Alex McCord

Jill Zarin Claims She Was Asked To Return To RHONY But Bravo Denies It! Plus Is Kelly Bensimon Dating Madonna’s Ex?

by Lauren on February 2nd, 2012

It’s as if one franchise slowly rose up after hearing that other (more blonde and tan) franchises were getting more press. So here we are, back with the Real Housewives of New York, fresh with some new gossip…Zarin style.

After the firing heard ’round the Bravo world, Radaronline.com is reporting that the ~~Queen of Mean~~ Princess of Park Avenue Jill Zarin has been asked to rejoin the cast. The season seems to be taking an exceedingly long time to wrap, leading some to believe that there’s just no excitement with the new ladies. It would make sense that Bravo wanted to bring back the franchise’s resident pot stirrer.

Jill, who claims she was contacted by a show insider, explains that the offer was too little too late. She maintains she was happy to get the boot along with cast mates Alex McCord, Cindy Barshop, and Kelly Bensimon.

Jill insists, “I thought about quitting the show during season 4, because my husband wanted his wife back. I had such anxiety and pressure to act a certain way and I was paranoid for a reason, because people were planning and plotting against me.” Planning and plotting? Sounds like a James Patterson novel, not a trip to Morocco to break up the monotony of Upper East Side luncheons and weekends in ~~Quogue~~ the Hamptons!

“I’m too old and have grown up too much to do Real Housewives anymore, I want to set an example to my kids and my grandkids,” she continues. Not to mention that she doesn’t need RHONY to be in the spotlight…she has a new show for that.

Jill will be returning to the small screen on the Cooking Channel, starring in Iron Chef America’s Top 5 Moments in Kitchen Stadium History. I remember her being quite the Paula Deen of the Housewives…um…And, if you miss her on Iron Chef, you can still catch her on the Home Shopping Networking, hawking her Skweez Couture shapewear line on February 10th.

However, Gossipcop.com is saying that the offer never happened! The site claims to have been told by a true Bravo insider that Mrs. Zarin was never contacted to return to the show. Other media outlets are also reporting Bravo is adamantly denying Jill’s claims. Hmmm…something sounds fishy. Is the source insinuating that Jill Zarin would actually make up a story to get press and remain relevant? I don’t buy it…much like I won’t be buying anything called Skweez. If only there was someone who could shed some light on this confusion. But wait…

THERE IS!

After all the hullabaloo, Jill felt the need to take to her personal blog to respond to such preposterous claims. Personal blogs are way classier than twitter, you know. Get the memo, Atlanta! After seeing Radaronline.com’s story, Jill was quick to address the gossip (or is it?) on–where else?–jillzarin.com. Part of that statement, typos and all, is below.

“I have to admit that most of it is….TRUE! Shocking..I know. but…most of the questions I answered a long time ago from and older interview. I was asked but someone I can’t mention..if I would be interested in coming back for a cameo. That is all I will say right now . I won’t say when or by whom..actually , ironically it was more than one person. It is true that Bobby asked me not to come back. Actually that was reported in the NY POST on Page 6 in July 2011. We were overheard at a restaurant talking and he begged me not to go back on the show but to please quit. I NEVER told any one this but…I actually emailed some of the ladies and producers a goodbye letter, wishing them all well and why I wanted to leave while we were still on top. Maybe I will publish the email one day. But then I didn’t quit. I will save that story for another day…”

Somewhere Simon van Kempen is wearing a dashiki and calling Andy Cohen on speed dial wondering why he and his Brooklyn bride were not asked to make cameos. Y’all know I’m right!

Not one to be left out when the “brunettes” are making news, Kelly Bensimon is also making headlines for committing the ultimate in celebrity cardinal sins…dating one of Madonna’s exes. And not just any ex, she’s reportedly seeing the father of Madonna’s tween daughter Lourdes, Carlos Leon. #dontcrossmadgesheisfrightening! The huffingtonpost.com has the deets.

The potential new couple was spotted walking together–gasp!–in the East Village this past weekend. Kelly’s “friends” predict that we will be seeing even more of the twosome in the future.

One such pal reveals, “They started out working on a project together but have since gotten very close. Kelly always says that if you are not married or engaged, you are single. So, technically she is still single, but we all know that they are together.”

While Kelly herself declined to comment on the nature of the relationship, she did admit, “We met seven months ago. I’m casting him for the show I Can Make You Hot. Have you met him? He’s an amazing dancer and athlete ~~and jelly bean connoisseur~~.”

I’m sure Madonna isn’t batting an eyelash at this news. She’s probably used to it seeing as another of her former flames was linked to former RHONY’s Bethenny Frankel. When the Material Girl split from baseballer Alex Rodriguez in 2009, he reportedly found comfort in the arms of a Skinny Girl. No word yet as to whether Madonna ever dated Ross/Jacques.

Photos of Carlos are below!

[Photos Credit: WENN]

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF JILL ZARIN’S INTERVIEW? DO YOU BELIEVE SHE WAS CONTACTED BY BRAVO OR IS SHE JUST TRYING TO GET MORE ATTENTION? IS KELLY DATING CARLOS LEON?

Real Housewives of New York

Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen Call RHONY A “Trainwreck!” & Pitching New Reality Show; Plus Kelly Bensimon Returning To TV?

by Mary on January 19th, 2012

Well they weren’t off our TVs for long! Three of the four fired Real Housewives of New York stars are reportedly moving onto new reality shows. We all knew they wouldn’t go quietly!

Hot on the heals of news that the indomitable Jill Zarin is in talks with Fox to get a new show based around her moving to Beverly Hills, here come the rumblings of other fellow firees ~~seeking the spotlight again~~.

First up is Silex! Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen circulated an email amongst their friends pitching a new reality show. The crafty NY Post was able to obtain a copy of said email, which basically calls Bravo out for creating “faux reality shows.” You don’t say! Alluding to their experiences on RHONY and referring to their former job as a “trainwreck!” You mean the friendship between Bethenny and Alex wasn’t real!?

“While we were sad to lose the dollars . . . we weren’t sad to be off that particular show,” Alex and Simon’s email reads. “Now that we are free-and-clear of our Bravo contracts, we have been meeting with . . . just about every cable network as well as a couple of the main networks,” in the hopes to interest someone — anybody, really — in a reality show about 30-something parents in Brooklyn. “We would never expose ourselves to another faux reality show,” the email reassured prospective castmates, alluding to the behind the scenes magicians at Bravo!

Despite their unsavory experiences in front of the camera broadcasting their basement office and munster shoes for all the world to see, Silex still craves the spotlight and is hoping to start a new show based upon their fabulous Brooklynite lives of raising kids, hawking towels, Twittering and dishing about being the daughter of an oil barron (remember Alex like grew up super rich in Kansas, ya’all!). Except this time Brooklyn isn’t going to be the laughingstock of said show; this new show is going to prove to Americans that Brooklyn, and it’s inhabitants, are really, really cool. Hey, I like Brooklyn!

The show, which is tentatively titled “Based in Brooklyn,” seeks to shine a light into the culture Silex dubs “Brownstone Brooklyn” a.k.a. yuppies converting the borough into a trendy place to live.

When the Post asked Alex if she would consider selling her new show to Bravo, you know that network that produces faux reality shows, she suddenly got flustered. “I don’t know, I hadn’t, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t, it’s not just me either if we did this it would be Simon and me together,” Alex confessed.

Next up, Kelly Bensimon was apparently overheard talking about her new reality venture while she judged the Miss New York USA pageant this past week. The New York Daily News eavesdropped on the cray-cray one asking a famous blogger if he would be interested in a guest appearance on her new show.

What new show, you ask? Supposedly Kelly, who is a self-proclaimed expert on hotness, is working on a TV project to coincide with her upcoming book, “I Can Make You Hot!: The Supermodel Diet,” which hits shelves in April. Well, in my mind the first element of hotness is being sane, so I don’t think I could take any of Kelly’s advice seriously!

[Photo Credit: WENN.com]

WOULD YOU WATCH ALEX’S OR KELLY’S NEW SHOWS? ARE YOU SURPRISED THEY ARE RE-SEEKING THE SPOTLIGHT?

Real Housewives of New York

Jill Zarin Says Fans Will Miss Her On RHONY! Talks Getting Fired & Feud With Bethenny Frankel!

by Mary on November 8th, 2011

A few months after her firing from Real Housewives of New York, legendary reality villainess Jill Zarin is still unable to let it go!

Speaking to Access Atlanta while promoting Skweeze Couture (is anyone buying that?), the formidable former Housewife was refreshingly candid, which means she basically put her foot in her mouth and said things that are bound to get the public all riled up!

Jill admits she would have “liked to stay on the show” for the opportunity and income it provided, but she isn’t necessarily sad it ended! “Now that I’m off the show, I can see my reputation getting better,” she insists. “Things improved season four after it was damaged season three. People are starting to realize, watching other reality shows, that maybe they were too harsh on me.” We are? Well perhaps, in light of former bestie and co-star Bethenny Frankel’s latest issues with the media some fans may be reconsidering their opinions of Jill and the demise of her friendship with Bethenny.

About that feud… Jill was eager to address that what we saw on TV was not necessarily how it played out in real life. Cue the Producer Manipulation accusation employed by all reality stars in times of strife! Jill insists that the time Bethenny called her to discuss their imploding friendship and Jill put her on speaker phone while her new BFF, LuAnn de Lesseps was sitting next to her to over-hear everything wasn’t to be mean and catty, but to accommodate the producers! Apparently, Jill didn’t realize Bethenny also had a camera crew with her at that same time. Oops. Regardless, that doesn’t redeem all the catty comments!

Jill cites another incident where she put former cast-mate Ramona Singer on speakerphone only for Ramona to make rude comments about LuAnn while LuAnn was sitting right there!

Despite the pain it caused her and the loss of her friendship with Bethenny, Jill (who once said she thought the feud was manufactured for TV drama purposes) is thankful for her experiences on RHONY. “Four years was much longer than I ever thought the show would last,” she reveals. “I’m grateful. And the show lives on. Plus, repeats are now being rolled out in other countries so I get emails all over the world asking me if I’m still best friends with Bethenny.” I wonder if she tells them to Google IHJZ!?

Jill claims she sensed her time was coming to an end with Bravo and was prepared and expressed her disappointment over the reactions of other fired Housewives, namely Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen who asserted Jill was responsible for Alex’s termination! Alex is quoted as saying Jill has “been trying to get me off the show for a number of years. She succeeded…She’s a manipulator and she’s very good at feeding information to her own end.”

“I was disappointed by what they said,” Jill reflected. “It hurt my feelings. For good or bad, we made great television. We had fun together. Season four, I didn’t have one fight with Alex. We got along in Morocco. Don’t go after me. Go after another housewife that did something to you, not me.”

“After we were let go that Saturday night, I reached out to all the girls, including Alex and Simon. I said if you need me for anything, I get booked for appearances and if they need other people, I can suggest you. Now I don’t want to work with them,” Jill remarks. “I was trying to be nice.”

Jill assures us, once again, she is not finished with reality TV! Apparently her Bravo contract “limited her ability to make appearances on shows on rival networks”, but since the “The Golden Child” Bethenny was able to appear on the horrible Skating With The Stars, Jill believes she’ll be able to go to another network, no problem. In fact, she is “in talks” to do a new show though nothing is set in stone just yet. I seriously hope it has nothing to do with Patti Stanger’s proposed “Glamazons”!

“I think people are going to miss me,” Jill believes, confident that once Season 5 premieres without her everyone is going to wish she was still included in the cast. I wouldn’t bet too much money on that one, Jill!

In other Jill news, the product she is desperately hawking, Skweeze Couture, is on the market and Jill insists she knows what she’s doing! “It’s not like I’m a celebrity who woke up and said, ‘Oh, let me do a line of this or that.’ What I’m doing makes sense based on what I already know. I feel like I’m filling a void.” Apparently, lots of women need girdles!

Apparently. Since the NY Daily News reviewed Skweeze (and two other shapewear companies, although not Skinnygirl Shapewear) and found that while it definitely sucks in your fat, you might need “the Jaws of Life” to remove it! When asked if Skweeze was supposed to be so um… restricting, Jill replied: “I didn’t make it to be comfortable, I made it to work!” Well the reviews are in and it works, it’s just about the most uncomfortable garment ever manufactured, but “it lives up to its name!”

[Photo Credit: PNP/ WENN.com]

THOUGHTS ON JILL’S INTERVIEW? ARE YOU SURPRISED SHE IS STILL TALKING ABOUT GETTING FIRED? DO YOU THINK HER SPEAKER PHONE GAFF WAS INTENTIONAL OR AT THE BEHEST OF THE PRODUCERS? WOULD YOU TRY SKWEEZE AFTER READING THE REVIEW?

Real Housewives of New York

PHOTOS: Reality Stars 2011 Halloween Photos!

by Reality Tea on October 31st, 2011

Bringing you a special Halloween photo post today!

Above is a photo of current and former Bravolebrities — Teresa Giudice, Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen pictured with Marc Bouwer at his Pop Art Halloween party in New York City on October 29.

Below more Teresa and Silex, Bethenny Frankel in a Hello Kitty costume! Kyle Richards is a sexy cop, Camille Grammer is a pirate, Kim Kardashian (before filing for divorce) dresses up solo as Poison Ivy, plus Melissa Gorga, Snooki, Scott Disick, JWoww, Heidi Klum, Holly Madison & more!

Photo credit: Credit: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com

CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON TO SEE ALL THE PHOTOS!

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Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen Promise A Return To Reality TV! Talk Parenting & Working With LuAnn!

by Mary on October 21st, 2011

Oh McCord-van Kempens, give it up already!

The recently fired, former Real Housewives of New York couple makes it clear to Wetpaint, that they’re not going anywhere as they ~~threaten~~ promise a return to reality television! And true to form Simon van Kempen does most of the talking in the interview! “I wouldn’t write us off TV just yet, but it’s a bit too early to confirm anything,” Simon promises.

Although Simon claims a return to reality TV would probably not include Bravo, he insists the couple “left on good terms” and the door is still open for a return to HW. I mean after all, Alex McCord got a spot on the Real Housewives Live Tour and “she’s the only “fired” Housewife to do the tour,” Simon boasts of his wife. Victory in small things! A photo of Alex attending the HW tour is below.

“If the rumors are true and they open the door to come back, then, maybe not,” Simon assures. Making sure to reiterate Bravo still likes them – they really do and reality TV is their destiny, “the doors are certainly open because we’ve now left and whether it’s with Housewives or with Bravo or another network, that remains to be seen, but we’ll come back on your TV screens sometime in 2012.” Oh, yay! Or Oh, No! I can’t decide which.

While the couple is most definitely promising a return to our TV screens, they haven’t quit their day jobs just yet (they’re not making that mistake again!) and are hard at work on Aluxe Home, raising their two boys, and supporting many charitable causes – including working together with LuAnn de Lesseps!

“I had wanted to do a home line for years, and Simon jumped on board with that completely — we do everything as a team,” Alex reminds us. “After several potential deals that didn’t go through, we decided that going into partnership with a factory was a really good bet,” which is how they ended up with Aluxe Home. Alex shares that a big inspiration for the line was color, and a desire to create a more sophisticated style of children’s bedding.

Alex also talks family and apparently the couple are not planning for anymore children. But why – it would make for such good TV! “Our family is complete with 2 kids — Simon and I both agreed that we did not want to be outnumbered,” Alex laughs! “Simon and I went from being adamant that we would never have kids, to changing our minds and embracing parenthood (and luckily that happened before our first child arrived!).”

As for working together with LuAnn, Alex explains: “we are putting aside our Housewives differences to support Breast Cancer survivors in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” Wow…I’m shocked, but in a good way.

Photo credit: WENN

THOUGHTS ON SILEX’S POTENTIAL RETURN TO TELEVISION? SHOULD THEY GIVE IT UP ALREADY OR DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF THEM? WOULD YOU BUY PRODUCTS FROM THEIR NEW BEDDING LINE?

Real Housewives of New York

PHOTOS: Reality Stars’ Week In Photos – October 19!

by Reality Tea on October 19th, 2011

Bringing you a new photo post this week!

Above is a photo of Bravo Housewives Alex McCord, NeNe Leakes, Melissa Gorga and Marysol Patton as they attended The Real Housewives Tour in Atlanta, GA, at the Cobb Energy Center, on October 16. The ladies walked the red carpet before taking to the stage and chatting with each other and audience members.

Below, Teresa Giudice photographed filming Celebrity Apprentice! Caroline Manzo steps out to support son Albie Manzo! And speaking of Albie, he stepped out with his new girlfriend! Kelly Bensimon is pictured with rapper Jay Z, Bethenny Frankel takes a walk with Baby Bryn, Taylor Armstrong tapes a new interview for Extra, plus more photos of Nene Leakes , Melissa Gorga & more!

Also below, Kim Kardashian, Snooki, Robert Kardashian, The Situation, Holly Madison, Kendra Wilkinson & more!

Photo credit: Dan Harr / Splash News

CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON TO SEE ALL THE PHOTOS!

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RHONY’s Countess Luann Slams Ramona & Alex! Gets HUGE Pay Raise With Ramona!

by Mary on October 5th, 2011

After mostly keeping her comments to herself, LuAnn de Lesseps is finally throwing all that etiquette stuff out the window and as one of the only remaining originals of Real Housewives of New York, she is speaking out on the firings and the future of the show!

Get ready – it’s juicy!

In an exclusive interview with OK!, LuAnn publicly admits she is disappointed by who Bravo decided to fire, specifically Jill Zarin, but she is excited to still be included in the show! “I was happy because I wanted to do the next season, and sad at the same time, because Jill’s the one who initially started the show with me, and is the one who brought me onto the show,” she reveals.

“I really felt bad that she wasn’t coming back. And Kelly [Bensimon] – I’m going to miss the girls, I really am, but I’m excited about the new season and missing the girls. I have great memories with all the women. We made that show what it was from the beginning,” LuAnn muses, waxing nostalgic. Hey, at least one person will be mourning for Jill!

And since she is on a roll, LuAnn continues by reiterating that she’ll really miss Jill! Like a lot. LuAnn, you guys can still do things outside the show. “We’re like a weird, sick family,” she says of relationships to her former co-stars. “Jill and I started the show together with Ramona and Alex. Kelly came on later, but It’s really sad to see them go because it’s something we created and made successful together.”

If you noticed LuAnn has not mentioned Alex McCord being part of the “family,” it’s because LuAnn still hates her! “There was no reason [for her to attack me],” LuAnn quips referring to the argument after Morocco and other comments Alex has made about her in the press. Also noting that she also does not feel bad that Alex was fired.

As for the new cast, LuAnn is “looking forward to the new season,” except for one thing: Ramona Singer! “Ramona is Ra-mean-a,” LuAnn explains. “I see Ramona, and I run the other direction!”

LuAnn hasn’t seen Pinot Singer since the reunion and that’s fine with her! “She invited me to her party and I’m like ‘hello? Come on. Really?! You say that to me, and you expect me to show up and say ‘hi’?’ No. Not after you go after my kids.”

And a furious LuAnn then makes some jabs about Ramona’s drinking habits, after expressing that she is still (yes, STILL!) disappointed that Ramona declined to be in her music video for Chic C’est La Vie! “Turtle Time, Pinot Grigio – but that grossed me out.”

“There’s part of her I love and part of her I hate,” LuAnn continues. “She says the damndest things – it rolls out of her mouth, and she thinks she can get away with it. She’s not going to get away with it, because it’s ‘on’ for the next season,” LuAnn challenges.

As for a very re-vamped Season Five, according to LuAnn filming begins soon! “I’m really excited about the upcoming season, and I will look forward to the girls.” The expected new cast members are Carole Radziwill, Heather Thomson, and Aviva Drescher.

Well, the next season better be an improvement over last year, especially considering the pay raise Ramona and LuAnn allegedly received! the Huffington Post is reporting that Bravo inked a contract with LuAnn and Ramona (who let’s be frank, really know how to bring the dramz and the snippy comments) paying them a whopping $500,000 each to film Season Five!

“In the fourth season, LuAnn, Ramona, Jill and Alex all earned $275,000 for 16 regular episodes plus a one-day reunion taping that was shown as two episodes. “So in total it was $275,000 for a total of 18 episodes,” an insider states. “But now that Jill and Alex have been fired, LuAnn and Ramona are getting $500,000 to tape 18 episodes. That’s almost $28,000 an episode.” Come again?!

The reason for Bravo upping the ante? “Nothing causes drama more than asking all the ladies to do the same amount of work and paying some more for it than others,” one of the real housewives themselves reveals!

“Sonja [Morgan] and the new ladies are not earning anything like the money LuAnn and Ramona are and that is already causing tension — plus, a very unlikely friendship between past enemies LuAnn and Ramona,” the housewife insider details. Perhaps LuAnn and Ramona got together in the contract negotiation process! “It’s way too early to know how all this is going to play out, but early meetings have gone great!”

Bravo declined to comment on the upcoming season and the alleged pay raises, but I wouldn’t put it past them to resort to unscrupulous measures to cause drama (See: New Jersey, Housewives, “Real”)!

Thoughts on LuAnn’s interview and comments about Ramona? Obsessed with Jill, much? Are you as surprised as I am that Ramona and LuAnn will be earning half a Mil to be part of RHONY?

Real Housewives of New York

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps Misses Jill Zarin On RHONY! Alex And Simon Finally Moving On After Firing!

by Mary on October 3rd, 2011

Oh, will the Real Housewives of New York casting drama never end? Apparently not, as this time it’s Countess LuAnn’s turn to give an opinion on the infamous pink slipping of her brunette counterparts!

Speaking to Wetpaint Entertainment before her appearance at The Real Housewives Live Tour, LuAnn admitted the firings came as a shock! “I was surprised they let go of four girls.”

And while LuAnn will “really miss Jill,” she is optimistic about the new ladies. “I’m excited about the new cast,” although she hasn’t actually met any of her new co-stars. If they are all friends with Ramona Singer, I predict a rocky fifth season for our favorite ex-countess!

And speaking of exes, ex-housewife Alex McCord and ex-hanger-on Simon van Kempen are finally moving forward after getting terminated! In a shocking interview with the NY Post, Simon admits the duo was out of place among their castmates (yes, I read it twice to make sure I wasn’t seeing things). “Alex and I were always miscast in the show,” he confesses. “And if [Bravo] is taking it to the ‘Beverly Hills’ level of money, of course we wouldn’t be on.” Wow… refreshing honesty, Simon!

As for the rumors that the McCord-Van Kempens begged Bravo for their jobs back, even willing to take a 50% pay cut out of their $275,000 salary, Simon calls the gossip “100 percent not true,” which was also confirmed by a Bravo rep (a very reliable source, if I’ve ever heard one!).

“Once we had a no, it was no,” Simon explains. “That would’ve just perpetuated the perception we are the wannabes they made us out to be.” Wait – Bravo made them look like wannabes? #Idontbelieveyou.

“We’re sad it’s not continuing. But four years wasn’t bad,” Simon concludes. Good attitude Silex! The two reveal they are now focusing on a line of Egyptian-cotton towels and bedding, called Aluxe, which they plan to launch this week.

It also appears the firing of Silex isn’t preventing Ramona from contuining to hang out with Alex. Ramona posted the following photo below of herself hanging out with Alex over the weekend. Ramona wrote on her facebook today: “Morning! How was everyone’s weekend? Mine was great. Ended it last night celebrating Alex’s birthday!”

Gossip columnist Rob Shuter tweeted that filming on the new season of RHONY officially begins today. You can CLICK HERE to read all about the new housewives!

Are you surprised LuAnn will miss Jill? Did any of you attend the Housewives Live Tour – thoughts? Are you impressed with Silex’s new attitude?

Real Housewives of New York