Ramona Singer Talks Abusive Past

OKmagazine.com:

Just because Real Housewives of NYC star Ramona Singer has a booming business and hit reality show doesn’t mean she grew up privileged.


Although the Hamptons native, 54, is now married to hubby Mario and mom to daughter Avery, 16, she is haunted by memories of a rough upbringing.


“I’m a self-made woman,” she tells me. “I was a victim of abuse. I saw my mother get the s*** beat out of her. I’d have to call the police. My father had a drinking problem, and I was on my own since 16. I put myself through college.”


Her mom urged her to make different choices than she did.


“My mother said ‘don’t end up like me.’ I’d go ‘Mommy, why don’t you leave Daddy?’ She said ‘honey, I don’t have a college education, I never got a career, I have four kids. Please don’t make the same mistake. Have a career, and whoever you marry, make sure you’re always making your own money, because that will give you strength – God forbid something goes wrong – and they’ll respect you more.’”


She adds, “My mother always said ‘make sure whatever you do in your career, love what you do. I’ll scrub toilets for you if I have to, because I want you to tell me what you want and make sure you love it.’ I’ve always loved business, and I’ve always loved fashion. I started in clothing, and went on to jewelry and skincare. I love Pinot Grigio, so I did Pinot Grigio. Do what you love!”


When she was a young adult, her past influenced her ability to commit.


“I would go from relationship to relationship, but I was scared to get married. I never had a problem meeting men and dating men and having relationships, but I was scared to death to get married.”


Ramona immediately knew her husband was right for her.


“The number one thing in any relationship is trust, and when we were dating, I knew I could trust him completely, and my husband – imagine him 15-20 years ago. He’s handsome now, but he was drop-dead gorgeous, and women would swarm all over him. I knew I could trust him every step of the way. We had great cnmmunication with each other, and we thought alike. We thought alike, and we got along. I enjoy his company, and he respects me as a businesswoman. He treats me as his equal.”

RELATED: Ramona Singer reveals she may be pregnant at 53

Ramona Singer And LuAnn de Lesseps Go At It During RHONYC Reunion

I love how Ramona stayed calm throughout LuAnn trying to play the victim and then waited to get that last shot in: "Now that she is divorced we can talk about the fact that she had a very open marriage on both ends." Nice!!!

'Real Housewives of New York' Reunion Part 1 Recap: Ramona Won, Hands Down

Wow, gotta admit that made for great TV, any wonder RHONY remains my favorite 'Housewives' show. The 'Blondes vs. The Brunettes' saga stayed intriguing all season long, but who knew how bitter things would get between the two teams, so much so that I can't see them making up or anyone swtiching sides anytiem soon. That said, I thought Andy Cohen did a tremendous job under what had to be very trying circumstances--he asked all the right questions and called out the 'Housewives' who were clearly being hypocritical. Now granted, I'm definitely with Team Blonde, so call me biased, but here's what I thought of what went down last night anyway:

1) Alex was clearly ready to do battle, getting in on every turn and interrupting Team Brunette members every chance she could get. But I liked how the brunettes tried to play "Ramonja" against Alex, because they're not that close to Alex and Alex desperately wants to be down with the rich, blonde girls (Jill was at her best here, making snide little comments referring to Alex and Sonja not really being that close, but she took it to another level getting nasty and calling Alex an "effing bitch" twice). And while Kelly, LuAnn and Cindy did their best to throw some shots at Alex too (and get her to speak only when spoken to) Alex did get in some great zingers, including the line of the night telling Cindy how she "needs to get laid". However, the problem with Alex still remains her inability to stay calm while making a zinger (practice by watching some tapes of Bethenny when she throws darts) and clearly as long as Simon stays by her side, people will always have a valid reason to not like her (can we please get Alex some friends?).


2) I don't care what "Cosmo" says, Crazy Kelly remains a nutcase. I loved when Andy smacked her down when she was supposedly trying to play "peacemaker" while Cindy and Sonja went at it. And that B.S. story about being "abused"? I'm not buying it, esp. considering that the woman has been arrested before for beating up a guy. Nor am I buying that Kelly isn't phased at all by Bethenny's success. That said, I could go either way on Kelly coming back next season--no one could say she's not entertaining.


3) Ramona, to me, was hands down the winner tonight. She took on the Brunettes with gutso, zeal and plenty of barbs that tore into the hearts of each of them--and she managed to stay calm throughout. Did she go too far talking about LuAnn's kids? Of course. But LuAnn went there first about Ramona's marriage while they were all in Morocco and we all know by now that when it comes to talking about Ramona's family she doesn't play. Ramona also got in some great shots at Cindy and Jill and for the most part put Kelly on ignore where she belongs.


4) Cindy is a bitch. I don't like her at all. She just refused to acknowledge that what she did at Sonja's house, taking that meeting in the kitchen, was flat-out wrong. I don't even have a problem with Cindy picking up her phone or having the stupid meeting, it's just simple etiquette to excuse yourself and ask if you can use another room. Then too, the woman clearly has anger issues--the way she shouts people down and talks down to them is just revolting. And as I've said from the beginning there's this air to her that makes you feel she really thinks she's better than "those people" (i.e. the Housewives)--please Bravo, just be done with her.


5) I just feel bad for Sonja and was surprised when she broke down about how much her marriage meant to her (tho I can't help but think that what she really misses is the lifestyle). Loved how she took down Kelly for talking about her house like that.


6) LuAnn did well for the most part, but she is in clear denial about how rude and unclassy she can be towards people. I liked how she even called out Cindy for taking the conference call in the kitchen at Sonja's. LuAnn may deny it too, but she also "found her voice" this year, esp, when it comes to reunion shows.


7) Compared to last season's reunion Jill had an easy time of it. Her current feud with Ramona doesn't look like it will end anytime soon, but somehow they always find a way to be friends again. That said I can't wait for Part 2.

Hampton.com "Main Street Series" Interviews Ramona Singer

Jill Zarin on Ramona Singer: She Knows I’m Not An Alcholic

OKmagazine.com:

Although the feud continues even after the season has wrapped, The Real Housewives of New York City star, Jill Zarin, has bigger fish to fry. If she’s not guest-starring on a show with a gorgeous male lead like Matt Bomer, this housewife is busy expanding her creativity and passion designing hosiery that boosts butts and flattens bellies. The reality star talks to OK! about focusing her energy on her new line of shapewear, Skweez Couture and not on the hurtful and untrue alcoholism accusations made by fellow RHONYC costar, Ramona Singer.


“Ramona knows I’m not an alcoholic. She’s seen me drink and she said it to lash back at me for what I did to her with Mario and two wrongs don’t make a right. She crossed the line,” says Jill.


Understanding the fundamentals of their “love-hate relationship,” Jill admits to being guilty of a nasty comment stating that Mario was cheating on Ramona and says she apologized for unintentionally hurting her. The feeling was not mutual.


“I apologized to her though for the Mario comment but she did not apologize in fact she reinforced it that it was okay to do it” Jill spills to OK!.


However, though still unsaid, Jill does not demand an apology. Instead she talks about the group of people that truly deserves Ramona’s kind words.


“I have been to AA meetings years ago to support a friend and the damage of outing someone… you know one of the reasons people go to AA is the anonymity. The protection. And there are people that won’t go to AA because they’ll are worried they might have a friend like Ramona who will out them,” explains Jill. “It’s not just about me…she did not apologize to the fans because it’s really not me. I don’t care. I know I’m not so it doesn’t really matter.”

Ramona Singer & Jill Zarin Brawl on ‘Today’ Over Alcoholism Allegations

OKmagazine.com:

This season of The Real Housewives of New York City may be over, but the feuding between reality stars Ramona Singer and Jill Zarin is just heating up. The ladies brought their Big Apple drama to the set of the Today show this morning, and sparred with each other over claims of alcoholism.


Ramona and Jill’s segment with Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb got uncomfortable very quickly.


“She keeps inferring that I have a drinking problem,” Ramona said of Jill. “You girls like to have a drink now and then, so do I.”


Ramona then accused Jill of having the drinking problem, which Jill denied and then scolded Ramona about bringing it up on national TV.


And before long, Ramona turned the whole thing into a conversation about AA and victims of domestic abuse.


“You guys are talking like apples and oranges,” said Hoda. “She’s right, you shouldn’t out someone who’s going to AA and I’m glad you give to domestic abuse, but those are two separate things.”

Sneak Preview At 'Real Housewives of New York City' Reunion Part 2: Ramona Singer Again Says She Doesn't Have A Drinking Problem

USmagazine.com:

Never fear, Ramona Singer fans: turtle time is far from over!


In a sneak preview from Monday's Real Housewives of New York City Reunion: Part 2, the 54-year-old Bravo star denies her costars' allegations that she has a drinking problem.


"I have been drinking Pinot Grigio since the day the show started, and maybe some people this year have a little problem because this season I have 'Ramona Pinot Grigio,' but I embrace all my products," Singer explains.


As frenemy Jill Zarin, 47, rolls her eyes, host Andy Cohen asks: "What's the line between using the products and having a problem?"


Singer -- like many Housewives before her -- blames editing. "They only have a problem because of the way it's been shown," she reasons. "I don't drink any more or less than I have for the past four years, or more than anyone else. We film at parties and social events. I don't have a problem."


The Real Housewives of New York City Reunion: Part 2 airs Monday at 10 p.m. EST on Bravo.

TimeOut Chicago Interviews Ramona Singer and Sonja Morgan

TimeOutChicago.com:

The Real Housewives of New York wrapped up its latest drama-filled season, and if you’re still craving some more RHNY (reruns of the reunions can only give you so much), you’re in luck. Ramona (pictured above) and Sonja were recently in town and invited me to Ramona’s suite at the Peninsula for a quick chat. Of course, she answered the door holding a glass of her Pinot Grigio. She was also wearing a robe and had curlers in her hair. (“I knew you weren’t going to have a photographer, so I figured this would be fine.”) I joined her and Sonja in the bathroom while they got ready for an event and we discussed their products (Ramona’s skin care line (TruRenewal), jewelry (True Faith) and wine; Sonja’s upcoming line of toaster ovens) as well as the drama on the show.


Is there pressure to always have products out?
R No. I just do what comes natural. I think I just follow my passion.


You don’t feel a competition with the other ladies?
S No! Ramona is as natural as they come. When you see Ramona, she’s wearing the most beautiful jewelry and she drinks Pinot Grigio and she has fabulous skin. That’s what she knows and loves.
R And that’s a rule I have for women. You can’t look at the competition. You just look straight ahead.
S And Ramona takes care of those who take care of her. She doesn’t worry about what she doesn’t have. Because if you do that, you’ll never be happy enough. I just want her to be happy, me to be happy, our daughters are happy, her husband is happy, my lovers are happy and the production is happy.


Let’s talk about the on-camera drama.
R How about off-camera drama? Wanna talk about that one?


Is there more drama off-camera?
R Oh, please.
S I don’t like the off-camera drama because it takes away from the show.
R Okay, we won’t talk about that. But there’s some people who like to be in the press, I won’t name names. And to be in the press, they make up lies about other cast mates. And that’s ridiculous.
S You’re a businesswoman. You’re on the show for one reason.
R And to have fun.


But there was that fight in Morocco, right?
R I said, “Jill, I’ve probably enabled you because for years you’ve been saying things behind my back. Let’s try to talk about our friendship.” And basically, I felt that she wasn’t listening to me. And yes, they showed me talking over her, but the discussion was for over an hour. And the part they showed was my talking over her, but I did it because it was getting very vile and I felt it wasn’t positive.


That happened months ago, and then when it airs do you feel like you’re reliving it?
S That’s the one thing I really can’t stand about the show. It’s the most annoying thing. You live through it, and then you have to live through it again. We had this whole scene with Marriage Equality New York…
R Can I just finish this? It’s important. It’s about abuse. Jill said I was fake crying. But I really wasn’t. It was a deep cry, because I went back into my childhood and I would hear and witness my father being verbally abusive to my mother, and that’s how I saw Jill. She was there with such venom toward me, such ill-will, it just brought me right back.
S I think some of my co-stars take the show a little too seriously.