Breaking bread with Reality Star, "Ramona
Rizzo" of VH1's “Mob Wives”, in New York City's Little
Italy in downtown Manhattan was enjoyable and
interesting. The area once called home by a highly populated Italian
community, “Director Martin Scorsese”, “Actor Robert De Niro”
and the location for the film "Mean Streets", yet it’s
still called home by many Italians today and was the perfect setting to
meet the Italian Princess.
As we strolled through the streets of Little
Italy making our way to the trendy Bowery Diner, I
was thinking, "These are the same streets
her Grandfather, Benjamin ‘Lefty Guns’ Ruggiero walked before
her.” In the movie, “Donnie Brasco”, her Grandfather was
played by “Al Pacino” and it made movie history. The Italian community
as well as so many others watched the “Godfather” and “Sopranos”
as they romanticized their love and obsession for the Mafia. Now in the year
2012, the ladies have come forth to let their voices be heard in the hit
series, “Mob Wives”
Ramona is the mother of four: Giovanni,
Anissa, Melina, and Gianna. While chatting with her as we
walked, she talked so lovingly of her family, and as any good Italian will tell
you, "Being Italian is about Family, Honor, Loyalty and Respect",
and I will say this, she lives all four and has many other great
qualities that others may only wish to possess and call their
own.
Being Italian and from Little Italy, let
me say that after meeting Ramona, I felt she could have grown up in Little
Italy among the girls in the neighborhood. Most Italian girls are
raised to care, speak what's on their mind, and let people know where they
stand. She believes like most Italians, "You mess with me,
you’re gonna get hit", and she stands up for her rights and the rights
of others. She is supportive of many causes including the LGBTQ Community.
Ask yourself, do you really know Ramona
Rizzo? Is she as they make her out to be on the show - hard and mean; or is
she just human? Having met with her several times, I will say she holds
herself like a lady, is soft spoken, and speaks kindly others, even of
some who would be shocked if they heard her kind words. Like anyone else
in their right mind, she would say, "You push me, I'm going
to push you back", and we in the LGBTQ Community can attest to
that because we’ve all been pushed around and we're all standing up for our
rights as is she.
She's Fun, Feisty and Fabulous... Dear
Gays I give you, Miss Ramona Rizzo....
FC: Since signing onto “Mob Wives” in Season
Two, how has the life of Ramona Rizzo changed?
RR: I'm still me. With or without the cameras I will say that it's exciting and fun. You know when someone comes up and asks for my autograph, it makes me smile and I have to say thank you.
FC: Your life’s had many twists and turns. Which one are you most proud of, and which would you change if you could?
RR: I’m most proud that my children and I are together. If I could change the fact that people think I am brazen when in fact I am sensitive.
FC: How much of your on camera personality is true to life?
RR: They only show the one side of me rather than the well-rounded person who is funny, loving, caring and protective of the people I love.
FC: Where does your inspiration in your life come from?
RR: People who have a backbone like my Grandmother, Grandfather and even Scarlet O'Hara. “Hey anyone who can take a drape and make a dress and turn it out in diva style gets points”
FC: When they introduced you onto the show, did you hit the ground running?
RR: I'm still me. With or without the cameras I will say that it's exciting and fun. You know when someone comes up and asks for my autograph, it makes me smile and I have to say thank you.
FC: Your life’s had many twists and turns. Which one are you most proud of, and which would you change if you could?
RR: I’m most proud that my children and I are together. If I could change the fact that people think I am brazen when in fact I am sensitive.
FC: How much of your on camera personality is true to life?
RR: They only show the one side of me rather than the well-rounded person who is funny, loving, caring and protective of the people I love.
FC: Where does your inspiration in your life come from?
RR: People who have a backbone like my Grandmother, Grandfather and even Scarlet O'Hara. “Hey anyone who can take a drape and make a dress and turn it out in diva style gets points”
FC: When they introduced you onto the show, did you hit the ground running?
RR: I gave them what they wanted, but kept true to
myself whenever allowed.
FC: What is expected of you as a cast member?
RR: They depicted me as the bitch. I mean we all
have “50 Shades of Grey” when we need to be or when crossed.
FC: Now that the show has signed on for Season Three, what should we expect from Ramona?
RR: If all is shown, you will see the many sides of Ramona - the good and def not just bad. I've filmed so much, but only a select few scenes have been chosen.
FC: Is it easy being you?
RR: No.
FC: What is Ramona Rizzo up to in her everyday life?
FC: Now that the show has signed on for Season Three, what should we expect from Ramona?
RR: If all is shown, you will see the many sides of Ramona - the good and def not just bad. I've filmed so much, but only a select few scenes have been chosen.
FC: Is it easy being you?
RR: No.
FC: What is Ramona Rizzo up to in her everyday life?
RR: Mother first, reality personality and always a
mother.
FC: Regarding business, what do you have going on?
RR: I'm in talks on writing a book about my life story, and I have a jewelry line I'm designing. I'm the spokesperson for “Bronze Glow” a spray tan line my sister Roxinne Rizzo created which can be purchased on my website www.ramonarizzo.com. I also have a few other projects that are in the process and they will be posted on my web site when its time.
FC: Has the show opened new doors for you?
RR: Yes.
FC: If someone was going to sign on to a reality show, what advice would you give them?
RR: Know what you signed up for and what the rules and regulations are for the game.
FC: The Gays, as you know, love you and they have said, “She has style and she’s put together well.” “I am so happy she’s not rolling all over the floor like the others.” “She’s a Diva and a Lady…she knows how to carry herself and knows what to wear.” All that being said, what can you add to that?
RR: I was raised with understanding and self-respect, yet I'm not the person you want to fuck with, but I am the person you will call if you’re being fucked with.
FC: What things in life do you stand by?
RR: Morals, loyalty, respect, and never giving up on what you want to accomplish.
FC: We know from the show title, “Mob Wives”, what the show is about and your life’s history, but we never really see Ramona Rizzo for who she is as a person and that’s what people want to know. Who is Ramona Rizzo?
RR: Business woman, loyal person and first and foremost, a mother.
FC: Why was it important for you to do Mob Wives?
RR: Financial reasons and to set a few people straight on the show - bring them back to reality.
FC: What is your ultimate goal in life?
RR: To be able to support my children, be happy, and live in peace.
FC: What is the wildest thing that’s happened to you since you became a Reality Star?
RR: I was on Sunset Blvd and one of the double decker buses pulled up as I was crossing the street. They were pointing and saying, "Oh my god, that's the girl from Mob Wives". I laughed out loud and felt like livestock. But it was amusing and I did it enjoy it.
FC: How has the Italian community embraced the show?
RR: It’s been divided. It’s not just the Italians, it’s people in general. I say, "Hey if you don't like the show, change the channel."
FC: Regarding business, what do you have going on?
RR: I'm in talks on writing a book about my life story, and I have a jewelry line I'm designing. I'm the spokesperson for “Bronze Glow” a spray tan line my sister Roxinne Rizzo created which can be purchased on my website www.ramonarizzo.com. I also have a few other projects that are in the process and they will be posted on my web site when its time.
FC: Has the show opened new doors for you?
RR: Yes.
FC: If someone was going to sign on to a reality show, what advice would you give them?
RR: Know what you signed up for and what the rules and regulations are for the game.
FC: The Gays, as you know, love you and they have said, “She has style and she’s put together well.” “I am so happy she’s not rolling all over the floor like the others.” “She’s a Diva and a Lady…she knows how to carry herself and knows what to wear.” All that being said, what can you add to that?
RR: I was raised with understanding and self-respect, yet I'm not the person you want to fuck with, but I am the person you will call if you’re being fucked with.
FC: What things in life do you stand by?
RR: Morals, loyalty, respect, and never giving up on what you want to accomplish.
FC: We know from the show title, “Mob Wives”, what the show is about and your life’s history, but we never really see Ramona Rizzo for who she is as a person and that’s what people want to know. Who is Ramona Rizzo?
RR: Business woman, loyal person and first and foremost, a mother.
FC: Why was it important for you to do Mob Wives?
RR: Financial reasons and to set a few people straight on the show - bring them back to reality.
FC: What is your ultimate goal in life?
RR: To be able to support my children, be happy, and live in peace.
FC: What is the wildest thing that’s happened to you since you became a Reality Star?
RR: I was on Sunset Blvd and one of the double decker buses pulled up as I was crossing the street. They were pointing and saying, "Oh my god, that's the girl from Mob Wives". I laughed out loud and felt like livestock. But it was amusing and I did it enjoy it.
FC: How has the Italian community embraced the show?
RR: It’s been divided. It’s not just the Italians, it’s people in general. I say, "Hey if you don't like the show, change the channel."
FC: When people meet you in person, what seems to shock them the most?
RR: How nice I am, and that I'm not that tall.
FC: In sitting with you, I have to say your laughter is brilliant. I have to ask - why did they go with a strong edge on each of the cast members?
RR: You know, they want to show the hardness as to what the mob is about.
FC: What is your life quote?
RR:
To
really know me is to laugh with me - but to really love me is to cry for me.
FC: Mob Wives returns?
RR: We began filming Season 3 of Mob Wives
and it is scheduled to premiere in January 2013.
FC: Where can our readers find you and/or follow you?
RR: My web site: www.ramonarizzo.com twitter: ramonarizzovh1
instagram: ramonarizzo and Facebook: ramonarizzomobwives
instagram: ramonarizzo and Facebook: ramonarizzomobwives
Best Always,
Frankie C
Email me at: thecolumnbyfrankiec@gmail.com
Follow me on twitter: @FrankieC_
The Blog: www.thecolumnbyfrankiec.blogspot.com
Email me at: thecolumnbyfrankiec@gmail.com
Follow me on twitter: @FrankieC_
The Blog: www.thecolumnbyfrankiec.blogspot.com
