credit - mtv.com
I'm not sure why Olivia is the only one with individual photos, I'm hoping maybe the rest aren't posted yet?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The City Season 1 Part 2 Finale - Backstage Photos
credit - mtv.com
I'm not sure why Olivia is the only one with individual photos, I'm hoping maybe the rest aren't posted yet?
Whitney Port Interview
For two years, Whitney Port was best known Lauren Conrad's kind-hearted sidekick on 'The Hills.' A move to New York City quickly turned the budding fashion designer into the star of her own show, 'The City,' where viewers watched Whitney move up the ranks to work alongside fashion greats like Diane von Furstenberg and Kelly Cutrone. Whitney recently sat down with PopEater for an interviewOn former 'Hills' co-star Lauren Conrad: When we were working together constantly, we always were sharing little tidbits with each other, especially at that time we were both designing collections. So we played off of each other's styles. But no, we still keep in touch on a friendship level. But in terms of fashion we don't really talk about it anymore because we're not in the same arena anymore.
On People's Revolution owner, Kelly Cutrone's upcoming reality show, 'Kell on Earth': I don't make it to air on that one. I was definitely around, obviously, in the office working while they were filming but I didn't meld the two.
On her clothing line, Whitney Eve: It is contemporary, feminine, cocktail wear. It's really fun, flirty cocktail dresses. Satin, tailored jackets. Bubbly party skirts. It's something you can get away with wearing to work to during the day and then kind of accessorizing it to wear out at night.
On what in her closet she couldn't live without: I could live without everything but probably the most important things to me are little tidbits of jewelry that I've gotten from my best friends and family. There's a peace ring that I wear that I got from my best friend about five years ago that I never take off. Little mementos like that.
On the best thing to come from 'The City': I know it sounds really cheesy but I really think the best thing for me has been the growth of my relationship with Roxy. We were always close in high school and then we kind of lost touch and then to have her back in my life, she's been like a sister to me and I know it shows that we have our ups and downs, but it's because we can be so honest with each other. Right now, I'm just thankful for her, to be perfectly honest.
credit - Maggie Coughlan @ www.popeater.com
Read the full interview here.
Kelly Cutrone: I want to open a finishing school
From the minute she made Lauren Conrad feel *this* big on "The Hills," I have been enamored of Kelly Cutrone. Throughout her tenure on both "The Hills" and "The City," she has been one of the only voices of reason. The one to say, "stop acting like an a**hole and do your job." In a sea of sheep, she's dressed in black.
That's why I was excited and nervous to the point of vomiting when she called me yesterday. This is the kind of woman who you'd kill to work for yet might end up getting killed by her. You secretly long to be the recipient of her snappy dressing downs, yet fear the day she arches an eyebrow in your direction. But I found her to be fabulously funny, totally chill and endlessly intriguing -- especially when talking about playing headmistress at a real life Kelly Cutrone Finishing School.
PopWrap: When you first met Lauren Conrad did you imagine a career in reality TV awaited?
Kelly Cutrone: [laughs] Oh god, no. Talk about being in the middle of a fairytale and a carcrash simultaneously. I never saw that one coming. I didn't even know what the show was, that's the funniest part.
PW: What made you take a second look at the medium?
Kelly: I asked myself why Anna Wintour would choose to be a part of it. Everyone knows how much she loves Teen Vogue, so to put the magazine out there like that was obviously part of something bigger. It's been a gnarly ride, but an awesome one too.
PW: Were you apprehensive about playing such a large role on two shows?
Kelly: I didn't know if I would be in the middle of a burned-out kamikaze death spiral or jumping over this crevice into a new world of communicating and distributing media. Now, in 2009 we're seen this transition from old traditional media has been very interesting. I think "The City" is an amazing show because it features Bergdorf's and Manolo Blahnik -- people who wouldn't have fit into a template like this five years ago.
PW: It's also been interesting seeing the progression of these girls under your tutelage.
Kelly: I'm thinking of opening up a college -- a finishing school, of sorts. See, all these kids pay a lot of money to go to school and learn about the fashion industry from people who never worked in it. There's a big different between fashion theory and practical stuff, like launching a brand. That's why I should have a three-month finishing school. It would be very lucrative and entrepreneurially, it would be a good next step. I'm chomping at the bit to do that next.
PW: A good dose of reality for these girls so they know what they're getting into!
Kelly: It's a tough job, it really is. I always say the definition of a fashion person is a masochist who likes to travel.
PW: Do you lower the expectations of what you expect from Lauren, Whitney or Roxy?
Kelly: They're on par with the positions they're in. These are not the top dogs, they're assistants. All I want Roxy to do is not get me fired, not talk about boys, show up to work on time and bring a pen. Pretty basic stuff -- it's like assistant 101.
PW: Plus, Stephanie set the bar pretty damn low!
Kelly: [laughs] Aw, I feel bad. That was the funniest, saddest part. Dude, she put "handbag designer" as the objective on her resume. When I saw that, I was in shock. I didn't go in there wanting to have a moment like that with her. I just thought I'd let Lauren look after her while at the same time teaching her why you don't hire friends.
PW: That seems to be one of your big lessons -- what was the best piece of advice you ever received?
Kelly: Just to keep going. There are so many heartbreaking things about just being human, let alone when you try to follow your dreams in a harsh industry. This is not a place where people say, "excuse me," or "please." When you're smart or special, you think that's going to be acknowledged and celebrated. Then you get hit. My mom always said, j"ust get back up, go back to work and do it again the next day."
PW: Do you think Whitney is too thin-skinned for the fashion world?
Kelly: No, it'll teach her that. The industry is a great mother, father, mentor. She's going to get her marks, it's inevitable.
PW: Like in tonight's finale -- she tries to put on a fashion show for her line, right?
Kelly: Yes, and at one point I realize that I'm not only feeling maternal toward her and being a great philosopher, but secretly, "Oh god, I'm putting my name on her show." It's no longer about me wanting her to do a good job, but, "You better not f*** up because I'm putting my name on the show too!"
PW: I know you have a new show starting on Bravo in February. But do you think you'll be back for another season of "The City?"
Kelly: I hope so. Fingers crossed. I'm just really happy that I'm on a pretty fashion show that makes kids want to know how to have their own business. There aren't that many examples of women on TV who are real, single moms and do things their own way. I'm just glad not to be on a serial killer vampire show!
credit - Jarett Wieselman @ nypost.com
Finale Discussion
What did you all think about the finale(s) and both seasons as a whole?
You can find additional finale/backstage pix here.
Whitney Port out and about in NY 12/1
Getting prettied up with a stop at the salon, Whitney Port was spotted out in New York City on Tuesday afternoon (December 1).
Just ahead of tonight’s second season finale of “The City,” the 24-year-old MTV reality star strolled along past paparazzi on her way back home following a the day’s beauty session.
credit - gossip center
Whitney Port on the girl drama, the guy rumors and what it takes to survive 'The City'
Even when she was on “The Hills,” Whitney Port was an unlikely reality star. And in “The City,” she still seems a bit misplaced among her fellow castmates: the impulsive Roxy Olin, the ambitious Erin Kaplan and the mutinous Olivia Palermo.“I was a normal 20-year-old student,” says Whitney Port, now 24. “Being on television definitely wasn’t impressive or a goal of mine. I went into it thinking this will help my fashion career, basically. I didn’t want my personal life on camera. I was very reserved and shy.”
Yet, despite her rather undramatic personality, Port shined even when conflict-prone Lauren Conrad was in the room and still does now among her rambunctious ‘City’ castmates. It’s in her own quiet way that she has gotten pretty much everything she ever wanted while, at the same time, inspiring those around her to help her do so. That’s what’s impressive about Whitney Port.
Recently, I spoke with Whitney about what it was like to work on her dream fashion line on-camera, what she thought about the other women on the show and the guys she encountered along the way.
In tonight’s finale, you get this huge opportunity to show your new line at Bergdorf Goodman, how’d that go? It was very scary for me, because there aren't a lot of designers who show their first collection to Bergdorf. I obviously was really, really nervous and didn’t know if I was prepared. I had faith in my line, but I wasn’t even sure the line was ready to show to them. I didn’t have my hopes set at a very high level, because of that. Basically they gave me a lot of constructive criticism. They thought my Los Angeles aesthetic shined through the line a little too much. It was a learning experience for me. It’s just difficult because it’s all being shown on-camera. I’m getting judgments and opinions by more people than the norm.
When I interviewed Kelly Cutrone, she told me that she warned you that you would have more critics than normal. So, she was right?
Yeah, I definitely do. I did show my line at Bryant Park, which is not in this season, but I knew that I had to really prove myself as a designer more than anybody else out there. There are so many celebrity lines and there are so many reality show lines, actually, that haven’t really done well and haven’t shown much design sense. So I had to prove myself even more, that I really did take this seriously. I think no one ever expected me to put so much heart and soul into it. I guess the verdict is still out regarding what they think of my talent.
I know that you’re really close to Kelly now, but doesn’t she still scare you a little?
The more I’ve gotten to know Kelly, the less scary she has become. She definitely still puts me in my place. I can be surprised at the things that she could say to me still today. But she is so smart and so knowledgeable in this industry and really knows what she’s doing that I trust her so, so, so much. I kind of need that personality in my life because I’m so mellow and easygoing. She lights a fire underneath me and makes sure I’m on the right track. She’s also very, very motherly. She has taken such good care of me that I know she just wants the best for me. She’s not trying to reprimand me just for the sake of reprimanding me.
Last week, we watched your “look book” shoot and Roxy nearly ruined it for you. Why do you give her so many chances?
I have a lot of faith in Roxy. As much as she can be a little bit out there and maybe sometimes a bit unfocused, she gets me and she gets my vision. And even though it may not be her vision, she really works as hard as she can to try to achieve what I ask of her. I also wanted to give Roxy the opportunity, because the only way that she’s going to learn is if she gets this responsibility. I don’t know how much Kelly wants to give her, so I thought maybe I could sort of guide her in the way that people have guided me.
At what point did everything go haywire?
I can sort of stand back sometimes, because I trust Kelly so much, and allow her to really take charge and be the boss. I think that Roxy stepped over the line a little bit and started displaying her opinions in an inappropriate way. That’s when I thought everything was getting out of control – when Kelly and Roxy started to fight. When it comes down to it, this is my collection and I want to be the deciding factor. So, I didn’t like being the middleman in a situation where I should have been the boss. Sometimes their feuding can get in the way of what needs to get done.
While I enjoy watching you develop your clothing line, did the producers pressure you to time its launch with the show’s shooting schedule?
Yes. Obviously, I have been doing this clothing line for longer than I’ve been filming “The City.” I tried to time it with the season, but at the same time this is my livelihood and as much as I wanted the show to coincide with the clothing line, I wanted to do what was best for the clothing line. Once this show is over, that’s pretty much all that I’ll have. So, yeah, I did hurry things a bit much, but I wanted to get it out there, and I wanted to show everybody what I was working so hard on.
On “The Hills,” you mostly limited your appearances to work situations. Did you set boundaries for “The City,” as well?Basically, I decided I was going to take it day by day. I knew that if I decided to do “The City” that they were going to ask more of me than just going to work. I knew that if the show was going to be successful in this reality/soap opera arena, I was going to have to show a little bit more.
What happened with me, which really opened up my comfort zone, was meeting Jay [Lyon] when I first went to New York. We were actually filming for “The Hills.” I instantly felt so comfortable and confident with him. He was actually willing to do the show and that just made it OK to do it for some reason. He just made it seem so carefree.
OK, since you brought Jay up. I have friends in New York and they talk. According to them, you’re still seeing him. Is that true?
[Laughs] No, I’m not still dating Jay. I talk to Jay every couple weeks. We have a good friendship. I’m the kind of person who has stayed close friends with all of my boyfriends. We had a pretty amicable split. We are not dating, but we keep in touch.
Since we’re on the subject, let’s talk about some other guys. I felt like there was more chemistry with Harry Fackelmayer than Freddie. Why did you end up with Freddie?I think what happened is that Harry was just too young. I still, to this day, do not know his real age. I feel like I’ve heard five different ages from he, his brother and his dad. I have no idea how young or how old Harry is, but I’m pretty sure he’s still in college. So, that to me is kind of a red flag. Guys, in my experience, mature a little bit later than girls do, so to go with someone three to four years younger than me wouldn’t be the smartest move right now. Harry was definitely the one I met first. Harry wanted to bring Freddie and introduce him to me, so I don’t really know what happened there. Maybe they had a conversation and decided who was going to go for me. I’m not really sure.
It’s pretty clear that while you’re cordial with Olivia, you’re not BFFs. How do you feel about her?
I’m just so indifferent about Olivia. I have obviously had my issues with her and I think that they were really, really petty and very immature. I tend to shy away from really dealing with situations [with Olivia], because I know where they’re coming from. I know that Olivia has something going on in her life where she has to compensate for it in this way and have that competitive nature. I’m not going to say
I feel sorry for her, because I really don’t. I think that she has a great life and she’s a happy person. There’s something about her that I can’t blame her for, because I know there’s something going on that’s making her be this way. It’s hard to explain. You kind of have to know Olivia a little bit more in depth to realize why she is the way she is.You have the fashion line you’ve always wanted. You’re on a hit reality show. What’s next?
That’s a good question. I just want to continue working on my clothing line. That’s really so dear to me and really what I love to do at the end of the day. I’ll be doing that whether the show continues on or not. Other than that, I really don’t know. I feel that’s the only constant in my life right now, which is very, very scary for me. [She laughs.] Like I said, I’m just trying to take it day by day.
credit - Jethro Nededog @ LA Times,
additional photos - celeb city, thelipstickdiaries.com
Audrina Padridge on The Alexa Chung Show 12/1 (video)
Audrina Patridge Is Over 'The Hills'
Audrina Patridge dishes what she thinks of Kristin Cavallari and ex-boyfriend Justin, during a 'Hills'-like brunch with Alexa
Audrina blogged about the show: "Hi from NYC!
Just finished filming with Alexa Chung! We did the interview “Hills style” in a cafe with awkward pauses and long stares haha. The interview was a lot of fun! Alexa is awesome!!
Let me know what you think!
xoxo Audrina
Twit pics - Whitney Port, Chloe
Whitney twittered this morning: "On my way back from the today show"
and on 11/28: "It's officially winter"
Lauren tweeted on Nov 28th: "Chloe can't wait for christmas!! "
aww love this!
Who wore it best: Kristin Cavallari or Daisy Lowe?
Kristin Cavallari has become known for stealing people's boyfriends on The Hills (AHEM. Justin Bobby and Brody!) but we didn't have her down as a little style-stealer, too!
Back when the Sex And The City movie first came out, dark-haired, vampy model Daisy Lowe skipped along to the premiere donning a pretty Miu Miu dress. And a year later, Kristin's now stepped out in the same thing. As if making enemies of Audrina and Jayde-Nicole wasn't enough, hey...
Take a look at both the ladies wearing the dress. Who do you think wore it better?
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