Latest news with #Housewives'
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Phaedra Parks explains why she returned to ‘RHOA' after it ‘took a dip' — and teases an ‘explosive reunion'
She's got her peach back. Phaedra Parks spilled all the details about her upcoming return to 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta,' which debuts Sunday at 9 p.m. ET., in an exclusive interview with The Post. 'We've been talking about it for some time, but it needed to be the right moment for me and for my family,' the mom of two said of coming back to the Bravo show after a six-season hiatus. Advertisement 7 Cheez-It x Phaedra Parks. Jayden Mack 'Porsha [Williams] basically called me as well, like, 'Hey, would you consider it?' And I love Porsha. Frick and Frack is always fun, always about friendship,' Parks explained. 'That really made me really think about it seriously.' 7 Phaedra Parks has a new partnership with Cheez-It Snap'd. Jayden Mack Advertisement 'So it's been a wonderful return because it was like going home, like riding a bike,' she added, while promoting her collaboration with Cheez-It Snap'd to introduce the limited-edition Cheez-It Snap'd Back Bag. 'I just got back on and got right in the swing of things. And I just think it's gonna be a very amazing season.' Parks, who makes her official return to the show on Sunday's episode, told The Post she wasn't nervous about joining the rest of the ladies so late into the season. 7 Phaedra Parks at the 'RHOA' Season 16 premiere party in Atlanta on March 7. Getty Images 'You know what, I'm pretty courageous,' she said. 'Living people ain't gonna scare me if the dead didn't scare me.' Advertisement The mortician went on, 'It felt so good to be back where I started. It feels good to hopefully be a part of the resurgence of the 'Housewives' because, you know, they took a dip. So hopefully we can bring them back to stellar status. Obviously it's very nostalgic for people who have watched me have both of my sons on television to now see them as tweens.' 7 The 'RHOA' Season 16 cast: Brit Eady, Phaedra Parks, Angela Oakley, Porsha Williams, Shamea Morton Mwangi, Drew Sidora, Kelli Ferrell. Gizelle Hernandez/James Bianchi/Bravo 7 Phaedra Parks on Bravo. Bravo The reality star said that the mix of veteran Housewives and newbies in the Season 16 cast makes for 'the best formula' for the show. Advertisement 'I think you have to revamp it just to refresh the brand. But at the same time, 'Housewives' has always been about nostalgia,' Parks noted. 'People tuning in to see people they grew up with and the Housewives that they love.' 7 Phaedra Parks on 'The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip' Season 2. Zack DeZon/Peacock via Getty Images 'So yeah, I think when you are going to revamp it, you've got to mix the old with the new,' she added. 'You're coming back to see people that you are very familiar with, but you're getting a little splash of fresh people and ideas.' While the Season 16 reunion hasn't filmed yet, Parks predicts the get-together will be 'explosive.' 'I think a lot of people are gonna be in the hot seat — including myself,' she said. 7 Phaedra Parks arrives at 'Watch What Happens Live' in NYC. Christopher Peterson / 'People love to try to put my feet to the fire. So, you know I'm ready. I stay ready so I don't have to get ready,' Parks stated. 'So yeah, let's do it.' Now that she's back on 'RHOA,' Parks told The Post that she's 'definitely there for the long-haul.' Advertisement 'I am loyal to who's loyal to me. I love NBCUniversal, Peacock, and they've been great to me,' she said. 'And so I will definitely be great to them.' 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘Housewives' star Sonja Morgan breaks her silence after wild night out in Palm Beach
Is Sonja Morgan OK? TMZ posted alarming pictures of the 'Real Housewives of NYC' star being loaded onto an ambulance in Palm Beach, Thursday night. The reality vet, 61, had been dining at Echo restaurant on Sunrise Avenue when things apparently went south. In footage also sent to the gossip site, Morgan, who moved to the area last year, is seen talking to police officers who had responded to the scene. After the pics of her went viral, Morgan released a statement to People. 'An elderly patron at the restaurant I was dining at appeared to be in distress, and I called for medical assistance,' the TV personality told the mag. 'While assisting [her] during the commotion, I sustained some minor injuries and, out of an abundance of caution, accompanied the EMTs to be checked out.' While the native New Yorker claims to be just a Good Samaritan, she also managed to get into a little trouble with the cops. Authorities told TMZ that Morgan was ordered to leave the premises and issued 'a written trespass warning.' Under Florida law, had the Bravolebrity reentered the establishment, she could have been arrested. The incident comes on the heels of an embarrassing encounter earlier this month at a different restaurant — NYC hotspot Tucci. Page Six reports that Morgan reportedly demanded to be comped for a $1,000 meal. 'She was absolutely hysterical and refused to pay,' a source claimed to the outlet. 'It was like she was filming a 'Housewives' episode, shouting, 'I'm a celebrity!'' Morgan owned up and eventually paid, telling Page Six 'there was a clear miscommunication,' adding, 'I believed I was dining in exchange for a promotional post. … I made that known to staff.' On Instagram, the fan favorite brushed up off the headlines and adjusted her crown. The latest post sees her looking fantastic and fresh from a beauty salon appointment. The caption: 'That feeling when your hair is done and you remember who you are.'
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Reality stars' prison release dates, from Julie and Todd Chrisley to a 'Housewives' star
Reality stars' prison release dates, from Julie and Todd Chrisley to a 'Housewives' star Show Caption Hide Caption 911 call of Chase Chrisley at Twin Peaks in Buckhead The son of former reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley has found himself in some legal trouble. He's accused of assaulting a bar manager at the Twin Peaks restaurant in Buckhead. Fox - 5 Atlanta A reality television to prison pipeline? It's more common than you might think. From "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Jen Shah's involvement in a telemarketing scheme to the "Chrisley Knows Best" stars charges on tax evasion and bank fraud, plenty of personalities have gone from TV screens to behind bars. In at least one case, the plea for their release has reached the highest office in the land: Savannah Chrisley, daughter of disgraced reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, has appealed to President Donald Trump's administration for their pardon. Savannah, 27, spoke at the Republican National Convention in July 2025. As of May 12, 2025, the Chrisleys are still in their respective prisons. Who are the other reality stars who are serving time in prison? Here's a closer look. From Netflix to prison. 'Cheer' star Jerry Harris sentenced to 12 years for sex crimes Julie and Todd Chrisley from 'Chrisley Knows Best' It's been more than two years since Julie and Todd Chrisley began their prison sentences for bank fraud. But instead of the respective seven- and 12-year sentences, each has had their prison time slightly reduced. The Chrisleys gained fame on the USA Network reality show "Chrisley Knows Best," which followed their tight-knit, boisterous family and lavish lifestyle in Atlanta and Nashville. The show drew in more than 2 million viewers by its eighth season and inspired the spinoffs "Growing Up Chrisley" and "According to Chrisley." However, their image as savvy real estate tycoons was sullied in June 2022, when the pair was found guilty of tax evasion and defrauding community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans. In January 2023, the Chrisleys traded their luxurious lifestyle for prison time. Prosecutors said the reality TV couple was driven by greed as they engaged in an extensive bank fraud scheme and then hid their wealth from tax authorities. Julie Chrisley, 52, is serving her prison sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, with an expected release date of Jan. 8, 2028. Todd Chrisley is serving time at FPC Pensacola and is expected to be released April 7, 2032, more than two years before his original 12-year sentence was supposed to be up. Brittish Williams of VH1's 'Basketball Wives' Former "Basketball Wives" star Brittish Cierrah Williams found herself in hot legal water last year when authorities apprehended her over a series of scams. On Oct. 24, 2023, U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Williams, 35, to four years in prison for committing $564,000 worth of frauds, including tax frauds, bank fraud, insurance fraud and three separate pandemic fraud schemes, according to a release from the US Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri. Williams, then a radio personality in St. Louis, pleaded guilty to 15 felonies in May 2023. Williams will also be on supervised release for five years after serving time, and was ordered to pay $564,069 in restitution. She is now serving time at FCI Waseca, "a low security federal correctional institution" in Minnesota, with a release date of Dec. 24, 2025. Josh Duggar of TLC Network's '19 Kids and Counting' Josh Duggar, who rose to fame on TLC's hit show "19 Kids and Counting," was sentenced in May 2022 to 12 years in prison for downloading and possessing child pornography. The eldest child of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and a father of seven himself, Josh Duggar was found guilty in December 2021. Federal authorities said they began investigating the reality TV star after a Little Rock, Arkansas, police detective found child porn files were being shared by a computer traced to Duggar. A federal agent testified that images depicting the sexual abuse of children, including toddlers, were downloaded in 2019 onto a computer at a car dealership Duggar owned. This is not Josh Duggar's first fall from grace. "19 Kids and Counting," was canceled in 2015 following revelations that Josh Duggar had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter when he was a teen. At the time, he apologized, admitting to a porn addiction and infidelity. Duggar, 37, will be released Oct. 2, 2032. He is imprisoned at FCI Seagoville in Texas. Jerry Harris of Netflix show 'Cheer' In 2020, after gaining fame on the Netflix docuseries "Cheer," competitive cheerleading coach Jerry Harris was charged with producing child pornography. Federal court records show Harris admitted he solicited and received explicit messages on Snapchat from at least 10 to 15 individuals he knew were minors; had sex with a 15-year-old boy at a cheerleading competition in 2019 and paid a 17-year-old money in exchange for nude photos. Season 2 of the hit Netflix show addressed Harris' downfall. Harris pleaded guilty in February 2022 and in July of that same year was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. Harris, 25, is serving time at FMC Lexington in Lexington, Kentucky and has a projected release date of Jan. 18, 2031. Downfall of a Netflix star. How one season of 'Cheer' addressed child pornography charges against Jerry Harris Jen Shah of Bravo's 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' In January 2024, "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Jen Shah was sentenced to 6½ years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a national telemarketing scheme. Judge Sidney H. Stein ruled the Bravo celebrity would spend 78 months behind bars, despite prosecutors' suggested sentence of 120 months. That's in addition to five years of supervision after her release. Shah, 50, also agreed to forfeit $6.5 million and to pay $9.5 million in restitution as part of her plea agreement. Shah, whose arrest was partially captured by Bravo's cameras, was ordered to begin her sentence Feb. 17, 2024. She is currently serving time at FPC Bryan in Texas and is expected to be released Sept. 19, 2026. Charles 'Todd' Hill of HGTV's 'Flip It to Win It' Former HGTV star Charles "Todd" Hill turned from celebrity fixer-upper to disgraced real estate criminal, when authorities charged him with committing real estate and financial fraud. Hill, 59, was sentenced to four years in jail and ordered to pay back close to $10 million for committing fraud against 11 victims, according to a news release from the County of Santa Clara Office of the District Attorney in California. The "Flip It to Win It" star was convicted in 2023 of multiple fraud schemes. On the show Hill would buy dilapidated homes, fix them up and sell them for a profit. Instead, "Hill spent millions on overbudget remodels, laundered profits and pocketed millions in fraudulently obtained money," the news release stated. He was indicted in November 2019, then convicted by plea on Sept. 27, 2023, of grand theft against all victims. He was ordered to pay back $9,402,678 in restitution and serve 10 years on probation. Hill is currently serving time at FCI Oakdale and will be released March 22, 2037. Contributing: Amy Haneline, Maria Puente, Elise Brisco, Marisa Kwiatkowski and Tricia L. Nadolny, USA TODAY
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Masked Singer' Reveals Identity of Yorkie: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume
'The Masked Singer' is a very different kind of reality show from 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.' But for Erika Jayne — unmasked as Yorkie on Wednesday night's edition of Fox's reality singing competition — it took 'zero convincing' to join. More from Variety 'The Masked Singer' Reveals Identity of Stud Muffin: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume 'The Masked Singer' Reveals Identity of Cherry Blossom: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume Garcelle Beauvais Quits 'Real Housewives' After Five Seasons: 'I've Decided to Leave Beverly Hills' 'Why wouldn't I?' she told Variety. 'Did you see my costume? It was absolutely adorable. 'The Masked Singer' is a top-notch production. It was probably one of the best times I've ever had performing and doing a show like this. Why not take this great opportunity?' For Yorkie, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg got it right with Erika Jayne. Robin Thicke guessed Lori Loughlin. Rita Ora named Paris Hilton. Ken Jeong went with Kyle Richards. Jayne said performing in the costume was the most challenging part, as 'the mask was quite heavy, and the boots were big. The real challenge was singing in time, in tune, hitting the choreography without crashing or falling over.' As for the fact that McCarthy-Wahlberg — a 'Housewives' superfan — figured her out, 'I have a very distinct voice, and you can only hide it for so long.' Jayne's appearance on 'The Masked Singer' comes as she and fellow 'Housewives' star Bozoma Saint James created some controversy on 'Watch What Happens Live.' When host Andy Cohen asked the duo about the exit of castmate Garcelle Beauvais, their silence – and then catty answers – drew backlash from fans. 'Listen, I was responding to Garcelle's previous week, where she said, 'Fuck Erika,'' Jayne said. 'My response is my response.' Erika Jayne as Yorkie joins Method Man as Stud Muffin, Candace Cameron Bure as Cherry Blossom, James Van Der Beek as Griffin, Flavor Flav as Space Ranger, Sheana Shay as Bat, Aubrey O'Day as Ant, Oscar de la Hoya as Fuzzy Peas and Cedric the Entertainer as Honey Pot as the celebrities unmasked on 'The Masked Singer' Season 13. 'Decades Night' was also the Group C finale, which kicked off with the three remaining performers singing 'My Sharona,' by the Knack. Later, the first singer who moved on to the 'Lucky Six' was Mad Scientist Monster. That left Yorkie and Nessy to face off in the Battle Royale, as they too turns performing 'Hard to Handle,' by Otis Redding. Nessy won that round, sending Yorkie home. That means the 'Lucky Six' has now been chosen: Group A winners Coral and Paparazzo, Group B winners Pearl and Boogie Woogie, and Group C winners Mad Scientist Monster and Nessy. Back for Season 13 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Rita Ora and Robin Thicke. Ora was at the desk for a third consecutive season to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger. New this season, a mysterious masked character dubbed 'Detective Lucky Duck' will appear throughout the season to give clues and help the panelists 'quack' the case of who's under the masks. This week, Season 3 contestant Bret Michaels appeared to give a clue for Nessy: 'I have rocked out with this person many times. If you don't get this one, I'll be shocked.' Later, Lucky Duck showed up with the Golden Ear trophy, noting that it will be back in play for the panelists (whomever has the most correct guesses this season will win). Also new: The 'Crack the Case' clue cases, in which more clues are shared about the eliminated contestant. For Yorkie, the clue was a pair of black knee-high boots. 'These lucky boots are custom made for me. My show boots, they're made for walking. They got me through a whole lot. Wherever I go, even the biggest Strip.' 'The Masked Singer' Season 13 themed episodes include a tribute to franchises 'Shrek' and 'Ghostbusters,' as well as the Grand Ole Opry as it hits its 100th anniversary. Also on tap are a tribute to the Rat Pack and themes such as 'Voices of Olympus: Unmasking of the Gods,' 'Carnival,' 'Boy Bands,' 'Decades,' 'Lucky 6 Speed Guessing,' a 'Clash of the Masks' and the return of 'Soundtrack of My Life.' Masked contestants in Season 13 include Honey Pot, Space Ranger, Cherry Blossom, Coral, Fuzzy Peas, Ant, Paparazzo, Griffin, Boogie Woogie, Pearl, Bat, Yorkie, Stud Muffin, Nessy and Mad Scientist Monster. Here were the performances on Wednesday's Episode 9, 'Decades Night': Song: 'Stop! In the Name of Love,' by the Supremes Panel guesses: Lori Loughlin, Kyle Richards, Erika Jayne Time machine clue: 'Show Dog.' 'I'm a show dog. I'm part of one of the biggest TV shows out there.' Yorkie voiceover: 'I chose the '60s because they remind me of my mom. I instantly picture her as a young woman, falling in love and getting married. That white picket fence dream of the decade. But just a few years later when I was born, it all fell apart when my dad walked out. Leaving my mom to raise a baby on her own. It was never the same. She used her pain as a cautionary tale. She taught me to be guarded with my heart and keep love on a short leash. To think things over. Because every chance at love was a bigger chance at heartbreak. So I grew up fast. Some would say I was cold. And I resented that part of myself for many years. I've had to learn how to let people in. And after my own mess with love, I can now appreciate where my mom was coming from. She was just trying to protect me. So this song's for her, my ultimate protector.' Previous voiceover: 'When this New Yorkie broke onto the scene, baby I was adored. Until I found myself wrapped up in a major scandal, paying for someone else's choices, someone I loved. My name was in the news, the gossip sites, even on the billboards around town. And let's be real, I was dragged through the dirt. But I stayed true to myself and did everything I could to keep my chin up. I'm most proud of that. And as it always does, the truth came out. Life can be messy. Love can be messier. But you can also survive. Once you have a strong foundation, you can rebuild step by step and come out stronger. And I'm proof of that.' Previous songs: 'Hot To Go!,' by Chappell Roan; 'Step By Step,' by New Kids on the Block Previous panel guesses: Chelsea Handler, Paris Hilton, Kyle Richards, Teresa Giudice, Paris Hilton, Erika Jayne Song: 'Love Yourself,' by Justin Bieber Panel guesses: Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Billy Ray Cyrus Time machine clue: 'Season 4.' 'I've performed with someone from Season 4.' Mad Scientist Monster voiceover: 'I chose the 2010s because they were lit. Electric cars hit the roads and smart phones hit the stores. It's one of the best decades of my career. It seemed like I could conquer the world. I won every award possible, except that Nobel prize. But I didn't do it alone. And while we had a good run together, it didn't last forever. We had very different theories on life. I wanted to explore new avenues, and keep our grand experiment going. But we never tested that hypothesis, so I ventured out on my own. At first I was mad. But life rolls on. And one I went out on my own, I found I quite liked I was in control of my results. Now, I realize I learned a major lesson. Sometimes chemistry changes and that's OK. And, not everybody's going to love you, and that's OK too. As long as you love yourself.' Previous songs: 'Unwell,' by Matchbox Twenty; 'I Swear,' by All-4-One Previous panel guesses: Luke Combs, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban Song: 'Can't Fight This Feeling,' by REO Speedwagon Panel guesses: Dave Matthews, Daryl Hall, Pat Monahan Time machine clue: 'Bieber & Puth.' 'They're just a couple of kids who famously covered my music. And I got to score some cool dad points.' Nessy voiceover: 'The 80s, a decade of mullets, MTV and camcorders. That's why I chose it. Back then you'd blast a love song from a boom box outside your crush's bedroom window just to let them know how you feel. And for me, growing up there was one band blasting from my boom box. The mighty REO Speedwagon. I even got to open for them. Their music taught me how to put lyrics to the feeling of love. Something I became known for in my career. Valentine's Day is practically my Super Bowl. God only knows how many couples have walked down the aisle to my song. When it came time for me to say my own I dos, you better believe there was one band that made the playlist: REO Speedwagon. So tonight I'm honoring them. And I can't fight the feeling anymore that I'd really like to go on in this competition.' Previous song: 'Roxanne,' by The Police; 'Tearin' Up My Heart,' by *NSYNC Previous panel guesses: Gene Simmons, Dan Reynolds, Daryl Hall, Dave Matthews, Darius Rucker, Pat Monahan In Season 12, Boyz II Men (as the Buffalo) won the Masked trophy, beating out Mario, as the Wasp, who was this season's runner-up. They joined AJ Michalka as Strawberry Shortcake; Kobie Turner as Goo, Jana Kramer as Royal Knight, Bronson Arroyo as Sherlock Hound, Drake Bell as Ice King, Bethany Hamilton as Macaron, Natalie Imbruglia as Bluebell, Laverne Cox as Chess Piece, Andy Richter as Dusty Bunny, Paula Cole as Ship, Marsai Martin as Woodpecker, Yvette Nicole Brown as Showbird and John Elway as Leaf Sheep as the celebrities unmasked on 'The Masked Singer' Season 12. 'The Masked Singer' comes from Fox Alternative Entertainment. Rosie Seitchik, Craig Plestis and Cannon are executive producers, while Seitchik serves as showrunner. The series is based on the South Korean format created by Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
NBC News
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Talking Shop with ‘The Traitors' star Dorinda Medley
Talking Shop is our series where we talk to interesting people about their most interesting buys. Dorinda Medley, former 'The Real Housewives of New York City' cast member, knows a thing or two about being on the go. She famously splits her time between her Massacushetts estate, Blue Stone Manor, and Manhattan, and most recently, Scotland for season three of 'The Traitors.' Amid her frequent travels, she's become a pro at packing. Her number one tip? Keep your toiletry bag fully stocked with the essentials at all times. 'If I'm going away for a weekend, I just pick it up, put it in my bag and then it gets replenished when I get back,' she says. 'You never know when a hot man is going to call and say 'meet me at the airport in two hours.'' The exact contents of Medley's Anya Hindmarch toiletry bag changes slightly here and there, but for the most part, it's filled with products she's used for years. 'Whenever I'm with famous makeup artists, really great hairstylists and people that are really in the business, they pull out the old stuff,' she says. 'There's a reason why the oldies never disappear, and people who really know their craft use them.' Below, I talked with Medley about her travel essentials, plus her go-to perfume hack, the foundation 'all the old Housewives' cast members wear and more. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray The number one thing Medley says every woman should have in her toiletry bag is this hairspray, which she buys in large and mini sizes. 'It's been around forever, and it truly is the best because it has a great hold and smell' she says. But Medley doesn't just use the hairspray to get rid of frizz and set styles — she says it doubles as a fabric-saver. 'You can spray hairspray on the collar or sleeve of your clothing, inside and out, and it will keep any makeup from catching,' says Medley. It's an alternative to wearing a makeup protector net over your head — the hairspray coats fabric without damaging it to prevent foundation, blush and other cosmetics from transferring when you get dressed post-application. 'I'm famous for my reading glasses,' says Medley, who carries three pairs with her whenever she travels. 'Reading glasses are a great statement, and they show that you're confident and you don't care. Inevitably, if not every day, every other day, someone asks me about my eyeglasses.' She loves buying pairs from Ryan Simkhai because they're around $30 and come in various colors, shapes and styles. 'If I go on holiday, I'll sometimes pack a crazy colored reading glass to match my outfit,' says Medley. 'I treat it like a belt. If I travel and I'm going to wear a Missoni jumpsuit, I'll take out a purple velour pair of reading glasses at dinner.' Neutrogena makes Medley's favorite makeup remover wipes, which she prefers buying individually packaged so they fit in all her bags. 'They're in every bag I have — they're practically in my medic bag,' she says. 'You never know when your mascara is going to slip, and if you have a little whoopsie when you're out, you can quickly fix it.' She also uses these wipes to remove stains when she gets makeup on clothes. Vanderbeek Designs Wearable Art Gallery Robe 'I think you need to make your hotel room feel like home, especially when you're filming, so I always bring my own bathrobe,' says Medley. She prefers lightweight styles instead of heavy, fluffy ones because they're better for lounging. Medley recently bought herself and her daughter these robes from Vanderbeek Designs, which she says don't wrinkle since they're made from polyester and spandex. 'After a nice shower, you can put on your robe and it gives you a moment to walk around and feel good about yourself, put on your lotions and potions, and get your makeup on,' she says. Bringing her favorite candle is another way Medley makes her hotel room feel like home. Her top pick is Harlem Candle Company's Speakeasy Luxury Candle, which has notes of palo santo, incense and dark chocolate. 'It elevates wherever you are,' she says. 'This Laura Geller foundation has been around for 100 years — all the old Housewives have this, I promise you,' says Medley. She started wearing the brand's makeup when she moved to New York and its store opened on Third Avenue in the early 90s. 'They didn't have places to get your makeup done back then, so when Laura Geller opened, you could go get your makeup done if you had something really special, like a wedding,' says Medley. 'All of us had this foundation, and it's still out, and it's still amazing.' Beyond her mascara and foundation, Medley brings Makeup Forever's HD Skin All in One Harmony 1 Palette on trips. 'If you don't want to bring a lot of makeup, you can just bring your mascara, foundation, a couple great lip glosses, lots of sunscreen and this little kit. I use it for my eyes, lips and all over my face.' 'I hate when I go to hotels that have dry heat, and a lot of times, you can't open the windows,' says Medley. 'I always have a humidifier on at home to create moisture, so I travel with this little tiny thing because it's so easy to carry. You can literally just take a water bottle out of the refrigerator, tip it in the humidifier and it starts misting.' 'Mascara is a savior for everything,' says Medley. 'You could look terrible, you could be hungover, you could have no makeup on… but you slap on mascara and a light gloss, and you're good to go.' In her eyes, L'Oreal Paris' Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara is unbeatable, but she also keeps Maybelline's Great Lash Waterproof Mascara on hand, too. 'A lot of times, I put on my mascara, and after it's dry, I put the waterproof mascara over it from the middle to the tip because it creates a nice hold,' says Medley. 'It keeps mascara from moving or smudging, and if you're on holiday, you can swim in it.' Batiste Original Dry Shampoo Because she washes her hair once or twice a week, Medley says she's a big believer in dry shampoo. 'It can really bring your hair back to life,' she says, but you have to apply it correctly. She flips her head over, sprays her hair from roots to tips, lets it sit for five minutes and brushes it. Then, she styles her hair with a curling iron or blow dryer. Since Batiste's dry shampoo comes in a pack of three, Medley likes that she can keep extras at home to restock her toiletry bag when she runs out. ' Vicks Vapor Rub and Vaseline — you could fight a war with those two products,' says Medley. 'It's magic.' She loves that it's multipurpose, so it gets rid of dry skin anywhere on her body, and she adds a few drops of essential oils to the jelly so it becomes a perfume of sorts. Medley has also made what she calls a 'perfume balm' with Vaseline and essential oils. 'I get a bunch of the little containers, fill them with essential oils and freeze them,' she says. 'They become like a perfume balm that's great if you don't want to carry around a whole bottle of perfume.' Medley uses all of Sio Beauty's silicone patches, like those for the forehead, chest, lips and eyes. 'They're not cheap, but they're reusable, so if you take care of them, you can get your money's worth,' she says. 'I sleep with them, and as soon as I wake up in the morning, I do the ceremonious peeling off, hoping to God I look 29 again.' The patches help reduce the appearance of creases and expression lines in the skin to create a smoother overall look, according to the brand. Lumara Viso 'If you're going to invest in one thing, invest in a LED light mask,' says Medley, who never travels without hers. 'You'll get your money's worth if you think cumulatively, and as far as I'm concerned, it's as good as a facial.' Her go-to mask is this one from Lumara, and she has the matching panel, too, which she uses at home. Medley finds using the LED tools relaxing and rejuvenating, especially after busy days. 'Especially in beauty and health routines, you have to have stuff that's easy, efficient and well-packaged,' says Medley. 'If it's not, you're throwing it away. Her teeth whitener of choice is Snow's Diamond Series Whitening Strips, which she says actually stick to her teeth and don't cause tooth sensitivity. The strips slowly dissolve as you use them, so you can even wear them on the plane. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a reporter at NBC Select who covers topics like health, fitness, home and kitchen. I interviewed Dorinda Medley, former 'The Real Housewives of New York City' and 'Traitors' season 3 cast member, about the essential products she keeps in her toiletry bag.
