Mention It All - Reinventing The 'Friend' Role For A New Bravo Era & Reliving Iconic RHOA Moments Ft. Cynthia Bailey

Episode Date: June 23, 2026

On this Tuesday episode, Dylan sits down with Cynthia Bailey to talk about RHOA’s standout Season 17, what it’s really like redefining the “friend of” role, and why Atlanta feels fun again. Cynthia shares her thoughts on K. Michelle’s unique entrance into the group, the chaos of the Dallas trip, and why the Scotland cast trip takes the drama to another level. She also reflects on some of the most iconic moments in RHOA history, from Phaedra Parks’ unforgettable baby due date confusion to her own evolution alongside Porsha and Phaedra over the years. Plus, Cynthia opens up about life beyond a peach, her podcast with Crystal Kung Minkoff, and why she’s loving this chapter of her Bravo journey.Go to the BravoByBetches YouTube page to watch full length episodes every Tuesday & Friday: Youtube.com/@BravoByBetches Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Mention It All Island Time is brought to you by Shake Shack. This summer, a new arrival is turning heads at the shack and already creating a stir. Meet the Dubai chocolate pistachio shake featuring a crackable dark chocolate shell with real pistachio frozen custard and toasted Cotiphee shredded felo. It is rich, textured, and just unexpected enough to stand out. One sip in and you'll understand why everyone is talking. Chris and I, we're in the studio with our Dubai chocolate pistachio shakes and... Mm-hmm.

That's hitting. It's the perfect mix of nutty and chocolatey. It's delicious. Shake shock is always bringing the best flavors to life. It's the perfect shakeup, you could say. So some connections don't last forever. Try the Shake shack to buy chocolate pistachio shake before it disappears. Order on the app online or at your nearest shake shack before they're gone.

Hey, everyone. Welcome back to the Mention at All podcast. Atlanta has been so great so far this season. So I am thrilled to have an icon, a legend, and a wonderful friend in the studio today. Cynthia Bailey. Hi. Hello. Hello, honey.

It has been what, like 16, 17 years since you first started filming for Atlanta? Yeah, I came on season three. Uh-huh. So you guys do the math. I know it's over a decade, honey. Over a decade. Yes. How does it feel to you?

Obviously, you took some time away from the show. You've been back for a couple seasons now in this capacity as a friend, which I think is suiting you. wonderfully. Thank you. What is it like for you just approaching the show now after having so much experience under your belt? It's amazing. It's amazing because I'm like in such a different space right now and the fact that this is an option for me. I mean, I kind of manifested this whole friend contract thing. You know what I mean? I threw it out there years ago with Nini. and I'm literally in a friend contract right now with network. And I love it.

I love it because I still have so many other things that I'm doing and working on my podcast and acting is a huge priority for me still. And I still get to come and check on the girls and hang out with the new ladies. And I feel like just in terms of like what I can offer this group of ladies is my wisdom, honey, at all, just good advice, anything they're going through, I've pretty much been there done that. And I feel like especially this season, it feels like there is a, there's a lot of new blood

in the group from last season and this season. You know, Kelly, Angela, Pinky, Kay Michelle, Shamia in this, you know, elevated role. It feels like you are sort of uniquely positioned to help them navigate some of those things. I try. I try, honey. It ain't easy. I can tell you that. I think that for, you know, hearing from a lot of people watching the show, and I feel this too, like watching you kind of help them figure out how to put those situations into place.

Like it really feels, it adds like a great dimension to the show of it's not just six women fighting. It's like, okay, we've got some experience. We've got some newness. We've got some old wounds, some new wounds. Oh, yeah. There's a lot of layers to it. It is a lot of layers. And what I love, or first of all, I think Atlanta's back.

Let me just say that. I love this cast. Season 17 is super spicy. I think we check all the boxes for a great season. And so far the fans are really happy. And I love being a part of that. I will say as a friend of the show, I really wanted to come in and give, you know, the old housewives, their space, the new girls do a space. Like, I never really want to be like, you know, get out of the way.

know I'm a friend, but like let me up in the mix. I'm really very mindful and respectful of that space. However, however, I do feel like, you know, when it's necessary for me to like, you know, insert myself, I do, but I really try to sit back and wash them work it out. And then when I feel like it's not working out, then I'll come in and try to really, you know, be the voice of reason. And I've, that's, that has served me well for so long, you know, for. You know, I mean, I think one of the beautiful things about Housewives being this ensemble show is that even if two people have sort of a one-on-one issue with each other, there's always going to be that group dynamic of who's on kind of which side of it. Who's in the middle? Who's trying to, who's trying to make it better?

Who's maybe trying to make it worse? Like, you have all those, all those different layers. And I think this season, it really feels like it's not just like there's one or maybe two kind of. central storylines. Right. It really feels like, okay, everybody has their own things, their personal stuff, their friendship stuff, maybe there's a marriage, maybe there's a house, a business, whatever. Like, it's such a, it's like a rich, you know, tapestry this season.

Yeah, well, you know what? The chemistry's there. Yes. I think this cast has a lot of great chemistry, although, you know, some of the ladies are not on the same page. Like, when we have a good time, when we come together, it's really fun to watch in a way that doesn't feel super force. Like, everybody brings something different.

Even the girls that, you know, got on my nerves in Dallas. Shout out to my people. You know what I'm saying? But, like, when you watch the show, had I not put them in the pool house, had Pinky not decided to come up and advocate for them, you guys never would have gotten that glorious read

between Angela and Pinky. So everyone serves their purpose. purpose on the show. And I think too, like, obviously we have some, some divisions that feel really deep and hard right now. But you also have at the beginning of the season, Fadra and Angela were at each other's throats about who, you know, hacked the cameras at the Hawks game. Yes.

And now it's like nine, like, we're able to move past some things. And, you know, Drew and Porsche being when, when Porsche was like, what party did you ever crash? And Drew's like your birthday last year. Nashville. Yeah. I love that we've been able. to kind of rebuild some of the dynamic. So it's not just everybody at each other's throat. Right, right. It's like big blowups and a lot of like many fights going on. And, you know,

I think at the end of the day, you know, this is a sisterhood. You know, it's great when we all get along. But clearly we're never all going to always be on the same page. Like I didn't really anticipate even for my Dallas trip that I would have some back and forth with, you know, Shamin Kelly and Pinky. But it's just how it is. And a friend circle. It just is what it's. is and I love that we're not like you know going back to all the different little moments and fights and like smaller ones and bigger ones I love that we're moving things alone like even though it's like a moment here it's like we're kind of putting out the fires a little quicker and I some we may need to call a couple different fire

departments to put out because that some of that stuff is going to actually take us to Scotland which is our international trip and then at that point I couldn't even do anything I was I was like, oh, hell broke loose there. So you guys have, you know, you guys, we're only like, what, episode eight, nine at this point. We got a long ways to go still. I think the Dallas trip was, I mean, I wish it would have gone a little smoother for you. Thank you. I wish it had gone a lot, a lot smoother for me.

Maybe we could have had the commissario gala outside. That would have been nice. Yeah, that would have been. That was the plan. But from an audience perspective, it was such an engaging trip. watch. Thank you. Even within that, there were, you know, drama, whatever, but each episode almost felt like

its own little specific vibe where it was the first episode, we had the Pinky and Angela and the room situation. The second episode when you guys split up in the two groups and then you had some tequila. Yes. Like that was such a, that was a fun episode because it felt like there were a lot of conversations happening. The next episode we got into more of the K. Michelle, who's plotting.

Yeah, the plotting the scheme. But it was like, okay, even within that trip that was had a lot going on, it's like each, there was a different flavor almost every week in a way that I think is really exciting. Yeah, and I think that that is definitely the secret sauce for season 17 to, you know, really kind of show those moments because really like in a real friendship circle, no moment is too big or too small. And I feel like you guys are like not only watching. the show, you're getting like stuff you don't expect to see. Like, you know what I mean? There's like a lot

of stuff that isn't like, like who knew the whole oyster thing was going to be a moment? Like I literally was just minding my business and order the oysters that I normally order when I go to dinner. And then that ended up turning into like a whole thing. And I was like, wait, what is happening? So, anyway, Dallas just checked every box for a successful trip. Despite the stress and tension that, you know, was in my shoulders the whole time. I'm curious with, With that kind of the oyster thing, I think is a good, how do you feel about the way that Kaye Michelle has approached this entry into the world of Housewives? Because obviously the viewers have a certain experience with her,

whether you've watched all her shows or not. But like Housewives, I think, is its own beast. It is. And obviously, anybody who joins the show has to figure out how to navigate that. Absolutely. There's reality TV and then there's the Real Housewives of Atlanta. And Kay has experience, obviously, with reality TV, but a completely different format from housewives. And I think I can appreciate the way that she came in in the beginning.

I felt like she kind of sat back and kind of took it all in. I don't think she really jumped into anything too fast. And then, you know, you got to like kind of get the lay of the land. You know what I'm saying? And it's very easy to think you can watch the show and study the show. and study the show and then come on the show. It's just very different when you're actually on the show. So I think she's finding her footing.

I think that she really changes the dynamic of the cast in a way where like, I mean, I was like genuinely confused most of the time about what was happening. I think you'd tell. What happened with the oyster? Wait, what? There's a plot in the scheme. Like, what the hell is going on?

You and Angela, I think, are giving great facial expression. Because like it's real, it's authentic. Yes. And I feel like with a reality show, like, it's okay to not understand Kay's process. It's okay not to understand Kay's process. That's her process. Like I came in the way I came in. Portia came in the way she came in.

So I'm okay with the way she's coming in. I just really hope by the time we get to the reunion that it's clear what was what, what was the plot scheme and who said it and all the things. because that's what the reunions for. But it's like, you know, it's a crazy train ride, but I think, you know, Kay is very entertaining. Mm-hmm. I feel like this season has potential

to have a great reunion just because there's been so many different things happening. Yeah, we've got a lot to sort out. Atlanta also just, I mean, the reunion moments y'all have produced over the years are just legendary. Thank you. I see so, I mean, I'm sure you know this,

but Atlanta is, just there's kind of nothing like it when it comes to the impact of culture and reality TV and all of those moments, all of those lines and scenes and fights and all of that. Are there any like favorite things or things that make you laugh if you see it on your feet or if you're, if somebody sends it to you that stick out from all those years that you are on the show? Oh my God. It's so many.

Right. It's just so much. It's so many from, we've had like so many great reunions. It's hard to pick one. I know like just like going back to this season, one of the things that just made me laugh out loud, which was not even a moment that I was even thinking that would be a moment was when we were in Dallas. And I was in a sprinter with Kelly, Shemia, and Pinky and Drew. And I took them to a restaurant after we watched the cattle herding.

which was not as exciting as I thought it was going to be. Like they literally just walked a block and it was like, okay, and that's it. So we drove like 50 minutes, almost an hour to get there. It was like really bitch. Okay. So in any case, and then we went to the restaurant. And, you know, Pinky was, yeah, I just want to get past the room so Pinky's like, you know, there's no vegan food here.

And I'm like, girl, we are in Texas. Like, you know there's some sides on the menu. So she's like going back and forth with her stuff. And I literally order a pig in front of her with extra sauce. And I'm like, because at that point I was like, I can't, like, what I'm not going to do is like trying to figure out a big potato and a salad for you. Like it's on here somewhere. Look, dig deep, girl. Right.

So you're the queen vegan. So then I saw, oh, my point was then I saw a meme of me like from that sea with her and the. menu and I'm literally like eating like a rack of ribs. And the caption was, if I send you this picture, just know that I'm not here for the bullshit. Or I just don't give a damn or whatever it was. Well, one of the, one of the moments that I always see that you were, that you were a part of is the Fadre do date.

Oh, yes. That was on, that was on my balcony. I think that might have been, that was season three because Fadra and I came on together. Uh-huh. And that was like my first all game. That was my first all cast, and I had like a little townhouse where we had a townhouse. And I had like the tinyest, like that little terrace is probably like not even size of the studio. And I literally had room just to put the table out there.

And everyone really had to like wedge themselves in there. And I never, because I didn't even like season three. I was like, all right, well, this is how big I got. We weren't at Lake Bailey. Which out Lake Bailey had, did not exist at that time. And who would think that that would be such an iconic. scene where everyone's going back and forth. She's like, child, I don't know, but this baby got to come out of here soon.

And we're like, well, how many months are you? And she was, I don't know. Like, I don't know how many months you are. And he's like, how ghetto is this? Over here having, being pregnant, don't even know how many months you are. Like, it just ended up being. Actually, that was one of my funniest scenes. And it was like one of my first scenes, like a bit for a big all cast at my house.

I hear Sherey Whitfield saying, July? In my brain. She was like, the math ain't match, a bitch. You and Fadra had some moments. We did. Early in the season. I mean, there was the reunion. I think it was season seven where it was like, you were telling her to win a case.

Oh, yeah. She was coming for the Bailey Agency School of Fashion. And she was saying that I do pageants at Walmart. And, you know, I would and probably did do a pageant at Walmart. However, you know, she was like throwing shade at me. So, of course, I just was like, I just kept thinking about the case with Shabray. and Bob Whitfield represented himself. And he won.

So that's why I was like, well, went a case, honey. And there was another moment that I, you said she looked like a black Tammy Fay Baker. I forgot about that. So many, so many moments. You and Fadra have come a long way.

We have, we've had a full circle moment. We did not, we came on together, but obviously we did not connect that season. And it's so interesting because now she's like one of the castmates that I'm the closest to the season.

Yeah. Sure. It's cool to see over such a long period of time the way that specifically now you and Fadra and Portia have evolved and, you know, left and come back and really been able to help shape a new era of this franchise. Like it's, it's, I don't think there are very many instances in this, you know, business where you're able to really like have that impact over a long period of time like that. It's cool to see you guys together. Yeah, you know, good, bad and ugly. We have a lot of history together, which is like I always have as someone that came on season three, I have a huge respect for the OGs, which is why. In Dallas, I made sure I would never put an O.G. In a bad room, like, we just have just, we just deserve better, like, no matter what.

And I love, like, you know, Portia's, like, you know, pretty much came back as the anchor for Atlanta. And, you know, with any good anchor, you know, you need some people to help you keep that thing anchored. You know what I'm saying? So I feel like, you know, Fadra, you know, you guys, we have so many memories from Fadra, so it's great to have our back and then, you know, me to come in. And even though I'm a friend of the show, I'm pretty involved. Yes. I'm around a lot. I've actually, you know, I was just doing Andy's show, Watch What Happens Live.

And we were talking about how, I mean, I don't think I single-handedly elevated the friend role, but I think I've definitely helped redefine it just in terms of what it looks like. Yeah. For sure. Oh, I think it's, I think it's the kind of thing where it can. can be, it's an opportunity to be more or less involved. Maybe you have less of a schedule. Maybe you can. I have a choice.

I get to pick and choose a little bit more. And like this season, you're sharing your relationship on the show, which I think people are happy to see you happy and excited. But it's not, it doesn't, it's not the weight of I have to have my story. And it feels like you are approaching it in a, you have like a lightness about the, about the way you approach it. Oh, thank you. Thank you. Well, you know, I have to say, you know, shout out to my cast, the entire cast, the season 17. You know, the peach holders, I am the only friend on the show. Yes. And they have been so gracious just in terms of just showing me the same respect. I think over the years and the past years, a lot of people kind of looked at the friend role like less than, you know, you know, a peach holder or a housewife. And like almost like, you know, it just never like, like even almost like a demotion like, okay, well, you're on the show, but you're not a housewife. And I think that's changing. They do, you know, I literally do everything with them. The only time I'm not with them is when I'm busy for the most part, but for the most part, they always try to include me and everything.

You know, I got my invite to Gerald's party, honey. You know what I'm saying? Like even when everybody don't make the list, these cheekbones, they'll make the list. Now, how many hours before the party did you receive your invite? It was like the day before. It was a very short notice, but as you can see, I pulled it right on together. I love, I love the idea. of like I have 24 hours and the theme is dress African. I was like not a theme. And we have like five hours to figure it out. That is very, it feels very Shamiya coded.

She's going to tell you to show up with something on. Listen, I was like, okay, you know, let me figure it out. But with that said, you know, I feel like, you know, for the other housewives, some of the other OGs who are not on the show, like I think it's great to have created a space where. you know, they feel comfortable coming back as a housewife or a friend. Like, you're still, you know, just a part of the season and a way that you still get to use the platform. And, you know, people are fans. You know, for me, although I'm doing so many other things, these housewife fans do not play. Like, they love seeing me back in whatever capacity that I want to be back. Yeah. And I think you, I mean, you have so many relationships across the

whole Bravo universe. I do. Yes. I love, I love, I. always love seeing you and Crystal. Oh yeah. That's my girl. You have the podcast. Yes. Humblebrick. I like the way it feels like both of you are, obviously you have that genuine friendship, but also you have that curiosity of like, how does it work on your, who gets, who gets paid? Like what's the, when are you filming? When are they putting on? You know, like it, it's fun to have that kind of almost comparison of the experiences you two have had. It is. Our Humble Brack fans, they love when we talk about behind the scene stuff. And, you know, Beverly Hills is so different from Atlanta.

So there's a lot of things that we do. And I've actually shot on Beverly Hills with Sutton. So I got a taste of what that's like. And it's different. Like even Girl's Trip is different. You know, being with different housewives from different franchises. I did the first one. Yeah.

And Turks and Caicos. And Atlanta is definitely a different place. But getting back to the Crystal and Hummelbray of it all, it's really fun to kind of compare notes and, you know, even like certain traumas. that she had. We get to like work through all of that together because Housewise is like, it does a lot of fun, but you know, I'm sure all of us can benefit from a good therapist

after because it's a little heavy sometimes. I know. But it feels like it feels like in this era, you're making it work for you. I am. I am. I actually with everything that I have going on, I love doing the podcast because it kind of is my therapy in a way because we just get on there and talk and it's kind of like a safe space and you know we just recently had Camille on and we always started off with every

guest oh we had a great episode with Nini Leaks on that was like our highest one yeah and I literally say hey this is safe space anything you don't want to talk about we don't have talk about and this is not like we don't try to get you or whatever like I that's for the show stuff this is our our time to just really have conversations and it's crazy because whenever I always lead with that like then they just get the gasoline and burn down the house and just Pour their hearts out and tell us everything. I'm like, oh, my God, we didn't even ask for all of this. So, you know, kudos to us that we make them feel comfortable enough to just really open up to us.

Yeah, no, I think that's so real. And I think, you know, with everything going on this season, I feel like maybe that's the energy we can have at the reunion. Well, I hope so. I really hope so. I mean, I'm going to be just, you know, bringing myself. For me, the reunion is all about closure and just, you know, it's always great to have a nice reset and go into the next. next season feeling like, you know, you put out a couple of fires. You know what I mean? I kind of don't like when it's like a to be continued because that's what the reunion is for is to really

just have the conversation and just try to get, you know, at least put a pen in it and be like, okay, we're cool. We may have to have another conversation, but we're like 95% good. Right. We might still have some, some coals on the fire. Yeah, I might be feeling some kind of way, but I'm, I can still, I can have a margarita with you there, for sure. I can definitely have a drink with you. Well, after doing, I don't know, 11 or 12 of these reunions, I think maybe you can help some of the girls. Well, I'm going to try. I mean, we still got to get to Scotland.

So I did have another little bump in the road in Scotland. So, I mean, here's the thing. I have to, in order to help them, I got to stop getting into it with them as well. Like, they got to stop coming from me. I'm like, I'm trying to be a friend. I want to be a friend to all of them. So don't come for the friend. Come for the housewife.

It's like, look, over there. Exactly. The target should, I should not be the target. So, you know, but it's all good. It's all good. It's one big dysfunctional crazy, you know, family at the end of day. And I'm having a great time. And we love it.

Thank you. Well, thank you so much for being here. You're so welcome. Thank you for having me. Congrats on Season 17. Yes, Atlanta is back. Can't wait to see the rest of it. And thanks everyone for watching.

Don't forget to rate, review, subscribe. And until next time, be cool. Don't be all like uncool. Thanks again to Shake Shack for sponsoring this episode. The Dubai Chocolate Pistatio Shake is really. rich and satisfying and is simply made for savoring. Just don't wait too long because it's only here for a limited time. Order on the app or at your nearest shake shack back before they're gone.

Betches