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'Real Housewives' Jill Zarin's Amazon-gate: Simon van Kempen weighs in
Earlier this year, we reported on a scandal that was wreaking havoc on Jill Zarin's credibility. Amazon.com members were in an uproar when Alana Chandler, the site's No. 1 ranked reviewer, was harassed and threatened by "Susan Saunders" on the book site and allegedly via email after negatively reviewing Jill Zarin's book, "Secrets of a Jewish Mother."
We soon came to find out that "Susan Saunders" was an alias for Jill Shapiro otherwise known as "The Real Housewives of New York City's" Jill Zarin's married name before marrying Bobby.
We caught up with Simon van Kempen, AKA Mr. Alex McCord, in between appearances for their parenting memoir, "Little Kids, Big City," and we asked him to weigh in.
"It's almost proven beyond a reasonable doubt that it was done on Jill's account," Simon tells Zap2it. "Now, whether it was done by Jill with her knowledge or one of her assistants, who knows? But whoever did it was pretty bloody stupid quite frankly."
In the middle of the controversy, Jill took to Facebook and posted, "Some crazy fans are saying I wrote my own review." Simon says the assertion this was done by crazy fans is doubtful, especially when the account has "wish lists" prepared for Jill's daughter, Ally, dating back to pre-"New York Housewives" 2001.
"I can't imagine
that anyone at that stage was so invested in being anti-Jill that
they'd go to some huge lengths to construct what to the naked eye was
an Amazon account under the name Jill Shapiro," says Simon. "Which was
her previously married name, who had the same birthday, who had wish
lists going back years, I mean it was a pretty naïve attempt on
whoever's part who went into Jill's account."Of course, some have argued that this wouldn't be the first time a writer penned good reviews for themselves. The sticking point for most is that she went the extra step of threatening the respected reviewer, Alana Chandler. Simon agrees.
"It's one thing to write reviews of your own book and trash other people's," he explains. "But then that same account seemed to go ahead and threaten somebody. That's pretty silly. It's a book for god sakes."
Truth be told, Simon has his own reason for finding the whole ordeal distasteful. He feels the controversy affects not only his future success, but also that of anyone who's part of the "Real Housewives" franchise.
"Whether we're all friends or not," he says. "We're all in this together. We need everyone to succeed with what they're doing. If one person undercuts themselves or others, they're hurting us all in the end."
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Photo credit: Getty, Bravo
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Real housewives, real psychological problems? Judge for yourself.
http://angelofdevs.wordpress.com
Jill is obviously a vile and misguided person who would do anything to obtain her evil goals.
Jill really showed her true colors during the reunion show. Her true intentions became even more transparent as she tried to apologize and defend her actions.
Jill must have some sick need to constantly have a target to attack with her poisonous arrows; unfortunately Alex seems to be her new target. I think Alex handled Jill's attacks well, but I am sure it was stressful for Alex. I am concerned that Bravo is fearful of Jill and will not take action to ensure that she does not continue to injure coworkers' lives. I wonder if Jill realizes she is one of the most hated person in America? (right up there with the CEO of BP) I feel Bravo should refuse to continue to give Jill an opportunity to launch attacks on others and remove her from the show. I enjoy watching NY Housewives, but I don't think I can watch another season of Jill's misguided, hurtful, and evil attacks on others. Why doesn't Bravo replace Jill?
We all need to write Andy Cohen and Bravo and request that for the sake and integrity of the show Jill Zarin and Kelly Bensimon need to be removed from the show. Lets all get the campaign going. On the last Reunion show Jill went after Alex. Jill hit below the belt by suggesting that Alex posed spread eagle in the lobby of her husbands hotel. Now she also wants to get Simon fired from his job and she will succeed in getting Alex off the show if she doesn't film with her as she did with Bethenny. Jill wants to gain sympathy with all the crocodile tears but I don't buy it. She is a fake and evil to the core. I can't stand her. Now that B has her own show I will stop watching housewives next season. People don't turn the TV on to watch Jill spew hatred and Kelly go crazy. Enough is enough!
Answer me this one question Van Kempen. If you are SO sure this was Jill's account AND if there really was a threat...WHY HAVEN'T THE MAJORS PICKED UP THIS STORY?
Surely a popular reality television star threatening a fan is newsworthy correct? Telling someone they aren't deserving of owning a pet IS NOT A THREAT. Get off the bottle Van Kampen.
of course it is and was and will be real , the majour news outlet did not pick the news because Jill is not important or a star or whatever she thinks she is in her distorted mind . I only wish i would not be seeing or hearing about her, God rest her soul.Hey JILL R.I.P.
@Justin: This story WAS picked up by numerous legitimate news outlets. But no, it didn't become a huge story. That's not because it's not true, that's because Jill isn't important enough. And Jill behaving poorly is not news.
Jill behaving like a decent human being? Now THAT would be big news.
@ Justin (Jill)- The actual threat was in the follow up email 'Jill' sent to the amazon reviewer. We are all familiar enough with her poison tongue to know that she isn't above threats. LOL that you think anything Jill does or thinks or says in anyway is major news.
Pretty sad that Jill has been reduced to taking PR advice from Smelly Kelly. Maybe writing your own reviews is PR 103. LOL
Alex and Simon need to get a hobby and quit obsessing about Jill constantly. It's weird and boring
Justin, sorry, but a story about Jill "what's-her-name-from-one-of-those-crappy-reality-shows" isn't exactly earth-shattering news. most ppl wouldn't even know who that jackhole is. nuff said.
Maybe I missed it- did this article include the terrible review of Simon and Alex's book that (presumably) Jill wrote? The same reviewer that gave Jill 5 stars gave books by her fellow castmates Bethenny and Alex terrible reviews. Very suspicious.