washingtonpost.com > Photo

'Real Housewives of D.C.' cast unveiled

Possibly one of the worst-kept secrets in the reality TV world, the cable network Bravo announces the cast for the Washington installment of its "Real Housewives" franchise and its premiere date, Thursday, Aug. 5 at 9 p.m. ET. The Reliable Source's Amy Argetsinger previews the cast.

<b>Michaele Salahi, 44</b>: Even before she and husband Tareq turned up at the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/artsandliving/obama_state_dinner.html" target="_blank">White House state dinner</a> uninvited, the couple had local notoriety for their flamboyant lifestyle and a long-running feud with Tareq's parents over their Oasis Winery in Fauquier County.
<br><br>
Michaele was raised in suburban Oakton, and worked at Nordstrom department store before marrying Tareq in a splashy 2003 ceremony. Though she turned up with camera crews at their alumni events, the Redskins cheerleaders have denied she was ever a member. The Salahis remain under state and federal investigation for the White House incident and their business practices.

Michaele Salahi, 44: Even before she and husband Tareq turned up at the White House state dinner uninvited, the couple had local notoriety for their flamboyant lifestyle and a long-running feud with Tareq's parents over their Oasis Winery in Fauquier County.

Michaele was raised in suburban Oakton, and worked at Nordstrom department store before marrying Tareq in a splashy 2003 ceremony. Though she turned up with camera crews at their alumni events, the Redskins cheerleaders have denied she was ever a member. The Salahis remain under state and federal investigation for the White House incident and their business practices.

Gerald Herbert-AP

<b>Catherine Ashley Ommanney, 40-ish</b>: A newcomer to Washington, the British interior designer moved to the U.S. in the summer of 2008 when she married Charles Ommanney, a prize-winning photojournalist with Newsweek, after a brief courtship. The mother of two girls from a previous marriage, she was little known in D.C. social circles before emerging as part of the 'Housewives' set.
<br><br>
Turns out she's got a perfect past for reality TV: In 2006, she <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2010/05/dcs_real_housewives_catherine.html" target="_blank">blabbed to a British tabloid</a> about her brief make-out session with a much-younger Prince Harry. Since the show has wrapped, she and Charles <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2010/06/rs-_housewives.html" target="_blank">have separated</a>.

Catherine Ashley Ommanney, 40-ish: A newcomer to Washington, the British interior designer moved to the U.S. in the summer of 2008 when she married Charles Ommanney, a prize-winning photojournalist with Newsweek, after a brief courtship. The mother of two girls from a previous marriage, she was little known in D.C. social circles before emerging as part of the 'Housewives' set.

Turns out she's got a perfect past for reality TV: In 2006, she blabbed to a British tabloid about her brief make-out session with a much-younger Prince Harry. Since the show has wrapped, she and Charles have separated.

Jaime Windon

<b>Mary Amons, 43</b>: A McLean, Va., socialite and mom of five, she's a native of the D.C. suburbs. She's the daughter of a telecom exec who married a telecom exec herself, Rich Amons.
<br><br>
They started their family early: Their oldest, Lolly, pictured here, is 23. In 2005, they were featured in Marie Claire and on "Good Morning America" about mothers and daughters who look the same age. A stylish dresser, Mary was named to Washingtonian's 2009 best-dressed list.
<br><br>
In 2006, Mary helped found Labels for Love, which runs the popular District Sample Sale, a semi-annual shopping-for-charity event. Random fact: Her grandfather was 1950s broadcaster Arthur Godfrey.

Mary Amons, 43: A McLean, Va., socialite and mom of five, she's a native of the D.C. suburbs. She's the daughter of a telecom exec who married a telecom exec herself, Rich Amons.

They started their family early: Their oldest, Lolly, pictured here, is 23. In 2005, they were featured in Marie Claire and on "Good Morning America" about mothers and daughters who look the same age. A stylish dresser, Mary was named to Washingtonian's 2009 best-dressed list.

In 2006, Mary helped found Labels for Love, which runs the popular District Sample Sale, a semi-annual shopping-for-charity event. Random fact: Her grandfather was 1950s broadcaster Arthur Godfrey.

Courtesy of Marie Claire Magazine

<b>Stacie Turner, 42</b>: The only African-American woman headlining the cast, Turner is also the only 'Housewife' with much connection to local politics. Her husband, Jason, worked in D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty's administration, but left amid political drama in the parks department. The two have also hosted fundraisers.
<br><br>
She's a Howard University grad and a Harvard MBA, who worked in marketing at BET and other companies before becoming a real-estate agent with Long & Foster. They have two young children and live in a former 16th Street Heights church that they renovated into a mansion.
<br><br>
Jason's brother is a Paris-based hip-hop musician. Last fall, Bravo flew the couple overseas for one of his shows.

Stacie Turner, 42: The only African-American woman headlining the cast, Turner is also the only 'Housewife' with much connection to local politics. Her husband, Jason, worked in D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty's administration, but left amid political drama in the parks department. The two have also hosted fundraisers.

She's a Howard University grad and a Harvard MBA, who worked in marketing at BET and other companies before becoming a real-estate agent with Long & Foster. They have two young children and live in a former 16th Street Heights church that they renovated into a mansion.

Jason's brother is a Paris-based hip-hop musician. Last fall, Bravo flew the couple overseas for one of his shows.

Family Photo

<b>Lynda Erkiletian, 52</b>: A divorced mother of grown children, she's the owner of T.H.E. Artist Agency, a Georgetown-based modeling firm that says it represents more than 500 models and stylists in the area.
<br><br>
She used to date Christopher Reiter, the 40-ish owner of Muleh boutique. Last fall, she sold her four-bedroom condo at the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton for $5.3 million and moved out of the city. She was also was named to Washingtonian's 2009 best-dressed list.

Lynda Erkiletian, 52: A divorced mother of grown children, she's the owner of T.H.E. Artist Agency, a Georgetown-based modeling firm that says it represents more than 500 models and stylists in the area.

She used to date Christopher Reiter, the 40-ish owner of Muleh boutique. Last fall, she sold her four-bedroom condo at the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton for $5.3 million and moved out of the city. She was also was named to Washingtonian's 2009 best-dressed list.

Matthew Worden-Washingtonian

Gallery Credits:
Photo Editor, Producer Troy Witcher Text Editor Amy Argetsinger

Note: Please upgrade your Flash plug-in to view our enhanced content.

This Story 'Wives' tales we won't soon forget Article \| How can the D.C. housewives possibly measure up? The ladies from Orange County, New York City, Atlanta and New Jersey have gone from reality television punch lines to tabloid staples since the franchise premiered in March 2006 -- and while we won't go so far as to call them "highlights," here are... Will wonky Washington again have reality-TV viewers tuning out? 'Real Housewives of D.C.' cast unveiled Meet your so-called 'Real Housewives of D.C.' Live Q&A: Wednesday, Noon ET: Reliable Source		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		Related Salahis hold polo event on the Mall Photos \| On federally owned turf, eight months after they crashed the Obamas' first White House state dinner, the Virginia socialites found a way to put on what has become their signature event.
» This Story:Read +\|Watch +\| Comments

© 2010 www.washingtonpost.com