Mention It All - The Name On Everybody’s Lips… Ft. Ariana Madix

Episode Date: December 11, 2023

2023 has been a whirlwind year for Ariana Madix, and on today’s episode, she stops by the Betches studio to recap it all with Dylan. They discuss the creation process of her new cocktail book, and why it felt like the only way she knew how to share her story. Dylan also gets details on Dancing With the Stars and Ariana’s upcoming Broadway debut, along with how she’s feeling about the impending 11th season of Vanderpump Rules. They also chat about how reality TV has changed her, and how she’s staying grounded through it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your summer starts now with Memorial Day deals at the Home Depot. It's time to fire up summer cookouts with the next grill, four-burner gas grill, on special buy for only $199. And entertain all season with the Hampton Bay West Grove seven-piece outdoor dining set for only $49. This Memorial Day get low prices guaranteed at the Home Depot. While supplies last, price invalid May 14th or May 27th. U.S. only exclusions apply.

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'll go check me, boo. Hey, everyone.

Welcome back to the Mention at All podcast. I am Dylan Hafer, and I am so excited to be here today in the studio with the Bravo Woman of the Year, probably. Ariana Maddox. Hey. How are you? I'm good. I'm happy to be here with you.

I'm so happier here, and I realized I told you as we were walking. in. I realized last night it is exactly two years to the day the last time you were here. I think we were drinking bourbon. Oh, God. It was like, it was a whole thing. Two years, it's been a lot going on. A lot. How do you sort of take stock of everything that's happened in your life in the last couple years? Oh, man. It's crazy because it's obviously been like a lot of like really amazing things, but it's been a lot of like really shitty things as well. So, you know, I just, sometimes I have moments where I'm just like, how am I doing this? But yeah, it's been good though lately.

It's so funny. I was like putting together my questions, you were on Dancing with the Stars like three days ago. And already I'm like, oh, I can't forget to talk about dancing with the Stars. Your book came out this week. Yeah. You're going to be a Broadway leading lady. It's a lot going on.

What are you kind of doing to keep yourself grounded in all of this? I mean, I guess I'm just, like, at the end of the day, I'm just still, you know, I'm just me, you know, I'm just like in bed watching non-alant TikToks and like trying to watch reruns out of the office as much as possible. So I guess I just, I've been so busy that I just haven't even like had time to stop. But ultimately, you know, like even yesterday, it's a lot of things like seems. super glamorous. But even yesterday, it was like, we were wheeling around a suitcase of outfit changes. And I was in sweats and slides, like walking into places like Kelly Clarkson. And I'm like, can I change here? Is that cool? Is there like a bathroom stall I can pop into? Literally. And then like, my foot is like fucked up from dancing. And so I've been like asking them if I can just sit down

and then have them like start the segment instead of me like, you know, like, are you not? accident you like walk out. And so like I'm like sitting there and like Sherry Shepard and Kelly Clarkson both were like helping me like buckle my shoes once I sat down. I'm like, you guys, this is insane. Like why are you so nice? Like please. It's why dancing with the stars is one of those things where there's no way to fake it or like half ass it. Like you made it to the end of the season. You had to do all of those dances. All of the dances. What was that experience like compared to your expectations? I mean, I knew going into it just from what everyone said that it would be like all

consuming and that it would be amazing because everyone says like, oh, you're going to love it. This is the best. 99% of people who do this show become kind of like obsessed with the process. And that was me. Like I was obsessed with it. You know, rehearsal for four hours a day. My partner and his wife, incredible, amazing people. So like we all got so close.

And every celebrity contestant, you know, so everyone was so supportive of each other. You know, we're out there and we're supposed to be competing against each other, but we're like cheering each other on because we just want to, it's like everyone wanted each other to do well, you know? Yeah. It was a really amazing experience, but what you're saying is so true. Like you can't have it. you know, you have to rehearse so much to be able to do what we're doing out there.

And that was my goal. I really just wanted to make it to the end. Yeah. Because then I feel like you let go and let God, right? Then it's up to the votes. And it's like, but I wanted to just like not have FOMO. I feel like you can tell sometimes when people get eliminated that they're, you know, there's part of you that's sad to like not win.

But also you're just, you don't get to keep doing it. Yeah. And that was the thing is I just wanted to stay. I wanted to do. it as long as I could do it. And so that meant making it to the end hopefully. And so that was just the best. I remember during BravoCon when you sort of casually said that you were rehearsing at like 11 p.m.

in Vegas for dancing with stars. And everybody's like, wait. Wait, what? You're like on the press line sitting at a panel, watch what happens live. And then you have to go to work. Yeah, exactly. That was crazy. I don't know how I did that.

Coffee. A lot of coffee. I was not on dancing with the stars and that weekend was a lot of coffee. Bravo con is insane. It really is. I mean, Vanderpump rules this year was like, it's like the Pope is in town. Were you kind of prepared for the level of energy that there was going to be that weekend?

I mean, obviously you knew that it was going to be different. Yeah. Well, Bravo Khan is always so fun and exciting and everyone always brings so much energy. and excitement to, you know, all the meet and greets and the panels and everything. But obviously, Banner Pop was in a different place this year than last year, previous years. But it's wild because, you know, I feel like in years past, it was very, like, housewives heavy in terms of just like the activations and the attention or whatever. And so it did feel different having our show actually be almost like.

Yeah. Considered, you know, we weren't like the lower. Yeah. The whole like something about her like. Yeah. It was crazy. I was there. It's like this feels so legit and like summer house had a whole thing.

Yeah. It almost felt like like the other, the non-housewife shows were kind of coming up in a way. I think that's, I mean, as somebody who watches and talks about and thinks about this stuff way too much, honestly. It's like it does feel like I mean obviously housewives is always going to be a huge thing on Bravo but that there are all these other shows like you guys in Summerhouse and Southern Charm and all of that that it's like that's a core piece of it at this point. Yeah and it's cool to see because I feel like all of us have kind of come up through all of this almost together. Yeah like hitting that 10 season mark it's like yeah we're we're here. Yeah we're actually doing this.

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.

Ready to soundtrack your summer? With Red Bull Summer All Day Play, you choose a playlist that fits your summer viable. 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. Okay, I want to talk about the book. Okay, yeah. It looks so good. It's out now. So if you're listening to this and you are, you know, shopping for a Christmas gift for yourself or anyone else, When did you kind of realize that this was like something that you wanted to do again?

Because obviously you have the book before. That book looks great too. But you know, now you're doing your own thing. Yeah. What was the journey like for this one? This was something that, you know, pretty early in, you know, late March, April was something that was kind of on the radar. And it came together very quickly. And then we shot the photos in, I think, July.

So, I mean, things were moving really fast. And that was something that I guess I just wanted to, if I was going to do something at that time, this is what made the most sense to me. And then it's crazy because, you know, just in the nature of books, months later, it comes out and you're like, oh, wow, yeah. Now I'm actually going to be sharing this with the world now. You know, it's not just my diary. Yeah. It is, I mean, in the intro, you talk about how, you know, making cocktails and, you know, it's, it's something that is so integral to like you, your personality versus some of the other opportunities where it's like, oh, like, if they want me to do this show, they want me to do this thing. That's a cool thing that I was presented with.

It's like, this is really coming from you. Yeah. And I think that comes across in the book, the way it's kind of structured with these sections of parts of a relationship. it feels like sort of the most Ariana way to kind of share that story. Well, thank you. Yeah. I mean, I learned, I've trained a bartend in 2008, I guess, seven or eight. And it's one of those things that I think for so long people tied me to someone else in that realm.

And this was me being like, no, this is also just me doing my thing. You know, this isn't something that only existed in that unit. Yeah. When you're putting the recipes together, are you like, how much are you drinking? Like, there's so many cocktails. And you said it came together quickly. Like, how does that actually work for you? Are you just trying a lot of things that end up being gross and kind of seeing where

it goes? Like, what is that more like technical process like? So sometimes I feel like what happens is you have an idea. and because I've been doing it for a while, you can kind of, in the same way that you know that garlic goes well with chicken, you know, if you're cooking or something. And so there's certain things that I know just in the back of my mind. And then there's some things that I'm like,

oh, I kind of want to try in my lofty idea of, you know, what if it was like, what if it was a Moscow mule, but it was holiday spiced? Like, is that going to be good or is it going to be weird? And then sometimes when you're testing, it's like, okay, this will be good, but I need to tweak it because, you know, it's too sweet or I'm not even tasting Kampari in something, whatever. And so there is a testing process. And the key there is just to like not drink the whole thing. You need like the spit bucket.

Yeah, exactly. Well, because also you can only taste a certain number before they all taste good because you're drunk. So you can only get it. But it's like the end of the wine tasting when you're like, I like this one. Yeah. You're like, they're all so good. So did you have like with the sort of structure of the book with the relationship where there are kind of like pieces where you were like, okay, I feel like this, this idea is

something and now I need a drink for it? Or was it kind of like, okay, I came up with all these cocktails. How do they fit into the story? There was both. And there was actually sometimes where I would have cocktail recipes that I had come up with it. I just couldn't find a way to connect it to a story that made sense. And so some of those recipes were either reworked or just forgotten about. And then sometimes it would be like, okay, but either I need a recipe for this story or I need a story for this recipe. I'm just trying

to figure that out and fill in the blanks of what was missing. And it was different all the time. And then there were some chapters where it was like, I can come up with recipes, but like trying to like the first chapter, the honeymoon one. Like obviously the place that I was in at that time, that was the hardest one to find like come up. Right. You're like creative juices weren't necessarily in that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

So I really had to like, you know, hone in on on something and try to get there. One thing in the intro that I like that you touched on was this idea that both people in a relationship, whether there's somebody that you see as like the. the villain or the hero, both people have positive and negative traits that they're kind of working through. Did you feel like the process of doing the book kind of helped you process some of those things that you are working on for yourself? Definitely. Because I think that, you know, in so many ways, it's so easy to just be black or white,

like what you were just saying. And I feel like, you know, in some regards. I know, well, I know I'm not a perfect person. And I think a lot of times two people are like, oh, well, you're no saint or you're no angel. So whatever. And it's like, well, I can acknowledge that. You know, I have toxic traits as well.

It just wasn't that. But it's like they're not always coming to the front at the same way. Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. I think, I mean, I think that's something where people, when they're watching something play out on a TV show. there can be that kind of instinct to jump to like, well, this person is, you know, I don't,

I don't like them just because they're supposed to be the good one. And like, I think there is something to kind of taking a step back and being like, okay, like, everybody's complicated. Like, we all have layers and we have traumas and we have all kinds of things. You know, it's just how do you handle that? And like, what do you do knowing that about yourself? Or do you, are you loyal in our relationship or are you not? that sort of thing. You also say that you do the process of doing the book was kind of your way of like closing a chapter in a way and that you hope that maybe readers kind of like can take inspiration from that.

Do you feel like you're kind of like in a new place already now or is it like a 2024 thing? Like what's your kind of like how are you processing these like stages? Yeah. I definitely feel like this was super helpful. I mean, obviously, as I was writing, as I was finishing this book, over the summer, we were also filming season 11 of Vanderpump. So like, there's, you know, healing is, what does Casey Musgrave say? Healing doesn't happen in a straight line.

And I'm one of my favorite songs, Justified. And I think that that is, was so the case. And so I'm sure, you know, there's, there's dips and there's, There's peaks in valleys or whatever. But I definitely feel like I am in a different place. And I feel like, you know, that doesn't necessarily like change my feelings about people. But I think that I'm now at a place where like, I'm like, look, this is, this is me. I've given all I can as far as like, I don't know, just expressing myself.

And now it's just, it's all back there. Right. Like it stays it stays somewhere in the composition of you, but it's not the thing. It's not the focus. Yeah. All the time. I think that's like, that's like a healthy way to process. Well, I'm glad.

I don't know. And then you have a cocktail if you, you know. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. So season 11, you talk about your filming this summer. You've, you've talked about that maybe you're embracing yourself for people having some, you know, mixed opinions of kind of how things progress. us throughout the season. You're going to be a little bit busy in January when this season

is premiering. This episode is brought to you by Prime. Obsession is in session. And this summer, Prime Originals have everything you want. Steamy romances, irresistible love stories, and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice. Off campus, L, every year after, the love hypothesis, Sterling Point, and more. Slow Burns, second chance. chemistry you can feel through the screen. Your next obsession is waiting. Watch only on Prime.

Tell me about Chicago and like, are you happy that you have something else going on in the new year besides just watching new episodes every week? Yeah, I think it's going to be really good for my mental space to be so focused on something that is a lifelong dream and is something that's so important to me because I think that'll be good for not being, bogged down in comment sections and like, you know, things that I've done in the past and the show

is airing. I've definitely gotten like really in the weeds with that. So I feel like it'll be good. I'll be in New York. I'll be working my butt off and I'll be focused on Chicago. So it'll be good, I think. You have a drink in the book that's called New York that's like sort of about this like you used to live here and it's a place that you feel really comfortable and also kind of tying it to like your newer relationship. Do you feel like, Could you see yourself ever, like, fully being back in New York? Or are you? I think about it.

You know, I always, the goal when I left here was always to come back in a way. And I always think about, like, the dream was always to be like, bicostal working actor type. You know what I mean? Like, everyone always says, like, oh, I would love to be bicostal. Uh-huh. And then you realize, like, how difficult that actually is to pull off. I would think about, I mean, I love it here, but I've been in L.A. for so long now that I am totally spoiled. Yeah.

Because the day-to-day life is just so much easier. And obviously the weather, like, I know we. I know. It's like not the biggest deal in the world, but honestly. Well, I mean, you're going to be here like January, February. I know. I don't know why I agreed to that. You're like, can we please do like a like spring summer?

Yeah, let's do a little summer run. No, it is interesting, though, because obviously, like, the whole time we've known you on the show and everything, it's so L.A. focused. And it is kind of like, wait, what would that even mean for, like, my entire life? Yeah. I mean, I do love it here. It's an incredible place. Well, maybe by coastal. Yeah, maybe.

By coastal Ariana, the future. Yeah. So you, in the book, you name Chaucal. a few artists that you kind of were like drawing inspiration from like you mentioned Casey and Alanis Morissette and lemonade is there one of my favorite photos in the book is you with that like roughly um yes dressed with the lemonade like making lemons out of lemonade yeah what was like what was that process of kind of like pulling inspiration from places did you did you feel like that was something you that happened really naturally or were you kind of looking for like

things to draw from. Well, it's weird because even when I was in my relationship, some of these albums and these songs are like my favorite songs. And you almost feel weird at times when you're in a relationship and you're screaming, don't hurt yourself by Beyonce in the car. You like the baseball bat. Yeah, exactly. But then, so then afterwards, like, it just became so, um, cathartic for me to either

be in my living room with like Logan and Dana and rally, like screaming, like, lemonade, we turned up the TV so loud one night. We thought like we were going to break the house. And then we were like, is someone upstairs? No, but they weren't. And then, you know, there's been times where I'm in the car and I'm like scream, singing, crying. You know what I mean? Like, and I feel like music is, that was a big deal for me also with Dancing with the Stars is that like music is so, like, such a big part of my life.

you know, with music festivals that I go to and concerts. And I don't know. I just, I think that's so true for so many people. And so being inspired by all this amazing music, I was like, well, I don't write songs, but I make cocktails. So that was kind of like my version of that creative outlet, I guess. Yeah, it's your like mixtape. Yeah.

Dancing with the Stars, you had some fun song choices. Like, I feel like you got a good, like a good spread of. stuff like in your the finale freestyle like the Beyonce and Sierra mix was so much fun. It was crazy because I wanted I wanted Beyonce and then it was like, okay, well, what Beyonce song? How are we going to do this? And then you try to think, you know, what we really wanted to accomplish is we wanted from like the first note for people who are watching it to go, I know that song. I love that song. Yeah. So we were like, okay. So then from that and then it was like, then you go to the music clearance team and they're like, well, let's get back up.

because Beyonce is impossible to clear. Yeah. And then it cleared. And it was like, oh my God. All of the dreams are coming true. Like this is everything. Somebody on team Beyonce is like, oh yeah, we love her. I was like, what, yeah, what person out that?

Thank you to that person. Yeah, I guess it's probably easier when it's like a theme night. And it's like, yeah, the Britney song is, you know, part of the theme. Yeah, exactly. And I think, you know, certain artists are like easier to clear than others. And I guess Beyonce is one of the hardest ones. Yeah. Well, that's like how far an advantage?

fans, do you start putting those routines together? Because obviously you don't know that you're going to be in the finale even. Well, yeah. I mean, it depends on, I mean, I'm sure every pairing is different. But I know that like week to week, I would only start learning on Wednesdays. And so then you have Wednesday until Monday. You have camera blocking. So you have to have it to be able to show cameras so they can figure out their angles and everything.

So you have about five days, five and a half is whatever to really. learn it. And I feel like with the pro partners, because they're choreographing, they're probably working ahead multiple weeks, depending on like what's going on. I feel like I, if I was in your shoes, I would feel like I was going to jinx it if I started like working ahead. For sure. Well, there was like when we filmed the in the finale, there's like slow mo in the package where we're all kind of like dancing around the mirror ball and stuff. And we were like, don't touch it. You know what I mean? Like just in case like, I don't know. It's like the only. It's like the only. super superstitious thing when I was like, I'm not touching it.

Right. Just in case. Right. It's like, no, I'm not going to hold the Oscar because then I'm never going to win one. Right. You know, so. Yeah. That's so crazy.

I love seeing Lisa there at the finale. And she said that she was watching you every week. Yeah. And like getting emotional. Like she's obviously been on the show. She's been on Dancing with the Stars. Yeah. What has it been like having Lisa kind of just in your life this year?

It's been really awesome. I know she's super busy. She's open. restaurant in another new one in Vegas. So much. I know. There's something in Tahoe. It's like,

Tahoe. And then she's got, um, the new show in France. And so she's been like all over the place. But she always makes a point to support or check in. And it's really, really lovely. And like I know I've seen people kind of give her flack,

you know, for being supportive of, of everyone in a way. But, but I get it. And I, I think that she's really kind-hearted and I think that it comes from a good place with her. Yeah.

I think it's kind of an impossible position almost because it's like what she has built around, you know, all of you guys and in her like own businesses too. It's like you have to kind of take care of everything. Like, you know, a rising tide lifts all boats. And it feels like Lisa is kind of like the captain of the ship in a way. Yeah. And I totally like, I feel like because of the position that she's in, it's different. She just has a different kind of relationship with everybody.

So I get it. Yamava Resort and Casino at San Manuel is California's number one entertainment destination for today's superstars. Catch the Jonas Brothers return to the Yamava theater stage on April 30th. The powerful vocals of Demi Lovato on May 17th. And the signature Southern Country Rock of Eric Church on July 19th. Tickets on sale now at yamava Theater.com. Only at Yamava Resort and Casino. Celebrating its 40th anniversary.

You in? Must be 21 to enter. It feels like it's been so fun to see your cast and your like, you know, the group on the show kind of like have so many opportunities and rally around each other and do different things this year. Do you feel like your relationships with, you know, the people that have been by your side have like grown in a meaningful way this year? Oh yeah.

Definitely. I think that I'm a very anxious person and I think sometimes I struggle to be vulnerable or open up or ask for help or get close to people sometimes because I'm like just so anxious about things and I don't know how to express myself and whatever. But I think that during this time it was almost like almost like all bets are off. Like there's no way to try to like, you know, muscle my way through this on my own. So it was like everyone coming and being there. And then I just felt like also I really wanted to be there for them because, you know, I don't know. It's like a reciprocal relationship.

And I definitely feel like we're all a lot closer. Yeah. I mean, it's just the amount of attention and stuff that was surrounding the show, like those last few weeks of the season. It's something that none of you guys have ever dealt with. before and you know depending on who's you know getting what calls and stuff it's like you're all going through this together and nobody else could really relate to that in a way yeah yeah it's interesting too because yeah there was a time when it was like paparazzi or outside the house every single day like three and four cars you get in the car you start driving they're following you into where you go

you know it was like am i am i princess diana literally it was fucking crazy it's wild and then it would be like is there's slow news like sometimes they'd be like outside of the car like in the driveway like I'm like what in the actual hell um and I think that that was something that like it was happening with everybody because it was just very much like we weren't the show wasn't on so like people are trying to follow and figure out like what's going on all the time and so yeah it was something that we would all just be able to talk to each other about me like what in the actual yeah I see sometimes people are like with like bravo labrities sometimes people are like you're not actually famous like get over

yourself and it's like no like TMZ was outside the house some of them I started to know their names because I was like okay is this I was like so not used to it too and I'm like this person is going to be in my face like every day I almost want to be like what is your name because like are you safe are you yeah like I don't know and so some of them I started like being like oh hey what's up Like Josh was just one that was always around. It's like, what's up, Josh? It's like, back again. Yeah.

How's it going? Like, you know, I'm not going to answer any of that. Yeah. No, it is. It's interesting, though, because obviously I've watched Vanderpump Rules forever. It's like none of this was like new information for me. But there were so many people discovering the show for the first time. And then I also, I've talked to people who didn't watch the show and then watched

Dancing with the Stars. And we're like, Ariana's so good. And like she seems so fun. And like I should watch Vanderpump polls. And I'm like, that is so cool that after all of these like years of being in the public eye in some way, that there are still people who can just kind of like stumble upon whatever you're doing and be like. That's so interesting.

Yeah. It's really interesting. Plus it's nice that they said I was fun. Because if you watch Vanderpump, you might not think that. No, but like I mean, it's like dancing with the stars. It's like such a unique thing where you're kind of just like outside of.

of your life for a couple months. And then, you know, like the book, I feel like is another sort of example of that where it's like this, this like project that you can just kind of give to the world. Yeah. It's nice to have things that are just so positive. Like dancing with the stars is so positive. And this felt like a really positive writing this book and doing the photo shoot and everything.

All of that felt really positive. So it was really nice to just like have that. Yeah. And something that's like, like with the book especially, it's like once. it's done and it's ready, it's like, you can like check that off. And it's like, I did this thing. Yeah. It's, it's here. It's here. And then it's just, that's it. Yeah. Are you, do you know if you're going to go to the Emmys? Do you get to go? I don't know. Do I get to go to the Emmys? I do. Great. We got a nod. I'm going to. TBD. TB, but that is, I mean. I want to. Isn't that wild?

That is wild. Did you? Okay. So there had been like, a lot of chatter about like give van der Pumperols an Emmy. For years, people were like, why is it not? Well, because the thing is is that unscripted is so. Yes. Kind of it's still the, you know, I don't even know the right word. Like the black sheep of the entertainment world. Right.

And you see a lot of the same nominees kind of like year after year. What's like these kind of like respectable programs that have, you know, like. Yes, exactly. And so. And so, and I feel like. For the longest time, it was just there was like one reality category. Yes. And there would be shows like in the category that have are so wildly different.

Right. It's like fixer upper is next to like drag race. Yeah. And you're like the structure doesn't make sense. Yeah. So now it's at least nice to see that unscripted is being recognized in like different ways and being recognized at all because I feel like it should be and it should have been a lot longer. And I still even feel with.

you know, the strikes and everything, I'm like, unscripted needs some of that help for sure. Yeah. I mean, when you watch these shows, like the editing and the, like, the level of work that goes into it and the level of skill, like, it's, it really is like the season would not be the season without all of the work that was going into it. It's not just like somebody shows up with a camera and then you have a show. Right. Yeah.

That's called, I feel like that's a YouTube channel. Yeah. Like anybody can make a vlog. I'm like, yeah. But even that, I'm like, that's actually also really difficult to do. But yeah, it's so cool. So, I mean, I hope I get to go. Yeah.

Well, either way, you'll be, you know, you'll have a lot going on. I'll be like, how do I? I'm like, I don't think technically any of us get like an if we were to win. I don't think we would get an actual Emmy. But I'll be like, I will pay however much it costs to have one made. If that if they win that I mean they need to like display it in surer until the end of time That's what needs to happen Yeah

Just like a monument Yeah Like a like a glass lit up glass case Yes Yeah exactly Well I'm I'm so excited for everything you have going on I can't wait to see the new season obviously there's you know going to be so much more To talk about but I I'm so happy the book is out

How are you kind of how are you just like feeling about everything that's happening. Like how are you processing this year? Oh man. I mean, I'm just slowly processing, I think bit by bit. I think right now I'm

starting to come back to outside of, you know, dancing, come back to like a regular schedule, regular. And I'm just, I'm very much looking forward to a little bit of a vacation. Yes.

I think that would be really nice. Take a little holiday break before you're in your dancing shoes again. And I want to ask, we've been asking everybody, if you zoom out a little bit over the last decade, I guess, how do you feel like being on reality TV and being in this world has changed you, if at all? I think that it has, oddly enough, I think it's forced me to be more comfortable with being myself. because I think that there's been so many times over the years on Vanner Pump that I've not been myself because I was very like guarded or just afraid to kind of let that wall down and show people

because being vulnerable is scary and you never know what's going to happen. But I think that like it has trained me in a way to just to just do it and be myself and not be worried about. I mean, I still worry about what other people think. but in a different way, hopefully a little bit less. If I have one thing, for what it's worth, I see a lot of stuff on social media. They're in situations like with you, I feel like there can be a very vocal, small group of people who make you feel like everybody thinks one thing. Uh-huh.

But like if you look at like, if you, the watch what happens live polls when people are like, it must be rigged. It's like, no, you're just kind of like you're the one with the like weird opinion. Yeah. No, that's actually very true. And I will do that. I have a bad habit of doing that. Right. Of seeing like one person saying something and then being like, oh, everyone hates me.

Right. And you start to see it's like, oh, it's the same 10 people commenting on every single post. And I have to just be like, okay, like not everyone's going to like you. You got to just let that go. I saw Sharon Stone was on a podcast recently. And she was like, she was talking about how she got to a point. point where she's like people don't like you like if you're really truly being yourself people are not going to like you because if you're really being yourself and you're protecting your peace

and you're setting boundaries someone's going to have a problem with it so if you're just out here trying to make people like you all the time you're like you're not living to make yourself happy and I'm like wow okay thanks Sharon Sharon's what a badass she is if anyone if anyone has like walked through the fire I feel like it's her like she knows yeah she's amazing I love that. Yeah. Well, I'm just so glad for everything you have going on. And I'm so glad we got to talk today.

Thank you, I'm yeah. Me too. Thanks for having me. Of course. Come back anytime. Of course. And in the meantime, I'll just be liking and commenting on all of your social media. Perfect.

I'll have to come see you in Chicago though. I'm very excited. Yeah. Amazing. Well, thank you everyone for listening. Don't forget to rate review and follow the show. Wherever you listen, check out Ariana's new book, single AF cocktails. It's out now wherever you get your books.

And until next time, be cool. Don't be all like uncool. Mentioned at all is produced by Dylan Hafer, Jorge Morales Picoe, and Sean Kilby. Editing by Jorge Morales Picoe. Social media by Dylan Hafer. Guest booking by Ali Friedlander. Be sure to follow at Bravo by Betches on Instagram and Twitter. Feels like every product claims real protein these days. But real doesn't start on a label.

It starts at the source. Like real California milk from California farm families, It's real dairy delivering high quality complete protein with all nine essential amino acids to help build muscle, give you energy, and keep you satisfied longer. So keep it real. Look for the seal. Real California milk. Betches