Dina Cantin

Claudine J. "Dina" Cantin (née Laurita, formerly Manzo and Ioannou; born March 7, 1972) is an American television personality and entrepreneur. She is most known for appearing on The Real Housewives of New Jersey as an original main cast member, appearing in that capacity from 2009-2010 and 2014, as well as her own party-planning television series Dina's Party.

Dina Cantin
Cantin at NYC Pride March in 2010
Born
Dina Cantin

(1972-03-07) March 7, 1972
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Occupations
  • Television personality
  • entrepreneur
Years active2007–present
Known forThe Real Housewives of New Jersey
Height1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Spouses
Thomas Manzo
​
​
(m. 2007; div. 2016)​
    ​
    (m. 2017)​
    Children1
    Relatives

    Career

    Born in Brooklyn, New York, the youngest of 11 children, Cantin at age six moved with her family to Wayne, New Jersey.[1] In 2007, Cantin (then known as Dina Manzo) and her then husband Thomas Manzo appeared in an episode of VH1's My Fabulous Wedding.[2] In 2009, Cantin appeared in the first two seasons of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, a reality series focusing on a group of women living in New Jersey, before departing.[3][4][5] In 2014, Cantin returned for the sixth season.[6] In 2015, she departed the series due to relocating to California.[7] In 2011, Cantin hosted the party-planning series Dina's Party on HGTV.[8][9] It was later cancelled after two seasons.[10]

    Cantin runs Project Ladybug, a nonprofit foundation that focuses on helping children diagnosed with cancer and their families pay for medical bills and other expenses.[11][12]

    In 2016, Cantin released a skincare product line titled Glow by Dina.[13][14]

    Personal life

    Dina Cantin has appeared on The Real Housewives of New Jersey alongside her sister Caroline Manzo, brother Chris Laurita, and sister-in-law Jacqueline Laurita.[15] She has one daughter, Lexi Ioannou, born January 25, 1996.[16][17] In October 2012, Cantin separated from her then husband Tommy Manzo.[18][19] In February 2016, their divorce was finalized.[20]

    Cantin is close friends with former co-star Teresa Giudice.[21] She is the godmother of Giudice's daughter, Audriana.[22]

    In 2015, Cantin moved from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey to Malibu, California.

    In May 2017, Cantin and her then boyfriend Dave Cantin were the victims of a robbery at her home.[23][24]

    The two married the following month in June, 2017.[25]

    On December 16, 2020, Lucchese crime family soldier John Perna pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on Dave Cantin.[26] Perna was hired by Thomas Manzo, who is the ex-husband of Cantin; Perna carried out the assault in exchange for a discounted price for his wedding reception.[27][28]

    Filmography
    Television
    Year Title Role Notes
    2007 My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding Bride/herself Series premiere, episode: “Dina & Tommy"
    2009–2010, 2012, 2014 The Real Housewives of New Jersey Herself Series regular: seasons 1–2, 6; guest: season 4
    2012–2014 Dina’s Party Host/herself Series regular
    2015 Teresa Checks In Herself Episode: “Mr. Mom for Shore”
    2015 Manzo'd with Children Bride's Aunt/herself Episode: “Do You Take, the Manzo Family?”
    2016 Tainted Dreams Alessandra DiGiacoma Episode: “Let’s Fill the Void”

    References
    1. "Dina Manzo". Bravo. 25 June 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
    2. Leffler, Samantha (February 7, 2013). "Watch Dina Manzo's Wedding to Tommy Manzo (Video)". WetPaint.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    3. "A New Real Housewives Of New Jersey Cast Member Revealed!". Radar Online. September 2, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    4. "Dina Manzo: Why I Left 'Real Housewives'". OK! Magazine. June 17, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    5. "Play At Your Own Risk". Bravo. 14 June 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    6. Lee, Esther (May 14, 2014). "Season Six Cast Revealed: Teresa Giudice Airs Legal Battle, Dina Manzo Returns, Jacqueline Laurita Is Out". Us Weekly. Wenner Media, LLC. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    7. Falzone, Diana (May 9, 2016). "Dina Manzo will not return to 'Real Housewives of NJ'". Fox News. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    8. L. Jackson, Kimberly (August 11, 2011). "'Real Housewives of New Jersey': Dina Manzo focuses on event planning and interior design with new HGTV show 'Dina's Party' and 'Design Star' guest appearance". NJ.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    9. "Dina's Party". HGTV. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    10. "Dina's Party". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    11. Hawkins, Kayla (October 19, 2014). "What Is Dina Manzo's Project Ladybug? The 'RHONJ' Star's Charity Is More Than a Finale Setting". Bustle.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    12. "About Us". Project Ladybug. Archived from the original on January 27, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    13. Daswani, Kavita (June 15, 2016). "Former 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star Dina Manzo starts a new life in Malibu and a skin care line". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    14. Rosenfield, Laura (April 19, 2016). "Now You Can Have Skin as Flawless as Dina Manzo's". Bravo. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    15. "About Dina". DinaManzo.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    16. Dobin, Marenah (July 17, 2015). "What Is Dina Manzo's Daughter Lexi Ioannou Up To? The 'RHONJ' Kid Is Truly Doing It All — Photos". Bustle.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    17. Rosenfeld, Laura (January 26, 2017). "Dina Manzo's Daughter, Lexi, Looks Grown Up and Glam as She Turns 21". Bravo. Archived from the original on January 27, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
    18. Fowler, Brandi (February 3, 2013). "Former Real Housewives of New Jersey Star Dina Manzo Splits from Husband". E! News (NBCUniversal). Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    19. Manzo, Dina [@dinamanzo] (February 1, 2013). "My secret...I have been separated since October..." (Tweet). Retrieved May 15, 2017 – via Twitter.
    20. Wuinn, Dave (May 10, 2016). "Dina Manzo Reveals She Fled New Jersey for L.A. After Finalizing Her Divorce – and Won't Be Back on RHONJ". People. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
    21. Vena, Jocelyn (September 23, 2016). "Dina Manzo and Teresa Giudice Reunite to Celebrate Audriana's Birthday". Bravo. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    22. Corinthios, Aurelie (December 26, 2016). "Family, Fun and Games: Inside Teresa Giudice's First Christmas While Husband Joe Is in Prison". People. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
    23. Thompson, Brian (May 15, 2017). "'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Star Dina Manzo, Millionaire Boyfriend Identified as Home Invasion Victims: Sources". New York City: WNBC. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
    24. Hautman, Nicholas (May 15, 2017). "'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Alum Dina Manzo, Boyfriend Attacked in Home Invasion: Report". US Weekly. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
    25. Slater, Georgia (October 26, 2019). "RHONJ Alum Dina Manzo Reveals Husband Dave Cantin Is 'Leukemia Free' in Birthday Tribute". People Magazine. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
    26. District of New Jersey, Department of Justice U.S. Attorney’s Office (December 16, 2020). "Lucchese Crime Family Soldier Admits Aggravated Assault". Justice.gov. Department of Justice. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
    27. "Lucchese Crime Family Soldier John Perna, 43, of Cedar Grove, Admits Guilt in Assault Case". West Essex Now. December 16, 2020. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
    28. "Reputed Mobster Pleads Guilty in Assault on 'Real Housewives' Star's Husband". NBC New York. News. December 16, 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
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