Taylor Armstrong was one of the original Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Taylor instantly made a splash thanks to her oversized pout and over-the-top birthday parties for her daughter Kennedy Armstrong. Additionally, she was known for a dark storyline that involved a toxic marriage to Russell Armstrong that ended in his suicide and her own very public nervous breakdown.
One month before Russellkilled himself in August 2011, Taylor filed for divorce, citing physical and verbal abuse. After Russell’s death, Taylor remarried John Bluherand started a new life in Colorado. She and John appeared on the show Couples Therapy together. Taylor has also appeared on RHOBH since her departure after season 3, and rumors swirl periodically that she will return as a full-time Housewife. Recently Taylor has opened up about how Kennedy, now 12-years-old, is doing years later after the loss of her father.
O. M. G. Oh. Em. Gee. OMG, OMG, OMG. I thought I’d heard it all when I learned that RHONJ’sTeresa Giudice would be “hosting” her own cruise. Imagine my shock when I find out that Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’Taylor Armstrong has also secured her own vacation destination…if that destination is a ship that sets sail for the warmer weather. So, let me get this straight…when your reality television fan base retreats, the next best thing is to host a week long party on an ocean liner? Consider me schooled.
Taylor is the newest housewife to dig her claws into the cruise ship craze. Wait, can I actually call it a ‘craze’ given that Teresa is the only other housewife from Bravo’s franchise to venture into these uncharted marketing waters? When did a meet and greet not become enough? Seriously? Who is so narcissistic that they think their fans will pay out the wazoo to vacay with them on a ship when the chances of actually seeing them are slim to none? I don’t know…but I’ll be right back, because I am totally booking this shiz RIGHT NOW for entertainment’s sake. Wait, does that make me part of the problem?
Reality TV stars of the past and present flocked to the Staples Center last night with their families to attend ‘Dragons’ presented by Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus.
The media has been buzzing with news regarding the upcoming season ofThe Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, so of course those ladies who love cameras and interviews have been out in full force. Taylor Armstrong, who is promoting her new book Hiding From Reality: My Story of Love, Loss, and Finding the Courage Within, has recently revealed that she was floored to learn that her young daughter Kennedy knew about the abuse she endured at the hands of late husband Russell Armstrong.
Taylor discusses her conundrum in a recent interview with HollywoodLife.com. She states that Kennedy inquired why Taylor could miss her father when he “beat her all the time.” Tragic, to say the least. Taylor says she replied, “I said, ‘You know what, you’re right. Your daddy had a bad temper and that wasn’t okay, but he loved you very much.’”
When trying to explain Russell’s relationship with his young daughter, Taylor reveals, “He never acted out towards my daughter. I try to reinforce ‘Your daddy loves you, and I know he misses you.’”
Going in depth about her past, Taylor admits, “The cycle of violence is a really interesting thing. It happens in a lot of relationships. You think you can change someone, and you can’t. You think that if they hit you for one reason or verbally abuse you for one reason and you don’t do that behavior again that it won’t happen again, and that’s not the case. They will always look for something new.” I am not a Taylor fan, but knowing people who have been in similar situations, I have to agree with her statement.
Meanwhile, Taylor isn’t ready to jump back into the dating pool. She says, “I’m just so happy being single and loving my little girl and being so present with her.” Taylor continues, “If you read my story, I’ve had a boyfriend since the time I was in the sixth grade and for me to be 40 and be so fine with being alone is beautiful. I just flew back from a vacation with my little girl, and we had the most fun that we’ve had in so long.” And go buy her book! 🙂
In other news from Beverly Hills, it has been reported that Kim Richards will be returning for the upcoming season. Now an insider is coming forward and telling Radaronline.com that Kim is trying to get healthy while maintaining the Bravo paycheck.
The source reveals, “Kim needs the money because she has no other way to support herself and her children. She does receive child support from several different men who fathered her kids. Kim was able to negotiate a better salary for the upcoming season, she got a $10k raise. Kim truly didn’t want to do another season because she is still extremely vulnerable and dealing with her sobriety.” This is the opposite of Kim’s friends who say she wanted her recovery documented to help others who may be struggling.
Someone “close to the women” shares that all the women “received a modest raise to come back and do season three. Taylor Armstrong has also become dependent on the show for the income and will be earning around $127,000 for the entire season. None of the cast is paid over $165k for a season of work. People might be surprised to learn how little the women earn from the show, this isn’t per episode, but for an entire season, which Bravo dictates the terms of how long the filming will be for.”
The same source continues, “The ladies won’t get rich from doing the show, but feel the exposure and publicity they get from appearing will be the big payoff. Look at Bethenny Frankel, she never earned more than $100k for being a cast member on the New York Housewives franchise of the show, and she just sold her Skinny Girl alcoholic beverage line for millions of dollars.” Is said source Andy Cohen?
The insider tells the site that everyone involved in next season “seem[s] very excited to begin filming the third season of the show. However, they were all extremely sad and disheartened that Camille Grammer won’t be back, she truly has been the heart and soul of the show. There will be at least two new Housewives on the Beverly Hills cast this season, Bravo hasn’t officially decided who they will be yet.”
Perhaps, said insider isn’t as inside as he/she hoped! Regardless, I am torn on both Taylor and Kim returning. I am not on the hateful Taylor bandwagon (but please know I’m not a fan either). If her allegations are true (and I tend to think they are, regardless of how I feel about how she’s handled things since), I don’t think she is doing herself, or her daughter any favors by letting her life play out on television. Similarly, watching Kim’s breakdown wasn’t entertaining, it was cringe-worthy. I just wish these women would take the time to heal themselves and their families out of the spotlight.
Speaking of someone who is doing just that, Camille is still having issues with her new boyfriend’s ex, and finds herself unwittingly at the center of their custody battle. Her beau Dimitri Charalambopoulosrecently obtained a restraining order against his son’s mother, Lisa Chynoweth. Now Lisa is fighting back, wanting to move their son from Texas to Colorado…closer to her family and farther from his father.
Radaronline.com is reporting that Lisa submitted a sworn declaration to the court, stating, “I do not believe it is in the best interest of our son to be subject to the social media, paparazzi, and social pressures of the type of lifestyle his father has chosen to live. Because of Camille Grammar’s publicizing her relationship with Dimitri on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Dimitri is now being referred to all over the Internet as a ‘Boy Toy’..This negative publicity is harmful and devastating to the self-image of our nine-year-old son.”
However, a source close to Camille is quick to point out that her relationship with Dimitri is why she decided not to return to RHOBH, as producers wanted “her to have Dimitri on the show, and have their relationship play out on camera, along with her children.”
The source states, “Camille was steadfast on her decision to not put that part of her life on the show, and she ended up walking away…No one told her to do that, not a judge, her lawyers, Dimitri, that was Camille’s decision.” Further, “Camille has never met Marcus! Camille thinks it’s just too soon to meet him, even though she has been dating his dad for almost eight months. Camille is fully supportive of Dimitri’s relationship with Marcus, and would love to meet him one day when it’s appropriate.”
The insider continues, “Camille has been through her own custody battle with her two children, and her ex-husband, Kelsey Grammer, and Camille knows that the children come first, period. Dimitri can’t believe how down to earth and level headed Camille is, it’s not what he has been used to at all.”
I am glad to hear that Camille is taking the high road with this situation and her life. Who knew that the most vilified season one housewife could make such positive turn-around?
THOUGHTS ON TAYLOR’S INTERVIEW? DO YOU THINK KENNEDY WAS AWARE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON AROUND HER? SHOULD TAYLOR RETURN? SHOULD KIM RETURN? COULD BEING ON A REALITY SHOW HINDER HER RECOVERY? COMMENTS ON CAMILLE’S RECENT DRAMA?
Above is a photo of Real Housewives of New Jersey star, Caroline Manzo attending the Woman’s Day 2012 Red Dress Awards, in New York City on February 15. Another photo of Caroline is below!
Also below, Taylor Armstrong signs copies of her tell-all book with her daughter in tow; Melissa Gorga walks the streets of NYC; Gretchen Rossi attends a fashion show with beau Slade Smiley;Alexis Bellino pictured at a NYC event; Bethenny Frankel pictured in NYC;Ramona Singer pictured with Top Chef’s Richard Blais; Kyle Richrds shops in Beverly Hills; Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen attend an event; Jill Zarin launches her shapewear line at Macy’s;and Phaedra Parks attends a fashion show in New York! Plus, photos of Kelly Bensimon, Brandi Glanville, Rachel Zoe& more!
Also below,Kim Kardashian and pimpmomager Kris Jenner do lunch; Renee Graziano steps out in Florida;Padma Lakshmi dons an interesting get up; Plus, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Aubrey O’Day and more!
[Photo Credit: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com]
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Taylor Armstrongis revealing all in a sit-down interview with Entertainment Tonight.
Over a month after the tragic suicide of her estranged husband Russell Armstrong, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hillsstar sat down with ET’s Nancy O’Dell. Taylor opened up on her marriage to Russell, details the abuse she experienced as well as the way she broke the news of Russell’s passing to their daughter Kennedy.
First Taylor, 40, describes what she says was the first time Russell, 47, abused her: “The first time he ever really harmed me physically, I was pregnant with Kennedy and he grabbed me by the throat and held me up against a wall,” she says. The reason for that abuse? He did not like the way she made pizza for his sons. “He grabbed me by the neck and shoved me up against the wall and he said, ‘If you ever make my children a pizza without a vegetable again, I’ll kill you…I saw his ability to go from zero to 60 that quickly.”
Following that first incident, the abuse continued on in her 6-year marriage. “You live your life constantly on eggshells waiting for the other shoe to drop,” Taylor tells Nancy. “You don’t know if you’re going to talk to your girlfriend too long at dinner and that’s going to cause someone to fly into a rage.”
She also states Russell was usually careful in the way he abused her, trying not to leave visible marks.”He would grab me by one side of the hair on my head and bang the other side of my head against the car,” she discloses adding that these would leave knots in her scalp. She cries as she recounts, “He would say to me, ‘I’m afraid I’m going to kill you one day.'”
According to Taylor, Russell abused her about 20 times throughout their marriage, citing the last time (the same incident in which she took photos at the hospital) was one of the most brutal attacks. Taylor says Russell punched her in the eye after she came back home from filming her birthday party in Las Vegas. He had accused her of ignoring him and seeing another man. Taylor states she felt her “eyeball shift.”
After landing in the hospital, she states Russell told her to tell doctors 5-year-old Kennedy accidentally kicked her in the eye with her shoe. Taylor also adds that Russell was with her while she checked into the hospital and talked to doctors. She adds that the doctors were suspicious but never called the cops.
Following the final incident, Russell finally realized just how severe their problem was according to Taylor. “When I finally showed him the MRI he just put it down and started to cry. And I think it was him having to come to terms with the fact that this had gone on for too long, and that this time he really could’ve hurt me beyond what could’ve been repaired.”
Taylor goes on to reveal how she broke the horrible news of Russell’s death to Kennedy. “I just told her that daddy got sick and he died … ,” said Taylor adding she told the 5-year-old that “we could pick a star in the sky and it could be daddy, and that she could talk to him every night.”
As for why she’s going public with her story, Taylor reveals she’s doing it in hopes that she can help other women experiencing the same thing. When asked why she never called cops during the abuse, she states she never wanted Russell to go to jail. “I never wanted to call the police because I didn’t want him to go to jail. I loved him. And he would say ‘If you call the police, they’re going to send me to jail. And who’s going to take care of Kennedy? Who’s going to take care of you?'”
As for the criticism that Russell is no longer here to defend himself, Taylor responds: “I would say that they’re right Unfortunately. He is not here. And I’m mourning the loss of him if not more than anyone.” She adds, “But at the same time, I’ve put myself second in other to protect him and he doesn’t need my protection anymore. But there are a lot of women in this world that probably do. So I have to fight for the living now.”
And just this Wednesday, Russell’s lawyer Ronald Richards claimed Taylor’s abuse photos were phony and that the injuries were not inflicted by Russell. “If Mr. Armstrong was the cause of those injuries he would have been arrested and prosecuted,” Ronald told TMZ adding that the injuries may have been from plastic surgery and noting that Taylor had not filed a police report.
Those close to Taylor however insist the pictures are very real and that she has others that make R&B star Rihanna‘s battered face “look like child’s play.”
Taylor is set to appear on the Dr. Phil Show today to further discuss things and try to get help for coping with this tragedy. Part of the ET interview is below —
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON TAYLOR’S INTERVIEW AND THE COMMENTS MADE BY RUSSELL’S ATTORNEY? DO YOU BELIEVE SHE WAS ABUSED OR STILL HAVE YOUR DOUBTS?
RadarOnline is reporting that Adrienne, who comes from the very wealthy Maloof family, is currently in financial trouble and is being forced to downgrade her lavish lifestyle.
“She is cutting back on every aspect of her luxurious lifestyle,” a source says reveals about Adrienne who is married to plastic surgeon Paul Nassif. “Adrienne and Paul lead an extravagant life, but they’re having money troubles and are looking for ways to scale back their opulence.”
The source adds that Adrienne is taking both small and drastic measures to cut back on her expenses. “She’s cut back on household staff, using people in the house only for the bare minimum requirements,” the source states. “Adrienne and Paul argue all the time but now that the economy is bad and their personal fortunes are dwindling they’re making serious adjustments to their lifestyle.” Ai ya ya.
Pretty shocking report as the Maloof family owns a NBA team as well as luxury hotels, a record company, and other business entities.
In other news, Russell Armstrong’ssister Laurie Kelsoeis speaking out against Taylor Armstrong once again, this time threatening to sue her if she dare writes anything that slanders her brother. Laurie is speaking in reference to a book that Taylor is planning to write (reportedly about domestic violence).
“Taylor had better check with our family before writing any type of book disparaging my brother or she will get sued! She is ruthless and a gold-digger!” Laurie tells HollywoodLife.
“I thought she was mourning the loss of Russell, instead she is busy shopping around a book deal and shopping around her story to any media outlet who will pay her. It is so unethical! She said she never filed any police reports when my brother allegedly hit her because she wanted to protect their daughter Kennedy. Well obviously she doesn’t care about protecting Kennedy anymore. She is so desperate for fame and money, she will do and say whatever it takes,” adds Laurie.
Laurie finishes off with: “Tell Taylor, her sister-in-law is going to write a book about psychological abuse and call it “A Hollywood Wannabe Turned Murderer!”
In a separate interview with the Rumor Fix, Laurie reveals she is planning to sue Bravo. As we have reported, Taylor got the book deal before Russell’s passing.
In more RHOBH news, a blind item was posted about a RHOBH married couple on the rocks, and many fans of the show are now wondering who that couple is. The full blind item from CDAN is below –
“Which RH Beverly Hills couple, despite giving off the appearance of being the most in love actually have the most marital issues and none of it began until the show did, which is ironic considering…. Half the time the couple does not even sleep in the same bed together.”
And finally, a new episode of the RHOBH is set to air tonight on Bravo at 9/8c. On the second episode this season titled, ‘Blame It On The Altitude,’ Camille seeks respite from the public dramas of her life by hitting the ski slopes with the 90210 ladies. The snow bunnies also bask in some hot-tub relaxation, but the drama heats up when one wife details her problems.
A preview clip is below –
TELL US – DO YOU BELIEVE THE REPORT ABOUT ADRIENNE? THOUGHTS ON THE BLIND ITEM, LAURIE’S COMMENTS, AND TONIGHT’S NEW EPISODE?
Pandora Vanderpump, who was featured on the first season of the hit show, is Lisa’s daughter with husband of 29 years Ken Todd. Pandora got married to beau Jason Sabo on Saturday! RadarOnline reports her nuptials took place — where else — but at her parent’s lavish 15,000 sq ft. Beverly Hills estate.
“I can’t explain the love and warmth that filled the room and our hearts last night,thank you all for your messages,my daughter is married!” tweeted Lisa yesterday.
Radar reports Bravo cameras were not on hand to tape the wedding but some photos posted online show camera crews taping Pandora as she prepared to walk down the aisle. Perhaps Bravo taped the preparations but not the actual event. Some photos from the wedding are below!
In other news, TMZ is reporting that just a day after Russell Armstrongcommitted suicide, a business associate of his also took his own life.
The day after Russell’s body was found hanging, Alan Schram, the managing partner at an L.A-based hedge fund, was found dead on August 16 outside of his car with a gunshot to his head. The L.A. County Coroner concluded Alan’s death was a suicide.
TMZ adds that Russell and Alan were friends as well as members of an exclusive group called Tiger 21 which is described as an “organization of high net-worth folk who jawbone with each other about investments.”
Taylor and some of her RHOBH castmates reportedly expressed shock over Alan’s death and the timing at Russell’s memorial. While Russell’s attorney has publicly stated he was in deep financial trouble, it is unknown whether Alan was also experiencing financial difficulty. No word yet on whether or not Bravo will be blamed for this tragic death as well.
And finally, the Huffington Post is reporting that Taylor Armstrongand her daughter Kennedy are now living at the home of Kyle Richards in their time of grief.
“Kyle’s only concern at the moment is Taylor and Kennedy,” a friend of Kyle’s reveals. “She has had Kennedy staying at her house. She returned from the Bahamas when the news broke and went straight to Barnes and Noble to pick out books for Kennedy to read. She also got her a little necklace with an angel so she could feel safe. Kyle has been the glue that has kept all the housewives together during this period.”
The report adds that as of the moment, Bravo is still planning to premiere the second season of the show on Sep. 5.
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