Abby Lee Miller, who was was sentenced to a year in prison over bankruptcy fraud, has shared some “helpful tips” with the TMZ newsroom for “surviving prison.” She was released in 2018 after only 8 months, and because the experience has a profound reaction on her heart and soul, she’s here to share her story with the mothers of Operation Varsity Blues:
“You know, the girls in prison are some of the best people you are ever going to meet, seriously. They gave me the shoes off their feet, the clothes off their back- literally. And there’s not one of those dance mothers who would ever do that, not at all. And these were strangers! So, you’re a television celebrity and these women are your fans. They watch TV on a daily basis and they’re gonna want to know what it’s like to be on a TV show, and what it’s like to be an award winning actress. And going to all the events and premieres in Hollywood. And I think if you just befriend them, and you share your stories with them, then they’ll share their stories with you. And some of them are very interesting.”The mental image of Miller with a prisoners huddled around her as she tells them about the time she tried to bite the finger off a Dance Mom (who was attacking her) has permanently altered the course of my morning. After a TMZ host claims that “being a celebrity definitely helps in your favor,” she says “Well I think for them, because they weren’t depicted as some monster.” However, she further claims the true suffering came at the hands of the prison guards.
“It was rough. You give a person power, you give them a gun, a set of keys…they have the right to do whatever they want. Vandalizing your property, spilling drinks all over your clothing for the heck of it, knocking your belongings over, throwing them on the floor. […] One of the monsters said, ‘You can’t talk to me like you talk to those kids on television.’”
Who among us could’ve expected that Abby Lee Miller and Kim Kardashian would be the leading celebrity prison reform activists of our time. Are her claims that the abuse she suffered is due to her celebrity status both tone deaf and misplaced? Yes. Do I think she touched on a more universal experience inside women’s prisons (community and networks of communication)? Absolutely.
[TMZ]
The Blast reports that, according to “recently obtained court documents,” Lisa Vanderpump’s right hand man fired an employee who’d been in a 5150 hold. The employee, who The Blast has kept anonymous, was promoted to the Operations Manager of Vanderpump Dogs in 2017. Interestingly enough, court documents state that the employee claimed she was explicitly ordered to forge the name of John Sessa, lie detector expert and the Executive Director of the foundation, on all outgoing checks. It seems that all parties were unaware of these instructions and she was swiftly reprimanded by the V.P. of Operations. This led to on-the-job anxiety the following week, an emergency room visit, and a 5150 hold. For those who don’t know, the California government explains:
When a person, as a result of a mental health disorder, is a danger to others, or to himself/herself, or gravely disabled, they may be taken into custody against their will for up to 72 hours for assessment and evaluation. […] While being detained, crisis intervention or placement for evaluation and treatment may be initiated.
After being cleared from the hospital, the woman was given “a few extra days off, with pay, to recover.” John Sessa waited until her first day back to fire her. He allegedly claimed it was the “perfect storm” of issues to warrant his decision. She is now suing after the official termination letter cited the check incident instead of the 5150. Her suit against the foundation includes discrimination, wrongful termination, and damages. Vanderpump and associates have yet to respond for comment.
Here is a video of Britney Spears dancing to a Billie Eilish song.
- Here is a vintage list of “celebrity LGBT allies” that Us Weekly has been republishing since 2009. [Us Weekly]
- The Jonas Brothers just released an Amazon-exclusive documentary, Chasing Happiness? [ET Online]
- As expected, Fuller House “made no mention” of missing star Lori Loughlin after taping the premiere episode of the final season. [The Blast]
- Contrary to the wishes of just about everyone: Lindsay Lohan is recording new music. [Instagram]
- After an anonymous photographer took photographs of Alex Rodriguez on the toilet through his bathroom window, the former baseball player says he’s be “investing in blinds.” [People]
- Stefani Joanne Ally Maine Germonatta has finally commented on her failed engagement to CAA power agent Christian Carino while performing in Vegas. [ET Online]
- Jill Duggar wants you to have sex “3-4 times a week.” [Us Weekly]