by Chandra Clewley

 

 

The endearing, “tell it like it is” Ramon Singer of The Real Housewives of New York City always seems to get caught saying something that pushes one of the other girls buttons. But, there is more to Ramona than her outspoken attitude. The mother, wife and businesswoman spoke to Reality Wanted today about what we can look forward to this season for her, why she and LuAnn get into it on the boat and why it is better to be forthcoming.

 

Q. Chandra, Reality Wanted: What can we expect for you this season?

A. Ramona: This season is all about Ramona renewing herself! I renew my look, my haircut, my body. And then, my relationships, the way I react to Jill and LuAnn. And my husband and I end up renewing our vows. I am married 18 years, can you believe it?

 

Q. Chandra, Reality Wanted: We see the subject of renewing your vows in the previews. How did that come about?

A. Ramona: I’m just evolving. My father passed away last January and we started filming about six months later. Something changed in me when he passed away, something evolved in me in the turn around. It’s good, it’s exciting and it’s all been fun.

 

Q. Chandra, Reality Wanted: How did you and your husband Mario, meet?

A. Ramona: He saw my butt at the gym on the Stairmaster. Later, I was at a restaurant in my neighborhood with my sister, and he approached me and asked if I was the girl that wore the outfit with the lime green trim on it. 

 

Q. Chandra, Reality Wanted: What happened to spur on the argument you have with LuAnn on the boat?

A. Ramona: What happened was LuAnn was trying to be condescending and had to comment on what my husband had said to her. His comment was made 8 weeks earlier. I really felt it was inappropriate to deal with it at that time, and I even said to her “I am sorry he hurt your feelings.” I mean, I recognized her feelings were hurt so I said I was sorry, I didn’t think it was his intention and asked if we could talk about it another time. And she just wouldn’t give it up, and then Jill chimed in and I really felt like I was being attacked. Here I am, the hostess, I had rented this beautiful boat for the day, it was all of my friends and I thought it was inappropriate. I just thought “you know, you are classless, you don’t follow your own rules.” Why now 8 weeks later does LuAnn bring it up?

 

Q. Chandra, Reality Wanted: Is the original altercation between Mario and LuAnn in the show or is that something that happened off camera?

A. Ramona: It happened off camera, at polo. We are at polo with some of our friends, and pictures are getting taken and LuAnn was about 10 feet away. Mario goes “Oh yeah, there’s the Countess, she is "count-less" now.” He didn’t say it in a mean, menacing way. She has a right to be upset, if she wants to be. You know what, one of the reasons I am happily married for 18 years is because I know when to pick my battles, and if someone has a problem with my husband, you don’t come to me.  We aren’t like Silex (referring to the name given to Simon and Alex), we aren’t joined at the hip. We are independent. 

 

Q. Chandra, Reality Wanted: I know you have been working on your skin line Tru Renewal, and your jewelry line. Will we be seeing a lot of that in this season?

A. Ramona: I am very proud. Some ladies like to lunch and some like to shop. I like creating businesses. I show on the first episode my jewelry for HSN. I also have a store on Amazon.com and it will be in a few stores. Part of the reason why I have done these things is to show my daughter. I believe women should empower women. My mom pushed me in the direction of being independent and making my own money. Avery gets involved; she helped me with the logo for the skin care line. 

 

Q. Chandra, Reality Wanted: There are two new girls on the show. Did you know either one of them before the show?

A. Ramona: I adore Sonja, I can’t say enough good things about her. I never met Jennifer before and I didn’t really have too many dealings with her while filming. Sonja, I have known for 20 years. We were in the Hamptons together, we went to the same charity events, the same lunches, and we knew each other. She’s independent, she is not intimidated by other women, she likes to have fun, she’s a hard worker, she’s a good mother, she has a great attitude, she tells it like it is like I do, but maybe with a softer edge.

 

Q. Chandra, Reality Wanted: Have you always had the type of personality where you are forthcoming and you do "tell it like it is"? It has gotten you into some trouble on the show.

A. Ramona: Um, yes. I think this year, for whatever reasons, I think, I am handling things better. I still have altercations. But you know, when I say things I am doing it to be forthright, not to be mean or malicious. I think when LuAnn says things she can come across very condescending to make herself look better. I don’t do that. Isn’t it better for someone to tell you something in front of you, then behind your back? I don’t gossip about people. If I have a problem, then I will tell them, and then we talk about it and it's over and done.

 

Q. Chandra, Reality Wanted: We see you in the Hamptons a lot in addition to New York City. Do you own a home there?

A. Ramona:  I own my Hamptons home. I bought that home when my daughter was 6 months old. I bought my apartment in Manhattan too. It’s a 2500 square foot beautiful 4 bedroom, it’s very grand and beyond stunning.  I was always self made, and I had money before I married my husband. At the time that we were about to be married, I was looking for the house in the Hamptons and we waited until we were married. The house is south of the highway, on the water, 7000 square feet, which is bigger than Jill’s was, it takes your breath away. The gardens are gorgeous; they flower nonstop from May to September. I’m really into my surrounding, I decorated my home and I planned the construction to make it look pre-war. I did all the upholstery. 

 

Q. Chandra, Reality Wanted: I think everyone is really looking forward to watching this season.

A. Ramona: Let me tell you something about this season! You are going to see Alex break out in a personality that you never knew existed. You have Jill who implodes and then Kelly explodes at the end. It is so beyond, beyond beyond! I just watched the first episode with my daughter and we just kept saying “Oh my God!”