Originally Posted by Alrightmate:
“But they're actually married or partners who are in a business which might involve killing people? And they are fully aware of this?”
Her father is/was Mafia and charged with racketeering and other charges (tax evasion, etc). Her ex-husband is/was also mafia and he took a plea deal and "ratted" out some of his buddies for murder charges (he pulled the trigger but "ratted" on his accomplices in order to lighten his sentence). I don't think Renee was involved in anything other than drug for which she sought treatment for on her own (not associated with any charges or anything....she just wanted to get clean IIRC).
Renee's sister created the reality show that centered around women who were affiliated or connected to the mob either threw married or by blood (daughter, etc...). It focuses on the lives of these women and imo don't blatantly glorify the mafia. I do question the negative view on "ratting".
edit: I think Renee's father was a big presence in her childhood (good memories) but she was a kid and didn't know what was going on. Then he was in jail and I think they had an estrangement but are now on good terms (except her husband ratted him out). I don't think she knew about her ex-husband's criminal activities. She wants her son to not be like his dad (criminal). All of this is just IIRC.