Tag Archives: Bravo TV

A$A SOLTAN RAHMATI – PERSIAN POP PRIESTESS

It seems that I’ve become quite the go-to for anything Persian culture these days! Exaggeration – yes, perhaps. But having the unique opportunity to connect with both Reza Farahan and now the gorgeous Asa (always seen as A$A in print) Soltan Rahmati from Bravo TVs Shahs of Sunset via the Internet gives me a personal glimpse inside their glamourous and increasingly popular worlds of Persianity. I was amazed at the speedy return I received from these celebrities in getting the responses back. As Asa tweeted me back, “I do this boo.” Yes she does.

From the time I sent the Q/A to when I gathered them back in my inbox, I was simply impressed, truly. I know people are busy. When someone cares enough to get something completed like this, they’re aces in my book. Truly a class act. Both Asa and Reza! Like I do during interviews, I tend to quote verbatim what I’m given with very little change only for continuity. These are actually the generous stars replying back to me taking time to let fans in on a little bit of their true selves the cameras may not show. Genuine content and connection is very important to me. The fact that they trust me in giving of their time makes me feel very good.

Here’s what the goddess Asa Soltan Rahmati had to say about loosing her private life to reality TV, the difference between becoming a pop star and PPP – Persian Pop Priestess and how equality and human rights are very important to her! With the whirlwind networking of social giant Twitter, we’ve become fast friends! She encourages her fans to follow her on Twitter @AsaSoltan for updates and current news!

Steven Michael – Thanks so very much for doing this, both the Q/A and the Picture Me Happy charity benefit on May 20 at ACE Hotel Swim Club. Founder Tim Courtney is so looking forward to seeing you and Reza. Glad it’s worked out that you will be involved, too! Are you excited?!

A$A Soltan Rahmati – I just watched the Picture Me Happy video on YouTube and I am thrilled to support and be part of it!

I’ve been checking out your iTunes page of music. Loving it very much. Especially “Diamond Water.” The groove is very my feeling. How hard has it been to stay true to your culture in the process of becoming a pop star and not conform? We saw a bit of your struggle on the show.

I’m a PPP- Persian Pop Priestess and a Gypsy Jetsetter, so I stay true to my personal culture 100%. The world raised me and I’m a universal being. While laying new ground for Persianity, I very much am a citizen of the world and know that other international gypsies feel my movement. :)  ’Diamond Water’ is very close to my heart. Am sooo jazzed about shooting the video for it this summer. Am also working on actually bottling my Diamond Water… because everywhere I go, people ask me for it.

Give me a glass of it! I love anything where bling is involved! However, I do have one question to ask. And I really need your answer on this. Whatchu know about gold? I had to go there! The song’s main chorus hook was in my head all evening! Does that describe your lifestyle? “GOLD” your newest track, right?

TALA!!! Hahaha… Actually ‘GOLD’ is the very first song I every made. I just never released it. Recently we shot and premiered the music video for it. The feedback I’ve gotten from it has been so amazing. I’ve always had lots of gold around me since I was a little girl. In Iran, for birthdays we used to get a gold bangle from family… and that adds up you know. The epic Persianity summer jam ‘Tehrangeles’ is my newest track.

Your music seems to find many rhythms and beats which is very refreshing. It has many unique sounds to it but it does stay very true to your Persian culture. I’m digging it! How do you like Palm Springs? Do you make it down often and what parts of the desert do you simply adore?

I love Palm Springs. Mid-century modern architecture, desert, palm trees, kaftans, gold, and pools… my kinda scene. Growing up in L.A., I’ve been coming to this lovely desert dream since I was a teenager. Plus I was born in a small desert town in Iran, so I have a very special relationship with the sun and the springs.

When the cameras and lights are off and viewers aren’t gawking into your life that’s displayed on TV, what is Asa doing and wearing? Do you ever have down time that is pure relaxation without the need of image control and angles, if you know what I mean?

Absolutely. I DO ME, on or off camera! When we’re not shooting, I’m creating, whether it’s music, videos, paintings, installations, traveling and taking photos, visiting distant bazaars finding treasures, BBQing with my family, biking to the beach, dancing, hitting up the farmers market and cooking up a storm, writing, reading, learning new stuff.

We have to keep going with our creativity or simply shrivel up and not exist. That’s me, too! I’ve always got something on the burner trying to happen. What’s the biggest challenge about shooting reality TV? I’d imagine it would be privacy. I’d die not having music playing everywhere.

Yea the music thing was a big one for me. It made me realize that my life ALWAYS has a soundtrack. Privacy is also tuff because not everyone in your life wants to be on TV.

Do you realize you have a growing gay fan base? People are very excited to meet you at Picture Me Happy’s benefit on May 20. I bet you turn the heads of both men and women more than you know! You and costar Reza Farahan on Bravo TVs  Shahs of Sunset seem to have a great bond! We really do enjoy watching the show!

I’ve always had very, very close friends who are gay. And being an artist and living ‘outside the box’ always, I’ve been very curious and active about gay rights. A few years ago my mom and I went to a conference at UCLA about gay refugees from Iran and being a political refugee myself I completely felt the pain. There were lawyers present who represent gay men and women who fled Iran and sought asylum here. There is so much violence against homosexuals in the world. I am perplexed and disgusted that in the year 2012 we are still talking about gay rights, which by the way in my point of view is a HUMAN rights issue. Reza is my boi, LOVE him. We have so much fun together and a beautiful connection.

Beauty and brains, my love! You’re stunning for this. Asa, THANKS! THANKS! THANKS! I’m so sorry I’m going to be away visiting my Mom in Tennessee during the event and will be missing meeting you in person. Thrilled we could do this for my blog and for promotion for Splash into Summer Bash at ACE Hotel Swim Club for Picture Me Happy beforehand. Best luck with the music and Shahs of Sunset!

Have a great time with your Mom, Steven! :)
Much Love to you. 

For more Asa Soltan Rahmati check out this gem of a blog find on the wonderful Tamara Tattles. The posting is very in-depth and her juicy website gives quite the grease when it it comes to everything reality TV. No Tea – No Shade. It’s the One.

THE REALITY OF REZA FARAHAN

I do fancy myself a creative blogger and word choreographer featuring fierce and fabulous dish and dirt happening in pop culture today. From celebrity news to reality jewels, I tackle topics not seen just anywhere. If it catches my eye, I love sharing my findings. If you’re still reading, then you’ve taken the bait. But wait, there’s more!

Coming May 20 to the ACE Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs is celebrity photographer (and dearest confidant) Tim Courtney’s annual charity event Splash into Summer Bash for Picture Me Happy benefiting terminally ill children in California. Monthly, Tim takes a group of selfless giving people to hospitals and offers the wonderful children a photography lesson with cameras and parents involved. This year’s main event has grown leaps and bounds from last year and promises to be the talk of Palm Springs in the next few weeks.

Persian stud muffin Reza Farahan from Shahs of Sunset on Bravo TV will be playing host with the most, along with gorgeous cast member Asa Soltan Rahmati and our very own reality wonder from Project Runway: All Stars Michael Costello. Music will be delivered by famed British DJ Eur-O-Steve with pulsating beats and handwaving by dance floor fillers without bright fabric fans occupying their hands. There’s an open bar, a fun photo booth and outrageous raffle items up for grabs. Bring your swim gear and splash in the pool to cool off from the man heat! Shirtless hunks and bikini-wearing girls unite for one great cause!

Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts with a trip home to Nashville to see Mom, my media pass will stay pristine and virgin for I’ll be unable to attend the benefit. Sad faces all around. I was shattered when I realized the event and trip were colliding. I’m excited about going home but I was also excited about tugging on Reza’s mustache in person. I find him super sexy and his this-is-me-deal-with-it-love-me attitude very attractive. I really do. Maybe we’ll connect in Los Angeles soon for a cocktail. But not this time. Again, frowns and pouts from my end. But I digress…

Luckily with the power of immediacy on the social network giant Twitter, I got in contact with Reza and bing-bam-boom he agreed to do an interview with me via the Internet before he arrived for hosting duties at ACE on the 20th. I was surprised and thrilled at the quick timeliness of Mr. Farahan’s responses. We stayed in contact and he replied within the week. I know he is busy running Sunset Boulevard and am gracious for his time. I quoted Reza verbatim with only slight changes for continuity. Here’s what we discussed!

Steven Michael – Your mustache is everything! It’s taken on a celebrity of its own. How is fame feeling with Shahs of Sunset getting such great attention?

Reza Farahan - My mustache is on ‘fire’ (wink,wink) and he couldn’t be happier with the attention he’s been getting lately. He and I are both thrilled that we have this platform and that we’re able to use it to bring awareness to homosexuality/homophobia in the Persian community.

How has the Persian community been in response to the show? Do they feel it’s an appropriate impression of the brotherhood and lifestyles and clear representation?

We’ve gotten mixed reviews from the Persian community. But I have to tell you that I could care less what the Persian community thinks. There are truly no 6 people of any community that can represent the entire community at large. I represent myself, period. The only people that I care about are the Persian/Middle Eastern youth that are struggling with their sexuality. I wanted to give them a voice and show them that you can exist, be strong, successful and accepted by your friends, family and the community. The Persians that make up my community are entitled to their opinions. The beauty is that I can count the number of people who’s opinion matter to me on 2 hands.

I really find your answers so honest and refreshing, Reza. Thank you! What do you find inviting about Palm Springs? You’ve been here recently for a few events and will be hosting the benefit for Picture Me Happy. Do you enjoy your visits here?

I absolutely adore everything about Palm Springs. It’s not just a place, it’s more like a lifestyle. I find that as soon as I get on the 111, I relax. The people, the mountains, the architecture, the weather, the restaurants, the hotels and especially the pool at the ACE Hotel (Not to mention their peanut butter pie), I LOVE IT ALL!!!!! I could see myself living there full-time at some point.

We’ll have to stay in touch for when you come back next time! What’s the biggest misconception about filming reality television? Do you feel the show’s editing represents you and your friends according to truth or is it sensationalized any? And when the cameras and bright lights are off, how different are you than when you are actually being filmed?

I can honestly say that the Reza you see on TV, is the same Reza that exists in his everyday life 24/7. The thing about reality TV is that they shoot for a certain number of months and edit out the mundane or boring. But everything you see on our show organically happened in real life. I am as opinionated and loud in my everyday life, as I am on ‘Shahs Of Sunset.’

How does the Iranian community view homosexuality?

The Iranian community thus far has ignored homosexuality. They act like it doesn’t exist and if it ‘pops up,’ they try to make it go away. I thought that by being my authentic self on this show, and knowing that the entire community would watch, that I would force people to talk about homosexuality in our Iranian community. ‘Here I am people, I exist, now deal with it.’

Finally, what kind of man would you want to spend your long life with? Will he have a mustache, too?

Great question. For some reason, I am drawn to tall, lean white guys, with or without facial hair. I think it’s because that is the exact opposite of me? But that’s just the physical component. My soul mate would need to be confident, kind, smart and he’d need to challenge me and keep me stimulated! ;-)

(that’s one lucky girl…!)

My appreciation to my buddy Reza Farahan for giving us a glimpse of the reality he calls life. I encourage everyone to attend the Splash into Summer Bash for Picture Me Happy event and meet Reza in person. And give his mustache a good tug for me! You know, for the kids…

“REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS” UNRAVEL

I’m just catching up on my television from being away South and WOW! What I’ve seen astounds me to many degrees. Recently on Andy Cohen’s Bravo TV the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills had a showdown of shows between the beyond fragile Taylor Armstrong and D.D., a close friend of too passive Camille Grammer. With the footage we see today in actuality was shot six months ago so we know now the sad demise of the marriage of Taylor Armstrong and Russell, and his unfortunate suicide that sadly followed.

The episode that recently aired first showed highlights (poor choice of words) from the previous episode where Camille passionately called Taylor out at Lisa Vanderpump‘s tea party for privately confiding in the girls about the domestic abuse she was suffering but not wanting to talk about it public or come clean about the truth. The sad look on Taylor’s face spoke truckloads of remorse and an inner knowledge of that here she was living her worst nightmare on national television and she couldn’t do a thing about it. However… Bravo TV could have. And hasn’t.

I understand that the ladies are under contract and only them and those close to the situation of reality shows really know what goes on or is used or allowed to use, etc. It’s all used for the creation of conflict and drama and hopefully (or hopefully not) resolution. If you have read this far then you saw the episode so the details are basic. The Housewives gather at Brandi’s friend’s beautiful home for wine drinking and plenty of it, delicious food and a Kyle-focused belly dancing lesson by another confidant of newcomer Brandi. Lisa smartly stayed away as did Kim “She doesn’t exist to me (Brandi)” Richards.

Taylor still sore from the brutal confrontation with Camille was already edgy seeing the former Mrs. Kelsey Grammer in such an open setting. Camille brought back-up friends who were concerned about the situation between the girls and got quite involved in the chaos that ensued. As the cameras rolled, the film captured a screaming match match between Taylor and Camille’s friend D.D. about what went down at Lisa’s and how Camille had tried to reach out. Then Linda Thompson is trying to get everyone to calm down by being spiritual and all the-world-is-beautiful with Adrienne Maloof shouting “STOP!” to everyone trying to get people out of Taylor’s face who was clearly breaking down. Then Kyle, Taylor’s sidekick for the night, trying to protect her is dragging her around the beach deck while the circus escalates and the overconsumption of wine takes over emotion and rationality.

Brandi pulls the plug on the scene and tells Taylor to leave which is answered by a “F! You!” from her and I was surprised the cameras didn’t trip over themselves by trying to get their shots from the best angles to catch each tear and squeal. It was a hot mess unfolding on our screens. Everyone goes their separate ways back to Beverly Hills and Brandi cries into her friend’s arms “I just wanted to fit in and do something good.’

Now, in my opinion… Camille should have spoke up and asked Taylor can we just get away from all of them. Walk with me, please. Take my hand. Or something. Brandi shouldn’t have handled it like that but it was a mess that couldn’t be contained so she was respecting her friend, I suppose. Adrienne is always the mediator and luckily she was there to spray some cooling water of reason on the fire that raged among the boozy gals of RHOBH. It was like my friend MacGizmoGuy said, DRUNK. WOMEN. BEHAVING. BADLY.

It’s exploitive the way Russell has been portrayed between suicide prevention commercials and domestic violence awareness clips that were present towards the first of the season but seem to have disappeared now. I doubt Bravo TV would have ever thought about airing such adverts if they weren’t about to exploit the situation at hand. It could have been handled differently and that’s my opinion. More tastefully. I understand that it’s “reality” but unless Taylor was alright with showing it I feel it could have been edited. Where is the line drawn?!

I can’t help but feel for Taylor Armstrong but in the same breath it’s not my private life being played out on camera and I’m thankful for that. To each his/her/their own and encourage to everyone to realize that if there were no us then there’d be no them. Think about it… As the Pussycat Dolls sing in When I Grow Up, “Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.” I hope anyone wanting more realizes that.

NYC HOUSEWIVES SMACKDOWN

OK Bravo TV, you’ve got us! Alrighty Andy Cohen, you better work. Last evening I sat amazed at the spectacle of the first half of the Real Housewives of NYC Reunion. You see friends, this nasty cougarfight was ninety minutes and even has part-two coming next week. Bravo is sure to squeeze in that advertising, err, I mean clearing-up of things and are willing to go the extra mile to their banks, I mean for faithful viewers. Am I being catty? Not anymore than the seven Housewives that sat across from each other last evening and slayed one another deeper than the one before. And no, the previews of Most Elligable Dallas do not make me want to watch that Texas mess. Quickly on that, I didn’t see one thing in the preview of MED that I believed. But back to the women…

From our view, it was the Brunettes vs. the Blondes with Master Cohen as head ringleader. It looked like a commercial for smooth legs on our left as Cindy, Kelly, Jill and the Countess sat legs crossed, smooth and tanned to perfection. The blondes of Alex, Sonya and Ramona seemed comfortably spread across their couches all in their own space. Andy sitting grinning his money-making show-producing Bravo-running cheese and we were off and bitching.

I took notes in my head but at one point, well, at many points the ladies (if I can use that term after seeing the immature way they acted) talked so over one another you had to decide which dialogue you were going to follow. Issues were dealt with and problems un-resolved. Many agreed to disagree. Everyone spoke passionately and intently. A few got caught in lies. Some regretted what was once said and caught on camera. The topic of former Housewives alum Bethenny made many cameos at one point through their conversation as if they wanted to discuss what she had become. Let’s see if I can get most of what I saw last evening…

Sonya cried and was comforted my Alex but not after Kelly told her she, Alex not Sonya, was on the Crazy Train. A bitchy Cindy just happy to be finally speaking basically told the Countess LuAnn to sit back and shut up as she read Sonya for reading her for taking a selfish conference call during the middle of her toaster oven brunch. Jill sat quietly for a bit with her liquid face lift that Ramona had to point out in between digs between this one and that one. Whew! It was really hard to keep up with this immature show of the NYC elite. I really enjoy the show but last evening’s reunion made me wonder how they can act like they do and then think it’s alright. Ramona and Jill made loser faces and noises at one another like little girls. When Jill did speak up she re-calls Alex a “Effen Bitch.” (PG-13 here!) and Kelly tried to play “Peacekeeper” while Andy, LuAnn and Jill all shot her down back into the sofa.

The entire thing was a hot mess and I was speechless, at times. If time allowed I’d get more into it but if you follow the show then you know what went down in SoHo that evening. However, ending on an highnote, the RHNYC is one of the better in the franchise. That doesn’t mean for Bravo to run out and cast Real Housewives of Boulder. RHDC, who?

THE BLONDE SQUAD HOUSEWIVES

The Real Housewives of Orange County could also be named “The OC Blonde Brigade” since our five fierce felines all have blonde hue and lots of it layered, full and luxurious. This season standout is Tamra Barney who has split from her controlling, however, sexy (now-ex) husband Simon and is dating a Latin hottie (hate that word) named Eddie. Tamra seems to be having the time of her life smiling and being fabulous, especially in that bathtub. Calientè! She gives me UK songbird Samantha Fox, at times, which is good. Naughty girls need love, too! I have always liked her, but this season is hers.

Gretchen, who I saw perched with Slade in the VIP space at the Palm Springs White Party recently, can’t decide if marriage is right for her. If the show editors have their way, it doesn’t seem like the wedding aisle has been paved in their way anytime soon even though she turned it out for her parents to renew their vows. Career-focused Gretchie has been giving Slade hell for gaining a few pounds and he, as I would be, is over it. Gretchen stays clear of Tamra since the silly mace incident at Alexis’ a.k.a Jesus Barbie’s Botox and Spa party that sent her off into a praying frenzy.  Tamra does the same not causing waves because she’s happy with Eddie and can’t be bothered terribly about it all.

Vicki took just a minute or a few seconds more off from work and attended with Tamra who wanted to give Gretchen a little payback for an evil eye comment episodes past. The entire party went swimmingly other than a seemingly jealous lesbian fitness trainer Fernanda getting in Tamra’s face about missing her “Welcome to America” party. No one wanted (or they had just had it done) botox so Alexis stepped up as gracious hostess and got a few injections since it was there. She is gorgeous but that whole opening montage about “God, family and my body is sinful” is silly and redundant to me.

At the end of the Spa party, Tamra pulled out mace with Vicki and made a joke about not having to use it referring to Gretchen. Jesus Barbie (love that!) didn’t find it amusing afterwards even though she nervously laughed at it during the time. I’m sure she prayed for all involved including new-boobs Peggy in hopes she’d go bigger in size with her own doctor. Judgement comes in many forms, even among good friends. This is just a taste of what’s going down this season in Bravo TVs Orange County.

Amen.

ATLANTA HOUSEWIVES REUNITE 2

And in Part Two of the Real Housewives of Atlanta Reunion, the condescending eye-rolling continued and tears were a’flowing by more than one of our housewives. Ringmaster Andy Cohen continued his modest moderation of the strong-willed ladies as the pauses after dramatic moments of confrontation increased in time and awkwardness. Andy, cameramen and die-hard viewers sat on the edge of leather couches waiting for reaction or resolution from and between the women. Here’s the continuing scoop…

Video clip montages including solo arcs of Phaedra and Sheree, parenting, Chi Chi LaRue introducing Kim at the White Party Tea Dance, Housewives dishing other Housewives and of course, NeNe and Kim being chummy and sisters forever at the beginning of the season and by the finale only screaming at one another. Kandi honestly confessed that she hadn’t received much royalty from Kim for that musical miracle “Tardy For the Party” and the tears poured down. Kim played stupid and again I saw her as such a joke. NeNe refused to apologize for getting in Kim’s face on the tour bus and doubtful they’ll speak anytime soon. Who knows?! What I do know is that it makes for great television and is ratings gold for Bravo TV. Oh, and the girls were questioned about their “Freak Number.” Again, producers weep with joy.

By the end of the reunion Andy went around and asked the gals what they were up to in the future. Sheree tried to convince us, and perhaps herself, that her clothing line (and I use that generously) SHE by Sheree would be relaunched. When asked when, she replied casually, “Soon.” Yawn. NeNe is on The Celebrity Apprentice this season on NBC and got two plugs in for the show. NeNe looked good. Got to give it to the girl. Kim will be giving birth soon and I’m shocked they haven’t worked out a spinoff show for her. Kandi admitted to having a sextoy line coming out. Cynthia wants to open a modeling agency. However, it’s the only thing that escaped me from the episode until I asked my husband what she had said. She looked beautiful, though. Phaedra had the shocker of the evening when she announced that she had purchased a funeral home. She sealed the deal by delivering the line of the evening when looked at Andy Cohen and offered, “Let me bury you.” Priceless. Another season of southern entertainment consumed and we have enjoyed because of it. Thank You Ladies.

ATLANTA HOUSEWIVES REUNITE

Since we know how Bravo TV and their head “Maven of Mayhem” Andy Cohen likes to milk these Real Housewives reunion shows and the franchise in general, this will obviously be the first of a two-part recap of the Real Housewives of Atlanta Reunion. In a word it was awkward. Last evening while fighting against the boring Grammy Awards for precious audience and airtime the Housewives gathered at the Aquarium in Atlanta in what I could only call an uncomfortable set of chairs. Where was the glamour?! In their shoes, for sure. Christian Louboutin for most of the divas anchoring the therapist of the hour-plus event, Mr. Cohen himself. Where were the cocktails?! I bet that would have sent things a blaze in Atlanta once again.

Kim was wigged out of her mind, as usual, with pink gloss painted across her lips, to match what Andy did nail on the head, the fact that she does cake makeup on. Sorry Kim, you do, girl. But, in Kim’s defense, why the hell not?! She is on television and is in her own right famous so why not paint a mug and pout? Kim was sitting opposite rival NeNe Leakes who was looking killed down by the entire situation. They competed for eye-roller of the night, obviously disgusted  with what one another said throughout the show. I loved every minute of it. Poker-Faced NeNe was dressed to impress with an off-the-shoulder grey stretch top and again, lovely shoes. Sheree sat on the outskirts as did Phaedra, who actually didn’t get on my nerves as she has in the past. Newlywed Cynthia looked stunning and was, as always, polite. I loved Kandi’s kicky hair-definitely-do and can’t wait to see her snap on Kim about how much she believes she is worth next round.

Many of the women called out one another for this or that. Phaedra nailed NeNe and she in turn would take a breath and bust Kim for something. Then another clip or two of someone else saying shit behind someone’s back. And pans to the girls watching themselves. All of them had to sit and watch cringe-worthy montages of their ugliest moments this past season. How awkward?! The show is obviously staged reality as all of them are. They all signed up for it for us to enjoy and them to become famous. Both parties have won because I consider it and the Beverly Hills Housewives the best in the growing and established franchise.

Other snaps were engaged. More cattiness and bitching ensued. And we the viewers were glued with bated breath. Thank heavens for DVR. I can’t wait for part-two next Sunday since as we faded out of last evening’s event, NeNe and Kim were snapping the house down. WERQ!