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.

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Painted with Purpose

21 Houston doctors trade scrubs for canvases at Arts of Healing gala

Photo by Alida Bonifaz

Chita Craft, Bethany Buchanan, and Nora Jarrard.

Turns out, creativity isn’t just for the canvas. It pulses through the hands of healers, too.

Photo by Alida Bonifaz

Chita Craft, Bethany Buchanan, and Nora Jarrard.

That was the spirit of The Arts of Healing Eighth Annual Gala, where physicians traded lab coats for aprons and oils to showcase their artistic prowess at The Post Oak Hotel on November 8.

Guests — close to 500 — were greeted by a floral fantasia courtesy of Blooming Gallery. A grand circular bar anchored the room, while a curated silent auction, wine pull, and an ultra-chic Valobra raffle for a diamond necklace tempted attendees. The centerpiece? Art by 21 physician-artists being honored that evening lining the entire ballroom.

Among the physicians celebrated for their contributions both in hospitals and on canvas were Dr. Shetal Amin, Dr. Deepak Bedi, Dr. Mark Dannenbaum, Dr. Meshann Fitzgerald, Dr. Matthew Goldman, Dr. Brandon Goodwin, Dr. Mollie Gordon, Dr. Maysoon Hamed, Dr. Emily Jamea, Dr. Henry Kuerer,Dr. JP LeFave, Dr. Dean Moore, Dr. Marlene Morales, Dr. Sehar Najamus, Dr. Eric Powitzky, Dr. Terrence Wadley, Dr. Cindy Williams, Dr. Jose Miguel Yamal, Dr. Sarrah Zadeh, and Dr. Isaac Raijman, who, alongside his wife, Lori Raijman, founded the Arts of Healing Foundation.

Co-chaired by Rachel and Warren Ellsworth IV and Natalie and Mark Bordman, the evening marked a fundraising high, collecting more than $560,000 to support The Arts of Healing and its Sunshine Kids Summer Camp collaboration. The initiative brings children facing cancer from across Texas together for creativity, connection, and joy.

A special musical cameo brought the house down when honoree Dr. Jeff Ross took the stage, trumpet in hand, for a guest appearance with Dry Water Band. The dance floor stayed thumping well into the night, a tribute to the spirit of creativity as medicine.

Summoning their inner Picassos were Sarah Collins, Michele and Youval Meicler, Kristen Collins, Betsy and Jimmy Montgomery, Courtney and Zac Harmon, Kristen Cannon, Cathleen Fishel, Stephanie Wilcox, Alexis Rosales, Faith Majors, Bethany Buchanan, Susan and Steve Beatte, Larry Doty, Vanessa and Chuck Ames, Dana Barton and Robert Clay, Rita Shuma, Jennifer Wisler, Dr. Rukmini Rednam, Dr. Victoria Chang, Dr. Danielle Antosh, Katie Tsuru, and Dr. Kathy Nguyen.

fundraisers