10 Things to Know About New Housewife Joyce Giraud
She's acted with Michael Jackson, loves farm animals, and more revelations.
It's hard to be the new girl, but when that town is Beverly Hills, it's could be especially difficult. So for the new Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Joyce Giraud de Ohoven, Season 4 is sure to be one with many ups-and-downs.
Based on her past, however, it seems she has what it takes: she's a pageant queen, has acted in many noted films, is married to a powerful producer, and has lent her stature to important charities. Before the season kicks off in November, get to know Joyce with these key facts. Who knew a Beverly Hills Housewife had a thing for barnyard animals?
1. She's one-half of a true Hollywood power couple.
Joyce is married to uber-producer Michael Ohoven, whose credits include everything from acclaimed flicks like Capote to the current NBC drama Siberia. Coincidentally, Joyce plays Caroline on Siberia, which tells the story of 15 contestants who head to Russia to compete for major money. Think Hunger Games meets Lost.
2. She's a tiara-wielding pageant queen.
Joyce has held titles like Miss Universe Puerto Rico and Miss World Puerto Rico, as well as runner-up at the 1998 Miss Universe pageant.
3. She's got an appreciation for all things barnyard-related.
Her childhood in Puerto Rico wasn't the beach vacation you'd think. "I grew up in the mountain side," she said recently. "I was the cowgirl, I was milking cows, I had the chickens, I had the roosters. I had it all! I had a million dogs. At one point I had 14 Dobermans."
4. She only washes her hair once a week.
"My one main secret I did right after my pageants days, is I only wash my hair once a week. I tell everyone you have to stop washing your hair so much!" she recently told TooFab.
5. She's always down for a special delivery.
Joyce actually has her mom FedEx Puerto Rican food from her home country, she told Latina Magazine. Her must have: bacalaitos fritos.
6. She's worked with the late King of Pop
Joyce appeared with Michael Jackson in the 2004 film Miss Castaway and the Island Girls. The spoof film may not have scored any Oscars, but it was one of MJ's last big-screen appearances. (Check out the trailer below.)
7. She's allergic to bees.
"I'm petrified of bees because I have an anaphylactic reaction to bees," she told Showbiz Junkies. In fact, while shooting Siberia, Joyce said they had to keep a "million" EpiPens on set in case she was stung.
8. She likes to pig out!
"Oh I am such a little piggy," She told Latina. "Everyone is always mad at me because I eat so much. They're like 'How are you so skinny? 'I eat more than my husband!"
9. She was bullied as a child.
"I was very skinny and very lanky and kind of awkward. In Puerto Rico everybody is a little more voluptuous, with these beautiful bodies and there I was the skinny lanky girl," she revealed to TooFab. "So they called me Olive Oyl [from Popeye], they said my body was the spaghetti and my head was the meatball."
10. She's a do-gooder.
After growing up very poor in Puerto Rico, Joyce says she wants to use her role in the public eye for good. She works with UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, to build kindergartens around the world.
Watch the season's preview below and tell us in the comments: are you excited about the addition of Joyce to the show?
