Lynn Tilton, CEO of turnaround firm Patriarch Partners, is heading for reality TV.
The Sundance Channel yesterday announced that Tilton — who once bragged that she “only strips and flips men” — will star in a new program called The Diva of Distressed. Here is the network’s description:
She’s brash. She’s bold. She’s a billionaire in stilettos. Lynn Tilton is the Diva of Distressed, and she’s on a mission to save America’s troubled businesses. While Wall Street thrives, Main Street struggles to stay afloat. That’s when Lynn steps in with fresh ideas, deep pockets, and high expectations. With her no-nonsense business philosophy and unorthodox style, Lynn works to get these enterprises back on track and return stability, pride, and hope to the small town communities they support. This is a captivating look at the power of creativity to shape the future of our country.
Tilton may be the most successful private equity pro to head for the small screen’s cheapest genre, but she’s hardly the first. Here are four who have previously walked in her shoes:
Ivana was a venture capitalist with Advent International, who quit in order to participate in the second season of The Apprentice. Seems she tried to take an unexplained leave of absence — producers wouldn’t let her say she was joining the show — but her Advent bosses got a bit spooked.She made it through the first 13 cuts, but ultimately was cut after dropping her skirt on a public street to try to win a candy sales contest. Trump would end her run by saying: “I will not have a stripper work for me. Ivana, you’re fired.”
Ma currently serves as founder of New Media Advisory Group in Los Angeles, and also is helping Google create a lifestyle vertical for women.
JULEBY HIRSCHJuleby Hirsch also had been with Advent International, until agreeing to participate in the second season of Temptation Island. If the show doesn’t ring a bell, it’s where three couples spend time at a Costa Rican resort with attractive singles — in order to test the strength of their relationships.
Juleby was one of the singles, but his perpetually open blue shirt was not enough to woo the female contestants. He became the first guy voted off his season — later saying that he could have made a connection with 23-year-old singer/dancer Catherine, had her boyfriend not “blocked” him.
Juleby now serves as a Boston-based financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.
DAVID GOULD
David Gould holds the distinction of being the first person Donald Trump ever “fired” on national television.
He was a senior associate with Merlin Biomed Group at the time, but got kicked off the first season of The Apprentice after his team got beat selling lemonade on the streets of New York. It didn’t help when he told Trump that sales weren’t his forte.
Gould remains with Merlin Biomed, now as a principal.
RUSSELL ARMSTRONG
Russell is founder and managing director of Crescent Financial Partners, which calls itself “a private equity merchant banking firm, focused on early stage and middle market opportunities.” He also is husband to Taylor, one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
I have never seen the show — yes, that is a tacit admission of having watched Temptation Island — but am told that Russell shows up regularly, and is not exactly a fan favorite. Here is some video of him and Taylor on a red carpet:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5xsyk2rBoI]