Danielle Staub born Beverly Ann Merrill; July 29, 1962 is an American television personality, author, and singer. She is best known as a cast member on the Bravo reality series Real Housewives of New Jersey. Staub received additional media attention during the first season of Real Housewives of New Jersey when participants in the reality show confronted Staub with Charles Kipps book Cop Without a Badge, which recounts events surrounding an undercover FBI informer Kevin Maher, one of Staub former husbands, including Staub arrest. Staub admitted that she was arrested in June of 1986 on charges of drug possession and extortion. Known at the time as Beverly Ann Merrill, Staub cooperated with authorities and claims to have received five years probation. She also denies many of the allegations made by Maher.
Staub autobiographical book, The Naked Truth, was released on May 25, 2010, and in it she claims that her arrest was a matter of "wrong place/wrong time". She has also received media attention for a sex tape which she claims was stolen from her, slated for release by Hustler Magazine.
In September 2010, she appeared on the Style Network comedy program, The Dish. She acted in several sketches, including a surprise cold open where she tried to take over as the show is host after leaving the real presenter, Danielle Fishel, bound and gagged backstage. The appearance gained media attention after one particular sketch mocked Staub castmate Teresa Guidice by portraying her as a monkey. After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed by Bravo that Staub would not be returning to the show for season 3. No exact reason for the departure was announced, although it is speculated that the other women would not return if Staub was to.
