Haute Living Exclusive Q&A with Adrienne Maloof

The Real Housewives is one of the most successful reality franchises in television history. From Atlanta, to New York and Miami, numerous women have found fame and success after being on the hit show. But for Adrienne Maloof from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, reality TV is just the icing on the cake for her burgeoning empire. The Maloof name has been a name synonymous with hard work, success, power and giving back for over 150 years. Adrienne Maloof has added to that legacy with her most recent business venture, a shoe line with Charles Jourdan. Adrienne has been traveling the country to promote the shoe line which is available everywhere from Macy’s to Lord& Taylor. On a crisp New York morning I made my way to Lord and Taylor on 5^th ave to chat with Adrienne before her shoe launch to talk about her new collection, her costars and how she juggles it all.

Q. How does it feel to be in NYC for the holidays?

A. I love New York City this time of year. I actually brought my boys with me. So were doing a little bit of work and enjoying the holiday spirit.

Q. How did this shoe collection come to life?

A. Well I’ve always loved shoes. Even as a young girl, I would play with Barbie’s and the first thing I would do is pick the shoes and then design the rest of the outfit around the shoes. My whole life I have absolutely adored shoes. I grew up with all brothers, they would go in my shoe closet and say “How many pairs of shoes does a girl need?.” My Father would always protect me and say “You never know my little girl might make it a business one day” Hence here we are, I’ve made it a business. So maybe it’s always been in the back of my head.

Q. You’ve been traveling across the country promoting the line. You were recently in North Carolina right?

A. Yes, I was in North Carolina, We just did a big showing there and another big showing at Macy’s in Los Angeles. But that’s what I’m used too. I’m used to hard work.

Q. What’s the feedback been like from the consumer?

A. Incredible. Were on our second run and I’m very blessed to have a great collection and working with wonderful people. I think you have to have a great team around you in order to succeed.

Q. What is your creative process like when designing? Do you have a specific woman in mind?

A. My inspiration is the everyday woman. My life is so diversified. I’m a working Mother, I have my own business, I have red carpet events, so I think I can relate to what women really love. That has been my biggest inspiration.

Q. Have your other business’s had to take a backseat because of being so busy with The Real Housewives and now the shoe line? You have the Sacramento Kings, Palms Resort and Casino, the Maloof Money cup.  How do you balance it all?

A. It’s much more difficult, but you have to balance. The one thing I will say, my children come first. My three little boys are my life. I schedule around them.

Q. We don’t see them very much on the show. Is that on purpose?

A. No I don’t want them on the show. They’re young; I have twins that are five and an eight year old. I think at some point if they come to me and say Mom, I want to be on television and I really investigated it, I’d support it. But right now they’re too young, so other than a cameo appearance you won’t see them on the show.

Q. What’s going on with the Sacramento Kings these days? The NBA lockout is finally over which must be a big relief.

A. Oh yes, were getting ready to play the Lakers on the 26^th. We got a great young team. We have new players, one of the best shooters in the country. I’m looking forward to a great year. Not sure if were moving or not, if that’s the next question (laughs).

Q. Since you have stepped onto this new platform with Bravo and the show. You have opened yourself up to a whole new level of celebrity and publicity. Is it hard with the blogs, having things being written about you that aren’t true, the haters etc? Because many people think that because someone wrote it, makes it true. Is it hard to deal with?

A. Growing up in a public business and family, being in the limelight, I’m somewhat accustom to it. However it goes with the territory. I think you have to go in knowing this. Is it difficult at times? Yes. But I have great Twitter followers and a blog I update. I’m fortunate enough to have great fans.

Q. When it comes to your marriage and relationship with Paul on the show. Despite what it might look like due to editing, you guys have a very strong relationship. He was just outside talking to the me and some of the other media people.

A. He’s the seventh housewife (laughs). He likes it more than I do! He’s wonderful though and very supportive.

Q. Do you think that helps keep you balanced on the show?  Knowing that you have him as a supportive rock. Because you guys have been dealing with some intense subjects on the show this season.

A. Very intense. We have a strong relationship. I think I’ve been very real about it. Any relationship is work. But I think we have found a rhythm and a balance on how to make it work. We might just be a little bit out there with our opinions, but then were over it. That’s how we interact, and that’s our relationship and its work for us for twelve years.

Q. For young men and women who are starting their careers. What is your advice to people who want to be an entrepreneur?

A. Well first of all you I believe you have to have a passion for what you want to do. Because when it is your passion, it really isn’t work. You have to go out with the mindset that you are going to give it your all. It’s hard work, there are no short cuts. You’ve got to do the work, you got to inspect what you expect.

Q. Now tell me a little bit about your heritage background. Because people are always asking you what is your ethnic background.

A. Yes! I am 3/4^th Lebanese and a 4^th Irish.

Q. So what are you cooking for the holidays? Better yet what is Bernie (Adrienne’s private chef) cooking for the holidays?

A. What am I cooking for the holidays? God forbid I cook, my family wouldn’t make it to the next holiday. (laughs) My chef Bernie is a fabulous cook, I’m very blessed to have him. He’s funny and witty, I love that about his personality. He is going to make his famous holiday salad, that I love. You have to go on his Facebook to get the recipe, but it’s incredible. He’ll make that, he’ll make turkey, some traditional Arabic food, tabule, hummus, so we do like to make it a little bit more ethnic. I’m originally from New Mexico, we’ll do tamale and great chili, it’s a combination of ethnic varieties.

Q. Lisa recently moved. She’s no longer your neighbor anymore. Do you miss her?

A. She moved just down the street actually, so she hasn’t gone far! (laughs).

Q. What do you think it is about the Beverly Hills Housewives that has been so successful compared to the other ones? Because they all carry their own weight, but there is something about your specific group of women that stands out. I said this to Taylor Armstrong when I interviewed her and I believe it is because you are all really friends at the end of the day and people can feel that.

A. We are true friends and we’ve gone through our differences this year. But we all support each other. I think it’s that and it’s Beverly Hills, anywhere in the world, they want to know about Beverly Hills. I also think that we are all relatable; you wouldn’t think that people living in these kinds of homes would be relatable. But we have the same issues, dealing with children, husbands, jobs, juggling everything.

Q. Thank you so much for your time Adrienne.

A. Thank you, it was a pleasure.

For more information on Adrienne Maloof and where to buy her shoe collection visit www.adriennemaloof.com