by Raziel Reid
The glam squad is packing up when Valeria enters the master suite. She finds her mother in her closet wearing a Dolce & Gabbana LBD.
“We need a tiebreaker,” Gloria says. “The Laurence Dacade sandals or the Louboutin pumps?”
“Louboutins.”
Valeria doesn’t have to try and make herself sound perky and genuine. It’s like she’s programmed.
“Anything else?” she asks.
“Patrick called.” Gloria lowers her voice. “He wants to see you again tonight.”
lillianrhode
3,027 followers
next__up_fendi She’s not even pretty why is she becoming famous?
Lily feels like she’s being moved from place to place. The constant presence of the camera is hard to get used to. She feels like she doesn’t have enough skin to cover her body.
They hit Rodeo Drive and are trailed by paparazzi as well as two Platinum Triangle cameras. The operators behind them are named James and Stefan. Lily knows that only because she went up to them both and introduced herself before they piled into the black SUV taking them shopping. Whitney and Hailey act like not only are the cameras not there, but the people behind them aren’t either. And that extends to the three paparazzi on the street. Before they left, Lily overheard Sam telling James and Stefan that she tipped off a few celebrity photo agencies.
“Lily, look over here!” one of the photographers calls out to Lily as she steps out of the SUV. “Anything you want to say about your arrest?”
Hailey takes Lily’s hand before Lily can think of an answer. Lily looks into the lens like a deer caught in the headlights. Hailey gives her hand a squeeze and smiles at her. It’s a big change from the car ride, during which Hailey ghosted Lily and stared down at her phone the entire time.
“Balenciaga?” Hailey asks.
Lily doesn’t know if Hailey’s faking it for the cameras or if it’s real, but Lily’s grateful. She isn’t sure how to answer the questions about her arrest and she wants to get away from the photographers as quickly as possible. Lily and Hailey head into the store.
“Best auntie ever,” one of the paps says to Whitney as she follows behind Lily and Hailey. “You takin’ care of your niece shows what a big heart you have, Whitney. What made you bring Lily to the crib?”
“Family is everything,” Whitney says, smiling into the camera.
Hailey and Lily hold the door open for her. Before it closes behind them, Lily can hear one of the paparazzi call them the “new tres amigas,” which is the nickname that Whitney, Hailey, and Greta have on Platinum Triangle because Whitney’s always hanging out with them like a friend and not a mother.
“Your Insta stats are about to skyrocket,” Hailey tells Lily, motioning through the storefront window to the paparazzi outside. “I saw that you created an account…” She stares at Lily and Lily isn’t quite sure what it means. There’s something about Hailey’s attitude that feels competitive, but her face is always blank and she keeps her voice monotone so you never really know what’s going on in her head.
Lily knows Hailey is right. The more she appears in the media the more followers she’ll get. She already has a couple thousand, and she created the account only this morning. She doesn’t even know that many people! It’s all because of the Hollywood Life article about her arrest.
After some shopping, they head to Beauty Park Spa for an appointment with “skin care expert to the stars” Nurse Jamie. Whitney shows Lily Nurse Jamie’s Instagram, @nursejamiela. It’s full of celebrities getting treatments and captions that say things like “Don’t treat your face like a pair of flip-flops and expect it to look like Louboutins!” Whitney and Hailey get facials every week. Every single week.
While they’re getting IV vitamin injections and facials (Whitney gets a customized antiaging treatment and Lily and Hailey get the “young adults” treatment), Whitney tells Lily that she’s scheduled a meeting with the Paleys’ lawyer, Ira Shapiro, to talk over Lily’s case. “He’s gotten Patrick out of a few jams,” Whitney says, “so I’m sure he can handle your little break-and-enter.”
Lily’s about to proclaim her innocence but stops herself. She’s self-conscious on camera and she doesn’t know what to say. How will it be edited? What will people think if they learn the truth? That she was lonely and desperate and wanted to know what it felt like, if only for one night, to be young and glamorous at a party in Malibu without a care in the world. That she wanted to be Hailey.
With fresh faces (Lily has to admit she’s glowing), they go to Whitney’s favorite boutique in Beverly Hills, Boulmiche, which Hailey mentions is where they filmed the scene in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts gets turned away. Lily wonders if she’s trying to tell her something.
Suddenly, Lily sees it clearly. She’s been cast. She’s the cousin from the wrong side of the tracks and Whitney and Hailey are here to save her. She may not know much about reality TV but all you have to do is watch a few episodes to see that there is always a villain, a hero, a victim…including the fashion victim.
“Daisy Dukes are timeless, but don’t be afraid to diversify,” Hailey says, looking Lily up and down. She pulls clothes for Lily and insists she try on each outfit and model for them, despite Lily’s hesitation.
Lily steps out of the dressing room and the camera pans from her feet up the vintage flower-print Natalie Martin maxi dress Hailey has styled her in.
“I have the perfect belt for it,” Hailey says. “We’ll have to go through my closet when we get home. I have so much stuff that still has tags!”
Lily just smiles. She feels like that’s all she’s been doing all day with Whitney and Hailey. Maybe they’re more alike than Lily initially thought. They all seem to be smiling a lot. And none of them are saying how they really feel. The chatter is surface level—a bit of gossip about some of the Platinum Triangle cast members, a lengthy debate about whether Lily needs filler (Whitney says no because she still has “baby cheeks” and Hailey says yes for the same reason—“Jamie will help give you some definition”). And that’s about the extent of it. They rehash the party last night and Hailey details her “car ride from hell” with Greta, making it sound like she was forced into it and was scared for her life. She shows them the viral video of Greta driving a Lamborghini into the Stroms’ pool. Lily mostly listens, not sure how to say what she’s thinking and worried the fake talk will sound, well, fake coming out of her mouth.
She tries to protest when she sees how much money her aunt is spending on her—the camera does a close-up shot of the register as each item is ringed in—but Whitney waves her away. “How about Craig’s for lunch?” she asks.
“It’s like the Olive Garden for celebrities,” Hailey says.
Just then, a ping comes into Lily’s phone and she almost drops her shopping bags.
thejoelstrom followed you
thejoelstrom
1.8m followers
phlp328 @equalityforlgbtmz He’s a he and that will never change no matter how many surgeries he has! @itsjessicastrom @thejoelstrom
equalityforlgbtmz @phlp328 She’s a Trans woman and goes by she/her. Educate yourself, it’s not rocket science!
phlp328 @equalityforlgbtmz Say what you want, he’s a he will never change!! Educate yourself by reading the Bible!! Born a man, always a man!
equalityforlgbtmz @php328 The Bible? I’m sorry I’m not into that fairytale.
php328 @equalityforlgbtmz I’ll pray for you then
equalityforlgbtmz @php328 Please don’t
On the new season of Platinum Triangle, one of the most hotly anticipated storylines is Joel’s dad’s transition. Near the end of the first season Jessica came out, and moved out of the Stroms’ family home in Beverly Park.
Jessica’s big post-surgery reveal is on the current cover of US Weekly. Viewers are going to get to see everything that led up to it. Everything that happened after Jessica moved to Malibu. Everything Greta has missed and that Joel has tried to be there for, when his dad has let him. Jessica has
had to do things on her own time, and she’s needed space…Joel gets it, even if it does hurt sometimes. Like, he learned that his dad was transitioning on Twitter. That was a surprise. But sometimes it’s easier to tell the whole world something than it is to tell the people you love.
Joel stares at the US Weekly cover. Jessica looks like Greta. The same big green eyes that always look like they’re seeing things outside of this dimension and are both haunted and amazed.
The nose was the first thing that changed. It kept getting smaller. Joel’s dad ran a hedge fund. Joel always saw him as being on top of the world. His dad built them the biggest house in the most exclusive and private enclave in Beverly Hills. He had a closet full of bespoke suits, designer watches, and a wine cellar that he was freakishly protective of. Lucas Strom had the look, but inside, apparently, he was hollow.
When his dad got his first rhinoplasty, Joel didn’t think it was that weird. A new nose is a rite of passage in L.A. He assumed his dad was just chasing perfection, like everyone else. He thought it was unnecessary, but not a big deal. Joel is used to his mom getting “touch-ups” biannually. He thought his mom’s labiaplasty was the extreme.
But by the third nose job, Joel knew it was about more than perfection. He didn’t say anything, but Greta couldn’t keep her mouth shut. She told their dad he looked like he had septum perforation.
Joel wants to show Greta the US Weekly cover but he doesn’t want to upset her. After their dad left, it’s like Greta feels disowned, and like she might disown you.
Down in the kitchen Joel makes himself a sandwich, trying to think about the best way to approach Greta with the magazine. She wouldn’t be so angry if she was willing to at least look.
While he’s eating, he sits at the kitchen island and opens Instagram. Lillian Rhode is recommended for him. Lily. Joel clicks her profile and Likes the selfie she posted. Lily isn’t anything like what he expected. He doesn’t know exactly what he was expecting…an off-the-rack version of Hailey Paley? But Lily’s obviously cut from her own cloth.
The magazine is on the counter when Greta comes downstairs after sleeping all day. She opens the fridge, pulling out a bottle of Perrier. She doesn’t let herself glance down at the cover but he knows she knows it’s there.
“Hailey’s cousin?” Greta asks, looking over Joel’s shoulder at his phone.
“Did you meet?” Joel asks.
“Not yet,” Greta says. “But she’s pretty.” She looks at Joel like she’s waiting for him to confirm that he’s attracted to Lily, but he does his best to hide what he’s feeling. The last thing he needs is Greta running to Hailey and creating drama over this. He’d like to get to know Lily better. Without any pressure.
Greta manages to avoid looking at the magazine on the counter as she turns it over to conceal Jessica’s face.
“Nice try,” she says, starting to walk away. “Tell Mom I went over to Idris’s house,” she calls back over her shoulder.
“Hey, Greta,” Joel yells after her. “There’s a Lambo in the pool. Know anything about that?”
“You, Joel Strom, are a reminder why it’s not always such a tragedy when the second embryo doesn’t take.”
The front door clicks closed behind her.
paleyhailey
1m followers
malik.3sk He will never love you
tkgmball The veil is slowly uncovering on you demons!! @paleyhailey
xx_abira_xx What happened to u and Greta? U guys were like powerbffs. Sry for being nosey , jus wonderin
“Greta’s totally crazy!” Fortune says.
Hailey told him to meet her at her house after shooting with her mom and Lily. They’re sitting on Hailey’s bed as Fortune talks to his connection at the gossip blog Nicki Swift. He’s wearing a Wildfox Couture crewneck sweater that says “Blasé” on the front and Y.R.U. Partii Glitter Dimension Platforms.
“Everyone’s worried Greta’s gone off the deep end,” Fortune says. “She was definitely driving under the influence and that’s how the Lambo ended up in the pool. Did you see the video? It was the scariest ride of Hailey’s life! She only got into the car because Greta, like…” Fortune looks over at Hailey for help.
“Held me at gunpoint,” Hailey whispers.
“Held her at gunpoint,” Fortune repeats. “All I can say is just wait for season 2. Everyone’s going to see Greta Strom for who she truly is.”
Fortune hangs up.
“So evil!” He laughs.
Not only does Hailey relish the opportunity to make Greta look bad while she comes off as the victim, but she wants to bury Lily’s press. Especially after the rather disconcerting way the paparazzi on Rodeo today seemed to be snapping more photos of Lily than of her. Sam probably leaked that Lily is joining the show, and there has been new press popping up about Lily all day.
Hailey pulls a lipstick out of her metallic Diane Von Furstenberg clutch, Beach Peach by Too Faced. She applies it and smacks her lips together.
Lily has no idea who she’s messing with.
Fortune is the only person Hailey can reveal herself to. She, like, made him. He’s loyal. He’d be blocked by this whole town if he weren’t. Fortune is Hailey’s best friend. Sometimes she just passes him her phone and he takes photos of her for hours.
They got coked out at a party in the Hills one night and realized they’re both beautiful and soulless. Literally.
At the party, Fortune confessed that he’d been living on Venice Beach. He came to L.A. from the middle of nowhere, changed his name, and reinvented himself. He doesn’t like to talk about his past. Hailey sometimes hears a North Dakota accent creeping in. Like Fargo. But Fortune has the gayest voice in the world and he exaggerates it all the time, wearing his camp like a mask. Hailey wanted to adopt him. He was just so cute and hopeless. Broke and on the street but stylish AF. Hailey found out he shoplifted and she started going with him. It was fun. They’d go to all the stores where Hailey could charge it to her mom’s account and steal as much as they were buying. It was so easy and such a rush. They got caught once but Karl Lagerfeld loved her and was totally going to put her in a Mademoiselle ad before he died. Hailey and Fortune outgrew their kleptomania, but they’ve remained the best of friends.
Fortune appears on Platinum Triangle because he’s Hailey’s sidekick and he knows how to get on the guest list for every party. Hailey sometimes thinks he sleeps at the club. Fortune doesn’t have a fixed address. He hops from one guesthouse to the next. Whitney loves him and the three of them have sleepovers in the pool house all the time. It’s Fortune’s sole purpose in life to become a permanent cast member on Platinum Triangle.
The difference between a recurring and permanent role on the show is a bigger paycheck and more airtime. You get to film confessionals and be an actual part of the storylines and not just a glorified dinner guest. Hailey knows Fortune is a social climber, but his tan matches her favorite vintage Courchevel leather Kelly bag.
Hailey looks down at her phone disdainfully. “Lily shows up on my doorstep and five minutes later she’s on Instagram? What’s next, a modeling contract? Like, her first post is from the inside of my pool house.”
“She’s such an opportunist,” Fortune says.
Lily is inching toward 10k followers. Today’s press has given her a big bump.
Hailey gasps. “And Joel follows her!”
“I’ve always found Mr. ABC Family rather generic and predictable, personally.” Fortune looks at his nails.
Hailey is apoplectic. “All season it looks like something is developing between me and Joel. But it was never fully realized. Sure, he’d flirt back every now and then, but that’s it. The optics are terrible. It looks like I’ve been rejected.”
Hailey Likes the photo Lily posted of Lily, Hailey, and Whitney having lunch at Craig’s. Lily asked the waiter to take the photo and Hailey was mortified.
“You want to be made a permanent cast member on the show, right?” Hailey asks Fortune as she lowers her p
hone. “Get Joel to agree to be my date for the season 2 premiere. I want pictures of us walking down the red carpet arm in arm.”
She can’t reveal herself completely to Fortune. It wouldn’t do for him to know that she falls asleep at night dreaming of Joel holding her. She’s the loneliest girl in the world. It’s easier to turn him into an object. A co-star. Hailey’s designated leading man.
“The premiere?” Fortune asks. “But that’s, like, less than a month away! And no offense, Hails, but Joel doesn’t exactly seem interested…”
Hailey goes cold. “Do you want to be a part of the cast or not?”
“You know I’d give anything to be on the show,” Fortune says. “I came to L.A. for one reason: that money and that fame, henny.”
“I’ll use the Paley power,” Hailey says. “Everyone knows the producers will do anything to keep my dad on the show.” Her eyes glimmer as she looks at Fortune. “I’ll get you a full-time contract if you help me keep Joel Strom the hell away from Lily Rhode!”
greta.strom
721k followers
awithdamosta Girl. Please lose it with the lip injections, you are TRULY beautiful without any of that cosmetic/plastic surgery. You looked so much more beautiful before any of that. It really makes me sad that girls feel like they have to do this. Your lips were perfect before still beautiful, just a “fake” beautiful now.
Yasmin Morcos lets Greta through the gate of the Morcos family’s $88-million modern Bel-Air mansion, complete with a helipad on top that the city won’t give Ghalib Morcos a permit to use—not that it stops him. Idris once went down on Greta on that helicopter. Ghalib, a real estate developer, builds giga-mansions, and his own is the giga-est. He just remarried. The second wife, Yasmin, is, like, twelve years old and literally so cute. Greta was Idris’s date to the ceremony, which took place on The Enchanted Hill, more than a hundred acres of land that sits perched on the top of Beverly Hills, currently for sale for a billion dollars. There’s a rumor that Ghalib is going to buy it. The opulent wedding footage will air this season.