More

Taylor Armstrong Talks Russell Armstrong's Death, 'Hiding From Reality'

Taylor Armstrong New Book

First Posted: 02/ 6/2012 9:36 am Updated: 02/ 6/2012 2:44 pm

Appearing on the "Today" show Monday morning to promote her new book, "Hiding From Reality," Taylor Armstrong shared some very personal scenes from her violent marriage with deceased husband Russell Armstrong. The "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star revealed that her initial decision to sign up for the reality show was fueled by a subconscious thought that the 24/7 cameras would provide her and her daughter a degree of safety.

"I thought the cameras would provide some protection," Armstrong explained.

Contrary to reports that Russell was uncomfortable with the reality show's media attention, Taylor explained that he actually "loved seeing his name in the news" and was excited every morning to check his name in a Google search.

But Armstrong's memoir doesn't only focus on her relationship with her husband but also highlights her childhood, during which her mother was a victim of abuse. The reality star remembers standing on her bed as a child wearing blue footy pajamas, pulling her father's hair while he beat her mother -- an experience that no doubt impacted her adult relationship with her alleged physically abusive husband.

But despite the pain that Russell caused in her life, Taylor was clear that she still has love for her deceased husband: "I love him to this day and miss him terribly ... The good times were the best I've ever had and the worst times were the worst I've ever had."

Armstrong's book, "Hiding From Reality", goes on sale today.

Check out all of the "Real Housewives," past and present, below:

Related on HuffPost:

FOLLOW HUFFPOST CELEBRITY

Appearing on the "Today" show Monday morning to promote her new book, "Hiding From Reality," Taylor Armstrong shared some very personal scenes from her violent marriage with deceased husband Russell A...
Appearing on the "Today" show Monday morning to promote her new book, "Hiding From Reality," Taylor Armstrong shared some very personal scenes from her violent marriage with deceased husband Russell A...
Filed by Kiki Von Glinow  | 
 
 
  • Comments
  • 439
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Post Comment Preview Comment
To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2 3 4 5  Next ›  Last »  (11 total)
04:27 PM on 02/19/2012
I should care?
03:09 PM on 02/22/2012
If you don't care, feel free to do something more productive!
01:10 PM on 02/12/2012
I think all of you have lost sight of the big picture domestic violence is a horrible thing to experience or wittness (as Kennedy has). whether you like Taylor or not there is medical proof of her injuries and I don't believe Russel would commett suicide if there wasn't a big reason behind it. Maybe instead of bashing the victim you should bash the abuse. I'm not saying to bash either party just the abuse not to mention no one knows the real truth of either side so before we say what terrible people either these 2 are, what are each of you for making a judgement on the images a tv allowed you to see. Who knows the real story we only got the cut for tv version.
03:10 PM on 02/22/2012
AMEN!!!! As a woman who just got out of an abusive marriage, I can assure you that Taylor was suffering from battered women's syndrome this season on the show. It's disgusting to see so many people call her a liar. You weren't there!!! Neither was I, but I would never call an abuse victim a liar- no matter who they are! Shameful.
10:49 PM on 02/09/2012
How could she have been beaten up so bad and be an advocate for woman against violence. He broke her jaw?
01:19 PM on 02/12/2012
Victims of abuse often excuse what is being done. If you admit it you have face with and deal with all that comes with it. The pain from a physical hit is quick it's the last mental and emotional pain these victims don't want to face. People do a lot of illogical things to cover that of what they don't want to face or admit to themselves.
11:17 AM on 02/09/2012
This whole thing is just so sordid and tacky. Of course I watch the RHBH but it sheds new light on the blur between reality and real life. I'm not a psychologist but have some experience here and do think that Taylor seems to be an attention-seeking borderline personality with pronounced BPD. If she doesn't get therapy for that she will continue to distort the truth and seek attention in any way that she can. This was very apparent on last season of the RHBH, suicide or not. As for how to proceed now that she's a broke widow? Well, perhaps retreat from the limelight and get a real job and, above all, take care of her child's needs first. Maybe she and Kate Gosselin can start some sort of business together.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
kinogod
word farmer
11:34 AM on 02/08/2012
"i still love him and all the money he showered on me i just love myself more.". Yickers.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
sacmom3
Watch out! They're wearing Hoodies!
04:57 AM on 02/08/2012
If she loved him so much, she would stop talking about him, and let him rest in piece.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
sparkybrown7877
bornthisway
11:46 AM on 02/08/2012
Rest in peace.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
sacmom3
Watch out! They're wearing Hoodies!
12:09 PM on 02/08/2012
Omg, I can't believe I did that. Thanks for catching it. lol
10:51 PM on 02/09/2012
It is confusing?
02:10 AM on 02/08/2012
Taylor is a sociopath. Taylor had her daughter at her book signing!!!!!!!!!!!! Poor Kennedy. She is hearing her mother tell lies and seeing people buy this book. She must be so confused. Taylor should be charged with endangering the welfare of a child since she was " so abused" and exposed her child to a "dangerous environment." Let her lies get her in trouble. I don;t believe she was abused, but if she was why would she put her daughter in the middle of this? She is psychologically damaging this child. Someone should intervene on the daughter's behalf!
10:52 PM on 02/09/2012
Maybe there is two sides and we should not be so quick to judge.
03:13 PM on 02/22/2012
And you know she's lying because you know her so well. Shame on you! You weren't there and it's not your place to judge. She is not emotionally damaging her child. Instead, Russell is the one damaging her- HE CHOSE to commit suicide and take himself out of her life, not caring about her AT ALL!!! You got it twisted!!!!!!!
08:54 PM on 02/07/2012
I think you are a hypocrite if you choose abused women as your little pet charity on Tv, then try milking your story for money. I have not heard her once say she is donating any money to those women she used to advocate for. I have no respect for her and feel sad for her daughter.
07:42 PM on 02/07/2012
of course she is going to say that. she has books to sell. to see Kyle Richards defend this woman on the reunion show telling brandi to have sympathy because Taylor's husband committed suicide? did she watch last season?
photo
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
Oonagh
Old sins have long shadows
07:41 PM on 02/07/2012
When did we get so bored that we thought this was entertainment?
05:11 PM on 02/07/2012
I believe she has as much right to make money as anyone else--what else is she gonna write about but her spectacularly failed marriage; which played out on national TV? So what if she is relieved that he is dead but still loves him? Just like kids who love/hate their abusive parents; she has a right to her mixed feelings, too.

Watching her displace her feelings of fear and anger onto Camille during the season made me dislike her; but I still pity her because I've known abuse victims who behaved the way she did--trying to coverup the horrors and put a brave face upon a dangerous mess. That she was working with a domestic violence charity while being abused just makes the story sadder.

I reserve my scorn for the man who nearly knocked her eye out--nobody has the right to hit you; whether they claim to love you or not! It took her longer than some to learn this truth; and hopefully her daughter won't grow up to repeat the pattern.
03:16 PM on 02/22/2012
Thank you!!! Suicide is sad, but it's very selfish- especially when you have children! I'm so tired of hearing people defend Russell. He CHOSE not to be here to defend himself. If he were innocent, he would do so. Kind of hard to feel sorry for an abusive man who abandoned his family- he also had relatives who loved him. Selfish... sad, but selfish.
redbud9
What's fair is fair
04:08 PM on 02/07/2012
What she really means is that she loves Russell for doing something we could make money off...his suicide gave her a book to write.
03:17 PM on 02/22/2012
That's ignorant thinking.
02:34 PM on 02/07/2012
I read her story years ago. I believe Mary Shelley was the author.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Payd Troll
keep your tea
02:13 PM on 02/07/2012
did the subject of disfiguring facial surgery come up?
photo
Mister Serene
Say your prayers, varmint!
12:44 PM on 02/07/2012
Russell didn't die in vain. Taylor is cashing in.
03:19 PM on 02/22/2012
Russell was a woman beater who was also a very shady, crooked business man. He CHOSE not to be here, leaving those who loved him to face this alone.