Philly's 'Mob Wives' star dishes on new season

SOUTH PHILLY'S own "Mob Wives" star, Natalie Guercio, will bring her "real-deal Italian life" back to VH1 at 9 tonight with the premiere of the fifth season.

"Some people that shall remain nameless don't take [the Italian life] too seriously on the show and beyond," Guercio told me. "It's breeding and how you're brought up."

Renee Graziano, perhaps?

Either way, viewers will be getting more of that "real-deal lifestyle" this season. Guercio says that this season focuses more on her personal life, including boyfriend London and son Nunzio, and work life at the Carto Funeral Home (2212-14 S. Broad St.), as well as Philly spots, such as Penn's Landing's Moshulu (401 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.), where Guercio filmed for an upcoming scene.

Unfortunately, she'll have to go at it without fellow Philly gal Alicia DiMichele, who left the show in April when she pleaded guilty to embezzlement. In August she was sentenced to four years' probation.

"Personally, I was upset because we started something together. But I get it. It had to do with her personal life and her children. She had to do what she had to do," Guercio said about DiMichele's decision.

But Guercio will still be in cahoots with DiMichele. She plans to launch a line of handbags in February, selling them online, using Instagram as her main marketing tool, and through DiMichele's Addiction boutiques.

She also has a new single on the horizon, "Throttle," which she calls a more serious EDM song than her previous single, "Delicious." Guercio will perform it at the Hair O' the Dog charity bash Jan. 17, at the Crystal Tea Room, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Unico Charities Philadelphia Chapter.

Guercio has seen quite a few changes in her life since she hit "Mob Wives," mainly that it has gotten bigger. "I'm getting more out of my life. I grew up in South Philly but I'm venturing out now," she said, hopefully bringing that real deal South Philly vibe with her.

I hear that comedic superstar Chris Rock will be in Philly on Tuesday as part of his gambit to visit five cities in one day in support of his new movie, "Top Five." Boston, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Dallas are also on the itinerary.

Want to meet Rock? Listen to Power 99 and WDAS all week to win tix to a screening of "Top Five" and a chance to hang with Rock at a Philly landmark.

"Top Five," which Rock wrote, directed and stars in, has been getting fantastic reviews since its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this year. Rock plays megastar comedian Andre Allen, who wants to go serious, despite his reality-TV-ready lifestyle. Philly's own Kevin Hart is featured as Allen's agent. It hits theaters Dec. 12.

Jonathon Papelbon is getting rid of his Rittenhouse Square condo and asking a cool $6.9 mil for it. Papelbon purchased the 1706 Rittenhouse home, with four bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms, for $2 million less than the asking price.

Philadelphia magazine writer Victor Fiorillo wants to mount a play about the Bill Cosby sexual-assault allegations, set to premiere at next year's Fringe Festival. Fiorillo has covered the incident in detail. His aim is to tell the story of the women who have accused Cosby of sexual assault, through "monologues, readings, dramatizations, movement and multimedia."

Fiorillo is working with some heavy hitters in the Philly theater world, including Headlong Dance Theatre's Amy Smith, actress and playwright Jennifer Kidwell and actor/director/playwright James Ijames.

He's raising money for the project through Kickstarter. To view it, go to http://kck.st/1wda9vt.

* Passyunk Avenue chefs came out in full force Monday night at the All Star Dinner to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Paradiso Restaurant and Wine Bar (1627 E. Passyunk Ave.). Neighbors (and buddies) Joncarl Lachman, of Noord; Nick Elmi, of Laurel; Chris Kearse, of Will BYOB; Townsend Wentz, of Townsend; Lee Styer, of Fond; Luke Palladino, of Palladino's; Franca Di Renzo, of Tre Scalini; Jessie Prawlucki Styer, of Belle Cakery; Corey Baver, of Izumi; and Lynn Rinaldi all came together for the event, cooking for a sold-out house, including culinary kingpin Georges Perrier.

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