The Real Housewives of New York City

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The Real Housewives of New York City
Realhousewivesofnyclogo.jpg
Genre Reality
Starring
Country of origin United States
No. of seasons 6
No. of episodes 81 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Jennifer O'Connell
Nick Emmerson
Omid Kahangi
Running time 42 to 44 minutes
Production company(s) Shed Media
Broadcast
Original channel Bravo
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Original run March 4, 2008 (2008-03-04) – present
Chronology
Preceded by The Real Housewives of Orange County
Followed by The Real Housewives of Atlanta
External links
Website

The Real Housewives of New York City is an American reality television program on Bravo, and a spin-off of The Real Housewives of Orange County. New York is the second city featured in The Real Housewives franchise.

Contents

Production [edit]

While in production for Season 1, the show was initially titled The Manhattan Moms.[1] The first season premiered on March 4, 2008 and starred Bethenny Frankel, LuAnn de Lesseps, Alex McCord, Ramona Singer and Jill Zarin.[2] Despite the series title, the women featured were not all housewives. Frankel and Singer owned their own businesses, McCord and Zarin had jobs outside their home. Kelly Killoren Bensimon was added to the cast for the second season, which premiered on February 17, 2009.[3] On August 31, 2010, Frankel made an official announcement that she would not be returning to The Real Housewives of New York City series for its fourth season.[4] In September 2010, the fourth season began filming with Cindy Barshop, who is a single mother, as the series' newest housewife. Bravo pushed the Season 4 premiere back until April 7, 2011 and instead premiered The Real Housewives of Miami on February 22, 2011.[5]

Bravo announced in April 2012 that the show would be revamped for its fifth season and effectively fired half of its cast, letting go four of its seven housewives: Barshop, Bensimon, McCord, and Zarin. The fifth season premiered on June 4, 2012 with new cast members Aviva Drescher, Carole Radziwill, and Heather Thomson, leaving Singer and De Lesseps as the only original cast members from season one, along with Sonja Morgan, who joined the show in its third season.[6][7]

The series was officially renewed for a sixth season on April 2, 2013.[8] Production was planned to begin on May 8, 2013, but the six housewives had instead gone into negotiations with Bravo regarding their salaries for the upcoming season.[9] It was announced on May 11, 2013, that four of the housewives have signed on for the upcoming season.[10] Aviva confirmed on May 23, 2013, that has come to an agreement and is filming.[11] LuAnn is the only housewife who has yet to come to an agreement.[12] It has been speculated that Kristen Taekman has joined the cast.[13]

Current Housewives [edit]

Ramona Singer [edit]

(Season 1 – present) Ramona Singer (born November 18, 1959 in Rhinebeck, NY, about 100 miles north of NYC)[14] to Bohdan and Veronika Mazur (née Tersansky) of Polish descent[15] She resides in Manhattan with her husband, Mario, and their teenage daughter, Avery. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Singer began her career a buyer for Macy's and then moved into the wholesale clothing business with French Connection and Calvin Klein. She is the owner of RMS Fashions, a company that purchases excess goods from clothing manufacturers and resells them to discount stores. (In the apparel industry, Ramona is known as a jobber – a middleman to whom manufacturers sell their surplus fabric.)

Ramona has developed several additional businesses. One is her own line of jewelry, True Faith Jewelry, which is sold through the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and she markets the line herself.[16] She also developed and launched a skin care line, Tru Renewal,[17] in 2009.[18] Her newest line of business is Ramona Pinot grigio.[19]

Marital Status: Married

LuAnn de Lesseps [edit]

Main article: LuAnn de Lesseps

(Season 1 – present)

LuAnn de Lesseps, née Nadeau (born May 17, 1965 in Berlin, Connecticut), was born to a concrete manufacturer.[20] She modeled with Wilhelmina Models[21] and is an LPN. She is of Algonquin and French descent.[22] and was the fourth wife of Count Alexandre de Lesseps, a descendant of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the developer of the Suez Canal. They have two children, Victoria and Noel, who have appeared on the show. De Lesseps and her husband separated in 2009.[23]

De Lesseps authored an etiquette book published in 2009 titled Class with the Countess. In April 2010, she released a music single titled "Money Can't Buy You Class", through Ultra Records.[24] She released her second single, "Chic, C'est La Vie" in June 2011.[25]

Marital Status: In a Relationship

Sonja Morgan [edit]

(Season 3 – present)

Sonja Morgan (born November 25, 1963 in Albany, NY, as Sonja Tremont) is the ex-wife of John Morgan. John, 33 years her senior, is one of five children of Henry S. Morgan (a great-grandson of J. Pierpont Morgan) and Catherine Adams (a great-great-granddaughter of John Adams, the second President of the United States).[26]

According to the New York Post, Morgan agreed to finance a motion picture in 2006 but backed out at the last minute because she had just been served with divorce papers.[27] As a result, a federal jury in California awarded the production company $7.06 million in damages in September 2009.[28]

Marital Status: In a Relationship

Aviva Drescher [edit]

(Season 5 – present)

Aviva Drescher is the first and only New York City born and bred "Housewife" in the history of the show. When Aviva was six years old, she was in a farm accident which resulted in the amputation of her left leg. She completed a B.A. at Vassar College, a master's degree in French at New York University, and a law degree at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Instead of practicing law, however, she devotes her time to her investment banker husband Reid and raising their family of four children on the Upper East Side. Aviva works as the National Spokesperson for One Step Ahead, an organization for amputees,[citation needed],an Advisory Board Member of Cancer Schmancer/Trash Cancer and works with the Live4Life Foundation.[citation needed] She's a cousin by marriage of actress Fran Drescher.[citation needed]

Marital Status: Married

Carole Radziwill [edit]

Main article: Carole Radziwill

(Season 5 – present)

Best-selling author and journalist Carole Radziwill (née DiFalco) grew up in upstate New York and attended school at Hunter College and New York University, where she earned BA and MBA degrees, respectively. She enjoyed a long, award-winning career in journalism at ABC News with Peter Jennings’ documentary unit and at PrimeTime Live and 20/20, which garnered her three EMMYs®, a Robert F. Kennedy Humanitarian award, and a GLADD Award. Carole left ABC News in 2003 to write her first book, titled What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship and Love,[29] a moving account of her life, her marriage to fellow ABC News Producer Anthony Radziwill, and their heartbreaking battle with cancer. It spent over 12 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller List, and was nominated for the Books for a Better Life Award. Carole is a frequent contributor to Glamour magazine and is finishing her first novel, a fictionalized sequel to her memoir titled Widow’s Guide to Sex and Dating.[citation needed] She lives in the West Village with Margaret, her dog.

Marital Status: Single

Heather Thomson [edit]

(Season 5 – present)

A businesswoman, Heather Thomson is the creator of Yummie Tummie by Heather Thomson. She is a married mother of two – Jax, 6, and Ella Rae, 4. The idea for Yummie by Heather Thomson was born shortly after she had her children and was disappointed by existing shapewear.[30] In addition to her professional work, Heather supports several charitable initiatives, including Kellner Family Pediatric Liver Disease Foundation and City of Hope.[31]

Marital Status: Married

Former Housewives [edit]

Bethenny Frankel [edit]

Main article: Bethenny Frankel

(Season 1 – Season 3)

Bethenny Frankel (born November 4, 1970), is an author, entrepreneur, and natural foods chef. At the beginning of the series, she was not married, despite the series' title. She eventually married Jason Hoppy on March 28, 2010. Then on May 8, the couple gave birth to their first child, a girl whom they named Bryn.[32] Her marriage and motherhood were documented on her own spin-off reality shows, Bethenny Getting Married? and Bethenny Ever After....[33]

In August 2010, Frankel announced that for personal reasons she would not be returning to the show's fourth season.[34]

Marital Status: Divorced

Jill Zarin [edit]

(Season 1 – Season 4)

Jill Zarin, (Born November 30, 1963; Woodmere, New York), is married to Bobby Zarin,[35] owner of Zarin Fabric Warehouse and Home Furnishings, a home furnishing and fabric store on the Lower East Side, which has been featured on the show. Jill does marketing for the store. She has a daughter Allyson from a previous marriage. The Zarins currently live on the Upper East Side of New York. Their summer home in The Hamptons, featured on the show, was sold in 2009.[citation needed]

Zarin attended Simmons College, began her career as Assistant Buyer at Filene's, and went on to become the National Sales Manager/Vice President of Great American Knitting Mills Jockey division.

In 2010, Zarin published the advice book Secrets of a Jewish Mother, co-authored by her sister Lisa Wexler and mother Gloria Kamen. A paperback edition was released in 2011, with an added chapter on bullying.[citation needed] She also appeared on an episode of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in the same year.[citation needed] The "Jill Zarin Home” bedding line was released in late 2010.[citation needed]

Bravo announced in September 2011 that Zarin would not be returning for season 5.

Zarin has launched her own shapewear and hosiery line, Skweez Couture, available at major department stores and has appeared on HSN. "Jill Zarin Jewelry" launched exclusively at Lord & Taylor in Fall 2012. Jill is a featured speaker at Fortune 500 companies as well as universities including Brown.[citation needed]

Jill was a regular weekly guest on ABC's Good Afternoon America during the Summer of 2012.[citation needed]

Marital Status: Married

Alex McCord [edit]

(Season 1 – Season 4)

Alex McCord, (born October 1, 1973; Washington, D.C.)[36] has lived in New York City since 1996.[citation needed] She was raised in Kansas, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and attended Northwestern University but never graduated.[37] McCord was a graphic designer for over nine years[38] and was a voice actress, Birdy of Birdy the Mighty being her most prominent role.

McCord is married to Simon Van Kempen, who worked in the hotel industry in New York City[39] throughout the first three seasons, but has since left to start his own social media business within the hotel sector.[40] As of 2010, she and van Kempen reside in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.[41] They have two boys together, Francois and Johan, who were named for Simon's late father, Francois Johan Walter van Kempen.[42]

In March 2009, she was laid off from her job in visual merchandising[43] for Limited Brands/Victoria’s Secret.

In September 2011, Bravo announced that McCord would not be returning for Season 5.[44][45]

Marital Status: Married

Kelly Killoren-Bensimon [edit]

Main article: Kelly Killoren Bensimon

(Season 2 – Season 4)

Kelly Killoren-Bensimon (born May 1, 1968; Rockford, IL)[46] is a former model, equestrian, jewelry designer, and magazine editor. She is the author of three books published by Assouline: In the Spirit of the Hamptons (2002),[47] American Style (2004),[48] and The Bikini Book (2006).[49] She also has a jewelry line, which she has been selling for the last six years.

In September 2011, Bravo announced that Killoren-Bensimon would not be returning for Season 5.[44][45]

Marital Status: Divorced

Cindy Barshop [edit]

(Season 4)

Cindy Barshop is the owner of Completely Bare,[50] a chain of spas in New York City, Long Island, and Scarsdale[51] specializing in laser hair removal, bikini waxing, Brazilian waxing, and teeth whitening. They are the innovators of the Vajewel and Vatoo.[52] She previously worked in telecommunications for IBM. She opened her first spa in New York City in 1998. A single mother, Barshop has twin girls, Jessie and Zoe, whom she chose to have on her own. She is from Long Island, NY.[citation needed]

Bravo announced in September 2011 that Barshop would not be returning for Season 5. She was let go along with 3 other cast members in order to revamp the show.[45][53]

Marital Status: Single

Housewives History [edit]

Housewives Seasons
1 2 3 4 5 6
Current
Ramona Singer Main
LuAnn de Lesseps Main TBA
Sonja Morgan Mid-Season Main
Aviva Drescher Main
Carole Radziwill Main
Heather Thomson Main
Former
Jill Zarin Main
Alex McCord Main
Kelly Bensimon Main
Cindy Barshop Main
Bethenny Frankel Main

Episodes [edit]

Main article: List of The Real Housewives of New York City episodes
Season Episodes Season premiere Season finale Reunion
1 9 March 4, 2008 April 15, 2008 April 22, 2008
2 15 February 17, 2009 May 5, 2009 May 12, 2009
May 14, 2009
3 18 March 4, 2010 June 3, 2010 June 10, 2010
June 14, 2010
June 17, 2010
4 18 April 7, 2011 July 21, 2011 July 25, 2011
August 1, 2011
5 21 June 4, 2012 October 1, 2012 October 8, 2012
October 15, 2012

DVD releases [edit]

In April 2010, Target stores released the first season on DVD.[54]

Season Episodes Release date
1 9 April 13, 2010
2 15 Fall 2010
3 18 April 13, 2011
4 16 December 6, 2011

Facebook game [edit]

See Real Housewives: The Game

In July 2012, Bravo released a social networking video game version of The Real Housewives of New York City titled Real Housewives: The Game. Every week after a new episode, a new story was available on the game.[55][56]

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Bravo Starts Production on New Docu-Drama 'Manhattan Moms'". The Futon Critic. September 20, 2007. Retrieved May 11, 2013. 
  2. ^ "Bravo Announces New Series "The Real Housewives of New York City"". The Futon Critic. January 14, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2013. 
  3. ^ "http://thefutoncritic.com/news/2008/07/24/kelly-bensimon-joins-season-2-of-bravos-the-real-housewives-of-new-york-city-28299/20080724bravo01/". The Futon Critic. July 24, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2013. 
  4. ^ "Bethenny Frankel Tells Us: I Quit The Real Housewives of New York!". US Weekly. August 31, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2013. 
  5. ^ Gorman, Bill (February 3, 2011). "Bravo Says Bienvenido With Series Premiere Of “The Real Housewives Of Miami” On Feb 22". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 11, 2013. 
  6. ^ Bibel, Sara (April 5, 2012). "Bravo's 'The Real Housewives of New York City' Gets a Facelift When Three New Ladies Join the Cast on the Monday June 4 Premiere". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 11, 2013. 
  7. ^ "'Real Housewives Of New York' Season 5: Ladies Head To St. Barts". The Huffington Post. February 22, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2013. 
  8. ^ Bibel, Sara (April 2, 2013). "Bravo Greenlights 17 New and 18 Returning Unscripted Series". TV by the Numbers. 
  9. ^ O'Connell, Michael (May 10, 2013). "'Real Housewives' Salary Standoff: Bravo Threatens to Cancel 'New York'". The Hollywood Reporter. 
  10. ^ Patten, Dominic (May 11, 2013). "UPDATE: ‘Real Housewives Of NY’ Sign Bravo Contracts; Season 6 Back On". Deadline Hollywood. 
  11. ^ "Aviva Drescher - Twitter Status". Twitter. May 23, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2013. 
  12. ^ O'Connell, Michael (May 24, 2013). "'Real Housewives' Salary Dispute: LuAnn de Lesseps Is 'New York's' Lone Holdout". The Hollywood Reporter. 
  13. ^ "‘Housewives’ at the brink". New York Post. May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013. 
  14. ^ Search Running Dobsearch.com.
  15. ^ http://www.dapsonchestney.com/mazur.htm.
  16. ^ "Ramona for HSN Jewelry: True Faith Jewelry". pagedaily.com. Retrieved July 10, 2012. 
  17. ^ Sunil (August 8, 2011). "Tru Renewal". Truthinaging.com. Retrieved July 10, 1012. 
  18. ^ Croce, Allison (July 24, 2009). "Tru Renewal by Ramona Singer: ‘Real Housewife of New York’ creates really great skincare". What's Haute. Retrieved May 11, 2013. 
  19. ^ Tracie Egan Morrissey (July 27, 2012). "Ramona Singer Pinot grigio Will Make You Feel Like Ramona Singer". Jezebel. Retrieved May 11, 2013. 
  20. ^ Eaton, Phoebe. (2008-07-01) Ramona Singer on the Real Housewives of New York City – Real Housewives Gossip – Harper's BAZAAR. Harpersbazaar.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-25.
  21. ^ "Countess LuAnn de Lesseps for Ford Models — Manhattan Moms on Bravo". Phoebe Eaton. Retrieved May 2, 2009. 
  22. ^ "Class with the Countess: About". LuAnn de Lesseps, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2009. 
  23. ^ "New York Housewives Countess LuAnn & Husband Separate". People Magazine. March 31, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2013. 
  24. ^ Countess LuAnn. Newsroom.mtv.com (April 27, 2010).
  25. ^ "Countess LuAnn Debuts Second Dance Single, ‘Chic, C’est la Vie’". NYmag. Retrieved August 1, 2011. 
  26. ^ "Sonja and John Morgan". NewYorkSocialDiary.com. 
  27. ^ Boniello, Kathianne (March 28, 2010). "New 'Real Housewife of NYC,' Sonja Morgan, sued by film company". New York Post. Retrieved April 16, 2010. 
  28. ^ Garvey, Marianne (July 5, 2011). "Real Housewife Sonja Morgan to Lose Her $6 Million New York City Manse". E! News. Retrieved May 11, 2013. 
  29. ^ Carole Radziwill (September 26, 2005). What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship and Love. Scribner. ISBN 978-0743276948. 
  30. ^ "Heather Thomson's inspiration for Yummie Tummie". 
  31. ^ "Heather Thomson Biography". 
  32. ^ "Bethenny Frankel in Size-4 Bikini 3 Weeks After Baby! Go Bethenny!". UsMagazine.com. 
  33. ^ "Ratings: Bethenny Getting Married? the Most-Watched Series Debut in Bravo History". TVGuide.com. 
  34. ^ "Bethenny Frankel: I'm Leaving "The Real Housewives of New York City"". CBS News. September 2, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2010. 
  35. ^ "Bravo reveals 'Real Housewives of New York City' cast, to debut Mar. 4". Rocchio, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2009. 
  36. ^ Alex McCord: Celebrity Birthdays. Movieeye.com.
  37. ^ "15 Minutes With: Alex McCord, Real Housewife of NYC and Northwestern dropout"[dead link]. Dailynorthwestern.com.
  38. ^ "Laid off? Update Your Resume and Take Time to Admire the Gold Sparkly Drag Queen". Huffingtonpost.com.
  39. ^ Simon van Kempen LinkedIn. Linkedin.com.
  40. ^ Simon van Kempen Establishes New Social Media Consultancy Company. Prweb.com.
  41. ^ Alex McCord Cobble Hill Blog
  42. ^ "2nd Webisode". McCordvanKempen, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2011. 
  43. ^ "Alex". McCordvanKempen, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2009. 
  44. ^ a b Nededog, Jethro (September 17, 2011). "'Real Housewives of New York': Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, and Kelly Bensimon Officially Out, Too – The Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 17, 2011. 
  45. ^ a b c Ross, Robyn (September 15, 2011). "Bravo Axes Four Housewives of New York City Cast Members  – Today's News: Our Take". TV Guide. Retrieved December 20, 2011. 
  46. ^ Search Running. Dobsearch.com.
  47. ^ Kelly Killoren-Bensimon (February 1, 2002). In the Spirit of the Hamptons. Assouline Publishing. ISBN 978-2843232558. 
  48. ^ Kelly Killoren-Bensimon (Author) and Harold Koda (Introduction) (November 15, 2004). American Style (1st Edition ed.). Assouline. ISBN 978-2843236082. 
  49. ^ Kelly Killoren-Bensimon (2006). BIKINI -LE -ANNEES 1950 NOS JOURS. Assouline. ISBN 978-2843238390. 
  50. ^ Hair Removal New York, Laser Hair Removal NYC, Waxing & Spray Tan in NYC. Completelybare.com.
  51. ^ CB Locations | Laser Hair Removal, Waxing & Spa Centers. Completelybare.com.
  52. ^ Spa in NYC | Laser Hair Removal, Brazilian Bikini Wax New York. Completelybare.com.
  53. ^ Nededog, Jethro (September 17, 2011). "‘Real Housewives of New York’: Cindy Barshop Officially Out". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 17, 2011. 
  54. ^ Real Housewives of New York City Season 1 – Only at. Target (March 9, 2012).
  55. ^ "Real Housewives: The Game on Facebook | Facebook". Apps.facebook.com. Retrieved August 13, 2012. [dead link]
  56. ^ "'Real Housewives: The Game'". BravoTV.com. Retrieved August 7, 2012. 

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