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Image: Official White House Flickr Stream
If you haven’t read the comments over on my Real Housewives of Washington, D.C. post, don’t worry. I’m about to hook you up with some dirt! Ever since the story broke that two potential cast members (Michaele Salahi and her husband Tareq) had crashed President Obama’s super VIP state dinner, randoms on the Internet have been finding that page and spilling some gossip. The Salahis were supposed to be on Larry King tonight, but have decided to hold out until they can get some money for their story.
I don’t blame them, since according to my commenters, they owe damn near everyone in D.C. money. The New York Times reports that even the salon where they filmed Michaele getting ready for the State Dinner, hasn’t been paid since 2002. It’s unclear whether the Salahis have been interviewed by authorities yet, it looks like they’re hiding out, since this stunt has turned them into the laughing stock of the crowd they so desperately wanted to be a part of, lumped in with stunts like Balloon Boy and the antics of fame-hungry reality couple Speidi.
And yes, the above photo is Michaele Salahi graciously meeting the President. For the rest of her State Dinner photos, check out Micahele’s Facebook, in case you’re just getting back to work from break and haven’t made your way there.
Here are a few choice comments from my Real Housewives of Washington, D.C. post:
From “Sheila:”
I used to work with Michaele at Nordstrom. She worked at the Chanel counter and ALWAYS talked about how she was a model but had no proof or pictures (not that she had to do that, but once you open the door people expect to see something) Anyway, her whole life seemed to be fake….especially her talking about how she was a cheerleader and a model. If you really were one then WHY would you feel the need to talk about it all the time AND why would you be working at Nordstrom in Tysons Corner!? She looks exactly the same as she used to anorexic and blonde.
From an anonymous commenter:
These people are well known in Washington DC as con artists. A few years ago they were well known for holding “Polo Events”, that were sponsored by Suntrust Bank and other institutions, to benefit various bogus charities. Then they pocketed all of the money donated by patrons and underwriters. They even stiffed the catering company that served the event for $150,000. That catering company is owned by Sheila Johnson (Salamander Hospitality), who is suing Tareq and Micheale. They crash parties pretty regularly in DC. They are scam artists of the highest order.
From “Lori Singer:” (this was posted a month before the State Dinner scandal)
Yes, it is true she worked at Nordstrom as a make up consultant for many years, she has claimed to be a “super model” though I am not sure whom has seen any of her “modeling work” that she has claimed she has done. Her modeling work is really a big question, besides her self promoting photos that she posts taken with some celebrities at certain events, which she wants to portray the image that she is “in” with them, when really she is taking a quick snap shot with the famous. Shall we say she is a “wanna be”? Fact is, they live way beyond their means & like to tell people things that are NOT true, too many have fallen in that spot, including BRAVO!!! They have NO owner ship of Oasis winery, it belongs to Durgham & Corinne Salahi, Tareq parents, the real web-site is http://www.Oasiswines.net the “other” web site is from Tareq & Michaele posing as the owners.They are always looking for investors to buy into the winery, well…how can you when they don’t own it! Bravo, look up ownership & land records! Look up modeling agencys & actual work done by Michaele Salahi. Also It is in black & white that they are under investigation for charity fraud! Bravo, there has been many articles on that! wake up!!! Your being “taken” like many others that they have used and choose not pay, vendors & employees & many others.
It is a sick and hurtful game on the expense of others. This does not make for good drama, it needs to be looked into BRAVO!! Your smarter then that! & where do they actually live? has anyone really seen their house? That can be looked up too! Michaele is not a role model, she is a mastermind of deception. Congrats!
What do you think of this mess? Will we even see Michaele on the show now?
Oh goodness, what a glorious mess! I kind of hope she does make it onto the show, even though Bravo would just be rewarding extremely bad behavior.
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I kind of hope she makes it onto prison!
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Here’s my take on it…They weren’t trying to kill the president, they were simply trying to be who they weren’t. Don’t send them to jail, let them go on the show, and please Bravo PLEASE make this into a two part episode so they have to relive the embarrassment over and over again. It’s a win-win-win situation, we get a guaranteed good season 1, Bravo makes up for the last Atlanta season, and the Salahi’s get punished in the worst way, embarrassment!
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Maria – true or not? I heard that there was a possibility if Bravo was in on the scam (their film crew was there) – knowing that the Salahis did not have a formal invitation (which Bravo should have checked), then Bravo may lose their FCC license. In my opinion, it is not only a question of the crashers possibly having concealed weapons (including chemical weapons), but that they showed the world how easy it was to get into a White House state dinner for for a foreign diplomat.
I really miss way back when Bravo was considered a cable channel that primarily aired independent and nostalgic films. Bravo has lost their reputation and is pretty much a media joke.
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@Rebecca – I agree – the biggest crime was showing the world and any potential terrorist how to crash a party that was state event.
I also fully believe that Bravo – or at least the film crew was in on it. Like I posted before the film crew would have also needed their own MEDIA PASS to get in – so they obviously lied to gain access. Just as guilty.
JAIL. Then Bravo can do a reality television from there.
I AM SICK AND TIRED THAT REALITY MEANS BREAK THE LAW… Balloon Boy – Gosselins w/o permits for filming a SCRIPTED SHOW and calling it a documentary… and the Octomom silliness.
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I used to be a viewer of Real Housewives but will not watch the show anymore after this Bravo-sponsored stunt.
Bravo should not be supported for making a mockery of our national security and placing our President at risk.
I am not entertained.
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From what I have read, Bravo was not filming at the White House. Bravo only filmed the couple getting ready and did not go onto White House grounds because they did not have the security clearance.
I am not sure I agree with the notion that Bravo was obligated to check the couple’s credentials for entraance into the WH. That really is for the Secret Service to do.
I do believe this is extraordinarily dangerous. No they did not bring guns in but there was a big breach of security at the WH. That alone is dangerous. Many in DC are still terrorized from 9/11. This is scary.
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Bravo should do the right thing and get them off of the Real Housewives of DC ASAP. You think the other housewives have credibility issues. This woman takes the cake.
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