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Project Runway Winner Anya Ayoung-Chee Talks Fashion, Learning To Sew, And Sex Tape Scandal!

by Mary on November 4th, 2011

After dethroning Gretchen Jones as the most controversial winner in Project Runway history, season nine winner Anya Ayoung-Chee is talking about what’s next for the budding designer as well as sharing her experiences on the show. She also gives a little detail on those “intimate tapes” you may have heard about!

Speaking to The Insider about how life has changed since winning Project Runway, the former beauty queen credits her success on the show to judge Heidi Klum! “I know without a doubt I could not have won Project Runway without Heidi.” And following her win she has left Trinidad to pursue a career in fashion. Additionally, she has been hard at working actually learning how to sew, cause you know, it’s sort of important when your career is fashion designer!

“I am going to build my online presence; I think that’s very important now. So that people can see my clothes. I am living in New York and going to try to learn a lot of the sewing techniques that I didn’t have time to learn yet, since now I am off the show and there is no pressure. I am looking forward to making a name for myself, and having people see my designs.”

“I want to go back now and learn the more important pattern making skills, because it really does help with my designing capabilities.” Um… good, because I’d like to see an evenly cut neckline in any future Anya collections!

As for her sewing experience prior to appearing on Project Runway, Anya clears all that up! “I had an instructor, she is from Tobago. She kind of taught me the basics but also taught me how to get through [the show] – we really focused on what I would have to do on the show,” she explains. “I didn’t learn a lot of pattern making, I learned a lot of draping skills.”

Hmmm… something about this sounds suspicious – she really thought those skills were going to get her through the competition after watching previous seasons of the show and seeing some of the skill-set? I mean, every past winner had impeccable construction skills!

The former Miss Trinidad and Tobago, who actually competed in the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant, reveals that she attended Parsons but studied graphic design because the fashion program was so “competitive.” She realized she had an eye for fashion while competing in Miss Universe. “I got the chance to design some of the clothes for my competition (and because the clothes were being made for me I didn’t have to make them myself) and that kind of showed me that I could maybe start a line on my own. I think I have a natural desire and flair for it.”

As for the drama and backstabbing associated with being a Project Runway contestant, Ayoung-Chee tried to stay out of it! “I was a little surprised watching the show after and seeing what was going on behind the scenes,” she expresses. “I really hate all that drama! I was very surprised to hear a lot of things happen that I didn’t know had gone on.”

She also reveals that despite all the condescending comments he made behind her back, she is good friends with first runner-up, Joshua McKinley (aka Eyebrows McSequins) and she feels his (and other contestants) snarking and complaining about her lack of construction skills were “completely valid,” admitting: “If I was them I think I’d feel exactly the same way. I really get it.”

Now for the juicy details! In case you haven’t heard, Anya was a participant in quite a racy three-some sex tape (screen shot, below) that leaked after her ex-boyfriend’s laptop was stolen! Wait – haven’t we heard this story before…? Is Kris Jenner managing her?

Talking about the scandal that plagued her prior to the appearing on the show and resurfaced once she nabbed the spotlight, Anya insists she was completely prepared for the backlash!. “I am a very honest person and I just wanted to put everything out on the table, since people were talking about,” she asserts. “When I applied for Project Runway, I had told [producers} about the tape. I didn’t want them to find out in some other way.” ~~And then the producers got dollar $ign$ in their eyes when they heard the phrase: ‘ex-beauty queen with sex tape who can’t sew’ and cast her immediately!~~

“The tape caused a lot of hurt and a lot of shame, Trinidad is such a small and religious country. It was very hard for me and especially my family,” she admits. Despite the embarrassment, Anya moved on and is focusing on the positives that came from appearing on the show! “It’s been wonderful to do something I really have a passion for.” Best of luck to Anya, we’ll be checking in to see if she learned to sew a sleeve!

THOUGHTS ON ANYA’S INTERVIEW? DO YOU BELIEVE SHE DESERVED TO WIN PROJECT RUNWAY? ARE YOU SURPRISED BY HER SEX TAPE SCANDAL? DO YOU THINK THAT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE PRODUCERS CHOOSING HER FOR THE SHOW?

Project Runway

Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’ Camille Grammer Talks New Boyfriend! Reveals She’d Consider Marriage Again!

by Mary on November 3rd, 2011

Camille Grammer may have been unlucky in love once before, but that’s all changed! Following her horrible divorce from A-List Douchebag Kelsey Grammer, she has officially moved on! Kelsey, who?

Her new boyfriend, Dimitri Charalambopoulos, is quite the catch and Camille isn’t hesitating to sing him praise! “He’s tall, 6’2″, dark, handsome,” The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star swooned. “He loves to cook. I call him my Greek god.”

“My son’s really taken a liking to him and my daughter and him get along as well,” she explained, speaking to E! at the Dream Halloween benefit for the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation. “He’s great with my kids and he’s good with me.”

Dimitri is so involved in Camille’s family life he took her two children Mason, 9, and Jude, 7, trick-or-treating! And he gave Camille a special Halloween Treat — white roses, Stargazers and white lilies.

“He brings me flowers every day — not an arrangement, a flower or two or three,” Camille explained, making the rest of us jealous.

So how exactly did Camille meet such an amazing guy? According to a friend of Camille’s the two met while attending a mutual friend’s wedding five months ago. Even though they clicked immediately they waited two months later to begin dating, because Dimitri was living in Texas at the time. “The stars were aligned,” Camille told RumorFix of their serendipitous meeting.

And things are going great! “I’m definitely enjoying my time with Dimitri,” she gushed. “He’s a really good person and we get along very well.”

So is marriage in the cards for the happy couple? Perhaps! “At some point, possibly yes,” Camille, said, playing coy. “A year ago I would have said I definitely never, I will never enter into that kind of agreement. But now I’ve definitely changed my mind.”

Best of luck to Camille and Dimitri in their new relationship!

[Photo credit: SPLASH]

THOUGHTS ON CAMILLE’S NEW BOYFRIEND AND HER RELATIONSHIP? ARE YOU HAPPY FOR CAMILLE? DO YOU THINK HE WILL MAKE AN APPEARANCE ON RHOBH?

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Former Jon & Kate Plus 8 Editor Arrested On Child Pornography Charges, Jon Speaks Out

by Mary on November 3rd, 2011

In a shocking new report an editor for TLC’s once popular Jon & Kate Plus 8 has been arrested on child pornography charges.

William Blankinship, 56, who has worked on a variety of TLC’s family-friendly shows, including 17 Kids And Counting and Kate Plus 8 was arrested Oct 21 in North Carolina when he was caught in a State Bureau Investigation sting called “Operation Spyglass.” Blankinship was one of 24 men who were arrested on felony charges for “possession and distribution of child pornography and/or sex acts with a minor,” RadarOnline reports.

The arrest report states William is charged with 10 counts of “sex exploit of minor (3^rd) 14-1,” which basically states he was in possession of visual materials that represented a minor engaging in sexual activity of some kind.

At this time – thankfully – no bond has been set because according to a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, William will remain “under the authority of the U.S. Marshals until they are sentenced and convicted, and then they’d be sent to a Federal prison.” This means he remains in prison throughout his trial and then is moved to the penitentiary where he will serve out his sentence.

William was never actually an employee of TLC, but was hired by the network as a subcontractor employed by Serious Robots and Figure 8 Films to edit portions of their reality shows. “Upon learning of the shocking allegations his employment was terminated,” Figure 8 Films announced in a statement.

Because William was a subcontractor not employed by the network TLC has assured the public he was, never at any time, in contact with any of the eight Gosselin children. “At no time was this man ever in the field or in direct contact with any of the talent for any of our productions,” their statement promises.

In response to the allegations Jon Gosselin is speaking out about his “distress” related to the situation — particularly that William had a tremendous amount of access to “raw footage” of his children! “Of course we filmed potty training…” Jon reflected. “Any parent would be freaked out by this, because the cameraman definitely shot the kids getting ready for bed, being showered and being changed.”

“My first thought when I heard this was, ‘Oh my God!’” Jon revealed. “I’m sure everyone working on the show is shocked and never expected something like this.” Gosselin added that he met William “several times” through his association to the show. Wait – didn’t TLC deny that he had any contact with their reality stars?

Jon is not taking the news lightly and will be doing further investigation into the charges. “I have contacted an attorney and I’m trying to gather all the information from the authorities in North Carolina to see if there is any evidence he has footage of our family or if he has distributed it.”

As for what his ex-wife Kate Gosselin has to say, Jon plans to communicate with her about the matter. “I will write her an email because I feel this is going to explode, because it is so bad,” Jon regretfully explained.

Jon who has been against his children continuing on reality television, previously stated: “I put my kids out there to every pedophile on the planet and they never got paid for it,” of their involvement in television. Sadly, this is a case where it isn’t rewarding to be right.

As for Kate, so far she has not released a statement on the horrendous matter. The mom of many has been focusing her time in her new promotional role for CouponCabin.com and was snapped leaving for her job with the company.

It is our sincerest hope that no damage has come to the Gosselin children related to this matter. Reality Tea will continue to bring you the updates.

THOUGHTS ON THE NEWS? DOES JON HAVE LEGAL RIGHTS AGAINST THE NETWORK FOR THEIR FAILURE TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY?

Jon & Kate Plus 8

PHOTOS – Meet The Cast of VH1′s Baseball Wives! To Premiere November 30!

by Mary on November 3rd, 2011

Well, if you love the trashy over the top antics of Basketball Wives get ready for Baseball Wives!

Vh1 announced the new series will follow five wives, ex-wives and girlfriends of Major League Baseball players and veterans of various teams as they face the challenges of coping with “marriage, gossip, and fame” – and each other – as part of the “inner circle of baseball wives.”

Taking place in Scottsdale, AZ where MLB Spring Training is held, these ladies are sure to come out swinging in the drama department! “No shrinking violets here,” the promo blurb cites of the cast. “These ladies are fiercely protective of their turf and their men and if they have to bring on a little drama — then so be it.”

The new Baseball Wives are: Anna Benson (wife of retired Arizona Diamondbacks’ Pitcher Kris Benson), Tanya Grace (ex-wife of retired Chicago Cubs’ First Baseman Mark Grace), Chantel Kendall (ex-wife of Kansas City Royals’ Jason Kendall), Brook Villone (wife of Ron Villone) and Jordana Lenz (linked to no particular athlete in particular – but I’m sure she has an MLB ex or two somewhere).

The season will follow the women through the complex world of MLB as they define friends from foes and struggle with relationship drama galore! “With the baseball season being the longest in professional sports, the women count on their friends to be their emotional support while their husbands are on the road, but sometimes a friend can be your worst enemy. Rumors swirl and friendships are tested among the professional athletes’ wives as they are forced to make emotional decisions, proving that their lives are often just like everyone else’s.”

Baseball Wives premieres on Vh1 Wednesday, November 30 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. More details, photos and bios of the ladies coming soon!

ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT BASEBALL WIVES? WILL YOU BE WATCHING?

CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON TO SEE MORE CAST PHOTOS!

Baseball Wives

PHOTOS: Kim Kardashian Makes First Public Appearance, Says She ‘Married For Love,’ Kris Jenner Claims Kim Didn’t Make “A Dime” Off Wedding

by Mary on November 2nd, 2011

Hot on the heels of Kim Kardashian filing for divorce after a mere 72 days of marriage, the Kardashian family is desperately trying to save face after fans and media outlets expressed outrage following Kim’s multi-million dollar televised wedding and quickie marriage to Kris Humphries! Good thing nobody changed their name!

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star made her first public appearance since the divorce filing (above) with sister Khloe Kardashian promoting their new handbag collection in Sydney, Australia today. Below, more photos of Kim and her well perfected, definitely not practiced at all, sad pouty face!

Meanwhile, she posted a special and heartfelt (ha!) “A Message To My Fans” all three of you: Kourtney, Khloe, and Kris J on her personal webpage describing why she chose to file for divorce without ever even residing in the same home as her husband. Apparently Kim, 31, got caught up in the excitement of a wedding and the idea of love without, you know, caring about who she married or the actual marriage.

”I want a family and babies and a real life so badly that maybe I rushed in to something too soon,” she confesses. “I believed in love and the dream of what I wanted so badly. I felt like I was on a fast roller coaster and couldn’t get off when now I know I probably should have.” When diamonds, custom made designer dresses and dollar signs are dangled in front of you, perhaps it is hard to take a step back and re-evaluate.

“I got caught up with the hoopla and the filming of the TV show that when I probably should have ended my relationship, I didn’t know how to and didn’t want to disappoint a lot of people,” Kim admits. “I never had the intention of hurting anybody and I accept full responsibility for my actions and decisions, and for taking everyone on this journey with me. It just didn’t turn out to be the fairy tale I had so badly hoped for.” I would kinda feel bad for her, except I don’t!

Kim is also furious that people would accuse her of marrying for all the wrong reasons! “First and foremost, I married for love,” she insists. “I can’t believe I even have to defend this. I would not have spent so much time on something just for a TV show!” Right…

“I share so much of my life on a reality show, that contemplating whether to even film my wedding was a tough decision to make, and maybe it turned out to not be the smartest decision. But it’s who I am!”

“We filmed Kourtney giving birth, Khloe getting married, break ups, make ups, our best moments and our worst moments. These were all real moments. That’s what makes us who we are. We share, we give, we love and we are open!” Kim declares, claiming that part of being a Kardashian is famewhoring having a camera on you 24/7!

As for those pesky rumors that she banked upwards of $17M from the nuptials, Kim is adamantly disputing those claims! “These reports are simply not true and it makes me so sad to have to even clarify this,” Kim states.

Since she can’t keep the gifts when the marriage didn’t even last six months, Kim is now claiming that she will be donating all “the money for all the gifts” to the Dream Foundation, a charity that helps dreams come true for those living with life threatening illness. A report by TMZ states she is planning to donate $200,000 (the estimated sum of all the gifts she received) to the charity.

Pimpmomma Kris Jenner is also speaking out defending Kim’s actions and insisting nary a cent was earned on the made for TV wedding. Appearing on the radio show Johnjay and Rich, Kris claims Kimmie Kakes had to make the “very difficult decision” to end her marriage “on her own.” Clearly, since Kris H found out through the tabloids!

“[Kim's] not the first person in the world to get a divorce or have something like this happen to, and she won’t be the last,” Kris argued. “She just happens to be a very public person with a couple of television shows on the air so it makes it bigger than life.”

“She didn’t make a dime off of this wedding,” Kris claimed. “She actually spent millions of dollars on this wedding, so it’s not something that she thought would ever not be happily ever after.” Funny… I don’t believe either of you!

“People just have to stop judging,” Kris admonished. “Take a step back. Let Kim do what she needs to do and just be supportive. It’s not easy.” I think the best way to avoid judgment is to get out of the public eye!

While Kris is home trying to pick up the pieces of his broken life — Kim jetted off to Australia, following a massage, to do more promotion for whatever krap she is hawking now. More photos below of Kim, sister Khloe and her brother-in-law Lamar Odom!

According to a poll by TMZ, over 95% of the public do NOT believe Kris’ claims that Kim did not make a dime off her wedding. And can you blame them? After all they got paid for the following according to a report by the NY POST -

$15 million plus profit for four-hour, two-part wedding special on E!
$2.5 million for exclusive photos with People magazine
$300,000 for exclusive engagement announcement with People
$100,000 for exclusive rights to bridal shower with Britain’s OK! mag
$50,000 to have Bachelorette party at Tao in Las Vegas

Kris went on The Today Show this morning and further expanded on the claims that Kim did not make a dime off the wedding. According to Kris, while Kimmie received over a million from the sale of the wedding pics and from E!, all the money went into her wedding and she apparently had to use some of her own money to finish paying for the lavish wedding. Not.Buying.It.

Another fun tidbit, Kathie Lee Gifford, who has been a close family friend of the Kardashians for decades, revealed on The Today Show yesterday that she suspected something was off with the couple as they barely interacted during their August wedding rehearsal dinner. “I never saw them together the entire night,” said Kathie.

Even more interesting? At the wedding reception Khloe whispered to Kathie Lee: “I give it six f ***ing months.”

[Photos Credit: Robert Wallace/ WENN.com]

DO YOU BELIEVE KIM DIDN’T MAKE ANY MONEY FROM HER TELEVISED WEDDING? DO YOU SUPPORT KIM’S DECISION OR ARE YOU FED UP WITH THEIR PLOYS FOR ATTENTIONS?

CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON TO SEE THE NEW PHOTOS OF KIM 1ST PUBLIC APPEARANCE –

Keeping up with the Kardashians

Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Cynthia Bailey Talks New Season! Kim Zolciak Shows Off Her Engagement Ring!

by Mary on November 2nd, 2011

In a new interview, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey talks about how she ended up on Housewives, what reality stardom has been like and what to expect this season! Sadly, she doesn’t really give anything good away.

Eight months after moving to Atlanta for her relationship with then boyfriend, Peter Thomas, Cynthia learned that Bravo was casting for a new Housewife. “People I knew had mentioned I should be on the show, and I was eventually approached because my name kept coming up as a candidate. I took a meeting, which led to another meeting, which led to a phone call with Bravo and a screen test.”

Cynthia says watching herself on TV during her first season was “a little mortifying.” “There’s no book on how to be on a reality show,” she confesses. “You just have to go through it. Peter and I decided the best thing to do was to put it out there – to be real. On one hand, I’m glad we put it all out there. On the other hand, I feel like we gave too much.” Is she referring to the total financial implosion that happened days before the wedding her mother and sister tried to cancel moments before she walked down the aisle?

“I think people really related to our troubles last year with this economy. I got so many letters from viewers who were losing their jobs, losing their houses, losing their cars. They were glad to see that people on TV have problems, too. It was really real. I can’t fake that kind of pressure,” Cynthia explains of last season’s issues the couple faced after Peter was forced to close Uptown.

This season Cynthia promises that, although she remains friends with out of control out-spoken co-star NeNe Leakes, she is “more opinionated” and branching out to form friendships with other ladies. “Last season, NeNe was my friend on the show, but this season I integrated with more than just NeNe, and I’m much more vocal.” Uh-oh… that means trouble!

She also formed strong friendships on the ladies’ cast trip to Africa! “We took an amazing trip there, and it’s one of my favorite things we shot this season,” she expresses. “I felt like I really bonded with each of the girls individually on the trip. We were stuck together for ten days in a Third World country, and it brought us together.”

As for what else is happening in season four of RHOA, Cynthia reveals she will be working hard on the Bailey Agency School of Fashion and Peter opened a new lounge, Bar One.

“Our show offers something different; we’re organic,” she says of what makes RHOA Bravo’s most popular Housewives series. “It is what it is with us. We’re more real, and you’re going to get great moments and major train wrecks with us.”

In other RHOA news, as you all know Kim Zolciak is engaged! She is finally showing off the glamorous rock fiancé Kroy Biermann designed especially for her! While it’s not as big as her ring from Big Poppa, the 10k ring is nothing to laugh at. It’s gorgeous! Kim revealed her sparkler to the world via TwitPic just in time for her expected 11/11/11 nuptials! A photo of Kim’s ring is below.

Well, I can’t wait! Real Housewives of Atlanta premiers on Bravo, Sunday, November 6 (9/10c).

THOUGHTS ON CYNTHIA’S INTERVIEW? DO YOU PREDICT TROUBLE BETWEEN HER AND NENE THIS SEASON? ARE YOU EXCITED FOR SEASON FOUR OF RHOA? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF KIM’S RING?

Real Housewives of Atlanta

Millionaire Matchmaker Recap: The Young And The Boring

by Mary on November 2nd, 2011

On last night’s episode of Millionaire Matchmaker I was all ready for some crazy drama at the hands of hot, young, party-boy, commitment-phobe Sylar but instead things were very mature and genuine. Was I watching the right show? Thankfully I had Patti’s abrasive, cray-cray to remind me that I was definitely in the right place! Patti also set up a nerd who just can’t vacate the friend zone, thus getting him a little help from friend, Jenny McCarthy!

This week, Patti‘s clients are two twenty-somethings. One is nerdy internet start-up CEO Bill Clerico, who has the unfortunate disposition of being a redhead. Patti informs us “no one wants to date redheads.” Even Prince Harry? Bill is the founder of WEPAY and according to Patti, if Mark Zuckerberg can get a girl, Bill can — he’s way hotter. Hot even for a ginger. However, Bill isn’t just a ging — he’s also short, nerdy and a work-a-holic! Uh-oh! Patti wants to de-nerd him and make him see a girl as his priority instead of work.

CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON TO READ THE REST!

Millionaire Matchmaker,Recaps

VIDEO: Top Chef Texas Premieres Tonight With 29 Contestants!

by Mary on November 2nd, 2011

Top Chef returns for the ninth season of Bravo’s competition cooking show! This time they are taking the “cheftestants” on a tour of Texas culinary hotspots: San Antonio, Dallas and Austin in Top Chef: Texas!

Returning judges Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons will be joined by Emeril Lagasse and Hugh Acheson along with special guests Charlize Theron, Pee-wee Herman, Cat Cora, John Besh, Tim Love and Patti LaBelle.

And proving that all things are bigger in Texas, this season the competition starts out with a record 29 cheftestants whittled down to the usual 16 during the premiere!

Those 16 chefs will then embark on a three-city culinary tour of Texas to compete for $100,000 and a feature in Food & Wine Magazine. The catch? None of the 29 chefs starting out the competition know that 13 of them will be going home almost immediately. Oops! “This season’s raising the level of intensity pretty fast,” reveals contestant Chaz Brown in the preview clip. Fittingly, some of the other contestants don’t take the news so well.

A clip of the season premiere is below! Top Chef: Texas airs tonight on Bravo (10/9c). Are you ready to get your grub on?

ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW SEASON OF TOP CHEF? WILL YOU BE WATCHING?

Top Chef