BILFPOD - Building An Empire: Cynthia Bailey On Business, Beauty and Bravery

Episode Date: April 3, 2025

In this episode of the BILF Podcast, we sit down with the multi-talented Cynthia Bailey—-supermodel, actress, entrepreneur, and reality TV star. Known for her iconic role on *The Real Housewives of Atlanta,Cynthia opens up about her journey from the runway to building a thriving business empire.  Cynthia shares invaluable insights into her career evolution, touching on her ventures like her luxury bag brand CB VIOR, and her recent transition into acting with roles in Terror Lake Drive and Cruel Instruction. She also discusses her podcast, Humble Brag, and how it reflects her experiences as an entrepreneur and creative.  Throughout the episode, Cynthia reveals how she’s managed to stay grounded while rising to success, offering inspiring advice for anyone looking to build a life and business on their own terms.  Don't miss this candid conversation on Beauty, Brains, and Business. Tune in now to hear from one of the most inspiring Bosses I’d Like to Follow!#CynthiaBailey #BILFPodcast #MaraDorne #WomenInBusiness #Actress #FashionIcon #Entrepreneur #HumbleBragPodcast #Supermodel #PowerMoves #LevelUp #BusinessEmpire #BossEnergy #PodcastEpisode #Leadership #EmpoweredWomen #EntrepreneurMindset #SuccessMindset #Inspiration #BusinessGrowth

I didn't go to college. I ended up moving to New York to start my modeling career. And although I think college is amazing, I think that it's not for everyone. We want to be about today. Welcome back to the Bill Fod where authenticity Trump's authority. We are live here at the Godfrey in L.A. And I am sitting, I am so blessed to be sitting next to me. my new BFF. Yes. Yes, we have. I don't even need an introduction. I know. Well, go ahead. Introduce me anyway. Just in case we don't know me. We have model of your TV personality. TV personality.

Actress. We have mother. Mother. Mother. Entrepreneur. And we can go on and on. And everything else. Because you are a true. Cynthia Bailey. We have Miss Cynthia Bailey. She is lovely inside and out. Thank you. her personality. I just, I know from the time that we were hanging out. Yeah. I mean, you are absolutely amazing. Thank you. I literally. Every time, like, anytime like anyone asked me, like, they saw our pictures, they ask me, like, how is she? I'm like, exactly what you think. If you are, I love how authentic you are. Well, thank you. I can say to say I'm about you. Like, in the short time that we met, I felt like we really connected and it just had a great time. And I feel like you can't really

fake connection, either there's chemistry or there's not. And I just loved your vibe. So I'm so excited to be on your new podcast. Yes, girl, yes. And thank you, thank you. Thank you for being on it. Because what else would I do without a Biltz like you? You really are a Bilt. So I'm just going to dive right in. I know you're a model for how many years? Wow. I started when I was 18 years old. I moved from Alabama to New York City to pursue my modeling career. And it worked out for me. I was very successful for many, many years. And about 13 years ago, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where I ended up on the real house west of Atlanta. So that started my reality TV career.

So the long story that I'm going to try to make short is I met someone, my ex-ex husband. I've been married twice and divorced twice. But yeah, anyway, my first husband lived in Atlanta. I lived in New York City. I am a Pice's. I am a lover of love. I think we had talked about signs. But I am a woman who really follows her heart.

And no matter where it leaves me, I'm going. It's just who I am and it's just the way that I'm built. And it led me to Atlanta. So basically, my ex-ex husband was opening up a restaurant in Atlanta. I was living in New York City. We were at that point where we really were going to the next love and a relationship. Somebody had to move. So I moved myself, my daughter, and my nanny to Atlanta, Georgia.

And while he was in the process of building this restaurant, some of the people that were working with him, Statue of Jester, April Love. They approached him about me interviewing for the Real Housewives of Atlanta. And I knew nothing really about reality TV, to be honest. I was really super focused on my modeling career still. And I'm not really a drama person. Yeah, you weren't really on the show, though.

I don't watch it anymore, but I will tell you, I did. I used to watch you. I did. I watched it for the first few seasons, and I loved your, I just loved you, you were. And you didn't seem to ever really be into the whole drama thing. No, it's really not my thing. But, you know, the show is a drama-based show. So this is where God comes into the whole equation.

It was just, I came in at the right time. because they didn't really expect that for me. You know, I was really more the voice of reason. I, you know, was self-made. I was just very different from some of the other ladies that were on the show. And it ended up working out. I did one season and I thought, oh, my God, what is happening? What have I done?

And 12 years later, it was probably one of the best, well, I won't even say probably. It was actually one of the best career choices that I made because it really, I went from being known as a fashion model, known in the fashion. fashion industry to literally a household name. Yeah. You know, been on Real Housewives of Atlanta. The platform has been incredible and I've been able to still leverage it. I'm actually going back this season as an official friend of the show.

Season 16, we'd like to call it Sweet 16. And it should be more surprise 16 because there's lots of surprises, ups and downs. And I'm really excited to be back on the show in that capacity. Because acting is still my number one priority. And that is the focus. but you know because I've had such a long relationship with the ladies and network I was able to we were able to like let me come in in a way where I was able to actually like basically them work around my schedule a little bit I love that I thank you there's like nothing you're not doing so you said a little bit about what are you doing with acting because you said that's your real passion yes so give me a little bit about the acting yes so I'm still a new and growing actress I've been committed to acting for about two years now after I walked away from the show and it's been amazing like I've always

wanted to get into the acting world, but I was like, I'm the kind of person. Once I'm focused on one thing, I don't like to have, like, I don't mind having a side hustle, but acting could never be a side hustle for me. My daughter's dad, Noel is an actor, and I really respect the process. I respect the craft. And I was like, I can't get into acting until I'm ready to really, really do this. So now I'm in a position where that is the first priority. And last year, I played my first lead, a BT film called Who's Cheating Who? I play Maxine. I play a psychotherapist who needs a little therapy herself.

She ends up being like that shit crazy. But it's a great show for VET Plus, directed by the incredible Wendy Raquel. And my castmates were amazing. And it was really like, for me, it was confirmation that I was on the right path. I know that I can do this on a level that I'm excited to do it on. And that's what your passion is right now. It is. I love it.

You know, after being, Mara, after doing reality TV for so long, like, you know, with reality TV, I'm just myself. It's so cool to play different characters. It's so cool for me to be, you know, a therapist, to be a, although I'm a mom, I do play a lot of moms, to be a cop, to be a, you know, I can be so many different. I can put myself into so many different characters, and that's fun. I like it. How do you, like, the one thing I really want, you are a household need. I'm sure people recognize you. truly, how could they not? I mean, you're beautiful.

Thank you. But how do you remain so authentic and, like, so true to who you are? Oh, wow. And stay humbled. I mean, you are humble. I know you're super down the earth. I've hung out. I mean, you got some food. I mean, how do you put, how, everybody knows, everybody knows you. I mean, that's a lot. So how do you remain so humble and just so down the earth? I just look at it like, I'm still me. I'm still always trying to be the best version of me, but I'm just me on TV. I'm just me in movies. I'm just me on red carpets. So, I think just coming from very humble beginnings, like you just have that, you know, my family keeps me very grounded.

Like, I'm not like a superstar at home. Like I have a 25-year-old daughter who's not like, oh, Cynthia Bailey, my mom, the superstar, just came over to cook for me. So she doesn't think you're so cool. You know what? She does. She's very proud of me. But she definitely is the one person that can snatch my ass together if I need to be snatched, for sure. Yeah.

She is my best friend. most people don't think you should be best friends with your kids, but I absolutely don't agree with that. I agree. I think that's the only way to really stay connected to your children to always have that trust and make them feel like they can talk to you about anything. And no, I'll talk to me about everything. Some of the things I'm like, all right, don't talk to me about that. I'm good, I'm good, I'm good. Yeah, the same with me and my daughter.

My daughter and I are super close. We have a little role. How old is your daughter? 17. Okay, 17. Well, we have a little role reversal situation going on sometimes. Like, she thinks that she's the mom and all. Yeah.

This is like constant. It's a constant. You're like, no, I'm the mother, you are the daughter. But you know, that's why I think when you raised them, Noah was raised to be an independent thinker. You know, she has a voice. I didn't grow up with a voice. I'm a lot older than you.

Like, I grew up in the generation of up. You do what you're told to do. You eat what's put in front of you. You just be happy to have a roof over your head. I grew up the same way. That was it. Like, I didn't know there was a choice to go to college. I thought everybody did this.

My trajectory was written out. Yeah. I am very close with my mom. I am. Like she did make sure of that. But it is, it's so crazy. Like your daughter, so I know this is a big thing for you. Because I know last one we were talking, you were telling, you were showing me pictures.

She's so pretty, beautiful. So how do you, like, how do you maintain that with her, the closeness? You know, we have to work on it. It's not easy. And I really have to commend Noel for really keeping me, like, holding me accountable to just make sure I make time to be her mom. And I know that sounds crazy. But, like, my day can go from, especially I'm dealing with the East Coast and the West Coast. So when I get into the East Coast, I'm still, like, my agents are still working on the West Coast.

I'm like, I may not finish work until like 8 o'clock at night sometimes. And my day usually starts at 10 in the morning. So we have a standing appointment at 9 p.m. no matter what coast I'm on where we have an hour where we catch up and talk and just connect. Every day. Every day. I love that. Now, she can cancel the appointment.

I'm not allowed to cancel it. But if she's busy living her best life, she's like, oh, Mom, I can't do the, I can't do our connection call today. It's not funny. But I'm not allowed to cancel. I have to be available. I know. I'm glad you have rules because I have rules. I don't know if you know this.

I have rules. I've set rules about what I can and cannot do. When the friends come over, I've talked about this so many times, though, but I don't know if there's set rules. I'm not allowed to wear specific things. Oh, of course not. I cannot. I can't talk to the friends.

I have to pretend like I'm a man. It's like, why are you talking to my friend's mom? You're so embarrassed. Everything I say is embarrassing. Of course. Everything I do is embarrassing. I'm usually in timeout. I don't know what she wants for me.

Exactly. No, I remember 17. And I think that was. It's just a lot of, like, closed doors. Like, you know, I can't, like, you know, you got to knock. You can't just, you know, bust up in the room and all those things like, you know, how I grew up. A lot of boundaries. Yeah, a lot of boundaries.

Yes, you're right. My mom used to just walk in that thing. She tried to take the door up the hinges. You had no privacy. What was privacy? No. You had no privacy. Children were supposed to be seen, not heard.

That's what she used to tell me all. Absolutely. And what I love about this generation is that I'm unlearning some of the things that I, how I grew up. I wanted to be my mom's best friend. And I wasn't because she was my mom and it was just like, no, I'm your mom and you just do what you need to do. And that's what it is. I want it to feel comfortable talking to her about certain things that Noelle feels comfortable to me, comfortable talking to me about.

And I love that. I love to get to live how I wanted it to be for me with my mom as her mom. Yeah, I love that. I love that so much. And one thing I really do love and I admire about you is that you really are built. I mean, you are, you have like a whole bunch of things going on. And I think having daughters, for me, at least, having a daughter pushes me to try to be the best version of myself all the time. Yes.

And I want to keep going because I want her to look at me. And, you know, remember that her mom works for everything that she had. That's right. Nothing. You have to work hard for. Yeah. There's no handouts. Yes.

And that you can keep going. It doesn't matter how old you are. It doesn't matter if you're a woman. And if like the setbacks are there, but it doesn't matter, like, and keep going. And that's so important for our daughters to know. It's true. I think leading by example, I mean, you can like talk to talk, but they want to see you walk to walk. Yes.

And I can't tell her, you know, when she actually, you know, was trying to figure out, you know, her college journey, I didn't go to college. I ended up moving to New York to start my modeling career. And although I think college is amazing, I think that it's not for everyone. So when it came to Noelle, I. to make that choice. I left it up to her. I'm like, look, I want you to do whatever you want to do. And, you know, she's tried different things. She's tried a few different things. And, you know, she's still trying to find her own identity and what works for her. And I feel like my only job is to just support her, to let her figure it out. Because at the end of the day, no job.

I don't think you can be successful at any job if you're not happy doing that job. I agree. You know, if you're going to work miserable every day or you're doing some job or running some business that you don't enjoy, like you find something. Like, it's so many ways to make money. Like, find something that you love doing, and you will be successful doing it. It's so true. My daughter is leaving for college next year. She wants to go to college.

She doesn't know. That's the, but she got to get out of my house. She got to go somewhere. She got to go. She got to, I don't care what she does. But that's what we're going through right now is trying to figure out, I'm taking her to New York, so I'll be in New York and everyone's to take her to pace. Yeah.

And she wants to go visit Fordham. Fine, no problem. But one thing I do want her do is find her voice outside of me. Yes. That's very important. I want her to be independent. And our own identity. Yes.

I feel like we don't really look at it. Like you're like a boss. Like you have so many things going on. I'm a boss. I got a million things going on. Our children look at us like it's almost pressure in a way to try to live up to what we've been able to create. But at the same time, it is inspiration. It's also motivation.

And I have to remind Noel, like you don't have to be something ability. You don't have to do all the things that I've done. Just do the one or two things that you want to do. And be independent. And be independent. That's all that. And don't rely on a man ever. I was raised like that.

That's how I was raised. That you don't rely on a man for anything here to create your own empire. I think having a man is great. But I would never put myself in a position where I had to rely on me. Never. Amen. Yes. Never.

My mom went through all of that. And I was like, I will never be that. And, you know, most people grow up like, I want to be just like my mom. And I was like, I want to be, I love my mom. I respect my mom. But I was like, I will learn from every mistake that she ever made. Which is, I mean. And being dependent on a man was a huge mistake.

No, absolutely not. And that is the one thing I try to teach my daughter all the time, is that anything you have, you have it. Yes. You're not getting it from. Like sometimes she'll, she'll be like, oh, I'm going to marry a basketball player. I'm like, no, no, no, no, no, no. Let's stop right there.

Like, you're going to create your own legacy and you're going to do it. And no matter what you're going to do. And even if she does, Amara, as long as she has her own thing. Yes. Then that's totally fine. No, no, no, no. Like, I wouldn't have a problem with it. No, no, no, no.

Like, that's great that you're with someone that has his own money, but just make sure you have your own as well, because you never know if it's going to work out. Raising daughters, I think, is difficult. Because I have sons, too. So I think my relationship with my daughter is way different. And I think the pressure to make sure that she is very independent, I really, really stress that more with her than the boys. Yeah. Raising a daughter today is probably the hardest job to do. Yeah, I'm one and done.

Noel is my only child. I don't have any more children. But the daughter is, I think a daughter is so difficult. I think so. I think it is. Just because of society and everything that they're going through and the things that they see and the things that we were not exposed to, they're exposed to every. Yes. So being hard, you know, being a strong role model is so important.

Absolutely. I actually thought like if I ever had more children, which obviously that's not happening now, I've aged out of that category. But, oh no, I know. I know. I'm done. But I always thought it would be a little easier to have a boy. I did. I always thought that I actually thought Noah was a boy and was a boy.

And when we named her, we named her unisex name just either way. Because the doctor kept telling me, every time she would check me, she's like, I'm like, it's still a girl? She's like, it's still a girl. You have a girl, Cynthia. I'm like, are you sure? Because I feel like it's a boy. That's so funny.

Like part of me wanted a boy. And now I have the girliest girl of all times. Yeah, yeah. I would say that having a daughter is the biggest blessing in the world. You know what they say? Daughters are the most loyal. They are, yes. Sons are not because, you know, the power of the pee, it's a real thing.

We're on that. that works everything and then when I have my kids brainwatch I'm telling my son's daughter's time like who is the only woman in your life ever yeah I'm like only your mom that's right I will be that monster in law I already know I already know that I'm not

no but it's true though but I feel like most sons I mean their moms are like they like you know treasure the moms more than the daughters do sometimes we treasure their daughters but the sons and a lot of the relationships the son mother dynamic that I've seen the sons like love their mama They do. My sons, and I'm obsessed with my son. Yes, my sons are everything to me. I love them so much. But tell me, okay, so what do you have going on right now that you're most proud of? Okay, so right now, I just turned 58. So I'm just excited. I can't with you. I do not. Why? No, I don't believe it. No. Yeah. No, like aging backwards. Yes. I just turned 58. I own it. I think representation is so important. I love representing the 50s woman. Why not you're gorgeous? You know, I'm just getting started and so many.

ways. So at this point in my life, I've always been a health and wellness advocate, but I really like health is a huge priority for me. And as you get older. Well, I just started weight watchers. I started weight watchers. I started weight watchers. And I did that because I'm just not a healthy weight for myself. And I don't want people to feel like, you know, you have to be severely overweight to really take control of the size that you want to be. And I never really had weight struggles my entire life, you know, as a model. It just never happened. And then when I got on the other side of menopause and just getting older like nothing moves everything stops and I'm generally a healthy person but I just wanted to make some some health changes and I just needed

some support because I was like okay I'm going to stop drinking I'm going to stop eating bread but I just needed like a program I wasn't able to really do it by myself so I partnered with them and I love the program because I'm able to eat I just have to do portion control so it's not like I'm deny myself food, I just can't have, like, instead of maybe having a whole turkey burger, maybe I can have one with the lettuce bum with everything on it and maybe, you know, half, you know, one time and then the other half maybe later. So it just made me really reevaluate my relationship with food. And I'm a food. So I was like, as long as I still get to eat some and stuff I want to eat, then that's, you know, this is something that could work. And I didn't want

to do like a lot of like get skinny quick things. And by the way, I don't want to be skinny. I just wanted to get back into my size tens. I would just like to still fit the clothes that I have this in my closet. And, yeah, so it feels good. I'm really excited. Yeah. So that's something that I'm excited to share with you guys. I just love how you have so many things going on.

Because, you know, you think, listen, think about it when you were younger. I remember thinking, like, oh, my God, 40s, like, it's done. I know. We thought it was over. Right. 50 is, like, you're done. I'm closer to 60 than I am to 50, which is crazy. And I really feel like I have the most incredible life like I get to do.

so many things. Hi, Dean. Hi. Yeah, so it's great. The other thing that I wanted to share with you, like outside of giving you your flowers for your new podcast, is I recently started a podcast with my co-host, Crystal Kong Miko from Beverly Hills Housewives. Tell me about it. It's called Humble Brack, and it's basically a black woman that would be me, a Chinese woman, that would be her, we sit down together, and we just talk. We just talk about whatever is going on in our lives. and what's so amazing is it's so amazing that I never knew I wanted to do a podcast

I was like yeah you know at some point I do a podcast I know I wanted to do something with my daughter but I never thought I never saw the chemistry I never you can't make up chemistry you can't force chemistry and we have so much in common

to come from two different cultures you know we come from two different housewife franchise like I'm older she's still younger like I'm on the other side of menopause she hasn't even started menopause girl she's like you know her family dynamic my family dynamic she's been married for over 20 years i've been divorced twice like we literally are the odd couple but we have the best chemistry

and we talk about the craziest stuff we sit down every day and she's like what do we know don't talk about i'm like girl bye like and we'll just like i'll start talking about her pants like where do you get those pants and then it just ends up being an hour and a half of just girl talk in a real comfortable, like, leaning over your fence, listen to your neighbor, got away, like, we just talk about anything. And it's so much fun. It's like therapy. I love it.

I love it. And then it airs every week. Every Monday. Anywhere you watch podcast. Anywhere. Yes. You can find it on. Any and everywhere.

YouTube. YouTube, Apple, wherever you watch podcasts. Now, do you have guests on as well? We do. We do. But we're not like super. We went into it not wanting to be super dependent on guests. If there's someone we wanted to talk to, we bring them on.

But for the most part, we really wanted to. established a part, the pod with just us for now. And it's been working out. We just did, we had, so far we had maybe three guests. We had Countess Luann, who is originally from, she's one of the real housewives of New York, OGs. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, Countess Louin.

She's a really good friend of mine. And we had Denise Richards, who just has, you know, Denise Richards, actress, and she was on Beverly Hills. And she's like, just doing, she has a new show on Bravo. She's doing a lot of amazing things. and we just had a couple of, oh, we just had Durinda from New York, Housewives, and Chanel, Ayan from Dubai Housewives. And to be honest, like, we didn't, we're not a Housewife recap show. These are just our friends, and they want to come on, so we brought them on,

but we really, other than talking about our own experiences, Housewives, we don't really, like, really recap the episodes or anything like that. And that was something that was like, you know, we have some of our other friends that do those podcasts for that, so we don't need to do that. They're doing a great job. You're like, this is not the reunion. Let them get into the mess. We don't want to get into the mess.

We're trying to stay in the light. I love that. He's accomplished so many things. What would you say that you're most proud of? Aside from having your daughter. Okay. You can't use that one here. Okay.

Okay. What am I the most proud of? Aside from Noel, I would say I'm the most proud of being self-made for the most part. Yes, I love that. Like really. Nothing handed to you. Figuring out my own lane, making it work, going through the ups and down, sticking with it,

pivoting when I needed to, reinventing myself when I needed to, and still being pretty happy along the way. Like, I can't say I've been super unhappy with any career choices. I may have been unhappy with some personal choices in my life like anybody else. But career, I always like I enjoy being a model. I enjoy doing, I enjoy being a team. me personality and I enjoy being an actress and I enjoy being a podcaster I love that is there anything you would do different anything nothing yeah not anything not one regret not me either I feel like when the book is being written you have to every experience leads you to the next

experience I love that that you have to go through the darkness to get to the light and go back to the darkness come back to the light like everything every single person that's come in my life whether I even speak to them at this point or not was a part of my story they were part of my journey. I agree 100%. I think everything in life happens. It like unfolds the way it's supposed to. Yes. And you can either take it as a life lesson. Yes. Or not. That's everything happens the way it's supposed to happen. I believe that 100%. I agree. So what's next? I mean, you've reinvented yourself. So what's next for you? What's next? What is next? Well, what is next? I mean, I would like to retire at some point. And when I say retire, that looks like me just like I was just over there painting a little boss for Habitat for a man. Like I have so many hobbies that I love doing like my my daughter is like a Lego enthusiast. She's like does Legos. I'm like, you know what? I want to get into that.

I can't get into it. I love creating. I'm a creative person. So I'd love to like eventually just have like I have Lake Bailey in Atlanta. I would love to have maybe like a cool little beach house here somewhere where I can like be by coastal, but just be near water always because that's like a part of my sign as a Pisces. And just be able to do fun stuff that I like to do. And if I make money off of it, great.

but just be pretty much set and just do the things that I want to and travel. That's really what's next. Yes, but I got to blow up as an actress first. You're going to. You're going to. After I blow up as an actress, then that's what my life looks like

probably in the next 10 years. I still have a lot of work to do for now. I love it. I love that you are defying age. You're going, I mean, you're just doing so many amazing things and I love that. Life is not over at 50.

I'm glad you said that. Let me add something else. Like, modernly was something I did years ago. I don't actually mind going back, into it at this point in my life because again going back to representation I think I represent the 50s woman very well I think they need to see that themselves and like a lot of these ads and you know like 50 year old people there were Gucci and Louis Vuitton and all the things as well and I don't really see a lot of that so I wouldn't mind actually going back into modeling just you know for specific

type of campaigns and stuff to just represent the 50s woman because I feel like I do a pretty good job of doing that. And those are the women that I actually, you know, on my social media, those are the women that I really post for. Like, those are the women that I actually want to try to motivate and inspire. No, you encompass exactly what that is. Like, you are a woman. You are beautiful.

You work. Thank you. You have, you know, your self-made. You are, you are a bill. I mean, that's... I am a bill. I'm a badass bill. You are. You're a bad ass. I love it. You are... I mean, you really do everything about you, like exudes bills. Thank you.

But you are. So now you're in your 50s. I love that, that you want to, like, you really want to take up. I want to represent that. I always have. Why not, though? But I want to continue. And I feel, you know what?

You don't think getting older is something to be ashamed of. You're making you feel better. I don't think getting older. Getting older is a gift at this point because everyone doesn't make it to this age. And the fact that it's truly a luxury not granted to everyone. You can be born, but you never can control when you may leave this earth. and to be able to be this far in my life, reaching so many different milestones in my life is a blessing.

And I really want to be motivation and inspiration because so many times, like, even my own life, you just want to give up. You're like, oh, my God, you know, maybe, you know, this is not the person I'm supposed to be with. This is not the career I'm supposed to have. There's so many times in your life where you're just like you doubt yourself

or you don't trust yourself. And I want to be that story of like, I've been through hell and back and I'm still standing. I'm still positive. I am still always operating from a place of love. I'm still a hardworking woman. I still, you know, love on my friends. I try to be a good mom still.

I try to be a good daughter, a good sister, all those things. You are doing that. You're breaking barriers. I mean, you really, I know you were on the cover of essence, right? Twice. Yes. Yes. I knew.

I knew. I know you got to get that. Twice. Twice. Twice. Twice. Because it's not even going to be on the cover vest. They're not just giving out covers.

Trust me. Let's wind it down. Give some advice to any woman out there that just wants to do something, be great. Give some good advice. So that woman that's just trying to be the best version of herself. My advice would be to go for it, number one, because nothing beats a failure but to try. I think that's right. Is that the right way to say?

That sounds like that. So if you don't try, you ain't go get nowhere because nothing. if you do nothing, nothing happens. So you have to do something. So just go for it, number one. And I would say, don't overwhelm yourself. Like, I think sometimes when people want to go, put themselves out there, they do take on too much at the same time.

You have just like, every part of my career was like a child. Like, when I was a model, that was the focus. And that's what I focused on. And I had to, like, nurture that and, you know, feed it and watch it grow. And then it was like, okay, so this child has grown up into what I need her to be. Now I can have another baby. So now let me go into TV. Let me go into reality TV.

So make sure that baby was good and fed and nurtured and love. And then I went into acting. I don't like to overwhelm myself with things because that's how you end up failing because you don't have time. You're literally one person. And I feel like I have to be very hands-on with everything that I'm doing in my life. And I just can't do everything. So I try to take things one at a time.

So go for it, but don't overwhelm yourself. I do have one last question for you. So you have a lot of exposure to the media, to everybody and I'm sure people have what to say. I'm sure. So how do you navigate through the people that just talk shit? What do you? Child, I was on a real house place in Atlanta for 12 years.

I'm born for this at this point. I don't really have. I don't take things that personal. Yeah. At this point, I have a pretty thick skin. I think one of the things that being on a reality show taught me was if you choose to be in this business,

people, everyone's not going to love you. Yeah. No matter what you do. Yeah. And that's okay. So you just find the people who are with you. You don't worry about the ones that are against you. I love that.

You always just go with the ones that are with you. And that's it. It's just as simple as that. And I just don't take it personal. I love that. And if they follow me on social media and they're doing the most I block them. Yeah, but you know what if they're talking about you? I feel like any publicity is good publicity.

And if they're taking us. Not at this point. I get a lot of publicity, girl. If you're not coming, here's the thing. Getting to follow me is a, I'm giving you access to my life. It's not guaranteed. I don't have to give you access.

So if you don't have anything great to say, just don't say anything at all on my page. But I'm not going to allow any toxic negativity on my page. It's my page and I get to dictate what I want on it. So if you're coming in too hot and if you don't like me, first of all, if you don't like me, do not follow me. Yeah, why are you going on there? I don't follow people that I can't stand.

I don't follow people to just drag them. It makes no sense to me. So if it's not coming in good space, like I'm saying, you don't have to say another nice. Just don't say anything hateful. I love it. Otherwise, you will get blocked. I love some people give me unsolicited advice that I never even ask for. They just leave the love.

You're welcome. You were welcome. Like, you came on my page. I didn't. Exactly. Like, how dare you come on my page? You're like, this is not, like, this is, I control who gets to be on here. Either act right and you get to stay or not.

Oh, you don't? And you can go. There you have it. Ladies and gentlemen, a true Belf. Cynthia, you really are lovely. Thank you. What you see is what you get with you. Always. It's so true. I love how you're so authentic.

I love everything that you're doing, and you're still going. Thank you. You are a true inspiration to women, to everybody. So thank you for doing it. I love you. And congratulations to you. I'm so proud of you. And I know your podcast Bilt is going to be one of the great.

So keep going, and I can't wait to come back. Yes, girl. And then we'll hang out again. Yes, we will. We'll go good. I think. What is that?