Sonja Morgan Talks How Financial Mess Has Changed Her Life

InTouchWeekly.com:

The Real Housewives of New York City star Sonja Morgan isn’t talking openly about the details of her current financial situation. But she did open up exclusively to In Touch about how her recent financial blow — which includes owing $7 million and possibly losing her Upper East Side town house — has changed her life.


“As a ‘Housewife’ in the chain of [Bravo] TV shows, I think that we all respect what’s going on in America right now,” Sonja said. “A lot of people are going through financial distress. We’re all struggling to work and take care of our families.”


Sonja says the most important thing in her life is her family and “spending time with my daughter.”


Being a single mom — Sonja and her husband, John Adams Morgan, are currently fighting a bitter divorce battle — is a challenge for the reality star. “Things change when you are doing it alone. You can’t fire up the Viking and set the table for five people anymore,” she explains. “Now I have toaster oven dinners… and I don’t have to scrub pots and pans after, either!”


One thing Sonja refuses to sacrifice? Her style. “I always dress to the nines,” she said. “But even when all the money was coming in, I always looked for sales or bargains. I don’t like to waste money.”


She’s even getting back into the career world, pursuing what she calls the “lifestyle expert” business. “I’m sharing all my tips: how to cook, packing tips, travel tips, how to date…”


“I want people to be inspired,” Sonja said. “I want them to know money comes and money goes. You can’t take it to your grave. You have to learn from your mistakes.”

'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.

'Real Housewives' To Go On Three-City Tour

Other than Bravo trying to milk all the $$$ they can get from the "Housewives" franchise, this tour makes no sense:

Want to meet the "Real Housewives" of New Jersey or New York?


Bravo is bringing the ladies from their reality show franchise (including Orange County, Atlanta and Beverly Hills) on the road.


Tickets go on sale Aug. 19.


The tour kicks off on Atlantic City, NJ on Oct. 1, and also stops in Chicago and Atlanta.


"Bravo viewers like to truly engage in the shows they are passionate about," says Ellen Stone, Bravo’s senior vice president of marketing in a statement. "With The Real Housewives Live Tour, we are able to give our fans a unique, hands-on experience with their favorite cast members across franchises that they can't experience anywhere else."


Tickets begin at $49.50. Fans can buy the $170-per-ticket "Red Carpet Package," which allows them to walk the red carpet, sit in "premium" seats and attend a pre-show cocktail party hosted by the reality stars.


Tickets will only be sold to those 21 and older in Chicago and Atlanta.

RELATED: Real Housewives Announce Big Tour—but for What, Exactly?

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.