Housewives keep it real
They are rich, successful and flamboyant and about to appear on the first Australian version of the most successful reality TV franchise of all time.
Catering queen Chyka Keebaugh and Versace-loving barrister Gina Liano were in Perth this week to promote The Real Housewives of Melbourne, a reality TV show that will follow the lives of six wealthy housewives and professional women who live in Melbourne's affluent suburbs, such as South Yarra, Toorak and Malvern.
The international versions of the Real Housewives, including Atlanta, Vancouver and Beverly Hills, are known for the explosive storylines that occur between the women and their spouses, which have covered deaths, divorces and criminal investigations.
And Keebaugh and Liano, sister of fashion designers Bettina and Teresa, said fans of the series would be happy to know the Melbourne version would definitely hold its own in the drama stakes.
"It is high energy and has a lot of punch," Liano told AAA.
Liano said she found herself unknowingly at the centre of the majority of the drama, kicking off with a major on-screen disagreement with professional psychic Jackie Gillies (wife of Silverchair drummer Ben Gillies) in the first episode, which airs on Sunday at 5.30pm on Foxtel's Arena channel.
"Every episode is the Gina Liano show. Wherever there is a fire storm it involves Gina," Liano said.
"I think friendships have been destroyed, for me anyway. Well they weren't friendships anyway, they were more acquaintances - I will peg it there."
Keebaugh said she was the one who held the group together in the midst of such squabbles.
"I am a very placid person and I don't believe in getting involved in everyone's gossip and problems. As the show progresses you see that happens. I like to keep myself neutral and if it is not about me I don't really see why I need to get involved.
"A lot of girls see that as sitting on the fence. I don't because in life I don't get involved either."
Even before it airs, the series isn't without real-world consequences, with Liano revealing her youngest son had to be pulled out of school during filming due to anxiety.
She said the 16-year-old had since recovered and laughed while watching the first few episodes with her, much to her relief.
