Mention It All - Social Climbing The Burj Khalifa Ft. Nina Ali
Episode Date: July 27, 2022Dylan is joined in studio by Nina Ali, who discusses her experience on the first season of The Real Housewives of Dubai. They chat about Nina’s years of wishing for a Dubai franchise, and her hesita...tion to join when it actually happened. They also get into her relationships in the cast, and whose personality changed when cameras and attention entered the equation. Finally, Nina discusses how she’s feeling about the upcoming reunion, and what surprised her about doing a reality show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Ha ha, laugh, funny,
Mention It All, a Bravo by Betches podcast.
We don't say that, but now we said it.
With Dylan Hafer.
We'll go and check me, Bill.
Hey, everyone.
Welcome back to the Mention at All podcast.
I'm Dylan Hafer, and today I am very thrilled to be joined in studio, straight from Dubai.
A real housewife of Dubai, Nina Ali.
Hi, how are you?
I am great.
I'm so excited to have you here.
When we hear Real Housewives of Dubai, that is somebody I'm not expecting to get in the studio.
And so I'm very glad you're here.
You've been in New York a couple times recently because you did watch what happens live a couple weeks ago.
How has it been this season just kind of the whole Bravo Housewives experience?
It's definitely been an experience, a very memorable one to say the least.
It was very exciting.
It was new.
Dubai has never had anything like that.
So to bring a franchise that I've known since it started.
back in what, 2006 with Orange County.
It's a franchise that it's like well known everywhere.
And to bring that to Dubai and to be on the cast was amazing.
It's amazing.
We had Caroline Stanbury on the podcast a couple months ago, like right before the season
premiered.
And she was talking about how this was really something new in Dubai.
And a lot of different people wanted to make a reality show and kind of capitalize on this,
you know, everybody knows Dubai is this glamorous place in the desert,
with all the tall buildings and the pretty people.
And what was it like you kind of getting involved with this?
And obviously you were familiar with housewives before.
But the idea of doing something like this in Dubai, how did that strike you?
Well, first of all, I have to say I manifested this.
When I got to Dubai in 2011, January, to be exact, I would always tell my husband,
Dubai needs a housewives.
Like, this city is alive.
It's like next level.
And the only thing missing is a housewife.
I actually wanted Bravo there too.
I used to write the network, believe it or not.
I'm like, can we get the Bravo network?
But yeah, so I feel like I manifested it.
It kind of fell into my lap.
It was meant to be.
And I'm so happy because I feel like,
okay, so we have all these amazing housewife franchise,
but they're all in the U.S.
And this one, you actually get to see a totally different country,
different cultures, and it's just, it's different.
I mean, you've seen it, completely different than what you know.
And I think it's really exciting and, you know, hats off to Bravo and everybody involved at the casting that you as a group of six women on this show are all come from different backgrounds.
There's, you know, different religions, you different countries represented, different languages.
Like, it is so unique.
And I don't know if most places you could really have that like you do in Dubai with everybody coming from somewhere else.
Yeah, it's a melting pot of people from all around the world.
And that's what I love about it.
And, you know, even when my kids, you know, they go to school.
If you look at their classroom, it's filled with like these adorable little kids that all have different backgrounds, different religions, different cultures.
And I love that they're exposed to that.
And I'm exposed to that myself, you know.
So it's nice.
It's nice.
Totally.
So when I talked to Caroline, one thing that she said that I was a little surprised by was she said that you were a little reluctant to do housewives at the beginning.
And she maybe had to talk you into it a little bit.
Would you say that's accurate?
It is accurate, yeah.
You know, it's even though I've always said I want to do it, I want to do it.
It was, you know, when it's actually there and someone says, hey, let's do it?
You're like, do I really want to do it?
Because here's the thing, you know, I mean, I lead a very, you know, social life in Dubai and everything.
But, you know, for instance, my husband's more private.
Plus, you know, my kids have to be a part of this is the housewife.
So they want to see your family.
So I was a bit hesitant in that aspect, yes.
What was the process?
Like, were you approached by someone from casting?
Was it a friend?
Yeah, yeah.
So I was recommended by a couple of people, one of them being on the show as well.
And so the casting director reached out to me.
And then we did this, you know, he spoke with me on the phone.
Then we did this lengthy, you know, interview process on Zoom.
Then it was just like a few calls here and there, lots of videos.
and then summertime came around and they're like, let's do this.
I said, okay, let's do it.
Are you regretting that decision at all these days?
I'm not.
I'm not.
You know, no matter what, all the good, the ups and downs doesn't matter.
You always get something out of it.
There's always something positive, whether it's growth, a learning lesson.
It was funny because when I was approached for the housewives,
I also had another reality show that I committed myself to.
So by the time housewives came back and Bravo was like, okay, we want you to do this.
I was like, but it was a quick decision.
Right.
Bravo, Netflix.
Okay.
Bravo.
I mean, you got to love Bravo.
You got to love Bravo.
And of course, like you said, it goes all the way back to 2006, Orange County, and there's all
of this history.
And you're going to be a BravoCon if I'm not mistaken this ball.
I'll see you there.
I can't wait either.
I mean, you're just joining this kind of legacy of all of these franchises that, you know, nobody else has that.
Yeah.
It's very exciting.
I love that.
And we're the first international franchise.
And I think saying like that, the first international franchise and talking about how unique Dubai is as a place, you're kind of taking this opportunity to introduce the world and people in America and wherever else are watching this show to where you call home and where you have made your fans.
family and all of this stuff. And like that has to be a really exciting opportunity. It is. It is. And I think
there's a lot of misconceptions about Dubai. And that's why I'm just like, oh my God, I can't wait for the
world to see this. You'll see how we actually live, how the society is here, how the people are here.
Because there's a lot of misconceptions, rightfully so. But, you know, the feedback that I've had so far from
people is like, wow, I can't wait to come to Dubai. Or wow, you guys are this. And it's like people are
seeing how we're living, you know, and I'm, I'm originally Lebanese, but I'm American. I grew up here.
I was, you know, we moved here when I was, what, four and a half years old. So I'm as an American
living abroad in this, like, amazing city, amazing country. And I get to share that with the world.
Yeah, it's really cool. And it's fun to see the difference between some of you guys, the expats on
show and Sarah, who's like from the Emirates originally. Like, it is cool to see all of you guys
kind of coexisting in that way.
Yeah, it is. That's why I was saying it's like a melting pot of people.
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I'm curious to hear about your friendship with Caroline Stanbury
because especially earlier in the season,
both of you mentioned a couple times that you weren't always
each other's cup of tea necessarily and you didn't always get along.
Was there, I'm curious about the trajectory of your relationship,
whether when you knew that you were going to be doing this show together,
Did that make you want to be friends with her more?
Or was it kind of, how did that happen?
No, no, not at all.
So first of all, I've known Stanberry for many years.
You know, we run in the same circle, the social circle.
I don't go out as much.
You know what I mean?
Like, I'm more of like a home body and I kind of stay my own bubble.
So I would, you know, we've even like we're in the same social circle.
We've had, you know, we have mutual friends.
So we're like at dinners together, all of that.
But we've never really given each other that chance to get.
We've even hosted, imagine.
We've hosted an event together for Harper's Bazaar once.
And it's like we sat across each other with our thing.
We gave our speeches, hosted the ladies,
went our own separate ways.
So I always felt she was standoffish,
but the funny thing is she felt the same about me.
So I wasn't very fond of her.
But here's the funny thing.
It's like before we started the show, she called me.
She's like, why don't we do something, come over for lunch?
I was like, okay.
So I went where she was staying at a resort at that time.
So we just met up, hung out, and the funny thing is, we were just getting along.
Like, I was very hesitant in the beginning, you know, because it takes time to know people.
You can't just meet somebody in the beginning.
But the funny thing is, the more I hung out with her, it just felt, I don't know, very natural.
And we just laughed.
It was easy to be friends with her.
I was like, who are you?
And why weren't you this person before?
And she goes, well, you were always this.
I was like, because I felt you were this way.
So she kept her distance because she thought I was like stuck up and this.
And I was like, but I felt the same about you.
And so Dubai to say she was staying at a resort at that time.
She was.
I'm like, yeah, right, right, okay.
She really was.
It was funny.
So I went there and then, you know, and then she gifted my daughter a turtle, which
for me was like, that was, she gifted her the first pet and, you know, turtles are good luck.
And to be honest with you, it's just sort of like, it's just easy to be her friend.
And we kind of just develop this friendship.
You know, it's not about time.
You know, it's about the, you know, it's not about the, you know, it's not about the,
quantity. It's not about the, yeah, the quantity. It's about the quality. Right. So it's just,
I don't know. And I like to be around people that just make it easy. You know, I don't like the drama and
I don't like this, you know, the competition. I don't, you know, I just like people that are just
chill and easy to, to be around. I think it's interesting. Sometimes when you meet someone or
make an acquaintance as an adult, it's like you're busy, you have kids, you have business, all this
stuff, you might even, even if you really like them, you might only see them, you know,
here and there at an event or at a, you know, a party, a charity, whatever.
Yeah.
But with housewives and filming a show like this, it's sort of a unique environment because
you're being brought together consistently.
Yes.
And repeated, you know, you're seeing the same group of women.
So maybe somebody that you never really thought to kind of explore that friendship with all
of a sudden, it's like, well, we're going to be together.
Yeah.
15 times in the next two months.
Exactly.
I would rather be good friends with at least a couple of these ladies than kind of just like
co-workers.
And if I wasn't, that was going to be fine.
That would have just played out in the show.
But it actually worked out to where we did get along.
So why is that so wrong?
Right.
We saw you in last week's episode.
Yeah.
Kind of find yourself in the middle of a sticky situation with Caroline Brooks and Sarah.
And I'm curious, it seems to me like,
Correct me if I'm wrong.
But from what we've met of you and seen you on the show, it seems like finding yourself
in the middle of other people's drama isn't where you like to be.
I don't.
But then I'm always trying to fix things, you know?
Like if you come to me and you're upset and then I'm like, oh, you know, it's just natural
for me.
Like, it's just nature for me.
Like, it's just, it's like part of my nature, you know, I just want to fix things and
I want to make everybody like kind of, you know, like I know Sarah.
I know Brooks.
And I'm like, Brooks, I understand your feelings are valid.
But I also know that was not Sarah's intention.
Let's fix this.
And, you know, when Brooks called me at 6 in the morning, she was very upset, very frantic, rightfully.
So nobody wants to be told what to do with their children.
So but she actually told me.
She's like, call her and find out why she did that.
So that's what I did.
So I was trying to fix the situation.
Yeah.
I don't think, I don't think, I think she conveniently left out the part that she wanted, that she wanted you to talk to Sarah.
about it because watching the show, it may be, I think some people could have said, oh, well,
that was messy of Nina to call Sarah.
And you were kind of, you know, playing telephone a little bit.
But in that, the way that you just said, it actually makes sense that you could be the
one to sort of start building the bridge to figuring out what went wrong.
Yeah, listen, I don't get in anybody's business.
If I don't have to, like, who wants to get in between that, right?
But, you know, as a friend, she reached, when you're calling someone at 6 o'clock and
the morning, it's serious. I mean, I'm over here sipping my coffee before my kids wake up and I'm like,
Brooks is calling. I was like, hello. And then I could hear it in her tone. And so, yeah, so I was just
helping her. And I wasn't in the right state of mind to begin with. I was going through very hard time
as well. But I was like, you know what? We're going to see each other tomorrow. Let me fix it.
You know, so that's what I did. She asked me to fix it. So I fixed it, but I think she forgot that she
told me or maybe she was just full of emotions. She was a bit intoxicated. Yeah. So I,
I think she forgot because I was like, you asked me to.
I mean, now she'll say it.
Yeah.
Oh, yeah, I did ask you to.
I was like, why are you coming after me?
Carolyn Brooks is a big fan of those early morning phone calls.
She is.
Yeah, it was like an hour and a half phone call, finished my coffee, my kids got.
I mean, it was just, but you know, I'm that person that I will be there.
I will let you talk.
I will let you vent, you know.
Right.
You know, I would want that too.
Sometimes we all need that extra, you know.
And I think it's important in a group like this.
to have people like you who are willing to kind of listen to both sides and, you know, try and be
rational about how to fix it.
She's like, you know, you're the only person I could think of that would understand and that could
help me.
And that's why she called me.
Like you said at that time on the show, you were really going through a lot.
We saw that your dad was in the hospital.
What was going through your head when you had that conversation with Caroline Brooks at the
engagement party?
Because I knew you were really hurt by what she said.
Yeah.
I was just, like, I just was thinking to myself, not today.
Like, I can't.
Like, I want to.
And I usually do, but I just needed that time where I just couldn't.
Like, that day was just not the day.
It took every ounce of energy in me to even show up.
You know what I mean?
Like, I had to do my makeup twice because I couldn't stop crying.
Like, I actually, after that whole situation with my father, I cried so much.
I developed like the worst eye infection.
So you'll see in a lot of the scenes I'm wearing glasses.
But that's because I developed a horrible eye infection.
But it was just she's there.
And to be honest with you,
half the stuff she was saying,
I wasn't processing.
I just couldn't process.
Like my mind was just like,
I'm like,
okay,
she's talking this.
She's the one that told me to call her.
She's yelling and screaming at me.
Why isn't she talking to Sarah?
Right.
And there's that kind of,
that thing in your brain,
It's like the fight or flight where it's like, I can't do this with you right now.
Like that's, not today.
If you need to yell at someone, that's, you can, you have, your feelings are your feelings.
But like, I can't be, I can't be that one.
Yeah, yeah.
And I was willing to sit and hear her out.
I knew she was hurt.
So I was like, yeah.
But the minute she started attacking me and raising her voice, I was like, oh, no, this I cannot do.
What do you think about this?
A few people in the cast have said it that Sarah has a little bit of an issue sometimes with
being preachy or giving advice that isn't.
welcome, but you seem to kind of understand her wavelength a little more.
I do. I do. I mean, look, I can see why they would say that. But at the same time, don't ask for
someone's opinion if you are going to take it the wrong way. Like when Sarah always comes from a
good place. She's not giving you advice just because she's sitting there and she has nothing else to do.
Like, hey, let me tell you what, you know, this and that. But like some of these girls would like ask her
for advice. They'd call her, you know, on the phone, you know, on camera, off camera, behind the scenes.
So it's like for her, she's going to give you the, if you come to her for help or advice,
she's going to give it, give that to you. So if you don't want to hear it, don't ask for it.
Maybe, I don't know if Caroline Brooks feels like she did ask for it, but I mean, everybody has a
different way. And you know, they're both valid. They're both valid. I understand, and that's the
thing. That's why I wanted to fix it because I could understand both sides. Like, Caroline was really
hurt. And I felt that. Like, I was like, okay. But I also know that Sarah's not coming from the place you
think she's coming. Right. I even feel that watching these shows sometimes, if I say I see both sides of
something, people are like, I don't like, you don't want to make anyone mad or, you know, pick a side.
But it's not about that. Sometimes I do see both sides. Like there are. Because you're an outsider,
so it's easy. Right. But when you're in it, you don't because you always think your side is the right
side, right? But when you're an outsider, you're kind of looking at both sides and you're like,
I could see why she's this way. And I understand your point, you know?
Totally. I think we also, you know, like Lisa really is not, not into what Sarah has to say
sometimes with the advice. And it's, it is tough. I think Sarah seems like the kind of person who
really feels like she has, you know, something to give in that situation. Because she's been through a lot.
Right. She's been through a lot. So, you know, she's done her.
therapy, she's been through things, she's been through so much that she feels like if she can
give you some advice that she wishes she had when she was going through the things, why not?
So she's just, I think with Sarah, she tries to share her experiences with people, you know?
Totally.
And not everybody's always going to be.
Not everybody wants to hear it.
So receptive.
Yeah, exactly.
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. So when you were on Watch What Happens Live a couple weeks ago, you were paired with
Caroline Brooks, and you guys seemed to have a nice, you know, relationship with each other.
Compared to what we saw that scene in the desert when you said you're done with her,
how did you kind of come back from that?
Because it seems like at least on some level, you're all right.
Yeah, yeah.
We're okay.
And I think, you know, when you watch the next few episodes, you'll see how we kind of, you know,
got back to that place of peace together.
But yeah, we worked it out.
You'll just have to.
Yeah, okay.
I noticed on that episode you were asked some shady questions.
I know.
And they asked me shady questions at all.
I'm like, I don't like to be shady.
But if I have to be shady, it's only when I'm throwing back the shade.
Right.
So you said that Chanel Ayan was the thirstiest in the group and that Lisa was the biggest potsterer.
I'm curious, I think those are pretty correct assessments from watching the show.
Okay.
That's good to see.
That's good to hear as an outsider.
Did you hear from either of them in response to those comments?
No.
No.
No.
I mean, look, Ion went on to watch what happens live.
Okay.
I thought we were good.
I thought she was my friend, you know?
And then I realized friends don't do that.
You know what I mean?
So I was like, really?
But then I saw as the season was going along, I was like, okay, so she's the type that calls me, laughs on the phone with me, tells me I love you.
but then she's dragging me in the confessionals and on live, you know, TV.
So I was like, you know what?
It is what it is, you know.
How did it hit you when you were watching the episode where they called, I think they called you boring and it's like a baked potato or something?
Yeah.
I think baked potato was on Andy's show.
There were a few things.
That's potatoes.
What's wrong with potatoes?
They're good.
I love a potato.
Kathy Hilton likes a potato with some caviar.
I mean.
What's so like how does that hit you when you're watching it on TV and well I mean that the thing is like at first I laughed I was like is she serious and this is coming from you know like I said like I think she's a beautiful woman but like you know if you want to compare like potatoes well you're like a dollar tree version of Iman like you know what I mean so it's just I don't know I like I on I really liked her but she was very disappointing she really disappointed me because
I stuck up for her a lot.
A lot.
So it hurt.
It hurt.
It's always interesting, especially on a first season show like this, to see kind of who
people are once the cameras are up.
And then in a different way, once the fans are watching the show, and there's the Twitter
game, and there's the, you know, the Watch What Happens Live and all of that stuff.
And there is an element of performance to it.
even that can be a good thing or a bad thing,
but, you know,
I imagine being in the group and being friends with these people,
that that can be sort of a tough thing to deal with.
That it's like, oh, now that we're,
now that people are following us on Instagram and watching the show,
the energy's a little different.
Yeah.
And yeah, and, you know, I question why?
Why would someone do that?
Is it for the attention?
Is it for, like what?
Like, I need it to make sense to me.
Why?
You know?
Mm-hmm.
Because you're all, I mean, you're all on the same show.
You're all.
Yeah, I've been consistent with everybody.
Now things have changed because I've seen things.
You know what I mean?
I've seen things and I've watched things.
And now I'm like, really?
And then, you know, you see things in the press that they say.
And I'm like, you're calling me a what and I'm a what?
And it's like, you know exactly who I am.
Dubai knows who I am.
Maybe the U.S. doesn't.
But like, it doesn't make you look good when you're talking about someone.
and all of Dubai knows who you're talking about.
And it's like, if anybody's this way, it's you.
You know what I mean?
Like, we know who she is?
You know what I mean?
So it's like, it is, I mean, what have I been called a flip-flopper, a skyscraper, a social climber.
Social climber, I always say is my favorite because I'm like, I'm sorry.
Like, I don't social climb anyone.
I've already been in the social scene for so many years, longer than any of them.
You know, okay, Ayan was modeling back in the days.
but like, you know, for me, you know, what is a social climber?
Because you have to drag me out of my house to go anywhere.
You know what I mean?
Like, I'd rather be my PJs at home.
Like, you have to drag me.
And, like, my social circle is not the social circle you see on social media.
Like, I hang out with a type of different type of people that don't, are not even on social media.
Do you know what I mean?
Like, that's a different type of circle.
So I think they're trying to say that I'm friends with Stanberry because I'm social.
climbing, but I'm like, how am I social climbing?
I've been in Dubai longer than her.
Right.
It's like it doesn't, I'm trying to see where they're getting their information.
Right.
Like, I guess.
Unless they're just deflecting off themselves.
Well, I mean, you could say Stanbury has been on Bravo before she's done the reality TV
thing.
So maybe she has some kind of fan base outside of, but.
Okay.
But I've known her for how many years?
I would have tried.
If I really cared for that and I'm sorry, but you know how many celebrities I meet in Dubai?
Okay.
I've been doing social media since what, my son, after he started, I stopped nursing him.
So I've been doing social media.
I don't know for how many years now.
You know, like the type of celebrities I get put with.
And besides my circle, when you know who my social circle is, people are social climbing on me.
You know?
Even Michael, our good friend, Michael, he's in the show.
You saw Michael?
Yeah.
Caroline's best friend.
Yeah.
Yeah.
He laughed when he saw that, you know, like the whole social climber thing.
He's like, if anything, we're social climbing on you like he's being funny.
But I was like, you know, but people will put things out there just to make you look a certain way to everybody else.
And that's fine.
You just laugh it off.
Have you noticed anyone in Dubai kind of now that you're on the show?
You know, is there anybody that's kind of trying to angle in there for like, oh, I want to be on season two?
Or like, if I get closer to somebody that's on the show, maybe I'll kind of be in that orbit.
Like, have you experienced that at all?
I mean, not personally because I have a lot.
lot of friends and I recommended a lot of my friends, but again, a lot of my friends are not in the
whole, you know, they don't, you know, they're just, they don't do stories and social, like,
they don't, they're like, no, it's not for us. So for me personally, I haven't experienced it,
but I've seen other people try to get in with friends or, or you'll see them at a social
event or when we're recording or anything they want to be in, but I mean, it's housewives.
Come on now. Well, I know, we're, we're a cool franchise.
I know Fajra Park said she might buy a house in Atlanta.
What do you think about maybe a little more Fadra season two?
You know, I haven't met her.
I didn't get to meet her.
But Brooks told me when she comes back, she'll arrange.
I would love to meet her.
She seems so fun.
Yeah.
She's a firecracker.
And I love firecracker people.
I love people that are firecrackers that don't try to be firecrackers.
Like you can tell when you're watching her, you could just tell that's her real personality.
And I love that, you know.
Right.
There is that...
I don't know anything about her history, though.
I know I've heard mixed reviews about her,
but I'm like, from what I see, I was like, I like, I could jive with her.
Yeah, it is interesting.
Sometimes you can kind of sense when somebody has that sort of like it factor naturally
and when it's like they've decided that this is the character a little bit.
Exactly.
Yeah.
Well, so you are...
You're very smart.
Yeah.
Thank you.
You're smart as well.
You've been watching Housewives.
I have watched probably too much Housewives.
I'm going to catch up.
You know, I haven't watched Housewives in about, I would say, maybe seven years now, almost.
I know.
So I don't know nothing about the new franchises besides what I see like on Instagram, you know, about I think there's Salt Lake, there's Potomac.
Potomac's great.
I heard.
But what I said is now that we're done with the season, I'm literally going to spend the next month or two and I'm going to binge watch everything I haven't watched.
You got to.
And then Lisa Vandra Pump left.
Yeah.
I didn't know that, you know?
Well, now I do, but like I didn't.
No, you missed a lot.
I missed a lot.
I missed a lot.
So there's a lot.
I'm going to binge watch and like I'm going to be ready in a few months for all of them.
Yeah, you're going to go to BravoCon and you're going to.
Yeah, I'm going to be like, I know your story.
I know your story.
I know.
I binge watch.
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Well, so now that you have, you're, you know, getting through your first season,
I'm curious if they're, how has the experience compared to your expectations?
Have you been surprised by anything or, you know, any downsides?
You know, as far as like show-wise,
I feel like it was definitely an experience, something I've never done before.
I think there was a lot of growth in it as well.
I was able to do something that I've always said I'm going to do one day.
And to know that that actually happened, kind of is like one of those things like,
oh, cool, you know, I'm part of like this franchise that I've always loved.
Like, I don't care what anybody says.
Like, to me, housewives is housewives.
Like, don't knock it.
You know what I mean?
Like, it's what?
And here's the funny thing.
The people that knock it are the ones that are watching it.
So grab your popcorn and sit down.
But it was definitely a lot of growth in there.
The only disappointing thing I would say is probably realizing that certain people were not who I thought they were.
Yeah.
That would probably be the only, I mean, look, it was sometimes a lot of work.
It was a lot of this.
But I took it all as positive, you know, like I had a good time.
I was tired a lot.
cried sometimes, you know. And for me, it was unfortunate that my father's situation took up
a lot of that because, I mean, he was in the hospital for a whole month. And then, you know,
it was the after effect. And so like, even when I was in the scenes in the moment, half of me was
not. And I could see that. Now that I watched the show back, I could see those moments where I was
like, if I could just have made it a different month or something like that, I would have been,
I feel like I would have been more myself or you would see more of,
who Nina really is.
But at the same time, I feel like I was kind of crippled with that, you know, trauma that
I was going through with him because it was a constant.
Absolutely.
And there's no way to, you know, you can't turn that off.
I could.
I couldn't.
Yeah.
I tried.
Trust me.
If there was a way to do it, I tried.
But I showed up.
I showed up and I did my best.
Speaking of showing up, you have a reunion that you're going to be showing up to.
How are you feeling about reunion?
That's a whole, obviously that's an iconic thing to sit down with Andy and all of that.
And it's your first time.
What's the mindset?
going in. Yeah. You know, I'm actually ready for it. I'm ready for it. I am a bit anxious,
a bit nervous, but I'm ready for it because I just have so many questions. You know, like I
have so many things I want to say, but I also have so many questions of like, why would you
say this? Why would you tell me this and go behind my back and say that? Like, what did I do to you
that you feel the need to just dry? Like that for me is like, I'm ready for that.
I want to clear the air.
Yeah.
And one thing that you have taken a different path than some of your castmates is you have not been all over Twitter this season.
Yes.
We've had some interesting moments on Real Housewives of Dubai, Twitter.
There's been a lot of back and forth, even some with Lisa Rina was happening.
Yes.
Just a lot of, a lot of kind of noise that has been happening on Twitter.
And you really have stayed out of that.
And do you feel like because of, do you feel like that has kind of,
given you more to talk about at the reunion because you haven't been
hashing it out every week online. I mean, trust me, it's so easy to want to hash it out in
the moment because, you know, you're, you're upset. You've got all these emotions and you just
want to like say your side because, you know, I did, I'm on Twitter again, but like literally
just to check. I don't even tweet. I hardly, I think the last thing I tweeted was with Andy because
it was like he looks so cute with his little smile. And I love me some Andy. I love Andy. I love my
husband more, but I do love Andy. But so for me, it was, it's just, I kind of took a break from that,
because I was new to the Twitter world. Like, I didn't even know I had an account since 2008, I think,
but like, I never used it. Right. But then you see, I started using it when we started housewives,
because people told me, like, oh, you should tweet, blah, blah, blah. But then when I realized my own
castmate, you know, I'm trying to, you know, justify something from the scene. And then my castmate is
dragging me and then being mean and hostile. I was like, oh, you know what? I'm not playing in this
dirty. The Twitter back and forth, you're never going to get closure. You're never going to, nobody's
ever going to say, oh, you're right. Sorry, I made a mistake. The reunion, I feel like is more of that
arena where this is the whole reason we're here. Yeah. There's going to be, maybe you're not going to
leave, you know, the best of friends, but at the very least, we're all going to sit down and talk about it.
Yeah. Maybe in a civilized way. As we say, inshallah.
From your mouth to God's ears.
Yeah.
Well, we'll see.
I mean, I'm excited to see it.
I'm excited to see the rest of the season.
And I'm so excited that you were able to join me in the studio today.
I know.
I love the studio.
This is cute.
You're giving me ideas from my office.
Okay.
I even like this.
Yeah, we got the little, the little betches sign on the wall.
Right.
You might see that in the back of my office.
Is that trademark?
I'm just kidding.
Kidding.
You can write, what is that?
Lipstick mommy.
You can have it on the wall behind you.
Lipsick Mommy, bitches.
I love that.
Well, Nina, thank you so much.
It's been a pleasure.
Thank you for having me.
Thank you for having me.
Of course.
And thank you so much 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
Sous McCat.
Editing by Jorge Morales Picoe.
Social media by Dylan Hafer.
Guest booking by Dylan Hafer and Ali Friedlander.
Be sure to follow at Bravo by Betches on Instagram and Twitter.
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