The Cast of Shahs of Sunset
(L-R) Reza Farahan, Asa Soltan Rahmati, Mike Shouhed, Sammy Younai, Mercedeh “MJ” Javid, Golnesa “GG” Gharachedaghi / Photo: Tommy Garcia/Bravo

The cast for the new reality show produced by Ryan Seacrest  for Bravo was released today. The new reality show which premieres in March will follow the lives of young wealthy Iranian-Americans as they spend lots of money. That’s pretty much it. There is nothing in the big “first look” release that was not already in my article on November 17, 2011 that can be read here.  Andy Cohen seems thrilled that they are rich and Jewish.  Ryan Seacrest says that some are hot and some are funny . I find it interesting how those selling points to the show were divided by the two guys working together to bring us the show.  Andy seems to really value lavish spending and Jews that are not Jill Zarin, while Ryan likes pretty people with a good since of humor. Go figure.

If you click the link to my original article, you will find that the press release refers to all the same basic facts that I linked to, however, it is what is not there that is most interesting. They left out the part of my article discussing how the show was already sued by a party goer. It has been alleged by, Kathy Salem, that during the filming of a party scene, Reza, the sockless wonder on the far left in the picture, and another cast member assaulted her. According to court documents obtained by EW.com,  Salem alleges that production did not disclose the entirety of the waiver that she signed and that “someone tried to strip [her] top off and another cast member by the name of Reza threw a cup of water in [her] face.”  Salem alleges the abuse occurred after she was talking to a man at the party who was engaged to another cast member. Kathy Salem claimed in her suit that she was deceived and forced to play a role of “bad girl” who was consistently bullied and humiliated. Shocking, no? It is unclear if her scene will air.
EDIT: Kathy Salem’s attorney states in the document that Salem was “cast in the role of bad girl”  this led many sites to infer she was a regular cast member on the show. My original understanding was that she simply signed a release to attend a party which resulted in what she alleges was an assault and was never to be a regular cast member.

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