So Chic, Very Chic: Scientologists on the Loose
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I am genuinely dumbstruck that in the worst of all years in recent memory, Bravo thought that the way to endear audiences to its troubled The Real Housewives of New York City reboot would be a prominent Scientology propagandist.
I’m talking about Rebecca Minkoff, a woman who’s already endured just about every variation of joke about TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack from her cast and the internet alike. I’ll try another approach then: The only time I ever saw Rebecca Minkoff clothes in the wild was back in the pre-trans tipping point era, on this old-school crossdresser who hid her business casual attire in the trunk of her car. She’d slip into her shake-n-go wig, skirt and blouse on “trucker night” at the local gay watering hole, where I’d go for the cheap beer and trade. Once, I overheard her explaining to a friend that they should invest in a pencil skirt “if you want to look more feminine.” That friend? The back page mistress of a local used car dealership kingpin.
I’m totally kidding of course. Who isn’t kidding, however, is Rebecca Minkoff. No, the woman is deadly serious about spinning a factually untrue story about Scientology, a self-styled “religion” that uses its coveted tax-exempt status to terrorize former members, journalists and random people alike. (Note to the poor, beleaguered Sea Org member tasked with reading this: Hey diva! There are resources on the internet to get you out of the sticky situation you find yourself in.) On the latest episode, when asked about Leah Remini’s searing manifesto Going Clear — a book which kickstarted a wave of deeply disturbing allegations about the “church” — Minkoff coyly informed audience members to pass over its claims.
From the top down, she certainly has the makings of a fascinating Real Housewives side-character. But this isn’t 2009, and the average person is much savvier about how to craft a public narrative, specifically on these shows. The heightened “self-awareness” is something critics frequently cite when bemoaning the current state of the network, and few personify it quite like Minkoff, who commandeered two episodes of plot for a fake story about her orgy-induced pregnancy scare. Better cast talk about actual lies than what her church has been up too! At the least, we can all sleep better knowing she’s significantly less rich than she would be without all those scammy fees Scientology forces on its high level members.
Shall we also talk about the clothes?
I half expected this bird to wear her own clothing on television, but she probably knows the clothes don’t have the structural integrity or fashion sensibility to read as anything but discount store clothing on camera. Instead, she wore this. Overall it’s a fine outfit but a bit snooze worthy for someone who styles themself a fashion designer. Likewise, I’m confused about the faux sweater paws, the slicked back hair and the overall presentation. More cheap than chic, more basic than bold. Maybe next time, Scientologist!
Content retrieved from: https://www.papermag.com/bravo-scientologists-on-the-loose#rebelltitem1.
