King George couple to appear on ‘Wife Swap’
By Marty van Duyne/For the Stafford County Sun
King George residents Steve Hickman, his wife DeLaura Padovan and their daughters Tara, 11, and Maren Padovan-Hickman, 8, (center left to right) ham it up under the crystal chandelier installed by “Wife Swap” wife Shannon Nicole Burroughs, of New Jersey.
For the Stafford County Sun
Published: April 14, 2009
STAFFORD — Each week, ABC Television Network hosts “Wife Swap,” inviting two contradictory families from across the country to participate in a two-week long challenge. The wives exchange husbands, children and lives to discover daily life in another woman’s shoes. This week, King George’s Padovan-Hickmans are one of the two families.
DeLaura Padovan and Steve Hickman have a log cabin where they are raising their daughters Tara, 11, and Maren, 8, to be self-sufficient and environmentally conscious. They believe they have cut out all the “stuff” that comes with chasing the American Dream, viewing it as more of an American Nightmare.
New Jersey’s Burroughs family believes that life is about “spending money and dressing to impress.” Shannon Nicole Burroughs and her husband Shannon Michael Burroughs admit that they use bribery as a useful parenting technique with their twin 6-year-olds, Nicholas and Alexa. Shannon Nicole Burroughs said she loves big diamonds, big furs and bling — and loves living the American Dream.
The Padovan-Hickmans choose to live without modern conveniences like electricity or a refrigerator; they raise chickens, make their own cheese and eat fruit off the vine. They conserve water by using leftover bath water to flush the toilet.
“We don’t ask anyone else to live the way we do. Nevertheless, we all came out of this process knowing that this is the right way for us to live,” commented Padovan.
When the wives switch places on the show, they spend the first week living life as the family they are visiting. The second week is when the wives “change the rules and turn the tables.”
“Shannon Michael Burroughs and I had some values in common, deep down. I think the husband was very open,” said Padovan. “I like those children. Children are kind of my specialty. They [the producers] will probably show some temper tantrums — there are plenty to choose from — but some of my favorite memories are spending time with the children.”
Padovan said that she didn’t really get to meet Shannon Nicole Burroughs, but is aware that it was a not an easy time for her family.
“I know that my family had a very difficult time getting along with her. I know that they don’t have happy memories working with her.”
Padovan said the experience was a challenge.
“I feel like I’ve been on a roller coaster,” she said, “and my approach to roller coasters is to hold on and scream the whole way.”
Check out the “Wife Swap” episode airing Friday on ABC Channel 7 at 8 p.m.
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Reader Reactions
Shannon Nicole, the Hickmans lifestyle may not be appropriate for most of us, but I respect their dedication to the environment. Would I do it…no way but I respect their committment. You get absolutley ZERO respect from everyone! LOL…like the post before this one….yes you are a joke!
Folks, let me tell you this, Shannon Nicole is Jersey TRASH. She lives in South Jersey, next to Pennsylvania, by the Delaware Water Gap! She does NOT live in a million dollar area as she makes herself out to and she paid all of $351,602 in February of 2006 for the house that she says she had built around her chandelier! I rarely get this upset about her type of behavior because after all, these are reality shows and they are paid to act like idiots, but she took it just a step to far and let me tell you, whoever her plastic surgeon is should be STRIPPED of his license to practice! Michael Jackson move over for Shannon Nicole! An FYI for you Shannon Nicole, plastic surgery is supposed to enhance your looks, you are hideous so what ever could you have looked like before? You called that man a Sasquatch, goodness you have a butt the size of California, get some lipo and forget the plastic surgery! Do I think the Hickman’s are all there….well they’re a few cards short of a deck…the bathwater thing just ruined it for me! I was especially disgusted with the way she treated the Hickman children. Hopefully, she will see what a JOKE she actually is and will change, but all I can hope for is that her husband gets out with those kids…in fact, I’d take him, in a heartbeat and he’d have a heck of a better life with me…that I can guarantee you! Shannon Nicole, you were just nasty and foul and a horrible woman to watch…YOU"RE A JOKE!
Do I sound angry…nasty, yes I do! Once again they get this TRASH to represent New Jersey. It angers me to think that the rest of the country thinks we are all Sopranos and Shannon Nicole’s….we are FAR from that folks, let me tell you!
Thanks for reading my venting!
Even if the show is “staged” Shannon Nicole’s behavior was not - I have known her since high school and she really is this awful - if not even worse - because let’s be honest - if you knew you were being videotaped wouldn’t you be on your BEST behavior….so my guess is she has gotten even worse since high school…and just in case you were wondering - she was ugly back then as well BUT she didn’t think she was.
I read some of the posts at abc wife swap website and people are registering just to comment about the terrible nj wife who appeared on this show. Some have even questioned the story’s validity…they think it was staged especially given the VA couple has no tv and therefore wouldn’t have known about the show but i will post the link to this story. I must say I am appalled there are american families that act like this. People are outraged that NJ is represented so badly. I am ashamed they are american. They should be forced to live a week in the slums of India. Their greed and disregard are disgusting. I hope they do not travel outside the U.S. - what a bad representation of human beings, let alone amerocans or new jerseyans!!
Please dont ever change the world needs more families like you! if we had more more families like you we (the USA)would not be in the trouble we are in! you inspired me to continue paying attention to my impact on the world!
Wow, Shannon Nicole is the nastiest most selfish person that I have ever watched on reality TV. I can’t believe degrading and disrespectful she was towards that family. The Hickman’s have more love between them than she will ever know.
I cannot believe what I just watched. Shannon Nicole is such a horrible human being. I hope that her friends and family watched this show and let her know what a nasty person that she is. I would not live like the Hickman’s, but I also have enough respect for other people to treat them with some kind of dignity. Yes, the Hickman’s seemed poor on the outside, but they are rich in things that Shannon Nicole will NEVER have… love, respect, compassion, and self sufficiency just to name a few.
I wish all the best to the Hickman’s and their lifestyle. I invite DeLaura to email me! She is such and interesting and caring individual!
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