The Real Housewives of New Jersey's bad girl
Danielle Staub speaks to JustCircuit
by JustCircuit's John Kater
Anyone who watches the popular Bravo show "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" might tell you that the Wicked Witch of the series is in fact Danielle Staub, who stirs the cauldron with each episode. Don't start dropping houses on Danielle just yet. Those who have met the actress-turned-singer-turned-GLBT activist might tell you otherwise. She recently charmed attendees of DESTINATION, a New York Pride weekend nightclub event at Pacha and in July appeared at the Ice Palace on Fire Island as she debuted her new dance track remixed by DJ/Producer Tony Moran and Giuseppe D. Her new hot dance track "Real Close" was written by friend, singer and songwriter Lori Michaels, whose own shows are considered "the stuff of lesbian legend" according to Curve Magazine (July/August 2008). Danielle and Lori recently appeared on Bravo for the television debut of Real Close, and immediately the rumors began that the duo was actually a couple, generating the kind of publicity you could never even pay to get if you wanted it. Other events keep Danielle in the news, whether it is her telling book The Naked Truth (released May 25), conflicts with her ex-husband or the infamous sex tape that has made its way around the world. Staub continues to march forward towards continued fame and success with new opportunities opening up to her with each passing week. She keeps a watchful eye on her children at all times, making them her #1 priority as any mother would do. In speaking with Danielle, one would surely wonder why anyone on the show would say "Karma is a bitch, but so is Danielle...." If this is true, "the bitch" deserves an Emmy as Best Actress. Time will reveal a full future for this modern-day Dorothy who so many refer to as the wickedest of any of the Housewives witches out there. When you meet her, you will see that the tables always turn.
JC: The Real Housewives of New Jersey has become quite the hit on Bravo, and you, Danielle, are perhaps the most well known personality on the show. People love to gang up against you and call you a bitch. Does this get tiring to you when you hear this at your appearances?
D: I don’t hear “that” at my appearances. Surprisingly, I only hear “that” when I watch the show with the rest of the world. And even more surprisingly, it’s usually just my cast mates’ opinions of me based upon their extreme, less than valid knowledge - of me and my life.
JC: In your recent appearance at the Ice Palace on Fire Island, you arrived to a drag queen talking trash about you on stage, and you put her in her place immediately. When the evening was over, people were saying how sweet you are. Does this surprise you? Do you hear this a lot?
D: I recognize that we all have “jobs” to do in this business and imitation and skits performed in my honor are all the highest form of flattery. You have to have thick skin in this business and not take things too personally, so I don’t think she was trashing- but, rather complimenting me. I know people are disappointed at times because when they meet me, they expect to see the “DANIELLE” they know from TV- so, I am not surprised that moments into meeting me, they see and finally meet the REAL me. Actions speak louder than words. And, I like to let that happen.
JC: Tell us about your new music release, written by lovely and talented songwriter Lori Michaels and remixed by DJ/Producer Tony Moran and Giuseppe D. Is this the start of something beautiful? No, we're not speaking of your dating Lori...we're speaking about the song!
D: The music is the beginning and end of everything for me. It’s the one place I could feel completely connected (and disconnected) all at the same time. Up until this point, my daughters were the only place where I could lose myself and be totally happy & at peace. Now, music gives me that seem feeling…just for me.
JC: The gay community is wild about you. They love the attitude, the scandal and even the recent gossip about you and Lori. Does knowing this make it easier for you to perform at the big GLBT resorts such as Rick Murray's Crown & Anchor in Provincetown or the Ice Palace on Fire Island?
D: I’ve always known my acceptance in the community. Having it validated at these GLBT hot spots (and others) is just another step at feeling at ease with myself and the places where I’ve called home. Yes, it does help, but it confirms for me what I’ve already known.
JC: What was the most ridiculous rumor you've heard circulated about yourself in the past year? Do you shield your kids from these rumors or do they simply ignore what they hear?
D: The most ridiculous rumor about myself that I heard is SO violent that I can’t even repeat. Yes, it does affect me and anything that does that affects my children as well. I shield my kids from as much as I possibly can, but sometimes things leak and it’s then that we will discuss it. No one knows me like my children do, so it’s never out of defense – it’s just to make sure that they feel at ease and are safe.
JC: Rumor has it that you've been approached by a network about featuring you in your own series. Whether this is true or not, would you consider spinning off your character in Real Housewives to do your own show?
D: Spin away, yes! Of course! (laughs)
DJ James Anthony with Danielle Staub
DESTINATION, Pacha NYC, Pride Weekend
JC: Your daughter is now a supermodel. Her mother is a super celebrity. There's a lot going on in your life these days. How will this affect the television show? Will you continue with all the irons in the fire or will you reach a point where you will need to make a choice as to the direction your future will take?
D: Thank you, first of all. Such a bold compliment, greatly appreciated. As for the show, I will continue – but for reasons that may not surprise you- I want a “spin off” of my own show – surfacing around and based upon all the work I am really doing- with me and my daughters’ lives and careers and all the drama (and excitement) that goes along with it all.
JC: If you had to be one character from the movie The Wizard of Oz, who would it be?
D: Dorothy.
To learn more about The Real Housewives of New Jersey, visit www.bravotv.com. Download Danielle's new track "Real Close" on iTunes. For more information on Lori Michaels, visit www.lorimichaelsmusic.com.
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