at the age of 18, wanting a better life for herself, connie legally changed her name to kate howard, after catherine howard, the fifth wife of king henry viii. her desire was to choose an easily recognizable name that alluded to a good background and social standing. she attended princeton university, on a full scholarship and worked her way up the ranks to become the editor of the fictional top fashion magazine, "couture". since then, she has hidden her past as connie falconeri, claiming instead to be from connecticut.