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Russell Could Not Clean Up His Image

Regina | November 26, 2011 | 7 Comments More

(November 26, 2011) – Richard Johnson, the genius gossip columnist who spent a lifetime at Page Six before heading west and taking over the LA bureau of The Daily, published a very interesting item yesterday about Russell and Taylor Armstrong of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Because there is no point in rewriting or repacking the words of a truly great society writer, here is the entire text:

“In the final days before he hanged himself, Russell Armstrong — whose wife Taylor stars on “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” — was desperate to clean up his image.

The beleaguered businessman, whose marriage collapsed during filming of season two of the show, wanted wiped from the Internet stories alleging he beat his wife, was millions in debt, and was gay. (A Google search of “Russell Armstrong gay” earlier this week produced 6.17 million results.)

“He went to a guy in Las Vegas who specializes in getting negative stuff off the Internet,” said one source. His attempts involved search engine optimization, which can be used to improve the visibility of Web pages — or, in some cases, creating new Web pages to bump negative stories down where they won’t be found.

Sin City-based SEO specialist Steven Barket confirmed to Flash, “I did a little research, but that was it. He was never a client.”

An associate of Armstrong’s told Flash: “When I called Steven, he said it would take the rest of his life to clean up Russell’s image.”

Russell, 47, committed suicide Aug. 15, a month after Taylor had filed for divorce, leaving their daughter Kennedy, 5, with no father.

On this week’s awkward “Real Housewives,” Camille Grammer accused Taylor of lying about Russell beating her as part of her divorce strategy. “You need to be honest, because that’s not cool,” Grammer told her at a tea party thrown by Lisa Vanderpump that was taped before Russell’s suicide.

Kyle Richards also piled on, adding: “Unless I know [she’s being abused] as a fact, I can’t judge. She’s my friend, but it’s not matching up to me.”  We can’t wait to tune into the reunion special.”

Tags: , , ,

Category: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Russell Armstrong, Taylor Armstrong

About the Author (Author Profile)

I am a New York City publicist who specializes in promoting luxury products and experiences and occasionally moonlight as a journalist.

Relatively new to the world of blogging, I have watched and enjoyed Bravo’s Housewives shows since the first season of the Real Housewives of Orange County. I created this blog over the 4th of July holiday of 2011 because I enjoy writing and love to figure out how to blend images and words to create something that is both visually compelling and interesting to read.

  • MaggieG

    It’s alarming to read that “it would take the rest of his life to clean up Russell’s image”. u00a0Despite the fact that Taylor & Russell presented as grifters I hope that’s an exaggeration. u00a0At any rate it points to a desperation in the days leading to his death. u00a0The whole thing is just so sad & makes it even easier for me to want to blame Taylor (justly or not). u00a0I’m very biased against her.Question: u00a0is it possible that the use of botox near or around the brows or temples could impede one’s ability to produce tears (because while Taylor goes through the gestures of crying I’ve been unable to see any real waterworks)?

    • Anonymous

      It’s obvious, if you know me that I know nothing about Botox. And never will. I’m going down one wrinkle at a time. :D But I do think it is possible because Botox is used in the underarm area for people who sweat excessively. nnStill regardless, I think the reason Taylor doesn’t seem to produce tears is that she fakes emotion on a regular basis. I believe she uses it, almost habitually, to elicit sympathy from others and to redirect conversations in what she believes is her favor (though I think her efforts have the opposite effect).nnI have no doubt she was genuinely upset when Russell hanged himself. No doubt whatsoever. But I do not believe she ever loved him. I think he fit the mold of what she was looking for and she was able to over look his swindler impulses because she herself is dishonest from A to Z. nnI think her ability to get over his con man game is almost like how a child of an alcoholic can tolerate excessive drinking in a date because that child is familiar with the bad behavior that alcohol inspires in some people, whereas someone with no experience with alcoholism wouldn’t make it to the second date because she’d be confused by what happened after the fourth glass of wine.

    • Debra

      Funny you should mentionu00a0Botox, I get it done and I have noticed that, in the past when I could feel myself tear up at almost anything, anymore with Botox it seems that I can control that urge much easier. However, if I am truly sad I can cry real tears just like before.nI have noticed another odd thing about Taylor, why doesn’t she cry and carry on in the shrink or life coach’s office the way she does at social functions? From the looks of the preview ofu00a0 Brandi’s friend’s malibu house party,u00a0it’s going to be another screechfest. Hang on, kids!!!!!!!nI think Bravo is showing that Taylor was the agressor in her marriage, from the way Russell brought up the fact that a “little respect and self-control go a long way”, seems like that was directed at his wife, in the counselor’s office. Then in the limo when she proclaimed that “getting angry wasn’t her thing” and he politely tried to disagree with her, only to end up playing to the cameras. They have such an odd, ickyu00a0way of acting toward each other, kinda like my ex-husband whou00a0 reminds me so much of Russell. He was creepy and manipulative, too. You really can’t fake true love.u00a0u00a0nI have to say, the only time I ever saw Kennedy happy or smiling like a normal kid was when she was on the horse at the very beginning of the show, still at her birthday extravaganza.n

      • Izzy

        totally agree, Kennedy also smiled when Russell gave her the dog, he looked so excited. If Russell was so abusive, he would have kept the dog despite what Taylor said.
        It truely amazes me how she is all smiley in the media, such a short time after Russell’s death. I don’t see how she will get public support or sympathy.

        • Anonymous

          amen! the post mortem media tour is disturbing! not to mention curious…

  • Tuzentswurth

    I think Taylor grabbed onto Russell b/c she thought he was “richer than Texas”,… or could be with the right scams. When the u00a0law caught up with him ( I should say them) u00a0and it looked like he may be broke, jailed, exposed or all of the above, Taylor was ready for greener pastures. I think the abuse stories were false, that is why Taylor didn’t bring it to light till it became obvious it would be exposed on the show, the pictures surfaced when Russell was gone and it was convenient for Taylor’s story. It wasn’t evenu00a0necessaryu00a0to expose that at that point, when she should have been protecting her daughter. I can’t forget her exasperated look that was inappropriate when Camille called her out. I just can’t believe anything Taylor says, she has been caught lying too many times.

    • Anonymous

      I think you’re right, but my writing partner, an MSW who specializes in family counseling, differs. She thinks Taylor displays “classic signs of abuse.” I don’t want to believe any of it, but I half believe she’s right. As a result, I’m conflicted.

      I just wish Russell had a say it everything that’s said.

      Regardless I know Taylor is a big fibber. That’s just obvious.

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