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As seen on TV

Style Network’s Empire Girls: ‘The Latina Laverne & Shirley’

 
 

JULISSA & ADRIENNE
JULISSA & ADRIENNE
Style / Robert Trachtenberg/Style

mmarr@miamiherald.com

No trash-talking, extension-yanking, or table-flipping. Empire Girls is a new type of reality program. Kinder, gentler, less painful.

The Style Network series stars Adrienne Bailon, best known as the singer from the Cheetah Girls, and Julissa Bermudez, host of BET’s video countdown 106 and Park. The BFFs (we’ll spell it out: best friends forever) are trying to rise to the top of the showbiz heap in New York City.

Drama? You’ll get your share, but not in a Real Housewives sorta way.

“Anyone who’s ever wanted a glimpse to see what it’s like to record an album or go on an audition for a hosting gig, that’s the drama you’ll see. It’s more about things we have going on in our lives,’’ says Julissa.

The rising stars met about 10 years ago and, in 2006, costarred in MTV’s female-heavy volleyball movie, All You’ve Got.

“We bonded over girl talk,’’ says Bermudez, 28. “We talked about the funniest things like comparing cellulite. We couldn’t get enough of each other, and eventually even shared a trailer. Hers was bigger.’’

Bermudez and Bailon are as tight as sisters.

“Our brand is our friendship, and that’s refreshing, I think,’’ says Bermudez. “Like the Latina Laverne & Shirley with all sorts of mishaps and fun. I think that’s what is going to make us stand apart. We’re a breath of fresh air for young women watching us.’’

They also bond over their love lives, or lack thereof.

“We woke up one day and everyone around us is taking the next step, getting married and having kids. Neither one of us has even begun to look at wanting to settle down. We chose our careers.’’

So, message to any guys tuning in: The duo are single, available and looking.

“We’re pretty lonely,’’ Bermudez admits. “We would love to start dating and fall in love and go in that direction. Hopefully things will start to turn around.’’

Potential mates would have to be understanding of their goals.

“We really pride ourselves in being independent and sometimes finding a partner to support you in that is really hard.’’

Bermudez, who was born in Santo Domingo, D.R., but grew up mostly in Queens, spent some formative years in Hialeah, attending Jose Marti and Ben Sheppard elementary schools. Her dream: to host her own talk show, which is not as easy as it sounds.

“Viewers will get to see some of the challenges I face, the ups and downs. I’m working on my accent. The one thing that makes me different can also at the same time be distracting.’’

Miami has presence in an episode filmed in April, when the women hit the Latin Billboard Awards and a few parties.

“It was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle and work and play in a different setting with some sunshine in our lives.’’

Empire Girls airs 9 p.m. Sunday on Style Network.

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