Meet the New Real Housewives of New York
I am a true reality TV addict and so excited to see Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York return tonight with a highly anticipated new season and cast! Aviva Drescher, Carole Radziwill and Heather Thomson are the new Housewives on the scene. The smart, accomplished and sophisticated new ladies are sure to make an interesting addition to the show. Aviva is a stunning, well-educated New York City native, philanthropist, mother of four and an amputee (she lost her leg in a terrible accident as a child). Carole is a three-time Emmy award winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author as well as the widow of Jackie O.’s nephew. Heather is the founder of the successful shapewear company Yummie Tummie and has worked as a designer and stylist with Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé and Sean “Diddy” Combs. I caught up with the reality TV newbies to get the inside scoop on them and what they do to stay perpetually camera ready. Read on RHONY lovers…you will be psyched to watch the premiere tonight on Bravo at 9 p.m. EST!
Melissa Meyers: How did the opportunity to become a new Real Housewife come up and why did you decide to do it?
Aviva Drescher: A childhood friend of mine in PR named Jake Spitz urged me to let Bravo interview me. Reluctantly, I did the interview and I was handed a contract. After one month of no sleep and thinking I could not do the show, I decided: “no risk, no reward.” I took the gamble that helping other amputees by using the TV platform would outweigh the consequences of becoming a caricature.
Carole Radziwill: I know Andy Cohen and we were having dinner last summer and he asked if I’d be interested in doing the show. My immediate response was “Umm…no.” I didn’t think he was serious until he sent me an email the following morning asking me to think about it. So I did. First, I looked at it as a job opportunity…an odd job made more interesting by the fact that I am a writer. I get that it’s a risk, but I’m not afraid to put myself in different situations and this was one very different situation. Sometimes you just have to say yes to what the universe is putting in front of you.
Heather Thomson: I was sitting at my desk and I got a call from a casting director saying they were kicking my name around and would I be interested in joining the cast of RHONY. My first instinct was wow, thanks so much for thinking of me, but I initially didn’t think it was the right choice for me or my family. However, as I learned more, and understood that they wanted to change the direction of the show, I auditioned and it started to peak my interest. When I really thought about it, being given this incredible opportunity on Bravo would allow me to bring real issues that working mothers face on a daily basis to the forefront. Raising my two children and being a wife to my amazing husband, starting and running my own fashion business Yummie Tummie, creating awareness for charities that are near and dear to me and doing it all, while trying my best to be glamorous and balanced is all I could ever hope to achieve.
MM: What was your favorite moment from the season?
AD: My three favorite moments of the season were charity related. One was an event that I created to benefit One Step Ahead (this charity helps pay for prosthetics for children who can’t afford them and creates sports opportunities for them). It was a spin class that we created into a fundraising event. The second was Heather Thomson’s charity event benefiting children who need liver transplants. There is one special experience at that event that I NEVER thought I could/would do! Tune in to find out what it is! My third favorite experience was giving a surprise gift to Jake, a very special boy who was born missing two limbs above the knee. Tune in to see our special time together.
CR: My favorite moment was the finale party. It was at Norwood, a private arts club on 14th Street. We were there to celebrate the completion of my new book, The Widows Guide to Sex & Dating. Yay!!
HT: There is a particular episode that focuses on an event that I am personally involved in which helps to raise awareness and money for my charity, The Kellner Liver Pediatric Foundation, a charity that is extremely personal and dear to me. I think that it s by far the most special moment for me this season because it the very reason that I wanted to go on the RHONY journey from the beginning.
MM: Give us a hint as to what juicy drama we are in store for this season. What is the nature of your relationship now with the new housewives? The other originals?
AD: I knew Luann for several years before I joined RHONY. I had met Sonja once through my ex-husband since they are friends. There are rich new storylines to look forward to. Lots of gossip and drama! It wouldn’t be RHONY without it! It was NOT “old girls” versus “new girls.” Some people organically got along and some did not. The one hint I can give you (I don’t want to spoil any surprises!) is that lots of relationships CHANGE throughout the season as we all get to know one another with time and travel.
CR: We bonded in the way people do who go through an intense experience together. Like Sisters-in-Arms. [The originals are] more like moms you love but are sometimes embarrassed by.
HT: You will have to tune in and watch the show to see the details, but I can tell you that there is a lot of drama this season. What viewers don’t expect are some of the close bonds of friendship that are developed out of the drama both with new and returning cast members.
Get the Look of Estate Gems: Jewelry from Ramona Singer’s New Line on HSN
Between wrapping up filming for Season Five of the Real Housewives of New York City and launching a new wine, one of our favorite housewives and my friend Ramona Singer has also added a new collection to her jewelry line for HSN. This new collection includes some fun art deco pieces inspired by old Hollywood glamour — just like the ones you saw all over the red carpet this past awards season. If you miss seeing Ramona in action and are waiting patiently for next seasons RHONY, check out her third year anniversary show with HSN on March 14th at 5 pm. You can also shop her collection online. Here are some of my favorite pieces:
White Topaz & Diamond with Black Enamel Sterling Silver Earrings, $339.90
These dramatic earrings are perfect if you need a great pair of earrings to wear to a cocktail party or a black tie. I love how the black enamel makes the silver and diamonds pop.
White Topaz Sterling Silver Oval Pendant, $399.90
This statement pendant is special and looks very vintage chic. Wear it with a shift dress or even a crisp white button down and pants — a great addition to any accessories collection.
Bezel-Set Gem Station Sterling Silver Necklace, $374.90
Ramona gave me this gorgeous necklace for my birthday and it became my go-to piece during fashion week. It’s so on-trend, goes with so many outfits, and is great for layering with other jewelry.
 Ramona Singer is an astute businesswoman and a true aficionado of fashion with a passion for being a wife and mother. In addition to her role on BRAVO’s The Real Housewives of New York City, Ramona has taken the beauty and accessory industries by storm.She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, with a B.S. Degree in Business. Ramona started her professional career thirty years ago as a buyer for Macy’s, and then created her first company RMS Fashions, Inc. Her businesses include Tru Renewal skin care, True Faith Jewelry, Ramona Singer Collections on Amazon and most notably, Ramona Singer Jewelry for HSN. Her line of pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings, priced $200 and up, was inspired by her love for estate and art deco, which she says she adores because it is timeless. Having conquered the design world, Ramona was inspired to create a skin care line, Tru Renewal, after struggling to find products she herself could use that were effective, yet free of chemicals that could potentially harm and irritate her skin. Her entrepreneurial skills have received praise from media industry giants such as Women’s Wear Daily, FoxBusiness, People, and Examiner to name a few. Ramona’s newest venture has her expanding to the wine world with Ramona Pinot Grigio. |
Successorize Your Look with Stylish Necklaces
I love wearing statement necklaces and layering chic jewelry to infuse style into my daily outfits– which are what I like to call “successories.” A successory (see my quote on page 107 of this month’s People Style Watch) is a special accessory that is successful at taking your look from good to glam in record time! A successory can be a great leopard bag or a fab pair of earrings. The necklaces below certainly fit the bill and here are my favorite for the season:
Dannijo Medine Necklace, BUY NOW, $495
The fabulous sister team behind Dannijo create the most gorgeous and unique statement necklaces. Their Keira Bib style is an antiqued Copper chain with marble resin beads, and the taupe and turquoise color palette make for perfect spring shades. I love the versatility of this piece from dressing up a simple white tee to a sexy cocktail dress. Dannijo is a favorite of Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Alexa Chung, Michelle Trachtenberg and style blogger “Man Repeller” Leandra Medine.
Jennifer Miller Swarovski Crystal Horn Necklace, BUY NOW, $295
I am obsessed with my Jennifer Miller Crystal Horn Necklace and like to wear it with my Ramy Brook dresses, or with jeans and a silky top. The yellow gold-plated necklace is on a 36” link chain and falls in just the right spot. It’s chic style finishes off any outfit! Jennifer Miller has cultivated a celeb following including Beverly Hills Housewives Kyle Richards and Lisa Vanderpump, New York Housewife Countess LuAnn de Lesseps and Angelina Jolie.
T.Cyia “Atomic” Gold Multi Chain Scarf Necklace, BUY NOW, $205
The T.Cyia handmade Multi Chain Necklace is a stylish and versatile piece that can be worn as a scarf, tied in a knot or double wrapped. Mixed metals make it on-trend and easy to wear with everything including gold and silver jewelry. The talented LA-based design team Tim McElwee and Cyia Batten create these beautiful pieces that are incredibly artistic. They are also favorites of Jennifer Lopez, Kate Walsh and Melissa George.
