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

What Would The Countess (LuAnn) Do?

When it comes to etiquette, manners and overall good behavior, even celebrities need help navigating the rough waters of stardom! It’s a good thing Countess LuAnn de Lesseps of the Real Housewives of New York is joining forces with OK! to school them on the right thing to do! In a rough situation, we just ask, “What Would the Countess Do?” This week she’s taking on the challenges of expecting a baby later in life and young stars!

John Travolta and Kelly Preston that they’re expecting a baby. What challenges do they face?

I’m so happy for Kelly Preston and John Travolta! Although having a baby when you are older can be physically challenging, Kelly is fit and healthy and looks radiant. Their decision to have a baby later in life is a very personal choice. I think when both parents are young at heart; having a new baby can only bring joy and happiness.

Tip: Remember 40 is the new 30!

Any advice for Greyson Chance, the 12-year-old YouTube phenom who performed “Paparazzi”, becoming a part of the entertainment community at such a young age?

I was blown away by Greyson Chance’s talent show video where he plays the Lady Gaga song Paparazzi on the piano and sings. Sudden fame can be overwhelming and frightening to someone so young. As a mother, I would suggest that his parents find a balance between his childhood and his God-given talent. I think that Dakota Fanning is a great example of how a child-star can have the best of both worlds. Her parents keep her life as normal as possible when she isn’t working.

Tip: Always nurture and protect your children while encouraging their talents.

Credit: OK! Magazine

Lisa Wu Hartwell To Return To RHOA

Just after 2 p.m. today, Lisa Wu Hartwell tweeted the following:

Hello evry1! I will B on the 3rd season of rhoa. I am involved in a few movie projects,however I will b on this season.

The week had begun with a little “Housewives” chatter, and the latest morsel was a blog report that Hartwell would be leaving the show.

Celeb publicist Jonathan Jaxson wrote on his blog that Hartwell decided to part ways from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and is pursuing other opportunities. But Hartwell’s own publicist had said she would indeed appear on the show this season. Oh, the drama.

Credit: Access Atlanta

The Dish: Disco Finally Dead Thanks to RHONY

LuAnn de Lesseps is apparently bored with being a divorced countess and a real Big Apple housewife. So what does someone in her situation—in other words someone with no discernable talent—do?

Record a single, of course. Following in the pitchy footsteps of real Atlanta housewife Kim Zolciak, LuAnn leant her husky tones to a tune recalling golden coke-and-rollerskates era disco anthems, "Money Can't Buy You Class." It can, however, buy you voice lessons, something LuAnn seems unaware of.

When you're done cringing, take the Kleenex wads out of your ears and let your multi-talented Dish hostess Danielle Fishel croon the definitive version.

Credit: E! Online

Bethenny Frankel Flaunts Post-Baby Body

Showing off her post-pregnancy curves, Bethenny Frankel was spotted out in Manhattan, NYC on Monday afternoon (May 24).

Showing off a big smile and offering a wave to paparazzi, the "Real Housewives of New York City" star strolled around in the Meatpacking District while chatting it up on her cell phone.

Tweeting during the day's outing, Miss Frankel excitedly wrote, "I'm wearing normal shoes again.no more swollen pregnancy feet!?! Woohoo!"

As previously reported by Gossip Center, Bethenny went into an early labor on May 7th, and gave birth to a beautiful daughter named Bryn.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip