Fans of Vanderpump Rules have watched Katie Maloney for the last ten years. As an OG of the series, Katie has had a few rough years, mainly thanks to her “f*ck boy” ex-husband, Tom Schwartz. Their dating and marriage took a toll on her free spirit, and after one too many times of being shut down and cheated on, Katie decided to do the best thing for herself; she set herself free.
One way to prove you are not miserable is not looking back as you barrel on forward. Katie is doing this over and over again, especially with Tom. For years, it felt like Tom was always trying to humiliate Kate, but she is no longer taking that kind of treatment. After being gaslit for so long, Katie finally took back her narrative. Hell, she told her ex-husband he looks like a “couch.” That is some funny stuff.
Katie is also giving Tom a taste of his own medicine by sleeping with his close friend, Max Boyens. Whether it was a “revenge bang” or not, Katie has every right as a single woman to sleep with whoever she wants. There is nothing more powerful than a single woman with a new haircut. I love seeing Katie in her happy era because she deserves it.
The former SUR Server once wore her hair long and lighter, representing the best the mid-2000s had to offer. However, Season 11 shows Katie taking more considerable risks and embracing her Emo vibes. Katie now wears a red lip with short hair slicked back. If I’m being honest, she kind of looks like a mob boss. Not everyone can pull off a baseball jersey with a sparkly skirt.
The elder millennial in me has started appreciating people’s sense of self. Too many of us worry about impressing others. But Katie’s ‘I don’t give a f*ck” attitude is refreshing, and I’m all about that. Style is such a subjective thing but Katie is making sure to excuse her creative side through her fashion choices.
Tequila Katie was loud, in your face, and obnoxious. No one likes to listen to a young adult who is angry and can’t hold their alcohol. However, Season 11 shows just how comfortable Katie is now with the sound of her voice. In my opinion, the Utah native is anything but miserable. But sometimes, people don’t enjoy being told the truth, and that is exactly what Katie is doing. For example, Katie is trying her best to keep her friendship with Lala Kent. But she isn’t about to be walked over by the soon-to-be mother of two.
Katie has become much more self-aware as she apologizes to Lala about her part in their argument. But during a confessional, Lala states, “I’m trying to get soft and heal from trauma because I don’t want to end up a miserable, bitter bitch, and she’s happy on her warpath.” Personally, I disagree with this sentiment, as Katie is just finally standing up for herself. If anything, Katie has proven she isn’t miserable by moving on from relationships that aren’t working for her. She is finding her own peace.
Even though Katie is surrounded by the drama of her co-stars, she is making it clear she wants nothing to do with certain issues. I just about fell out of my seat when she shut everyone down for still talking about Scandoval. Katie didn’t hold back as she stated, “I’m literally gonna jump off this roof if we have to keep talking about Tom Sandoval.” When I first watched the episode, I missed the importance of this statement. When younger, Katie fell off the roof and suffered a traumatic brain injury, so the sentiment meant a lot coming from Katie.
I sincerely hope the rest of the season is full of Katie reading Scheana Shay, Lala, and Sandoval for filth. Katie is giving me feel-good vibes because she is really beginning to articulate what we, as viewers, have seen for a while.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK KATIE IS HAPPY OR MISERABLE IN HER CURRENT STATE?
Welcome back! Let’s get right into the Deal or No Deal Island Episode 9 recap. Last time, Dawson played against the Banker. He accepted a personal offer of $100,000 which meant he had to self-eliminate. This week’s episode, “Are You Ruthless?” ignited a bitter feud between two players. Here’s everything you need to know about Deal or No Deal Island Episode 9!
Welcoming a new Night Owl
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Stephanie, Amy, and Nick, the remaining Night Owls, were chomping at the bit to take out Boston Rob. The group knew that the Survivor star was experienced, and he proved it with his game.
So, the group invited Jordan to take Dawson’s place. The goal was to get rid of either Aron or Rob. Although Rob and Aron also thought that Jordan was working with them. She was rolling with it before deciding which side suited her game.
A confusing excursion
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
The group arrived for the challenge. When Aron saw the ATVs, he started to feel anxious. Joe, the host, explained that the Banker decided to send the group on a “friendly island excursion.”
This time the Banker was testing the group to see who would do whatever it took to win. For this challenge, unmarked cases were hidden in the north jungle and the south jungle. Each team must take one case from each location.
The highest value case was $5 million. But there were also two red cases. One contained a “steal” and one contained the lowest value possible. Teams could only take one red case.
On each team, one contestant will be the navigator, and one will be the driver. Each navigator must use a set of keys to unlock a box that contains a map with case locations. Then, the navigator will direct the driver to the cases.
Each team must lock in two cases. The team with the highest combined value will be safe from The Temple and select who will face the Banker.
The Teams
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
This time, the group can select their team members.
Aron is the navigator and Rob is the driver
Stephanie is the navigator and Nick is the driver
Jordan is the navigator and Amy is the driver
Rob told Aron that they should take the lowest cases. They won’t be safe in the middle. They can control their fate if they are the bottom two.
Aron opened the box first and handed the keys to Rob. “Let’s see if driving around those rotaries in Boston helps you, Rob!” Joe exclaimed. Oh, it will!
Aron now has his walkie and a map. The $5 million is in the south jungle in the water, attached to a rope. Stephanie was the next to open her box, and Nick headed off. Finally, Jordan opened hers and Amy hit the gas.
A road trip through the jungle
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
While the Night Owls hoped that Rob and Aron would be in the middle, Stephanie and Nick wanted to have immunity. So, they were targeting high-value cases.
Rob grabbed the red case under the rocks. Back at the starting point, Jordan asked Stephanie if she wanted to tell each other what they were going for and then direct their partners. Stephanie stalled, saying that she needed to ask Nick.
Jordan realized that Stephanie was looking out for number one. “It’s very clear she was trying to keep a distance and it’s so shady,” Jordan said.
Communication breakdown
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Meanwhile, Rob was at the second location, but he couldn’t hear Aron. It was only static. Aron didn’t know how to use the walkie, so Rob was flying blind. Nick arrived at the second location, and Stephanie told him where the $5 million case was located. But it was gone.
Rob was the first back, and Aron discovered that he changed the channel on the walkie-talkie. Oops! After a while, Amy answered Jordan, and she was lost. Then Stephanie asked Jordan to cover the walkie so Rob and Aron couldn’t hear what Amy was saying. Rude! Finally, Amy went for the other red case.
And may I applaud Joe’s performance from The Princess Bride? Finally, Nick came back, followed by Amy.
The big reveal
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Aron and Rob opened up the red case, and it was $1 million. Amy and Jordan’s red case had the “steal.”
Jordan asked Rob if his team wanted to share any information, and he said that he couldn’t. So, Amy traded her red case for one of Nick and Stephanie’s cases. The case that Amy and Jordan stole contained $4 million, and their other case contained $4.5 million. Nick and Stephanie’s other case contains $4.25 million.
Rob and Aron were shocked when they opened their final case, and it was $5 million. They were in the dreaded middle, with Jordan and Amy at the top and Nick and Stephanie at the bottom. Rob was steamed that Aron read the map incorrectly when he told him which case he had. Remember, Rob picked the case at random.
Back at camp, the Night Owls met. Nick wanted to play the Banker. Then the group pondered what Aron and Rob’s alliance name would be. “Dumb and dumber,” Amy said. Jordan didn’t enjoy the Night Owl’s “catty” discussions. But she can’t complain about their behavior at this point.
Was there some distrust brewing among the Night Owls? Stephanie was worried that Rob would persuade Nick to go after her. She lied and told Nick that Rob warned her that she should be worried about Nick. Now Nick was even more fired up to send Rob home.
Who will face the Banker in The Temple?
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Nicholas Grasso faces off against The Banker in Deal or No Deal Island Episode 9.
At The Temple, Nick told Joe that he knew that Rob and Aron had brought up his name to Stephanie. Rob told Nick that wasn’t true. Then Stephanie said that she didn’t believe that Rob was honest with Nick. “You just think you can manipulate everything. Everyone’s playing Rob’s game,” Stephanie said. “You’re out of control,” Rob fired back.
Then Amy said that she heard that Nick was the target. She asked both Aron and Rob if they mentioned Nick’s name. They both denied it, and Rob asked if the information came from Stephanie.
Rob added that he was always the target, and Stephanie responded that no one was thinking about him. That was wild! Even Nick was confused by Stephanie’s comments.
Nick is ready to rumble
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Next, Joe asked Nick how he would spend the cash if he won at the finale. “I just got engaged to the love of my life, Nicole,” he said. Nick would love to pay for his large destination wedding in Tuscany.
I love the bromance between Nick and Joe. For his case, Nick selected number nine. That was Nicole’s brother’s baseball number. Sadly, her brother passed away.
Nick has to select eight cases in the first round. When the Banker called with an offer of $983,000, Nick declined it. In the second round, he had to select two cases. With the first case, he finished clearing the lower offers off the board.
There was still $4.25 million and $4.5 million on the board. The Banker offered Nick the biggest offer in the history of Deal or No Deal. It was $4,417,000. Wow!
Nick took the deal. But did he make a good one? He needed his case value to be less than the offer he accepted.
Who was eliminated in Deal or No Deal Island, Episode 9?
Photo by: Patrick Ecclesine/NBC
Nicholas Grasso was the eighth player eliminated in Deal or No Deal Island.
Nick’s case contained the $4.5 million, which was a bad deal. “I put a lot on the line for my squad, you know, the Night Owls. I went out swinging. If I went out as a sitting duck I would have been disgusted with myself,” Nick said in his final confessional. “I brought home the biggest amount in Deal or No Deal history. So, even though I’m not the Banker’s ultimate opponent, I robbed him blind tonight.” The value of the final case is now a whopping $8,908,000.
According to Rob, it is an all-out war with Stephanie. “If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll make sure Stephanie does not win this game,” he said.
Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright may be dealing with a disruption in their domestic life due to an amicable separation, but they are still a united front when it comes to their son Cruz and the home he’s grown up in. As such, The Valley duo filmed a sneak peek of their home together for Bravo.
Their Vanderpump Rules spinoff, The Valley is currently airing its first season. And there is renewed public interest in their home life after Jax and Brittany left reality TV in 2020. Here’s what the estranged couple had to say about their 4,600 square-foot home during a recent house tour filmed for Bravo.
Jax and Brittany reveal their favorite rooms of the house
Jax started by showing the areas of the house they never use, including two out of the seven bathrooms. The family also keeps the dining room and living room pristine by never sitting there either, though Jax was able to recall, “one time” he was “hungover and did pass out on that couch.”
Cruz’s playroom doubles as a guest room with a pull-out couch. The room is filled with age-appropriate toys for the pre-schooler, and he even showed off his favorite one.
Brittany showed off her gorgeous kitchen where the family spends, “the majority” of their time. The Kentucky native singled out “the kitchen island and definitely in the living room area.”
“This is probably my pride and joy of our whole home, is this couch,” Jax gushed. “We are always here. We’re big movie buffs. We’re big TV buffs. We hang out on the couch pretty much all day. If we’re not doing anything, we’re on the couch.”
Cruz’s room features dinosaur wallpaper. Clearly, the inspiration for his third birthday party. Brittany put her little man to bed in his crib as he was getting cranky during the shoot.
Brittany was embarrassed by her unusual storage space
The former VPR then villain talked about his at-home gym.
“This was a spare room but I transformed this room into a gym when Covid happened,” Jax explained. “We kept it, just because it’s really easy. Obviously, having a baby it’s hard to get to the gym on time. So having one in your house just makes life a little easier.”
There was a surprise waiting in the adjoining bathroom.
“This shower is actually where we keep Brittany’s pillow collection,” Jax revealed. “This is the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen and after this video, I’m gonna throw all this out.”
“I love throw pillows,” Brittany responded gesturing to the collection piled high in the shower. “Nobody uses that shower.”
The former SUR waitress got a subtle dig in when they started filming in the master bedroom.
She said, “Next up is our bedroom, where the magic sometimes happens. Cruz still sleeps in here sometimes with us. He crawls into our bed all the time. So, this is all three of our bedrooms if I’m being honest.”
Brittany then gushed about her walk-in closet, but also said she “still needs more space though.”
But her oasis is the master bathroom.
“My favorite room of the whole entire house,” the Kentucky native said. “This is our primary bathroom. My bathtub. This is my me time. Jax and Cruz are not allowed whenever I’m in here.”
The duo took the producers outside onto their patio. Their backyard also has a pool house, pool, and playground space for Cruz. Perfect for inviting friends over.
“We entertain a lot,” Jax revealed. “Our backyard is set up for entertaining. And everyone kind of comes over here and gathers in the pool house and all the kids play in the pool. And I love to barbeque.”
“Wait, do you love to barbecue? Who bbqs?” Brittany joked.
The tour ended in the pool house, where Jax admitted to seeking solace from his family in that area.
“I kinda come out here when I want to get away from everybody. I just come out here and watch the game on the swing,” he explained.
It would be interesting to note when this house tour was filmed in the timeframe of Jax and Brittany’s separation. If it was recorded recently, credit can certainly be given to them for their amiable banter. In addition to that, it’s a gorgeous house.
TELL US – WHAT IS YOUR IMPRESSION OF JAX AND BRITTANY’S HOUSE? DID ANY OF THEIR COMMENTS SURPRISE YOU? WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY WILL DO WITH THE PROPERTY IN LIEU OF THEIR SEPARATION?
In July 2013, Bravo fans’ horizons were expanded when the network introduced its nautical series, Below Deck. Until then, we had no idea that you could make a living out of being a yachtie, which took you to exotic locations and gave you some great cash tips. At its start, it consisted of wide-eyed young adults who wanted a bit of escapism from their everyday lives. Many were running away from breakups or family situations or couldn’t stay any longer in their small town. Below Deck stood out because it brought not only female viewership but male viewership as well.
Bravo camera’s only job was to follow the crew in and out of the small, windy corridors. Most of the time, there was plenty of drama to go around, and some even had to walk the plank (i.e., be sent packing.) Undoubtedly, there were more than one messy boatmances that ended in tears. But the end of charter feeling always bailed the stars out as they walked away a little wiser and richer for their troubles.
It isn’t surprising that Below Deck stars make way less than their other Bravo counterparts. But this could be because they also have a salary from the boat. But, oddly, they are expected to commit to filming a full series and complete all their tasks on board. Bravo has maximized the series’ success and even created multiple spinoffs, including Below Deck Mediterranean in 2015, Below Deck Sailing Yacht in 2020, and Below Deck Down Under in 2022.
Thanks to Crew Finder, I have researched what we can estimate each person makes within their role. For those working as deckhands like Sunny Marquis, she could easily bring home $60,000 a year. A boson on a yacht the size of the St. David could also pocket $66,000. No wonder Ben Willoughby wanted Jared Woodin’s job! Chef Anthony Iracane is new to the series but has four years of experience in yachting. The French-born chef also has more years behind the skillet. Someone of his skill set would be paid around $85,000 a year. It is important to note that the Below Deck crew doesn’t work a full charter season when filming, so hypothetically, they could move on to another boat and earn even more.
Meanwhile, a chief stew like Fraser Olender could be taking home $84,000 a year. Honestly, the man should get paid more after chartering guests like Jill Zarin. The head of the boat, Captain Kerry Titheradge, is, of course, the highest earner with the most responsibility. To captain a vessel of that size, Captain Kerry would be looking to be compensated at $228,000 annually.
Now, when it comes to the crew’s Bravo paycheck, Business Insider has reported that they receive a small fee for their participation. Earlier, Below Deck cast members argued that they were severely underpaid. The fee is said to be around $5,000 to $6,000 a month. The math doesn’t math here for me since Below Deck has always been a top-rated show that brings in the viewers.
A former stew, Ashley Marti, who appeared on Season 3 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, told the outlet, “We’re on TV, but technically, we’re the help,” she said. “We don’t get the same treatment.” The proof is in the pudding since some of the Real Housewives can get one million per season. And stars on Southern Charm can get $25,000 per episode.
Like many other Bravo stars, some of the Below Deck crew also have a few side hustles to keep their pockets full. Barbie Pascual owns her own table decor company, Beyond the Table By Barbie. Captain Terry owns his own business called Yachting Concepts. He also participates in Cameo and charges $99 for a personal video. Some other Below Deck franchise stars, like Kate Chastain, have gone on to appear on other NBC shows, too. Each Below Deck star is clearly working hard for their money, but should they maybe earn more? I think so!
Kody Brown of Sister Wives is a piece of work, and I would argue he is the most disliked villain on TLC. I mean, what isn’t there to hate between his crunchy curls and overall unlikeable personality? If you watched the earlier seasons, the Browns do come across as a genuinely loving family. I would argue Kody was in love with all four of his wives. He is patient, kind and considerate. He uses soft language, and he listens. But the man who appears in later seasons is an entirely different human being. Kody is now irritable, quick to anger, and unable to forgive any of his wives, which resulted in him losing his first three. No longer is TLC’s hit a series about a loving family, as it is more about how much Kody has morphed into his villain era.
He Spoke Down to His Wives
Photo credit: TLC/YouTube
More than once, the father of 18 has called out his wives for “shit-talking” him. But what he calls shit-talking, most would call venting. From day one, Kody always wanted unquestioning loyalty but never gave that trait in return. Instead, cameras caught him often talking disrespectfully about his wives, except Robyn Brown, his favorite. During his big fight with Janelle Brown, the Arizona resident dared to call her “lazy.” Mind you, the mother of six has been one of the only wives to bring in a consistent paycheck while Kody has galavanted around town.
Kody has shown off his villain behavior a lot. During Season 16, Kody revealed some strict COVID-19 rules, which caused some major repercussions. And while Kody wanted to be the one the wives chose, it didn’t turn out that way, with Janelle and Christine Brown turning the tables. After getting kick back, Kody noted, “Frankly, I think Janelle is lazy about an ounce of prevention.” This wasn’t the only time he called his wives names; he also called both Christine and Janelle “two princesses giving ultimatums” when they didn’t want to move into one house on Coyote Pass.
He is at odds with the older kids
Photo Credit: TLC via YouTube
Hate is a strong word, but sometimes, the way Kody treats his older children is unusual. Sister Wives fans have watched as Kody cut out one son after the other for not agreeing with his dictator-like opinions. The polygamous patriarch has a terrible trait of being able to view his children differently once they hit the age of being able to talk back. Kody wants each of the children to come begging for forgiveness, or he is out of their lives. He also did this with his wives when they questioned him, often cutting them off romantically and sexually.
No one has forgotten how he failed to accompany his daughter, Ysabel Brown, for her back surgery but chose to officiate a wedding instead. Maddie Brown and Leon Brown no longer have anything to do with their dad, who stopped reaching out years before the family started to fall apart. If you didn’t like kids to begin with, why choose to have so many, Kody?
He Can’t Admit He Is Wrong
TLC/YouTube
Kody rarely took accountability for anything that hadn’t gone as planned in his life. A great example of this is when he is dealing with the separation from Christine. The polygamous dad is happy to throw blame around as if it is a hacky sack but fails ever once to say, “I did X wrong.” I stand corrected; the only time Kody admitted he was wrong was when he noted he had given his wives too much freedom and should have established a patriarchy.
Personally, I think Kody has always been this way, which is why a religion like Mormonism would have interested him in the first place. I reckon Kody has always been the guy who could dish it but who falls apart the second he has to take an ounce of it back. Kody has embraced the notion that being a Mormon man makes him some sort of god. Basically, if his wives or children felt any negativity, it was always going to be their fault, not his.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF KODY BROWN AND HIS VILLAIN WAYS?
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