Ted Turner's Daughter to Join 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Cast: report

In an effort to bring some class to "The Real Housewives of Atlanta", Bravo has hired Laura Turner Seydel, the daughter of billionaire media mogul Ted Turner, according to the National Enquirer. According to the tab, network execs were so taken with Laura when she co-hosted the Captain Planet Foundation Jewelry Fundraiser -- which "very rich" Linnethia Leakes attended and famously remarked that she didn't "need a $25,000 pair of earrings" -- that they offered her the gig. The network, which is planning to give the series a major "face-lift", is also trying to woo Laura's well-heeled friends, too. "Bravo loves Laura," the report says. "Producers have even asked her to reach out to her high-profile friends to consider joining the cast. They're hoping Laura can bring some classy events and big names into the mix. Of course, an appearance by Laura's father Ted and his ex Jane [Fonda] would be the icing on the cake." With Laura's allegedly entrance, there will be likely departures, too. Kandi Burruss, according to the tab, is the only one on board for season five. Linnethia has not yet renewed her contract. (Hollywood, is calling.) Shereé Whitfield and Phaedra Parks are still negotiating the terms of their contracts and Whats-Her-Face has left the show to focus on her spin-off. (No word on what will happen to Cynthia.) Since the network doesn't comment on cast negotiations, we won't know who's in or who's out until filming begins -- or until one of the ousted "housewives" begin to yap. Stay tuned. (Sidebar: The series has consistently been the highest-rated show on the network, so why would Bravo mess up the formula that has been working. Well, unless they've run out of story lines.)


In other "Housewives" news: Despite it's lackluster ratings and talks of cancelation, The Real Housewives of Miami has been renewed for a second season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. No word yet as to when it will air or if any of the former cast members will be returning -- but there will be at least two new faces. According to The Miami Herald, model and former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Joanna Krupa will join the cast and so will Lisa Hochstein, who's the wife of a plastic surgeon.




source: National Enquirer, Feb. 20, print edition