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Simon van Kempen

Fashion Week to Fight Week

Simon talks controversial photos, fights, and recent 'real life' drama.

March 31, 2009

So we start at the Badgley Mischka show where despite Kelly saying that she’d been invited to almost all the shows, Ramona decided to ‘invite’ her to this one as Kelly likes architecture and Ramona likes fashion. Guess Ramona forgot to do her research on Kelly then. While waiting for the show to start, Kelly fills Ramona in on the charity meeting that Ramona had missed and clearly she’s not happy with Bethenny. After the show they retire to the back room and Ramona asks Kelly how to deal with me. Kelly asks her some pertinent questions, all of which Ramona can only answer ‘no’ but then throws in that I once tried to speak to her ‘for an hour’ and she couldn’t get away. I missed that talk. The interesting thing about this scene is that it’s a great set up for what happens later in this episode. Perhaps Kelly should have taken her own advice on dealing with people one doesn’t like when it came to dealing with Bethenny.

Jill’s apartment is coming along. The walls are almost done, the kitchen cabinets had been wallpapered and it seemed Jill was happy with everything and thankfully Bobby was too – even when Jill told him the budget had been breached.

Back over to Brooklyn (no strings?) you see us meeting with a couple of vendors, Nissim Holland as we were choosing tiles for the master bath, and then Jack Kennedy to give us some tips on lighting – particularly for the artwork we were planning on hanging. Alex is seen talking about how we wanted to do ‘this’ ourselves and in this case she was referring to the design & project management. You also learn that as a kid I was more into encyclopedias than Dickens! Oops – thankfully she still married me!

Next:
No Depth?
No Depth? Simon addresses his run-in with Ramona at Fashion Week! March 31, 2009204 Comments The Real Housewives of New York City Season 2 / Episode 6 / Simon van Kempen

Comments

225 Comments

Simon -- I loved the "....Hear ye, Hear ye..." comment you made on the show, how you stood up for Alex, your marriage relationship and kids. I completely understand, have been with the love of my life for 25 years and we still love doing everything together! Carry on!

I love you and you wife...you are such nice people and so very normal....I think its horrible how pretentous the rest of the cast is.....they are such a waste of time...you have wonderful children and a normal life...I think you are great. Simon....you are a very nice guy and you are great with your kids....and so is Alex.

Simon, I feel sorry for you. You live vicariously through your wife in her socializing and her clothing. We hear more from you then the "Real Housewife" who is your wife.

Why is that?

im starting to like you more on the show. The only people, in my opinion, who are real on the show are you guys and LuAnn.

Simon, Simon, Simon... Please stop pretending that you and your wife have been getting invites to these fabulous events before you first appeared on this show. Why on earth would Page Six or Russell Simmons need a MANAGER (not owner) of a three-star hotel, and a Victoria's Secret employee to attend their functions?

Um, Simon, while your Blog is all well and good, did you notice that you're the only male to be blogging like a wash-woman? You love the attention you're getting, and you love being a "Housewife". In case you were wondering, this is not a compliment.

I like you and Alex the best on the show. You 2 are the only ones who keep it real! And I would prefer a big brownstone in Brooklyn any day over a Park Avenue apartment! Especially one that looks like they used Donald Trumps interior designer (TACKY) Is Jill serious with that renovation and those designs!?!?!?!? Just go to the Taj in Atlantic City! LOL

Simon,
I think you recap the episodes perfectly in your blogs. Can't wait to see your new home after the renovation is complete.

Simon, I think you are the bomb! All those bashers including Ramona and the rest of them are all just jealous! You are a great father and a wonderful husband who is very in touch with his wife's needs. You are not only her best friend, but the true meaning if what a husband should be. All the haters wish they had a husband that would shop with them and buy them lovely gifts. I have only one complaint......please find a nice place to live. You dont belong on the East Side.

Who picks your comments and why are they all ooooooh simon oooooooh you are such a star? Why don't you correct people who are wrong( ie: you don't OWN the hotel). Is it because it makes you look better which falls into where you want to be. Whispering under your breath doesn't count as correcting. I think if you really tried to be real you might have more fans.

Thank you for handling Ramona and Mario so beautifully. I'd really like to read your opinions not just have you recap.

Simon,
You and Alex are my favorites! I'm looking forward to tomorrow's episode and your take on it. You are funny, and help keep the show entertaining. Kudos to you and Alex for your integrity in never talking like a high schoolers (like some do) about the others on the show. You just say it how it is, but with politeness and humor.

Hi!

Posted this query on Ramona's blog-----how is the situation with Mario playing in the annual girls double match any different then you enjoying a dinner with the housewives? How foolish they look throwing stones at you. As the saying goes, give them enough rope.....

Simon,

Thanks for providing extra info about the bits and pieces we get to see. I enjoy your writing style and your honesty. I also think you and Alex have a great sense of humor and I have to laugh at some of the stuff y'all write.

Ohh, Simon. You shine!!!! Every time I see you, how you treat your wife and children I feel emotional and touched. You are one of the best persons that I ever met through the TV. The love that you project to your family makes women desire to find a man like you. You are not feminine: You are very very very sweet. You know perfectly how to understand your wife and kids. She must be proud of you and she must love you a lot. I am your big fan. Please, don't change, never. I send you all my bless.

Hi Simon! I know I'm just a nobody form georgia but I have to say that you handled Ramona and Mario BEAUTIFULLY!
I have no idea what has gotten into Mario lately, maybe too much Ramona? Maybe he really is a jerk and we are just finding it out! LOL. Anyhoo...I have to admit last season I wasn't a big fan of you or Alex, but I certainly am now. Ramona is just so ridiculous. You should not even give her the time of day, but that is the kind of person you are. You are very well mannered, and Alex is as well.
Keep up the good work with being the genleman that you are.

I am starting to like you and Alex. I guess you could say that the both of you are growing on me. The blow-up pool was just too funny!!!! My favs on the show are Bethenny, Alex, you and Jill.

Simon, I WISH I had the life you do!!!

People who don't like you are probably envious of you.

You seem like a very caring and kind person. Your inner beauty shines through on the TV.

Hi Simon

I've grown to like you and Alex more with time. I like that you mostly keep your composure and you aren't afraid to confront someone's rudeness (I can't help it either). But I'd have to say sometimes it seems to work better to put it out of your mind and not be bothered with them eg Remeaner.

I've also hoped you don't embarrass our home country, Australia! Geez Mate the blokes over there would give you a rough time for the duds you like to wear :)) I married a metrosexual too and I'm so glad :)

Cheers
Jo

Simon and Alex,

You two are truly classy and real. You could teach Ramona and Mario a lot. They make me ill. I can't wait to see your new crib.

It's funny that you are the only husband with a blog for this show. I actually didn't like you guys last season. This season I think you both grew on me. You both seem to love each other and your kids which is what is most important. I like that you really try to work things out with Ramona... although she does not deserve it. Ramona irritates me so anything she says is idiotic. For a "supposed" Christian, she doesn't act very Christian.

Just one question... With you owning a hotel, why would you not live there during construction of your home? It would be much safer for your children and less stress.

Hi Simon!
I think you and your wife are the cutest couple and are so in love. I am so annoyed by all of these gay rumors so I can imagine how annoyed you and your wife must be. Just keep your head up and keep your awesome family going strong! Hope to see more of you guys and am looking forward to your book!

Simon,
I love you and Alex both....you are such a wonderful dad and husband. Keep up the great work!!

Well said, Simon! Your blog was an excellent recap and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. You seem socially awkward but very eloquent with text/ words on paper. I have grown to appreciate you and Alex on the show and look forward to more, more, more.

I'm so glad people aren't bashing you on your blog. I have loved you and Alex from the beginning. You two are who I would go to if I had a problem, and really needed help solving it. You are so genuine. Good for you for not letting the likes of Ramona scare you off. I mean seriously, does anyone even like that blowhard, and her plastic husband? I've noticed that Jill has stood up for you on a few talk shows she's been on. Just keep on being yourselves and more and more people will realize that you don't have to be loud and ugly to get all the attention.(aka Ramona and what's his name)

Simon,
I must say, I loved the way you defended your wife and yourself with Ramona. I don't understand why Ramona thinks she rated a "heads up" on the photos. Your life is your life and she's not your mother! She is rude. Why bother with her. Looks to me that you have your priorities straight and you're enjoying your children, your wife, and your life together. Good for you.

What are you and your wife's professions?
I wish the program would show us where you work etc.
thank you

Simon, I agree with Miss Jenna, please remember that the name of the show is Housewives of NY. Let Alex stand on her own so we can get to know her. I too would have been upset had you showed up at a Girls Night Out. It was rude to even think of asking you to come along. Sometimes you behave like you are her father. Take Care, Patsy I

You two have grown on me. You do seem to really love one another. My one concern is you seem to be stealing the spotlight from your wife. If you truly love her then you would realize that you are not the "Housewife" and would let her shine.

Score 1 for you. I think you won the arguement w/ Ramona when you reminded her about her Playboy friend and the kissing.

Simon, you have really proven yourself to be the most literate, eloquent, and graceful person. On the show, you and your family are dignified and loving. I adore when you make up songs to sing w/your boys~ you can't fake that genuine warmth. Alex is a very lucky lady to have your affection and undivided attention during her shopping trips. It is so apparent that you both really "like" one another. I also want to complement you on your blog. You are the only star that really writes cohesively and honestly about what is happening in the lives of your castmates. Thanks for being you.

Simon, you and Alex need to relax and stop trying so hard to impress everyone. You two actually do have a lot of interesting things to add to the show but when you both try to put on airs it falls flat and it is so transparent. The moments where you are just honest and natural are your best. I would have enjoyed seeing your honest reaction to that house you rented. You seem to be an incredibly good sport about a lot of things. I don't like how Ramona treated you. She is horrible. I think she is jealous of your relationship with Alex.

Simon - you and Alex are growing on me this season! I think it's because the show is focusing a little more on your home life. Your boys are precious and that's where your focus should be.

Hi Simon,

I'm liking the way you and Alex are handling yourselves. You seem rational and deeply in love. I was glad you stood up for yourself. Good job.

Dear Simon and Alex...
I think you and your wife are AMAZING. Please understand that you have more depth in your pinky than Romona and Mario have in their entire bodies. I was SO PROUD of you telling her "what's what" with the hypocrisy and the "Crosses" etc.

I like that you and Alex are intelligent and seem to keep the show grounded in the fact that no everyone is the same, and life should be lived as individuals and not cliques.

Keep doing what you are doing. You have class and that's a rare find these days!

TEAM SIMON!!!

Simon, I really think that you and Alex are gentle souls and I think that the editing is designed to show pretention on your parts, so be careful and think before you speak. I hope the renovation goes well.

Simon! Kudos on putting Ramona in her place!!! I am so proud of you. You have been a perfect gentleman, and Alex is a perfect lady.

God bless you both for being the only ones on the show that I can see who have their priorities in the right place. And by the way, I loved the molding that you found as you were having walls torn down. Jill does not know what she is talking about---I love your home---Jill only has an apartment not a home.

You guys hang in there. You have a lot of fans in Tennessee!

You & your wife seem real, but need or seem to crave attention..meaning wanting to be seen by all. You love your boys thats what matters. Im glad I dont have money cause all every1 wants 2 do is one up the other. Love, live,...just not so flaunty ya know. Your fan from JERSEY

Wow, Simon, I love reading your blogs. Even with people being blatantly ugly and classless, you always present a very balanced view. Also, I am so glad that you and Alex called Ramona and Mario on being such hypocrites! Oh my goodness, I couldn't believe how they made such a huge deal out of something so meaningless. Finally, I love that you are compassionate to LuAnn.

Simon,
You are positivly halarious. I love you, your wife, and children. I think that you all are great parents. In addition I think that your relationship, although rare, is refreshing. I don't have that kind of relationship with my soon-to-be ex spouse and perhaps that is why the ex prefix is fast approaching. Good luck to you both and thanks for the insight.

Simon, I appreciate how you and your wife never say anything truly catty about the others in your "interviews". I'm posting because in the past, I was turned off by the off-putting pretensions about being seen, being in the society column, having your children read Dickens, talking about designer labels (which is your choice of course),but I think you are good people and always take the high road.

My dear Simon, I must say that I truly enjoy you and your wife, Alex!! I am new to the show this season and admit I didn't care too much for either of you at the start. However, in subsequent episodes you have both shown grace under fire and tremendous loyalty to each other. Best of luck to you both!!

Simon,

You are the best! I think you handled the Ramona and Mario so well..you showed your man-hood and it was strong and attractive your wife should be proud. You are so right I watched the episode with Ramona kissing that friend..that now I know,"thanks to you" that was in playboy which feature nude photos..can we say, "Hypocrite" you called a spade a spade..you and your wife owe no explanation. You guys are the best..and I hope your renovations are everything you wish for and deserve. Take care.

I love you and Alex, y'all are definately a one of a kind couple!

Simon,

I just wanted to add that I was practically on the floor laughing when, on her walk with Bethenny, Ramona stated that her idea of "class" is the ability to make others feel comfortable around her. She's such a character!

Simon,
You have my support. You have handled yourself beautifully in the face of jaw-dropping rudeness and you don't pretend to be anything other than yourself. I think perhaps it is you who should be writing etiquette books. Best to your wife as well.

I'm liking you more with each passing week. I like Ramona too, but she is out of line. You and Alex owe no explanation for your actions. You and Alex have a beautiful family and that's all that matters.

Simon, the more the we get to know you the better we all like you. Sorry that Alex go laid off. Hope she finds a new job soon. Can't wait to see your home when all of your renovations are complete. You are a wonderful father and husband. Alex is a lucky lady.

Simon. I wasn't a fan of yours in the beginning but you have come to like you. I really liked the way that you stood up for Alex with Ramona and her husband. I do think that you are sincere in your love for your sons and each other. Ramona is an odd one and I don't think that you can get a rational answer from her. Take the high road and look forward to seeing you next week.

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