I Married A Mobster: Toni Marie Ricci Interview

Toni Marie Ricci happily married today.

One of the perks of blogging is getting to talk to sometimes just very real, humble and honest individuals.  Toni Marie was definitely one of those individuals.  I have to share she has been the most guarded out of all my interviews.  I know her history.  So I fully understand.  I'm just very thankful she took time out of her day to speak to me on a subject aired last night during VH1's Mob Wives Reunion.

Congratulations on being cast in season 2 of I Married a Mobster!  Why did you decide to go public & share an aspect of you life within the lifestyle?

Thank you!  First I was invited to do Mob Wives.  I thought about it.  I decided it wasn't my cup of tea.  I wanted to tell my story without the fighting & interruptions.  I started reading my name on some sites, it was hurtful for strangers to be writing about my dirty laundry. 

We know you are a wife and mother?  Do you feel comfortable telling us about your son & current husband?

My son is an unbelievable man.  He's my hero.  He kept me going through the dark times.  He helped me move on.  My husband is my savior.  Besides my son he's the best thing that ever happened to me.  That's all I'm comfortable with discussing.

Fair enough, you are the former wife of Michael DiLeonardo a.k.a. Mickey Scars, correct?

 Yes.

How long were you married?

 17 years.

Were you faithful?

 Yes.

Michael "Mickey Scar" DiLeonardo

Was he faithful?

 No, I can't get into too many details due to my upcoming episode on I Married A Mobster.

Without giving away too much in regards, to your episode what do you think the viewers we learn from your experience?

When an individual is groomed within the context of a certain lifestyle, it's all they know.  They don't know any other way to live.  You can't fault them.  I also hope those who suffer abuse whether physical or mental learn they can get through anything.  I didn't believe I could do it alone.  I discovered I could.  I did stand up on my own.  Let me be clear there are those who've had it harder than me.  I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a child.

We’ve learned that you know some of the cast from Mob Wives?  Can you tell us which ones you know & your relationship with each of them.

I've met Ramona once not too long ago.  I've known of Renee for over 20 years.  You know how it works in the boroughs; everyone knows everyone.  I met with her a couple of times. I just like a person to be real, not too gossipy.  If we are friends, then we are friends.  Karen is younger than me.  Some of my family were friendly with her father.  We went to her family's 4th of July & Christmas parties.  That's how I know Karen.

You went to the Gravanos' parties?! You have to tell me what they were like, I've heard about them.

She laughs.  Yeah they did it up.  I don't know what to tell you.  I do it up a little too, just not so loud.  4th of July tends to be one of our biggest parties.

Would you ever consider being part of a series on a continual basis?

I did consider Mob Wives as I mentioned earlier.  I have to be honest.  I thought about the opportunity to get a hold of Carla.  However, that's not me.  I don't want to conduct myself in that manner.  The arguing & fighting isn't me.  It isn't how I want to portray myself.   I've watched Mob Wives.  I don't get why someone would sign up for a reality show and not be real.  Carla's acting touched a nerve.  She's not being real.  I come from Brooklyn.  I don't take people's feelings lightly.  Everyone makes mistakes.  However, when I watched the scene with Drita confiding in her about Lee's cheating, I saw no empathy from Carla.  She's just not a nice person.  She doesn't own her actions or the pain she caused.  She was Mickey's goumada and knew about me.  I admit last night on Twitter I got a little vicious.  

Toni Marie doesn't hold back on Twitter after years of silence.

So you watched the Mob Wives Reunion part 1?

Yes, there was a reunion moment when Carla claimed Ramona was lying.  I caught Ramona say, "...we had a deal..."  Well Carla didn't take the cue to let it go.  She kept going.  She basically gave herself up.

How did you feel with Karen dropped the bomb of her effing an uncle (within the lifestyle)?

Honestly I felt happy.  Carla Facciolo doesn't want anyone to talk about her family and her business.   She freely talks about the other Mob Wives' family & their business.  Why is she hiding?  I was glad the truth came out.  It was long overdue.  I thought, 'You got yourself caught up into it.'

Thank you Toni Marie for your time & honesty.  I was thinking about something.  Did my post on Carla allegedly having an affair with your ex-husband hurt you?

Yes, it irked me.  I lived it.  It was a really painful time.  When you see my episode you'll understand.

Well I'm sorry.  It's never my intent to hurt anyone.

You don't need to apologize.

No, I do.  I want you to know that I am sincerely sorry.  It's never my intention to cause anyone pain. 

It's okay.  Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.

Thank you Toni Marie.  We're looking forward to your episode on I Married A Mobster on Discovery ID to air.  We're excited about watching it. Take care, good bye.

You have a great day, bye.

We'll definitely be tuning into Discovery ID's season 2 of I Married A Mobster.  We believe it airs this summer.  It's getting hot in Mob Wives land.

Photo Credit: Toni Marie Ricci & Associated Press