Family Law

Real Housewives Husband Unhappy with Spotlight

By guest-writer

In the newest season of the hit shows, Real Housewives of D.C., on Bravo, Charles and his wife Cat Ommanney are center stage.

The problem? Charles and Cat are no longer together, and he has regretted the spotlight ever since it started. According to a recent article in the New York Times, Charles hasn?t seen the previews and is refusing to watch the show.

Charles is upset be all the attention that this show is bringing to him, and the negative effect it has had on his career.

As Charles points out, there was a time when you could Google Ommanney and see his proud family history of naval admirals, going back to his great-great-great-grandfather, but now all you find are rumors about the couple?s marriage and break up.

Charles, originally from England, was a photojournalist who covered the White House for 9 years, including the George W. Bush years. He made many connections with some of Washington?s most elite, including President Bush (who nicknamed him Chuckles for his personality, and Lion King for his wild hair).

When Charles and Cat met, they fell in love fast, and had a short but intense two year marriage. It was because Charles cared for Cat that he agreed to be a part of the Real Housewives show.

Charles’ decision to be on the show was a shock to his friends who knew him to be camera shy. Charles, according to close friend Christopher Morris, ?is a very solitary person? He?s low profile, so being thrust into that environment, it seems odd.? Mr. Morris noted that Charles would often skip White House correspondents? events because of the publicity.

Charles recounts how when he started the show, his friends became more reluctant to talk to him on the phone or meet for lunch. They would often ask him if he was going to be miked, or if the people from Bravo would be with him filming the encounter. The result of this was to embarrass Charles to the point of near isolation. Despite living in Washington D.C. for almost ten years, when he left for England, there was no one to send him off.

Charles thought that this would be a good way for his wife to do something she was passionate about.

?I wanted happiness for someone I was in love with. I put all my reservations aside and said: ?Go for it. Do it if it makes you happy.? Then I regretted it. I lost touch with everyone, and mix that with my marriage falling apart and the show taking over, it was very sad.?

In his attempt to do something selfless, Charles took a risk, and now he may be suffering from it for a long time to come.

Full post as published by The Divorce Blog on September 24, 2010 (boomark / email).