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| The cast of Mob Wives Season 2: Hector (Junior) Pagan, Renee Graziano, Drita Davanzo, Carla Facciolo, Karen Gravano, Ramona Rizzo. Credit: Piotr Sikora for Vh1 Networks |
The series has turned out to be a smash hit with viewers, not to mention a pop culture sensation, so much so that they've been picked up for a second season after only five episodes. Electus recently announced that its global distribution arm Electus/Engine Entertainment has already secured international distribution deals with major networks in over 20 territories - including Australia (XYZnetworks), Canada (Shaw Media) and Latin America (MTV Latin America).
"We are thrilled that not only the U.S., but the global marketplace as a whole has really embraced 'Mob Wives.' While the situation of the women featured in the series is unique, their compelling, real-life stories have a universal appeal that is clearly resonating in markets around the world," said Chris Philip, President of Electus/Engine Distribution. "We are proud to bring this groundbreaking series to the world and look forward to adding tremendous range to our rapidly growing slate of international programming."
The series gives viewers an unfiltered look into this closed-door society as Renee, Karen, Carla and Drita face daily life challenges while their husbands and fathers do time for alleged mob-related activities. United by a bond which few understand, the women are all struggling with their identities and their futures as they raise their kids as single parents.
Welcome to Staten Island, the land of fierce women who never admit to being allegedly "connected" -- until now. Renee, Carla and Drita are no strangers to the good life, but now, with their husbands and fathers behind bars, they realize there is a price to pay. Left alone to pick up the pieces, these women face the harsh realities of "life" after informants have turned their families' lives upside down. To these ladies, "loyalty is everything" so, when Karen Gravano (the daughter of infamous mob informant Sammy the Bull) arrives back on the Staten Island scene after 10 years away in Arizona -- there is hell to pay. Karen's return becomes explosive when she shows up at a party on loyalist, Renee Graaziano's, home turf. The women are long-time friends who live in New York City's "forgotten borough" Staten Island. Along the way, they battle their friends, families and each other as they try to do what's best for themselves and their children. It's not easy to maintain the lifestyle they were accustomed to when the family's primary bread-winner is in lock-up. They're determined to finally set the record straight and show the world that, while their lives may seem crazy at first glance, they love, laugh and get their hearts broken just like everyone else. Don't judge them until you stand in their shoes. This is a real look at what it's like to be born into or married to the mob.
Welcome to Staten Island, the land of fierce women who never admit to being allegedly "connected" -- until now. Renee, Carla and Drita are no strangers to the good life, but now, with their husbands and fathers behind bars, they realize there is a price to pay. Left alone to pick up the pieces, these women face the harsh realities of "life" after informants have turned their families' lives upside down. To these ladies, "loyalty is everything" so, when Karen Gravano (the daughter of infamous mob informant Sammy the Bull) arrives back on the Staten Island scene after 10 years away in Arizona -- there is hell to pay. Karen's return becomes explosive when she shows up at a party on loyalist, Renee Graaziano's, home turf. The women are long-time friends who live in New York City's "forgotten borough" Staten Island. Along the way, they battle their friends, families and each other as they try to do what's best for themselves and their children. It's not easy to maintain the lifestyle they were accustomed to when the family's primary bread-winner is in lock-up. They're determined to finally set the record straight and show the world that, while their lives may seem crazy at first glance, they love, laugh and get their hearts broken just like everyone else. Don't judge them until you stand in their shoes. This is a real look at what it's like to be born into or married to the mob.
"'Mob Wives' is one of the most authentic and compelling series we've ever done at VH1," said Jeff Olde, EVP Original Programming and Production, VH1. "At its heart are four strong women who either grew up in 'the life,' or married into it. They are all now at a defining moment, picking up the pieces and carrying on as their husbands or fathers do time. Each woman is re-examining her life to determine what's best for her and her children."
"Mob Wives" is produced by The Weinstein Company (Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein), Electus (Ben Silverman, Jimmy Fox), JustJenn Productions (Jennifer Graziano) and Left/Right (Banks Tarver, Ken Druckerman and Nina Diaz). Executive producers for VH1 include Shelly Tatro, Kari McFarland, Rick Hankey and Jeff Olde.
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| Renee Graziano, Drita D'Avanzo, Angela 'Big Ang' Raiola. Credit: VH1 |
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| Drita DAvanzo Credit: Piotr Sikora for Vh1 Networks |
VH1 CAST PROFILE: Drita D'avanzo is the wife of Lee D'avanzo, who federal prosecutors allege is the leader of a Bonanno and Colombo crime family farm team. While Drita's husband is serving time in prison for bank robbery (for the second time), she is left alone raising two young girls, Aleeya (9) and Gizelle (3).
Drita comes from a strict Albanian household who defied her parents and married someone outside the community -- an Italian. Drita grew up different from the other women. She was raised in the projects of Staten Island after her family settled there from Albania. Her father, a strict soccer coach, raised her to be tough and play with the boys and she was invited to play for the Women's National Soccer Team and was all set to go until she met her first love, "the streets". She dated street guy after street guy until finding and marrying Lee. It was great at first; however, Lee was allegedly robbing banks (among other things), and before she gave birth to their first daughter, he was escorted away by the Feds for an 8 year prison term. Drita had their baby, and stood by her man -- who promised her that he would never leave her again.
During Lee's first prison sentence, Drita realized that she must do something to stand on her own two feet in case she is ever left in a position like this again. She studied to become a make-up artist and worked for various high end cosmetic companies while her husband was away. Almost eight years later Lee came home and they started over; however the good times were short lived. Again, Lee was arrested and sentenced to prison for 2 -- 5 years for similar crimes. She freelances as a make-up artist and plans to develop her own cosmetic line.
Drita comes from a strict Albanian household who defied her parents and married someone outside the community -- an Italian. Drita grew up different from the other women. She was raised in the projects of Staten Island after her family settled there from Albania. Her father, a strict soccer coach, raised her to be tough and play with the boys and she was invited to play for the Women's National Soccer Team and was all set to go until she met her first love, "the streets". She dated street guy after street guy until finding and marrying Lee. It was great at first; however, Lee was allegedly robbing banks (among other things), and before she gave birth to their first daughter, he was escorted away by the Feds for an 8 year prison term. Drita had their baby, and stood by her man -- who promised her that he would never leave her again.
During Lee's first prison sentence, Drita realized that she must do something to stand on her own two feet in case she is ever left in a position like this again. She studied to become a make-up artist and worked for various high end cosmetic companies while her husband was away. Almost eight years later Lee came home and they started over; however the good times were short lived. Again, Lee was arrested and sentenced to prison for 2 -- 5 years for similar crimes. She freelances as a make-up artist and plans to develop her own cosmetic line.
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| Renee Graziano Credit: Piotr Sikora for Vh1 Networks |
VH1 CAST PROFILE: Renee Graziano is the daughter of Anthony Graziano, who according to the Federal Government was a high ranking member of La Cosa Nostra. Renee grew up during the heyday of the mob -- when things still fell off trucks and people still dropped off envelopes even when it wasn't your birthday.
Immersed in the culture since birth, she embraced the lifestyle as her own and became a "mob loyalist". Renee eventually married (then divorced) Junior. Together they have one son, AJ. When Renee was young her best friend was arrested and sentenced to many years behind bars. This was her first real introduction to prison, but unfortunately not her last. Thanks to a circle of friends living the street life, Renee has visited over 83 prisons and written hundreds of letters to comfort the many friends she had on "the inside." This correspondence gave her the idea to turn her love of the "the life" into a greeting card company called JAIL MAIL.
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| Karen Gravano Credit: Piotr Sikora for Vh1 Networks |
Karen Gravano.com
Karen Gravano Twitter
VH1 CAST PROFILE: Karen Gravano is the daughter of Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, the infamous mobster who cooperated with the government to help take down John Gotti and the Gambino crime family. Karen was just 19 years old when her father turned on the mafia, a move that left Karen devastated. While her family relocated to Arizona to start over, at first Karen stayed behind in New York--her way of showing that she had trouble with her father's cooperation. After a couple years, she joined her family in Arizona where she became a licensed aesthetician, opened up a lucrative day spa, and had her first and only child, Karina. After 12 years of coming to terms with who she is and understanding her father's choices, Karen is ready to close up shop in Arizona and return to Staten Island. Beyond reconnecting with old friends, Karen hopes that coming back will help her stand on her own, out of shadows of her father's infamous past. Strong, driven and business minded, she has already inked a deal to write a book about her life and is ready to revisit her old stomping grounds and reconnect with her old friends.
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| Carla Facciolo Credit: Piotr Sikora for Vh1 Networks |
VH1 CAST PROFILE: Carla Facciolo grew up in Bergen Beach, Brooklyn, where she had a similar upbringing to Renee Graziano. While her father went to prison when she was young, it didn't stop her from living the lifestyle she grew to love. When Carla was 17 she started dating street guys and really got a taste of the life. She hung out with girls like Renee, and others -- whose parents were either in the life or extremely wealthy. Carla likes the finer things in life and thought she'd met her match when she married Joey Ferragamo, a stock broker. Although Carla thought she had finally gotten away from the lifestyle she lived growing up, her husband eventually got indicted and convicted for a boiler room scandal and Carla once again found herself dealing with the ins and outs of prison. Carla tells her twins, who she feels are too young to know where their dad is, that he is away at work. She is a stay at home mom and sales rep for a juice company. She takes good care of herself and prides herself on her hair and great body.
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| Ramona Rizzo Credit: Piotr Sikora for Vh1 Networks |
Ramona Rizzo Twitter
VH1 CAST PROFILE: Ramona Rizzo is no stranger to the mob lifestyle. She is the granddaughter of the infamous Benjamin Ruggiero aka Lefty Guns who was played by Al Pacino in the movie Donnie Brasco. Ramona grew up with Karen Gravano and Renee Graziano as they all shared a similar mafia upbringing in Staten Island. Ramona and Karen grew up very close. They have been together since the age of two, made their first communions together and even refer to themselves as "cousins." Although not blood related, some would say they are closer than some cousins who are. What was different for Ramona was that although her family was connected, they tried to keep it very secret, even amongst their own community. They especially tried to keep it from their children. Ramona, who had a very close bond with her grandfather, longed for a different life as she was very turned off by the fact that he had to spend so many years in prison.
Enamored by the finer things in life, she didn't turn too far away from her upbringing, even though she married a man of Arab descent. His business dealings were also connected to "the lifestyle." Ramona's family was not happy with her choice as they wanted so much more for their daughter - a doctor, a lawyer, a legitimate man. Ramona ran off with her soon to be husband and father of her four kids. They lived the high life until Ramona discovered that her husband's business was still built on lies and deception. They moved from mansion to mansion in the United States to palaces in the Middle East. When Ramona tried to divorce him, he refused to let her leave his country. Stuck in Jordan for two years, she fought tooth and nail to get herself and her kids back to the United States, even though her husband told her that if she leaves, she leaves with nothing. But this master manipulator could not stop Ramona, and she has returned to the US so that she can give her kids a "normal" lifestyle.
Upon returning to the States, she was faced with the repercussions of her husband's business misdeeds and had two criminal cases against her. She is now on her own raising four kids without the means she was accustomed to her entire life. Tough as nails, Ramona is determined to get her life back on track, make amends with her parents, trust a man again, and give her kids the lifestyle she had growing up. Nothing can stand in her way....cause she will knock it down. Karen Gravano's good friend, Ramona Rizzo, joins the cast of 'Mob Wives' Season 2. Ramona and Karen might as well be blood relatives, but they're not says Jenn Graziano (though they DO call each other cousins!) They've been friends since childhood and had their First Communion together. With "the rift" between Karen and Drita far from over, viewers will watch Ramona stick up for her good friend during season 2.
Hector 'Junior' Pagan Credit: Piotr Sikora for Vh1 Networks
Official VH1 Bio: Junior grew up in the streets of Brooklyn and had a burgeoning career as a boxer. He was well on his way to becoming a champ until a fight at a nightclub ended his career. He was celebrating a recent win by knockout and was approached by a gang of guys. Fearing nothing, he fought them all but then was struck in the back of the head with a full 40 ounce bottle of beer. This resulted in Junior having to get a metal plate in his head and ending his boxing career for good.
So like most of the young tough guys around him, he turned to the streets and caught the attention of the authorities, landing himself in jail at a young age. Upon his release he met and married Renee Graziano, daughter of Anthony Graziano. They were married for many years and had one son, Anthony John Pagan - AJ. Junior, who lost both of his parents, became very close to Renee's father, Anthony, and often referred to him as his own father. Eventually, Junior and Renee divorced but like many devoted parents they remained close throughout the years.
Junior also remained close to Renee's father, Anthony, and close to the lifestyle and eventually ended up part of one of the largest mob busts in history. Renee and Junior definitely had their ups and downs and a love hate relationship, but ultimately it was their love for AJ and the realization that the love for each other just never went away that kept them close. This brought them back together again several times throughout their separation and even most recently. Can their love weather the relationship when they are both two perfect storms? But as in many situations in life a person's loyalty and trust will be put to the test...
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| (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Vh1) |
Official VH1 Bio: Angela Raiola aka "Big Ang" is the niece of Salvatore "Sally Dogs" Lombardi, a deceased captain of the Genovese crime family. Angela, a single mother of 2 was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY with her two sisters and four brothers. Big Ang always strived to be popular with "the mob." She is what many consider a mob moll. Owning many mafia hangouts over the years, she became like "one of the guys" - even catching a case with some high ranking members of the mob. She was loved by them all. She is like a character straight from the movie Goodfellas and lives by the lifestyle code. Ang has dated many gangsters throughout her life but has always remained independent. She is not the typical women who would depend on a man. Big Ang has managed to make her own way and provide her own means within this world, though she was always lavished with houses, cars, jewelry, furs (you name it) by many well known mob wise guys. One would believe that they call her Big Ang for "E Cups" or her even larger lips, but is really because of her larger than life personality. She is hysterically funny without even meaning to be. Often referring to herself as "bad girl" she will have you laughing upon meeting her and keep you laughing until you leave.
