Danielle Staub: Pop Artist In The Making?

Danielle Staub, New Jersey‘s rabblerousing star, is following in the footsteps of Kim Zolciak and LuAnn de Lesseps by entering the world of pop music. In fact, Staub is currently recording a duet called “Real Close” with singer Lori Michaels, who wrote the track.

“It’s a song about having commitment issues — one person is leaving, the other person is staying,” Staub tells PEOPLE. “It’s called ‘Real Close’ because you want to pull the person closer.”

Staub says there will be five versions of the song, which will be released in about eight weeks. “For the main version, the vibe is very sexy, very raw,” she says. “There’s going to be a dance mix, but the main version won’t be dance.”

But can she sing? “I sang in an R&B band when I was a young teen,” Staub says. “It’s been a long time since I exercised [my musical chops] but when I was sitting down going over Lori’s music, this song grabbed me.”

As for her Real Housewives costars, “I don’t care what they think,” she says of their reaction to her move to become a recording artist. “I don’t have a relationship with them.”

Credit: People

Danielle Staub: Bookends Book Signing

Danielle Staub promotes her book 'The Naked Truth' at Bookends Bookstore on May 27, 2010 in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

Credit: Wire Image

Danielle Staub Being Harassed By Former Friend

Danielle Staub is the resident villain of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New Jersey and during her Tuesday book signing in Manhattan she created controversy once again, claiming she was being harassed by a former friend.

“I get several mean text messages everyday from her,” Staub told the crowd on Tuesday night. “The messages are from the person who I thought was my best friend and turned out to be the worst of all.”

While Staub refrained from naming the person, one possible candidate is fellow castmember Jacqueline Laurita- the only woman on the show who tried to foster a friendship with Staub during Season One.

However, when the women discovered the book Cop Without A Badge, which allegedly detailed Danielle’s past including an arrest on eight charges including cocaine possession and narcotics conspiracy, Laurita began to re-think her relationship with Staub.

During the second season, which currently is airing on Bravo, Laurita and Staub grew more distant after Laurita severed their friendship due to the wishes of her husband. Staub reacted strongly, bashing Laurita to a table full of friends at a luncheon Laurita declined to be at.

Jacqueline has been more vocal about her growing dislike for Danielle. “Your last name changes when you get married but where did Angela Minilli & Danielle Morelli come from? Hooker names?" Laurita tweeted in reference to the different names Danielle ha shad.

”I am completely avoiding all the housewives,” Danielle added, even extending that sentiment to the other ladies' children. “The kids can’t even play under these circumstances.”

Credit: Radar Online

Ex: I Didn't Rape or Beat Danielle or Kill Her Dog

Kevin Maher says that he's been accused by ex-wife Danielle Staub (Real Housewives of New Jersey) of "horrific" crimes: rape, assault, even killing her dog.

Maher -- whose own book Cop Without a Badge alleged involvement by Staub in kidnapping and drug use -- spoke exclusively to UsMagazine.com to refute his ex-wife's many claims against him. The pair wed in 1988 and split up about a year and a half later.

In October, Maher filed a $5 million lawsuit against the Bravo star, with her deposition scheduled for July. At issue in the lawsuit, Maher says, are disturbing accusations Staub made against him.

In his court filing, Maher claims that Staub has said "that I raped her on a bed of broken glass, inserted a handgun in her vagina and played Russian roulette....[that] I killed her dog...The list just goes on and on...The woman is insane."

Staub, 47, does not make these specific allegations in her new memoir The Naked Truth, but talks about domestic violence in her past. "I was severely abused," Staub told Us of her marriage to Maher. "He was very possessive...I was hospitalized several times."

To prove his innocence, Maher say that he passed a lie-detector test on March 22 with "an accredited polygraph examiner" from the LAPD.

Regarding the dog story, Maher tells Us that his ex has told "three different variations" to different people. "One was that I hung it...the other one was that I shot the dog. The other one was that I shot her, the bullet passed by her and killed the dog."

"This woman was never hospitalized by me," he adds.

"If you were to seek treatment after being beaten, which is a felony, that hospital would have to call the local police. There are no hospital records of me putting her in a hospital like she claims."

Maher does admit to hitting his wife "in self defense, pulling her off me...I never beat her. I did hit her -- it's true. Not something I'm proud to admit."

Why did he and Staub stay together? "At the time, we were both doing cocaine," Maher admits. "I was never in love with her, I was in lust with her. Our whole relationship was about sex. We had sex from the time we woke up in the morning to when we went to sleep, and even during sleeping. It was all about sex and cocaine."

Maher remarried on Valentine's Day 2009; he and his new wife welcomed daughter Kaley a year ago, he says. Staub's allegations jeopardized his new family and marriage, he charges. Maher had to convince his new father in-law that he wasn't a "rapist" or an "animal," and his 9-year-old stepdaughter "suffered" after Staub's accusations became public.

"She is without conscience," Maher tells Us of his ex. "She's calculating. I believe that Danielle Staub sold her soul to Satan for fame. Her children are suffering from it...her past is going to catch up to her very soon."

Credit: Us Weekly

Danielle Staub: Borders Book Signing

Danielle Staub signs copies of 'The Naked Truth' at Borders Books & Music, Columbus Circle on May 25, 2010 in New York City.

Credit: Getty Images

Chucky Returns on Real Housewives of NJ

In New Jersey, it's not the beach, it's the shore. They're not Italian-Americans, they're guidos. And—thanks to pregnant Real Housewife Teresa, who introduces us to yet another taste of quaint Garden State vernacular—it's not a vajayjay, it's a chucky.

Whether this is some random pet name she's chosen for her nether region or there's some resemblance to the horribly scarred, murderous doll of the same name, we don't really want to know.

Credit: E! Online

Danielle Staub Says Ex Made 'Me Fear for My Life'

As Real Housewives of New Jersey fans know, star Danielle Staub has a complicated past -- one she says includes "domestic violence" at the hands of her ex-husband Kevin Maher.

"I was severely abused," Staub, 47, tells UsMagazine.com of her marriage to Maher. "I was in fear for my life. I was visibly bruised, injured, scared and victimized."

Staub writes about Maher (whom she wed in 1988) in her new memoir The Naked Truth.

Featured prominently in season one of Real Housewives, Maher's own book, Cop Without a Badge, alleged that Staub was involved in kidnapping, extortion and drug use.

"The abuse started as soon as we were married," Staub tells Us. "He was very possessive...I was hospitalized several times. There is no way to describe how it feels to not have a safe place to go."

In October, Maher sued his ex-wife for $5 million over accusations she's made about him. "I can't talk too much about Kevin because I'm in court with him," Staub explains. "It's a really big case. "

Staub says there was "a lot of physical abuse, and then the emotional abuse that follows...We are talking days and days in a row before he was exhausted, or ran out of drugs, whatever it was that he was on."

Staub charges that her ex is still "obsessed" with her today, although they haven't seen one another in over a decade.

Yet the Bravo star concedes, "painful as it may be, Kevin was in my life for a reason. And for that I pray for him every day...I pray for everybody."

For his own part, Kevin Maher told UsMagazine.com that he's read excerpts from Staub's book and vehemently denies her accusations of abuse.

"Some of the things she has written...are just complete lies," Maher says. "This woman was never hospitalized by me." He says that he "never beat" or "attacked" Staub.

"I did hit her. It's true," he admits, claiming that it was "in self defense, pulling her off me" during a 1989 incident.

"I want to help people," Staub tells Us. "So many women are being abused," she adds. Speaking out, she explains, is "about empowering women to [make] decisions to leave...I survived this; I'm not a victim anymore. I'm a victor."

Credit: Us Weekly

VIDEO: Danielle Staub on the Today Show

Danielle Staub of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” has constantly feuded with her co-stars, particularly after they confronted her about a true crime book that reveals her checkered past. She dropped by the Today Show this morning to talk about it.

RHONJ Danielle "Not Apologetic About Anything"

You'd think after all the crap Danielle Staub went through during the first season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, she would have ditched the reality show by now.

No way! Staub says she has a very good reason for coming back for more...

"Could I allow my children to think that that's OK?" Staub says of the way she was treated by the other Housewives. "That it's OK for a person to treat any other human being the way I was treated? Could I have my children be witness to having a table thrown at me and being called a prostitution whore?...Last season all you saw was a woman targeted and victimized. This season, you don't see a victim any more."

Staub has also just released a new memoir, The Naked Truth. In the book, she opens up about being a call girl and an exotic dancer and spending time behind bars after getting involved with drug dealers, among other things. She insists she didn't write it to gain sympathy or friendship from the other Housewives.

"I'm not trying to clear up rumors and gossip," she says. "It's not an answer to a Q&A. It is my story. Your life is not an answer to anyone, and I'm not apologetic about anything."

And don't expect Staub and the other Housewives to be reuniting anytime soon. "I have a life lesson and it's a mantra: If it feels good I draw it near, if it doesn't steer clear," Staub says. "They don't feel good."

Credit: E! Online

Dina Manzo: 'My Big Gay Italian Wedding'

Dina Manzo attended the Off-Broadway opening night party for 'My Big Gay Italian Wedding' at Social Lounge on May 22, 2010 in New York City. Also pictured, Reichen Lehmkuhl, Randi Kaplan, and Anthony Wilkinson.

Credit: Getty Images

Teresa Giudice's Book Is A Best Seller!

Yes, a Real Housewife from New Jersey has a book on the New York Bestsellers list. Teresa Giudice – the one who famously flipped over a table at a dinner party screaming that another cast member was a “prostitution whore” – recently released her book that is apparently selling like hotcakes. And no, it’s not a tome about dinner party manners. She wrote a book about food called Skinny Italian. The mom of four posted on her Twitter account that her book made it to this coveted list. She wrote:

“OMG, OMG, OMG, I just heard “Skinny Italian” made the NYTimes Bestseller list!!! I am literally screaming and crying right now…”

“THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH for the bottom of my heart. Truly, I appreciate your support so much! ♥♥♥ u all!!! I gotta go call my mom…”

And her New Jersey cast mates are ecstatic for her posting on their Twitter feeds:

Dina Manzo: “Teresa’s book is a NY times Best seller! YAYY!!! SO HAPPY FOR HER!! That’s my girl!”

Caroline Manzo: How proud are we of our girl @Teresa_Giudice right now!!!!! NY Times best Seller List for Skinny Italian!!!! WOO HOOOO!!!! xoxo

Jacqueline Laurita – “I am SOOO exited for her.I KNEW it would be a NY times best seller!!!! :0) THAT’S MY GIRL!”

And not only that, but Teresa’s book is number one on Amazon for Italian cookbooks beating out such big culinary names such as Mario Batali, Giada De Laurentiis and Lidia Matticchio Bastianich. And it comes in at number three for cookbooks in general.

Pretty good for a housewife from Jersey. Congrats!

Credit: Babble

Teresa Giudice Dining At Benjamin Steakhouse

May has been a busy month for celebrity sightings at Benjamin Steakhouse. The decadent cuisine and the bustling atmosphere have celebrities raving that Benjamin's is "the place to be!"

Teresa Giudice of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" feasted on a steak dinner and tweeted about Benjamin's fantastic Bellinis.

Credit: City Guide NY

The Real Housewives of NJ Make History!

On May 3, The Real Housewives of New Jersey became the most-watched Monday night program in the history of Bravo!

Like Mother Like Daughter, Unfortunately

If nothing else, Danielle Staub can consider herself the most hated housewife in New Jersey. To understand why, look no further than this touching moment in which she tries to warp her sweet, innocent daughter Christine into a version of herself.

Sure, she'll love it after she gets used to it. Same goes for plastic surgery, pathetically ostentatious McMansions and the life of single, aging Jersey mothers with no friends. For God's sake, Christine, get out while you can!

Credit: E! Online

There's A New 'Skinny' Housewife In Town

Bethenny Frankel isn't the only housewife with a penchant for healthy entertaining. Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice spent the weekend signing copies of her book, Skinny Italian ($12), at a bookstore in, of all places, New Jersey. Teresa, who's better known for flipping tables at dinner than serving it, shares all the classics — pesto and puttanesca sauces, veal piccata, and fettucine alfredo — but with a healthy twist.

I love Italian-American food but it's often carb-heavy with lots of cheese, butter, and beef. Teresa's recipes cut down on the fat but not flavor — there's less cheese, leaner meats, and a reduction of fats. Instead, flavors are boosted with herbs, garlic, olive oil, and peppers. Besides the recipes, Teresa offers lessons on making fresh pizza, canning your own tomatoes, and general cooking tips. Her mantra? "Eat spaghetti and still fit into your skinny jeans."

Credit: Fit Sugar