Yeah, I find this story (and the Real Housewives trend in general) really gross and depressing. Now Taylor Armstrong is blaming the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cameras for Russell's recent suicide. Or, you know, maybe it was the fact that he was an abuser with a failing business and failed marriage who also likely suffered from depression. But, sure, blame the reality show that YOU SIGNED UP FOR. I don't remember reading about Bravo TV executives holding a gun to Taylor Armstrong's head and making her sign up for Real Housewives. It's all so icky and sad. Oh, Drive soundtrack. Take me away...
Apparently Russell abused Taylor, which is terrible, but then she went and sold photos of herself with a black eye to Entertainment Tonight?? Ugh. I don't know whose side I am on here. They both sound like sad, troubled people. It's good that Taylor got away from Russell's abuse, but clearly airing their dirt on reality television was HER doing. And then her fellow Real Housewives castmates went on The Today Show and were all, "Don't blame us, Taylor! We're taking the high road." Turns out the high road includes a pit-stop on Anderson Cooper and every morning talk show. And the tacked-on scene during the season premiere of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills where the castmates discuss Russell's suicide for a hot minute before moving on to their boring, frivolous lifestyles was also awful. Maybe take the high road by NOT TALKING ABOUT IT AT ALL?
The classy thing to do would be to drop out of the show and keep her family away from the press. Clearly Taylor Armstrong is trying to stay in the spotlight and keep her place on the show. People blame reality TV for society's woes, but, honestly, I think it attracts a certain sort of narcissistic personality and then amplifies it. Whatever awfulness was going on in the Armstrong marriage was there way before Bravo started filming their daily lives.
What do you guys think? Do you follow the Real Housewives show? Or do you wish they'd all go away?
Apparently Russell abused Taylor, which is terrible, but then she went and sold photos of herself with a black eye to Entertainment Tonight?? Ugh. I don't know whose side I am on here. They both sound like sad, troubled people. It's good that Taylor got away from Russell's abuse, but clearly airing their dirt on reality television was HER doing. And then her fellow Real Housewives castmates went on The Today Show and were all, "Don't blame us, Taylor! We're taking the high road." Turns out the high road includes a pit-stop on Anderson Cooper and every morning talk show. And the tacked-on scene during the season premiere of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills where the castmates discuss Russell's suicide for a hot minute before moving on to their boring, frivolous lifestyles was also awful. Maybe take the high road by NOT TALKING ABOUT IT AT ALL?
The classy thing to do would be to drop out of the show and keep her family away from the press. Clearly Taylor Armstrong is trying to stay in the spotlight and keep her place on the show. People blame reality TV for society's woes, but, honestly, I think it attracts a certain sort of narcissistic personality and then amplifies it. Whatever awfulness was going on in the Armstrong marriage was there way before Bravo started filming their daily lives.
What do you guys think? Do you follow the Real Housewives show? Or do you wish they'd all go away?
i honestly never thought i would defend one of the real housewives and i was where you were nick with this woman until recently. i've seen all of the housewives stuff as i cover their fashion and i have always felt some sympathy for taylor. yes, i too am equally appalled that they, or anyone, would show off their frivolous lives and then make bankruptcy headlines a week later, but the abuse stuff...in my opinion...is a completely different story. if she took away all the housewives stuff and just told her story, it might look a little different. but i am of the very firm opinion that abuse needs a voice. the louder people get about it the louder more people will get about it and that's the only way to make it stop. i watched her on dr. phil today and cried almost the whole time, when she spoke of things with her life with russell, all i could think was yep, that was me. yep, that was me. yep, that was me too. women are afraid to talk about these things. it takes a real courage to speak the things that have been done to you out loud, because you know how horrific they are. nobody WANTS to show off the fact that they chose to marry someone that would treat them so abominably. and bringing cameras into the house was the smartest move she made...in my opinion...it may have saved her life as that decision shed light on the reality of her life, and abusers can't handle that. they control and manipulate and try and determine every single outcome for the woman they are controlling, and she made that impossible for him by exposing him. so i do actually applaud her for that because she was probably terrified the whole time that it may cost her her life, which she claims he had actually threatened. watching her talk about those things with dr phil, i just don't think you can fake that kind of body language and visceral fear, as i have been there. on another side of this, he was the sole breadwinner, and made sure of that as most abusers do, and left her and their daughter with nothing but a big mess. i am sure she is probably getting paid for some if not all of these appearances, but i don't think she's buying gucci bags with it. most of the housewives franchise really turns my stomach, dont even get me started on jersey, but this isolated case i think she is doing the right thing for her right now. maybe just maybe one woman will see one of those interviews and also think, oh my god i need to get out before he kills me. thats just me though.
Yeah, you make some good points. And I think it's good that she became a advocate for battered women. I feel like if she was just talking about the abuse, I'd see the value in all the publicity. But it just feels like another thing in the hype machine. "My husband was abusive." "It's all 'Housewives' fault." I guess I'd see it as less self-serving if she left the reality show to be with her family and help abused women. But instead she's doing press and signing book deals. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
agreed! i wasn't aware she was blaming the show for the demise of well, everything, thats not how she portrayed it with dr phil. without the glam and the hype there is a real opportunity for her to make something good out of something really bad, i guess only time will tell but i totally get what you are saying.
I don't agree with the first response to this post. Her history as duping people is continuous and she does not show herself in a good light. Try the word manipulation. Yes, watch the whole show from beginning to current and that's what you see. Her real name has been changed and she was involved with the skimming being done with her deceased husbands business. That is why she is named in the law suit.
Russell threatened to sue for a reason and I don't believe she ever told the truth about anything!
Google all about get and watch her on all the seasons. She is a glimmer. She shows what she wants you to see but she's slipping when control was lost.
I know abuse and lived it for seven years....her reaction is odd in every way.