Cindy Barshop: Hampton's Magazine Clambake

Cindy Barshop attends Hamptons Magazine's Annual Clambake Celebration at The Montauk Yacht Club on July 17, 2011 in Montauk, New York.

Credit: Wire Image (E. Gologursky)

Cindy Barshop: Remy Martin V Launch Party

Cindy Barshop attends Remy Martin V official launch party with performance by Robin Thicke at Lavo NYC on July 12, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image (J. McCarthy)

Kelly Bensimon Introduces Her Jewelry Line

Kelly Bensimon introduced her 2011 Summer jewelry at Cindy Barshop's Completely Bare Salon in New York last night, June 30, 2011.

Credit: Getty Images (Cindy Ord)

Cindy Barshop Fires Back At Former Employee

Photo Credit: Wire Image (Navarro)

Cindy Barshop is speaking out against a disgruntled former employee who claims that she was fired for being black saying that the employee is the real racist -- and it's hurting her business.

The newest Real Housewives of New York star filed a suit today saying that the employee was fired for "disciplinary and other work performance problems, including client complaints."

She also said, "In an effort to mask her own deficient work performance and serial on the job screw-ups, Collier, in a racist fashion, asserts that her race, national origin and skin color were the basis for her termination."

Sonja Confuses Snake Venom for Semen

When it comes to snakes, Real Housewives of New York City star Sonja Morgan is no expert.

When she and her castmates visit a snake charmer in Morocco, the 47-year-old reality star quickly notices that the snake is secreting a clear liquid.

"Is that venom or semen?" a confused Morgan asks.

"It's venom," LuAnn de Lesseps informs her.

Though their costars Jill Zarin and Alex McCord happily pose for photos with the reptile, Ramona Singer, Cindy Barshop and Kelly Bensimon are less enthusiastic about meeting the serpent.

"It freaked me out," Bensimon, 42, says. "Get the snake with the venom away!"

The Real Housewives of New York City airs Thursday on Bravo at 10 p.m. EST.

Credit: Us Magazine

New York Housewives Want To Make You Sweat

The stars of Real Housewives of New York City get plenty of exercise shopping, pointing fingers, flipping their hair and catfighting. But sometimes, they've got to do a little bit more to really feel the burn.

Out promoting NBCUniversal's Healthy Step-a-Thon in Times Square, Kelly Bensimon, Jill Zarin, Ramona Singer, Alex McCord, Cindy Barshop and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps opened up about the workout and diet routines they follow to maintain their—love 'em or hate 'em—toned and slim selves.

"I do work out a lot compared to some people," LuAnn says, describing her Pilates-tennis-crosstraining routine.

And whether it's Ramona's attempt to work out in heels, Jill promoting her new line of shapewear or Cindy showing off her Jimmy Choo sneakers and emphasizing the importance of spray tans (instead of real ones) and drinking lots of water, all of the regimens sound about right for the Housewife in question.

"If I walk home, that'll be the best exercise ever, but I'll probably take a car service," laughed Jill.

"It's definitely bikini time, so it's not just about being fit, it's about looking hot," Kelly admitted.

Credit: E! Online (Natalie Finn)

Photos by Wire Image

Cindy Barshop: amNewYork's Welcome Party

Cindy Barshop attended the welcome party for new columnists at The Chelsea Room on May 18, 2011 in New York City. Also pictured, new columnist Kelly Bensimon.

Credit: Wire Image

Cindy Barshop Rallies For Kids With Cancer

Cindy Barshop lends her support at "The Rally for Kids with Cancer Scavenger Cup". The event was hosted at the Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach last month.

Credit: Zimbio

Photos by PacificCoastNews.com

The NY Housewives Cast Could Be Replaced

Look out Jill, Ramona, LuAnn, and Alex -- according to a new report, you're all on the chopping block.

Bravo executives were so overwhelmed with the success of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills -- their season finale was the highest-rated episodes in Housewives history -- they're looking at revamping the NYC franchise with all super-wealthy women with over-the-top lifestyles.

Producers believe that the hotel-sized mansions, stretch limos, diamonds, private jets, and record-setting divorce settlements that are part of the Bev Hills housewives' world, that made the show so appealing. They think the NYC show would perform better with that same feel.

So if you have Adrienne Maloof of Camille Grammer-size bank accounts, live in Manhattan, and have always wanted to be on reality TV, you may be in luck, reports The New York Post.

"We're always casting for new housewives in every city," a Bravo rep conceded to The Post. Would the cable net do a wholesale housecleaning and start the NYC show over with an entirely new cast? "We've never done that before," is all the rep would say.

Credit: Radar Online

Kelly Bensimon's New York City Birthday Party

Real Housewife of New York City star Kelly Bensimon celebrated her birthday on Cinco de Mayo with friends including fellow housewife Cindy Barshop at Teqa in NYC.

Kelly came in and was greeted with three huge glass displays filled with Jelly Beans, her favorite! Kelly blew out the candles on a cake made special for her by 'Made In Heaven Cakes.'

Credit: Life & Style

Cindy Barshop: MVP Beauty Awards Breakfast

Cindy Barshop attended Redbook Magazine's 2011 MVP beauty awards breakfast at Bryant Park Grill on May 3, 2011 in New York City. Also pictured, Camila Alves.

Credit: Wire Image

Cindy Barshop Is Hardly A Housewife!

She may look like a happy-go-lucky downtown party girl on Real Housewives of New York City, but these days, Cindy Barshop is more into business and babies than boozy soirees.

“I wake up with my kids, then I work, work, work!” the single mom of 15-month-old twins Jesse and Zoe tells In Touch. As the owner of high-end spa Completely Bare, Cindy runs six New York locations, new spots in Atlanta, Beverly Hills and Dallas, and has plans to conquer Long Island and even Brazil with her state-of-the-art hair removal, tanning, and other beauty services. “When all the employees are in a positive mode and we're moving forward, that’s when I feel really good.”

Despite her full schedule, Cindy guarantees to entertain fans of the Bravo reality show. The bubbly brunette, who says castmates Jill Zarin and Kelly Killoren Bensimon are her friends, foreshadows a rift with a few of the series’ other women. “When we’re away, all of a sudden there’s a big split!” she says, referring to a drama-filled getaway to Morocco with the girls.

And the supermom even gives love a chance this season. “I just went on a couple of dates,” she says coyly, adding that she has a weakness for the rocker type.

Credit: In Touch Weekly

Cindy Barshop: OK! Magazine's Sexy Singles

Cindy Barshop attends OK! Magazine's Sexy Singles party at Lavo NYC on April 20, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

New York Housewives At The TV Land Awards

Kelly Bensimon, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Sonja Morgan, Cindy Barshop, Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen of the Real Housewives of New York attended the 9th Annual TV Land Awards at the Javits Center on April 10, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

Hair Color Plays a Role in Housewives Drama

The Real Housewives of New York City are no strangers to drama, catfights and taking sides, but this season the ladies have taken their differences one step further – division by hair color.

"It's just the natural divide, it's like [the San] Andreas fault," LuAnn de Lesseps, referring to California's earthquake boundary, told PEOPLE recently at Bravo's upfront presentation. "You just can't guess when it's going to split."

The Countess is joined by Jill Zarin and new housewife Cindy Barshop to make up "Team Brunette," while Alex McCord, Ramona Singer and Sonja Morgan are members of "Team Blond" – but Kelly Bensimon says her ombre highlights (dark at the roots, light at the tips) kept her firmly neutral.

"I don't really play sides," she said. "Ramona and Alex and Sonya are incredibly spirited and funny, LuAnn and Jill and Cindy and I just get along. I have a great time with all of them."

Credit: PEOPLE (Mussarat Bata)

Cindy Barshop's Interview With TV Guide

Downtown denizen Cindy Barshop — single mom of twins and owner of the Completely Bare spa empire — is the latest addition to the Big Apple brigade, and she is so keeping it Real.

TV Guide Magazine: You have two baby girls and a business. Why add TV to your workload?

Barshop: I'd just given birth and I am the type who always likes changes. So I think it was a little bit of "baby brain," and a little bit that I enjoy new opportunities.

TV Guide Magazine: Who did you click with?

Barshop: I stayed with my brunette tribe. I immediately clicked with Jill, and I get Kelly. [Laughs] Her whole quirkiness and fun... She's like "granola" good.

TV Guide Magazine: What kind of drama did you get caught up in?

Barshop: A lot. I thought I wasn't gonna have any drama, so I guess Bravo's brilliant because when they mix these girls together — there's a lot going on. Morocco is where most of the separation happens.

TV Guide Magazine: Is there a moment where fans will be like, "We love Cindy"?

Barshop: I think it's when I finally stand up to somebody who nobody usually does.

TV Guide Magazine: How do you think your girls will feel when they're old enough to see you on the show?

Barshop: I think they're going to be proud of me. On reality shows, nobody [looks] perfect. But I think they portray you for how you are. At least, I hope it comes off that way!

The Real Housewives of New York City airs Thursdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

Credit: TV Guide (Damian Holbrook)

Alex Has A Long Fuse, When It Blows, It Blows!

In the upcoming new Season 4 of Real Housewives of New York, Alex McCord has completely changed her persona. She’s found her voice and no longer stays silent. Here’s why:

“I have finally had it up to here,” Alex tells Hollywood Life exclusively at the premiere party at NYC’s Covet Lounge on April 5. “I have a very long fuse, and when it blows — it blows.” But, when Alex’s newly found voice causes an uproar among her castmates — only a few of the women have her back!

“The biggest difference in the metamorphosis is that I’m actually just saying what I was thinking all along,” Alex tells us. “Both of us [meaning her husband Simon van Kempen] have felt freer. If you don’t say what you are thinking, people will make up all sorts of things that they think you’re thinking and it’s never real.”

Unfortunately some of the women find Alex’s words annoying. “I love Alex. I think she’s a really sweet girl,” Kelly Bensimon explains to us. “But I think one of her biggest issues is that she’s outspoken about the wrong issues — sometimes less is more.”

But some of her co-stars have her back. “I think they are just shocked that she’s stepping out of her shell,” Ramona Singer tells us. “First season she was a quiet mouse. Now she has a voice. And you know what, she comes to my defense a number of times on the show. She’s become a good friend. I just like her. I think she’s real and does things unpretentiously. She’s very genuine person.”

Sonja Morgan also joins the pro-Alex team … most of the time. “I am very friendly with Alex,” she says. “She’s entitled to have her opinion and vent.”

“I’m there for her, but I do have to pull the plug at certain points,” Sonja adds. “I’m not a doormat. I have to draw the line sometimes. But she is my girlfriend regardless. She’s entitled to her emotions and passion.”

Newest housewife Cindy Barshop — who admittedly is closest with the other side including Jill Zarin, Kelly and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps — even stands up for Alex occasionaly. “I didn’t know her when she wasn’t outspoken,” says Cindy. “Now she’s just saying what’s on her mind. Maybe even a few times I even encouraged her to speak up a little more.”

Credit: Hollywood Life (Lindsey DiMattina)

Real Housewives of New York Premiere Party

Sonja Morgan, Alex McCord, Ramona Singer, Cindy Barshop and Kelly Bensimon attend the Real Housewives Of New York City Season 4 Premiere Party at Covet on April 5, 2011 in New York City. Also pictured, Simon van Kempen and Mario Singer.

Credit: Wire Image

New York Housewives At 2011 Bravo Upfront

Real Housewives of New York stars Kelly Bensimon, Alex McCord, Jill Zarin, Cindy Barshop, and LuAnn de Lesseps attend the 2011 Bravo Upfront at 82 Mercer on March 30, 2011 in New York City. Also pictured, Simon van Kempen.

Credit: Zimbio

Photos by Mike Coppola/Getty Images North America