Downers Grove Resident Discusses 'Mob Wives Chicago' Experience

When Downers Grove resident and 'Mob Wives Chicago' star Christina Scoleri was initially approached by her long-time friend Leah Desimone about whether she'd be interested in appearing on the Vh1 reality show with her, Scoleri said no.

A private person going through a divorce, Scoleri wasn't sure she wanted people knowing what she was going through. As she thought more about it, Scoleri decided the money would be a good way to help stabilize her life during her divorce, and she agreed—provided her father was okay with it. There are no actual “Mob Wives” on 'Mob Wives Chicago', but each of the five stars have some sort of connection to the Mob. For Scoleri, it's through her father Raymond Janek, who used to fence for the Mob—allegedly. Scoleri wanted to make sure he would be okay with her doing it as it's his background that serves as her pedigree on the show. He gave her his okay and the show started filming.

Scoleri, born and raised in Chicago on Taylor Street before moving to Downers Grove in 2000 with her husband, is the only cast member who lives in the 'burbs, which resulted in a good portion of Scoleri's scenes being filmed locally. 

Scoleri discusses her experience on the show with Downers Grove Patch.

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