Former Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY) star Ramona Singer is no stranger to controversy, but a recent bombshell from a well-known makeup artist has painted her in an unflattering light once again. Known for her brash personality and unfiltered antics during her 13-season run on RHONY, Singer’s off-screen behavior is now under fire. In a jaw-dropping revelation on The Nerve podcast, makeup artist Tim MacKay spilled the tea on what he called his rudest encounter with a Real Housewives star, exposing Singer’s shocking on-set attitude that left him stunned.
MacKay, a seasoned professional in the glam world, recounted the chaotic experience of working with Singer. The scene was set with Singer chatting away with fellow RHONY alum Dorinda Medley about trivial matters, completely ignoring MacKay as he tried to do his job. “She just kind of chucks her lipstick, lip liner, and gloss into my hand and says, ‘Do my lips,’” MacKay recalled, describing how Singer casually tossed her products at him without so much as a glance. As he attempted to apply her makeup while she continued her conversation, MacKay struggled to get her attention to confirm her preferences.
@thenerveshow #TimMacKay exposes the rudest housewife he worked with as a celebrity makeup artist. #thenerveshow #popculture #news ♬ original sound – The Nerve
“I tried asking her questions about what else she wanted done,” he explained, “but she’d just look at me and then keep talking to Dorinda. I’m thinking, ‘This is my job here to make you look good, and you’re making it very hard for me.’”
The situation escalated when Singer, after MacKay painstakingly completed her lip makeup, demanded apple slices. “The producer runs over with apple slices, and she shoves them in her mouth, completely messing up what I just did,” MacKay shared, his frustration palpable. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Singer reportedly chewed the apples, spat them into a cup, and left the mess right next to MacKay’s makeup station. Exasperated, MacKay decided he’d had enough. “I walked out of the room,” he said. “I’m like, ‘I’m not helping you anymore.’”
To add insult to injury, Singer had the audacity to claim, “He didn’t even do my lips. He didn’t even do it,” as MacKay walked away. “That’s all I was trying to do for the past 25 minutes!” he exclaimed, highlighting her dismissive and entitled behavior.
As if Singer’s actions weren’t enough, MacKay painted a vivid picture of the chaotic environment, with RHONY co-star Sonja Morgan adding to the frenzy. “In the meantime, Sonja’s in the background banging on a bathroom door, yelling, ‘Talent needs the bathroom. Talent needs the bathroom. Get out, whoever’s in there!’” MacKay recounted, illustrating the whirlwind of diva-like behavior on set.
MacKay was quick to point out that not all celebrities behave like Singer. He contrasted her rudeness with a positive experience working with This Is Us star Mandy Moore, noting, “Normal celebrities don’t act like that.” His story underscores a pattern of behavior that has followed Singer beyond her RHONY days, including a notable 2023 incident where she mistakenly shooed away actress Emma Roberts, assuming she was a fan rather than a fellow celebrity.
Ramona Singer, a RHONY original who appeared from the show’s inception in 2008 through its 13th season in 2021, has kept a relatively low profile since the show’s reboot. However, her knack for stirring drama seems to persist. From her on-screen feuds to off-screen missteps, Singer’s reputation as a polarizing figure continues to grow. MacKay’s candid account only adds fuel to the fire, cementing her as a “nightmare client” in the eyes of those who’ve worked with her.