My Unorthodox Life on Netflix

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve only seen two episodes thus far, but can we talk about the husband and his wealth?

Julia is leaving A LOT out of her story. In the first two episodes, they make her seems like a self-made single mom who thrived despite her upbringing.

However, Silvio - her husband - is one of the richest telecom execs in Italy. He started the first broadband ISP, which he sold for $5.7B to Swisscom (his ownership was worth over $1B in 2007).

Using that money, he bought Elite World Group group in 2011
In 2013, he buys La Perla for 60m euros.

In 2013, Julia leaves her husband.

In 2016, Julia’s shoe line collaborated with La Perla. She becomes creative director of La Perla
In 2018, she becomes head of Elite World Group.
In 2019, Julia ans Silvio are married.

The husband has immense financial power over the kids and family. I guarantee we are not getting the whole story.

Absolutely. I am Jewish and not orthodox. I grew up "observant" conservative ( not to be confused with politically conservative, I mean Conservative synagogue as opposed to orthodox or reform). I am now, as an older adult, culturally Jewish, not observant at all, as in completely and
entirely secular.

Having said that, I am very, very familiar with orthodoxy, understand the various differences which is hard to explain to others. Not all orthodox is Hassidic, there
are even different Hassidic sects with different practices, modern orthodox is also different, Yesivish is different, etc. It's not going to be explained here, really. One has to experience the cultures, the areas, the schools, the shuls. I am very familiar with Monsey Yeshivish.

I work and live among the Yeshivish orthodox here in this area. I have family in this type of culture. My response to this program will probably surprise most.

I think this show is actually doing a huge disservice to what they appear to want to do- which is probably to denigrate the strict and fundamentalist culture and show what it looks like to break away. Look, I am no fan of orthodoxy. At all. And many of the take aways are true...the role of women, poor education, the " baby making" , arranged marriages, lack of sexual education, racism, and no acceptance of homosexuality at all. And, yeah, they are all largely Trumpers, just to add that in, for
reasons that are too ridiculous and scary to go into here. Sure, however, what I see in Julia's new world is also a cult. A cult of narcissism, extravagance of everything, lookism, skinny models, fake relationships, transactional relationships just to get started. I'm kind of disgusted that this is being touted as what's out there for the orthodox if only they would stop allowing themselves to be brainwashed. Really? She keeps using the word "brainwashed," yet isn't that what she's doing to her kids, too? She doesn't really have the right to interfere in her daughter's marriage, or her younger son's choices. That's for them to decide.

Julia's world is not an example of the entire secular world, or even most of it. She is an example of a segment made up in the IG social media world which promotes her lifestyle, and not all corners of the IG or secular world look like this. None of my friends start frenching with their husband upon greeting, my kids don't " make out" with a date at a business function, my boobs aren't continually overflowing my shirt everywhere, and we all don't drive Bentleys or anything close. Her relationship and sexual tutelage of her children is inappropriate, and I am non-religious, not a prude in any sense, and left leaning as they come. I found those discussions super weird.

Does she eat? She's had 4 children and she wears a 0. She learned about eating disorders from her previous world ( yes, it's a thing in the community), but really ratcheted it up for her next one where starving is an art form. Not really impressed, to be frank. I give her credit for having the guts to leave her unhappy marriage, her religious life that she couldn't endure, and starting her own life, but her $$$$ and empire comes from her new husband. She just traded one cult for another.

Lastly, she and the Kardashians have GOT to stop saying "literally." This is, though, LITERALLY one of the worst examples of people leaving an insular lifestyle, but, also, it needs to be fair and it isnt. The information given about the Monsey community, or the Baltimore, or Silver Spring, or wherever...is very out of context. I sure don't want to live like that, but the people are not monsters nor are they stupid and deluded. The reason cultures exist is very complex, it's just not that black and white. There should be more general information regarding families and community, with real examination of the people involved- they can't just be dismissed as black hatters and wig wearers vs mini skirts, bisexuality, and porn.

I also feel as though her children might be exploited in this show. The entire show makes me uncomfortable, and I was hoping to see some genuine exploration of lifestyle and culture.

Rating: No stars given.

I want to lift up this comments. My story is not so dissimilar, opa. And I agree with you 100%. Except I don't have a perspective regarding the word literally because I don't watch the Kardashians

Really, no one does. Not me, not anyone, but they are sent up frequently everywhere for this particular vocal tic. This new show is formatted after their reality show.

[Anonymous]

This show wasn’t entertaining to me. All of the conversations seem very contrived. And there are big chunks of the story that are missing like how she started her shoe company or how she had money to leave if all of the women in her community are uneducated and her whole family remained. Didn’t make it through the first episode.

[Anonymous]

That Silvio must be some kinda mega rich cause Lordy they spend money like crazy!!!

The kids have no real jobs to speak of (she obviously "employs" them) yet they go on these outrageous trips and shopping sprees. Wonder how long her "I love you so much", "Love of my life" empty statements he will tolerate until he wakes up and realizes he is just a big fat wallet!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That Silvio must be some kinda mega rich cause Lordy they spend money like crazy!!!

The kids have no real jobs to speak of (she obviously "employs" them) yet they go on these outrageous trips and shopping sprees. Wonder how long her "I love you so much", "Love of my life" empty statements he will tolerate until he wakes up and realizes he is just a big fat wallet!!

Was Silvio previously married? Does he have adult children of his own?

If so, I'd love to get their take on their step-mother. We've now watched 4 episodes and we think at least 75% of the show is scripted and fake. Everyone seems to be desperate to please mom because she now control's the billionaire pursestrings.

Frankly, Julia give me Trump'y feelings. She's a pure hustler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know exactly what community Julia is from. Those women as "pious" as they claim to be seem to have odd way of showing that given they are all over social media today. Definitely protesting and not in a good way. Their behavior is abhorrent at best. Which says to me cult.

I completely agree, it is very telling, the way in which they are speaking of her. I have relatives who are ultra-orthodox, not from Monsey, but it does border on cult (personally I believe all religions are in some form). But if you are so holy and pious why are you saying such mean and ugly things about her and her family? Look away and go about your own life.

[Anonymous]

So get this: Silvio had a wife of 25 years who he divorced in 2010. He also has an adult daughter, Chiara Scaglia, who was Asian-Pacific head of La Perla until September 2017. By then, Julia had been creative director of La Perla for one year.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiara-scaglia-86ba8a40/

From Aug 2017: "The Millennial Head Honcho Of La PerlaTalks Couture And Staples"
https://www.femalemag.com.sg/fashion/la-perla-chiara-scaglia/


The daughter is now the head of Asia-Pacific for Balmain. A company not owned by her father. Interesting.

[Anonymous]

Wow, Silvio's ex-wife was still posting photos of him & her vacationing together in summer of 2016 on her (still public) Facebook......

https://www.facebook.com/monica.scaglia.71

[Anonymous]

Also, Silvio went to jail for nearly a year in Italy due to tax evasion. His wife apparently appealed to Italy's President and Silvio was released from jail on some sort of technicality? It's very unclear to me.

Here's a "FREE SILVIO" blog that his family/friends ran about his court case: http://www.silvioscaglia.it/

I can't read Italian, but there's apparently a ton of dirt on this guy.

Things are not adding up about this show. It's amazing what you can learn about some people on the unlocked portions of two Facebook acounts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve only seen two episodes thus far, but can we talk about the husband and his wealth?

Julia is leaving A LOT out of her story. In the first two episodes, they make her seems like a self-made single mom who thrived despite her upbringing.

However, Silvio - her husband - is one of the richest telecom execs in Italy. He started the first broadband ISP, which he sold for $5.7B to Swisscom (his ownership was worth over $1B in 2007).

Using that money, he bought Elite World Group group in 2011
In 2013, he buys La Perla for 60m euros.

In 2013, Julia leaves her husband.

In 2016, Julia’s shoe line collaborated with La Perla. She becomes creative director of La Perla
In 2018, she becomes head of Elite World Group.
In 2019, Julia ans Silvio are married.

The husband has immense financial power over the kids and family. I guarantee we are not getting the whole story.

Exactly. Julia started her shoe company on her own (which anybody can do, a friend of mine (attorney) also did it). Then she stumbles into some kind of collaboration with La Perla, meets the owner Silvio, he falls in love with her, promotes her to the top job, divorces his first wife and marries her. He is underwriting the lifestyle of the new wife + 4 kids + in-law.

That being said, she seems to have extraordinary courage and self-confidence. With all its faults, her story can be an example to many timid house-wives of any religion who want more. But let's be honest: the biggest part of her success comes from the fact that she bagged an old rich guy due to being extraordinarily attractive, creative and self-confident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know exactly what community Julia is from. Those women as "pious" as they claim to be seem to have odd way of showing that given they are all over social media today. Definitely protesting and not in a good way. Their behavior is abhorrent at best. Which says to me cult.

I completely agree, it is very telling, the way in which they are speaking of her. I have relatives who are ultra-orthodox, not from Monsey, but it does border on cult (personally I believe all religions are in some form). But if you are so holy and pious why are you saying such mean and ugly things about her and her family? Look away and go about your own life.

Oj1 here. I have no idea what you are referring to. I must have read tons of orthodox facebook posts about her and none were speaking badly of her and her family - betrayal, shock, and pity are the main strong feelings.
She actually taught Judaic studies in Atlanta for many years and was considered an inspiring person. People could not imagine she would badmouth people she taught and seemed to like and was an important part of tje community in such a way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you feel that shows like this are harmful to your community and can feed into antisemitism?

Yes. She omits a lot of good parts. She took a lot from her community and proceeded to back stab them and badmouth them in public. Any goodwill she had from years ago is gone.

No one would ever do such a show about a woman from a strict Muslim background.[/quote]

Oh, come on. Of course they would.

We just watched a British series about Muslim British women in polygamous marriages. It was very refreshing to see. The women all ran their own households and were economically contributing if not independent. They were mostly but not all Black Africans and South Asians.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a more balanced view, here is an interview with an Orthodox woman from Borough Park, where she talks about her life, work and family. In my experience (I am not Orthodox, but have several friends who are), this is more reflective of the community than what various “unorthodox “ movies are portraying.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jUDFpt6lcew

This guy is libertarian right wing. Feel free to catch his other " balanced" videos, like the one on the border.
Re: video" You'll die faster from worrying, than COVID", please read up on how the NY orthodox dealt with COVID. They didn't.

FWIW, to be balanced, I've enclosed a link. I am not orthodox, don't agree with most of their religious and community tenets, but I did appreciate this written rebuttal on a number of levels, which surprised even me.

The Forward is a Jewish newspaper, usually catering to the observant.

https://forward.com/scribe/473098/i-grew-up-in-the-same-community-as-the-star-of-netflixs-my-unorthodox-life/

Oj1 - the forward actually caters to the Jewish involved but non observant, but I happen to really like this article.

I rolled my eyes IRL when I read “ So please Talia if you need to speak your truth, speak it, but speak the actual damn truth.” The author can write about how she perceived Talia, but she can’t say how Talia actually felt or what happened when she (the author was not around). She saw a fraction of someone else’s experience and us angry that fraction isn’t reflected in the show. She could make her own show that shows how unburdened and joyous she finds ultra Orthodox womanhood. But she can’t say someone else’s story isn’t the actual truth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a more balanced view, here is an interview with an Orthodox woman from Borough Park, where she talks about her life, work and family. In my experience (I am not Orthodox, but have several friends who are), this is more reflective of the community than what various “unorthodox “ movies are portraying.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jUDFpt6lcew

This guy is libertarian right wing. Feel free to catch his other " balanced" videos, like the one on the border.
Re: video" You'll die faster from worrying, than COVID", please read up on how the NY orthodox dealt with COVID. They didn't.

FWIW, to be balanced, I've enclosed a link. I am not orthodox, don't agree with most of their religious and community tenets, but I did appreciate this written rebuttal on a number of levels, which surprised even me.

The Forward is a Jewish newspaper, usually catering to the observant.

https://forward.com/scribe/473098/i-grew-up-in-the-same-community-as-the-star-of-netflixs-my-unorthodox-life/

Oj1 - the forward actually caters to the Jewish involved but non observant, but I happen to really like this article.

I rolled my eyes IRL when I read “ So please Talia if you need to speak your truth, speak it, but speak the actual damn truth.” The author can write about how she perceived Talia, but she can’t say how Talia actually felt or what happened when she (the author was not around). She saw a fraction of someone else’s experience and us angry that fraction isn’t reflected in the show. She could make her own show that shows how unburdened and joyous she finds ultra Orthodox womanhood. But she can’t say someone else’s story isn’t the actual truth.

I was with her until she brought up class and Kate Middleton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you feel that shows like this are harmful to your community and can feed into antisemitism?

Yes. She omits a lot of good parts. She took a lot from her community and proceeded to back stab them and badmouth them in public. Any goodwill she had from years ago is gone.

No one would ever do such a show about a woman from a strict Muslim background.[/quote]

Oh, come on. Of course they would.

We just watched a British series about Muslim British women in polygamous marriages. It was very refreshing to see. The women all ran their own households and were economically contributing if not independent. They were mostly but not all Black Africans and South Asians.

Oj1. That's exactly my point. The show isn't trying to constantly knock them like the ones about orthodox jews

[Anonymous]

A similar shoe would be of a woman who escaped an abusive polygamous marriage in Saudi Arabia. That would never be shown