Taylor Armstrong Defends Bravo

Taylor Armstrong Defends Bravo

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It is not just Simon and Bethenny defending Bravo. Taylor Armstrong, the estranged wife of the now deceased Russell Armstrong, agrees. According to RadarOnline.com, Taylor blames legal and financial issues for Russell's suicide and not the reality show.

The source goes on to say that Bravo has in fact "been extremely supportive of Taylor during this tragedy."

The same report also mentions that Russell had stopped taking his anti-depressants for his rage issues two weeks before his suicide. 

As reported, the premiere for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills will still be today, September 5th. Many speculate that Russell's appearance will be very limited or completely taken out. Editing is still underway for the series.

Cross Country

Cross Country

#Promotion

Facebook via Reality Tea

Ramona Singer was in Beverly Hills to support Taylor Armstrong at her husband, Russell's memorial service Wednesday, August 24.

Later, Ramona dropped by Lisa Vanderpump's Villa Blanca restaurant with Kyle Richards.  Lisa's showing off her beautiful restaurant, and Ramona's showing off her Pinot Grigio wine.  Wining.

Russell Armstrong's Memorial

Russell Armstrong's Memorial

#RememberingRussell

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Taylor Armstrong invited all of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to Russell's memorial service a couple weeks ago, according to RadarOnline.  It's good to see they all recognize how their drama is really unimportant when it comes to important real life matters.

A Radar source explained, "A lot of thought and consideration went into Taylor's decision to invite the entire cast. In the end, Taylor didn't want to exclude anyone, and even though she doesn't get along with all of them, Taylor wanted them there. The girls have been very supportive to her throughout this entire tragedy. Taylor needs her friends around her more than ever," a source close to the situation said.

The source also explained why Kennedy, Taylor's 5 year old daughter with Russell, along with his two sons from a previous relationship, did not attend. "Taylor doesn't think it's in Kennedy's best interests to go to the memorial. It's very hard to grasp as a 5-year-old, and given the way in which Russell died, well, Taylor doesn't want Kennedy to accidentally overhear someone talking about Russell's suicide. Taylor is protecting Kennedy, period. This little girl has been through enough with her parent's divorce, and now having to deal with her dad's death," the insider says.

The memorial took place, Wednesday August 24 at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks & Mortuaries in Hollywood at 3pm PT. Lisa Vanderpump, Adrienne Maloof-Nassif and husband Dr. Paul Nassif, attended along with Kyle and Kim Richards. The funeral was not filmed. Russell's body was cremated, and his ashes were divided between Taylor and Russell's parents.

Bethenny Thinks It's "Preposterous" To Blame Bravo for Suicide

Bethenny Thinks It's "Preposterous" To Blame Bravo for Suicide

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Bethenny Frankel had already responded to Whole Foods' removal of her Skinnygirl Margaritas from its popular health food chain of stores on Twitter.  Whole Foods refused to re-order any more product after discovering the margarita says it's all natural on the bottle with no preservatives, but actually contains the preservative sodium benzoate.

Whole Foods issued a statement to Access Hollywood saying, Skinnygirl “had been offered in 16 of Whole Foods Market’s 310 stores. After discovering that it contains a preservative that does not meet our quality standards, we have had to stop selling it.”

Bethenny released a more official statement, in which she downplayed the controversy. “I’m not making wheatgrass here. If I could put an agave plant and some limes on a shelf I would. [The Skinnygirl Margarita] is as close to nature as possible, while still being a shelf stable product. Skinnygirl cocktails were created to solve a problem: to create a line of guilt free cocktails allowing women to drink the indulgent drinks they actually want to drink with as few ingredients as possible.”

Truly, the small amount of a single preservative doesn't seem like that big of a deal. The idea was to make a healthier margarita. Of course nothing is 100% healthy. The problem is with the marketing. There are consumer laws that protect misleading buyers. And saying the product is all natural without any preservatives can be misleading. The problem is really with the wording.

Bethenny proceeded to dismiss the importance of Whole Foods to their brand, saying, “With all due respect to Whole Foods, we were in a dozen of their stores and have decided not to continue in these stores. They represent an infinitesimal fraction of our business. We are, in fact, the fastest growing spirits brand in the US,” her statement continued. “We were bound to piss someone off and everyone loves to try to tear down a success. This is a non-event. I haven’t lost even a wink of sleep.”

Gotta love the spin. All of a sudden, Skinnygirl decided not to continue in Whole Foods!

Bethenny isn't just giving it straight, with no chaser when she's defending her margaritas.  She also spoke out about the Russell Armstrong suicide controversy.  While admitting how tragic the loss of life was, Bethenny opines, “It’s preposterous to blame a TV show for someone’s suicide,” she tells USA Today. “When the show started filming, I’d heard he wasn’t so kind to his wife. But I know nothing about them.” 

“People sign very lengthy documents and they know what they’re getting into. Life is stressful. It’s unfair to blame a TV show for something personal,” she added. “I believe that. I really do. If I go through something horrendous, there’s no discussion that Bravo had anything to do with that.”

Bethenny doesn't have a lot of positive things to say about reality TV these days, so this is remarkable.

The Re-Edited Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Will Still Air Sept. 5

The Re-Edited Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Will Still Air Sept. 5

#RIP

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According to multiple reports, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills will debut on its scheduled premiere date, September 5, despite the recent suicide of Taylor Armstrong's husband, Russell.  It seems Beverly Hills was such a big hit for Bravo, they are afraid to hold it back.

In a media statement Wednesday, Bravo president Frances Berwick said, "Bravo will proceed with the Monday, September 5 premiere date of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."

So as not to alienate fans who have been inundated by media stories on the dangerous effects of reality TV, Bravo will air a suicide prevention PSA before the episode. They will also air a brief interview, which is thought to be the special that was filmed Monday with all the Beverly Hills housewives, except Taylor, talking about Russell's death. The show is continuing to be re-edited in light of Russell's suicide as he expressed concern being portrayed as a victim before his death.  Russell's mother has already threatened legal action if she sees any image of her son on the show this season.

The perils of reality TV are well founded.  Although Russell was going through a divorce, and having financial problems like many people do every day, he was in the spotlight.  Recent allegations of physical abuse of Taylor and his struggling finances being splashed all over the news, troubled Russell.

According to Radar, “Russell was recently informed that a tell-all book was being written and that many of his secrets were going to be made public,” a source said. “He had expressed great concern about the book.” Radar goes on to say that the book was going to involve several accounts of sexcapades by his exes.

Further, following Russell's death, his friend, Tom Vickers, told press Russell had recently said, “It's funny how a reality show can ruin your entire life."

In the aftermath of Russell's suicide, Taylor is left to pick up the pieces.  The disturbing 911 call was just released online.  The call is heartbreaking as you hear Taylor breaking down as Russell's friend tried to calm her.  The friend tells the 911 agent, "my friend just hanged himself".  He tells Taylor it's okay, but she is heard saying, "this is not okay!"  Taylor's daughter was also in the home as the friend says, "have your daughter to go away please" he says, trying to protect five-year-old Kennedy from seeing her father dead.

Taylor is currently staying at fellow housewife, Kyle Richards' house.

In happier times, Taylor was spotted at the Kendra Scott Jewelry of Beverly Hills Grand Opening benefiting "Blessings In A Backpack" on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 in West Hollywood, California.

Taylor Armstrong Resurfaces at Russell's Memorial Service

Taylor Armstrong Resurfaces at Russell's Memorial Service

#RIP

Reality Tea

The first photo of Taylor Armstrong since her estranged husband committed suicide earlier this week, just surfaced.  Taylor was spotted at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in L.A. where a memorial service was held for Russell. 

Taylor tried her best to avoid photographers as she hid under a black hood and a large brown coat.  According to an Us Weekly source, Taylor "was clearly distraught." Not sure what the source was expecting.

They continued, "The people traveling with her were comforting her and wanted to get her inside the building as quickly as possible." According to a source, Taylor was in the chapel for almost two hours before she quietly left from a side door into an awaiting black SUV.