Leah Remini Blog

I am writing because I wanted to let all of you know that we will be making changes to my blog. The categories on the blog that I have will still be available to all (FAQ’s, Weight Loss section, etc).
In one week, we will be taking down the feature that allows comments to be posted and answered. Instead, it will only be where I can post every once in a while to keep you guys updated.
For those of you who are ‘my regulars’ and LRG members, I will post on the LRG every so often.
I wanted to also thank you all for writing and being as dedicated as you are. It has been quite an experience, to say the least, in getting to know most of you and I appreciate the love and care that you have shown me.
With Love,
Leah

Carrie ~ I am not doing a movie, but good luck on yours!

Jen ~ Thanks hon

Rochelle ~ The diet is called Dr. Cohen’s 1st personal diet. It is in the weight loss story on my Blog

Glenn ~ Thank you so much and I love the idea of Rico having his own show… very good idea

David ~ Thank you so much for the book and yes, I did get the book and I so appreciate it. Thank you.

Michelle ~ I do not know honey about the clothes I wore. As for your other question, when we film in bowling alleys and stuff, most of the time, it is just a fake set on the sound stage, but sometimes it will actually be at a local bowling alley. As far as paint and all that, it is just a mixture usually of water, food coloring etc. It is not actually paint.

Sym ~ I think the plan is to just meet at Vivs…. No plans to go out all night. I am too old for that!

Tina ~ We had a great time, thank you for asking

Miri ~ That is very cute that you guys did that. But she would have me if I asked honey. I just have not had anything to discuss. That is very sweet of you all.

Mike McD ~ It is ok to write me when you are not feeling great. You do not always have to be funny. But try and focus on something good, something right in your life when you are that down. I know it must be very hard for you, but hang in there my friend. Your friend, L.

With Love,
Leah

I wanted to wish you all a very Happy 4th of July. We are just going to be Barbecuing and getting fat!

I want to thank you all for what you said. Most of you are decent people so it is not directed at you. They know who they are. But if people wonder why I do not update my web site regularly and continue to post recent pictures it is because if I read one bad thing, I get so irritated. But, I have to work on focusing on the majority being good.

I just got some pictures back from Sofia’s party. I will post a selected few…. She had a great time even though it was raining. No one really noticed but me. Sofia told me she wants a party every day! Oy…

My love to you all,
Xoxo
Leah

I am finally writing this to clear up some confusion and to hopefully shut some people up because I am seriously tired of hearing about it. This show does repeat and I guess people need to realize that.

After the King of Queens was over, I was approached to possibly do a talk show. I thought doing a show that shows the trials and tribulations of being a first time parent was interesting. But, I was not sure. The same people who approached me to do the show also produced Rachel Ray. They wanted me to do a few appearances on Rachel Ray to kind of try it out. Very often when a new show is being launched they use a successful show to launch the new person. For example, Dr. Phil was on Oprah for many episodes to get the audience used to him before they launched him on his own show. The same with Rachel, she was on Oprah, Dr. Oz, etc…. The producers asked me if there was anything monumental going on in Sofia’s life that they could film for a piece on Rachel Ray. I told them that our pediatrician told us it was time for Sofia to get off the bottle. I had been on many “mommy” web sites where other moms admitted having this problem, moms who were just like me. I felt this was a good subject being I was JUST told it was time for Sofia to get off the bottle.

They felt this topic would be a great idea to film BUT they wanted to bring in their pediatrician and a “real mom” who had been through this to come in and help us with this “problem”. At this point it was not a problem. THEY created a problem by taking the bottle away from her because they needed to film it in the next few days. So there was no “lead up” to really wean her off the bottle. We basically forced her off the bottle for filming this piece. We had NEVER even tried to get her off the bottle before this.

We filmed for one day with the expert and one night trying to get her off the bottle. With the camera crew in my house, cameras in my bedroom, my daughter being forced to get off the bottle, this was all too much for us so quickly. I also had just finished the show; it was all just very emotional for me. They are looking to do a show; they wanted to show a certain amount of drama so that people would watch. What you saw was made to be dramatic. I am not saying it was not, but it was not as organic as I would have wanted it to be.

We were also a bit tortured as to if we were doing the right thing by allowing people to film this. I assumed that I might help someone. I never realized we would be attacked for it or I never would have done it.

So here is what happened. After we filmed for two days, Sofia was NOT off the bottle. Truly the advice of the expert did not work for her. But the advice from the Pediatrician that it was time to do it was something we agreed to. We had to go to NY to be in studio for Rachel Ray. Because I was so sad to leave Sofia, my mom said that she would take Sofia to Disneyland and try to leave the bottles at home. We agreed. The first night we were gone, my mom told us that they had left for Disneyland and she told Sofia that the Princess Hotel did not allow big girls with bottles there and was it ok leaving them home? Sofia’s response was simply “yes”. The first night she cried a little asking for her “babbas” but grandma told her that she had given her bottles to babies that really needed them. By night 2, she was over it. It was over before we even got home. I even mentioned this at the end of the Rachel Ray show but I do not think people focused on it because they did not believe it. I also did not want to really punch the point home that the expert didn’t really work for us being that she was sitting right there. I find it NUTS that no one blogged about what a champ Sofia was getting off the bottle so fast! I really wanted to talk about how it was me and Angelo who made such a big deal about it and not Sofia! But that was not the focus of the show.

For people to say what bad parents we were and what idiots we are, really baffled me. I guess I was naive in thinking that people would see how much we loved our daughter, not focus on negativity.

When we got home, Sofia asked me and her daddy for her bottle, and we told her that she had given them to babies who really needed them, she asked for them back and we just talked her through it and told her how proud we were of her. Sure, we had to read 5 more books than we were used to, but it was ok.

When I said in the piece that if you do not like the advice of your doctor, get another doctor. I really did not mean it as it related to getting sound advice. I really said it out of context. And maybe to be funny. Had I known that people would take me literally, I would NOT have said it. I was attempting to empower those parents who felt looked down upon by the “experts” because they were not meeting a certain time line when it came to their kids. Not all kids get off the bottle at a certain age, not all kids get potty trained EXACTLY when they should and when I said that I just wanted people to not feel judged as I had felt.

That day the show aired, the Rachel Ray web site was overloaded with many stories from parents who were in a similar situation. I felt that I had done something good. But there are a few who have said some very hurtful things. And it is for them that I waste my time writing this.

We are not perfect parents, we made mistakes and we will continue to make mistakes. We are doing the best we can. We don’t allow her to do anything she wants as some have said. You are not in our home, so do not make comments about people you do not know.

She is off the bottle and she is potty trained and she has had all of her shots. When she is sick, we give her medicine to help her get better. We reprimand her when she is out of control, we tell her no when she is going to do something dangerous, we don’t say ‘yes’ to EVERYTHING that she asks for. There, I hope you all feel that I have done the perfect parent checklist.

Sofia is a very creative, loving and headstrong child. Can she be a brat? YUP! What 5 year old isn’t? But, she is our life. She is a blessing that we are very appreciative of.

I hope that some of you count your blessings and maybe return to the decent people I know you can be. Maybe spend less time judging people and more time on being compassionate about other peoples “shortcomings”.

Just because we can say anything about anyone on the internet doesn’t mean we should.

Leah

Thank you all again for the birthday wishes for me and my big girl Sofia. She had a great birthday. She keeps telling me she is a big girl and doesn’t want me to cut her food up anymore…

With Love,
Leah

Carrie ~ I am well, thank you. Sorry to hear that Tony didn’t get the part, but that’s ok-something else will happen.

Mike McD ~ Hey honey, hope all went well with your surgery. Please let me know….

JenfromPA ~ We had a big party for Sofia and my mom and sissy took me out for lunch to Shutters On The Beach. I just love that hotel. Thank you for asking honey.

Karrie ~ I don’t even have the words to express how truly sad I am for you for the loss of your mom, my thoughts and prayers and deepest sympathy….that mixed in with the news of your daughter, I am sure this is a very confusing time for you. Thinking of you…

Jim ~ Well, I am glad you finally watched the show… better late than never. And you know what? I often wish that we could bring the show back so I guess we are both nuts.

BB ~ Are you asking me for tips on how to play golf? I hope you are kidding because I don’t know what in the heck…

Jen ~ Stop stalking my sister!!! Just kidding baby… that’s cute…

Miri ~ I like the whole grain pancakes… don’t go on the weekend unless you start waiting at breakfast to eat lunch

Sym ~ We all had a great birthday, thank you. Yes, I know about the reunion, I talk to JP all the time..

Brian ~ I would do anything with Kevin again. As far as the rest of the cast, they have all kind of moved on and I really don’t hear from them.

Chris ~ Yes, I would say Carrie and I are very similar in ways. As far as any plans, nope not yet.

Chenelle ~ No sweetie - auditions are free; you don’t have to pay for them. Please look at my web site as there is info there about this (I hope). If not, let me know.

David ~ I look forward to reading it.

Vanessa ~ That was very sweet of you. I am happy to hear that there are still people in the world that stop to help a bird. xoxo

With Love,
Leah

David ~ I can’t wait to get the book. Thank you honey

Sandra ~ No plans to be on Ellen yet, but as soon as I have something to discuss I will be there. I love Ellen

Carrie ~ I think that is awesome what you are doing. Keep up the great work…

Cherish ~Hi honey! I am sorry that you feel I have ignored you! I hope all is well. Kisses…

Sarina ~ I thank you for watching the show and loving it. I am sorry but I have no idea what shades of lipsticks I wore on the show, there were so many and because it was done by makeup artists I didn’t really pay attention to it.

Sally ~ I am sorry to hear that you feel your friend is getting a little snotty. Just let her enjoy her moment even if it is obnoxious to you, and allow her this time and just love her through it.

Jordan ~ At the time, I was very upset that I didn’t get Friends especially because it was such a huge hit and I was unemployed. But, you know how they say “one door closes and another opens?” that’s what happened with King of Queens. So, it all worked out in the end.

Rebecce ~ Thank you for writing and welcome! I hope your job search goes well.

I enjoy cooking Puerto Rican food for my honey.

No, I don’t like Cigars but Angelo does.

Sym ~ I don’t set my sons up. They are NEVER to go out ever! Just kidding… yes, they are handsome guys; all of them.

Jen ~ Glad you had a nice vacation. I had a great birthday, thank you for asking…

Phil ~ Well, I don’t have any special places. But experiences you must have in the eating dept are eating a frankfurter and a Knish from a stand or a Nathans; you must get a hot pretzel (I get mustard) but try it without and a slice of Pizza…

Lucia ~ Couldn’t get the link… but thank you for trying my sweets.

Connie ~ Blue is great, thank you. The other dog is my mother’s dog who is at my house a lot. As far as animals that don’t agree with me, I am not a fan of the Hummingbird. I will tell you why, because, like you, I had a run in with one. I have always liked them until it tried to attack me and the sound it makes when it is close to your head aint’ pretty. So now when I see one, I run from it…lol onto your story…

Melanie ~ Thank you so much for writing and I am happy to hear that you loved the show so much.

Megan Renee ~ Well, I will do my sisters show again so you can hear it. Thanks for trying.

Pamala ~ Thank you for writing in and I thank you for posting this. All my love and best to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you

Ryan ~ Thanks for listening. I hope you didn’t get charged too much on the other line you called!

Ivonne ~ Thanks for writing. I wrote a whole section about weight loss on my web site
www.leahremini.com. I hope that helps. I know it’s hard. Believe me, I know…

Joe S ~ I have only been to a few concerts. But I LOVED New Edition… I know, I know…:)

Stacey ~ Thank you sweetie.

Debbie ~ What a sweet message! Thank you honey.

Chenelle ~ I think I posted this on my web site… let me know. I think my whole long story about how I started is there.

Natalie ~ I love to hear that we were able to help you through a sad time. That makes me feel good. I hope all is well with you now. And thank you for the assuring words on being a “crazy” mom… much appreciated…

With Love,
Leah

Nic Nac ~Thanks for saying that. I appreciate it, but no apology needed.

Lisa from WI ~ Thank you sweetie

Daniella ~ It was my pleasure.

Megan Renee ~ I am waiting to wear my jumpsuit…

Jen from Pa ~ have a great vacation

Lucia ~ Thanks honey. I hope you are working on your stress free life.

Renee ~ It was such a pleasure meeting you in person. It was like we had been friends forever. I want to thank you for taking the time out to come here. Thank you for fighting for me and Jen the way you do! You are a doll.

Sym ~ I will, thank you so much for the tip on the Jill Scott song.

Marie ~ I finished the pilot. We are waiting to hear if it will get picked up for mid season. We will know in a few weeks.

Richard ~ Thank you so much. Yes, Kevin and I are still friends. He is a big movie star now, so I don’t see him as much… I’m kidding…

Jill ~ I wish you all the luck in the world…

Yvonne ~ It really wasn’t that hard. We just got her a cool potty and just let her use it when she wanted and didn’t make her feel bad when she didn’t. She eventually just started to use it all the time.

Big Gary ~ The show won’t be on if it doesn’t get a pick up for mid season. I should know in a few weeks. I will let all of you know.

Chris ~ Once you write a script I think you could just send it out to agencies. But, I am not a writer so I don’t know much about that side of the business. Sorry.

Anita ~ I laughed many times during that episode and ruined a few takes… it was really funny. Thank you…

Mike Mcd ~ I guess that is the problem with talking to or meeting people that are on TV or in movies. It seems that the expectations are so high. I think most people are disappointed because they realize that people in the entertainment industry are just people at the end of the day. I have always had a hard time with this. There is so much that I think the general public takes for granted and that is that we do what we do because we love doing it. The public sometimes feels that we owe them something. What do we owe them? To entertain them, to be appreciative of the support. I know there are some stars that I always wanted to meet only to realize that they are “normal”: as normal as one could be in this business. But I guess I too expected them to be something different that what I had imagined. There is nothing to be shy about. I am just me.

Jessica ~ Thank you for watching so much. As far as what episode is my favorite, I think I answer that in the FAQ section.

Lottie ~ GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Judith~ My thoughts on In The Motherhood getting canceled? It’s not fun to have a show canceled, but the women on that show are talented and they will move on.

Connie ~ I think ‘to each his own’. And if you want to put your life out there, I think you have to be able to take the good with the bad. We did it because we loved that time in our lives and we loved sharing it with everyone. The camera men become part of the family and it can be a very enjoyable experience.

Mike ~ Thank you for writing and for your service to our country. I don’t believe that all friends stab you in the back, I am sorry to hear that is all you have experienced.

Nicole ~ Squats are the best honey. I can’t do a whole lot of them, but also step ups are good. I am sure you can Google this info.

P & P ~ Well?????

Ken ~ No big plans, just hang with family. Thank you for asking.

Vanessa ~ Yes, my daughter will be going to school soon. And yes, it will be very hard for me, but it’s time. Thank you for asking.

With Love,
Leah

Anita ~ I think I am like Carrie in many ways. She was a joy to play for 9 years and I seriously miss beating up on Doug every week.

Leila ~ I use many foundations. I change it up, you have to find one that does not get in your pores, also getting facials helps and having some kind of skin care line that you use every am and pm. One of my rules though is I never, and I mean never go to sleep with makeup on my face no matter how tired I am. Right now, I am using Armani base, but I also like Scott Barnes.

Sym ~ Thank you very much. I do not know how I can help you with finding out what you want to do. You have to figure out what you want in life and that should tell you what you would have to do to get it..

Phil ~ Thanks sweetie. As far as the picture, of course! Just go to my web site and there is a place you can request a picture. I would be happy to!

Connie ~ I really do not know Jon & Kate so I would hate to pass judgment on people I do not personally know. I also do not know their situation. All I know is TLC had their highest ratings ever. I hold them responsible. I do not know if they (Jon & Kate) had a contract that they could not get out of and they were forced to air their dirty laundry… I do not know honey, I am just speculating.

Karolina ~ They did not really hide my pregnancy, I was big as a house! They just made believe I was not… thanks for writing

Jen D ~ that is very funny! I love that you said “Not in a creepy way”. Nicole is my sister. Do not stalk her now! Just kidding…

Jen L ~ Ok, let me know! I look forward to your having some good news soon…

Lottie~ Just waiting to hear honey.

Renee ~ You are too much!!!!! You really make me smile…

Mike McD ~ Of course… I am here…..

With Love,
Leah

David ~ Thank you for all your posts. Good to hear from you. I think what happens when we get older is we really start to appreciate the simple things in life. It always comes back to basics doesn’t it; take it from this old gal…

LisaGfromTN ~ Do not worry baby…. All is well

Ryan ~ You are too much! Lol..

KarenT ~ Thank you so much! I would love to do a reunion show… that would be fun!

Crumbs ~ Thank you baby. Do not worry, let me tell you that job was so much fun and I loved doing it. It was more than just a job to me; it was getting back out there and feeling like an actress again. If the show goes it would just be an added prize, but if it does not, I am ok. I am so appreciative for having that experience. On the Twitter thing, just going to be honest, I really do not get it…:)

Jason M ~ Thank you for that sweet post. Congrats on “Maddy” turning 1!!!! Amazing right? Sofia is going to be 5 and I cannot even believe it. Makes me sad that it is now going so fast. Thank you again for taking the time to write me. My love to you and your family

Maria ~ I agree. I would have loved to have seen Doug with kids…

Heather Dicus ~ I have no idea what shoes I was wearing honey. Sorry.

Norma ~ Thank you for thinking of me and my career. Very much appreciated

Rick ~ That would be so funny wouldn’t it? You should ask your family about David Bickel. Thank you for writing and thank you for loving the show.

Nicole ~ CONGRATS!!!!!!

John ~ I do not think I ever met Linda. It was so long ago…

Judith ~ I do not think any show should be like KOQ…. It was its own special thing

Mike Dor ~ Thank you for my Mothers’ Day wish…

Joe ~ Not yet hon.

Jerry ~ No, I do not have a MySpace…

StineMarie ~ Thank you for being a big fan… all my best to you

Joe S ~ Thank you for the great question. It was hard to do another show. It was a great experience, the people could not have been more pleasant, but it is not easy to just let go of nine years. But we all have to move on. Everybody else has…

Jill ~ The new show is about being married, children, and friendships. And yes, I love Jerry and I miss them all.

AmyKling ~ Thank you for being a fan. Especially going back to Saved by the Bell, very much appreciated

Holly ~ Wow, you are an inspiration! That is so amazing. For the last 20, you might want to try Dr. Cohen’s 1st personal diet. Let me know… but, wow woman! You are awesome! I would love to hear your story on how you did that.

Mimmi ~ Yes, I agree. Good to hear from you..

Ramona ~ I think it is great that your son wants to act. But to move to Cali is not needed just yet. He can start to build a resume where he is, he can get into plays in his town, he can get into everything there, local commercials etc. Has he done any of this? Does he have a tape? Let me know and I can send you in the right direction.

Mike ~ Thank you for loving the show. I really do not know what is contained in the box set…. Sorry.

Chela ~ The reason for that was I was trying to get him to understand that I wanted a certain set of music, Cover Girls, Seduction …. Old school…. I also said I did not want Kelly Clarkson at the time..

Katja ~ Hey sweetie. Yes, I remember you…. And I am proud of you….keep going baby girl

Nina~ Wow if you work that hard you should definitely see results. You know what I heard is good? Those PX90 tapes? I think that is what they are called. Check that out. An hour of cardio is a lot and not to mention a lot to maintain after you get there…. As far as my routine? I am in the process of changing my workout because my body has become accustomed to what I have been doing… but keep going maybe just go 45 min of cardio with a five minute warm up and cool down included and light weights…

Big Gary~ You can just write me through my web site and get it for free!

LisafromWI ~ What if? What if you got in to a car accident and NOTHING happened… how lucky you are… instead of allowing this to hold you back why don’t you look at it like a blessing honey?

Sari ~ Some of us act because we love to make people laugh, we love the response we get… we love what we are able to do for our families and charities. Is it worth it? Yes.

Carrie ~ Wow!!!!!!! That is awesome and amazing!!!!!!! HONOR ROLL?????? What a blessing… congrats again

Jennifer ~ Yes baby doll, it is me…

Eric ~ I do not have that anymore, I do not know what happened to that option..

Lucia ~ Thanks mammas…

MarcyM~ Yes, we have picked a school for Sofia… getting to be a big girl

Mike McD ~ Thank you Mikey…. Of course we are still friends! What in the H-E- double devil dogs…. that is a yummy dessert from NYC….just FYI…

Jen ~ Of course honey… I just always like to write when I have something to say… not just “hey, went to the bathroom”…

Agnes ~ Thank you my sweet…

Donna ~ Thank you so much… No, I am not on Facebook or MySpace

Irene ~ Hey honey… I wish I would have known you were coming… sorry about that. You weren’t in my face baby doll. You were being gracious. Thank you for being there

Ken ~ Thank you so much for writing. To answer your question, after all this time, yes I still get nervous in front of the audience.

Summer ~ Thank you to both you and your mom for watching. Yes, my sister was on the staff for awhile. Both my sisters acted in a few episodes as well.

Mark ~ Thank you so much. Glad to hear you like the show.

John L ~ You know honey, I don’t like getting older but at the same time there are lessons that I am learning BECAUSE I am getting older. Things I just feel you arrive at naturally. But, I do not like losing people. I don’t. I don’t think anyone is at peace losing someone they love. But, you know what John? One of the things that I have learned is that you need to enjoy life. The little things. I think we get so used to working, going home, watching TV and not really doing anything against that routine that it becomes mundane. So the other day, instead of doing my usual, I went to the beach just to listen to the water. I know it seems silly, but I realized that those little things make me happy… of course I only sat there for 5 minutes but it changed my outlook… even if only for 5 minutes. Life is about choices and you can choice to change a routine…

Rockin Robin ~ Thank you for alerting me to the random question… Those babies were Kevin’s friends’ babies. Later on there was a picture of a girl who was about 5 and she was a little girl from Israel who had been killed. Her father had visited our set and out of respect, we put her picture there as a reminder how precious life is.

Jessica ~ Well, sounds like your life has changed in so many great ways! Congrats. To answer your question, marriage made our relationship better. And we were together for 9 years before we got married… I think… I am so bad with years and dates…

Tony ~ The juicy stuff is they didn’t want to pay for the show! It cost a lot to do our show after 9 years…

Sander ~ No, honey I have never been to the Netherlands.

Miri ~ No, I have yet to Twitter…

Erika ~ Thank you sweetie

Maria ~ Nice compliments. Thank you

Love,
Leah