Filming now

Step aside Real Housewives of Houston: Lucinda & Javier Loya land roles in aclassy reality show

The glamorous Javier and Lucinda Loya are riding high, working hard and starringin a TV special.
Photo by David Postma/Genesis Photographers
No, this is not the sort of thing (Real Housewives of Miami) you'll see on theCurrent TV special.
Current TV attended the Loya's glamorous Versace/Vogue party.
Photo by Gary Fountain
The Loyas frequently entertain at home here at the LIVEstyle Entertainment bashhonoring Rob Kardashian.
Photo by Shelby Hodge

While more than a dozen Houston "housewives" have been strutting their stuff for slots in various rumored reality series, Lucinda and Javier Loya have risen as the creme-de-la-creme of the chic set, garnering leading roles in an hour-long special tentatively titled True America.

But unlike the catty, bickering, truly bad behavior of characters in Real Housewives, Bachelor Pad and the like, the Loyas get to play themselves — a highly-successful, philanthropically-minded couple, both of whom come from humble beginnings. No play-acting, no scripted situations, no sleaze.

The project is being produced by Current TV's Vanguard division, winner of Peabody and Emmy Awards and, according to producer John Henion of San Francisco, the production follows a veritas, observational approach to filmmaking. True America examines two Houston area families — the self-made Loyas and a hardworking family from New Caney tragically caught in the economic downturn.

No play-acting, no scripted situations, no sleaze.

Henion says his goal is not to make a statement but rather to present the thought-provoking question: Is America's middle class becoming the working poor?

Vanguard cameras follow the Loyas through their glamorous life that includes homes in Houston and New York, amazing parties at their lavish hacienda and dinners out while never overlooking the facts that Javier's parents were Mexican American immigrants and that Lucinda comes from a very poor family. Today, he is president and CEO of Choice Energy. She runs her own successful interior design business.

"We agreed to do this," Lucinda explains "because we wanted to promote education and send a message to the world of how hard it is to make it and how much hard work is required. Education has played such a big part in Javier's life . . . Because of our backgrounds, we work harder."

Hard work, however, has not rewarded the second couple, who live in the New Caney area. He was a construction site manager until business dried up. She ran the modest bed and breakfast connected to their house. They were struggling to achieve the American dream and now they are struggling to get by.

The program is expected to air in December.

unspecified

Shopping Fantasia

Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker preview party sets new donation record

Houston Nutcracker Market Preview Party 2025

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

The Houston holiday season doesn’t officially begin until the Nutcracker Market throws open its doors, and this year’s Wells Fargo Preview Party felt like stepping into a snow globe set on extra. Like more is more.

Somewhere between the cheeky stocking stuffers and the Dior-kissed repurposed couture, guests needed an actual map to conquer the sprawling shopping fantasia.

Held November 12 at NRG Center, the 45th anniversary celebration of the Houston Ballet shopping fête welcomed more than 5,000 eager shoppers, all ready to sprint through aisles lined with more than 280 merchants. Helmed by chairs Susan Binney and Jennifer Kushner, along with preview party chairs Leslie Alston, Kaylon Phillips, and Casey Rowe, the evening shimmered with nostalgia. Guests showed up in themed attire ranging from glittery holiday chic to coordinated squads that looked like flash mobs armed with credit cards and a mission.

Houston Ballet’s new executive director Sonja Kostich arrived for her very first Nutcracker Market, greeting supporters and soaking in the community’s devotion to a beloved tradition that fuels the Ballet’s mission and scholarship programs. Houston Ballet Academy students glided through the party in costumes from Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker, creating photo ops. Principal dancer Harper Watters and Houston Ballet icon Lauren Anderson also made appearances.

Festive cocktails, champagne flutes, and a parade of hors d’oeuvre and desserts satisfied while the David Caceres Band kept the energy high. By the end of the night, the Preview Party had raised nearly $1.5 million in ticket sales and commissions — a record for the Market.

Moreover, more than 104,000 shoppers showed up during the November 13-16 festivities. All in, ticket sales surpassed $24 million and raised more than $6 million to directly support Houston Ballet, its Academy and scholarship program.

Showing their holiday spirit were Kristy Bradshaw, Ann Bean, Wendy Burks, Anne Chao, Gay Currie, Tom DeBesse, Arcy Muñoz Marshall, Sharon Erskine, Ann Graham, Twana Griffith Faykus, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Jay Jones, Julie Kent, Deborah and Edward Koehler, Chad Libertus, Desrye Morgan, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Jennifer Sommers, S. Shawn Stephens, Allison Thacker, Cynthia Wolff, Deborah Duncan, Ghada Ali, Carolina Oliveira, Catarina R. Gonzales, and Miya Shay.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Houston Ballet Academy Dancers.

fundraisers houston ballet shopping nutcracker market