Depending on the source, Kelly Cutrone, founder of fashion PR firm People’s Revolution and reality TV star, is either the uber bitch of the Aughts, or a hard working, no-nonsense, say-it-like-you-mean-it professional. But everyone seems to agree that she could use a little makeup.
TV viewers first met Cutrone on the MTV series The Hills, where she laid into the privileged stars, cementing her reputation as a loathsome boss. Tonight, Bravo TV airs Kell On Earth, their new reality TV show that follows the salty Cutrone as she produces fashion shows, promotes her client’s brands and breaks the spirit of her 20-something interns.
No matter her high octane personality, I have to admire her. Having spent 15 years in PR, I can assure you that the stress is high, the hours are grueling and the compensation is slightly better than meh. So when Cutrone says that the television show is her retirement fund, I believe it.
Now add a child into the mix. Cutrone is a single mom, and by all accounts, she’s a good one. She eschews nannies and is a hands on parent, devoting time out of the office (and hopefully off camera) to raising her seven year old daughter. That pretty much explains why Kelly looks like she just rolled out of bed. With a plate that full, who has the time?
Cutrone calls Kell On Earth a cross between Survivor and Rhoda, which is awesome. I think she is whip smart and very funny (she’s said that having interns taught her that “I don’t want to send my daughter to college”) and I am looking forward to the show’s debut.
With her own program, she does not have to play the foil to a bunch of bubble headed blonds. This ostensibly will be a look into her world, without the interlopers. Based on this promo clip from Bravo, she doesn’t want to make anyone cry, she just needs them to do their jobs.
From the outside, the fashion, beauty and entertainment industries look glamorous, lighthearted and fun. But the stakes are high and the egos relentless. It’s an exhausting way to make a living.
The reality genre thrives on trial controversies that make great TV at the expense of intelligence. I hope that Cutrone’s business acuman is as impactful as her edge.
A version of this story was first published on Technorati.com
