Mention It All - The Charleston Mess Factory Ft. Leva Bonaparte

Episode Date: January 29, 2024

Leva Bonaparte, fresh off of one chaotic Bravo season and in the midst of another, returns to the podcast to debrief on all the Charleston mess. She shares her perspective on why Southern Hospitality is really clicking in its second season, and what it means to see rising ratings on both of her shows. She discusses navigating her tricky role as a boss on and off the show, and why she’s happy to receive fewer midnight texts. Later, she chats through some of the biggest dramas on this season of Hospitality, and how she feels about securing a reunion for this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Welcome back to the Mention at All podcast. I'm Dylan Hafer, and I am so excited to get to catch up today with the star of two shows on Bravo that have had very exciting seasons recently, Southern Charm and, of course, now, Southern Hospitality. Please welcome Leva Bonaparte. Hey, Leva. Hi. Thanks for having me. Yeah, of course. I'm so glad to have you here today because I'll be honest, I was behind on Southern

Hospitality this season. So when this got put on the calendar, when this got put on the calendar, I was like, okay, now I have a deadline. I'm going to catch up. And it is quite the ride this season. Yeah. It's messy. It's so messy.

And I mean, like, I really was thinking, oh, the kids did a year. They're going to hold back now. And I was like, oh, my God. It's so interesting. Because season one to season two, it really feels like things have sort of clicked into place with the group. I feel like I know everyone a little bit better, which I think just, you know, it feels a little bit more relaxed, but not relaxed in a different way. Right, right. What was it like with this group?

Obviously, Southern Charm is a whole different animal, but with this group kind of seeing them shift from that first season, nobody had done this before to season two, what was the energy shift like? I mean, it's definitely like they came to play. You know what I mean? I think first season they were like, how does this work? And I think that, you know, I prepped them. I was like, listen, there's no secrets in this game. Like you have to be transparent. You know, you don't, you know, don't do it if you want to not be completely open.

You know what I mean? I discouraged any people who are like, well, we don't really want to talk about this. I was like, well, don't do reality TV because it just kind of doesn't work that way. But also like this year, I was a little less involved. in terms of the drama, they start to, I think because of the show, we have to keep like a little, that one little wall,

whereas like first season I would get like 7,000 texts about all the teeth. You know what I mean? Like, love up, we don't know what to do or we're worried about so and so, you know, like kind of mom, those midnight texts I don't necessarily want to get. And now I still get some, but not as many.

But last year, you guys honestly, too, because we only had the eight episodes, they had to cut a lot. So there was so much, last year and there's still so much more this year. It's just our our episodes are short because we're in your show. Tell NBC to give us more episodes because there's so much that I'm like, oh my God, how is that? How did that not make it? And I think they have to be really, really shrewd in their editing. I do feel like, yeah, with this season, you have a few more episodes than you did

last year. And it's, it does feel like there's kind of this like arc happening that is really compelling and some of the stuff from from episode one feels like it's developed a lot over the last seven weeks or so. And it is interesting what you say about being maybe a little less involved in the drama this year. And I feel that sometimes like some of the episodes, it's like, oh, like, I wish we saw more Lava, but then I think it really works well when you do come in and kind of assert your position in the group. Because on this show, you're an executive producer. It's obviously different than your role on Southern Charm. What is it like you're getting less of those midnight texts?

Do you still kind of know everything that's going on in the group or other moments when you watch like when you watch the edit? Are you like, oh my God, I can't believe they did that. Yeah. So there's a lot of that come, you know, actually the last few episodes, I was like, oh my God. Like what that happened? Oh my. Yeah.

So there's a ton of that for me because I really know as it. People think that when you are having executive producer, that means like you're on the editing you know you have say and you're like editing things and you don't you really don't it's it's just a credit to like you know for me i guess it would have been a credit because like this is i hired these people it's not like they were cast a show wasn't created this was just an existing group of people that were living their lives for years and like they came and decided to film it and it's sort of it's my world right yeah i don't i don't see the edit i don't see what's going on i have no idea. I kind of see it like you guys do. But of course, I'm privy to what's happened in the building,

what's come to my office, you know, the arguments I've had, the people I've fired, let's say. You know what I mean? So I'm aware of those things, but I'm not aware of like the after hours or sort of the stuff that goes on on the trips or things that weren't reported to me. You know what I mean? So yeah, there was a lot of jaws, you know, on the floor for me this year where I was like, what? And then the fact that they kept it from me this whole time. It's interesting too because this season, so Lucia and Mia are not working at Republic anymore. And then McKell also is not really around quite as much. So it's not everyone on the show is directly your employee this year, which I imagine feels a little bit different because they're kind of like, okay, like you're an adult.

Go make good choices, I guess. I mean, really that it's just, it's real life, right? And sometimes, you know, and I remember when I had to let Lucy go and they were just like, well, what? You know, and I'm like, this is not a casted show. This is real life. You know what I mean? And if you are breaking a rule that other people have been fired for and the person you broke the rule with has also been fired, then like there's nothing I can do. So this is where like, you know, the viewer is like, but, you know, but I'm like, this is, you want reality.

This is reality. You know what I mean? I did not anticipate to walk into the kitchen. in that night and fire me by any means. But, you know, she's looking at the camera like, is this real? You know, and I'm like, yeah, this is, you don't get a pass because there's a camera on. You know what I mean? It's my real business. It's my blood, sweat and tears. It's my money. It's, it's my livelihood. You guys are going to do the job or you're not. This is real. I don't, I'm not Meryl Street. Like, I can't do the, you know, and I have to, I don't have

the bandwidth to consider, you know, oh, okay, we're doing a show too. You guys want to come and film what we're doing here? Great. This is what we're doing here. And that happens in life. You know, with McHale, like, he was struggling in that environment. It wasn't healthy for him. And he was working a lot less. And it took a step away. And that happens. And that's okay. You know what I mean? If it was truly like, I actually like take pride in that it's very real. You know what I mean? There's nothing casted or we're going to just pretend to keep these people here, you know? how we move forward and how that looks is a new normal, right? So yeah, I think when you talk about kind of how it's real life, it's like a two-way street where it's like you can't stay working at Republic if that isn't a good situation.

But also, if you are real friends with the rest of the people on the show and you have those real relationships, we're still going to see that. And I think that's, you know, on this trip to Miami right now, it's like we're still seeing a friend group, whether or not they're all employed at your establishment. Right. And I think it'll be real. Like next year, you know, there's also other people that work for me that might, you know, you might get a little bit of them and maybe somebody comes back or maybe they don't or maybe somebody else steps in. Like that's real life. It's a moving, evolving space. So however that looks, I guess it's for producers to figure out. Totally. Good sleep is everything. That's why Ali's science back support is made with a blend of melatonin and L-Dienine for both kiddos and grown-ups. So when you're you, you know, you know, you're just to get us. So when you're just sleep is everything. So when you're just, your mind won't switch off, you've got something that can help. Erasing thoughts and restless nights won't stand a chance. Find Ollie Sleep Solutions for the whole family at ollie.com. That's OLLLY.com.

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We're in Season 2 of Southern Hospitality. And last week there was some reports that I thought was pretty exciting that Southern Charm this season had its best ratings in four years up over 20% from last year. Southern hospitality so far this season also posting some big gains from season one. What does it feel like to have both of these projects that you're involved with so heavily kind of finding these new audiences and really thriving? I think, I mean, it feels good. I feel like, you know, we came in, like I came in on COVID. And, you know, that year was tricky and there was a lot of political stuff going on. Again, I'm not one to sort of, I say what I say, I said what I said.

I don't know really how to filter myself necessarily, which might make me great or great TV or terrible TV. So at the end of the day, I feel like it took a second for us to like fit in and for people to get the new, the new normal of like, you know, charm, charm sort of had, I guess a little bit of a reboot, you know what I mean? It was like a new group of friends and they had to see the kids. chemistry building and like, you know, really believe it. Sometimes people don't, viewers don't believe what's there. They're like, oh, this person was got, no, I've been friends with these

people for a decade. You what I mean? And, and they had to see that chemistry. And I think we just like glued this year. And then hospitality, I think people were like sleeping on it, you know, they were like, oh, it's, it's going to be Vanderpump. It's not Van der Pump. Van der Pump is amazing on its own. It's got its own magic. But this is a whole other beast, you know? It's got its own magic as well. You know what I mean? I don't think either one has to replace the other or is in competition with the other. They're just two different, really interesting shows. And I love how shows, the big thing is, like, they move and change.

And not everybody loves change, but I think once you sort of like settle into it, then you're like, oh, shit, I'm loving this shit. You know what I mean? So I'm proud of that. It feels validating, you know? Yeah. I think with, if you're somebody who's watching a lot of Bravo shows, it is just a lot to keep up with.

And so I think the fact that your show, hospitality is back for a second season and has kind of not just like hung around, but is like increasing in audience and increasing in conversation about it. Like that that speaks to the fact that there's something, it's not just like another random show being put in front of you. It's like, okay, there's actually something worth watching. And I think that's, you know, it takes work, but also it is kind of that like lightning in a bottle magic thing that you were talking about

where like sometimes it just happens. And it's like at the end of the day, I think with hospitality, it was like, they've really worked here for so many years and they really still work here. And it's not like they're together for this like two months to film. They're really seeing each other all the time. And so much happens when the cameras are off. And so when the cameras come back, it's like they just want to like throw up all this stuff because the cameras have missed so much. You know what I mean? So at the end of the day, I think there's a magic in that.

And then there's a magic in the fact that naturally there's people moving within that group. And it's almost like this voyeuristic. And on Bravo, they're so young, you know, you forget like the stuff he used to do in your early 20s, right? So much of the Bravo shows are a little bit older. Or, you know, they might, they might like be people in their 30s or early 40s, but they're acting like they're in their 20s. But these are really kids in their 20s, you know? So I always. giggle because I'm like, what probably was your favorite?

Like, my mom watches. I'm like, oh, Lord. Like, stop saying my mom watches, you know. But I think that that's cool because I even giggle. And I'll get mad and then I'll be like, just relax that. You know, I even forget. So I think that that's also a magic about it too is that it's a really young show. And they haven't been around long enough to filter themselves.

They got nothing to lose, you know. Yeah. this season, I am fascinated by the arrival of O'Sheen on this season of Southern Hospitality. And I am, he is such an enigma in a way, but also he says exactly, you know, whatever he wants to say. What is your kind of take on him? I mean, obviously he works for you in, in a sense at the bar, but like kind of just as a force in the group, because I think he's really been sort of a disruptor in that way. Yeah, I think it's great.

I think they needed something, like a person to walk in and sort of disrupt the energy. I actually, when he walked in the building, I liked his energy in the building. Cameras aside, he just had this like really happy attitude. He's really eager. You need that in work spaces, right? You need somebody to like come up and like make everyone step up for game, which I loved about him. I also was just like, bro. Like he was like, hey, babe.

He like, call me babe. I'm like, I am not your babe. I am your employer. You need to like take a step. back when you're talking to me. Like he just has kind of no boundaries, which was the only thing that I was just like, you know, my, but Leah was just like, I don't hug, you know. He was like, hey, babe, he's trying to kiss.

I'm, sir. Yeah. So he's a little loosey-goosey, I will say. And, you know, we're really rousy at Republic. But his energy was great because it shifted everyone. The guys needed it a little bit. He lightens everyone up, I will say. I can't help but just.

laugh, he can make me feel slightly uncomfortable. And I think I just, that makes me my guard come down. You might be the one person that I, I just, I can't help it because I'm just like, you, you don't stop. Like you are. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You can tell it's like people in the group are maybe like a little bit, you know, staying on their toes or on him. But it's, it's an interesting dynamic to come into the group. Yeah. He definitely brought, walked in with it and it translated to camera. So there are so many connections in this group and also between the two shows you're on. And one that I really caught me off guard when I realized it was that. So Taylor's new boyfriend Gaston is TJ's roommate who also was the one on Southern Hospitality who

kissed Sally before he hung out with Joe Bradley. Correct. Do you, so like, are all those puzzle pieces in your head, like, are you thinking about that? Or is it just like, oh, yeah, that's some guy. No, I mean, it was funny because when we were at BravoCon, people were, you know, asking stuff about the shows. I was like, you have no idea how much of these shows, like, it just, you know, it just all crosses over in such a weird, creepy way.

I'm so glad I'm not single in the city. But yeah, it's just like everything is like a degree away. But yeah, Gaston's always in the space. He's really wonderful. He's really good looking guy. You know, I've seen different girls that he's dated. But yeah, I'm glad that the bloggers put two and two together. I was giggling because I saw like all these memes are like,

who is Gaston? And all this like funny stuff. And I was like, and the fact that his name is like, you know, the last time I knew of Gaston was really when I watched like Beauty and the Bee. So, you know. Do we, I feel like this Gaston is like a little bit better vibes than Beauty and the Beast. Yeah, totally better vibes than Beauty and the Beast. Definitely handsome like the Beauty and the Beast Gaston, but better vibes.

He seems like a really nice guy, but I mean, he's might have had a little bit of a player past, let's say, you know? Yeah. So good, so good, so good. Everything you want for summer is at Nordstrom rack stores now and up to 60% all. Stock up and save on the brands you love like Vince, Sam Edelman, frame, and free people. Join the Nordy 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.

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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. As a manager, watching Joe Bradley get into a situation like that with Sally on the season, knowing that you've spoken to him about not getting a number of, involved with co-workers, with people he's managing. Like, why can't these people just, just tell themselves no?

Just cut it out. My friend, it's hard to be hot and single and Charleston. I don't know what it is. I always say that. Like, I tell them, and don't get me wrong, it's not a hard rule. I mean, will an Emmy date and stuff. But it gets tricky to move up in the business when you get messy. You know what I mean?

Like, you know, he wants more. He wants more. And I'm like, you can't get messy like that if you want more because I need to know that you can be around all these hot chicks and not date all of them or date three of them. You know what I mean? So, you know, I think that that's a little bit of the magic of the show too because at the end of the day, it's just like it breeds these good looking sort of, you know, tons. Most of the people that are working in the bars and restaurants. Not a ton of them are like coupled up, you know. So yeah, you see a lot of that. And I can give them all the advice that I can give them.

But I just as long as they're not banging in my office, like, I'm just like, all right, hallelujah. The bar is on the floor. Lock the doors. No one is banging on my beautiful couch and my desk. Get out of here. That office setup is really nice. I do like that.

The other sort of like manager side question that has really been pinging for me during the season is the dynamic between Maddie and Emmy. Obviously, we've seen Emmy. sort of really wanting to take a step up and really showing that initiative to sort of fill in as a manager. And you've been really encouraging of her. And I think Maddie has not necessarily been really supportive of that. What is what is it like for you to sort of navigate those personalities and sort of approach it from a personal level of knowing these people, but also from just as a boss? I mean, at the end of the day, I want all of them to strive for what they want. You know,

they may get what they want. They may not get what they want. But like I've always told Maddie, no one can take a job that you're doing well. You know what I mean? No one can take something that you're taking good care of, so to speak. You know what I mean? And I told her, I said, the more you have, the more people want to take from you. I was like, people are going to want your house, your car, your purse, your husband,

you're what I mean? So you just, as long as you're taking care of it, no one can take it. and she should be focusing more on that. You know what I mean? Doing a good job. But also Maddie wants to do other things. So I think they don't always understand how they want their cake and to eat it too. You know what I mean?

That doesn't work either. Like if you want to be able to DJ and you want me to be able to give you nights off, then we need to have a replacement and you can't feel super triggered and insecure about it. So they don't always think about, you know, they're young. They're just thinking about what they want and what they want to keep and they don't want to share. and stuff like that. So that's sort of where I'm at. And also it's important for people to know, like, someone's always gunning for your job. So just do it well. Yeah. You mentioned that you think the sort of competitive spirit is like a healthy thing to have. Especially it seems like, I mean,

I don't have the experience in the nightlife industry that you do, obviously, but it is the kind of thing where you're trying to sell these tables. You're trying to fill the space every night. And like, it seems like a no-brainer that you would want people who really are going to do 110%. yeah, I want people to show up. I want them to have energy. I want them to be innovative, you know what I mean? And also like,

who the hell wants to work somewhere where it's like, I don't want to be here? Like, we need the energy. Like, you know, if you don't like the job, go do something else. Like, because it's also not good for you.

You should be somewhere you want to be, you know, you want to mix the night go faster, you know? So I think that that's important to me too. And I think it's healthy and it like inspires people to, you know, like wake up.

So, yeah, I've always been a big proponent, healthy competition. Now, sabotaging I'm not okay with, you know? Like, I don't like it when people sort of go after people or try to set them up. That is not cool, in my opinion. But just working really hard and just being transparent, like, I would love to have your job. I don't think there's any problem with that. Totally.

I was really happy to have confirmation recently that you guys are getting a reunion for this season of Southern hospitality, something we didn't have for season one. And we talked a little bit before we started recording about how it's sort of like a nice vote of confidence, I guess, in the series that everybody wants to see a reunion. How do you approach it? Obviously, it's much different, I would think, than a Southern Charm reunion just in terms of what sort of topics are going to come your way. But how do you feel going into sort of the tail end of this season? I mean, I guess I just feel the way I do in going into any sort of like, it doesn't, it won't feel like a reunion as much for me because I think it's, I won't be involved in a lot of it.

But any of the other stuff, I'm sure that they're just going to want explanations like they do in any work meeting. And some of it's like none your business or others of it is like, you have no idea. If you would like me to take the time to explain to you how this business works, then I can. You know what I mean? So, you know, we'll sit in meetings and I'll be like, listen, guys. you need to do this and you need to do that. Well, why? Well, I don't really need to tell you why. You want to go ahead and do your job. You can go read up about why or, you know, we can take a meeting later and I can explain the why to all of you if that's what you need in order to do your job.

So I feel like it'll be a little bit like a staff meeting a little bit where I'm just going to be like, oh, totally. Okay, last thing before we go, I've been asking everyone and I think it's super interesting to hear what people have said. How do you feel like being on reality TV over the course of both of these shows, all of these years, how do you feel like it's changed you as a person? I don't think it's like changed my personality. I think it's made me a little, I think it definitely being on TV,

there's two types of personalities. I think some get like sort of bigger and bolder and I think some get a little more anxious. Like I sort of went the opposite where I was like scrutinizing myself more, a little more anxious, a little more wanting for, I used to be such a social butterfly. and I feel like now I need a lot of like downtime, you know,

and what people don't talk about with filming is like it can feel very draining sometimes. You know what I mean? Because you're not opening up to just your bestie at drinks, you know, you're you're needing to be open all the time in terms of charm. You know, you have to say the hard things, which isn't always fun. And you have to sort of like be the tough friends, say all the things. You can't really protect people, whereas like in real life you do and that can be really draining. And then in real life, like, I'm very vaulted, you know, like I protect people. I ride for

them. I'm very, um, private, uh, unless I'm with like my circle of trust. And then in this scenario, it's like you have to pretend all of bravo sphere is your circle of trust. So you have to kind of move in that way, which can be, um, you need some downtime. I have needed downtime for that. So I think that that's what's changed. Some of my friends are like, are you on downtime? And I'm like, yeah, I love you. But I need like a little weekend. you know, at home. So I don't think it's, I think it's definitely made me look inside of it and made me maybe a bit quieter. And I'm, I'm kind of a loud mouth. So I think that that's a little weird, you know. Yeah, that's so interesting. It's like I just stared my shit out for a million

people literally. Like I'm going to take a step back for a second. Yeah, I'm going to need a minute. Like, I'm going to hide in the closet for a little bit and collect myself. And like, you know, I think that reality TV is different now than it used to be a decade ago because of social media because, you know, there's so many opinions. So you could go on a show and, and do your job. But like now you have all these opinions about what you said and how you said it, how you could have said it better. And so if you're an introspective person, I can be a bit of a mind fuck because you're like, yeah, I could have said that. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Maybe I should have, you know, so it doesn't, it's not, you know, some people might look at it like,

oh, it's so amazing. You know, and yeah, there's some fun and you get to dress up sometimes and stuff like that, but there's a lot of, it can be tough sometimes mentally. And like I said, if you're a person who doubts themselves or overthinks or is very introspective, you might need more downtime than you did before filming. Totally. That's definitely changed my person because I was the go-out girl, you know, like, where are we going? What are we doing? When are we hanging? And now my friends are like, are you going to come? I'm like, yeah, next week. Next week. Well, Leva, thank you so much. Congrats on both shows. Such an exciting time. And thanks for chatting with me. Thanks for having me. Hopefully we'll chat again soon. Thanks so much, Leva. 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 hey, watch Southern Hospitality Thursday nights on Bravo. But 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 Sousmacat. 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. Pay off your home, travel for life, drive a Ferrari.

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