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Blackwater and Autism — The Lauritas Use Autism as a Platform to Promote Blk; Jacqueline Admits She’s In It for the Money!
Wearing their blk shirts, the Lauritas give Nicholas blk to drink (blatant product placement in the scene) and say:
Chris: He’s come a long way. I’m 100% sure we’ll recover him.
Jacqueline: If you look back six months, he’s really accomplished a lot.
On November 27, 2012, Jacqueline told Radar Online exclusively why she struggled with coming back for another round of fights on reality TV:
Signing up for more yelling, name calling and spats with Teresa Giudice was a yes for Jacqueline for a simple reason: money. “Several things make me stay,” she exclusively told RadarOnline.com friend Tom Murro. “Contracts and the money of course.” As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Housewives contracts can be lucrative, earning six figures a season and for NeNe Leakes up to $1 million a season! Jacqueline has another motive that she says is why she’s opening up for more drama – being able to bring attention to Autism, a cause near to her heart because of her son Nicholas’ diagnosis. “I know my son will get so much help and support from others. And as much as much as it helps us, we can help others in a big way. We can use the platform to raise awareness and do so much good.“
On November 21, 2012, according to Tom Murro’s source (he is a friend to the Manzo/Laurita camp, so Jacqueline is the source):
“Jax is struggling with starting to film and keeps putting it off. A part of her is afraid to take the time away from her children. Especially Nicholas who really needs her focus. As much as she wants to share her journey with others, she doesn’t want it to distract her from her kids.”
According to Wetpaint, Jacqueline shared the following with Parenting Magazine in November 2012:
Since her son Nicholas was diagnosed with autism about a year ago, she has been tracking his progress, often tweeting updates to fans whenever her little one learns how to say another word. And although Jac is holding out for the day when Nick will say, “I love you” again, she’s proud of every bit of progress he makes — no matter how small it may seem. Last week, Nick said “mommy” and Jacqueline couldn’t help but share her excitement. On November 18 Jacqueline tweeted, “Tonight Nicholas said, ‘Mommy, come! Mommy come on, Mommy …lollipop.’ (He knows how 2 get what he wants) Lollipops & cookies r his reinforcers.” What’s more is that Jacqueline always remains confident in her son’s abilities, and she’s aware patience is important. “Nicholas can say some words now! No real functional language yet but he’ll get there! We look 4ward 2 his accomplishments daily,” she shared on November 18. Starting in February, Jacqueline will be sharing Nick’s progress in articles for Parenting Magazine.
Cast members of Bravo TV’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey hosted a blk. water tasting event on at Stacks Pancake House in Paramus on Saturday. Caroline Manzo and her sons, Albie and Chris Manzo, along with Jacqueline Laurita and her husband, Chris, appeared at the event and are partners in Blk. Beverages. Visitors enjoyed taste-testings, photos and autographs with the Housewives and their families. A portion of the proceeds from this event are being donated to Autism Speaks. – NorthJersey.com and WycoffPatch.com, November 19, 2012
FameWhorgas received an e-mail (the source requested to remain anonymous) which supports the suspicion that the Lauritas are using Nicholas’ autism diagnosis to sell blk, and that the timing of Jacqueline’s announcement in People magazine (about Nicholas’ diagnosis) was coordinated with a fulvic acid study using the blk product to test for “beneficial changes” in children with autism.
Here was the original e-mail sent to FameWhorgas about the alleged blk scam on parents with autistic children:
I realize this is a little late in relation to your article on the suspicious timing of Jac’s announcement of her son’s diagnosis but I have some FACTS about her manipulation and using her son to pimp out BLK water. My son has Autism. We are always willing to try new things to see if they helped alleviate his symptoms. Earlier this year (April, May or June) an autism organization that we are affiliated with asked for volunteers for a “fulvic acid” study. Of course we were willing to volunteer. We received a case of BLK water. Then after giving my son the suggested “dosage amounts” I was to document any behavioral differences.
This was the e-mail sent at the end of the “study”:
As we have reached the end of the fulvic acid study using the blk product, I needed a few things from you to wrap up the findings.
Please complete a post study ATEC so that we can compare any changes during the timeframe using the product. I have attached the link to the survey below. Please share any comments or feedback about the product used during the study.
We truly appreciate your time and cooperation during this study. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please feel free to contact me directly.
During the study;
1. Did you see any beneficial changes in the health in your child?
2. Did you see any beneficial changes in the behaviors in your child?
3. Did you experience any problems in your child taking the blk beverage?
4. Overall, what are your comments regarding the blk beverage product?
5. Would you recommend this product to another family? If yes, why? If no, why?
The above was sent at the beginning of July. The Lauritas wanted the results of their study in time for the People magazine article. This is all one big scam to get people to buy BLK water, and Jacqueline is using her son’s autism diagnosis [and unsuspecting, vulnerable parents of children with autism] to do it!!!!!!!!!
I can provide emails as proof….unlike Jac, I am not afraid to BE HONEST!
Here are the rest of the e-mails that were forwarded by the source to FameWhorgas:
The Fulvic Acid Case Study
March 26, 2012
We appreciate your patience as we finalized the details for our fulvic acid study. I needed to follow up with you to find out if you are interesting in participating. If you still would like to participate, please respond to be considered as a part of the study. Again, thank you for your patience.
Please send me your address that you would like product sent to.
April 24, 2012 5:02 PM
Subject: product shipped- dosage recommendations, please read carefully
Hello Everyone,
Thank you for your patience. I just found out that the blk product is shipping out today. You should receive your supply as early as this Thursday. Please let me know when you receive your product. I do want everyone to start administering on the same start date. We should be able to start this Saturday, April 28th, if everyone receives their product in time.
Here is the recommended dosage, you can give in small increments throughout the day, with or without food.
Kids 30 – 40 lbs. = 8 ounces daily
Kids who weigh 40 to 50 lbs. = 10 ounces daily
Kids who weigh 50 – 70 lbs. = 12 ounces daily
Kids who weigh 70+ lbs. = 16.9 ounces daily
Again, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns at any time.
Thank you for your participation. I look forward to your feedback.
May 02, 2012 12:55 PM
Subject: product delivery
Hello,
Everyone should have received your blk (fulvic acid) product by now. You may go ahead and start using the dosage recommendations.
Again, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns at any time.
Thank you for your participation. I look forward to your feedback.
May 30, 2012 1:37 PM
Subject: end of fulvic acid study
Hello Everyone,
As we have reached the end of the fulvic acid study using the blk product, I needed a few things from you to wrap up the findings.
Please complete a post study ATEC so that we can compare any changes during the timeframe using the product. I have attached the link to the survey below;
http://www.autism.com/index.php/ind_atec_survey
Please send me the results directly as the cc’ option does not always work. Also I need you to please complete the short questionnaire below. Please share any comments or feedback about the product used during the study.
We truly appreciate your time and cooperation during this study. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please feel free to contact me directly.
During the study;
1. Did you see any beneficial changes in the health in your child?
2. Did you see any beneficial changes in the behaviors in your child?
3. Did you experience any problems in your child taking the blk beverage?
4. Overall, what are your comments regarding the blk beverage product?
5. Would you recommend this product to another family? If yes, why? If no, why?
June 18, 2012 6:58 PM
Subject: fulvic acid study close
Hello,
I needed to follow up to find out where you are with the blk product. If you have completed the 21 days, I need you to please complete a post ATEC and the post questions. I am attaching the questions as well as the link to the survey.
http://www.autism.com/index.php/ind_atec_survey
Please let me know if you have any questions or need any other information.
The People Magazine article titled Jacqueline Laurita: My Son Has Autism was in the September 3, 2012 issue (with the online article dated August 22, 2012). The other article in the same issue (Vol. 78 No. 10) was titled Jacqueline Laurita: Fighting for My Autistic Son.
The following is an August 2011 article from Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes Patch which makes you wonder about the Manzo’s and Laurita’s true intentions for announcing that Nicholas has autism — it appears they are positioning themselves to use autism as a platform to promote blk.
Manzo-Laurita Family Strikes Black Gold With Blk.
Franklin Lakes men leverage RHONJ fame to launch a new calorie- and caffeine-free, all natural health and energy drink. Blk. — an energy (and everything) drink that is the new business venture of the Manzo brothers — gets its color from a chemical reaction between fulvic acid and spring water.
By Rebecca K. Abma
August 9, 2011
When Ramapo High School alum Albie Manzo’s law school dreams fell apart during last season’s Real Housewives of New Jersey the Franklin Lakes resident admits he didn’t know what to do next.
Naturally, he applied to other law schools, and was dismayed that he wasn’t accepted. After one particularly good interview he found out why: The RHONJ limelight cast an unfavorable hue on his applications.
“Schools were afraid to take a chance on me coming back because of the high visibility of the show,” Manzo told Patch. “I was very discouraged and didn’t know what I would do.”
This apparent “black” listing may prove to be his lucky color: it matches his new venture, the health beverage blk., which has been flying off shelves across the country since its launch this spring.
blk., or black water as it was called when Albie and his uncle Chris Laurita discovered it last year at the food show in New York, is Canadian spring water infused with fulvic acid, a natural nutrient-rich compound that has been used in alternative healing circles for centuries.
The beverage’s black color comes from a chemical reaction between the water and fulvic acid, and is part of the drink’s allure.
“The color is what gets people listening in the first place,” Albie said.
The health and energy boosting benefits, however, is what keeps people drinking it. He said it leaves him feeling refreshed, like he’d gotten a solid eight-hours night’s sleep.
In typical Manzo-Laurita style, the entire family supports the business. Both Chris and Albie Manzo work on the business end of the company, along with their Uncle Chris Laurita, who is a partner in the venture. Manzo mom Caroline and aunt Jacqueline have helped out on the promotion end with public appearances (just this weekend, they gave samples at Corrado’s in Wayne).
But it was a Canadian family who “invented” blk., both accidentally and out out of necessity. About four years ago, the mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and was sick and weak from chemotherapy. In search of something to make her feel better, her children took to the internet seeking alternative treatments and holistic remedies when they discovered the free-radical scavenger known as fulvic acid.
They mixed it with spring water, and it turned black. They gave this black water to their mom. She drank it and felt better. So she kept drinking it. Four years later, she is not only alive but thriving. And while they wouldn’t go so far as to say the water cured her, they believe it restored her strength and increased her stamina to keep fighting.
The family thought the black water was a pretty cool product, so they decided to package it and sell it, which lead them to the food show, where the Manzo-Laurita family found them.
Albie and Chris attended the show on a mission to find something new and different to market using their RHONJ celebrity. They left with several leads, but after researching fulvic acid and meeting with the family in Vancouver, they narrowed the field down to black water, changed its name to blk. and created its sleek, eye-catching packaging.
“They were the nicest people I’ve ever met,” Manzo said. “Then we started drinking the water every day and I felt completely different, physically. I was sold.”
Considering what is at the core of the beverage and its effects, its commercial appeal isn’t surprising. Fulvic acid is mined from prehistoric sediment and been dubbed a “miracle molecule.” The list of ailments it is said to cure is endless and its medicinal history is timeless. Ayervedic medicine calls it shilajit (or salajeet), a rejuvenating agent believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety and anti-aging properties.
In western medicine, fulvic acid is being investigated as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, thyroid conditions, diabetes, eye problems, ulcers, AIDS, cancer and a host of other conditions.
A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that in the laboratory fulvic acid not only inhibits intracelluar Tau protein tangles formation but also may reverse existing tangles. (Simply put, these tangles are a measurement of the neuro-cognitive-degenarative process and a key stage in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.)
“Fulvic acid is likely to provide new insights in the development of potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease using natural products,” the study authors concluded.
Manzo admits he was skeptical of the claims at first and he doesn’t quite understand the science, but the more he drinks it — he downs a bottle a day — and the more he hears from satisfied customers, the more he believes in blk.
One case in particular, he told Patch, has really assured him of the product’s potential: A mother gave her autistic son blk. to drink, thinking its unique color might get him drinking more water. The boy not only drank it, he loved it, but the amazing part, he started behaving. The mother reached out to Albie, shocked, who sent her two more cases to try. Her son is stimming less and listening and following directions more. The difference, she told Manzo, is unbelievable.
As is the product’s commercial success, Manzo said.
“It is blowing off the shelves across the country,” he said, noting Wegman’s picked up distribution of it early on. “We literally couldn’t believe that people grasped on to it as quickly as they did.”
In the Franklin Lakes area, you can find it on the shelves at Food Town in North Haledon and Corrado’s in Wayne, and it will soon be available in ShopRite, A&P and King’s.
A 15-oz. bottle of blk. retails for $2.49, which Manzo noted is priced matched to the popular coconut water health drinks, blk.’s biggest competitor. Since blk. is only water and fulvic acid, it has zero carbs or calories and no caffeine.
For more on blk. and its history, visit blkbeverages.com.
Here are some comments on the article from that website:
gesu said on Monday, August 13, 2012
Unfortunately, the body does not require fulvic acid and simply excretes as it would any other dirt in your water. This is disgusting to give people false hope that it will cure their various ailments. Think about it. If it were so good, why do Chris, Caroline, Jacqueline and Greg look like crap? They are bloated and full of acne. Please check that any supplement has been approved by the F.D.A. This Blk water has not.
denise in austin said on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
There have always been snake oil salesmen and there always will be snake oil salesmen. And as PT Barnum famously said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” Save your money, people.
denise in austin said on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Here’s an article where a doctor debunks blk’s heath claims:
http://www.self.com/health/blogs/healthyself/2011/09/black-water-dont-believe-the-h.html
PP said on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
I’ve tasted the blk. and I don’t like it. It tastes like bad tap water. So, if you can get it down, then the health benenfits might pay off. Good luck. Interesting article to follow up on:
denise in austin said on Friday, July 20, 2012
It’s not a matter of being negative nor is it a matter of slander as we’re all just giving our opinions on a message board. It is just that the health claims of blk black water have already been disproved by medical doctors. If you want to waste your hard-earned money on snake oil to make the Manzos rich, that’s your business, but it’s hardly “slander” to call it snake oil when medical doctors have already debunked it. Here’s the article if you want proof:
http://www.self.com/health/blogs/healthyself/2011/09/black-water-dont-believe-the-h.html
Ike said on Monday, July 30, 2012
This water is a sham. Not only is it not beneficial, its proven to be toxic if a lot of levels. If anything get vitamin water…thats a gimmick too but vitamin A and C and E are vital nutrients. This stuff these frauds are selling is useless and people backing them is laughable. And when they go bankrupt at another venture, hope u realize your NJ taxes will pay their debts.
Ultraworld said on Sunday, August 5, 2012
I also think this is a sham, an expensive sham. They charge $2.49 for 15oz. The water is free & the small amount of Fulmic acid costs very little. The bottle is the most expensive component. A bottle of BLK can’t cost more than $0.25 to manufacture, and they have the nerve to charge $2.49. 500% profit? Suckers.
Tina said on Thursday, September 27, 2012
You don’t have to wait until it comes to you. Go to a health food store or search out on the internet on where you can buy the fulvic acid then mix it with water. They are making too much money on something everyone can do themselves. Why not keep your money in your pocket. They put it in a plastic bottle. I wonder what kind of plastic they are using and is that toxic. They haven’t mentioned that yet. We can do it our selves.
The following is an article debunking the health benefit claims made by blk.
Jacqueline Laurita’s Storyline for Season 5 Would Be Nicholas’ Autism; The Timing of Her Announcement Coincides with Contract Renewals, Season 4’s Explosive Ending and the Upcoming Reunion (Updated 8/27/2012)
On September 10, 2012, Jacqueline Laurita was a guest on the Anderson Cooper Show. He asked her if she will be back for season 5, for which she neither denied or confirmed. Chris Laurita said that if asked back, he and Jacqueline would use the RHONJ as a platform for autism awareness.
They are all narcissists. To put yourself on TV is to be one. I’ve worked with many actors, and believe me, this is almost a necessary trait to be in the public eye in this vein. Someone further down the thread mentioned that Bravo was tiring of Teresa’s inflated ego due to fame. Weren’t they all chasing fame? Kind of part of the deal, and it’s the competitiveness over the spotlight that has got the storyline to where it is. I personally would argue that they are infamous rather than famous …. Horses for courses, it’s reality TV. Putting ego and id aside, this is a new step on Bravo’s behalf. Perhaps I’m being repetitive; however, please consider this: Bethenny has a well documented fractured relationship with her mother — Bravo certainly could have courted her, but did not go down this path [like the path they went down to hire the Gorgas and Wakiles to antagonize Teresa] — Bravo has the right to employ whomever they wish — that would have made for a spicy episode, don’t you think? What about Jeff from Flipping Out and his self professed flawed character — they didn’t go on a fact finding mission with him? Teresa deserves no more and no less than her counterparts, but somehow she’s got the raw end of the stick because some pimpled-faced producer, filmmaker wanna-be decided to make some controversy. Ratings gold. Brilliant, show me the money! Do it — perfect business sense — but do it impartially and fairly, not pointedly and maliciously… Don’t slaughter the golden goose…. Pretty sure they’d be making some coin off her ‘fame’. – Anonymous, August 25, 2012, The Fame-Whorgas
If anything, the “diagnosis” has given Jacqueline a get out of jail free card.
Jacqueline told People Magazine that she concealed Nicholas’ disability from the show as cameras rolled on its fourth season last year “but would be open to chronicling what’s going on if she signs on for a fifth year.”
“I am sorry to hear about her child, but you would think that she would keep it private. Especially since she trash talked other people for selling stories to the tabloids.” – AT, Independence, MO USA, August 23, 2012, The Daily Mail
Nicholas’ autism would be Jacqueline’s new storyline now that Ashlee has left home. Here are some other highlights from her People Magazine article:
- At 15 months, she saw a regression in his motor skills.
- At 15 months, he started to lose his ability to communicate.
- She says that once he began to speak, Nicholas would always say, “I love you Mommy.”
- At 18 months, he wouldn’t say “I love you.”
- At 18 months, he wasn’t answering to his name or noticing people come into the room.
- At 18 months, he couldn’t follow a simple command.
- They waited 8 months for their insurance to clear them to see a specialist, which was followed by the official diagnosis from a family doctor.
- She is starting to see behavioral issues.
- “I know they say a lot of autistic kids are not affectionate, and I don’t know how God allowed it, but he’s always hugging and kissing me.”
“Nothing! & we are helping people not hurting people. Not an illness!” – Jacqueline Laurita, August 26, 2012, Twitter, when asked by @KateHolmesF, “How much did you paid to exploit your son’s illness?”
Jacqueline tweeted that she wasn’t paid by People Magazine. Someone should tweet Jacqueline and ask her if she got paid by People Magazine for the photos of her and Nicholas. And maybe somebody should remind Jacqueline that she put out negative things about Teresa Giudice on Twitter, and she says she’s paid to tweet, so then she is paid for her stories!
Nicholas must have been extremely precocious if he was saying “I love you Mommy” at 18 months old; however, more likely than not, Jacqueline is exaggerating her story and Nicholas didn’t say that at 18 months old. A baby says his first word usually between 10 to 15 months, and the average age an infant says his first word is 13 months. Once a baby speaks his first word, he begins identifying other understood words by saying them. By 18 months, the average baby can speak close to 50 words. From 18 to 24 months, babies begin combining words (usually subjects and verbs or adjectives and nouns) to create two-word phrases to communicate. These two-word utterances leave out parts of speech and are direct: “Want cookie,” “Sara mean,” and “Fat cat” are examples of two-word utterances. [Source]
Initial diagnosis of autism requires parents self report any and all behaviors that they are concerned about. Given what we have seen about Jax on the show with her daughter, she almost seemed to enjoy the martyrdom that came along with having a “bad child” — like a jacked up psychological Munchhausen by proxy. She loved her crying scenes, thrives on Chris saying she has “such a good heart” blah blah blah. Any mother of a teenage daughter could spin their antic into making them appear to be the devil’s spawn but MOST mothers wouldn’t do that. Jax did. Jax did it with relish. I can only hope that the doctors could weed out any bullcrap such as this before agreeing with a parent that the child has autism. It seems to me that Jax has major perception problems when it comes to her interpreting the actions of other.
• Tree won’t share her struggles with me!!!!! (as much as I think she should)
• My child won’t show me affection!!! (as much as I think he should)
• Ashlee won’t babysit CJ!!!! (as much as I think she should)
• My child doesn’t listen when I say his name!!! (as quickly as I think he should)
• My college-aged daughter is obsessed with hanging out with her friends (imagine that)
• My toddler son is obsessed with his tonka truck (imagine that)
• It goes on…..
A misdiagnosed child is tragic and intentionally misdiagnosed child… no words.
– madepiley, August 23, 2012, StoopidHousewives
The photo below is a still from a video that Ashlee took during the Manzo’s/Laurita’s Jersey Shore vacation in August 2012 (they rented a big house, which they all shared; they tweeted photos throughout their ‘vacation’). Nicholas is more than three years old in the video. Just a week after this video was taken Jacqueline released her story to People Magazine about Nicholas having autism. Note that autism doesn’t affect the development of motor skills, which Jacqueline says is one of Nicholas’ symptoms.
“Do not feel bad for Nicholas. He’s extremely smart & making great progress. He’s happy and loved. Thank you all for the support though. xx” – Ashlee Holmes, August 22, 2012, Twitter for iPhone
- Nicholas was born June 11, 2009 (according to IMDB.com), so in December 2010 he was 18 months old, which is when Jacqueline first noticed his ‘regresssion’.
- The season 2 finale aired on September 6, 2010, and reunion 2 was filmed shortly thereafter.
- Filming for season 3 began almost immediately, in late September/October 2010. Jacqueline first noticed Nicholas ‘regression’ in December 2010, a couple months after filming for season 3 began (filming ended in mid March 2011). However, they waited 8 months for their insurance to clear them to see a specialist, which was followed by the official diagnosis from a family doctor around August 2011.
- Filming for season 4 began late May/June 2011, six months after Jacqueline first noticed his ‘regression’, and continued through September 27, 2011. Nicholas was diagnosed in August 2011, around the time of the meeting on Jacqueline’s deck, where she criticized Teresa for replying to Danielle’s tweet and stated that she wanted to distance herself from Teresa and her family.
- The big blow up during the PFS at the end of season 4 (to be aired as the season 4 finale) was filmed on September 27, 2011, about two months after Nicholas was officially diagnosed with autism. The reunion for season 3 was filmed the next day, September 28, 2011, and aired two weeks later in early October 2011.
By Carolyn H.G., Comment Posted at StoopidHousewives
August 24, 2012
That Jacqueline Laurita would PREY UPON THE COMPASSION OF THE PUBLIC by using her son’s developmental issues to avoid facing accountability for her INDEFENSIBLE behavior is OFFENSIVE TO THOSE FACED WITH THE CHALLENGES OF AUTISM.
The timing of Mrs. Laurita’s announcement couldn’t be more obvious; her PR team scheduled its release to coincide with the season’s explosive ending and the show’s upcoming reunion, where the New Jersey housewife will surely face the audience’s wrath for her shameful actions.
Mrs. Laurita had a solid YEAR to serve as an outspoken advocate for those dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorders. She had every opportunity to sit down for countless interviews to SPREAD AWARENESS and SUPPORT RESEARCH. Instead, she spent precious time and energy trashing her cast mate on social media, in blogs, and on television. Now, she is attempting to hide behind the issue of Autism to garner sympathy from the audience and escape culpability for her morally questionable conduct.
It’s not surprising this group would stoop so low. After all, the audience is already anticipating their excuses:
• Caroline’s bullying and ruthlessness wasn’t her fault; she was menopausal.
• Melissa executed a devious plot to humiliate and destroy her husband’s only sibling because she was hormonal during her pregnancy.
• Jacqueline didn’t punch Caroline in the face because she has impulse control issues and she’s emotionally unstable; she was suffering from Post-Pardom Depression. (What about the arrest for assaulting an ex-boyfriend in Las Vegas?)
• Jacqueline already tried to explain away her vile treatment of her (former) best friend with claims of “low testosterone.” Unfortunately for her, the audience didn’t buy it.
Perhaps Caroline Manzo crafted this strategy? Remember, the Manzo-matriarch’s son, Albie, flunked out of law school NOT because he was too busy playing on Twitter and enjoying his newfound Bravo celebrity status; ADD was the culprit. (By the way, I’m not discounting ADD; I, myself, have ADD, as do many SUCCESSFUL professionals.)
As an aside, had Mr. Manzo not been tossed out of law school, he and his family members would know they’re walking a fine line in touting BLK’s “health benefits.” Remember the class action suit against the herbal supplement Airborne? Statements made by the Manzo and Laurita families indicate they probably DON’T.
In an article in the Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes Patch, Mr. Manzo claims:
“A mother gave her autistic son BLK to drink, thinking its unique color might get him drinking more water. The boy not only drank it, he loved it, but the amazing part, he started behaving. The mother reached out to Albie, shocked, who sent her two more cases to try. Her son is stimming less and listening and following directions more. The difference, she told Manzo, is unbelievable.”
Comments, such as this, suggest THE LAURITA AND MANZO FAMILIES MAY BE POSITIONING THEMSELVES TO USE AUTISM AS A PLATFORM TO PROMOTE THEIR PRODUCT. Not only are they preying upon the “pity” of the public, they’re PREYING UPON THE HOPE OF FAMILIES DESPERATE FOR A CURE. That is truly DEPLORABLE.
More Readers’ Comments from StoopidHousewives, AllAboutTRH, and Reality Tea:
Ragin_Cajun_theonly1 said on August 26, 2012:
Ahhhhh, I guess we are not gonna see Jax in one of her Posche sausage dresses running down the hall screaming at somebody with Tre by her side. Jax wants sympathy and times that article about Autism to come out at the end of the season to make her soft again? Well, who the heck is manipulating the fans with tabloid stories? If her son was diagnosed with Autism a while ago then why is she all about getting messy with Tre? I will say screw you I am not gonna get upset all over your trampling booty and concentrate on my son. She did the same thing with Ashley. Instead of paying attention to her at the Fashion Show she is there poking that Dani Bear with Tre until it was her daughter that was eventually charged. When is Jax gonna get her act together for her children’s sake?
Lee said on August 27, 2012
I live in Bergen county like Jacqueline and I don’t understand why it took so long. I called the Bergen County Health Department and they sent someone to evaluate my son in 1 week and my doctor sent me to Hackensack hospital for an evaluation. In 2 months I was receiving services. I hope he attends a therapeutic preschool.
Barb Aroneo Roach said on August 25, 2012 at 4:50 PM
I wrote a comment last night Linda, what sickens me the most is that they are going to exploit the child by showing him on the next year’s NJHW if they are asked backed. He is going to be their story line. That is horrendous.
love nj said on August 24, 2012 at 10:21 PM
It’s scary how low they will go. Albie Manzo works for Chris Laurita. Nichola Laurita is Albie’s cousin. Nicholas supposedly has autism. (We haven’t seen the medical records – so I am using supposedly). Now, Albie is giving two cases of Blk water to a woman whose son has autism. The woman claimed that Blk water made her son behave. So, will Nicholas’ autism be manipulated to help sell Blk water for some purported health benefits and for sympathy for the Laurita family? I think so. Well, if Albie is L.D., he should stop slugging the alcohol and start slugging Blk water. How about Lauren drinking Blk water? Change her mood. This family is very crass and vulgar. If they ripped off Signature Apparel, they will rip off anybody else.
The Lauritas and Manzos Are Hoping Viewers Will Buy Blk ‘Out of Pity’ (They Say They’ve ‘Invested Everything’ in Blk); Melissa Gorga Accuses Teresa Giudice and Bravo Producers of Sabotage (Updated 7/17/2012)
The Manzos and Lauritas made it perfectly clear during season 4 episode 12 (a giant infomercial) that they have everything riding on the success of BLK water (it is not a coincidence that this season Chris Laurita had more screen time than Jacqueline in episode 12 and that he is doing talking head interviews looking rather depressed and saying things like “this has to work” as if this is their last hope). The episode was filmed in August 2011, and BLK is not the success they hoped it would be. This must be adding to the resentment and jealously the cast has toward Teresa Giudice.
Chris Laurita said during episode 12 that he “invested everything” in BLK (Albie Manzo said essentially the same thing). And both Chris and Jacqueline even mentioned that their apparel company went bankrupt. They are hoping viewers will buy their product out of pity, which is what Jacqueline ‘Loose Lips’ Laurita claims Teresa is doing (see quotes below). The creditors of the Laurita’s apparel company forced a corporate bankruptcy in 2009, but they are just now, two and a half years later, mentioning it on the show.
To make the case that they (along with Bravo, which has a vested interest in BLK’s success) are playing the viewers for fools, an astute viewer questioned why the Lauritas were acting like owners of BLK rather than just promoters of the product:
“OK…so, when we first were introduced to BLK it seemed that Chris was partnering with (or backing) Christopher and Albie in a new promotion company. My impression was that they were starting a business to promote other people’s products (and I assume make some sort of percentage off of sales they made). It seemed to me BLK was their first client. NOW it seems as if they are doing more than just promoting BLK…it seems like it’s THEIR product/company. The way they’re talking about all the money they’re spending, the traveling, the booth, the van, etc…that’s legwork people do to promote their own company, not someone elses. A promotional company throws some parties, gives the stuff out at a bar or a food store. Am I missing something? Did they purchase all the ownership rights to BLK? They all can’t get rich on this stuff if they’re just promoting it for someone else…and I don’t see them even remotely promoting anything else. They are all acting like this is their meal ticket and I don’t think there’s a chance it would be unless they OWN it. What’s the deal???” – ivygirl22, July 17 2012, IMDb.com
“People were buying Teresa’s products out of pity, thinking they were poor and needed help. People around town were starting to notice that her big lifestyle hadn’t changed and started saying that the Giudices were con artists, and were part of a big scam to get people to buy her products. People felt like they were getting played.” – Jacqueline Laurita, June 27, 2012, Don’t Get It Twisted
“I was wondering if Teresa was just profiting from people’s pity by benefiting from a big media scam while she was really living the high life or was my friend really in trouble, denying it to herself, suffering in silence and getting deeper in debt.” – Jacqueline Laurita, June 27, 2012, The Rules According to Teresa
Albie said during episode 12 that he invested his savings in BLK, and then backed up this statement while the show was airing by tweeting: “True story; no one gets paid from blk. All the money goes to making the company grow. We have all sacrificed a lot, hopefully it pays off!” – Albie Manzo, August 15, 2011, Twitter
“What Albie said is true; they have been traveling non-stop and busting their butts to get BLK out there. As a matter of fact, I’m sure we’ve even met quite a few of you who are reading right now at a BLK tasting somewhere along the way. If you have been to one, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. It’s also true when Albie said they haven’t made a dime. All the money has been going right back into the company, and they’ve been working for pretty much nothing. Times have been rough, but the reward has been worth it.” – Caroline Manzo, July 15, 2012, Getting Saucy
“It was an involuntary bankruptcy. Signature Apparel stopped paying its vendors. And when the company’s books were reviewed by the trustee, a related adversary proceeding was filed against the Laurita Defendants. The Laurita Defendants are Joseph Laurita, director, Christopher Laurita, director, Adeline Laurita (wife of Joseph), Jacqueline Laurita (wife of Christopher), Anthony Laurita (brother of Joseph and Christopher), and Frankie Laurita (son of Joseph and now deceased). The adversary proceeding states the Laurita Defendants used over $7 million of the company’s funds for their own personal use – vacations, cars (Ashlee’s SUVs), credit cards, etc. It’s called a ‘bleed out.’ The bankruptcy trustee’s responsibility is to protect the bankruptcy estate and to get the legitimate creditors of the company paid (even though it may not be 100% but something). The personal assets of the Laurita Defendants will have to be sold and the proceeds paid to the bankruptcy estate to enable the legitimate creditors to be paid something. The Lauritas committed bankruptcy fraud – a federal crime. If prosecuted, prison time and fines.” – Love NJ, July 16, 2012, StoopidHousewives
“Well, I think some things became very clear in last night’s episode. It is all about their business ventures (which we knew), and their success in promoting their products. Kathy with desserts (Rich thought he was funny–not!), BLK and Chris L. admitting his other business failed and he sunk so much money in BLK and it just has to work or he is in deep sh*t (financially ruined), and now there is a trio of new pasta sauces from Caroline and hubby. This spoke volumes of the need to “take Teresa down”, make her look bad so that viewers will turn on her and not buy her products, and love the Manzo/Laurita gang for exposing Teresa, and then everyone will buy their products, and they will be rich. The want the viewers to spend our money on their crap and not Teresa’s. The almighty dollar and its pursuit has the devil working overtime in NJ. Just what the world needs, more water and pasta sauce. I would never spend one cent to buy any of their products or anything they are affiliated with. It is time for them to go away. Chris Laurita should have thought of his financial future before they embezzled/blew through all their company’s funds.” – julia109, July 16, 2012, Reality Tea
“Pretty sure Teresa’s product sales are out stripping the Sauce and BLK. I’m also pretty sure this is the crux of the issues between the Manzo/Lauritas and Giudices. They were never meant to be the successful ones. The Manzos tried to tarnish her image because they believed the public were supporting her product out of sympathy.” – Sackem, August 5, 2012, Reality Tea
“Now I get why you and Jacqueline wanted to get rid of Teresa. It seems like both of you were trying to alienate her so she could get kicked off the show, so that you girls would have the floor to promote your own products. I get it now; just getting rid of the competition.” – Mimilicious, July 17, 2012, Caroline’s Bravo Blog
“Glad to see Caroline has stopped bashing and blaming Teresa in her blogs, but it is too little too late. We all know the outcome, as all of this came out one year ago, and Caroline continues to go on television interviews and speak negatively about Teresa. So she is fooling no one. I think they really think if they ‘exposed’ Teresa, and viewers saw how terrible she was, that they would no longer buy her products, and be so grateful for the others showing how bad Teresa is, that we would all run out and spend our money on their products instead of Teresa’s. In my opinion, it backfired and more people will say just as I do, that they will never spend one cent to buy any of the products from the other housewives on the show because of how nasty and mean they have been. They should have lived and let live, but I think they may have slit their own financial throats. Chris Laurita finally stated that he had financial problems with his other business (yeah they embezzled or drained all of the funds out of it), and now they really need this BLK to work or else he is in huge financial trouble. Well, they should have found a better strategy than trying to hurt Teresa, in order to help themselves. It is clear that the Manzo/Laurita gang had a meeting, and everyone decided on the agenda, and that would be to trash the whole Guidice family every chance that they got, and that each and every member would do it.” – MelindaK, July 17, 2012, Caroline’s Bravo Blog
“I think the other housewives are jealous of Teresa’s resilience and the business success she’s experiencing despite all her troubles. Caroline and Jacqueline, especially, seem to hate other females (look how badly they treat their daughters compared to their sons), so I’m not that surprised that they’re all trying to pull bullshit excuses out of their asses to justify their raging hatred of Teresa.” – Natasha333, July 15, 2012, Television Without Pity
“It’s so funny watching the beginning of BLK. They have come SOOO far since then. SOOO proud of our hard working boys!! :0) BLK is now in all the major grocery store chains across the country !!! BLK lawsuit settled. It’s over. All is good!! :0) Vanessa’s right! I shed a LOT of tears this season. Besides everything that went on, I found out I had extremely low testosterone. Now good!” – Jacqueline Laurita, July 15, 2012, Twitter [BLK is not in all the major grocery chains across the country if you check their website, http://www.blkbeverages.com]
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