PoweR Girls is a 2005
MTVreality TV series about press maven
Lizzie Grubman mentoring a team of young hopeful publicists as they work their way in the world of celebrities, glamour and
public relations to ultimately earn a permanent spot on Grubman's team (along with her respect).
Plot
The show took its name from a 1998 New York Magazine cover story written by
Vanessa Grigoriadis about Grubman.[1] It followed Grubman and four young female assistants, Rachel Krupa, Ali Zweben, Kelly Brady, and
Millie Monyo, doing the work of celebrity publicists in Manhattan: planning nightclub openings and album launches, mingling with celebrities and the press.[2] The four competed for a permanent role in Lizzie Grubman Public Relations, relying on a combination of their skills and sex appeal.[3] Grubman took the mentor role, paralleling
Donald Trump in The Apprentice.[2][3]
The show also featured various other characters through events, parties and day-to-day office activities. One featured character was then intern Anthony Berklich who showed-up in two of the episodes.
Reception
The show debuted on
MTV on March 10, 2005, to a poor response from critics.[4][5] Six episodes were produced in the first season. The season finale was April 14.[6]
As of October 2005, the New York Post reported that Grubman was said to be in talks with the various
Viacom Networks to broadcast a second season of PoweR Girls, though nothing has been heard about it since.
After filming
Ali Zweben- Public Relations Manager of Intermix Boutique clothing store in Manhattan.[7][8]
Rachel Krupa - Head of Operations at the Los Angeles office of Berk Communications, Inc.[9] and owner of her own boutique PR company, Krupa Consulting.[10]
Kelly Brady - continued working for Lizzie Grubman Public Relations. On September 30, 2006, she married Walter Zegers, a Manhattan investment banker,[11] who had appeared as her boyfriend on the show.[12]
Millie Monyo - went on to start her own Interior Design and Event Planning Company and also works as a Public Relations Manager for Estée Lauder Global Communications.
Anthony Berklich- went on to work at the television talk-shows "The View" and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart".
^Matthew Gilbert (March 10, 2005).
"'PoweR Girls' delivers bad PR". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2007-09-13. MTV's PoweR Girls is both a poorly made reality show and an American cultural tragedy.