Mention It All - No Call, No Show, No Words Ft. Leva Bonaparte (Southern Hospitality)

Episode Date: February 6, 2025

Three seasons in, Southern Hospitality has truly hit its stride, and the woman behind the Republic empire, Leva Bonaparte, is in the studio to mention it all. She and Dylan talk about the whirlwind experience of being on two shows airing at the same time, and why people are connecting so strongly with the beautiful mess of Southern Hospitality. They also discuss the importance of the show’s queer storylines, and the surprising outcome of TJ and Joe Bradley’s difficult conversation. Later, Leva weighs in on Austen and Craig’s issues on this season of Southern Charm, and why you’ll never see her thirsting for screen time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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See Home Depot.com slash price match for details. Betches Media presents. Ha ha, laugh, funny. Mention It All, a Bravo by Betches podcast. We don't say that, but now we said it. With me, Dylan Hafer. We're going to check me, boo. Hey, everyone.

Welcome back to the Mention at All podcast. I am so glad to be here with the star of two shows currently airing on Thursday nights on Bravo. You know her as the Queen of Charleston Hospitality. Leva Bonaparte, welcome back. Thanks for having me. I am so glad to have you here. I admittedly was a little late to start watching this season of hospitality. So I had let a few episodes pile up and I was getting text after text, message after message of like.

I love to hear. These crazy kids at Republic. This season is kind of on one in the best way. Yeah. It's the most chatter I've seen since we've started, I guess. Yeah. But what does it feel like to have these two shows airing back to back on Thursday nights? It's like you have like law and order, Chicago Fire, PD and Southern Charm and Southern

Hospitality, an iconic duo. Yeah, it's kind of all the same. There's like there's a lot of, yeah, it's a shit show, you know. Every Thursday, I'm like, maybe I should just turn my phone off. I just feel like, you know, everything's going to start like ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. But yeah, I mean, I'm, yeah, I'm double fisting. I'm going at it. Like I said earlier before we started, it's just I feel like they, they lubed y'all up with

charm and then they just like threw down hospitality you know what I mean but I feel like you're getting you're getting texts from different angles because it's like on southern charm it's like your friends and then on southern hospitality it's like leva yeah yeah her manager our boss Megan knows like one of the employees calling's like I'm really in my head about like reunion so it's like it's it's now I'm yes I'm their I own the business that they're in I'm their employer but then also like show stuff you know they're being very transparent and they get anxiety you know I get all sings like, I need mental health. It was a really bad episode this week.

And I'm like, how do I explain this to the manager that like he's in his head? He can show up. You know what I mean? So it's like it can affect their. Yeah. I think it's interesting too now that we're in the third season. We've had some new cast members come in. We have OGs that are starting to kind of like broaden their horizons.

Yeah. Not everybody on the show is working at Republic this season. But then we have people, you know, like Maddie is still working there. But also she's doing DJing and stuff like that. So you're you're sort of like starting to expand a little bit the world of the show. But then also I think it's so important that like those Republic shifts and everybody in that blue, you know, getting ready room. Like it still feels like that is like the core of the show in a way that I think is kind of necessary. Like the mothership, so to speak, right?

Yeah. Yeah. It's like where the real stuff happens is in that blue room. Right. And at least for now it feels like so much of obviously there's personal conflict and stuff. that is separate, but like so many of the things that go down on the show come back to Republic and working together. Yeah, it's like all roads lead to Republic at the end of the day.

Because I mean, they're not going to get together outside. Like no friends are going to be like, hey, you know, there might be a group chat. But aside from that, it's like that's the physical group chat. Because like at the end of the day, they're just, they're like, I'll see them on shift. And they all come in 30 minutes early. It's not just to get ready and get like glammed. It's to sit there and be like, guess what I heard. did you hear this?

Like it's like, and then they're outing each other. And so it's like, which is kind of a nightmare because I'm like, why do we do this pre-shift? This is not going to make for a good shift at all. You know what I mean? Mix for a good show. Yeah, it makes for a good show, not so much a good shift. You know what I mean? So yeah, it all kind of starts there.

And I think that that's like the magic of the show is because at the end of the day, in real life, I mean, things could pass. You don't see each other. You'll see each other and be like, oh, I got to catch you up on something. But for them, they're seeing each other. like at the end of the day a few things might happen Monday Tuesday, then Wednesday they start seeing each other, then Thursday everyone else shows up, Friday everybody's there, you know what I mean?

Yeah, it's kind of like a you don't have to try too hard to get people correct back together and that's something where like innately. Right, obviously there are, you know, real friendships and there's people that are dating and all of that. It's not like they would never see each other, but to have that central thing of like at the end of the day, at the end of day, all the drama is a group drama. We're all put on the dresses and the panty packs. Yes.

I do feel like with Bravo fans are an interesting group because they are so loyal and so passionate, but it can really be a steep hill to climb to get them on board with a new show. Yes, yes. And with Southern Hospitality, it's the third season now. I feel like we're finally getting to the top of that hill where it's like, okay, these are people that we've been watching for three years. We know them and their relationships and their personality quirks and what have you. Yeah.

And I think people really now feel invested in what is the next chapter with this group of people. I agree. I feel like the, what is it called? Like, I feel like the stands stood up. You know what I mean? They're like, we're standing the show. We're here. Like, it's like the core family of Bravo is like, this is the show.

And they're like fighting for. I think there's a lot of like, you know, Loki like hating. Oh, like they're trying to be this. And then it was like, people were like, well, I kind of thought that. And then I watched it. And then I'm like, oh my God. I can't stop watching it. So I think really, like I said,

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Let's see what happens. But like when you get to season three, if you've watched the show, it's like, it's obvious that these people have a lot of co-mingling, you know, relationships with each other. A lot of history. Yeah, there's a lot of history. And like, it does feel like by the time you get to season three, it's like maybe some people are still testing the waters or seeing how they feel about it, but like there's, look at the material. Like it's, it's there. Right. It's all there. It's all. I think it's like a

beautiful blend of the generation. Like they're just uninhibited, right? Like they just don't care. I was just saying to somebody else, I was just saying like our generation, we were just like, we're a little more filtered. I'm my 40s, you know? Like we're not saying everything. We're thinking things. It's just, but their generation is just like uninhibited. doesn't care. There's no glass ceiling. You know what I mean? So for them,

I think it's the generation. I think it's the industry. I think like it's just different. I mean, so they're not not touching on things. They're not keeping like anything is like, you know, not on the table.

It's all on the table. And I think that that was when I first talked to the network. I was like, this generation is wild to me. Like even when it comes to like sexuality. Like I'll say, you know, how's your boyfriend?

Oh, a girl now or like how's your girlfriend? I'm dating two guys now. Like it's like I can't. They're just love as love. Yeah. But that innately creates so much, you know, drama and complication. I'm like, how do you navigate that? Like how are you like, oh, you're going on a guy's trip. Like, is it because you like the guy or is it because you're going to a guy? Like that would be so. Yeah. The amount of anxiety that that like unleashes for me is wild, but they just live in it. Yeah. I think. And it's fascinating. The queer element. to this show is like so central.

And obviously like not everybody in the cast identifies as as that or like part of that community. But like it's such a it's such a like staple part of this show after three seasons. And that creates obviously I think, you know, in in the world we're living in, representation is important and all of that. But also it's just like it's good story. It's good story. And it adds such a layer of complexity that if it was if you had the same number of.

number of young hot straight people. Yes. There's just less room for the pieces to go on the board. Yes. The queer stories are real stories. They're not tokenized. Yeah. You know what I mean?

Like I'm very proud that this show is telling all the different stories. Because I have so many friends that I was like, I'm so tired of just like, like a sassy gay guy walking into the room. Like I want the story. I want the complication. I want to know how you got here. I want to know why you got here. I want to know how you're going through it.

Because as my friend, I want to know your real story. I want to like advocate for you. I want to love on you. I want to be sensitive to you. But like I'm tired of just seeing this one version. Yeah. Of someone that's queer. You know what I mean?

And this show finally like dives into all of it. But also it doesn't create this huge like line in the sand. Do you know what I mean? It's just kind of like love is love. And it's complicated. There's a lot going on here. You know what I mean? Like my generation was like, you're gay, you're straight.

You kissed a girl in college. Like that was it. Like there was no like, well, I don't know. I don't know. how I feel. Maybe I've fallen in love with someone that's not what I thought I was going to fall in love. So I think that that to me is fascinating, the freedom of just being able to live in no big lines, but also like the Michaels and Lake and, you know, like, T.J., like all of the stuff that gets complicated of like trying to then explain that to a parent and trying to

navigate. Now, how do I, you know, and that to me is, I want to know those stories. I want to know those I want to know. I got to say, Michaels and Lake are making me feel old this season. I know. I know. Little babies. I'm like,

oh. Little babies. I know. I think they are really clicking so far. Like, it doesn't feel like either of them are just kind of like there to fill a slot in a way that can be. It can be hard to crack that with, especially with a group like you said that has history.

But Michael's, I think, first of all, he seems like a great manager. Yes. Yes. But also like his, like the sort of. tension that's happening between him and TJ at the very beginning of the season. Like I, the way that they were able to sort of go to like such a low place and then kind of

resolve it right away. Yeah. How mature, right? By the time they go on that on Lake's birthday trip, they're like choosing to share a room together. Yeah. And it isn't like a, oh, they're going to like hook up in this room. It's just like.

It's so mature. It's eerie. I'm like, I don't know. I'm 45 and I feel like we wouldn't have navigated that at 45 that maturely. Like it's weird. And also it shows like, you know, I see Michael's in the workplace and he's so professionally, so like, you know, and he also is just like this big teddy bear. But I told Michael's the other day, I was like, I didn't know you had such a like, like savage, like he could just turn it on, turn it off so mature. Like, no, you showed me who you are. I'm going to just put you in the friend box.

I was like, wow. Like he just seemed so like I wanted to sweep him and save him. but he he navigated it so maturely like I thought I was going to be you know I was like are you okay do we need to peel you off a bathroom floor you know what I mean so sensitive yeah it's so strong like very like okay DJ well that's not for me like I was like wow yeah I also was like yeah I know I was like pleasantly surprised by how TJ and Joe Bradley's conversation went too because I kind of like what you were saying I feel like in in other shows or in another world that conversation could have been,

it could have deepened the rift. And Joe could have said, fuck you, this, that. Correct. Could have been like triggered or insecure about it. And Joe, you know, I think it, that conversation, I think the one moment when Joe goes, well, it was nothing.

Like I was blackout. And TJ was like, well, it was something to me. Yeah. That to me, like, gave me like chill bumps. Because I was like, that's the crux of it, right? It's like, well, I have different feelings towards you. and I'm just not your straight friend. You know what I mean?

That is just like, oh, like, why are you like this close to me? Like, bro, like, get off me. It's so, I think for Joe to understand that and be sensitive to that and T.J. to be so vulnerable and say, you know, like, I think that in any other world, that would have been swept under the rug or it would have been like, Joe would have been like superphobic, to be honest. Yeah. Or, like, if T.J. wasn't such a central part of the show and Joe just wanted to

shut it down. It would have been like, okay, we're never going to hear from DJ. This story's not important. Right. Yeah. And that it felt like an actual moment of growth for them. Yeah. Both. Yeah. In their friendship and, you know. It made their friendship so much better and so much deeper. And I know that it was hard for both of them, you know? And then, you know, they both, I think, got online heat like, like people judging and wanting to put

them in a box. And that for me is frustrating because I'm like, don't put Joe in a box, don't put TJ in a box. At the end of the day, this is a very real story, a very vulnerable story. They handled it in such a mature way. And they probably also didn't handle it. At the end of the day, none of us handle anything perfectly. It's really easy to watch something and be like, oh, you're, no, no, no, no. No, these are two young guys. Like, this was, to me, like, a very, a story that's never been told on Bravo, a moment that's never been had on Bravo or I feel like on any reality TV show. Like, it's actually like, I feel like Harvard should put it in a book one day.

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Yeah. So like wild. I feel like we've seen some growth in Maddie. A hundred percent. I think Maddie is definitely, you know when you're like in a toxic relationship? Yep. And you're not your best self. Yeah. So I think that I can see their best selves sort of like in this relationship, which is like I'm happy to see that.

You know what I mean? it's been interesting to see this season how Joe's recent dating history has been brought into the fold. His little Bravo situation ships with Danielle and Luann. It is like so funny now three seasons in that it's like, oh yeah, they're in this Bravo hamster wheel just like everybody else. Yes, yes. It's such a small world like at the end of the day. And Maddie just being like, is who crap with Luan is iconic? She like just told on him.

I was like, okay. Well, I guess, you know, it doesn't have to worry about T.J., I guess. Yeah, she's just, like I said, their generation is just a little bit more secure and just a little more, I find it fascinating. What is it like for you kind of sort of being the person who like brought this group like to us now that they're kind of like off being, you know, public figures and getting opportunities and stuff? Like what does that feel like knowing that you kind of like were there before all of this? I mean, at the end of the day, I'm just happy that Bravo is telling the story the way, like, I had really wanted it to be told. Do you know what I mean? I was like, I don't want anyone to feel tokenized. I don't want anyone to not have like their story. Like these are kids that are all from different backgrounds, different lifestyles, different choices. And they're in this like unique situation where they're all like ride or die friends. And they have to know each other's like, like you have like Nepo baby like kind of will. And you have like Michaels who, you know, is struggling with a lot of stuff. And like they all come from different financial, all kinds of backgrounds, right? And then they're in this, I always say like it's really not a Vanderpump.

It's really like a below deck meets Vanderpump, like love child because we're nightclub. And so that is a very different game than like a restaurant, right? It's like 200 people walking in, egos, we're selling like an experience. Like she's here. It's her bachelor. She wants this sign. She wants bubbles. She wants a dancing dog.

She wants you. You know what I mean? Like it's like we're trying to perform. Like we need a cowboy, a dancing dog, and you know what I mean? Like all this stuff. And so it's a very high like adrenaline shift. Right. And it bonds people, right?

Like so and then also like all their friends are working nine to five. So they're in this lifestyle where they're just always together because they're off days or Monday, Tuesday. Their nights to go out are Monday Tuesday. So it's like they just keep getting pushed back together. And so they really get to know each other. And with that means a lot of growth, a lot of understanding, a lot of complexity. And like, that's why I think, that's why I think the show is like good. And I'm glad that it's all being told.

And I'm glad they didn't let me down because I was like, y'all need to be transparent. Yeah. The stuff I see on my security cameras, the stuff I need to see on the show. Like, don't let me down, you know. I'm curious how you feel this about watching Grace Lilly this season has been interesting. She's not at Republic right now. Correct. It seems like her off days are pretty much.

every day. Every seven days week. Yeah. I heard she text production and she's like this schedule suits me so much more.

I was like this is so Grace Lily. She's like yeah just like filming like once a week is like totally I'm not working I'm not you know

there's a scene where Maddie I think sees Grace and there's like an envelope that says like work on it like work receipts or something and Maddie's like what receipts for what work

you know what I mean? She's like mind your business you know what I mean I was like so grace Lily. Grace Lily is one of these days going to just like drop some, some, something she's been working on that's going to shock us all. Yeah, literally.

That's going to rock us all. She's going to have like a cancer cure in a vial. Yeah. Sure. Something wild like Grace Lily's lava lamps or something. Yeah. Oh, I think that would do well for her. I think it would.

I think it really would. We got to talk about Emmy. Oh gosh. Having a rough time. It's been a journey. Yeah. We're only five episodes in. Yeah.

And already, I mean, her reaction to being asked about those dresses and the store credit. I think like instant all-timer. Yeah. It was zero to like 10,000. And Will's reaction of like, you didn't do that? So you're not doing that? Yeah.

I was like, oh my God, Will. And you know, like the girls having a mental breakdown. Like I think we might have to rush her to the hospital. And then Bradley coming in afterwards and being like, well, is that really all they said? Oh my God. I kind of like Shabon too. We're just meeting her. her a little bit, but I'm into her energy. Yeah. Like, I mean, I want to say, I think the, the girls that I have,

you know, working there, like, none of them are, um, wallflowers. You know what I mean? Which, and I didn't hire that on purpose. I just feel like you need, you need an outgoing person to, to work in our business. You know, like, they provide the experience, right? So that makes for a lot of outgoing personalities. A lot of extroverts in one room, like, makes for a lot of, you know, sass, a lot of, like, not holding back, a lot of, like, innate, you know, budding head to head. So Chabon is just yet another one of the ladies that has an opinion, you know? I think the phrase, no call, no show, it was so triggering for anybody who's ever worked in hospitality. I worked retail. No call, no show is, like, the worst thing you could possibly do. That whole situation, like, watching it, I,

I was like, I was so entertained, but also I was just like, it's not good. Cringe, it's not good. It's not going to be good. And then seeing you kind of get thrown under the bus, I would say. Yeah, that was wild. Implicated. Yeah. Yeah, there's no scenario where you're texting me to not come to work.

Well, and then it's like, even if you were somehow aware of that, you would still need to let your actual manager know. Yeah. Yeah. It was such a, it's such a strange situation. The way that she handled it, both kind of during and. after. Yeah. What is it like as?

She's very perfectionist. So I think for her not coming to work and sort of like taking some sort of, which I don't even to date understand this weird stance of like I'm just going to flex on this or something and then I'm going to taunt everyone by walking by. You know what I mean? I still don't understand that. Right. And then say it's a mental health day.

And say it's like a mental health day. And then to say you spoke to me, which you didn't by the way. And then end up showing up at a restaurant that me and Leah are having dinner at after. shift, which is what they didn't show because I was like, why are you, what do you? Like, are you this bold? You know what I mean? And I get it. And the only reason like we have her in this position because no call, no show is technically a write up and not like a fire. Only because she's been exemplary. It's not like she did something that affected safety or whatever it was. But it was like, are you okay? This is not the Emmy we know. Like what's, you know, what's going on?

Yeah, like the choice, the decision making is questionable, but then it's also just like in the, in the world of the friend group on this show, you're directly screwing over all of the other people and then seeming so like flippant about it in a way that like, you know, if you're if you're Chavon or you're, you know, Maddie, you're like, excuse me. Yeah. A no call no show in our world is letting down the team. Yes. And in their world, that's like you're letting down your friend. and then you're just like, like, literally like sticking your tongue out at them. You know, like, ha, ha, I'm not here. So it was a, it was, it was less of a dig towards a business and more of a dig towards

her friends. Yeah. You know what I mean? So I think it was like coming off of the weekend, her just being like, well, F you guys. Yeah. You know what I mean? Because she knows she's not for a no call, no show, unless you were due three times, she's not going to get fired for that.

So she knows she's not. So it was a total taunt. You're like, you're like, you know what I mean? You're like, you know what I mean? Yeah. And I think that kind of, it goes. back to what you were saying about how like the them working there is so integral to the show because the stuff that happens there

affects the friendships and affects the dynamics and I mean she and will are already in an interesting spot this season because lots of people have heard lots of things and right right right it's god it's tough I mean we're in the third season now and it feels like they have not yet had like a chill moment in their relationship trajectory yeah yeah it's been, I don't know. I just, I don't know. It's, it always, you think like this would be the year, but somehow either they, the world is out to get Will or Will has made a big mistake. I think that if Will had maybe just like faced the evening and been like, you know, I think he was mortified that anyone was talking about it and he's a really proud guy. I think he had he just addressed it and

been like, I shouldn't have said that. I'm embarrassed. I said a lot of things I didn't mean. Emmy knows. Like, she's forgiven me. How do you just address it head on? It wouldn't have been. Right. Because once you start the, like, I'm apologizing for this little corner of the rug.

And then it's like, no, but that part is still over there. Yeah, exactly. It's like you're never. It just drag on. You're not actually putting out the fire. You're sort of just like. It looks half ass. Yes.

Yeah. And when you're, especially when you're on TV. it's going to handle it all sir because it's all coming out you know what I mean so I think that that would have helped and then there's just more that happens you know what I mean and and like I said Charleston's like a small essentially like a big city small town yes so at the end of the day it's like people know everyone that go to the call like everyone's just it's like a big game of telephone in the whole city you see that on charm you see that on hospitality and I think that I think once will had like a bad month. And I think he just said some things maybe at Republic and other places and then it's just like. Yeah. Well, especially it's the mix of that Charleston like vibe like you say and then also that you have now been on a TV show for a few years. And I mean, this has happened on on housewives so many times or other shows where it's like people are aware of the platform. You have this. Oh, I remember married to medicine a couple seasons ago. There was like this cheating scandal. Yeah. And it was this whole thing of like, women out here are like looking for you. Yes. And maybe that sounds crazy and whatever.

But they are. Somebody is. On the streets. Like, you know, like people have like, you know, and I told them this when we first started the show. I was like, if you want to do the show, be prepared that if you, because I know all you like to, get blackout drunk somewhere and start saying some assonine shit, someone's got a cell phone and they're taping you. So like be ready for the exchange. You know what I mean? and you have a bad month, stay home.

You're stressed out, stay home. I mean, we've seen that on Southern Charmed. How many times did we get the video of Austin? Totally. Madison. Yeah, it makes for great TV. But it's just like you have to understand. There's people watching.

And at the end of the day, I think had he handled it just head on and had Emmy sort of not tried to make it nice and would have just said, I love y'all for worrying, but, you know, I was really hurt. It did really hurt my feelings. It was like we were, it's been a bad season. Like, you know, maybe less of trying to make it perfect and would have just admitted that like, hey, long distance was like a little jarring to us and we weren't connecting properly.

But like, we're better now. Would have been the better choice instead of just trying to wrap it up in a bow and be like, it's fine. Everything's fine. Everything's fine. Stop talking about it. Well, it's not here. Everything's fine.

You know, like, and it was like, everyone's like, oh, my God. While you're here, I have to ask Austin and Craig this season. It's been a little bit painful to watch. Like, it's been interesting, not like in a bad way, but just like, what? A little cringe. What's your take on all of their issues? Is it really that deep? Do you feel like they, I don't know.

No, I think it is that deep. Honestly, I think it's been like a lot of years of pent up stuff. And I think that Austin, so it's two different personalities. Craig is very up front, but also Craig is not the best at receiving criticism. Probably takes criticism like very, very personally and sort of like gets triggered, you know what I mean? But also likes things a certain way. He's like very type A. Like he has his control.

You know what I mean? and Austin never wants to hurt feelings and Austin gets in trouble because he never wants to hurt people's feelings so instead of just saying like hey I did meet up like even in his female relationships like essentially the it's that he

ends up looking like he's lying but it's really because he didn't want to hurt somebody's feelings or like he wanted to catch somebody while they're down like it's like he's not so it's two different personalities so you've got to think like Craig is probably saying things

Austin is not wanting to hurt his feelings and he's just like holding it, holding it, holding it. And I think this season you finally see, like, Austin start to snap at, I don't feel like you're treating me like a friend. You know what I mean? And the method to Craig's communication, like, we still have to figure that out. Like, you have to keep watching, and maybe in the reunion, we'll figure that out. But I think their friends are a little frustrated.

And I think Craig is struggling with what's my new normal of, I think this is new to him. I think he thinks being a businessman means looking a certain type of way or being a certain type of way. I think he's trying to figure out how to be Craig and have some investments. You know what I mean?

Yeah, I think like you're maybe in a unique position to think about that dynamic because you are a businesswoman. Yeah. And you have these businesses and one of, you know, on Southern hospitality, it literally revolves around. Correct. Yeah. I'm curious like how.

You can be imperfect and be business owner. Like you don't have to be a constant PR machine. You know what I mean? It's like we are imperfect. We do make mistakes. We're not always like on you know what I mean, but I think that Craig is navigating how to be that and also how to be a friend and also also not good at like, Craig's not good at like if someone's vulnerable with him. Like he kind of shuts down. Yeah. And Austin is like a pile of vulnerability sometimes. You know what I mean? Like I always say Austin's not malicious. It just doesn't like a lot of big feelings. Like, Yeah.

And doesn't really know how to, you know, gets a little unregulated, a little like, he's kind of more sensitive. So it's like two very vastly different personalities. Yeah. I'm interested how you kind of view your roles on these two shows. Because it's something that I feel like watching you, like, I never feel like you're really like hungry to be the center of attention on these shows. And I think sometimes people watching them, I see this online. People are like talking about who's fighting for screen time. or who has the biggest storyline.

Yeah. And I feel like that's like, like you're sort of approaching it from a different way. Totally. Yeah. I don't approach anything in life with thirst, by the way. So I'm very, you know, I'm very well hydrated. But I do approach everything with value.

Like I'm not fighting for a scene. I don't want to jump in and make, like, don't get me wrong. I can be activated. And I don't like, I am a bear like, don't poke, you know, like stay in your lane and all. I'll stay in mind. So don't get me wrong. I've had moments where I lose my shit.

I've been to therapy, but like that all goes out the window once I've gone red. You know what I mean? But yeah, I just really view my space as trying to be like, everyone sort of gets caught in the fray

and they're super emotional. And like, I have known these people per decade plus. So I know I watch, and I'm older. I'm a little older. So, you know, I think I don't want to say voice of reason

necessarily all the time, but I definitely think I can give a little more of a perspective. Yeah. I guess that's a good, like even when you... And everyone knows I'm fair. Like, I try to be fair anywhere. I'm not perfect by any means. But I try to be fair. And so I think in that perspective on the charm, I have a great time to genuine friends, but I think that I can give a perspective that isn't so invested. Because I'm home with my husband and my kid. Like, I'm not out every night. I'm not, you know,

but I definitely am out enough and see them enough to know that like, okay, guys. I think that's a good point that even when you first joined, Southern Charm, you weren't like a 22 year old who was, you know, trying to find a place in this group. It's like, you were already there. We were just seeing you now. So I think, yeah, it isn't like that thing of like, okay, what's my, how am I going to like secure the bag? Yes. There was no needing of securing the bag. There's no need of like give me. And I just like don't even operate from that perspective. And I kind of like to be like a quiet. Like I always say I move like lasagna. But then like when I'm there, you know I'm there. You know what I mean? So it's like there are moments where I'm like,

you know, cut your fucking crap, Craig. You know what I mean? Like it's like our fucking cut it out Austin. Like there are times where like they and they know in real life. I mean, if you were to see like the Southern Charm group thread like you guys could probably get an Emmy for that. Like I mean, the amount of like, and it's our personalities. Like, you know, they know like I'm a fuck around and find out. But also they know that like I am fair. And they also know that I do. really care about all of them. You know what I mean? They also know that I think if they were to pick up the phone

and call me for something, like I'm there. You know? So at the end of the day, but I don't jump when they want me to jump. Right. And I don't need to. You know what I mean? So it's like I already have what I have.

And I was, you know, speaking to Craig, I don't feel like I'm in a position where I think I'm very secure in what I've built and what I have. So I'm just in a position where I decide what's worth it to speak up on and what's not, but also, like, I have nothing to prove. And you guys have another, you have another new spot opening.

Correct, yeah, yeah. It's crazy. What is that, like five, four or five? That are on television. Okay. So there's more, but yes, that are on television. And yes, this will be the fifth one, two, on that block, one, three, four, five, yeah. Could you see my ADD working out to close my eyes?

That block of King Street is like Leva Lane. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it is. Yeah, I mean, I'm not trying to flex. But yeah, so this is going to be a daquery spot. Okay. And it's inspired by one of our employees that is he lost his leg to cancer when he was a young man. And he had like a very little chance of survival when he was diagnosed. But he is now like thriving, cancer free.

And he loves a daughery. So the place is called Zachary's dachries. And he got to make a wish. So we're just devoting several like some of the profits every day. year to several make a wish. Oh, that's so cool. Yeah. So it's just like, you know, at this point, it was like we wanted to just involve another aspect to it. Right. That it's not just like, oh, like another like, you know, plug and play. Yes, correct. Yeah. That's exciting. And then in the back, there's going to be a store with a woman that I'm partnering with who's a local artist

that I met years ago. And she had come to me. She'd painted a photo of Republic. And it was beautiful. And she, like, tagged me on Instagram, and I was like, what is? This is so nice. Then I met up with her and she's like, my husband's broken his back and insurance doesn't cover it. I'm just trying to, I haven't worked in years. Like, I'm just going to start doing art. Like, and I was like, oh, my God, we're going to blow this up. Like, you need to, so I had her do ones of all our spaces.

And if you look at my office, there's three paintings of all my spaces that she's done. So I'm partnering with her to do all the things, like greeting cards and paper. Like, you know, sweatshirts and just all the Charleston aesthetic. Like the candles. Yeah. I mean, that's so smart because it's like when you walk down that section of King Street. Like that's exactly what, I mean, people are in from out of town. Maybe they're Bravo fans. Maybe they're just there for the weekend.

Yes. And it's all Charleston aesthetic, like Rainbow Row and like cards and art and all that sort of stuff. So that'll be a little pop-up surprise in the back. Yeah. So, yeah, I think people know that you have a lot going on that is not just, appearing on on TV. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We do love it.

Yeah. As long as it's serving me, I will be on TV. But yeah, I'm not really, it's not my main gig. Yeah. And I know that I also like respect the people whose main gig it is. So I'm like, I'm just here to support you. Well, I think, you know. And I think watching Southern hospitality, like, you can really sense, like, this group is

having a great time even when they're not. And like, there's a lot of guests left in the tank with this group. And I think now that we're, you know, three seasons in, I feel like there's like, there's a solid, you know, momentum. Totally. And there's still a lot of onion to peel back. Oh, yeah. And there's a lot of gems in the building, you know?

Like there's just a lot of like, sometimes the showrunner's like, who's that girl that was on this? I was like, well, ask them because there's drama there too. There's a folder full of. Yeah, there's just like several in the waiting just, you know. It's innately that world. It's a good problem to have. They're all single.

They're young. They're kind of, you know. So I was just like, and when. cameras turn off, I'm like, y'all need to come back. Because, you know, there's a lot going on. So it's like, it's, you know, when cameras turn off, they're still working together. They're still going out together. There's still, there's a lot happening.

I'm like, I think you guys need cameras all year because this is, it doesn't stop. It could be like an actual soap opera that just literally. I mean, I think a lot of cast, like, they come together and then they like come apart. They go travel. Not these kids. They're like, we're in Tulum all together. I'm like, you guys are not sick of each other, you know? No. Or if they're fighting, it's like five of them are here and five of them are there.

Yeah. Yeah. You know. Well, congrats on hospitality. Thank you. Congrats on charm. Congrats on everything else. Thank you.

Keep up the good word. Thanks for having me. Thank you. Thanks everyone for listening. Don't forget to rate review and follow the show. Watch all of the Charleston shows Thursday nights on Bravo. And until next time, be cool. Don't be all like uncool.

Mentioned it all is produced by me, Dylan Hafer. And edited by Kate McCalleth. Social media by Dylan Hafer. Additional production help from Shannon, Menez-Sosone. Be sure to follow us at Bravo by Betches. Yamava Resort and Casino at San Manuel is California's number one entertainment destination for today's superstars. Catch the Jonas Brothers return to the Yamava Theater stage on April 30th, the powerful vocals of Demi Lovato on May 17th, and the signature Southern Country Rock of

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