After announcing she had breast cancer back in October, Giuliana Rancic continues her battle with the disease.
Today, the E! news reporter revealed she is choosing to undergo a double mastectomy after her double lumpectomy failed to completely eradicate the breast cancer.
Giuliana, 36, appeared on the Today Show this morning with husband Bill Rancic, during which the couple revealed they considered another lumpectomy and radiation. They are, however, electing to go with the more drastic option to make certain the cancer is gone. According to her doctors, the cancer will have a less than 1 percent chance of returning.
“At the end, all it came down to was choosing to live and not looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life,” Giuliana said of her decision to proceed with the aggressive surgery. “It was not an easy decision but it was the best decision for me.” she says.
“I would like to take the stigma away. ‘Mastectomy’ the word seemed so scary to me at first. After doing research and seeing the advancements, the surgery has come a long way from 20 years ago. The results can be incredible,” added Giuliana.
Another deciding factor for Giuliana is the fact that she and hubby Bill are still trying to have a baby. “If I had chosen to just have another lumpectomy… Then I would have to put off having a baby for several years,” said Giuliana, as the procedures following another lumpectomy could leave her at the age of menopause.
Bill’s support also played a major role in her decision. “Bill said to me, ‘I just need you around for the next 50 years, kid,’ ” said Giuliana. “He said, ‘I don’t care what you look like, I don’t care about the physical portion of this. I just need you around for the next 50 years. So, let’s just get you healthy.’ And that certainly helped me come to a decision.”
Despite the setback, the Giuliana and Bill stars remains positive. “I hope for a full recovery by New Year’s Eve. We’re planning to be in Times Square!” Giuliana says. “2012 is our year,” adds Bill. “We’re going to ring in the New Year happy and healthy.”
Best wishes to Giuliana and Bill.
[Photo credit: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com]
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON GIULIANA’S DECISION TO UNDERGO A DOUBLE MASTECTOMY?
There’s never a dull moment for the Real Housewives of Atlanta! These ladies must have drama running through their veins!
According to the latest NeNe Leakes is not about to let Kim Zolciak one-up her in the spin-off department (remember how upset she got over Tardy For The Party!) and she is demanding her own show. With Don’t Be Tardy For The Wedding — Kim’s one-season spin-off currently in the works to chronicle her wedding to Kroy Biermann — Star Magazine is reporting that the always big-hearted and supportive Ms. Leakes is beside herself with jealousy!
“She’s furious that Kim got her own show and she didn’t,” a source tells Star. Apparently NeNe has become quite the diva (oh, really?) ever since her rather volatile stint on Celebrity Apprentice. “She’s saying she’s too big for RHOA, and Bravo doesn’t pay her enough,” the source claims. The source adds that NeNe erroneously believes RHOA will “crumble” if she leaves and the show is “all about her.”
“NeNe has told friends if she doesn’t get what she wants, she will quit!” Would the fans really mind that? “She thinks she’s Madonna,” the source reveals which is the most laugh out loud, pee my pants quote I’ve ever heard from a “source”!
In fact, on a recent episode of WWHL, NeNe expected the star-treatment with a full list of over-the-top demands! “She insisted on her own, very expensive make-up artist, a stretch limo, and the presidential suite during her stay,” the insider asserts, adding that NeNe also requested Cristal Champagne but was rejected! BRAHAHAHAHA!
And while she was the consummate professional (ha!) on stage, things were quite the opposite behind the scenes. “She acted nice to host Andy Cohen while shooting but laid into him afterward and said she wants her own show,” the source alleges. Luckily for all of us, the mag is reporting that the Bravo execs are not likely to accommodate her given her recent behaviors! And in a recent interview Andy stated there are no plans for Kim’s spin-off to be permanent as he likes her on the “mother-ship.” Although if NeNe and Kim continue to refuse to film together things are going to get very interesting!
Moving on, the drama surrounding Sheree Whitfield and Chateau Sheree continues — most specifically does it even exist? According to the Atlanta blog Tamara Tattles — no it doesn’t! Not yet anyways!
Upon being questioned by fans about the status of her new home, Sheree Tweeted: “not done yet, really just getting started! It’s been quite a handful… everyone’s on their own schedule & seem to have an agenda.” Basically, the house is in exactly the same condition as it was during filming!
The property that viewers have seen getting demolished over the last few episodes of RHOA was indeed purchased with the intent to build a new home — but it was not purchased by Sheree! Her mother, Thelma Ferguson, actually purchased the original house in a bank foreclosure for around $300,000 in Dec 2010, due to Sheree’s recent financial struggles. Sheree’s mother, Thelma is a successful author and MBA educated business woman who seems quite different from her gold-digging daughter. A copy of the deed is listed below.
If you remember Sheree had big hopes of getting a seven-figure divorce settlement from her ex-husband Bob Whitfield who owns a recording studio and is a retired Atlanta Falcons player. Sheree ended up getting a mere $1M and a portion of his pensions. Instead of paying the attorneys that defended her all the way to the GA Supreme Court, she purchased an Aston-Martin (featured on last season’s show) which was then seized!
As the original home on the Fulton County property was demolished it is now an empty lot on which Sheree owes quite a hefty mortgage. In addition to the rent on her townhouse (which is rumored to be paid by Bravo). How is Sheree financing all of this? She is apparently paying the mortgage on this now empty lot with the money she makes as CEO of her own company. Yes — I burst out laughing too, because Sheree has incorporated herself! According to the State of Georgia, Sheree is the owner, founder, and Chief Executive (and sole employee, it seems) of Sheree’ Corporation, which may or may not still be in business. Oh, ladies — just live within your means!
Also, interesting is the tale of Kandi Burruss‘ two birthday parties. While we all watched with horror as reDICKulous performed a dip n dick at Kandi’s birthday party last week, it appears that was merely a made-for-TV party arranged by Bravo! It turns out Kandi actually had another party which appeared classy, sophisticated and stripper-free!
Kandi’s real (re: Bravo-free) party took place at Straits Restaurant in Atlanta and featured quite an impressive guest list, including former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell, Mama Joyce and Kandi’s daughter. The only Housewives-related guests were Phaedra Parks and Derek J (Kandi’s hairdresser)! Some photos of Kandi and Phaedra at Kandi’s real party are below!
Finally, a new episode of RHOA debuts tonight and we meet possible new Housewife Marlo Hampton, who happens to be dating NeNe’s ex-fling Charles Grant (isn’t she still married?). Cynthia Bailey continues to have issues with her family and her husband Peter Thomas. And Sheree confronts her ex-husband over child support issues. A preview of the new episode is below.
Episode five of Real Housewives of Atlanta airs tonight on Bravo at 9/10c.
THOUGHTS ON THE LATEST DRAMA? DO YOU THINK NENE WILL GET HER OWN SHOW? WILL CHATEAU SHEREE EVER COME TO FRUITION? ARE YOU SURPRISED KANDI HAD TWO PARTIES?
CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON TO SEE THE PHOTOS & PREVIEW!
Teresa, Teresa, oh, Teresa. I feel slighted, as if I was in the presence of greatness knowing that the Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Skinny Italian was mere ninety minutes away from me, answering questions openly and honestly (ahem) in my tiny home state’s capitol. Maybe she will, as she recently opened up about her husband’s dinner date at TGIFriday’s!
Not only that, mob princess Victoria Gotti teases about a Celebrity Apprentice blow-up with the Bravo housewife that puts Nene Leakes beef with Star Jones to shame. Add all of this with the fact that Teresa Guidice’snemesis sister-in-law Melissa Gorga won’t be breaking bread with her husband’s sister this holiday makes for a very Merry Jersey-style Christmas.
Going on The Wendy Williams Show recently, Teresa isn’t just defending herself, but also her marriage and finances. When questioned about whether she was the only housewife in financial strife, Teresa took the high road refusing to speculate about the business of her cast mates (and former friends). Of Juicy Joe Guidice’s and her situation, she explains, “Joe and I are both hard workers. We just withdrew from bankruptcy.”
Wendy Williams then asked about those dreaded rumors of infidelity, sparked by pictures of Juicy dining with another woman at TGIFriday’s. That Joe is one big spender, eh? Teresa assures Wendy, “That was a friend of ours.” She continues, telling a story about dining recently with a hot male companion who is friends with the couple. Teresa was thankful she wasn’t photographed with him to start the gossip mill swirling. “It’s not fair that just because you are out with a friend, you are cheating on your spouse,” she tells Wendy. Teresa loves her Juicy Joe.
You know who else she loves? Donald Trump, the man that is helping her expand her brand on Celebrity Apprentice. You know who she may not love as much? Her rumored co-star and competitor on the upcoming season, Victoria Gotti. Not to be outdone by Teresa, Victoria showed up on The Wendy Williams Show hinting about a brewing feud between Mrs. Guidice and herself. While never out-right confirming her spot on the reality competition, Gotti teases, “I recently worked with someone on a project, and that person is a fellow Italian woman …” Follow-up questions from Wendy made it pretty clear that fellow lady was Teresa.
A shocked Wendy admits, “In my mind you guys would be friends,” to which Gotti replies, “In my mind we were too. But then there comes a scene… when my mind gets completely blown… So you’re going to see this on TV, it’s a quite a blow-up… I thought it was gonna get a little physical there. Nene and Starr, I mean, that was like nothin’.'” I honestly can’t say I’m surprised to hear that. I’d kind of like to see Teresa and Nene go head to head!
While Victoria Gotti may not be hanging out with Teresa anytime soon, the same may be said for Melissa Gorga. The upcoming holidays always bring together fun, family and lots of stress, and Melissa and husbandJoe Gorga may be choosing less stress over more family time. In a recent interview, Melissa admits that Christmas plans have yet to be made. She says, “It’s yet to be determined. Sometimes when something stresses you out and when you have to think to hard about something, sometimes it’s better to stay away for a little while.”
While Melissa would love for the cousins to enjoy the holidays together, it seems that Teresa may be the roadblock. Melissa reveals, “If it were up to me, we would be together every single Christmas Eve. Our children would be opening presents together. We’d be sharing every single Christmas together.”
Joe Gorga agrees. When it comes to his sister Teresa, he knows she can bring unwanted drama. Joe concurs, “There’s certain things you just can’t forgive and forget. It’s a holiday. You want to enjoy it. You want to be happy. You don’t want to be aggravated. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I want to be happy.”
Melissa, however, remains hopeful. “I just really hope that we can all work this out. We all have such amazing opportunities here. We’re all great people.” She continues, “Everyone’s talented. Everyone has amazing families. We all just need to let it go and work it out. It’s the holidays and that’s it. I don’t want to say anything else. We really need to work it out.”
And finally, last night, Teresa spoke at a library benefit (of all things!) in Columbia, South Carolina. In an interview prior to her appearance, Teresa was asked about her reality star status. Teresa reveals, “I’m really humble and really down to earth. I don’t walk around saying that. I’m still true to who I am.” Cough, cough. She continues, “I’m still the same person. The way they portray you on TV, that’s not who you really are. I’m really, real, and I think my true friends know who I really am. They’re just really protective of me.”
However, Teresa admits she has a feisty side (table flipping, anyone?), but she explains, “I stand up for myself if I believe in something. If I have to state my case, I have to state it. If I’m wrong, then I’ll keep my mouth shut.” Is that how it works? Even when discussing Bravo’s Andy Cohen and his not so gentle ribbing of she and her husband, Teresa laughs, exclaiming, “[T]hat’s his job. And I love Andy. I’m a big girl and I can defend myself.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TERESA’S INTERVIEW? ARE YOU SHOCKED THAT SHE AND VICTORIA GOTTI WILL SPAR ON THE UPCOMING SEASON OF CELEBRITY APPRENTICE? SHOULD THE GORGAS AND THE GUIDICES CALL A TRUCE FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
After realizing hardly anyone is siding with her and/or seeing her as a victim in her divorce battle,Kim Kardashian is now changing her tactics, moving away from attacking her husband, Kris Humphries… at least on the record.
While Kris has had to endure camp Kardashian leaking all sorts of negative stories about him to the press in the past month, he finally had enough this week after filing an annulment — accusing his wife of fraud and simply using him as a prop on her E! reality show. TMZ then quoted Kim as saying Kris was “pathetic” amongst other things. Unfortunately for Kimmie, the public remains overwhelmingly on Kris’s side as most believe he got used by the Kardashian clan.
PEOPLE magazine is now reporting sources close to Kim are claiming she no longer wants to fight dirty. “The filing is, of course, upsetting,” says the source. “She respects Kris and just wants them both to find peace and move on… Kim doesn’t want a battle.” Riiight. No word yet on whether Kimmie and her camp will stop leaking stories about Kris to the press, you know, stories like the current Star magazine cover.
As for Kris, sources close to him tell TMZ he doesn’t want a divorce because of his religion. Apparently, that religion didn’t prohibit him from marrying a sex-tape-fame-whore skank.
According to TMZ, Kris filed for an annulment because it wipes the slate clean by simply erasing the marriage. Even better, if his annulment request is denied, Kris will reportedly ask for a legal separation that will extend indefinitely. And even though an indefinite separation would prevent him from marrying again, he still believes it’s preferable to a divorce. Wowzers.
Legal experts, however, state Kim can still get a divorce with or without the help of Kris as California only requires the consent of one-half of a couple to end a marriage.
Days after an unwed Kourtney announced she was expecting her second child with baby daddy Scott Disick, Farrah tweeted: “I’m shocked Kourtney Kardashian is pregnant again. Did she not learn anything from Teen Mom? Maybe it’s a fake pregnancy like Kim’s wedding. SAD.”
After some fans alerted Farrah that Kourtney, 32, and Scott, 27, are both adults that can take care of their children, Farrah responded, “Double standards in this world? Yes, and guess what? Age and money honestly do not change a person’s poor choice. Quit making excuses.”
The Kardashians, who were probably more than happy to have this new controversy, wasted no time in slamming Farrah! Below are some of their responses via Twitter –
Kourtney - “Why would I have anything to do with teen mom? I’m 32 years old! I may look young honey, but don’t get it twisted. :)”
Scott - “Were not teenagers ya fucking moron.”
Khloe - “I don’t even know who this person is? How do u?” was Khloe’s reply to Scott’s tweet.
Scott - “I just thought she was some shit stain on twitter, no?” was Scott’s mature response to Khloe.
Yikes. As for Farrah, she sort of backtracked this morning by tweeting: “4 all who misunderstood: regards to kourtney K.~ I hope she takes her relationship w/her boyfriend more serious 4 their children-takecare.” And no, that makes zero sense to me as well!
While having two kids out of wedlock is definitely not the best route to go, it’s a bit ridic for Farrah to compare the situation of a 32-year-old Kourtney to Teen Moms. And darn you Farrah for forcing me to defend a Kardashian!
Finally, to further distract us from Kimmie’s divorce mess, Khloe Kardashian is also making headlines after she fired back at her “haters” for criticizing her looks. See, Khloe was photographed (the picture is below) going to the gym without makeup which led to some not so kind comments from fans.
Khloe of course took to her Twitter to respond. She wrote, “Some people are so stressed trying to be perfectly flawless…. but I’m so HAPPY to be perfectly flawed… Haters are like crickets; they make a lot of noise you can hear but you never see them, then you walk right by them and they’re quiet.”
Khloe later added, “Its crazy 2me that if I dont go 2the gym I get judged. If I do go I still get judged. Yes when u work out u sweat, get red… This is why I live for me and not for anyone else. You learn quickly that you will NEVER make everyone happy in life. But I am happy :).”
Apparently those who are very happy always make time to respond to their “haters.” Seems like the Kardashians could definitely use a hobby or two… better yet some well deserved time away from the spotlight.
[Photos credit: WENN]
TELL US – YOU BUYING THAT KIM WANTS PEACE? DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH FARRAH’S CRITISIM OF KOURTNEY? THOUGHTS ON KHLOE FIRING BACK AT THE HATERS?
On the last episode of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, viewers saw costars Lisa Vanderpump and Adrienne Maloofbicker over which high end luxury hotel should have hosted the bachelorette party for Lisa’s daughter — a.k.a. Rich People Problems!
Adrienne particularly took offense to the fact that Lisa didn’t ask her if she would host Pandora Vanderpump’s bachelorette party at her Palms hotel in Vegas so that she can get free promotion for her business on national television! Adrienne decided to confront Lisa during her event, and Lisa did not back down, making it clear the owner of Planet Hollywood was a family friend and that the decision to have the bachelorette party there was her daughter’s.
In her latest Bravo blog, Lisa fires back at Adrienne, hinting that Adrienne’s only concern was promoting her own hotel. Lisa also feels the whole argument was ridic stating she doesn’t question Adrienne whenever she chooses to dine at other restaurants in Beverly Hills.
Lisa wrote: “Apparently [Adrienne] was miffed that Pandora had decided to hold her bachelorette party at our old family friend Robert Earl’s venue, Planet Hollywood . Robert loves her and had no intention of promoting the hotel. I mean, how dare my daughter choose what she wants? She should be supporting her mother’s neighbor’s business! I seriously couldn’t understand this. It was the first I knew of her being upset. Jason had had his bachelor party a couple of weeks before, hosted by our friend, and Pandora was going to do the same. It was all arranged. I wasn’t going and hadn’t been involved in the arrangements.”
Lisa continued, “Somehow, to cut a long story short, I was roped into this trip, and obviously, now you, the viewer, will get to witness it, so everything changes. What was to be Pandora’s trip became a major production, and I was suddenly in trouble for it. I resent the fact that suddenly I am to blame, it is a huge deal to entertain 14 people, and I certainly would never dream of asking anybody to do that. Robert wanted to comp the whole weekend as his gift to Pandora, Why do I feel I have to constantly justify mine and my daughter’s actions?”
To close out her blog, Lisa hinted that perhaps Adrienne was just trying to create drama for the camera. “When Adrienne and Paul are having dinner at a neighboring restaurant, it wouldn’t even enter my mind to question them! It seems as if some people are looking for a problem. . . So there we have it. Once again a pleasant evening was marred by a really petty matter. I am losing patience with this constant need for altercations when we all have busy lives,” blogged Lisa.
Pandora also took to Twitter to defend her mom. Pandora tweeted, “Hello?Do I have a voice? Jason and I planned our own bachelor/bachelorette parties, not @LisaVanderpump #givemeabreak #loveplanethollywood.” Pandora later added: “An old friend offered to throw it at his casino PH and I have known him since I was 9!”
Moving on to Taylor Armstrong, RadarOnline is now reporting she just signed a book deal — a memoir that will reportedly include details of her marital turmoil with deceased husband Russell Armstrong.
“Taylor’s deal is with Simon and Schuster and the book will be out in February 2012,” a source close to Taylor reveals. “It will be a memoir and the abuse she endured while married to Russell, as well as another abusive relationship she was in the past will all be detailed.”
The source adds, “Taylor is writing the book to put a face on women involved in domestic violence. She wants the public to know there are resources for battered women, and there is a way out.”
[Photos Credit: WENN]
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON LISA’S COMMENTS? DID ADRIENNE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE UPSET AT HER? PLUS THOUGHTS ON TAYLOR’S BOOK DEAL? WOULD YOU READ IT?
Whoever is calling Cynthia passive probably means to say passive-aggressive (which I’m pretty sure is a pre-requisite for being a Housewife!). Proving that she really wants to keep her job she is not backing down from her fight with Kim Zolciak and she’s also (finally) taking a stand on her sister’s involvement in her marriage to Peter Thomas!
Taking to her Bravo blog, which she titled “No Respect,” Cynthia reiterates that she never, ever, not once received any sort of wedding gift from Kim! “If I got a gift, I would say that I did. I received gifts from Kandi,Phaedra [Parks], and NeNe. Why would I lie?”
“To be honest, I never really cared that she didn’t bring a gift, her presence at the wedding was presents enough. The only thing that hurt me was how she insulted me by bringing her own wine and saying that Peter and I wouldn’t make it a year. I never got an apology for that,” Cynthia seethes.
While it’s a day late and a dollar short, Cynthia apologizes for her husband’s equally appalling behavior at Kim’s shower! “Well anyway, I apologize for Peter andApollo [Nida]bumping heads at her shower. Again, it was not the time or the place. Again, we did not instigate it in the first place. Again, I am happy for Kim and wish her well. I really have no issue with Kim. Now, can we move on about who brought who a present already?” Yeah — maybe both of you could just stop bringing it up?
“I love Peter, and he loves me. Our relationship is not perfect, because we are not perfect. We don’t not always agree on everything, but we have each other’s back 100%. He pushes me and I push him. Our love is not based on money or materialistic things. We have both had plenty of that. I choose love over money every time,” Cynthia said in defense of her marriage.
And because she loves her hubby, she thinks her sister Malorie Bailey Massieshould butt out! “I love my sister very much, but her interference with my marriage is a problem,” Cynthia clarified. “I appreciate her concern, but at 44, I think I got this. I have no desire to make choices for Mal regarding her marriage, and I deserve the same respect.”
“I confide in my sister because we are sisters. Not to be judged or criticized. I would never cross the line between her union with her husband unless she asked me to,” she continued. And she has one request going forward: stay out of it! “Love you, Mal, but can you leave me and Peter alone?”
And responding to claims that she is NeNe’s puppy on a leash, lacky, made for TV friend; Cynthia claims that’s not true! “I have a great friendship with NeNe because she has been a good friend to me. I am a good friend to her as well. You can’t force real friendships, you either connect or you don’t.” Yet Friendship Contracts are still necessary?
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON CYNTHIA’S COMMENTS? SHOULD MALORIE BUTT OUT? DOES SHE DESERVE AN APOLOGY FROM KIM? IS SHE NENE’S PUPPY?
Again, you didn’t think they would go quietly back into obscurity, did you? On the heels of the Basketball Wives: L.A.’s reunion, the women are still everywhere, making sure we don’t forget them during the downtime until a potential second season. VH1 caught up with the once bullied — now break-out star — Draya Michele. The following is an excerpt from that interview.
Did you have any idea what this would be like, this whole filming experience?
Definitely imagined it to be something different. I kind of imagined it to be with me more like Royce [Reed] in the Miami show…I don’t think it turned out that way, though.
What I’m most surprised by is you are the one person, you even said it yourself at one point, “Everybody at first is against me and now everybody’s with me.” I don’t think anybody really expected that.
Right. I mean, I don’t know what everybody thought they were going to think of me, but what I thought everyone was going to think of me—I though everyone was going to hate me and just not like me. You know, what I did was I just went in and promised myself that I’d stay true to myself, and I did, and it ended up working in my favor.
Watching the show back, was there anything that shocked you the most about how anyone was portrayed?
Not really as much as anyone was portrayed, I was shocked about how much time they consumed talking about me because I really had no idea all of that was taking place.
Are you—were you offended at all that people were so harsh and calling you names from the get-go? “Groupie” and all that stuff.
Yeah, I was definitely offended being that it was coming from them. I mean, they’re not God-like women, so it’s like, where do you get off saying that? It was shocking but, you know, I took it.
Did you know when the series started that your past and the whole internet thing was going to be a topic of conversation?
I pretty much expected it and prepared myself for it. But I just assumed that if I discussed it once, I wasn’t going to have to discuss it several times. Once I did discuss it one time, I thought I was done. So being that it kept being brought up, it became a problem for me.
At this point, are you friends with everyone? It seems like Hawaii helped you all bond.
No, I’m not really friendly with any of them except for Malaysia [Pargo].
I don’t want to dwell on one storyline, but like, the worthless thing; does that still stick with you at all?
No, only because like…as soon as Imani [Showalter] called me worthless, her dirt hit the blogs because people were like, “How dare she?” You know, everybody has their own stuff, mine just surfaced. Luckily for them, no one even cares enough about them to even put their dirt out. But I mean, it happens. Everybody has dirt, so coming from her I was just like, it’s the pot calling the kettle black…You know, she was one of the people I was most shocked at because in the beginning, I really liked her.
Speaking of Imani, she also weighs in on some of the similar issues, focusing mainly on the backlash she ensued after calling Draya “worthless.” She regrets how she was portrayed on the show and while her interview is very articulate and uber-calm (typical Imani), there is something about her that still seems to come across as condescending. It’s probably just me. Portions of her interview are below.
CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON TO READ IMANI’S INTERVIEW!
It seems Ramona Singer‘s name is on the tip of everyone’s tongue these days as the Real Housewives of New York loose canon has been everywhere promoting her pinot and show!
Ramona, who as we know, hawks quite a few products was recently honored at the Stevie Awards for Women in Business as the 2011 Mogul of the Year. Whoa — So, that uh constant Pinot advertising has apparently paid off! A photo of Ramona receiving her award is below.
And to celebrate her success, Ramona did a sit-down with Celebuzz about what it’s like in Pinot-land! Some excerpts from the interview are below!
Do you see yourself as a role model for women?
I actually say, for my daughter [Avery], I’m probably killing her as a role model. We actually discussed this. When I first started the show, I already had my own business for 20 years; I was already self made. Being on the show got my creative juices going, and I said, Let me show my daughter first-hand how you can start up a business. And then another business started, and another business started, and I realized that maybe now I’m raising the bar too high for her – or even for myself! [Laughs]
Did any of the Housewives attend the ceremony with you?
Yes, actually. I had Sonja [Morgan] there, who is my good friend on and off the show, and I had several other Housewives [there] whose whose names can’t be mentioned yet, I don’t think. But we did film it for the show, yes. *(The other Housewives are allegedly Carole Radziwill,Heather Thomson andAviva Drescher).
Did everyone get along?
You know what? We all get along at times and we all don’t get along at times. That’s what happens in life, right?
The Real Housewives of New York City made a lot of headlines when it was announced that Jill Zarin, Cindy Bishop,Alex McCord and Kelly Bensimon would not be returning next season. Has the dynamic of the show changed following their departure?
Obviously, filming the show this season with people not being on that were there last season, and with some other new people [on this season], the dynamics change. I think change is good. I embrace change.
How did you react when you heard the news?
It was a double-edged sword. Part of me was saying, Oh my gosh, It’s going to be sad not to have everyone together again. But the other part of me embraces change. I’m always changing. I’ve changed my businesses, my career, constantly, and I think change is good.
Do you keep in touch with any of the former Housewives?
Alex. Alex and I are still friends.
The show has become known for its big trips. Will there be another trip this season?
We always go on a trip; we’re always going on a trip.
Beyond the Stevie Awards, what will we see from you this season?
Basically, you are going to see me as woman who I think really, truly has it all. I have a marriage going on 20 years. [My husband Mario] is filming more with me this year, and you’ll see how, 20 years later, we still have this love and attraction for each other, and it’s just really wonderful. You’ll see my daughter [Avery] … She’s [now] a junior in high school. She is the apple of my eye, she is just beyond blossoming and she’s just successful in every way … And just my entrepreneurialness and trying to help women. A lot of women are now seeking me out to say, “How can I start my own business?”. I gave a class at the Learning Annex [on] having it all, how I started my business, how anyone can start a business. And I had no connections; I did it with me, myself and I. So, if I can do it, anybody can do it.
Interestingly in the interview Ramona confronted myths that Sonja and her are feuding and that none of her cast mates get along with her; mentioning that they attended the Stevie Awards — although the fact that they filmed it for the show means the other ladies may have been required to attend whether they wanted to or not!
Additionally, Ramona reveals that we can expect the new season to premiere in Spring or Summer of 2012 and she has big plans to branch out into clothing design! Ramona Couture, anyone?
And in other Housewives, well NON-Housewives news, Kelly had a chat with AVENUE magazine about life post-Housewives and she has babies on the brain!
“I definitely do want to have a baby boy,” the 43-year-old Kelly reveals in a sneak peak of the interview featured on RadarOnline. “I definitely want to get married again. I have always wanted to be married. I’ve always wanted to be a wife.”
Kelly is currently divorced from famed photographer Gilles Bensimon who is also the father of her two daughters, Sea and Teddy. Kelly describes her relationship with Gilles, who lives “down the street” from her, as “great” although has no intention of rekindling things “Look, do I want to be married to Gilles? No. Do I adore the ground he walks on? Yes.”
If you really, really want to hear more of what Kelly has to say AVENUE is out on newsstands Dec 5. A sample of Kelly’s photo shoot for the mag is below. She looks good, albeit incredibly photoshopped!
REACTIONS TO RAMONA’S INTERVIEW AND HER COMMENTS ON THE UPCOMING SEASON? DO YOU BELIEVE RAMONA AND SONJA ARE FEUDING? THOUGHTS ON KELLY’S DESIRE TO HAVE MORE CHILDREN?
