New York Housewives Want To Make You Sweat

The stars of Real Housewives of New York City get plenty of exercise shopping, pointing fingers, flipping their hair and catfighting. But sometimes, they've got to do a little bit more to really feel the burn.

Out promoting NBCUniversal's Healthy Step-a-Thon in Times Square, Kelly Bensimon, Jill Zarin, Ramona Singer, Alex McCord, Cindy Barshop and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps opened up about the workout and diet routines they follow to maintain their—love 'em or hate 'em—toned and slim selves.

"I do work out a lot compared to some people," LuAnn says, describing her Pilates-tennis-crosstraining routine.

And whether it's Ramona's attempt to work out in heels, Jill promoting her new line of shapewear or Cindy showing off her Jimmy Choo sneakers and emphasizing the importance of spray tans (instead of real ones) and drinking lots of water, all of the regimens sound about right for the Housewife in question.

"If I walk home, that'll be the best exercise ever, but I'll probably take a car service," laughed Jill.

"It's definitely bikini time, so it's not just about being fit, it's about looking hot," Kelly admitted.

Credit: E! Online (Natalie Finn)

Photos by Wire Image

McCord van Kempens: 'Judy Moody' Screening

Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen with their sons Francois and Johan attend the "Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer" screening at Museum of the Moving Image on May 21, 2011 in the Queens Borough of New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

McCord van Kempens: HomeGoods Opening

Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen attend the grand opening celebration of HomeGoods first Manhattan location at HomeGoods on May 19, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Zimbio

Photos by Jason Kempin/Getty Images North America

The NY Housewives Cast Could Be Replaced

Look out Jill, Ramona, LuAnn, and Alex -- according to a new report, you're all on the chopping block.

Bravo executives were so overwhelmed with the success of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills -- their season finale was the highest-rated episodes in Housewives history -- they're looking at revamping the NYC franchise with all super-wealthy women with over-the-top lifestyles.

Producers believe that the hotel-sized mansions, stretch limos, diamonds, private jets, and record-setting divorce settlements that are part of the Bev Hills housewives' world, that made the show so appealing. They think the NYC show would perform better with that same feel.

So if you have Adrienne Maloof of Camille Grammer-size bank accounts, live in Manhattan, and have always wanted to be on reality TV, you may be in luck, reports The New York Post.

"We're always casting for new housewives in every city," a Bravo rep conceded to The Post. Would the cable net do a wholesale housecleaning and start the NYC show over with an entirely new cast? "We've never done that before," is all the rep would say.

Credit: Radar Online

The McCord van Kempens Go For A Walk

Real Housewives of New York City star Alex McCord and her husband Simon Van Kempen take their sons Francois and Johan for a walk in New York City on May 7, 2011.

Credit: Zimbio

Photos by PacificCoastNews.com

The McCord van Kempens: "Design On A Dime"

Simon Van Kempen and Alex McCord attend 7th Annual Housing Works Design on a Dime charity shopping event at Metropolitan Pavilion on May 5, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

Alex McCord: Use Your Head Shop For A Cause

Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen attended the Use Your Head, Shop For A Cause benefit at 262 Mott Street on May 4, 2011 in New York City. She donated the dress she wore to Sonja's cocktail party.

Credit: Wire Image

Alex McCord Sounds Off On 'NYC Housewives'

Whether she's calling Sonja Morgan a "thug in a cocktail dress" or dressing down Jill Zarin for being a phony, the usually reserved Alex McCord has been killing us with her newfound chutzpah on Real Housewives of New York City. And she's no less cheeky when it comes to fielding our questions about life as a Housewife.

TV Guide Magazine: Gotta say, you are sassy this season!
McCord: [Laughs] I've always been empowered. It's just that now you're seeing it on TV.

TV Guide Magazine: Do you think your friendship with former Housewife Bethenny Frankel changed you?
McCord: My metamorphosis, if you want to call it that, had nothing to do with anything other than my being fed up. In the real world, it might be enough to think someone's an idiot. But on reality TV, you sort of have to beat them over the head with it. Otherwise, they don't know.

TV Guide Magazine: And who is the biggest idiot you have to deal with on the show?
McCord: I can't tell you! That's a spoiler!

TV Guide Magazine: Has it gotten old, always being filmed?
McCord: The more I do this, the more fun it's becoming. One thing that I think makes New York special is that we still have four original cast members left. What that means is whether we like each other or not, we have a shared history of four years. We know where each other's buttons are and how to push them. That makes for magical TV. All you have to do is get us in a room and turn the cameras on.

TV Guide Magazine: So after four years, would you consider any of your fellow cast mates real friends?
McCord: [Laughs] Some yes, some no. The entire group is one dysfunctional sorority. It's Kappa Kappa Housewives.

The Real Housewives of New York City airs Thursdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

Credit: TV Guide (Damian Holbrook)

Real Housewives of New York Sneak Peak

On tonight's episode of Real Housewives of New York City, Alex McCord starts her career as a celebrity model — only Alex has some major issues to deal with at her first photo shoot. Despite how skinny she is, Alex can’t pull the dress that she’s supposed to wear for the shoot up over her thighs — even with someone else helping her to tug and pull it on!

“I’m starting a new chapter in my life in my thirties as a model,” Alex tells the cameras. “It’s exciting, it’s fun and it’s glamorous.”

“Throughout my life I have always had a very clear picture of what I look like physically,” she continues. “I’m grateful that I really don’t have to watch my weight. I can pretty much eat whatever I want and not have issues with that."

“Looks are a matter of genetics,” Alex says. “It’s a happy accident.”

For Alex, modeling is not about the fame and glam — she’s already got that from the housewives franchise. No for Alex, it’s about the cash flow!

“I’m not interested in doing fashion shows or photo shoots just to have a fun day and be glamorous and be silly,” Alex says. “I’m interested in it to make money.”

Credit: Hollywood Life (Lindsey DiMattina)

Simon van Kempen Releases His First Single

Simon van Kempen, husband of the Real Housewives of New York City’s Alex McCord, has released his first single, “I Am Real.”

There’s nothing a Real Housewife can’t do. They write books, design jewelry, bottle booze, model and who can forget the singing!

Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Danielle Staub and Kim Zolciak have already showed off their vocal talents and now the men are, too.

Simon has released his debut single, “I Am Real,” with lyrics aimed at “cheeky tongue waggers,” PopEater reports.

“I thought ‘I Am Real’ is a fun song with lyrics that suit me to a ‘T,’” Simon explained to PopEater. “It’s cheeky and catchy and captures my four years on reality TV.”

So, what artist does Simon think is most like him?

“I’d say Jarvis Cocker, but I don’t want to be Pulp’d.”

Credit: OK! Magazine (Nicole Eggenberger)

New York Housewives Beautify Central Park

Ramona Singer, Kelly Bensimon, Jill Zarin, Chairman of NBC Universal Entertainment & Digital Networks Lauren Zalaznick, Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen pose for a photo during NBC Universal's Central Park Beautification project on April 20, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Zimbio

Photos by Jemal Countess/Getty Images North America

McCord van Kempens: Urban Promise Charity

Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen of the Real Housewives of New York attended the Urban Promise Charity event at Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge on April 19, 2011 in New York City. Also pictured, Jerritt Clark.

Credit: Wire Image

McCord van Kempens: Marriage Equality Event

Simon van Kempen and Alex McCord attend a screening of Real Housewives of New York benefiting Marriage Equality New York at Therapy Bar on April 14, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

Alex On Jill Zarin: 'I Went In With My Eyes Open'

If there's one thing viewers took away from the Season 4 premiere of "The Real Housewives of New York," it's that Alex McCord has definitely found her voice.

At the end of the last season, Alex's relationship with cast mate Jill Zarin was rocky (that's putting it mildly). And as of this point in the season, it still is.

"I went in with my eyes open," Alex tells Zap2it about her relationship with Jill going into shooting. "The thing about real life and reality TV is you can't at the beginning of each season say, 'OK, everyone has a clean slate. Let's pretend nothing happened.'"

Though she invokes Bravo's famous "watch what happens" tag line when we ask her if she can call Jill a friend after this season, she did give us a vague hint.

"In order to have relationships," she says. "Be they good or be they bad, you have to have two willing players. If people aren't willing to talk and communicate or to try, then nothing happens."

Last season, fans criticized the show for focusing way too much on the Jill versus Bethenny Frankel feud. With Bethenny on her own show, "Bethenny Ever After," now, Alex tells us there's a different vibe and there won't be just one feud this season.

"You will see some interesting twists and turns," she says. "One thing I really like about this season is that there isn't one big fight. There's a lot of drama. There's a lot of fighting and crying and making up. I think every single one of us bursts into tears at some point."

"The longer we do this," she adds. "The more raw it gets and the more fearless we all get about letting people know what's on our minds. We're more comfortable with one another."

Credit: Zap2It (Nethro Nededog)

McCord van Kempens Talk Marriage Equality

Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen are no strangers to the spotlight. On the new season of their show Real Housewives of New York City, they have chosen to use that fame to advocate for a cause near and dear to all of our hearts: marriage equality.

SDGLN: What made you decide to speak out in support of marriage equality? Why choose this issue?

SVK: Ultimately it’s simple fairness. There should be no restriction on the gender of a person’s legal partner; everyone should be allowed to officially create a family unit, receive health benefits, file taxes and raise children with the one person whom they love.

AM: I grew up with gay family members. Plus, seeing positive and stable same-gender partnerships without thinking anything of it, I was shocked when I went away to college to witness relationship bias for the first time. As I grew up and married, it became all too visible among our gay friends who also grew up and paired off, but were unable to make it legal.

SDGLN: How did you react to the New York Senate’s rejection of its gay marriage bill in 2009?

AM: The 180-degree turn from overwhelming support in the state Assembly to the defeat in the state Senate shows us all how much work is still needed – what’s being done now isn’t enough, which is why we got involved with Marriage Equality New York.

SDGLN: If and when a new bill to legalize gay marriage is introduced, would you be active advocates and supporters of it?

SVK: Absolutely; it’s important and we believe gay marriage should be legal. And while perhaps this is an issue that the individual states should lead, it's also important that the feds pick it up and embrace it too.

SDGLN: Do you have LGBT friends who have negatively been affected because the limitations on their rights?

AM: Yes – there are many examples but one that made it to TV is my best friend from college, whom “Housewives” viewers saw in season two and will see again in the new season. He was unable to take a job in another state because his marriage would not be recognized there, which would affect their benefits, their child, etc.

Credit: San Diego Gay & Lesbian News (Sandy Chase)

New York Housewives At The TV Land Awards

Kelly Bensimon, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Sonja Morgan, Cindy Barshop, Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen of the Real Housewives of New York attended the 9th Annual TV Land Awards at the Javits Center on April 10, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image