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'Real Housewives' Amazon-gate: Jill Zarin's take on reviewing under a fake name
Zap2it was one of the first to report that a scandal was brewing around "Real Housewives of New York City" star Jill Zarin on Amazon.com. Now, new details shed light on Zarin's role in Amazon-gate. Members had launched a grassroots investigation after one "Susan Saunders" replied angrily to a negative review of Zarin's book, "Secrets of a Jewish Mother."
Written to Alana Chandler, the No. 1 ranked reviewer on Amazon, the comment called the reviewer anti-Semitic and "jealous of Jill." "Saunders" even suggested that Chandler's pet should be taken from her. Chandler has since claimed that "Saunders" also followed up the comment with a "threatening email."
Amazon members then discovered that "Susan Saunders'" account was registered to Jill Shapiro, which is Zarin's name before marrying Bobby, from New York City. Her daughter's name is Allyson and her birthday is November 30. All of these details correspond with public information on Zarin. Also, Bobby's brother, David Zarin, is listed under "Saunders'" "Interesting People & Friends" list.
After our story launched, the profile was wiped clean of personal details, but David Zarin is still listed.
Now, new details have emerged that shed light on Zarin's take on reviewing under assumed names.
According to The Daily Beast, during an interview with the housewife, Zarin was pleased to hear that the interviewer liked her book. She then asked her if she could review it. When the writer declined, Zarin had a novel idea.
"Can you go under an assumed name?" Jill asked.
After the writer declined again and even Zarin's sister, Lisa Wexler, who was also being interviewed, tried to get Zarin to stop her requests, Zarin continued.
"I don't know, you could just say you loved the book," Jill said. "Anonymous. Is that so bad?"
The writer continued to decline the request, then a relentless Zarin told her she could have her boyfriend do it instead.
Amazon members claim that Zarin (and associates) had assumed different names to write positive reviews of her book and bolster or trash the books written by other cast members depending on whether she's friendly with them or not.
Zap2it readers: Do you think Jill Zarin is capable of Amazon-gate?
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jill Zarin looks ugly without the extra hair. Like Kermit the Frog. Serioiusly. Poor Bobby! Can you imagine being married to that! Also, what is up with the Countess LuAnne following Jill around like a lost puppy? Will LuAnne also start sh*ting all over Jill's apartment? Stay tuned!
this "lady" Jill Zarin should be muzzled ASAP. loser.
what a loser, jill u are not a writer , so be some thing else a maid or a bar tender or cleaner, can we just get along,hahaha
Jill is consumed with envy of Bethenny who is still relatively young and attractive. Jill's old and there's nothing she can do about it.
^ plus, Jill never even WAS attractive to begin with. oy vey this woman is a hot mess!
Great feet!
Are the ladies contractually obligated at the reunion? Cuz if I were Jill I'd be hiding under my tacky comforters thinking up my redemption arc for season 4!
It should also be noted that this Susan Saunders profile was created in 1991, when the first added a gift for Bobby Zarin on the account. So..unless this was created by Zarin's psychic who knew that she'd be writing a book 9 years later, it has Zarin's DNA written all over it.
Zarin erased the 15 5 star reviews she wrote on her book after she was caught. She also changed her birthday on Facebook the day this broke, forgetting that a memo goes out to all added as "friends" saying "Jill Zarin changed her birthdate." She has since removed her birthday, not wanting it linked to the birthday shown on her Amazon account, however...it's on Wikipedia so masking it on Facebook did little good.
The comment Jill left the reviewer removed any doubt of what a nasty, vidictive ***** Jill is. She would have you believe that her behavior is the fault of the cameras, the producers, and even on WWHL she blamed Bethenny, whom she claimed to be immitating. She's delusional and has no shame.
Jill has so many excuses for her behavior this season that it is hard to keep track of which excuse goes with which one of her terrible actions. I did not like Jill the 1st or 2nd season, now the 3rd season everyone is seeing her true colors. I hope that Bethenny does not go to the reunion show. She just doesn't need the stess in her life with the new baby. I loved Alex last week when she gave Jill the message. It is about time that the ladies start standing up to Jill. She is a liar and a big drama queen. I am no fan of Jills and would not even think of buying her stupid book.