In the poor ‘House’
Hub: Owe, no, Jules!
Former “Real Housewives of New York City” star Jules Wainstein drove her family into debt with lavish spending on stylists, clothes, makeup and Uber rides to keep pace with her wealthy co-stars, her estranged husband argued in a divorce proceeding Wednesday.
“During that time frame, her spending quadrupled,” Michael Wainstein’s attorney said in Manhattan Supreme Court.
“She was then trying to keep up with her peers on the show,” the attorney, Morghan Richardson, said, adding that Jules blew through the $60,000 she was paid by Bravo to appear on the show for Season 8 this year. The “Real Housewives” cast includes SkinnyGirl mogul Bethenny Frankel, who is worth an estimated $55 million.
The divorcing Wainsteins are in debt — their three credit cards are maxed out and they’re in danger of losing an investment property at the Apthorp building on the Upper West Side to foreclosure, Richardson told the judge.
Her 44-year-old client’s mom pays most of his bills, Richardson said. She explained that Jules, 35, had racked up $2,000 in Uber charges in just two weeks.
Judge Michael Katz credited Jules for slashing some expenses after leaving “Real Housewives” this year.
“But even the reduced amounts seem to me to be in excess of what would be needed for a person in an ordinary civilian life,” Katz said.
Jules’ attorney, Allan Mayefsky, claimed the expenses were necessary for her to “maintain the lifestyle” she enjoyed while she was married. She has asked her husband to pay her $25,000 a month in child and spousal support.
Michael Wainstein also asked the judge for custody of their two young children, citing his estranged wife’s alleged prescription-drug use.
“Look no further than to watch TV to see the bag of drugs she carries around,” Richardson said, referring to a June episode in which Jules mentions Percocet and lidocaine.
“I don’t decide my cases on what may or may not be on television,” Katz replied.