In an all new interview, Real Housewives of Orange County star Alexis Bellino takes some time off from setting women back to discuss the new OC season amongst other things!
Talking to Celebuzz, Alexis touches on her issues with former friend turned arch-nemesis Peggy Tanous, her thoughts on Russell Armstrong’s tragic death – yes she has opinions, as well as her business endeavors – no she has yet to give up on her clothing line! Below are excerpts from Alexis’ interview –
Late last year, Peggy announced that she is leaving the show. Was it a relief for you to hear that?
It’s so hard, because one day, I wake up and I’m thinking, “What happened? Where did our friendship go wrong? Why did we end up where we are?” And then the next day, I wake up and I’ve seen an episode of how terrible she was [to me], or I remember something that happened and how it was such a shady friendship the minute she got the show, [which] makes me [think] “Oh my gosh, I’m so glad she’s off [the show].” But right now, at this exact moment … I don’t put a lot of emphasis on thinking about her. If she was there and she was a part of the show, great. If she’s not, great. I wish her well. In the first two episodes, you’re gonna see her and I get into it, and it’s gonna probably be the last time you’ll see us interact together.
Do you think your friendship can be salvaged?
I always hope that a friendship can be salvaged, just because I’m kind of a dreamer; I like to think the positive in everything. But at this point, I honestly don’t know. I think there’s been a lot of things that have occurred over the past year and a half, and I just saw a side of Peggy that – I mean, for her to be able to flip that quickly, like, the minute that she became a member of the show, to just switch and go become good friends with Tamra [Barney], and forget about me. I mean, it was like she was all about the limelight and not really thinking about a true friendship.
Did your perception of Real Housewives change amid the Russell Armstrong tragedy?
I mean, that is just something that you just – I mean, it took my breath away! I can’t picture something like that happening. I am sure the show played a little bit in it, just because your life is exemplified in front of millions [of viewers], and things can be said about you that aren’t necessarily true. Once it’s out there, people believe it whether it’s true or not … But I think, at the end of the day, you have to remember, it’s a show, you’re here to entertain people. Don’t take it too personally. I think that him and Taylor, obviously, had a lot going on, and I just wish it would have had a different ending, you know? You always think, “What if?” And for Taylor, it feels that way.
Tell us about the new Housewife, Heather. Did you all get along with her?
Well, I think that, at the end of the day, when it’s all said and done and the season plays out, I think we’re all gonna kind of get along with her. Her and Gretchen [Rossi] had a little bit of a tiff at the beginning. Then, Heather and I get into it a little bit in the middle, and then we have a big blow-up in episode 10-ish. So, once that was all said and done, I felt like Heather and I moved past it and pushed everything aside. I can’t really tell you what it’s about, but I break down in tears and have eyelashes falling off. It’s just a nightmare. It’s not going to be a pretty episode for me [Laughs] … I think Heather is a little buttoned up. Sometimes, she talks like she knows more about things than other people. But, at the end of the day, I think that she’s a really, really sweet person, and I really genuinely like her personality.
So, tell us a little bit more about the second line of Alexis Couture.
It is so crazy! Well, I have two lines. I have Alexis Couture, by myself, where I don’t have anyone else working on that with me, except for my production manager … I only have three dresses in that line, because I launched my first dress, the Black-Braid Maxi, last season, and it went like crazy. I sold more of that one dress than all of the dresses than Alexis by Tal Sheyn sold. That dress is still selling, and I’m gonna bring it out in another color … And then I partnered with Tal Sheyn for Alexis by Tal Sheyn, because she was designing one-of-a-kinds for me, and I had a vision for what I wanted to do. There’s only one of me, and I couldn’t do it! So, together with her, we came up with my first Alexis by Tal Sheyn line. That one did really, really well. Now, we’re launching my second one, and now my second one is doing better than my first one even did and it hasn’t even launched yet! We’re out there marketing it. It hasn’t launched on the show, but it is just crazy! It’s so exciting!
Is the goal to eventually open up your own store?
We just started looking for retail spaces to have a showroom. We are in boutiques now. We’re in one in Orange County, and we’ve almost solidified two or three in Los Angeles. And then we’re even looking at go overseas. Israel is very interested; Australia is very interested. We have a lot of customers from Europe. We’re just getting our feet into those markets and we’re gonna be in boutiques throughout the United States and throughout the world.
Alexis shared some new photos from her Alexis Couture clothing line, and those are below!
In other Alexis news, she is also sharing the secrets to her very happy marriage in an interview with Radar Online, because clearly, we all aspire to have a happy marriage like hers!
Alexis, who shares a previous failed marriage with hubby Jim Bellino, advises couples should never spend more than two nights apart, treat each other with respect at all times, and not call each other names when arguing. “No matter how mad you get… you cannot take your words back,” says Alexis.
In addition to having 20-minute meetings each night after dinner to catch up, Alexis reveals her and Jim always pray together, go to therapy regularly and have a date night at least once a week.
And finally, a new episode of the OC Housewives airs tonight on Bravo! On the 2nd episode this season titled “Southern Hospitality,” Vicki hosts a dinner party, but Peggy and Alexis stir the pot with a fiery feud. Drama is at such a high boil that Peggy ends up making a game-changing decision. Meanwhile, Gretchen poses nude at a charity photo shoot; newbie housewife Heather Dubrow flaunts her privileged life; Vicki and Tamra embark on an overnight trip to Catalina.
The episode airs tonight on Bravo at 9/8c and a preview clip is below!
[Credit: FayesVision/WENN.com]
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON ALEXIS’ INTERVIEW? WOULD YOU TAKE MARRIAGE TIPS FROM HER? AND THOUGHTS ON TONIGHT’S NEW EPISODE?
CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON FOR NEW PHOTOS FROM ALEXIS’ CLOTHING LINE & THE PREVIEW!
Alexis Bellino does her best Marilyn Monroe impersonation while modeling a dress from her new line for Alexis Couture!
That sweat top is Couture???
The Boobs do not come with the dress!
Couture indeed!
