigger than the 'Housewives' himself what with all the promotion surrounding the oft-lame "Watch What Happens Live"? I don't know. But I do know that I'll miss seeing Mary, Stacie, Cat, Lynda and Michaele on TV and enjoyed watching their stories for the short while they lasted anyway. Farewell ladies, tho you can trust that I'll be keeping track of your journey here, after all, once a 'Housewife', always a 'Housewife'.

Lynda Erkiletian Sets the Record Straight on the Season 2 Rumors

Zap2It.com:

As we reported on Thursday (March 24), news that Bravo would not be renewing "The Real Housewives of DC" for a second season spread on the Internet.


And even though the network clearly stated that it had not made a decision regarding the show's Season 2, the reports continued. Now, one of the cast members wants to set the record straight.


"There's no official announcement," cast member Lynda Erkiletian tells Zap2it exclusively. "There's no way. [Cast member Cat Ommanney] is going on 'Watch What Happens Live' on the 28th. One might wonder why [Andy Cohen is] having a DC housewife as a guest [if the show is canceled]."


"There's negotiations taking place," she adds. "And no decision has taken place. Whoever started the rumor was basically doing it for attention."


We spoke to Lynda further on the cancelation rumors, the talk of low ratings and the criticism that the cast just wasn't exciting enough in Season 1.


Who and for what reason would someone want to start the rumor that the show was canceled?
I think we certainly have people out there who like attention, thrive on it, make stuff up, and are habitual at it. So, my first thought was that a team who had something to gain, which is a firestorm, leaked it. I'm perfectly happy living my real life in the real world while negotiations are taking place.


The article's source says the show should be shooting by now. Is that true?
That's not true. Basically, we're four months on, four months of promoting and finalizing interviews, and that sort of thing, and normally four months off.


And when you say we're supposed to be filming right now, we're obviously filming when we're supposed to be filming. And if we're not filming right now, that means we're not supposed to be. It's just craziness.


How do you feel about the reports that your show failed in the ratings?
The thing that I really hated about what was going on yesterday was that people kept talking about the ratings. Our ratings were double, triple what Bravo had anticipated. Our ratings, basically as I heard it from Bravo and [the show's production company] Half Yard, we were only second to New Jersey as a freshman show. Our first episode had 1,700,000 or 1,600,000 viewers. Beverly Hills didn't have that on their first episode.


So, the idea that people were saying we were terrible in the ratings? We weren't. We exceeded everyone's expectations. We knew that the [White House] incident may affect our viewership and some people wouldn't want to watch. So, we came from a disadvantage and we managed to run over a million viewers for every single episode. I was very proud of our ratings considering the circumstances, but most importantly because we were a new show.

Thank goodness for Lynda--is there a 'Housewife' who does a better job at providing us with the truth (I mean, now that Bethenny's gone)? I still say the haters out there talking about RHODC supposedly suffering from low ratings are more upset with Michaele Salahi than anything--then too anyone who thought the first season of RHODC was "boring" clearly didn't watch it. But then would it be shocking if we found out that the Salahi's are the ones leaking this mis-information in the first place? Probably not.

HerExchange Interviews Lynda Erkiletian

HerExchange.com:

If you’ve spent any time following HerExchange, you know by now that I’m a big fan of Bravo’s hit series, The Real Housewives. So naturally, as I prepared for my interview with the star of The Real Housewives of D.C., Lynda Erkiletian, I had a lot of excitement and even a few “reality” preconceived notions. Maybe you do too, but wait – whatever you thought – you have no idea!


You don’t have to look past Lynda’s bio to realize that this mother of four is a woman unlike any other; a woman that didn’t need reality TV to make her a star.


When Lynda was 18 years old, she began touring with R&B songstress, Candi Staton, as a back-up singer; that was just the beginning! Next up, Lynda mastered make-up and hair artistry before moving on to launch her own modeling and stylist agency in the often-fashionably-challenged market of Washington, D.C. With Lynda’s leadership and keen business sense, she’s put D.C. on the map with T-H-E Artists Agency.


You thought you had her figured out – ha! Come along, you’ll love the fashionable ride; meet Lynda.


SG: Lynda, you’ve certainly taken your own path – we just love that! Did you know early on that being an entrepreneur was your destiny?


LE: I didn’t feel like I had a choice because I was dyslexic. I believe everything in life is guiding you if you listen, so rather than being the victim of ‘I can’t spell’, or ‘I have difficulty with this,’ I asked, “OK, what am I good at? What can I do?” I’ve always been a dreamer; I just had to expand those dreams into something that was tangible.


Not everything I’ve touched has been successful, it’s been a journey.


SG: On The Real Housewives of D.C., you were very clear that you are a ‘mom’ first. Did you create your business around your life, or fit life around business? Women struggle to find balance…


LE: I would love to see women give up guilt! We’re people and we have our challenges, but being a working mother doesn’t have to be! I grew up in an environment where my mother was a nurse, she had 6 children, and still prepared all the meals and was head of the house. I feel that what I’ve done as a mom and in business is no different than the women before me.


This is funny – I had a very embarrassing ‘working mom’ moment after my first child, Aaron, was born. I was working as a make-up artist and I was hired to do Llyod Bridges’ make-up; I had not done any work since having Aaron and I was still nursing. Mom’s will relate to this, after you have your baby and you’re breast feeding, even when you think about your baby, especially your first couple of times away, you literally start producing milk. It happened to me right in the middle of doing make-up! I literally had to go to the ladies room and use the hand drier to dry out my dress – it was so embarrassing! I thought, welcome to being a mom who’s trying to do it all!


When I had my other children, I had T-H-E and when you came to my office you would see a baby on my lap or playing in my office. People say that they have to compartmentalize as a mom, and you do, but where you can include your family as a part of your working world you must.


Definitely in my community outreach I’ve involved my children. It’s important that they see a world beyond fashion and beauty and understand the impact T-H-E Agency has on the D.C. community.

Cat Ommanney, Lynda Erkiletian And Mary Schmidt Amons React To Michaele Salahi Going On "Celebrity Rehab"

Seems like the only time you hear from Mary, Lynda and Cat these days is when they're talking about the latest drama going on with the Salahi's:

Michaele Salahi‘s presence is missed during her Real Housewives of D.C. co-star Cat Ommanney’s launch party for her memoir Inbox Full held Thursday at NYC’s Ted Gibson Salon. The bubbly blonde has been tapped to appear on the latest incarnation of Celebrity Rehab.


A source close to production tells me, “Michaele is on the closed set filming and does not suffer from an ‘addiction.’ More details will be announced in the very near term on what she is doing in this television project.”


Her Real Housewives of D.C. co-stars react to the news that the White House party crasher will star on the show – and it isn’t always polite.


Lynda Erkiletian, who clashed with Michaele on Housewives, saw Celebrity Rehab coming.


“I’ve been recommending therapy for quite a while, and probably now’s a good time,” she tells me. “I think it will be an amazing story for Dr. Drew. I respect him, and I think he has a great show. I’m looking forward to seeing how he peels back that onion.”


Meanwhile, Cat wishes Michaele and hubby Tareq would disappear.


“Nope, I’m not gonna say it,” she tells me. “I wish that they went on their way and we don’t have to hear about it all the time. I’m trying to get a hold of Google to find out how I can block their name from coming up on my computer — or my Facebook or my Twitter, period. I haven’t figured out how to do that yet, but hopefully I will.”


Still, Mary Schmidt Amons wishes the couple nothing but the best.


“Good for them,” the married mom of five tells me. “I’m happy for them. I really am. I feel like they have their own path that they’re carving out, and I wish them all the best. I have no ill will toward them. Whatever they want to do, it’s their game, and they’re playing it.”


Hm, what’s the latest on Real Housewives of D.C. season two?


Mary says ,“We don’t know what’s going on. There’s no word about a second season.”


Lynda says, “We’re all very happy, but what I love about us is that we’re friends. We love each other. We have lives, and we continue to live those lives. Come what may, we’re all very happy. “

Lynda Erkiletian Speaks On The Salahi's, D.C. Finale

CNN.com:

As one of “The Real Housewives of D.C.," Lynda Erkiletian completely understands why so many people are fascinated by her fellow cast members, Tareq and Michaele Salahi.


The owner of a modeling agency told CNN the buzz surrounding the Salahis – who became well known last year after they made it past security to shake hands with President Obama during a state dinner for the prime minister of India – is more than warranted.


“I don’t think it was just our show that had to set its sights on the Salahis,” she said. “It was the entire nation who had set its sights on the Salahis given their alleged lack of invitation. It’s impossible to do a show in the nation’s capital and have a national breach of security involving one of our cast members and not have it shake our world.”


The Bravo reality show will have its finale tonight, and viewers will get a behind the scenes glimpse at that fateful night when the Salahis became arguably two of the world’s most famous party guests.

I think that Bravo has done a greatt job in not just focusing on the Salahi's this season, each cast member of RHODC have certainly gotten their equal share of the storyline. However, yes, the media attention towards Tareq and Michaele's extracurricular hijinks can certainly be overwhelming for everyone, esp. the other cast members. But will Lynda, Cat and Mary ever admit that they too have played a part in the extra buzz surrounding the "White House Gatecrashers"? Lynda just won't acknowledge her own mean girlness in how she's treated Michaele this season. Cat hates her (and pretty much everyone else's guts so at least she's consistent) and Mary's passive-aggressiveness is just unmoving at times. Stacie seems to be the only one who can take a straight-up, call-you-to-your-face-on-your-BS approach with the Salahi's and not let them get under her skin. Maybe the other women outta take a cue.

Lynda Erkiletian to Michaele Salahi: "Get a Therapist!"

EOnline.com:

Listen up, Michaele Salahi!

Your Real Housewives of D.C. costar Lynda Erkiletian thinks it's time to get professional help...
"Get a therapist," Erkiletian told reporters at the Operation Smile Gala in L.A. when asked if she had any advice for the controversial reality TV star.

"I think it's really unfortunate that people feel like they have to make things up to create a spotlight," she continued. "I think it's better to just work for it as opposed to making it up."

Erkiletian went on to call Salahi and husband Tareq's news-making antics a "distraction," from their White House party crashing to Michaele's recent announcement that she has multiple sclerosis.

"I was very surprised," Erkiletian said. "No one really knows what they're making up, but I hope that she's not using MS, something as serious as that, to sell a book. Even I would be shocked by that. I wish her the best and I hope that she's getting proper treatment. She looks amazing so let's hope that's not MS being BS."

From all the venom Lynda's been hurling about Michaele this season sometimes one has to wonder if they really ever were close friends.

Lynda Erkiletian Threatens To Sue D.C. Blogger For Making Jokes About Her Modeling Agency

Mediabistro.com:

Apparently Linda Erkiletian can dish it out, but she certainly can't take it. Among all the housewives, she's got the most acid tongue of them all and repeatedly "worries" about Michaela Salahi's dangerously low weight. 


Carol Joynt, a blogger who writes New York Social Diary, CarolJoynt.com and who hosts the popular Q & A Cafe, has issued an especially bizarre apology to Erkiletian, one of the beasts (er, "Real Housewives of D.C.").

There are 13 apologies in all. 

Erkiletian threatened a lawsuit against Joynt because she made jokes in reference to her modeling agency. Another offense was reposting Richard Lawson's Gawker recap of the show. Also check out this recap. 

FishbowlDC sought comment from Joynt, who met all the demands of Erkiletian's attorney. She even phoned Erkiletian to apologize verbally, but the housewife didn't take the call. "I am not in the market for lawsuits because I am half a house rich (the bank owning the other half) and entirely cash poor," Joynt said. "She has power and I don't. I don't mock housewives to make enemies. I mock housewives because I want to believe they are mocking themselves, and in on the joke. I was wrong and I apologize." (That's 14 apologies!)

Joynt cops to shame. After going to great lengths to apologize, apologize, apologize and apologize more, Joynt writes, "I feel shame and I am ashamed for the impact my joking words have had on Lynda Erkiletian, who is a leader in her industry and in this country for seeking to abolish human trafficking and has called upon the industry to alert models to the perils of street casting." 

Wow, just when I thought Lynda would become my favorite D.C. Housewife comes this, as much as she loves to talk shit about Michaele she really comes off as a hypocrite here.

"Elliot In The Morning" Interviews Lynda Erkiletian

Lynda Erkiletian: I Never Called Michaele Anorexic

EOnline.com:

While Real Housewives of D.C.'s Lynda Erkiletian admits she's had worries about costar Michaele Salahi's health, she wants to make one thing clear.

She never called Salahi anorexic...

"At the beginning of filming, when I would see her I felt that she had lost a lot of weight and I was genuinely concerned," Erkiletian told us earlier today. "As a [modeling] agent, I don't ever use the A-word, which she's been parading around and making up and the media has picked up on. I know better."

Erkiletian last saw Salahi at an OK! magazine photo shoot about three weeks ago. "She's put on weight," she said. "Not too much weight. She looks beautiful and really healthy."

Lynda may not have blurted out "anorexic", but she's made numerous references to the fact that Michaele doesn't seem getting in her 3 daily meals. Sorry to see Lynda backtracking like this because it's pretty clear to me that Michaele has some kind of an eating disorder and considering that Lynda's known her the longest she has a right to say something about it.

Popeater Interview w/ Lynda Erkiletian

Popeater.com:

If you've ever tuned in to one of the many 'Real Housewives' shows, you know they are all about drama. Lynda Erkiletian, owner and founder of T.H.E Artist Agency, one of the top modeling agencies in Washington, D.C., is fearless and not at all worried about how she'll be portrayed on Bravo's 'Real Housewives of D.C.' "What you see is what you get, but I'm not very good at editing my thoughts," she admits to PopEater.

Although all eyes are on Michaele "White House Party Crasher" Salahi, Lynda is bringing some heat of her own -- revealing she's got a "hot" younger boyfriend, Ebong Eka. "I have a very rich, fulfilling life, so if a man is going to be in my life, it's because he touches my heart," she gushes.

The couple have been dating for over a year, but Lynda, who has been married twice before, is in no rush to tie the knot. "Let's not get carried away. It's way too soon to talk about marriage. I'll get back to you in ten years," she jokes. "Ebong and I have a very balanced, loving relationship, and my kids adore him. I'm such a lucky woman." 

Fun Facts about Lynda Erkiletian:

1. She toured with Candi Staton, but she won't be releasing a 'Housewives' single.
"When I first came to Washington, D.C. as a teenager, I went on the road with Candi. I sang backup. I really enjoyed experiencing that side of life and being introduced to the music industry. But I gave up singing a long, long time ago. I'll leave the 'Housewives' singing to Danielle Staub."

Real Housewives of D.C. Opens To 1.6 Million Viewers

WaPo.com:

More than 1.6 million people checked out the unveiling of "Real Housewives of DC" Thursday night at 9. That's slightly shy of last year's "Real Housewives of New Jersey" premiere which copped 1.7 million.

On the other hand, "New Jersey" premiered in May (of '09) while "DC" is opening in August, when the number of Homes Using Television -- the so-called HUT level -- is down.

On yet another hand, none of the "Real Housewives" iterations has enjoyed the kind of pre-premiere publicity as did the "DC" version, thanks to the antics of cast member Michaele Salahi and her husband, Tareq who have managed to turn the ensemble reality series's other housewives into unwilling supporting cast members, including include Catherine Ommanney, the British divorcee who was married to a Newsweek photographer at the time of shooting; Mary Amons, the self-described super-mom who lives in a McMansion in McLean; real estate agent Stacie Scott Turner; and modeling agency owner Lynda Erkiletian.

In the most recent Salahi stunt, their lawyer is saying they are considering their legal options in re Whoopi Goldberg and "The View." The Salahis are unhappy that the show called them "White House gate crashers" when Michaele and the other housewives were on the ABC daytime talk show and are also mad that Goldberg touched Michaele Salahi during the show and yelled a four-letter word at then backstage. 

"Real Housewives of DC" came in laps ahead in the ratings of all of the franchise's other iterations.

That includes "Atlanta" which opened to an audience of 656,000 in Octover of '08, "NYC" which logged 824,000 in March of '08, and the very first episode that started it all, of "Real Housewives of Orange County" which attracted 430,000 viewers back in March of 2006.

I actually enjoyed the first episode of RHODC. Finally got to know all of the ladies, they certainly have distinct personalities and there looks to be more than enough drama upcoming to keep viewers watching throughout the season. Already my favorite DC 'Housewife' is Lynda because she's a straight-shooter who clearly isn't afraid to speak her mind. I like people who are naturally real and authentic, but who can have fun and laugh at themselves too and Lynda seems to be all that--plus it's about time we had an interracial relationship on one of the 'Housewives' shows.

Michaele Salah Denies Anorexia, Skips 'Real Housewives' Premiere

HuffPo.com:

'The Real Housewives of Washington, DC' premiered Thursday night, and the most infamous cast member, White House party crasher Michaele Salahi, skipped the party. 

Us Weekly collected reactions from her castmates: 

"I don't want to see them; I don't want to talk to them," said Catherine Ommanney. "I don't want to be associated with them."

Lynda Erkiletian said, "I was very happy to hear that they had their own premiere party and would be attending that and not torturing us any more than they have in the past."

Lynda called Michaele anorexic on the show, and Michaele addressed her weight with Us Weekly.

"One person might think I'm anorexic or skinny; another person might have another thought," she said. "Everyone is different. There are bigger things going on in the world than my weight."

Cast Of The Real Housewives Of DC @ KLG and Hoda

Do these idiot hosts not realize how much they're ignoring the other DC 'Housewives' for Michaela?

Real Housewives of D.C. On "The View"

Damn, Joy and Sherri really got in Michaele's ass.