It was early this morning, while I was already absorbed in some minor drama within my division, that I received a laughing voice mail from my father: "Do the names Michaelle and Tareq Salahi ring a bell? Do you remember Oasis Winery and Virginia Wine Country Tours? Yeah...they were the White House Partycrashers!"
Oh, do I remember.
First, let me say, I have no problem with Michaelle Salahi, nor her success with bringing the social world of the DC elite to a screeching halt last week, after crashing the White House Dinner.
Bravo, Michaelle. The dress was super cute.
No, I have no bones to pick. Justice has already been done on my behalf, in particular, through the Virginia Department of Labor...basta! Let me start at the beginning.
I know the Salahi's from the summer I worked for them at Oasis Winery, and also for Michaelle at her office attached to the winery--running Virginia Wine Country Tours.
A friend of a friend had recommended I work there, after I had sought to work at her family's winery down the road--Rappahannock Winery. They were fully staffed, and Oasis was in need of a wine hostess and all around social person to help in Winery Events and whatnot.
I applied, and Michaelle hired me. I liked her from the start--she would always be smiling, welcoming people with "Hi, friend!" and the like. Charismatic, beautiful and determined, Michaelle was always on top of things, and grateful to those who would be willing to work hard beside her.
The problem was...well...the FAMILY. Tareq Salahi was inheriting Oasis Winery from his aging father--who was suffering from early onset dementia. His father founded the winery amongst the beautiful slopes of the Shenandoah Valley, after he immigrated to this country from Palestine. Some of Tareq's family still lives there. Tareq's mother told me that they had part ownership of the land where the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is--where Jesus was said to have been buried. Tareq's father always had a glass of wine in his hand...sometimes he was lucid and charming...other times, he wouldn't recognize us, and walk around a bit confused. Those of us who worked at the winery got used to Mr. Salahi coming in and "checking" on us...then asking that we top off his glass...usually the oaky Chardonnay we poured.
Tareq's mother was having a hard time letting go...I think she saw the lavish lifestyle that Tareq and Michaelle were living as a bit too much for the winery to sustain...Tareq zipped around in their Aston Martin; Michaelle always wore designer clothes and attended grand parties. The second week I worked for them, they took a group of us out--in one of their limos--to see a show at Wolf Trap Theatre. We had wine, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Tareq and Michaelle know how to party!
His mother became more and more agitated, especially when Michaelle would steal me away from the wine tasting room in order to help host a party, or work a wedding or man the phones in the office while one of the main Virginia Wine Country Tours hostesses were out driving limos. There was always a lot of work to be done, but Tareq's mother wanted us in the winery the entire time. So went the back and forthing...
It did come to a blow one time, Tareq got so angry at her dabbling in what he saw was already his business, that he threw her out of the winery...and physically threw a few objects her direction as well. Not pretty. (I remember being more worried about their dog, though...a cute and gentle Doberman who followed Tareq everywhere, but ended up liking me as well--which I didn't mind a BIT, as I missed my own dog back in Indiana!!!)
Mrs. Salahi, held up in her vineyard cottage, retaliated by withholding payments for bills that were due in the winery (she seemed to have most of the monetary control over the winery at that time--though they were in hot legal pursuit to take over), and she also withheld our paychecks. I worked this way for two weeks, having had the intention that after the second week, I would stop working until the drama was settled and I had been paid what I was justly due. I kept a copy of my time card, and spoke to Michaelle about my intentions. She was well aware that we weren't being paid, and although she said she had no ability to control this, my time was also split working for her company. She was at the mercy of her mother-in-law...one who, I am sorry to say, did not fancy her charismatic nature. Michaelle was, nonetheless, understanding of my issues--I needed to pay bills, and I refused to work for free. She also had other worries--the winery was suffering because of a fall in visitors, and the Salahi's had just purchased a rather luxurious home (They had been living in a small apartment attached to the winery, and Tareq's parents lived in the guest house in the vineyard).
After two weeks went by, I would call every other day to check up and see if my check had been cut. The drive from my house in Front Royal to Oasis was about 20 mins, so I was not eager to drive all the way to the winery without sufficient cause--especially as I was beginning to dive into my savings! Michaelle would always answer the phone, and would assure me that either my money was on it's way to the winery, or that Tareq had only to sign the paycheck on his desk. I drove out at least 5 separate occasions, and each time Michaelle would charmingly pour me a glass of wine as I waited for Tareq to return to the winery, etc...Michaelle was always there to cover for Tareq. Despite these trips, I never did receive my money.
Finally, after over a month of this, I ended up calling Michaelle--or she called me. Either way I told her that I couldn't wait any longer for the money that was due me, that I had bills I had to pay. I was moving up to DC for a job. I told her that I was going to have to get the Virginia Department of Labor involved for unpaid wages if I wasn't paid soon, and Michaelle took offense. Obviously, this was going to effect her separate company as well, and this was to her, unacceptable. She became very agitated over the phone, and ended what I saw was the advent of a close friendship. I regret that very much. Socialites have thousands of so called "friends", but what of those who are willing to be there when they fall off their pedestal, or lose their sparkle because of sickness or unfortunate circumstances? I saw in Michaelle a somewhat sad and lonely person--but one who smiled through and sparkled to most onlookers. I saw that same sadness in other connections I made later, working in the Entertainment Business. I knew that I never wanted to be that way...so much energy is spent maintaining that act. I am grateful to Michaelle for teaching me that lesson, albeit unaware she was doing so.
Many might see Michaelle as a wannabe fame seeker. So what? For some, fame is what drives them--they want to be known, and to know others with talent and sparkle. As long as it doesn't harm anyone in the process, let her get her kicks! She always sought to entertain, and never really seemed to be accepted into the "old money" DC Social scene...I guess this is her chance. If she succeeds (esp with this "Real Housewives" deal), great! If not, well...I guess she will always keep trying.
Oh--and did I ever get paid? The Virginia Department of Labor settled out of court. No, I didn't take advantage of this suit, either. I sought only what was due to me, and was awarded the wages I was owed.
I wish Michaelle all the best, and hope her little adventure doesn't end with more trouble than it was worth.
Cheers, Friend!
