Mention It All - No More Parking Lot Fights Ft. Sanya Richards-Ross (RHOA)

Episode Date: June 19, 2023

Real Housewife of Atlanta (and four-time Olympic gold medalist) Sanya Richards-Ross returns to the podcast to break down another season’s worth of drama in the ATL. She gets into the complex dynamics of her family, and how she prepared (or didn’t) for bringing it all on TV. Then, she lays out what really happened on the ill-fated trip to Birmingham, and why Kenya’s behavior was so frustrating. Later, she gives an update on her relationship with Drew, and explains why Kandi’s attitude on the season was surprising to her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever rearranged your furniture and discovered the carpet underneath looks brand new, while the rest of it looks, well, not so new? It's time for a carpet upgrade. At the Home Depot, we have stylish choices at simple prices from all the top brands. Best of all, we can install it for you, starting at only 49 cents per square foot. So all you have to do is pick your perfect floor. Start your carpet project today at the Home Depot. How doers get more done.

Exclusions apply for licenses, see Home Depot.com slash license numbers. 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'm Dylan Hafer And I am so excited to have In the studio today The one and only Sonia Richards Ross

Hey hey Dylan thanks for having me Thank you for being here Real Housewives of Atlanta Off to the Races That's right No pun intended. A little bit intended. I know who I'm talking to.

We are six-ish episodes into this season. A lot is going on. It's your second season. How are we feeling now versus a year ago about this whole experience? I don't know if much has changed. You know, I keep saying this. It's like I've done so many things in my life, but very few things prepare you for the real house size of Atlanta.

You know, it's, but what I will say has been very refreshing and fun for me is like really starting to build some really significant meaning relationships with the ladies. And so I feel like I really have skin in the game now. And I feel like I have a voice. And so I think that's the difference. And it matters to me. Like I, you know, my heart breaks a lot of times when I see the girls, you know, have these misunderstandings that I feel like could be solved so easily, but becomes like these big things,

you know, and really causes a huge ripple in our whole group. know, so I just think I'm way more connected to the girls now and just feel way more vested in it. I mean, the group really, it stayed pretty much the same from last season to this season. We added Courtney to the cast, which we'll talk about a little bit later. Yeah. But yeah, I feel like coming from being new last season to this year, sticking with the same group of ladies, it does allow you to kind of, you know, settle in and figure out who your real connections are with versus maybe who you knew a little more before you were on the show.

or who was kind of the first impression. Like now you kind of are like these are like your girls. Yeah, my people. Yeah, exactly. And I think it does take time. And I think that's the tricky part when you are new to the cast. And especially for the fans sometimes, they feel like, oh, like you're, you know, wishy-wash or whatever. It's like, no, I'm still really trying to figure out the girls and who, which relationships are really going to stand the test of time. And so as I'm doing that, sometimes it is a little bit tricky.

But yeah, after the first season, now being in the second season, I'm starting to see more which relationships. are really the ones worth fighting for and the girls that really have my back, you know? And we always see, I mean, this is a show. It's season 15 now. Yeah. And some of the people, you know, there are relationships that go back a decade plus at this point. Like we just saw a flashback to 2011.

Yes, with Marlowe and Candy. Yeah, that was crazy. When you're coming in as the new person in the group, it's not the best strategy to just pretend like you know everything. Exactly. Or you know everyone. Right. You know, it's really, it's, and it's really important to really get to know the people and to understand the dynamics of the group and where you really fit.

And I think especially when you're in a group that's so dynamic with women who are so opinionated and have, you know, such strong personalities that can be challenging. But I was up for the challenge. And like I said, I feel like, and as the season progresses, I feel more and more like, you know, situated in the group. And I, you know, I really start to figure out who my real friends are. and like what matters to me, you know, when we're all together. So I think as the season progresses, it even gets better. Mm-hmm. I loved seeing you host that premiere party this season.

First episode out of the gate. It was Ross's birthday. Yeah. It was, you know, to the nines, a big deal. Yeah. Was that something going into the season? I know you talked about it a little bit on the show. You were like, got to raise the bar.

Got to hit the level. Yeah, yeah. Well, here's the funny thing about that is that Shire's whole thing was, not a party. And it was so frustrating to people like, ah, that part is like, no, like, I literally invited the girls over and found out on social media that Shere's birthday was like the next day. And I was like, didn't anybody saying that? And ain't anybody doing anything. So let's at least acknowledge her birthday, you know. But that's how I throw a party, Dylan. That's how I get down from my loved ones. And so it was super nice to celebrate Ross for his 40th and give him the kind

of birthday that he deserves because he's just such a wonderful husband, wonderful father. And so, I mean, I didn't anticipate all the drama that was going to unfold at my birthday party. I keep, everybody keeps saying you're calling it your birthday party. My husband's birthday party. The birthday party that you planned. Exactly. But it delivered on every level. Look, Cherey can be, she can be as shady as she wants about absolutely anything.

But, you know, I get what you mean. Yes. You're talking about your husband and how he's a great partner. Your family is something that we see a lot of on the show. I personally think that's a really. fun flavor to have on the show with the multi-generations, living together, working together. Obviously, there's, you know, room for conflict there. How has it been with this season kind of the growing pains that you guys are going through

together bringing that onto the show? Yeah, you know, it's, it's been really tricky. And it's, I think, especially for the fans to understand, like, we have never done this before. Like, we didn't live together prior to this last year when you guys. saw it. That was our first year living together. And so, you know, we start off with these huge high hopes of like what it's going to be and then reality settles in when you have nine people in the same house and three different households who do things differently. And what makes it, I think, even more tricky is we work together. And where I think it kind of like, you know,

tips over is when I hire my brother-in-law to be my assistant. I don't know why I thought that would be a great idea. Twitter doesn't know either. They're like, girl. Girl, enough is enough. It's like, for some reason I'm the only person in that family that I just like thrive off of the mayhem and you know the more the more the messier the better for me but it becomes really trick with my sister who feels like it's so hard for us to the lines constantly get blurred right like when is he not working when is he just home with a family and when you're someone's assistant like it's all and especially like it's always something new always something going on I feel like I always need him to be doing something and so it doesn't so much affect my relationship or my brother-in-law but my sister who is his mouthpiece and who feels away and is going to say how she feels. I think that's kind of where it gets a little tricky for us. Yeah. And then we've seen in the last few weeks this conversation about when is it going to be

time for you guys to just be on your own. And obviously there's layers to that too because like you were saying, I thought it was such a good point. All of the the child care and the freedom to do, you know, you're busy. You're traveling for work. All of this stuff. Like it really is a whole like village of. of help and just getting rid of that without too much thought is going to create other problems.

Exactly. And I think we've moved away from that is a saying that has stood the test of time. It takes a village to raise a child. And so to have that in my home where my mom and my dad are there, my sister and my son, who's the only child who gets to be with his cousins, like there's so much benefit to that. But at the same time, I do understand my husband's perspective. It is different when it's your family, right? Like, you know, like that's my family. So to me, it's like nothing is really an issue. But for him, I can understand it. It's not that easy to live with your in-laws, especially when you're a man. Like, so, yeah, it's a lot on me this season trying to navigate that. Yeah. I think that's something really kind of unique and special about Atlanta, specifically.

We've seen over the years, so many of you with your parents, with your mothers, especially, you know, Candy's mom on the show, Portia's mom was on the show a lot. Drew's mom even has been in the picture. So, like, everybody's relationships are so different. And it's more about finding what is going to work for the people in your life versus like it's been too long why are they still here right no that's that's that's a great point and I think that um you know we're so blessed like I'm so blessed to have a mom who has been so supportive of me my entire life and you know even even she says on the last episode it's like she struggles sometimes too like at what point does she clip her wings to when when does she fly you know and and figures out her own life so it's it's tricky but

I think you're right. It's all about striking the perfect balance for you and for your family, not what works for everybody else, what works for you and for your family. Yeah. And also, I just think most people don't have that experience of being an elite athlete and that whole, it's so like all consuming. And then even figuring out like, where do I go from here? Right. Not just with what I do for work, but what I do with my family, you know, how everyone kind of, you know, makes those decisions together. Exactly. Yeah. There's just no blueprint for an Olympic champion, you know, like what do you do after you're the best in the world in a sport that you've dedicated your life to? And so, you know, I feel like I've been very blessed and very fortunate to go on to do some great

things post track and feel that I'm very passionate about and to still have my family right there beside me. It's a blessing. And I think, you know, one of those great things, Real Housewives of Atlanta is an institution. Yeah. You have, you know, like we said, it's your second season on the show now and, you know, people have a lot of strong opinions about the show, which is part of what makes it such a lasting thing. But going into this season, specifically your relationship with Drew, because last year that was something where it started off on one side and then it turned. And, you know, do you feel like that's a relationship that is mendable or that you're interested in working on?

Yeah. You know, a great question. I definitely think our relationship is mendable. You know, I think that we had a misunderstanding last season that just caused, our young budding friendship to kind of, you know, like you say, go to a different direction. But, you know, we, we men fences this season. And I feel like we have a lot of commonalities that we could potentially build something. But, you know, once again, now she's going through something very difficult again. Like, you know, I know navigating a divorce with three

kids is not easy. And so, you know, her priorities are going to be, you know, focusing on that. But obviously, you know, I definitely feel connected to all the women on this show for different reasons and it's my hope that we can all develop great relationships but you know it's only time will tell yeah drew just watching the show drew seems to me like a person who can put up kind of a a wall or like a performance a little bit but she is a really sensitive yeah person who like feels emotions and hurts through things and so i imagine with what she's going through right now that maybe it's easier to pull back the curtain a little bit yeah um 100% i think that um the drew that sometimes we see on the show, it seems performative, but the girl that you get behind the scene sometimes is very soft

and been very gracious and kind. And my heart goes out to her right now because no matter what, you know, going through a divorce, I can only imagine, you know, is really, really hard. So hopefully she can rebound from this and become even stronger. And especially her babies, you know, have a lot of love around them. And yeah, hopefully we can, you know, continue to develop a friendship. But, you know, we'll see. Okay.

A little too we continue there. So good, so good, so good. Everything you want for summer is at Nordstrom rack stores now and up to 60% off. Stock up and save on the brands you love like Vince, Sam Edelman, frame, and free people. Join the Nordi Club to unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first, and more. Plus, buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free. Great brands, great prices. That's why you rack.

Girl, winter is so last season. And now Springs got you looking at pictures of tank tops with hungry eyes. Your algorithm is feeding you cutoffs. You're thirsty for the sun on your shoulders. That perfect hang on the patio sundress. Those sandals you can wear all day and all night. And you've had enough of shopping from your couch. Done hoping it looks anything like the picture when you tear up on that envelope.

It's time for a little in-person spring treat. It's time for a trip to Ross. Work your magic. want to talk about this trip to Birmingham. Yes. Because watching that trip, I felt like I was in some kind of twilight zone. So did I. I could tell.

Because it was like, okay, we're here, but then we're getting kicked out of a party. And then we're just, you know, running around the hotel. And then the main event never happened with the football game. Obviously, Kenya, you know, had a health situation. and walk me through kind of the experience of that day. Well, so here's the funniest thing. I think that we got to point out, right? Kenya is the number one critic of your trip.

Like, this woman literally will nitpick everything down to the shoes, the food, everything. And then she takes us on this, like, adventure of like, nothing. Like, ma'am, like, what was this? You know what I mean? Like you said, I felt like I was in a Twilight Zone too. First of all, we had no idea what we were going to be doing. Right. So none of us even packed for the trip appropriately.

Right. You know? And then it's like we go to a dance class and then we go to this lunch and then we end up at this place. It was just a mess. Yeah. From someone who, I mean, should be bringing it at the highest level based on how she critiques everyone else. So it was just a big flop. But, you know, we still had a good time.

because we were together, but it was just insane. Well, it was, it was so funny to watch because obviously that first day was a little, it felt a little random. Very random. When you got to that event, I don't think it was what Kenya thought it was going to be. You know, she made money to go back up and change. And then there were people like in jeez. But then when we get back to the hotel and it's kind of the group sort of mutinies a little bit.

And, you know, Marlowe's banging on the door. Maybe Shire got in one or two knocks. depending on who you ask. Right. What was, was there a sense just that like we, we can't go to bed yet because we haven't done anything? Yeah, exactly.

It was literally like 9 o'clock. And it's like we all leave our families for this girl weekend. I don't know what kind of girl weekends Kenya usually has or plans, but it usually doesn't end at 9 o'clock at night. Like, you know what I mean? We were thinking we were going to have fun and keep being together. And so,

and then it also just felt like we kept not, we weren't sure what was going to happen next. And one of the things that Kenya always. says and she appreciates it like what's happening like you know what's the schedule what are we doing and so it just felt like unfair that she kept us in the dark for the whole trip especially because i literally had worked that next morning in atlanta right right you were about to do like a relay race back and forth to show up for her you know what i mean and mind you her two closest friends on the show can't you know candy and drew didn't even i mean drew was sick and then candy had to be out of town

There was a little air quotes there for this is an audio format. I'm like, so it's like how, how dare you not, you know, at least show us the respect of like telling us what's going on? Because all of us have so much going on and we make sacrifices to be with each other. And it just felt like she just completely disregarded, you know, that we were doing all that, especially for me who was going to be on the road for like five hours to come back. I was like, if we're just going to watch a football game, baby, I didn't been to the best. I haven't been to the Super Bowl, honey. So I might choose to stay home, you know what I mean? had I known, you know, not known what was really going on.

So, like, I can get into kind of any sporting event I really want to. Exactly. Exactly. Yeah, no, it was, it was a, it was a strange moment. And then, you know, the next day they're like eating Uber Eats in the lobby of the hotel. It was, it was a little bit of a like a, it felt like a want, want, want, want, a little bit. You can say it, Dylan. It was a want, wom, wom, wom.

Well, talking about candy and Drew kind of being Kenya's. closest friends this year on the other side of things we have Marlowe and Shire, who it seems like you are doing really well with. What about those two do you think kind of you connect with? Well, the thing is, and I just, I hate this for Marlowe because, and I guess some people you have to get to know intimately to like really know them. And I hate that sometimes Marlowe gets such a bad rap because she literally is one of the nicest people I've ever met. She's so thoughtful. And, you know, throughout this whole experience, she's been the one person that has always been there for me, checked in on me. When I was sick, I had COVID last season. She literally

sent me something every single day. So I mean, this huge teddy bear to cheer me up. And so I think we've just really connected on, you know, on the basis that I feel like our, you know, hearts have connected, like, you know, in a very human way. And so, you know, her and I are like real, real friends on and off camera. And I'm really excited about that friendship. And, you know, funny Candy and I were having a great, also, you know, we went on a family vacation together and bonded really well. you know, over that. But obviously when her and Marlowe get into this, you know, these two altercations that really impact their friendship, it then becomes really hard because everyone feels like you're

picking sides, you know? And so, you know, it becomes tricky. But my whole goal is the whole season is for us to like be one group. You know, I hate feeling divided. I hate feeling like it's three on three, you know? Yeah. It should feel like we all have different relationships, but it should feel like we all have a connection.

Yeah, I think watching any housewives show or really any ensemble show like this in general, it's like obviously we we love the drama. We love when there's conflict and stuff. But overall, it's best when everybody can be together. And then you have your like sort of like, okay, these two aren't really getting along, but everybody still is around each other. And it is tough when it feels like it's starting to break into the like team idea. Yeah, I hate that too. and Shire and I fight really hard for that not to happen. Yeah, I mean, I think Shiree is one of those people where she can be messy as hell,

but then also it seems like she can be a really great friend, a really great cheerleader, when the time is right. Yeah, for sure. Yeah, and that's the other reason her and I have connected to is because she's shown up for that for me as well. Like throughout the season, we just connect. We have a lot of fun together. we don't have any major fights or anything. It's just like I feel like as Shere is like, you know, what's that, what's that movie

called getting her groove back? You know, her and I just connect on a lot of things. So yeah, her and I have a great time. But I don't have any big issues with anybody, you know, this season. Like, you know, I get along with most of the girls. It's just I think that sometimes the group feels divided and I have to speak up for what I feel is right in that moment. Yeah, totally.

And I think the Marlow and Candy issues. feel like something where it's, it feels almost deeper than it needs to be. But then also we see there's so much history with the two of them. And what happened in the last episode at the beat the bomb place. It was like all of a sudden it was, you know, who's aggressive, who's pulling who. And it was, it just got to a level where it was like, damn, I didn't know it was like that. Yeah, exactly. I felt the same way.

I think obviously the basis of this issue. you know, starts with someone losing their life. So there is that gravity to it, right? Because Marlowe did lose her nephew, right? But I feel like the issue that Marlowe has with Candy is small. And if we were able to just focus on that one issue, which is she felt like during that time she could have been a more supportive friend, I don't think it needed to become so big.

But I feel like when Drew and when Kenya got involved and it felt more like Marlow was attaching this shooting to Candy's business. And obviously that, you know, that affected Candy. And she has a reason to be upset about that. I don't think that was ever Marlowe's intention. Right. I think sometimes when just like you're in a, you know, setting like this where things kind of like get built up. Yeah.

It's easy to kind of pile on like more meaning to something where it's, it could be a simple issue that's just like, let's talk about this. Let's get on the same page. But then it's like now we're screaming in a parking lot. Exactly. And instead of beating the bomb, we beat each other up. We did. At Betches, we did beat the bomb as like a company outing. You guys did?

Four years ago. And so when you were there, I was like, oh, like, I know what this is going to look like. I didn't even know if y'all were going to get to play at the end. I'm so happy we did because it was such a fun experience. I've been back like two or three times since because, you know, I'm very competitive. So it was like, oh, we got to beat this damn bomb. All new drinks are now at McDonald's with refreshers like the strawberry watermelon refresher. And the mango pineapple refresher with popping.

Boba to crafted sodas like the Sprite Berry Blast with berry flavors and cold foam. Who knew ice cold drinks could be so fire? Try them all now at McDonald's. Refreshers contain caffeine. Copyright 2026, the Coca-Cola Company. Sprite is a registered trademark of the Coca-Cola Company. Ready to soundtrack your summer? With Red Bull Summer All-Day Play, you choose a playlist that fits your summer vibe the best. Are you a festival fanatic?

A deep-end DJ. a road dog or a trail mixer. Just add a song to your chosen playlist and put your summer on track. Red Bull Summer All Day Play. Red Bull gives you wings. Visit redbull.com slash bright summer ahead to learn more. See you this summer.

So that was Courtney's first go around at hosting the group. How do we feel about Courtney's entrance into the group? Because it did feel to me like she came in pretty hot at the beginning of the season, which is, it's a choice. Right, exactly. Exactly. I was shocked when I first met Courtney and when I was, it was her, I and Sherey, obviously in that very opening kind of opening scene where she just like laid it all out there. And I was like, wow, like I actually admire and respect people who just, you know, say what it is and speak their mind and, you know, and don't really care about how people take it or feel about it, you know. So I thought Courtney was a great addition to the, to the show. show into the group. And Courtney and I actually got really close throughout the season, you know, because I just felt like she was like, I don't care.

Like it is what it is. Like I'm saying what I feel. And, you know, as the season goes on, you'll see it. There's, you know, more layers to it. But I thought that she came in hot, but I thought it was a good mix to the group. Yeah. Yeah. And then obviously, Moneira is on the show a little more this season.

Yeah. Have you guys been able to really get close at all? I know, obviously she's so tight with candy, which is, you know. Yeah. Myrera is such a sweet girl. Like, Marietta has mostly good relationships with everybody. And I feel like this show is sometimes tricky for her because she is so sweet, you know?

And obviously she is really loyal to candy. But, I mean, I, so Mietta has a small dog. And I have literally had her dog three or four times because my son is obsessed with having a dog. So we go over there and get the dog and keep him for a weekend. So Maya and I are super cool. Like, we talk all the time. And her husband, Heath and my husband are really close. So I have had a chance to really develop a friendship with her.

And I think she's awesome. You're like, this is the most dog we can have until we don't have nine people in the house. We can't have ten. Sorry, Ducey. I know you want one. Maybe pets later. Later. Exactly.

Look, I feel that you don't want to get into something you're not ready for. No, no, no. We travel way too much. And a dog is like another child and I'm not ready for that either. Well, so looking ahead this season, we. one thing that I think people are really excited for is we got a little glimpse of Cynthia Bailey coming onto the show. Did you know her at all much before? Not much. So I met her before. So I was connected with her during my first season and she was just the sweetest and just gave me

the best advice and has always been like, hey, you know, I'm here as a resource. And ironically, I actually saw her a couple weeks prior to when she actually joined the show and I was like, Cynthia, you should come back. I did this really funny reels with her. And she was like, I guess the reels worked, you know, because like a few weeks that she was filming with us. And she is such a joy to be around. Like when she comes on the show or when she comes on to like whatever, you know, we're doing, it always just, the energy just goes up with Cynthia. Yeah.

She is, she really is one of the most lovely just like. Yeah, she's wonderful. Great to have around. I think sometimes with with housewives, people gravitate toward whoever has kind of like the biggest personality kind of gets the loudest, you know. And with somebody like Cynthia, It's like she was on this show for a decade plus and she, that's not her style. And I think it's kind of, it's kind of fun. Yeah, I agree with you.

Yeah, I've always loved her. And I think that she was always authentic and true to who she was. And I think that resonates with people. Do you have any kind of goals of things you want to do on the show? Any, but any relationships you really want to, you know, work on? Like, where do you see your housewives trajectory? That's a good question. I don't know.

think I obviously enjoy being a part of the cast. And I think what makes this show really great is when the relationships are real and authentic and when the women are truly vested in becoming friends, right? And like, and playing a role in each other's lives. And I think that I want to be a part of that. Like, I want to be a part of genuinely getting to know the women who are open to, you know, becoming friends and growing together and becoming better. And so, you know, that's my goal. on the show and I hope to be on the show for a long time and I hope that people will you know continue to fall in love with the journey of seeing strong women with big personalities and big goals just continue to to be all of who they are and I think that's what makes the

real house as of Atlanta so special and why people are so you have always been so vested in it yeah based on uh based on social media doesn't seem like uh marlowe and candy are doing great as of right now Do you see that as a relationship that you could potentially help? I certainly hope so. I try throughout this season. And they still have good moments. The one thing I could say about both Marlow and Candida, I really admire, is that although they will get really heated and really passionate about, you know, whatever their POVs are,

they are level-headed and they do come back to a good place. You know, they always, I think, are able to be around each other and at least be cordial. And I love that about them. I think there's always hope for their friendship. You know, I think that there's a thin line between love and hate. So, you know, so I think that they can find love again. So, you know, we'll just see. I think we've seen all that happen in the last 12 years or whatever.

I feel like there can be more to the story there. Absolutely. Well, I hope there's more to the story with you too because I've really enjoyed watching you these last couple seasons. I appreciate that, Dylan. Thank you. Amazing. Well, thank you for joining me today.

Of course. Thanks for having me. And thank you everyone for listening. Don't forget to rate, review, and follow the show wherever you listen. You can follow us on Instagram at Bravo by Betches. And until next time, be cool. Don't be all like uncool. Mention It All is produced by Dylan Hafer, Sean Kilby, Jorge Morales Pico, and Rebecca Sousmaqat.

Editing by Horace Pico, Social Media by Dylan Hafer, guest booking by Dylan Hafer and Allie Friedlander. Be sure to follow at Bravo by Betches on Instagram and Twitter. All pay off your home, travel for life, drive a Ferrari. In celebration of the world premiere of the Monopoly Big Board Buckslot Machine by Aristocrat Gaming, Yamava Resort and Casino at San Manuel is giving one person a $1.6 million dream package. The biggest prize in Yamava's history. Club Serrano members can earn daily instant prizes and secure a spot in the finale May 29th. Don't pass go and own it all only at Yamava, celebrating its 40th anniversary.

You win? Details at Yamava.com must be 21-20. Please gamble responsibly. Monopoly is a trademark of Hasbro. Hasbro is not a sponsor of this promotion.