Exclusive: Danielle Staub: Why I Left Real Housewives
Credit: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
As previously announced, Danielle Staub is officially gone -- but not forgotten -- from Real Housewives of New Jersey after two seriously drama-packed seasons.
The reality star, author and budding singer told UsMagazine.com about her departure from the Bravo hit that made her famous.
"I'm way too good for this," Staub, 48, tells Us. "They have used me about as much as I can be used."
PHOTOS: Other celebs who had disastrous summers
Since the moment the Garden State version of the franchise debuted last year, Staub clashed with the four other housewives, despite an initial friendship with Jacqueline Laurita.
"I think it's time for me to move on and upward," says Staub. "I don't see any interest for me to be attacked like that." (Staub's extensions were ripped out by Laurita's daughter Ashley Holmes, and she was threatened by Teresa Giudice during the second season's shocking finale, among many other memorable battles.)
VIDEO: Teresa confronts Danielle
"I mean, what's left for [the other castmates]? To kill me? Bravo seems to be glorifying their behavior. And I think it's almost like telling children to behave poorly at school, 'It's OK.'"
But Staub has big follow-up plans.
"I want my own show," she tells Us.
"I want to be me now," Staub continues. "Not me according to other people. Me...a spin-off is absolutely, positively where I'm going."
PHOTOS: Biggest reality show catfights ever
A spin-off, she says, would allow "my kids [Christine, 16, and Jillian, 12] to be seen for the wonderful children that they are. I want to be shown as a mother, an artist, a supporter of my charities and the foundations that I'm passionate about. I want to use my platform to speak about the things that I love in my life."
What about the future of RHONJ post-Danielle? "The bottom line is, they need me, I don't need them," she says. "They don't talk about anything but me. I don't talk about them, at all. I talk about me too!"
She adds: "I have no need for them in my life. They have a great need for me to make the show successful. I made it successful."
PHOTOS: Remember these housewives moments?
One topic her spin-off might cover: her continued search for her birth mother. "I did not give [this] to Bravo because I felt like there was no fair portrayal of me and my family... to share with people who didn’t even want to portray me as a human being."
"So that will be shared," Staub says. "I will do a breaking story on that when it does come out and it will be a part of my spin-off."
Life these days? "Life is fantastic!" she tells Us. "I am far too busy to be around things that don't make me feel good and people that don't make me feel good."
Tell Us What You Think
58and ! alex o'brien... you stated how all the other women did was sit around and trash talk abotu her and beat up on her...First off normally, for caroline, whenever danielle was brought up she usually wanted to end the conversation immediately. Second off, how can you blame them for talking about her? she was constantly giving them ammunition against her by all of her ridiculous antics. If she had acted even slightly normal or sane they wouldn't have had anything to use against her. Also, not for nothing, Danielle exposed HERSELF to all of that drama and heartache, there was always a simple solution, leave the show. she could have left at any point by her own choice to save her children and her own sanity but she chose to continue being involved, so she brought it upon herself, plain and simple.
Some of you people are ridiculous. Yeah, Bravo can edit SOME of Danielle's behavior to an EXTENT to make her look bad BUT, quite honestly, a majority of the psychotic things that she did was entirely her and couldn't be twisted out of nothing. Danielle is an egomaniac who thinks everything should be handed to her without an ounce of work or effort put in. Take a look at her "wonderful" children for example. Look at how her oldest daughter Christine acted when they were training her for her runway walk, she was rude to her mother and anyone else who tried to help her,, like the coach, train for the opportunity that she was given, she is spoiled and dramatic and completely disrespectful. Yet, honestly, you can clearly see she really didn't want to model, she wasn't the LEAST bit excited when she found out she would be doing a photoshoot with a top photographer simply because Danielle wanted it more for herself then for her daughter and that's how she raised her children. Danielle went out of her way to manipulate and twist anything anyone said to her or about her to make herself look like the victim. I'm not saying Danielle is the only psychopath, obviously Teresa has issues, but Teresa is much better at appearing normal, Danielle is open with her mental issues. Both women are crazy BUT neither of them is a victim, those girls were the cause for all of the drama on the show. I mean, come on, you hang around ex-cons and bring them around your children with their foul language and violent ideals. Not to mention her afternoon booty calls (which Danielle even admitted to on the reunion). Danielle and Teresa are both users and manipulators plain and simple BUT the show would not have been as enjoyable to watch without the two of them, so yes I have to agree with Danielle the show did need her, for ratings.
u guys are all pointing fingers at danielle when chapter13 filing teresa is obvously the raving lunatic and nutjob seriously. i actually liked danielle, and since she hasn't been on the show i DO NOT WATCH RHONJ! i may only be one person, but eventually it'll turn into two and then no show.wonder what teresa will do, make another fake cookbook.
Didn't her car just get repo'd?
I'm glad Danille is leaving because of her girls. She has obvious problems that she needs to address and they are many. I just wish she would truly address them and get herself some help. I know she can't be a good mom if she's doing the things she's done on the show - like hanging out with the weirdos she does, and always having a problem with someone. I don't know if Bravo sets these situations up or what, but if they do it's a shame.
She got it BAD on those reunion shows. It was ridiculous how they treated her. The show does need her otherwise it would be boring. While I don't always agree with her behavior I do think Bravo edits the entire series around this woman. And quite frankly I think Teresa is more of a nut case then Danielle. She is on another planet completely and a totally mean-to-the-core, selfish individual. I feel so sorry for Danielle's children and think that the fact she wants her own show is a big mistake because they already get teased about her behavior at school. I think there must be some kind of mental illness there if she is delusional enough to think that the other housewives will kill her and she feels the need to bring armed guards to a sit down talk. Maybe if she's gone Dina will come back. I hope so cause she was my favorite.
She got it BAD on those reunion shows. It was ridiculous how they treated her. The show does need her otherwise it would be boring. While I don't always agree with her behavior I do think Bravo edits the entire series around this woman. And quite frankly I think Teresa is more of a nut case then Danielle. She is on another planet completely and a totally mean-to-the-core, selfish individual. I feel so sorry for Danielle's children and think that the fact she wants her own show is a big mistake because they already get teased about her behavior at school. I think there must be some kind of mental illness there if she is delusional enough to think that the other housewives will kill her and she feels the need to bring armed guards to a sit down talk. Maybe if she's gone Dina will come back. I hope so cause she was my favorite.
Good riddance to old rubbish (A.K.A Danielle). My heart goes out to her kids though, because she is in complete denial about how all of this mess might be affecting her kids. I'll definitely keep watching the show without her. I'll probably like it more now.... Good luck with the "singing" thing.......
I feel sorry for Danielle because she's obviously got issues from her growing-up years and they're seriously affecting her adulthood. She puts up a tough front, but inside I'll bet she's scared silly. Why else would she put such high value on dragging around "protection?" She obviously needs to feel like someone cares about her. This is a woman with serious problems that will follow her everyplace unless she learns how to face them like an adult. I'm sure a lot of this stems from the fact that her biological mother gave her up for adoption. She has no idea how to connect with people.
Good Danielle, Go and don't come back. It was so funny to see how difficult for Andy to pull her extension. Now everybody can see that she is a liar, Ashley didn't have to strugle so hard like Andy to pull her extension. Ha,ha,ha. Who wants to see her own show???
I think Danielle is in her right. I like the other women individually, but that Teresa is an instigator. It's like being in a gang with everyone against one person. I can't believe Danielle lasted this long. Danielle: you are a wonderful mom. Being that you are the only single mom, doing your job to make ends meet, making time out for your two girls and their upcoming career. Any mom would be happy for you to be their daughter. Don't listen to what the other haters have to say. I agree with a blogger that stated that the other women seem to act like "MOBSTERS" against Danielle. Wish you lots of luck and if your own reality show comes through then I will be there watching, as will others. Some will be there for you and others will be there to see what your show is like. I will be there to support you.
Also to Alex O'Brien, I take it that you know Danielle prsonally and are in her fan club? I don't know any other way you could "sum" up how Danielle really is otherwise. Or are you another Danielle Staub? If you are, LORD, HELP US ALL!!!
To Alex O'Brien: Didyou actually watch the same show the rest of America did? Or are you justas delusional as Danielle? I'm just saying.
I can't believe how delusional Danielle is! Is she kidding? How can she really believe that anyone watching the show believes a word that comes out of her mouth! She obviously LOVES being the center of drama and creates the drama herself. I feel very sorry for her girls. That they have to live in the delusional world of their mother and that ALL of their peers know what's going on in their life. It's too bad that they'll get the brunt of all the jokes and backlash from everyone at school because of their mothers sex tapes, and the chaos their mother has created. Those poor girls. That has to take a very heavy toll on them at school and every where they go. Danielle should think about how much this is affecting her girls before she tells all the lies, causes all the problems for everyone she comes in contact with, and thinking it's ok to bring ex-cons into their lives. Also she can't make up her mind if she's going to be a lesbian or not. Dating married guys and breaking up their marriages. I really wish their father or fathers would step in and remove those girls from a very troubled life. It is going to affect them for the rest of their lives. I really wonder when she's going to end up pissing off the wrong person or persons that may have a dangerous side to them, and having potential danger for not just her, but her girls. With the people that she not only brings into her life, but into her home, and ultimately brings into her daughters lives, it's only a matter of time before something truly devastating happens to all of them! Danielle, do your girls a favor and really get some help! I'm not trying to be mean, but i'm trying to tell you, you are putting yourself and your girls in harms way because of the type of life you lead. You're opening up all of your lives to potential danger because you're on T.V. You never know what kind of twisted person is watching and decides to take out their own kind of revenge! There are alot of "crazy" people out their that may think they know you because you're on TV and decide to do something. Look at all the famous people's lives that have been devastated because of stalkers and crazy people! It's truly scary!!! We are always the last to know that we have a huge problem! Seriously, you could be a very loving kind person if you pursued getting help for yourself and your girls. I've seen you on the show, you can be a very nice, loving person. But as the show went on, you seemed to change quite a bit. I really felt sorry for you at the beginning of the first season. I really believe you don't realize yourself, how bad it's gotten. When you try to deny things you've said and done, it's like you're not realizing that all of America just seen what happened and know the truth! You are ultimately destroying not only your life, but your girls' lives and I really believe that you don't realize it. Please do yourself and your girls a big favor, and at least try to get into counseling. You are really hurting your girls! I believe Jacqueline when she said your girls are spending alot of time in the nurses office and crying because of how their peers are taunting them because of things you've said and done. They probably aren't telling you MOST of it because they don't want to hurt you. Don't you realize how mean and evil other kids can be? Ask them to be honest with you and tell you everything that's happened and what's been said. They're probably feeling like they're in their own kind of hell. Girls, especially can be very cruel to other girls. And with your life being played out for all the world to see, it makes it that much worse for your girls. I hope the three of you can find peace and can salvage something in your lives. One thing I do believe, is that you do love your girls very much. Now put your money where your mouth is and prove it to them. Not America. But to them. You'll all be much happier. Also, keep the ex-cons away from all of you. Just because you learned your lesson from it and have risen above it, doesn't mean everyone else has! I hope you and your girls can find the happiness and peace in your lives, that I think everyone deserves! Please at least THINK about the advice I've given you for your sake and especially your beautiful girls! Take care.
Why does any of this matter?!
This show is about spoiled people and their money I want all of them to just go away. that family acts like the mob and they are so judgemental of other judge AND YOU WILL BE JUDGED LADIES OR WHATEVER YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The skank left the show because viewers (except for the handful of equally delusional morons) couldn't stand her psychopathic machinations and scummy 'friends' she brought around to try to threaten and intimidate the other cast members. Only a moron would buy into Danielle's brand of lunacy! It is amazing the level of hostility she brought these other women to who were once her friends. All except for Caroline, who's BS detector went off immediately. Danielle 'Beverly' needs real professional help and I don't mean the kind of 'professional' she was/is.
I am sooo glad that Danielle is off of the show. Trashy, trashy, trashy!!! The things that she has exposed her children to are unbelievable. God be with her girls!!!
@ Alex well for one if I were on a televised show I wouldn't hang out with mens with guns, and thugs and hang on a stripper pole. I've seen enough to not want to know her. She acted more than a little odd!
Cathy-Oliver Smith laughed at others who had typed comments here for being bad spellers...Cathy, wrong doing is one word, not 2...good writtance??? OMG, it is good riddance...to you and Danielle.