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

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.”

Mary Amons Divorcing Husband Of 26 Years

NYPost.com:

Mary Amons of the defunct Bravo reality show "The Real Housewives of DC" is seeking a divorce from her husband of 26 years, Rich Amons. 

Amons confirmed today that she has filed divorce papers with the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Virginia. 

"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my 26-year marriage. While I have the deepest respect for my husband and wish him the very best, we have grown apart," Amons explained in a statement. "My primary focus is an amicable process, ensuring the well-being of my five wonderful children and their happiness, which has been, and will always be, of paramount importance." 

Meanwhile Rich Amons, a telecom exec who refers to himself a "HouseHusband of DC" on Twitter, has yet to respond to the split. 

Mary Amons gained notoriety on the Bravo show for saying in the series' credits, "I don't make money, I spend money." She is the granddaughter of broadcaster Arthur Godfrey, and helped found two well-known DC charities, Labels for Love and The District Sample Sale. 

She is only the latest star of the Bravo franchise to file for divorce after her marriage was documented on the popular reality series. Others include Vicki Gunvalson, Countess Luann de Lesseps, NeNe Leakes, Tamra Barney, Sheree Whitfield and Camille Grammer, as well as Amons' co-stars Cat Ommanney and Michaele Salahi.

Damn, that means that in a span of like two years every married couple from DC Housewives (The Salahi's, Ommanney's, Turner's and now the Amons') have seen their marriage go kaput right alongside their old show. Makes you wonder if Lynda Erkiletian is still with that African guy?

RELATED: Real Housewives’ Mary Amons Getting a Divorce

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.

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'.

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. “

Mary Amons Shares Holiday Traditions

Mary Amons: The Salahis Stole the Show

NBCWashington.com:

Just days before Thursday's "Real Housewives of D.C." reunion show, star Mary Amons spoke with Niteside about what to expect. Fans are advised to tune in, as the gloves come completely off.


How has your life changed since the show aired?

You know it’s something you can’t really prepare yourself for; it’s kind of surreal. I love interacting with people so it’s been nothing but pleasant for my family and me.


Did your kids love seeing themselves on TV?

They did, although it can be kind of a strange thing seeing your family on television with the world listening to our conversations. I think the producers did a great job of telling our story as a normal family with challenges and struggles who take it day by day.


What do you say to all the criticism that "D.C. Housewives" isn't as entertaining as the other housewives series?

I actually take it as a compliment. I think our drama was different. I think women in D.C. just don’t behave like many of the other women on the other shows. I know that Bravo had deliberate intentions of casting a different vibe for our show. Also, personally, I’m not confrontational and neither are any of the other cast members.


Who were you the closest to before the show started and are you still close to them?

Lynda [Erkiletian] and I have been dear friends for years. The show has made us even closer. I think when you go through an experience like we have, and really commit to just being yourselves, you can only grow closer. We’ve had our moments over the last year, but we’re always open and honest with each other. I’ve also become extremely close to Cat [Ommanney]. We met the summer before we started filming. We’re friends for life.


Did it bother you that much of the hype surrounding the show before and while it aired was about the Salahis?

Well, I have to say I don’t think it was fair. I don’t think anyone could have predicted that occurring. It was a bit disappointing. In the end, a lot of the good core stuff that was a part of our stories was eliminated because of the Salahis and what they did.

Be nice if one day Lynda, Stacie, Mary and Cat could own up to the fact that without the Salahi's RHODC would've been pretty boring. And we all know that boring characters = low ratings = no show.

Mary Schmidt Amons Visits The Bravo Offices To Answer Viewer Mail

Mary Amons And Jeff Lewis On WWHL

Mary Schmidt Amons' Connection To Bravo Stars Has Her Family Giddy

LATimes.blog.com:

When Caroline Manzo, the matriarch over on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” walks into a room, one can’t help but stammer.  Exhibit A: Danielle Staub. So it’s no surprise that Mary Schmidt Amons, part of the hit franchise’s D.C. version, found that her daughter Meghan had the same reaction … only the stammering came from excitement, not terror.


The mother-daughter duo crossed paths with Manzo, who’s family is known to be “thick as thieves,” while filming an appearance on a talk show recently in New York.

“She kept shoving me, saying ‘Mom! Mom! Mom!,” Amons said during a visit to L.A. earlier this week. “We were at a busy NBC lobby, and I couldn’t figure out if there was a rock star in the corner or something. No. It was Caroline Manzo.”

Like a good neighbor, Manzo welcomed Amons to the “Housewives” block. Amons, granddaughter of legendary radio and TV personality Arthur Godfrey, is founder of D.C.-based Labels for Love and co-founder of the District Sample Sale; she became part of the "Housewives" clan when the show premiered in August. But Amons’ daughter was less impressed with her mother’s induction into the reality sorority … after all, she had just met the referee of the ham game.

“Meghan was in heaven,” Amons said. “She was like, ‘Oh, my gosh. That was ama-zzzzzzzing.”

I have to admit that I'm still having a hard time picking a fave amongst the "D.C." cast, just when you want to ride with one they do something to turn you off and despite their antics I still give Michaele Salahi the benefit of the doubt because no one will step up and say what they really feel about her to her face.

Mary Amons Puts Home On The Market

WashingtonPost.com:

Sellers: Rich and Mary Amons

Asking price: $2.35 million

Details: Finally, you, too, can live like one of the "Real Housewives of D.C."! The stars of the new Bravo series -- they're the ones with the five kids and the big Bernese-mastiff mix -- are selling their McLean mini-mansion home of 16 years. No solid plans yet, but they're looking to move within the region. The 5,450-square-foot modern colonial has six bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, three fireplaces, a four-car garage. Unclear if Mary's as-seen-on-TV biometric closet-door lock (to keep the girls from borrowing mom's clothes!) conveys with the property.

Mary Schmidt Amons Says The Salahi's 'Stoop To The Lowest Of Lows'

RadarOnline.com:

Tensions, tears — and Tareq — will dominate next Thursday’s episode of the hit Bravo reality show Real Housewives of D.C.


In a teaser of episode five, the popular and classy cast-mate Mary Schmidt Amons breaks down in tears while at dinner at Tareq and Michaele Salahi’s now defunct winery
in Virginia.


Now RadarOnline.com can reveal the source of the high drama and why it has driven a major divide between the women of the series and the notorious White House ‘gatecrashers’.


In the episode to air Thursday, Tareq accuses one of Mary’s daughters of being linked to the theft of his personal belongings — polo gear — a claim the Washingtonian woman emphatically denies.


“It was very upsetting and disturbing to have your daughter falsely accused of something,” Mary told RadarOnline.com, in an exclusive interview.


“What was so upsetting, they actually don’t accuse her any crime, but being friends with someone who wronged them. She made a Facebook comment about whatever happened — it was a benign comment, which you will see.


“But it triggered a stomach-turning gut reaction because, in my opinion, this is stooping to the lowest of lows.

Daily Connection Interviews Mary Amos

Mary Amons Interview On RHODC Premiere Night

Last night the REAL HOUSEWIVES OF DC premiered on Bravo. Four of the Five housewives joined a crowd of invited guests at a private premiere screening at the Madison Hotel... Who didn't show? THE SALAHIS, don't worry Tommy McFLY & Nikki Schwab found them.

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.