Armstrong said she sought protection in the camera, believing there was safety in reality TV's watchful eye. "I thought one of two things would happen: either the cameras would force him not to be aggressive and abusive or it would give me a way out," allowing her the financial resources to leave and support the couples' 5-year-old daughter on her own.
Russell's financial stability became a source of scrutiny during the series' first season, however; after his death, it was revealed that he was mired in debt and lawsuits. Taylor now finds herself embroiled in a $1.5-million fraud lawsuit in which MyMedicalRecords.com claims the couple conned investors.
"I scratch my head about the finance stuff all the time," she said. "I'm still trying to pick up the pieces of the mess that was left behind. I have days when I'm in a ball, where I just sit and stare at the wall and just cry. ... I have every emotion in the world. I have incredible sadness for Russell. I miss him, I long for him. But I'm angry with him for leaving this mess for me to clean up."
Armstrong seems determined to clean it up in the public eye. She expressed a desire to continue on with "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" should it return for a third season.
"If there's a Season 3, I think it's important to see what happens next [for me]," she said. "I'm still working on myself. And I have to say for the first time in my life, I'm OK being alone. Every little thing that I thought was going to be so horrible, really hasn't been. I think for a Season 3 it would be nice for people to see the progression … and the lows too, because it's certainly not all good days."
yvonne.villarreal@latimes.com
