About: JenGage
Website: http://www.thatswhatthegirlsaid.blogspot.com/
Profile: Hi! I love following celebrity gossip, fashion trends, events, and then keeping everyone I know up to date. I'm always keeping an eye out for the next big thing.
Posts by JenGage:
Fashion Insider Robert Verdi Spills Style Advice and More!
July 22, 2009 by JenGage
Filed under Fashion Tips, Featured, Interesting News, Interviews
Stylist/TV Host/Interior Decorator/Fashion Insider Robert Verdi is currently hosting She’s Got The Look on TV Land. He took time out of his incredibly busy schedule to give us the scoop on what it’s like to be spend a day in his shoes, working with Eva Longoria Parker and some excellent fashion tips!
So the series premiere of She’s Got the Look season two started on June 11th – what news can you share with us about this new season? Are there any surprises or differences from the first season? The show was such a big hit in season one, ten times as many women came out this year to put themselves in the spotlight. The biggest difference the women are competing for $100,000 cash prize this season, which automatically makes the competition more intense.
It’s great that you’re part of a show that specifically targets women that are over 35; a demographic that frequently feels under served by the fashion industry and media- this show is definitely putting an interesting spin to the reality beauty category. Do you think that this show will inspire more shows like it? Yes. I think that there are very few reflections of beauty for women in this age group to see themselves in our culture. I also think that’s it’s smart business because these women are established, have buying power, and are no longer forgotten. As soon as other networks recognize the value of serving this audience, the copy cats will come along.
What is the best part of being involved on a show like She’s Got the Look? You get to sit side by side with some of the most accomplished and successful experts in the world of fashion, and that together you’re
creating an opportunity for other people.
You are certainly no stranger to TV and have been involved with all sorts of different fashion and design shows from Full Frontal Fashion to Trading Spaces to cameos on Ugly Betty and the Devil Wears Prada- do you want to get into acting? Or do you prefer to be a host/ judge/ commentator? I’ve actually never been on Trading Spaces, but I hosted Surprise By Design. I played myself in the Devil Wears Prada and Ugly Betty. I’m pretty good at being me, and I don’t know that there would be a suitable role, other than me playing myself, which I’ve already been cast as.
How do you manage all of your different projects from styling to personal appearances to TV appearances and your jewelry line? Could you give us a peek into a day in the life of Robert Verdi? A peek…it’s like a hurricane happening at the same moment a bomb drops, a storm starts, and the power goes out…and that’s an easy day.
What inspired you to transition to TV from Jewelry? Jewelry is a return home for me, as I started making jewelry as a kid. I went to FIT and became a goldsmith–so it’s a homecoming.
You currently have a jewelry line and recently debuted a watch collection for QVC and you’ve been quoted talking about your love of jewelry on plenty of occasions- do you think you’ll ever go back to jewelry as your main focus sometime in the future? No one thing can ever hold my focus. It’s both why
I’m single and have a diverse business…it just makes life more interesting.
Why do you think so many celebrities team up with QVC to launch their product lines? What made you decide to collaborate with QVC? QVC has an amazing reach, incredible integrity with quality, and allows me to be the salesperson of my own product. It would be a different experience for customers to pick it out from a case in a department store, where I can’t sell it to them. I think passion is important, particularly when you’re
communicating a message.
Being a celebrity stylist is certainly a dream job and celebrity stylists like yourself and Rachel Zoe have been gaining more and more media attention over the years, to the point where stylists are now celebrities in their own right, what’s your take on the profession? Is it as glamorous as it seems?
It’s as glamorous as packing boxes, carrying garment bags and steaming dresses sounds. So, yes, it’s very glamorous. ha ha ha ha
How did you get your start as a stylist? I met Eva Longoria on the set of Desperate Housewives. We became fast friends. My styling career was a by-product of my giving advice to her on what to wear to big red carpet
award shows. She more than took my advice, she asked me to help her schedule meetings with designers and pick the dresses. I did, and the rest of the story ends up on the best dressed list!
What’s it like working with celebrities like Eva Longoria Parker? It’s like working with your best friend. You have to know when to be honest and tell them they don’t look good or share stories of your lives with each other.
It’s a very unique bond that only the two people in the relationship ever understand….kind of like marriage.
Is there anyone that you haven’t worked with that you’ve been dying to get your hands on? No.
You must have some great stories from working with Kathy as she’s such an outspoken personality, what’s been a highlight from your time working with her? Kathy is one of the most amazing, talented, generous women I’ve met. Every time I see Kathy, I feel like I’m seated in the front row of one of
her shows. She is one of the very few celebrities I know that takes an interest in other people’s lives and hearing what other people think and knowing what other people do. The only difference is, at the end of the night you’ve spent with Kathy, your stomach and checks hurt from laughing so hard.
Will we see you again on Kathy’s show My Life on the D-List? Absolutely. Kathy and I are best buds, so I’m sure the cameras will capture another outing together.
When and how did you get your start in interior design? What are the similarities it shares with being a stylist? Styling and interior or a celebrity is simply a matter of putting a complete, unique look together. I got my start working for ABC Carpet and Home where I learned an enormous amount about antiques and fine home furnishings.
Let’s talk about your personal style, how did you get started with your trademark sunglasses? I was trying to disguise being bald, so I propped the glasses up hoping nobody would notice. The rest is a trademark….
Do you think it’s important to have a signature piece? Yes, nobody really knows my name. They just know me as the bald guy with the sunglasses on his head.
If you could convince women to have one piece of jewelry, what would it be? A locket.
You are definitely a fashion insider- as someone who been behind the scenes covering the runways and fashion week – how do you see the industry and fashion week changing for the 2010 shows? I think we’re going to see a lot more presentations and fewer runway shows. I think the economy will force some mediocre designers out of business. There will be a blossoming of new designers that are eco-friendly and socially responsible.
Obviously everyone’s interested in talking about the recession and how that’s affecting the fashion industry from legendary sales at Saks, to the closing of Bendel’s apparel business, to Vogue touting “investment” pieces- do you think the fashion will be forever changed by this recession? No,
fashion is psychological. Investment pieces have always existed. The reality is that “fast fashion” is what was new.
Do you believe in the idea of investment shopping? Yes, I think all purchases are either an investment or an expense.
What trends do you see as key during this time? Clothing inspired by far away travel destinations like Africa, Russia and the Far East, as well as fantasy clothing that is over the top.
Since it is summer and everyone’s traveling, what are your ultimate travel accessories? I always have my iPod, a small down travel pillow, a cashmere blanket, a hoodie (I hate when my head is on the pleather seats of an
airplane), dark sunglasses, Kiehls lip balm, my digital camera, and my laptop…because I’m writing a children’s book.
What are your summer plans? Any upcoming vacations? What’s a vacation?
What’s next for you? Hot air ballooning, learning to walk on a tight-rope and sky diving.
Related posts
Jack Attack: Catching up with Jack Mackenroth
May 26, 2009 by JenGage
Filed under Entertainment, Fashion, Featured, Interviews, Videos
Most of us were introduced to Jack Mackenroth from his turn on the fourth season of Project Runway and famous departure due to infection. Since leaving the show, he’s been charging full speed ahead – excelling in multiple arenas that are as diverse as they come. Jack simultaneously balances designing, blogging, modeling, advocating and competitive swimming. It makes one wonder if Mackenroth is familiar with terms like, “vacation,” or “relaxing.” A quick Google search pulls up thousands of entries documenting his various projects; speaking engagements, interviews, modeling, and more mixed in with a good helping of fanfare from Project Runway fanatics. I recently got to catch up with Mackenroth, and chat about life after Heidi Klum and what’s next up for the advocate/designer. Be prepared to be impressed, Jack’s one busy man.
It’s been about a year and a half now since we saw you on Project Runway. Bring us up to date on what you have been up to since?
WOW. It’s been crazy. I can barely remember the whirlwind. Besides a ton of appearances and speaking engagements–here’s the laundry list: I was in an episode of Law and Order SVU as a corpse.(super fun) I had a cameo in the Sex and the City movie. (love SJP) I was in a video for the band Telling on Trixie. I did a Saturn commercial in which I made my own outfit inspired by the car. I’ve been on the covers of HIVplus, POZ, David, Gloss, Envy, Lavender magazine, Ambiente Magazine, HX and others. I made a dress for Heather Tom for the daytime Emmy’s and walked the red carpet with her. I went on the TODAY show with Tiki Barber. I’ve designed t-shirts for 3 different companies. I covered this past New York Fashion week and got to interview amazing designers and models for LOGO’s PopLab (the gay channel here in the US).
So you certainly have gained the most visibility from your stint on Project Runway. What was the most surprising thing that’s come of being on such a popular show?
There have been so many opportunities since the show. I’ve had the opportunity to get involved in HIV education through my campaign Living Positive by Design, which is a partnership with Merck. We’ve been working to battle the stigma that still exists, 25 years later. I regularly receive emails from people all over the world, and although I’m not a doctor, I do my best to direct people to resources to help them best manage being HIV positive. I think it’s important for people to get on a treatment regimen that is tolerable, so they stay on treatment and to have an undetectable viral load, the ultimate goal of treatment. I think what’s surprising is the outpouring of positive feedback I received from being open about my HIV status. Knowing what I was getting into when I told the producers before taping, I really felt that the world needed to see how I live.
I think I could have made a good go at being in the final 3 if I had not left the show early, but I really believe that everything happens for a reason. Christian is an amazing talent and I knew he was going to win early on. I’m so proud of all he has accomplished.
Of course everyone wants to know what Heidi and the judges are like. Give us some dish!
Heidi is just like you see on TV, gorgeous and kind, although she has a kind of goofy, quirky side. Maybe it’s her German roots. Maybe Seal is giving her a little special somethin’.
Nina is the one that gets the bad rap. Everyone thinks she is mean but in real life she is probably the warmest one. Whenever I have seen her since the show she always gives me a big hug. I adore her.
Michael is witty as hell but he was obviously there to do a job. I think he was the best judge technically because he knows all about construction but I don’t even think he knows our names.
Tim is a delight. He is everything you would expect him to be. And off camera he’s hilarious. He loses a tiny bit of his prim and proper persona and he can dish with the best of us.
Christian Siriano ended up winning your season even though you had emerged as an early favorite. Do you ever look back and say, “I should have found a way to stay, that could have been me?”
Truthfully, yes. If I would have stayed I think I could have made a good go at the final 3 but everything happens for a reason. Christian is an amazing talent and I knew he was going to win early on. I’m so proud of all he has accomplished. My life is headed more into the TV realm and I don’t think that would of happened of I had won. So in a way it was a lucky accident.
Siriano recently said the Project Runway gave him a forum, but it probably isn’t the best outlet if you want to be taken seriously as a designer, do you agree?
Well I have talked to him about that–we are still very close–and there is a bit of an illusion created that you can win a reality TV show and become the next big fashion designer. It’s not realistic, especially in this economy. To really launch a line on a massive scale takes hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars. Christian is a bit of a fluke because he makes such great TV as well. There is rarely such a huge payoff for such a little bit of time spent working in the industry. To guarantee longevity in fashion design it’s probably best to go about it the old fashioned way (pun intended). You go to design school and practice your skills and start working for another designer and learning the business. Then you branch out on your own if you want to eventually.
Looking back, what was the experience like?
It was surreal and amazing. We were in this bizarre fashion vacuum with no external distractions. No phones, no TV no music or reading material. We couldn’t even talk to the production staff. We were only allowed to talk to each other. However it was conducive to some amazing friendships. I am still tight with Kevin, Kit, Sweet P, and Christian. Project Runway was like fashion camp on crack. I don’t think the public even understood a modicum of how insanely difficult it really was.
So tell us more about who you still talk to from the show?
I see Kevin Christiana every week and I talk to Kit and Christian all the time. Both Kevin and Jillian Lewis came to my recent birthday party. I am still in contact with Victorya and Sweet P as well. Generally our season’s cast got along really well. Currently, I am working on developing a reality TV show with Kevin Christiana.
Do you mind sharing some details about your upcoming show with Kevin Christiana? What can viewers look forward to seeing?
I will be developing a design TV show with Monument TV and Film and Project Runway alum Kevin Christiana. We have been pitching various reincarnations of the show and are finally inking a deal, so that is very exciting! The show is a reality show, but not competition-based. I am a big fan of the shows that involve talent, like Project Runway, American Idol and Top Chef.
Even though you obviously did your time on a reality show, does it ever seem like the whole genre getting a little tired?
You know I thought that too when we were pitching our design show–which is a reality show–though not competition based. But there still seems to be a huge viewership for these types of programs and they are very cost effective to make. You don’t have to pay the talent (we weren’t given a penny) and there is very little production cost. I am a big fan of the shows that involve talent, like Runway or American Idol or Top Chef. When it becomes trashy voyeurism I tend to lose interest. Shows like the Bachelor or I Love New York or that awful one with Brett Michaels are just train wrecks. Even Bravo is pushing it with the whole Real Housewives series. I think the people that go on those shows aren’t in on the joke that everyone is laughing at them, not with them.
So I must ask; do the perks of reality stardom do wonders for your dating life?
HAHAHAHA!!!! Quite the opposite, I think people who have seen me on TV have a preconceived notion about me so they don’t talk to me. Maybe they are intimidated-though they shouldn’t be. I thought that I would have guys banging down my door but it’s nothing but crickets. It takes a strong personality to be Jack Mackenroth’s boyfriend. That’s why I know when I find him it will just click. Like a camera shutter. Smile and pose.
What was the biggest lesson you learned from being on the show?
The biggest lesson I have learned from being on the show is that you need to be kind, be yourself and for me that meant being out as an HIV positive person and being a role model. I’ve been blogging about my experiences on the show that you can read about on www.jackmackenroth.com.
Have you been doing much designing since you left the show?
Not as much as I would like, but there are only so many hours in a day. I am working on a group fashion show with Kit (pistol) Scarbo, Kevin Christiana and Sweet P from my season of Project Runway which will be held in Miami in May. Other than that I am just doing commissions and specialty design projects. I just don’t have time (or the financial backers) to do a full line right now.
You’re very vocal about being HIV positive, when did you decide to take the step from someone who’s not ashamed to become an advocate and a face for people living with HIV/AIDS?
Being on the show has allowed me a lot of opportunities, but I think that the most important thing I have done is my HIV advocacy work. I knew I would be looked to as a role model because there are so few people who are public about their HIV status and I was happy to take on that responsibility. I think I was edited pretty true to life on the show. I am an HIV positive man who takes care of myself and pursues all my goals and dreams without thinking twice.
How have you leveraged your popularity from the show to get you to where you are today?
As far as leveraging my popularity, I think it all boils down to hard work. I make the most of every opportunity and I am involved in a lot of different fields. I pursue every lead that I can accommodate into my schedule and I try to remain optimistic. It’s a lot of work but it can be very rewarding. With a lot of projects I agree to, I never know what endeavor is actually going to come to fruition. I just have to hope I make wise choices and keep my name and face out there.
Right now you’re involved with two HIV-related initiatives, Living Positive by Design and then the radio show POZ I AM. It is clear that you’re trying to get out a message to people who are living with HIV/AIDS and also help battle the stigma associated with the disease. Tell us more about your advocacy work?
I am very passionate about my HIV education campaign in partnership with Merck called Living Positive by Design (www.LivingPositiveByDesign.com), which aims to combat the stigma associated with HIV by engaging people in thoughtful conversation about the disease. I hope to fight the stigma of HIV by increasing visibility and speaking openly about living with HIV for more than 20 years. I’ve been touring all over the country with the program for the last year. We also speak directly to HIV-positive individuals about partnering with a doctor and getting on a tolerable treatment regimen. The ultimate goal of any HIV-positive individual is to maintain an undetectable viral load. We need to advocate for our own healthcare, and the stigma and fear keep people from being honest with their doctors, families and partners. That needs to stop.
I have also been co-hosting the internet radio show POZ I AM every Wednesday at 2 pm EST. Listeners can log onto blogtalkradio.com/poziam and hear the live stream. We recently interviewed diminutive drag diva Ongina from RuPaul’s Drag Race. She is fabulous. POZ I AM is a great show and source of information for the HIV community.
In your busy schedule, how do you have time to fit in competitive swimming?
It’s important to me to keep in great shape, so I force myself to make time for it. Swimming has always been a passion of mine and I have been competing since I was six. I work out a lot because it maintains my health and my sanity. Right now I am swimming about 5 times a week for 2 hours a day and then I also lift weights at the gym. I have been in the last 5 Gay Games and I am currently training for the Outgames at the end of July. The competition is very serious but we also have a lot of fun. Who doesn’t love hot men in Speedos? When I am physically powerful I feel mentally powerful as well. I can only be my best self. I certainly don’t mean to glamorize HIV by sending a message that says “look at me! I’m a model and I have HIV. It’s a cake walk!” That’s absolutely not the case. I hope I am sending the message that in many cases HIV is manageable with the right medications and I am ONE example of someone living a happy, successful life with HIV.
And finally, what can we expect next from you?
My Living Positive By Design campaign is touring the country, and we are planning events in San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia before the year is over. Information on our upcoming events can be found at www.LivingPositiveByDesign.com. I also just signed on as the East Coast Correspondent for Fashion News Live (www.myFNL.com), so I will be covering all things fashion in New York. I am swimming almost every day as well. There are rumblings here and there about being a guest judge on some upcoming shows but that is only chatter at the moment.
All of that is keeping me really busy right now. I want to do more designing but right now I just don’t have the time. Hopefully the TV show will take off and I can develop a brand based on what we design on the show. Beyond that, I would love to be married and living in New York with my dog (which I don’t have yet). You can always find out more about what I am doing at jackmackenroth.com.
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Who is Behind the Williamsburg Hipster TV show?
May 10, 2009 by JenGage
Filed under Chatter, Eavesdropping, Interesting News
Some New York media outlets are buzzing about the recently seen advertisements for a casting call for a hipster TV show. Fliers were spotted by New York neighborhood blog Curbed. The news has been picked up by other blogs/ magazines because it just all seems to perfect. It’s allegedly going to document the hipster life in Williamsburg and asks, “[i]s that handlebar mustache merely for comedic effect?” among many other hipster stereotypes. While most people would say true hipsters have since left Williamsburg, one has to wonder what network is behind this series and most importantly, who is going to list 5 things that qualify themselves as a hipster. More importantly, does anyone know who would actually step up and label his or herself a hipster? Stay tuned. http://curbed.com/archives/2009/05/07/the_williamsburg_casting_call_you_knew_would_come.php
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Lourdes Leon the new cool celeb kid
May 10, 2009 by JenGage
Filed under Celebrity Gossip, Chatter, Entertainment, Fashion, Interesting News
Lourdes Leon, Madonna’s 11 year old daughter with Carlos Leon, is definitely the next up and coming celebrity kid. She’s already got amazing personal style and now that Madonna will be living in New York City, we’ll be seeing a lot more of Lourdes. Considering how beautiful she is at 11, we’re only going to be hearing more and more about Madonna’s only daughter (unless of course, the courts grant her the adoption of Mercy James). Seen here in a kind of hipster inspired get-up, Lourdes seems geared to provide plenty of style/celebrity oriented blogs with a new muse to write about and inspire girls her own age and women who are more than twice her age with her look.
courtesy of New York Mag/ Getty Images
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Speidi now Official
April 26, 2009 by JenGage
Filed under Celebrity Gossip
Spencer and Heidi are now official. The most obnoxious couple ever tied the knot legally this time in Pasadena, CA. Their stunt wedding in Mexico behind them, MTV was still a major presence in their most recent wedding, filming it to be on a future episode of the Hills. Will a newlyweds show be next in the works? Would that cause them to divorce? We can only hope. 
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Leighton Meester has a Record Deal
April 26, 2009 by JenGage
Filed under Celebrity Gossip, Chatter, Entertainment
Leighton Meester best known as Blair on the hit CW series Gossip Girl. Leighton announced this week at a Chloe party in LA that she’d been signed to a record label, Universal Republic Records. Her album is set to drop in this Fall and if it is anything like the tracks that have been leaked on Perezhilton.com, it should be a pop-y, electronic-y and upbeat. The jury is out on whether or not she’ll be an artist of any consequence, but she’ll probably sell at least a decent amount of records out of curiosity and perhaps some cross promotion on the show? However, if we base her future as an artist on other actresses turned songbirds, the outlook is bleak. Lindsay Lohan, Hayden Panettiere, Scarlett Johansson and many more have not had much commercial success in the record business. Good luck Leighton!
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The Talent Xchange Event Photos
April 18, 2009 by JenGage
Filed under Chatter, Entertainment, Fashion
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The Talent Xchange lauch showcases up and coming talent
April 18, 2009 by JenGage
Filed under Chatter, Entertainment, Fashion, Videos
Thursday April 9th, 2009- the Talent Xchange hosted a fashion show at Duvet in New York City to showcase up and coming talent in fashion, music and dance. The event brought together creative talent from all aspects of the entertainment industry who were there to network as well as take in the show. Henry N. Jackson, Astrid Brucker, Frank Lucas, Geraldine De La Cuesta, and O Damien Peterkin were the featured designers who showed at Thursday’s event. The event kicked off with headlining designer, Henry N. Jackson, who showed his Spring 2009 collection, “Japan Mon Amour.” Costume Designer/Stylist/Clothing Designer Astrid Brucker showed her strength in ereatheal looks, sending beautifully draped dresses down the runway for her label, Astridland. Notorious ex-gangster, Frank Lucas, who was most recently the inspiration behind the movie American Gangster (the movie was based on his own experience), drew a lot of buzz and attention to the event and virtually put the crowd on pause with flashbulbs, praise, clapping and yelling after his last model walked the room. Geraldine De La Cuesta sent a tightly edited assortment of wearable looks for both men and women. O. Damien Peterkin closed the show with his inspired swimwear and feminine dresses.
The band 13, played in between designers to screaming fans and much head bopping. Beautiful people lined the walls and the runway, which curved along the entire space so that everyone in attendance could get an up close look at the models and clothing. On-lookers lounged atop white beds, Duvet’s signature seating, making for an unforgettable, and comfortable setting.
Fashion certainly ruled the evening and not only as the focus of the event. One only needed to take a quick scan of the crowd to know that dressing to impress certainly took priority for most in attendance. After walking in the designer’s clothes, models switched to their own clothes, bringing to mind the newly coined term and trend of the moment, Model Off-Duty. Fashionistas and designers alike would have been able to draw much inspiration from the model’s own emsembles which ranged from pairing boots with shorts, and long plaid shirts to flowy dresses. Even the non-working crowd would probably intimidate non-creative types, as most attendees looked very pulled together and styled in trendy dresses or skinny jeans. A few photographers looked like they could have been part of Kanye’s entourage and were certainly dressd sharply in inspired preppy suit looks. A few hipsters were in attendance with their oversized glasses and messy hair. Overall the night was success, showing those in attendance that the city really is the place to be for those trying to make it big. Photographers and videographers seemed to be the largest force in attendance, documenting the evening throughly with flashes lighting up the event space like the paparazzi. The Talent Xchange is a social networking site and group that brings together all the different roles necessary in the entertainment industry, including designers, photographers, make-up artists.
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Lindsay and Sam split seems permanent this time
April 12, 2009 by JenGage
Filed under Celebrity Gossip, Chatter, Entertainment
Lindsay Lohan and Sam Ronson seem to really be off this time for good. In the fall out from Lindsay being physically restrained from attending Charlotte Ronson’s I heart Ronson party last week and the footage on TMZ of the locks being changed at Sam’s house, Lindsay and Sam really are broken up. All sorts of media outlets are reporting that Lindsay is having a very hard time coping with the break-up. She’s already broken some cardinal break up rules, including no rash decisions like changing your hair (she went from blonde back to red) and getting a tattoo (she did that too). Lindsay seems poised to be the next Britney Spears. A public meltdown could be in the works. What do you think? Is Sam Ronson her Kevin Federline?
Lindsay Lohan photo curtesy of Pacific Coast News
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Paris and Doug’s Wedding Talk
April 5, 2009 by JenGage
Filed under Celebrity Gossip, Chatter, Featured
Fast approaching Spencer and Heidi as most annoying couple ever, Paris Hilton and Doug Reinhardt are already talking marriage. How long have these two been dating? Five days? When is Paris going to realize that he’s using her for publicity? Seriously, who cannot see right through this guy? He’s such a social climber! Doug’s quickly moved from psuedo-dating the girls on The Hills to Amanda Bynes and now he’s on his world publicity tour as Paris Hilton’s 1000th man-toy. Maybe they can have a double wedding with Speidi whenever Spencer decides to make their Mexican wedding official. Everyone would win! Quick, someone call their reps and tell them the idea!
