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Tag: Jenna Lyons

  • Michelle Obama to promote new book ‘The Look’ with podcast series

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    NEW YORK (AP) — Former first lady Michelle Obama will be promoting her upcoming book on fashion, “The Look,” through a special, six-part companion series to the podcast “IMO” that she hosts with her brother, Craig Robinson. Guests will include Jane Fonda, model-activist Bethann Hardison and designer-former J. Crew executive Jenna Lyons.

    Higher Ground, the media company founded by Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama, announced Thursday that “IMO: The Look” will premiere Nov. 5 and run weekly over the following six weeks. Obama’s book, a look at her fashion choices during her time in the White House and throughout her public life, is scheduled for Nov. 4. Obama’s previous books include “Becoming,” one of the bestselling memoirs in history by a former political figure.

    Obama will launch “The Look” podcast series with an appearance at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where she will be joined by entertainer-producer Tracee Ellis Ross.

    She is also scheduled to appear at Sixth & I on Nov. 12 in Washington and be interviewed by New York Times critic Wesley Morris.

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  • RHONY Recap: Erin Confronts Jenna and Blames Brynn for Their Strained Friendship, & Sai Buries Her Mom’s Ashes, Plus Racquel and Ubah Bond as Jessel Throws a Clueless Themed Birthday

    RHONY Recap: Erin Confronts Jenna and Blames Brynn for Their Strained Friendship, & Sai Buries Her Mom’s Ashes, Plus Racquel and Ubah Bond as Jessel Throws a Clueless Themed Birthday

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    From afar, we’re fabulous. But up close, we’re a total mess.” Bingo, Jessel. On this episode of The Real Housewives of New York City, Jessel’s birthday party forces the group to come back together after the debacle out east. While Ubah and Racquel bond, Erin feels like her friendship with Jenna is fading…all thanks to Brynn.

    Sai and her hubby, David, are out shopping for their garden in hopes of saving money on organic groceries.  Sai got a new house upstate two years ago where her family spends summers and weekends… and what’s a country home without a garden?! 

    Sai talks about her aunt coming to visit and states this aunt is more like a mom to her.  Speaking of her mother, Sai has decided to get her mom’s ashes out of the box and honor her in a way that she deserves.  After much therapy, Sai has chosen now to handle her mother’s death, since she is in a more peaceful place. Sai thinks she will put her mom in an urn and take her upstate, but her husband’s plan is better.  He suggests Sai take some of the ashes and plant them with a tree to honor her memory.

    Pavit is rocking his AI glasses and Jessel interrupts his working to talk about planning her birthday party. The theme of this party is Clueless, and Pavit is clueless about this movie, since he has never seen it. Jessel always wanted Cher’s glamorous life, and so she will be rocking different looks from the movie throughout the party. Jessel rattles off the things she has to do and Pavit does little to nothing to assist.

    Jenna is realizing her son is leaving the nest soon and so she has decided to busy herself with work.  She is now a chief editor at large for Coveteur, an online fashion magazine, and she is thrilled to be back in the photo shoot aspect of fashion.  Jenna wears many hats, job-wise, but it’s nice to see her shining in this role.

    Racquel pays a visit to Ubah’s home in hopes of getting to know each other a little better.  Ubah shows off some paintings that she has done and Racquel calls her an artist.  In Racquel’s opinion, there is “no bad art.” Ubah talks about the American flag painting she did and the freedom that this country has.  America is a land of opportunity in Ubah’s eyes. 

    Ubah goes on to share how her modeling career began in Canada before she broke into New York. It was particularly hard to model back then because, as Ubah explains, every agent had only one black girl.  Racquel and Ubah bond over how modeling gave them tough skin.

    Then the subject changes to the Hamptons. Ubah talks about how condescending Brynn is, especially when Brynn told Ubah she could be edited as an angry black woman.  Ubah feels like Brynn was manipulating her and setting her up.  Ubah is not ready to have that conversation with Brynn, despite Racquel’s best efforts.

    Upstate, we get a glimpse into Sai’s home, which she has been renovating.  Sai is there now with her entire family, including her aunt and the ashes of her mother.  The plan is to scatter the ashes and plant a tree so that Sai can be with her mother outdoors in nature, the place she loved best.  Sai relies on her aunt to open the ashes and put the ashes (with her bare hands) into the dirt hole. It’s a wild experience holding the ashes and they burn some sage as they pay tribute to Sai’s mom. In a lighter moment, everyone laughs when they realize Sai’s aunt is wiping her ashy hands on everyone. 

    Jessel rolls up to Alice and Olivia with Erin and Brynn.  After some shopping, Erin talks about how Sai and Jenna seem like they are besties all of a sudden. Erin is going through such a hard time and yet Jenna has not reached out to her one time.  Erin does not like how Jenna has time to hang out with Sai, who at one point told “all of NYC” that she hated Jenna, yet cannot pick up the phone to check on Erin.

    Brynn claims that Ubah has been “crazy.” She goes on to mock Ubah, which is not a good look.  Brynn feels like Sai needs to apologize to her, as well, and refers to Sai as a “miserable troll that lives under the Brooklyn Bridge.”

    It’s the day of Jessel’s Clueless party and she cannot wait for all of her outfit changes.  Jenna dressed as Cher’s dad is everything and she really leans into this role.  She’s got the (big) fake cell phone glued to her ear and is serving everyone paperwork based on actions from the season thus far. 

    Jessel says that Pavit has not shared a plan for her actual birthday.  According to Pavit, he hates Hallmark holidays, but alas, a birthday is a birth day, so he really should step up for his wife.

    Brynn sits with Jenna and gives big mean girl vibes as she hates on Jessel’s looks and calls the party a production. Brynn also threatens Jenna about her new forming friendships and warns her to be careful of Sai. As Erin watches them from afar, she tells Sai that Jenna “annoys the f*ck out of her.”  Erin is noticing that Jenna is not an actual friend to her and so, Erin is no longer interested in having a friendship with Jenna. Ubah joins Erin and Sai as they discuss the friendship that is not reciprocated.

    Brynn seems to be on everyone’s list, even Rebecca’s.  She is weirded out by Brynn pressuring her to drink and Brynn refers to her as a “buzz kill-boner killer” who is so boring.  I guess it’s a good thing that Brynn is leaving the party early for a spray tan.  Yep.  You read that right.  Jessel is less than pleased by this move.

    I have to assume Abe had one too many Mezcals since he has decided to insert himself right in the middle of the Jenna/Erin situation.  He mentions some “unresolved tension” between the ladies and Jenna is surprised and perplexed by this notion.  Jenna refuses to break character as she discusses this with Abe- she holds tight to that damn phone…

    In the meantime, Erin, I-Don’t-Care-About-Jenna-But-I-Won’t-Stop-Talking-About-Our-Changed-Friendship, continues to tell the group that she just feels differently about Jenna.  Racquel wonders why Erin is not telling his to Jenna directly.

    Jenna makes her way over to Erin and outright asks if she is ok.  Although Erin claims that she is fine, she goes on to say that she does not want to be close to Jenna anymore. Erin says it was a rough year and she was hoping Jenna would have reciprocated the kindness and friendship she extended to her over the past year.   

    Erin feels like Brynn essentially ruined her friendship with Jenna by embellishing stories (hello, Uber!) and she is disappointed in Jenna for believing Brynn’s versions of events.   Erin believes that Brynn was getting jealous of her friendship with Jenna, noticed that Jenna was gaining popularity, and saw an opportunity to break up Jenna and Erin’s friendship.  That’s Erin’s side.  Jenna admits that she’s not the best with the phone, but after realizing how needy Erin seems to be, she will be a better friend, which is all Erin wanted.  Now, can someone tell me why out of all of Jessel’s outfit changes, not one looked like it came from the movie Clueless?!? 

    TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THIS RHONY EPISODE?

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    Julia

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  • RHONY Recap: Racquel Shares Sad Story About Her Dad & Origin of Her Last Name, Jessel Reveals How Much She Pays for Her Frozen Embryos and Jenna Shows Off Her Engagement Ring, Plus Ubah and Brynn Continue to Feud

    RHONY Recap: Racquel Shares Sad Story About Her Dad & Origin of Her Last Name, Jessel Reveals How Much She Pays for Her Frozen Embryos and Jenna Shows Off Her Engagement Ring, Plus Ubah and Brynn Continue to Feud

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    A Shabbat dinner, a prank gone wrong, and yet another moment of drama NOT captured on camera.  Just your average episode of The Real Housewives of New York City.  As the Hamptons trip continues, Racquel opens up more to the group as tension builds between Ubah and Brynn.

    The women arrive at a tennis club in South Hampton via Sprinter van, but alas, this ride does not cause chaos the way it does on RHOSLC. Erin flirts with the tennis instructor, while Jenna and Ubah act as the spectators. We learn just how un-athletic this group is and after what seems like only 7 seconds, the ladies plop down for a photo shoot.  Sai sits next to Jenna, clearly avoiding and ignoring Brynn.  Brynn feels like her fight or flight instinct is starting to kick in after the pile up on her this morning.

    In the meantime, Racquel talks about her French last name and explains the origin of it.  Racquel has no relationship with her father and states that once, when she was 11, she actually tried calling him, but a woman answered the phone. Her father called back, telling her never to call him again.  Yet, when she was 12, she was invited to his Thanksgiving dinner that ended with Racquel promising she should never contact her father again. She decided after that night, she would change her last name.  Racquel went down the family line with her mom and they settled on Chevremont. What a story!

    Racquel embraces Brynn and they bond over the hole in their soul. Brynn feels like their stories are very similar and she connects with Racquel on a deeper level.

    On the way back to the house, they decide to FaceTime Erin’s father to tell him they are planning a Shabbat dinner.  Because of all the planning that is needed, the group splits up.   When Erin finds Brynn in her room, Brynn explains that she is ready to go home.  Sai and Ubah are frustrated with her, so Erin promises to support Brynn because she remembers how it felt to be ganged up on. 

    Evidently, Erin’s pep talk did not resonate enough with Brynn because she also tells Jenna that she plans to go home.  Brynn wonders what she did to make Ubah and Sai so mad: I mean, Ubah went as far as calling Brynn a snake.  Brynn calls the whole ordeal “an energy suck,” but she decides making some pavlova with Jenna will keep her mind off it all. Jenna promises Brynn that she can wear all of her diamonds if she stays and Brynn agrees.  They have a very Pretty Woman moment in the kitchen and Brynn seems cured-do these diamonds have healing powers?

    As some of the ladies begin cooking, Sai, Ubah, and Jessel head to the supermarket. After guessing the price of eggs, Jessel explains that she is paying $1,000 a month to keep her frozen eggs in Beverly Hills.  That’s 90210 for you, baby!  Jessel goes on to state that paying for a surrogate would add another $250k to her bill. This number sure perked Sai up as she promises to carry Jessel’s babies for that price tag.  Ubah begs Jessel to get pregnant with her, but Pavit is still on the fence. He feels overwhelmed having two at once, but if Jessel gets rid of those embryos, that’s it for their family. It’s very finite.

    Back at the house, Racquel is on grill duty while the rest of the crew preps in the kitchen…well, everyone except Brynn who went up for a nap.  Typical.  Once Brynn is awake, Erin lets her in on an idea she has for a prank.  Because Erin is so tired of hearing Jenna say the word “pavlova,” she decides that she will stick a fake cockroach in it. Mature.

    Despite planning for an 8 pm dinner, the girls sit down at 9:14. Jenna rocks a latex blouse and explains that she used to have a decent amount of latex a few years ago.  Um, what? When Jenna was 27, she dated a guy who wrote an article about all the sex clubs in NY.  She actually went to a full-on sex dungeon and the things that Jenna saw that night are incredibly insane.

    Ubah finally arrives to the dinner table and Erin then does a quick prayer for the wine and the bread. Rebecca is there to help Erin has she stumbles over a few words, which leads Erin to wonder how Rebecca can have two opposing religions: Judaism and Scientology.  Erin goes on to talk about embracing the chaos within the group and how they should just love each other.

    As they chow down on the home cooked meal, they play Never Have I Ever. This gets some laughs out of the group and we learn that Erin would flash people for a free taxi. After a few rounds, Jenna gets up to finish her pavlova and Erin excuses herself to get the fake roach ready.  The master plan ensues as the women dig into the pavlova and the suspense begins: who will find the roach first? Jessel spots it on her plate and Ubah runs off, sick to her stomach.  When Sai runs to her aid, she finds a puking Ubah, which then causes Sai to get sick, causing a lovely chain reaction of barf all because of a plastic roach.  Thanks, Erin. You and Brynn can take your high fives and shove ‘em.

    The next morning, a private chef comes to make some breakfast for the group. It’s interesting how much food there is this trip around at Erin’s house, huh? Rebecca talks about how she breastfed her last child until he was 3-omg- and Jenna discusses how she wanted her engagement to be low profile, however, the massive diamond ring on her finger says otherwise. 

    When the ladies jab Rebecca for still being in her jammies at breakfast, despite having two suitcases full of luggage, Brynn decides to coach Rebecca, on camera.  Brynn must’ve forgotten that the cameras were up because telling someone how to play the Housewives game while filming is not a good look.

    Before Ubah sits down, she hugs Brynn, reminding the group that they love each other no matter what.  Brynn promises to not cut Ubah off when she is talking, but ironically cuts her off to say that, which prompts Ubah to spiral.  Ubah claims that every time she is out of alignment, it’s because of Brynn.  Ubah further states that she doesn’t get mad at people unless they mean something to her.

    Erin interjects to let the group know that last night, Erin pulled Ubah aside to remind her that she loves Brynn.  Cool- yet ANOTHER example of the drama happening off camera and not getting captured. According to Erin and Ubah, Brynn goes over to Ubah, strokes her face, and claims that she doesn’t want Ubah to come off as “an angry black woman” so that Ubah’s boyfriend will marry her.  Oh man- we needed Andy and a camera!!! Very interesting that it appears as though Brynn is trying to control what people say on this show- first with Rebecca, and now with Ubah.

    Ubah doesn’t like being told how to behave and states that she doesn’t want to get mad at Brynn, but Brynn is very condescending.  Brynn wants them all to come from a place of respect, but Ubah explains that Brynn isn’t called the disrespectful names until she is condescending to her. A dangerous cycle, if you will. 

    Brynn does not appreciate Ubah mocking her and Brynn states she “doesn’t really care” about saying her side at this point.  Brynn feels as if Ubah is playing into the stereotype and she “convinced that there is nothing upstairs” with Ubah. Brynn gets upset and reminds them all that she doesn’t have to take BS from anyone.  Guess it couldn’t be a goodbye South Hamptons breakfast without someone telling the group to “shut the f*ck up…”

    TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THIS RHONY EPISODE?

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    Julia

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  • Inside the Save Venice La Primavera Gala With Ava Dash

    Inside the Save Venice La Primavera Gala With Ava Dash

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    Andrew Warren and Ava Dash at the Save Venice Ball. Marcy Swingle

    It’s Friday night, and a highlight of the gala season is on the calendar: Save Venice’s Un Ballo in Maschera, an event I always look forward to. The glitzy soirée, which focuses on raising money dedicated to the artistic preservation of Venice, Italy, is, fittingly, held at the Plaza Hotel. While the non-profit organization hosts several galas, the New York iteration is always special; this year, it fell on Friday, April 12. 

    Tonight’s date is Ava Dash, one of my best friends and, luckily, one of those girls who is surprisingly easygoing, because we both ended up last-minute winging our looks for the evening—shockingly enough, they worked out quite well, if I do say so myself. When I say I was texting my salesperson at Saks at 5 p.m. looking for the perfect McQueen blazer, I’m not exaggerating. Luckily, Ava and I had a good starting place, as Julian Polak of Maison Spoiled texted Ava and me photos of sparkling diamond options to tie our outfits together, and base the looks around—I ended up basing my look around a white gold-and-yellow diamond brooch Julian picked for me.

    For Ava, I pulled a vintage, circa-1980s couture Calvin Klein marigold gown from my late grandmother’s collection, and tied the look together with tan Rachel Roy shoes and a bejeweled Judith Leiber monkey bag. Sometimes I do miss being in fashion, because I always love when my girlfriends let me style them. A few photos later, and we hopped in an Uber and were off to the Plaza. 

    Ava Dash. Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com

    We arrived just in time for the last moments of cocktail hour, and my inner Kris Jenner came out, making sure Ava, the 24-year-old daughter of Damon Dash and Rachel Roy, was photographed by everyone.

    Now, onto the actual event, which was sponsored by Oscar de la Renta and the Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel. The sold-out event, themed La Primavera and attended by over 400 guests, raised more than $1.2 million for the preservation of historic art and architecture in Venezia. 

    As someone who has attended charity galas since I was 14 years old, I’m confident that I know a thing or two about how to do them right. The key to this event was the backdrop, which meant having it decorated and transformed into a Venetian garden by Save Venice co-chair and event engineer Bronson van Wyck and his team, Van Wyck & Van Wyck. With Bronson on decor, there isn’t much left to worry about, especially with Nathalie Kaplan’s consultancy agency, NGK Global, handling logistics. She’s the queen of these society charity galas, which are her speciality. And with corporate sponsors like Chanel and Gucci, the night was bound to be a success.

    Ivy Getty, Emily Ratajkowski and Nicky Hilton. Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com

    Aside from Ava, of course, some of the other best-dressed attendees included Tina Leung (in an Oscar de la Renta Barbie-esque sheer crystal top and pink silk bow dress), Di Mondo (in a blue hydrangeas-covered creation with butterflies and a matching mask), Ivy Getty (in a sheer, embellished Oscar de la Renta gown and Bulgari jewels) and Natalie Jackson (in a classic black Vivienne Westwood gown and over-the-top butterfly mask). And let’s not forget about van Wyck’s peacock cape. Other fashionable attendees included Emily Ratajkowski, Jenna Lyons, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Anna van Patten, Julian Schnabel, Huma Abedin, LaQuan Smith and Ezra J William, to name just a few. 

    After the cocktail hour came to an end, Ava and I headed to our seats for the dinner. Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, the co-creative directors of Oscar de la Renta, presided over the Ceremony for Outstanding Masks; Jordan Roth, Andy Yu and Lisa Sher-Chambers won the three prizes.

    Paolo Lorenzoni, Bronson van Wyck and Lisa Sher-Chambers. Deonté Lee/BFA.com

    It was an incredibly, glamorous evening, and in the midst of the festivities, I caught up with Ava on what she’s up to right now. 

    Observer: What’s the latest with you?

    Ava Dash: I just moved back to New York. After graduating college at LMU in L.A., I’m excited to be back in the city and focusing on modeling as well as television projects. 

    What’s next for you, career-wise? 

    I recently worked with PETA, launching a campaign advocating for the welfare and well-being of animals. This has always been a priority to me, and working with their team has taught me so much. I am also very grateful to have just signed with a new modeling agency in New York City.

    Why the switch from L.A. to New York? 

    I was born in New York and I moved to L.A. with my family when I was 14 years old; I did high school as well as college there, and was ready for a change. I wanted to elevate my career and experience my 20s in the city. The experiences that I can have in New York City, I just wasn’t having in L.A.. The New York lifestyle is so spontaneous; I was walking around Soho with friends and kept running into people we knew, adding to our group, and a magician stopped us and did an impromptu show. This type of thing never happens in L.A., where you’re just driving from place to place. 

    What’s your favorite part of New York? 

    Being able to walk around and meet new people. The feeling of endless possibilities drew me back to the city where I was born. Literally whatever you’re into, you can find the best of it in this city. 

    We’re at Save Venice—what other charitable causes are important to you?

    The well-being of children is the most important. My mom and I co-authored a young adult novel [96 Words for Love, published in 2019] and gave the proceeds to girls rescued from sex trafficking in India. I am also very passionate about the well-being of animals, and have traveled to Thailand to work at a sanctuary for rescued elephants. 

    Ava Dash, Andrew Warren, Julia Moshy, Sarah Shatz and Natalie Jackson. Deonté Lee/BFA.com

    What has been your favorite part of the night thus far? 

    I love people-watching and seeing how people come together for a theme. There is so much devastation that happens in Venice every year, so I am proud to be a part of a community that cares about this cause. 

    The event was beautiful! The food was delicious, the drinks were flowing and I love that the dance floor was packed throughout the night. It seems like everyone enjoyed themselves in helping to raise money for the historical and fabulous city of Venice.

    Rate the decor one to 10?

    It’s quintessential old school New York—9/10.

    Who’s best dressed that you’ve seen tonight 

    Me!

    I must ask—boyfriend or single lady?

    Single lady! Trying to channel my inner Carrie Bradshaw with my recent move.

    Well, on that note—anyone you’d immediately say yes to going on a date with?  

    Chris Hemsworth, Nicolo Zaniolo and one of my exes—not saying which one…

    Inside the Save Venice La Primavera Gala With Ava Dash

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    Andrew Warren

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  • ‘RHONY’ Star Jenna Lyons On Why She Skipped BravoCon: “I Had Some Things To Do”

    ‘RHONY’ Star Jenna Lyons On Why She Skipped BravoCon: “I Had Some Things To Do”

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    Jenna Lyons was notably absent from BravoCon 2023, the three-day convention in Las Vegas that saw over 160 Bravolebrities celebrate the cable network and get close to fans.

    The star of the rebooted Real Housewives of New York City is now opening up about why she skipped the event and didn’t join her co-stars in Sin City.

    “I had some things to do,” the fashion maven told ET during the red carpet of the CFDA Fashion Awards.

    The former president of J. Crew then joked and said, “I said some really important things to do, like twiddle my thumbs.”

    RELATED: ‘Married To Medicine’ Cast Celebrate 10 Seasons Of Bravo Reality Series; Phaedra Parks Ready To Create More Memes — BravoCon

    “No, I had an event and I had some other things that I had to do that were personal,” she added. “And I’m preparing for — I have to leave tonight, I have to be on a flight so I just couldn’t. It didn’t work out.”

    Although Lyons didn’t go to BravoCon, her co-stars Jessel Taank, Brynn Whitfield, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy and Sai De Silva did make an appearance.

    RELATED: ‘The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’ Star Kyle Richards Breaks Down During Panel Talking About Her Family & Marriage — BravoCon

    Lyons hinted during an appearance on Bravo‘s Watch What Happens Live that she doesn’t know if she wants to return for another season of the reality series. When talking to Deadline at BravoCon, Andy Cohen told us, “I am confident that I want her to return and I hope she does.”

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