From Beverly Hills to Atlanta, the ladies of the household are not only ruling their humble abodes, but the airwaves as well. No matter how much you try and avoid them, Bravo's Real Housewives are everywhere, folks. Most of them have books, record deals, clothing lines, and more. And one of those hustling housewives took over Macy's in Aventura during Fashion's Night Out.
Countess LuAnn de Lesseps of the New York franchise, not only has not one, but two singles on iTunes. And let's not forget her book, Class With The Countess. When Bravo cut three ladies from her season last year, she was one of the three left standing.
We got the chance to sit down with her in the executive offices of Macy's to gossip about everything from her recent cheating scandal to why her co-star Ramona Singer is crazy.
Cultist: I am surprised to see a New York girl in Miami during Fashion's Night Out.
Countess LuAnn de Lesseps: It's nice to have a little New York in Miami, especially when you are talking about fashion. Its fun for me!
I actually met your old castmate Jill Zarin here at Macy's last year.
She's a number. She is pretty intense. During an interview, it's like she is the intereviewer.
Tell me: When you got the news that Jill Zarin, Kelly Bensimon, and Alex McCord had been fired, what was your reaction?
I was really, really sad about that. Jill is the one that got me on the show. I met Jill and she said, "I think you would be perfect!" I really miss Jill and Kelly. Alex and Simon I could live without.
Back to Fashion's Night Out: What do you think of Miami style?
I used to come down and shop all down Lincoln Road. I always come down for Art Basel. Most recently I was here for South Beach Food & Wine Festival, and I did "cooking with the countess." That was really fun. Miami fashion is its own fashion, you know what I mean? This city has distinct style -- Miami chic. Very beachy, wedges, lighter dresses, and a lot more skin. It's very sexy.
You are Ms. Manners. I mean, you even wrote the book on it! How would you say we South Floridians are doing in that department?
It reminds me of my days in Italy. I have a lot of Italian friends here. I wouldn't say they are much different from New York. We are strong and professional, but we occasionally need a manners refresher. We forget to smile, say hello, compliment, be charming. Funny enough, the Italian friends story... Oh God.
Oh, the Italian friends. I watched Real Housewives of New York last week. Did you cheat with the Johnny Depp lookalike or not?
If Ramona [Singer] had asked you how you got home, and you had gotten a ride home with a Johnny Depp lookalike, what would you have said? For some reason, immediately I just said, "Oh, I got a ride home with my Italian friends!" Little did I know that they had set me up to have dinner with him that night. So when I realized that he was coming, I panicked, and then I made the call to him that everyone saw. It was a comedy of errors, basically. The cover up was worse than the crime. I was having fun, got a ride home, the guy was nice, but I am in love with my boyfriend. The funny thing is that I think he was coming over to see where Sonja [Morgan] was staying.
She had no shame when it came to hooking up on camera.
She had him the night after this whole scandal, but it looks like he had both of us! Wait 'til you see the next episode.
So it's official: you are not a cheater?
If I was going to have an affair, do you think I would do it with a house full of housewives? It doesn't make sense. I wouldn't have brought him home to a house full of cameras and been knocking on Heather's door. My only mistake was the white lie.
Did it cause drama between you and your beau, Jacques?
Well, there was a little drama. He is a man. The way it played out, it was a little shocking for both of us.
On another note, is it just me, or has Ramona Singer lost her mind this season?
Well... I don't really talk to Ramona. We have never been bosom buddies. Then there was the wine party incident. We were having a good time. We featured her wine. We were all having fun! It was a little naughty, but not malicious. If you notice, she had fun at that party. Mario [Singer] is the one that came back and stirred things up.
He's the seventh housewife.
He sure is. He is the new Simon. He wants that camera time.
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