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Heather Thomson

No Good Deed for Sonja Goes Unpunished

Heather isn't surprised Sonja brought up the toaster oven debacle again at the reunion.

Oct 15, 2012

No good deed goes unpunished. . .

Well my first season on RHONY has truly come to a close with the airing of Part 2 of the Reunion.

I felt we got into more of the drama tonight starting with Sonja’s toaster project. Ugh. So here I go. . .

Early in the season Sonja came to me and asked me for my hand in redesigning her logo and her overall branding -- which soon also turned into a campaign for her toaster oven box. I agreed to help Sonja to create the logo to umbrella and encompass both her brands "Sonja in the City" and "Sonja Home" and further, I agreed to help her create a marketing campaign to put on the package of her toaster oven. I pulled together an team of experienced professionals and enlisted them along side me to help my friend, pro-bono. . .no cost to Sonja. Sonja has been going through difficult times and I believed in her toaster oven idea and felt that the successful launch of it could help see her out of some of her financial worries and toward independence with confidence!

There were many ups and downs during the process, including Sonja suddenly needing the toaster oven box immediately to house what she described as ensuing production?!? But I could never get any information out of Sonja. Questions regarding her business plans or even the vision for her said business went unanswered. I only ever heard Sonja say she had a change of heart about the working logo we chose when she insisted she had told us and we didn’t listen. There were many areas that made the process of helping Sonja arduous -- we were working in a vacuum with no constructive feedback or input from her, and I still delivered exactly what I said I would. And somehow Sonja feels I owe her more?

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DCrevier 6 pts

Hi Heather...You are one dynamic woman.  Watching you during the fashion show was so empowering.  At first I wasn't sure about you but the more I saw the more I liked.  And your husband...what a cutie!

sfeather39 64 pts

Heather, I just love your positive attitude and radiant smile.  You are truly a breath of fresh air to the franchise. I hope you return next season.  Love your whole vibe.  

It was so nice that you tried to help Sonja with her branding but you can't help someone who thinks she's so entitled.  And it didn't help that Ramona wants Sonja to crash and burn (some friend)!.  

Don't change, you're the best!!

helena.havelock 151 pts

I wasn't sure at first whether or not I was going to like you and, to be honest, it took me awhile to get there but when you extended yourself and your expertise to Sonja to help her I began to warm up to you.  Sonja revealed herself this season to be a complete fool and seriously delusional.  It seems to me she's been talking about this toaster oven for years and could/should have had it on the market much longer than six months ago.  After seeing how that situation played out between you two, it seems to me that the toaster oven will never have a debut.  Let's face it, you gave her everything she needed to get started and she dropped the ball.  

 

I'm sorry that she was so ungrateful, arrogant and rude to you and your team.  She looked a gift horse in the mouth and showed the world that her head is full of air.  You made a valiant effort and it appears to have been wasted on her.  But you did a great job and I think your first season was a good one.

MCheeky 6 pts

All's fair in love and war!  Great smile Heather lol

ShellsH 10 pts

Heather, you are a breath of fresh air to the show!!  Hope you & Carole are ready for another season, filled with more drama from Ramona & Sonja.  Can't stand watching Ramona & Sonja...I change the channel when they are on.  I can't believe how IGNORANT Ramona is to everyone; especially the cab drivers who are providing her a service!  HOW RUDE RUDE RUDE

kramer1968 12 pts

So Glad Bravo finally added some class to the show. You are a class act Heather please don't change. I was an Aviva fan until recenty and what a disappointment she has turned out to be. Love your no nonsense attitude and honesty. You will keep the viewers watching.

Reganashe 105 pts

Heather, I really like you. You are kind and don't like to engage in mean spirited conversations. I hope you are back on the next season.

chipper1 21 pts

I love you Heather!  I find you honest, refreshing and fun and I think Ramona is just jealous of you.  I have the same name as her in real life and whenever I watch the show I'm embarrassed to share it.  You and Carole are the only reason I watch the show at all.  I hope you both come back next season.  

mtculjak 283 pts

I agree with so many others if it was not for you I would have stopped watching RHONY.  You are such a beautiful person in and out and I hope you come back next season.  I wish you and your beautiful Family a wonderful Christmas.

PennyMissMoney 211 pts

From your fashion sense to how you are as a mother and business women, I admire you. Please come back next season, you are simply fabulous.

Folaflow 8 pts

Heather the beautiful natured,u're so sweet and easy to watch,patient and understanding,pls what out for Aviva,she doesn't like u,she's only friends with u now bcos she fell out wit Ramona and Sonia,u re better than that,just stay close to Carole,pls stay true like u re,and far from bully Aviva.

dagmar 9 pts

I can only agree with chrissie_malcolm, Blueace and Lindie1967...You have the patience of an angel! Stay true to yourself and keep above it! Getting involved in shouting matches??? No point! Nobody hears what the other is saying anymore. Empathy is a lost word on the show...

chrissie_malcolm 12 pts

Hi Heather - If it hadn't been for you and Carole this season I would have stopped watching RHONY.  You are both so grounded and honest and it is so refreshing!  Ramona and Sonja ... well, what's left to say?  They bring out the very worst in one another; Sonja has become Ramona's unfortunate stooge and always comes off looking worst, or should I say, most drunk.  You have such a positive, life-affirming personality and when you take the opportunity to say your piece it never fails to hit the target (unless it's Ramonja where the target is moving constantly ... hic).  Hope you'll come back for Season 6.  Best wishes to you and yours.

Blueace 19 pts

Heather you were the best thing for me this season.  I really adored watching your steel core behind that smle. Dealing with the Comedy duo, crazy twins, Zig and Zag Sonja and Ramona without ripping your hair out is something.  keep up the good work. hoping to see you next season. 

Lindie1967 8 pts

Hi Heather! Jeez, you have the patience of an angel.. Ramona must want to make you pull your eyelids over your head!! She's clearly v jealous, you're fab!

Pinchella 53 pts

Great season Heather and 'hi' from an Aussie fan. I'm so pleased Bravo finally chose some women with brains this season! It is a pity you wasted so much time on helping Sonja - she truly is a moron, an ungrateful one too. Aviva shouldn't apologise for the words she called Sonja and Ramona as their behaviour is just that - white trash.

GeorgieBrit 6 pts

I've loved watching you and Carole in this series, it's a relief to have two level-headed people in the show who seem to see things as they actually are.

frankie1 8 pts

 

Heather, I don’t know how you put up with  the spoilt  and delusional Sonja, she treated you with such disrespect. As for the creature that is Ramona well she needs to keep quiet for a couple of hours watch the show back whilst drinking a very large cup of honesty. Hope your back next season.

Britfan 9 pts

You have the patience of a Saint to put up with Sonja and her crass attitude towards you and your hard work on her behalf ,maybe she just expects things to fall into place around her ! . Here in the UK we are part way through the series and not up to St Barts antics yet, I have to admire the way you have integrated within the group and to be honest yourself and Carol seem to be the only real personalities on that show that do not need the 100% devotion of a team of therapists.Good on ya girl (as we say in the UK ! )... Keep on being yourself xxxx much love xx

2012Lucy 137 pts

As much as I love Sonja, I think you should send her a big fat invoice for the work you did for her. 

Heather49 7 pts

From one Heather to another.  You're just great.  You've earned your wings with this Sonja branding/campaign.  I would have shut down the photo shoot and sent her a bill.  And, then when she replied saying that she thought you were doing this pro bono, my reply would have been, 'yes, but not the team that I was using'.  The trouble with 'rabit Ramona' and 'self-centred Sonja' is that they have nothing better to do with their lives.  I use the term 'rabbit' because in England there is a cockney group Chas and Dave who produced a record Rabbit, Rabbit Rabbit which in England is a term that is used for a woman whose mouth is in constant activation.  Another applicable term is 'verbal diarrhea'.   Good luck and I do hope you stay.  Take care and keep sane...

 

Gizmomaxiggy 7 pts

Heather, Love, love, love you. I've registered with Bravo just to voice my support for you. I've watched and enjoyed all seasons of RHONY but I must say you encompass all the qualities I associate with a smart and sassy NY success. Well done, I hope to see you next season.

annie17352 82 pts

Your husband appeared to be such a sweet man, kind and wise. I  imagine you get along really well...I hope you all are one the next series..I think some amazing things could come out of it..

 

Stay well

 

ukfloridagirld 8 pts

Am just watching the toaster/photo shoot episode in England, how did you not kick Sonja's ungrateful butt out of the studio ?  That woman (and I use the term loosely was ungrateful and as my 15 year old said acted like a spoilt brattish diva.  She had absolutely no appreciation for the hard work you had put into her branding.  Her and Romona are a disgrace, self centered, spoilt, two faced and totally deluded..............a disgrace to woman

Frylight 6 pts

I am now watching season 5 here in the UK and I must say that you are such a likeable, and honest addition to the cast. It is great to see you try with certain people on the show - and the way you chased one of them round a party to get your point across, had me in stitches!! I really do hope that there is a season 6 and I hope to see a lot more of you - go Heather xxx

AJames0672 14 pts

Girlfriend you are a breath of fresh air! I hope your in the next season of RHNY! I love the fact that you are real and I do believe your a genuine nice person. Your much more interesting to watch that the other two new  housewives who I think are snakes and so far up Ramona's butt its funny. Keep being you your amazing!!!!

 

P.s get back to London soon!!!

SueDuBe 6 pts

Interesting times on the show but Sonja is a user and does not understand business. She and Ramona like to think they do but neither of them have a clue. I would stay true to yourself and avoid those two drunks.

alyssar 6 pts

I think you did a great job being on the show. I am now a fan of yours and the Yummie mummie label. I found your hard working nature a sweet relief from the standard housewifes. Hope you are there for another season as women at home who watch this show need to have hard working women that they too can aspire to greatness.

straykt 76 pts

Heather, It was so funny when u pursued Ramona at the party. She looked like somehting looking for a hole. I feel u really did not want to treat Ramona that way, but sometimes u gotta beat em to get their attention. Ramona is a mystery to me. She appears to be successful, but it beats the heck out of me how ? SHe is obviously one sandwich short of  picnic and the way she tries to stick that butt out is pitiful ! Someone needs to tell her to leave that donkey bootie stuff to the Ladies of Atlanta. A properly raised white girl would be wearing a girdle and tucking and squeezing. LOL Good luck!  

chrissyzzs2011 6 pts

Hi Heather, you're such a beautiful person 

Italia40 13 pts

Heather you are wasting your time and your ability on an individual (Sonja) who does not understand true friendship. You extended yourself and your knowledge to help her,  however, you are dealing with an individual who can only use her connection to her ex-husband as a ticket to get into society. The women came from nothing, all she did was marry well.  Both her and Ramona need to leave the show and have a spin off program on how "Poor white trash made it into the lower level of New York society. You are a strong and intelligent women and you do not need to waste your time with these so-called ladies.  The only one that deserves your friendship is Carol, she is the only person who is real besides yourself. 

EllieJ 606 pts

Heather, I hope you will be returning. You came across as a very kind person and one who would be a pleasure to have as a friend.

theyogahottie 968 pts

Heather, you were an amazing friend to Sonja by offering to help her with her toaster oven box.  I will never understand why Sonja thought it appropriate to act so difficult when you were taking time out of your busy schedule to help her with her ad campaign.  Talk about rude...Also, you're an amazing business woman!! I have never seen a woman act so cool, calm, and collected in a high pressure environment such as the business world.  You're an inspiration and a wonderful example for young women!! Thank you for being you! :)

Florida_Gal 883 pts

Hi Heather

 

Congratulations on getting through this season fairly unscathed. Unscathed by the viewers that is! Not by Ramona or Sonja or even Luann or Aviva. Haha. They are high maintenance. A friend of mine once said to someone that she had reached the point where he would have to pay her to continue being his friend because it was just too much work. That could apply to more than a few on this show. 

 

It was a refreshing learning experience for me to watch you interact with everyone. Especially Ramona. The ability to speak your piece without losing your peace is a very admirable quality.

 

I came to understand the wisdom with which you 'danced' with Ramona. You refused to engage with her on her terms and she finally got weary of trying to feud with you.  Especially after she found her nemesis in Aviva.  Omg.

 

I really like you and I hope that you got whatever you wanted when you signed up for the show. While I enjoyed watching this show, I don't know how healthy it is for you all. Maybe it helped crack the hard shell of entitlement around Luann.... seems like maybe it does take a village when you're dealing with a narcissist.  However, for you, I would like to suggest that you (and Carole)  take this season's well-earned 'goodwill' and RUN! 

 

Best wishes and take care. 

 

 

 

MS.FOX.FLORIDA 7 pts

Dear Heather,

I must admit with all the atrocities going on in the world today, I find that for myself watching Housewives is an indulgent brainless activity and I really should be doing something more productive with my free time.  However, that being said the one thing the show does do is it reveals how egoistic our human nature has become and how harmful it is to ourselves and the people around us and it represents a realistic portrayal of human nature and why the world just can't get along.  Our inability to see our own egoism in situations as they are happening and our innate ability to excuse our individual behavior or make up a fantasies regarding the facts in order to protect ourselves, happens again and again in all aspects of our lives.  The fact that you women can film yourselves for the world do see your mistakes and the lies you tell yourselves in order to get the upper hand in situations is remarkable.  I don't think I would ever have the courage to do that myself.  I would be too mortified at having to live my mistakes so publicly.  I have never commented before, but I felt you needed to hear that you handled yourself amazingly well.  I mean astonishing really at how honest and authentic you came across and very reasonable.  I would just say that to remain that way.  Stay true to yourself and humble.  Don't let the craziness sweep you up nor  let what happened to Caroline or Jill happen to you.  I think they were reasonable in their first seasons and then became self-righteous and swayed way, way off course from their true selves.  Anyway, Housewives is my indulgent escape from the real problems we face in the world such as poverty, homelessness, war, famine, greed, abuse of power, apathy, and well the list goes on and on doesn't it?  I wish you well. 

annie17352 82 pts

Hi Heather, I think you are the one lady I would love to sit down and share a light lunch and talk. You handled yourself wit dignity. A strong woman, but, still very much a woman. I have actually been using your technique...the smile...You can speak your truth with control. I love this expression and it speaks to the way you deal with the ladies (?). I

"Mean what you say but, don't be mean when you say it." 

You should be proud of yourself. You exhibited class, humor, kindness and, OMGosh...all that energy. Hope to see you next time on RHONY...

 

lolly1946 72 pts

Heather needs to speak up instead for whinning about Aviva

Jazzyrose 30 pts

Sorry to say...the Sonja-toaster Poster sucks...The naked man shouldn't be there at all...unless you're selling CONDOMS....Either your art dep't didn't know what they're doing...or they did it on purpose

Pinchella 53 pts

@Jazzyrose I think it went well with Sonja's promiscuous behaviour

JacInFlag 27 pts

Sonja always wants something for nothing (i.e. her interns).  She took advantage of you and showed not one whit of gratitude.

msant2012 26 pts

Heather, you are a breath of fresh air - love your attitude.  However, I don't understand why you put yourself in the position to help Sonja when you knew she wasn't paying you.  For someone who was getting assistance for free, she was very demanding.  When she brought Ramona into  it you should have told her to take a walk.  Why did you put yourself through all of that chaos.  Sonja has been living off of others for a long time  you can tell that by her actions.  She even walked out on a dinner bill in NYC.  I feel bad that you did all of that work, gave her your expertise and then in the end, she blames you for not doing what she wanted. Perhaps her problme is communication, she doesn't know how to communicate her point thats why she didn't get what she wanted.  Also, I don't think she really knew what she wanted or in what direction she was headed.  I think she pulled this whole idea out of the air so she had some type of living to hang onto.  She is obviously going to have long term money problems and probably saw this as an opportunity to get into a new business.  

 

I hope you come back next year with Carole, Luanne and Aviva, they should try to recycle Sonja and Ramona send them to Atlanta they will get their just dues with those Gals!!!

 

Good Luck.

Lynda58 2994 pts

 msant2012 I agree with everything you stated except one thing:   Aviva has got to be deleted from the group.  She was a nightmare to watch.  

smedly151 1256 pts

Well, first off, do not try to justify your actions sweetie.  You are who you are and it is what it is.

Instead of a four page blog we skim through blah, blah blah...it would have been much easier to apologize to the other ladies.  I came on the show.  I am a control freak.  I need to work on my listening skills.  I want the exposure for  donor needs and to improve awareness.  etc.

that said...I like ya chick

JEBFP6969 562 pts

I'm sorry Heather, I love you but.....you really didn't listen to Sonja at times concerning her logo. She kept saying the same things over & over. I know we don't get to see all of what goes on, but...... I think it is true that anyone could have taken your campaign & launched the toaster oven, but Sonja didn't get exactly what she wanted. I think there was a failure to communicate. Sonja should have communicated  her desires more & not acted like all was well when in fact she didn't feel that. Love you & Carol on the show!  You go girl!

This comment has been deleted
lynnwhitlock 3116 pts

 myhemic  JEBFP6969 Sonja knew just what she wanted,  Sonja with a sexy J, a black and white photo and the shot of her without the bare chested man. Heather nixed it and gave Sonja no respect.

Pinchella 53 pts

@lynnwhitlock @myhemic @JEBFP6969 if Sonja wanted that then she should've contacted a photographer and done the whole thing herself instead of wasting Heather's professional skills and time.

bpster 2007 pts

Heather what did you expect from Sonja? She may have been a business women not even sure on that but she never has had to fight her way. Take her for what she is! You can't make a housewife a business women without sacrifice. You've learned through your mistakes and I'm sure college that it takes more than a logo to make a business. Sad to say but Sonja doesn't have a clue. Whoever told her a toaster oven would be a good idea is smoking marsh mellows!!!

MJTA 361 pts

Heather you are my favorite housewife on the show, but I do need to make two points. First, it was gross for Harry to make the comment about sleeping with Luann and Sonja at a dinner party and it was wrong of you to repeat it. Second, you made the comment that that if Luann doesn't like what she hears she gets defensive. Girl, you have been known to go off on people if you don't agree with what they said.

Xprssgirl15 37 pts

Heather I love that you are on the show, you are so real and fun and funny... Please come back next season it won't be great without you!!

deirdreb 71 pts

WOW, finally a REAL classy woman on the Real Housewives, the voice of reason in heather, just a nice all-round girl, my whole family just love her!