Beating out Ashley and Marcia, Risky won Charm School's third season. The Charm School finale aired on VH1 on July 27, 2009, and it was Risky — whose real name is Ebony — who was picked as the Charm School winner by host Ricki Lake.
As the winner of Charm School With Ricki Lake, Risky won $100,000.
The Final Charm School Commandment - Thou Shalt Be Fully Charmed
The Charm School cast returned to the house in Los Angeles from a volunteering mission in New Orleans, where they were greeted by Charm School Dean Ted Stryker, who instructed the girls to get dressed in their uniforms.
Suspecting a final elimination ceremony, the Charm School cast hesitantly made their way downstairs where they were unexpectedly greeted by their family members. Marcia's mother Maria visited from Marcia's home country of Brazil. Risky's mother Chris was also on-hand, as was Ashley's boyfriend James and her son Al.
The Charm School cast members then faced their final challenge: Marcia, Risky and Ashley were required to partake in a private therapy session with their loved ones, Ricki and therapist Dr. Alli. The challenge? The cast members must tell their loved ones what they've been dealing with during their semester at Charm School.
Counseling with Charm School's Dr. Alli and Ricki Lake
Risky, who has alluded to difficulties in her past, finally opened up and "spoke her truth," revealing that she had been abused by her step-father, but didn't say anything to her mother until it was "too late." Risky later revealed that she was sexually abused, and to add insult to injury, her brother remains imprisoned for a violent attack on her abuser.
Marcia's counseling session with her mother was very difficult, as Dr. Alli and Ricki Lake encouraged her to tell her mother that she's been battling alcoholism. Finally, Marcia did reveal the truth, despite fears that she would bring emotional distress to her mother. Marcia also made moves toward recovery by discussing the past abuse she suffered at the hands of her step-father; it's this that Ricki feels was the root cause of her decision to drink excessively.
Ashley and her boyfriend James also took part in a private counseling session, which she found difficult since their "relationship has never really been about sharing feelings, so it was a new thing for me," according to Ashley. But Ashley was able to discuss James' cheating and in the end, the couple was able to renew their commitment.
Picking the Winner of Charm School's Third Season
Dressed in formal gowns, Charm School cast members Ashley, Marcia and Risky stood before Ricki Lake and Charm School Deans Stryker and Alani "Lala" Vazquez and delivered their speeches, discussing what they've learned during their semester on the VH1 reality show.
Ashley's speech discussed her evolution from a party girl who arrived at Charm School with the intention to party, to a girl who's abandoned her "mean girl" ways. Marcia discussed her vow to abstain from alcohol, which she did successfully, despite the many stresses and the cast's trip to New Orleans.
But it was Risky's speech that clenched her position as the Charm School winner. She vowed to start a charity for girls with incarcerated parents and discussed her evolution into a strong woman who no longer keeps her emotions bottled up.
Risky concluded her speech saying, "If you pick me, I will not disappoint you and I will carry the name with honor. You will be proud to say...Ebony is the winner of Charm School."
"I'm completely moved by Risky's speech. She was so raw and real...I'm really impressed that she made this break through," Ricki said following Risky's speech. Ultimately, it was Risky's decision to finally unbottle her emotions that compelled a tearful Ricki Lake to pick Risky as the Charm School winner.
Related Articles on VH1 Reality Television Shows
VH1's reality show Daisy of Love aired its finale on July 26, 2009. And of the three finalists — 12 Pack, Flex and London — London won Daisy of Love. To learn more about Daisy De La Hoya's decision to pick London, read London Wins Daisy of Love.
VH1 is bringing reality show fans two new reality show series. Rock of Love 2 cast member Megan Hauserman will star in her own new show, Megan Wants a Millionaire, which will premier on August 2, 2009.
Former I Love New York cast members and Stallionaires Ahmad and Kamal Givens — better known as Real and Chance — will return to VH1 with their new reality show, Real Chance of Love 2, which will premier on August 3, 2009.
 |
