Mention It All - The Real Grudges of New Jersey Ft. Margaret Josephs & Lexi Barbuto

Episode Date: February 23, 2023

On today’s episode, dynamic duo Margaret Josephs and Lexi Barbuto are in the studio to dive deep on the new season of RHONJ. They start by sharing their story together, culminating in their new beverage, Soirée. Lexi shares her perspective on being a side character on reality TV, and how she approaches conflicts within the group. Margaret also discusses the state of her relationships this season, and why the grudge holders on her show are so frustrating. Later, she offers her thoughts on Joe Gorga’s controversial Bahamas post, and what it was like attending Teresa’s wedding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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See Store Online 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, though.

Hey, everyone. Welcome back to the Mention at All podcast. I'm Dylan Hafer. And today, I am very excited to have two lovely blonde ladies in the studio with me. We have Real Housewife of New Jersey, Margaret Joseph's, and Lexi Barbuda. Hello. Hi, Dylan. I'm so excited to be back here in the studio.

with you. I'm so excited to have both of you here today. It's so fun to have a little, you know, three-way gab sesh. We can talk about everything. Get into it. And right now I'm sipping on your new non-alcoholic sparkling mottale soire. Oh, I know. How do you really like it? I want the honest. I really like it. Okay. I'm drinking the cocoa collata right now, which is pineapple, coconut, ginger, and lemon grass. And I was just saying, we're recording this at 1030 on a Tuesday. Yes, yes. And I was like, thank God it's not alcoholic. So I don't have to be like, I'm loving this drink great now. I know.

I wouldn't want you to have an alcoholic beverage early in the morning. But people could spike it as well if they don't want it. Yes, we like to give people the option to drink whatever time they feel necessary. So sip or spike, so we had to create this because I don't drink. Even though I'm going to show with people who do drink, I need something to drink, you know, to enjoy myself and feel part of the party. I'm sick of drinking ice tea all the time. So I want to start with the two of you, before we get into stuff that's happening this season on New Jersey, I want to talk about like the background story of how you two met and started working together. Take me back to the beginning.

I'm going to let Lexi start it. I mean, this is my most successful relationship. Mudge is outlasted a husband at this point. We are very bonded for life. We met over 15 years ago now. I was new, brand new to the city, just arrived in. New York and my aunt worked with Margaret's best friend's brother, very convoluted. But if you remember Polly from Oklahoma, who has that fabulous ranch where the girls took their trip. Fabulous depending on

who you ask. Yes, yes. Yeah, what you didn't see was Jennifer washing her boots in Polly's kitchen sink. We'll leave that for later. But Polly's fabulous ranch with the amazing sunset. So Polly has an amazing company. Margaret and Polly worked together at all the trade shows with Macbeth collection then. I was introduced to Margaret by the brother and I met her and fell in love. She's the same girl. She is now. Cute little blonde pig tails, lashes, boobs spilling out over the top. And she said, hey, you want to work for me? And I said, sure. Yes, they said to me, oh, you have to meet this lovely woman, Lexi. And I was like, okay, she's the blonder, taller, thinner, younger version of me, British version of me. She's great.

I love her. We needed someone in the company. And she was looking to move to the United States. And I said, this is just perfect. We fell in love. I was still married to my ex-husband, Jan. And it was just great. It was perfect synergy.

We've been together 15 years. I could not have my company. I couldn't have my life. Lexi does everything. She's the brains behind it all. And we've been very, very blessed ever since. Joe gave her way at her wedding. I was in the delivery room when she gave birth.

Now that she's getting divorced, even though it's very amicable, she's living in our guest house with Nino. We're family. At this point, she's my sister. We're both only children and we're meant to be together for life. I love that. And I feel like also when you start doing a show like Housewives, it's important to have people that are kind of, you know, ride or dies that can kind of help you through the ups

and the downs who like, are there enough to get it, but not so, not necessarily on. the show in that way. Yeah, I think it's hard when you're on a show like this because it is your reality, but a lot of people forget that it's actual real life behind the reality. So it is nice to be there to support through all the things that you need to hold hands to say, hey, this isn't such a big deal or you know what, this is a big deal. You better handle this. It's good to be there to help through all that. And also good that I'm not front lines because some of those girls would get a real shakedown if it was up to me. Like for real. Lexi lends a good perspective because some things could get blown out of proportion that really aren't that hysterical.

So I need her as a sounding board and she's very rational. I like the idea that it goes both ways that some things get blown out of proportion when they're not that important. And then there are other situations where it's like, no, she can't say that to you. Like stand your ground. Like you got to deal with this. Yes. And I think that's the important thing of having somebody who's rational, who's on the show with me, but not full time with me. Because, listen, I could call Melissa, I could call Dolores, I could call Jackie, I could call my other friends on the show.

But they're living at firsthand also. So they get hysterical as much as I can. I like to think I'm pretty rational and I can move past things. But you have other people who are with you who are like wriling you up. Lexi is a great sounding board for that. Thank you. Yes. I'm happy to hear that.

I think some other wives call Lexi as well. People like to have Lexi in the room. People will call us and be like, I was Lexi there? What does she think? From other franchises also. Yes. Yes. Yes.

We have other housewives on other franchises who call as well. Who are you, who do you chat with the most from other franchises? Well, obviously we chat with Dorinda a lot. Yes. We always, yes, Derinda is a big chatter. We, Ramona. Ramona. Well, these are housewives who are just, you know, legacy housewives.

I'll call them. You got to get on a girl's trip with some of these, some of these ladies. Yes. I think that that will definitely hopefully be coming. Okay. I hope, hopefully. I mean, I feel like if you were to put together a short-ish list, there's no way Marge is not on the list. Yeah, well, I would hope.

I would hope so. I think I bring some good TV and lots of fun. Maybe for the best that you weren't in Morocco, though. You know, it's very funny. Best that I was not in Morocco, maybe things, not saying they would have gone differently, but I think maybe, I don't know. I think Caroline could have used a good Jersey girl there. with her. Right. Oh my God. I feel so bad. I do that whole situation. I mean, and I was jealous

when everyone was gone Morocco because I feel like with my affidts, I'm very Marrakesh. Oh, yeah. Me, Kaftan Central. A caftan head scarf. Yeah, I mean, that's very me. What did you think seeing that Teresa and Jacqueline were just together for a five-hour lunch? Do you know Jacqueline really at all? You know, it's funny. Jacqueline has written to me over the years. She wrote to me the other day, very, you know, nice wishing me a good season. We've always been on the fringe. ever since I got on the show. I guess time heals all wounds. I get,

Teresa wants to make up with people. Good for her. I wish she would be making up with people who are in her everyday life as well. Yeah. It's tough with Jersey. The last few, I mean,

really since you've been on the show, it's been such a, you know, two teams divided down the middle. And I know that you are somebody and I think Dolores is kind of the other person in the cast who really, like, can get along with anyone on a good day, really tries the best sometimes,

but it's just, it must be difficult kind of going into that year after year. Yes, I think it's become very, everything has become very team-like, which is upsetting. My first year, I didn't think it wasn't very team-like. Yeah. My first year wasn't very team-like. When Jennifer and Jackie came on, something, and they're great. I mean, listen, we've had amazing seasons and our viewership is only growing. But all of a sudden, things start to.

to divide, I don't know what happened. I really don't know how this has happened and these family riffs have come up again, which is very disappointing because I'd like to have more fun light moments. We have grudge holders on this show, which is ridiculous. I try and always say, what is this nonsense with the grudge holding? We're not grudge holders. No, I mean, I literally could get over anything. I mean, Teresa told someone to pull my hair. She apologized. I felt it was how I felt. I got over. And now we have a new Danielle in Jersey. Yes, we have a new Daniel. Danielle in New Jersey, you know, via Staten Island and a bridge, but it's fine. Danielle Cabral was sitting in that chair a couple weeks ago.

She's a firecracker. She is a little firecracker. Even though I think we have some issues together on the show, I find her entertaining. I'm not going to say I don't find her entertaining. I think it seems from watching, I've seen three episodes now, you guys have a great new set of girls in the cast. It really seems like they finally kind of cracked the code a little bit after the last couple seasons with new people. Yes. I think it's some, I think people are intimidated to come on

New Jersey. I think it's hard for us to get some women because they watch us on TV and they're like, holy crap, how am I coming into this girl group gang? Basically, right? Do you agree? Lex? Yeah, I think it is hard because you guys have such chemistry. You've been so tight for so long and like you say, they're all kind of lines drawn. So I think it is intimidating to come into that. Yeah. And I think we have I mean, everybody's great. Rachel Fuda, I love her. Danielle. fits in seamlessly and Jen Fessler. I mean, come on. She came on. Look at the way she said she's. Well, I was going to ask you specifically, because you're in that position where, you know,

you've been around the group a lot. Obviously, you have your own thoughts and opinions on different situations. How do you feel like it's important to navigate, like, when do I say something? When do I kind of hang back? Because I know, like, some people were sort of coming for Jen Fessler for how she spoke up at the mozzarella part. Like, it just, I think, it's tricky to know kind of like to know your place almost sometimes. I think you have to go with your gut instinct. And honestly, Jen Fesler would speak up in any crowd of people if she felt like it was worth speaking up. So you really have to go with your gut instinct. And that's something I've experienced too because, you know, people on social

media love to say you're the thirstiest girl on TV. You want to be a housewife. I'm like, actually, no, I just showed up to where I show up every day with my best friend to do what we do every day. But it's hard because there's times when like I'll see a scene in action and I'll wonder and over there. I'll be like, don't you dare say that to my friend. You make me sick. Get away. You know, but it's also, there's sometimes that you just have to step back and say, you know what, you could handle it yourself. It's okay. We'll pick up the pieces. We'll figure out. But I think the thing that is hard on Jersey also is there's authentic makeups that then you find inauthentic afterwards. And that's what makes Jersey. The grudges seem to be squashed. And

then, you know, it's like grudge amnesia. They're squashed. They forget there was a grudge. They wake up the next morning and suddenly it's there again. Yeah, I don't. I, that is not something I do ever in my, any relationship. If I make up with somebody, it's, it's put to bed. And I have some cast members who are not that. Yeah. The situation with your, I, I think we, we call her ex-best friend a few times Laura. That really seems to be this kind of thing that has happened off screen before filming. Before last reunion. I want to point that out. So when I, you know, we've been called out for this a little, which is bizarre. It happened last February 27th, 22, text messages to prove it when I called everybody out. It's almost the one year anniversary. Yes. I spoke about it. Jennifer

brought it up at last reunion, like in between commercial, you know, to Melissa, Melissa and Jennifer spoke. So when they were bringing it up on camera again, and I had mentioned it to them, when I was telling the new, you know, the newbies, well, they met with my friend. I was just filling everybody in, this is coming to camera, basically, again. So they were very inauthentic. They wanted to drag this out onto the next season months later. And that, that was my point. I was like, all right, this is what you're doing. You're acting out this whole thing, even though we've all discussed it and you know we know. Right. There is kind of always that like unspoken layer a little bit of there's what's happening and then there's the question of what's going to come on to,

you know, onto the show this season. How much are we going to talk about? How much is going to be said on camera? And I think it's it's tough when a situation that has happened months in the past is sort of bubbling up again because you're like, okay, I'm not going to pretend that I don't know what's happening here. Yes. And that's really what it was. That's, You know, we spoke about it. It was put to bed. And then they acted like it never happened before. So I was like, all right, this is the game we're going to play.

Okay. Game on. Right. Like you've been around the block enough to not be like, you want to talk about this, really? Yeah, exactly. I was like, okay. So I was just going to deal with it head on. I wasn't upset.

I mean, Jennifer's, I feel like her tagline's in about me. Oh, pay, you know, paybacks a bitch, start barking. Okay. The only people are going to be barking is you. I mean, I think people, there's going to be some. real shocking things that come out later. I mean, everyone's talking, oh, guys, wait till you see, wait till you say, well, everybody, wait till you see this season finale. It's kind of funny.

It's not funny because everyone's like, we got you. And me and Melissa are like, no, we got you. Wow. Well, it seems like you and Bill agree on more things than you and Jennifer. I love Bill. I think Bill is very rational, self-reflective like myself. and we see things we've been in the business world and haven't been locked in the Rapunzel Castle.

Yeah, self-reflectic. The Caesar's Palace of Paramus, if you will. Yes, yes. I like that Danielle even called it. That's, I mean, listen, she said the same thing. Causes it like she sees it. I mean, self-reflective is a buzzword at the moment. Yes.

Jennifer really thinks she's self-reflective. I mean, maybe in a mirror. Yeah. I mean, look. I think everybody has their unique special qualities, not even to say anything negative about Jennifer. I just don't think she's very self-reflective. No, she's not.

And, you know, she could take that as an insult or whatever it is. She's not self-reflective. You have to be able to look at your own behaviors. If you can't look at your own behaviors, that's, you know, to me, that's a problem. Well, I think it's a big problem when you're able to watch your own behaviors play out on television. so you could play the tape back any time. If you're not self-reflective after you play back the tape, then that really is a problem.

Right. If you've filmed it, you've talked about it in the confessional chair, you've seen it on TV, you've read everyone's tweets. Yes. Okay. Yeah. I mean, you know, comprehension. I think that's what was kind of watching her issues with Dolores play out.

It is a little bit like, Dolores, no one in the world would say Dolores is not a good friend. Dolores is such a good friend. She's good friends to everybody. Dolores is like a saint. She's too good of a friend. I always say that to her. I was like,

Dolores, you're too good of a friend. She really is. She's good to everybody. And sometimes I get upset. I'm like, why you so good to everybody? Well,

you know, and then I get, and she goes, March, that's just the way I am. Right. And it's, yeah,

it's tough when you're on a show where everything is kind of, feels like you're, you know, keeping score of who's doing what and who's being, you know, more in your corner

than somebody else. And it's like, that's just not, it's not the way life works a lot of the time. No, it's not. I don't think people should be keeping scorecards of you did this for this one or you, you didn't stick up for me here. I think we're all grown adults. No one wants to really hurt anybody. If I say something to someone, I don't want to ruin someone's life.

Even when I brought up to Jennifer, you know, I didn't want to talk about last year, that whole situation. I was just trying to show her is just like, your backyard's not the cleanest. Why are you always trying to dig at everyone else's backyard? And she had diminished my sexual harassment. And that's really, that's really what it was. And that'll come out. She just, she can't see her part in anything.

And then with, with Teresa, it's a little bit of a different situation because on the premiere episode, you and her specifically had this sit down moment where, you know, bygones are bygones. We're moving forward. And then, you know, it seems like her bringing up this Laura situation on camera. kind of like, you know, the amnesia. Yeah, the, the amnesia, while she said that I didn't ask her about it, right, the second episode, she said I didn't ask her about it, but we'll see that I did. Yeah.

I confronted her about it. It doesn't end, Dylan. It doesn't end. There's one thing I have as a good memory. It's my lack of drinking. That's true. I mean, I think that probably really comes into play certain times when people are, you know, We see people having a few too many and can't remember what they said.

It makes a difference if you are really sharp the whole time you're there. Yes. For sure. I think it does. Whatever substance you are taking, there's certain things I learned the other day. Marijuana is a negative connotation. I must say cannabis. I learned that.

I was on a different podcast. So cannabis. But whatever you're doing in excess could affect your brain cells. 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.

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Work your magic. I guess with Jackie this season, she's in this new role as a friend of, How did you feel being close with her, obviously, and watching her kind of have to navigate that different situation? Jackie's full and center. She came on every trip with us. She was at every, you know, every group event. But I think it was good for her because she was working on her book, which I'm so excited to read. And I think she needed to take a step back for her health and just feel good.

So it's not like we still didn't speak every day. To me, she was part of my everyday life. So I didn't feel any different towards her. I think she was just part of everything as much as she normally is. As long as she was at all the events with us and she's part of my life and I invited everything, I think it was fine. Yeah, I think seeing in the second episode how Danielle didn't invite her to the mozzarella party, that was kind of a moment as a viewer where it's like, oh, okay. So it like it feels a little different.

Obviously, we're not getting scenes so much with her like at home and her family and kids and stuff. But I mean, overall, I think it's just kind of she is really friends with you guys. So when it's on your terms, you're not going to feel that difference. Exactly. I don't feel a difference. She wasn't at the, you know, so she wasn't at the Mutsville party. So Danielle's not her good friend. Who cares?

Like, we're good friends with her. Yeah, you can't be like close with everyone. Yeah, everybody's not going to be your best friend. Do you feel like when you, you've been on this show, you know, long enough now, you've seen a decent number of new people come through the door. Do you feel like you have to give everyone kind of an equal chance? Or is it just okay that you're like, eh, I like this one more. I get, you know, I give everybody an equal chance. I love to be around new people, fun people.

I think everybody doesn't give me an equal chance. I think people come in with preconceived notions based on what other people put in their ear. So I think that's what's interesting. And I thought, but I give everybody an equal chance. But they show their colors very quickly. Yeah. Which is sad. I think that the team.

mentality kind of makes that harder because it's like if it's you know if Danielle comes on the show through a theoretical connection with Teresa then there's kind of that immediate connotation that it's like well you probably should steer clear these ones which is which is ridiculous right which is absolutely that's not the way grown adults act yeah I mean do we have teams in real life like that's this is real life so that's what team oh you can't be friends with this one don't call this one don't do I mean that's ridiculous we're not in high school Mm-hmm. Do you feel like this season... Very much.

Do you feel like this season had any kind of different energy going into it? Because I know at the end of last season, around the reunion, Melissa had kind of said that she was basically done trying with Teresa and that she was, you know, fine to just move on and have it be what it was. Obviously, this season doesn't quite go that way. There's a lot more events that unfold. Did you feel like it was kind of a turning point? I felt I was surprised. I left last reunion with Teresa myself where I was like, I'm never talking to her again because I thought it was very vile, even though Louie and I had made up.

And he had agreed I did nothing wrong, you know, all those things. She came out of the gate that she was in therapy. She wanted to make up with me. So I thought that was very good. So I thought that was a turning point. So I thought there was going to be a turning point for her Melissa and Joe as well. And you do see ebbs and flows there. And I think Melissa thought it was going to be better.

but then things unfolded in a very bad way. Yeah. I mean, it's kind of exactly what you were talking about. Even just on this one episode at Danielle's event, it was kind of like, okay, kiss and makeup. I don't have to be a bridesmaid. That's fine. But, you know, whatever. We love each other.

And then, you know, 48 hours later, it's like Louis and Gia talking shit about Melissa in the living room. So, I mean, it's, I don't know. I thought that was very. setting. I think what's very telling is Melissa and Joe sent their kids out of the room to have a family conversation when you see it on the episode. And then

they're talking with the children and about that's upsetting. Yeah. I think it's always, it's on housewives it's tough because there's the idea that kids are off limits, you know, when should the family be included? When should they not? Obviously,

you know, Gia's like 21. She's not a literal child. But in the family context, it's still the kids. And so it's, it is kind of that question of like where. I don't know. It's, I don't talk negative. I never spoke negatively about my ex-husband in front of my children. I don't speak negatively about, because then it turns the family.

The cousins should stay close regardless to be, I don't like to drag the kids into the family drama. Yeah. In general. You know, regardless of them, just as a whole. I think it's very hard when you drag kids into it for them to then go backwards. Like things are said that can never be unsaid. So in a real family at home, like you really wouldn't want your kids to be involved in that discussion. So when it's amplified on television and a ton more people than weighing in and these young girls are all on social media, I just think that's a really hard position to put them in.

Yes. Like no one's weighing in. Like God forbid, like, you know, if your parents had a fight with their in. you know, we're having wedding drama or something else. The world is not weighing in. And that influences young people a lot more than it would, you know, a seasoned adult. I think the social media part is a good point too. Yes, Leslie.

So see how smart you are? I bring the perspective. Because first of all, that didn't exist, you know, however many years ago. But also when the kids are younger, you know, when your kids are, you know, five or six, they're not on Twitter. They're not on Instagram. They're not on TikTok. Seeing people posting about this, commenting about this, you know,

having lots of opinions and, you know, maybe not the most nuanced opinions about these situations. But now it's like, I mean, Antonia's on TikTok, Melania, you know, they're all, everybody has the social media. And so it's, it's tough because your show creates such, you know, strong opinions online. Polarizing. Polarizing. I mean, and you could find people who have watched the exact same episode and could not have more different viewpoints.

You're telling me. Are like, you know, riding hard for whatever side they're on. And, you know, it feels like definitely something that could be kind of toxic if you're living through that. And it's about your parents or your aunt or your, you know. Yeah, that's why I'm saying. It's just I, that's the only part that really upset me about this episode. And then, I mean, speaking of social media, we have a Joe Gorga running into Joe Jude Ice in the Bahamas. And she commented on that.

It's tricky. Exactly. Again, everybody in social media weighing in. I know that they ran into them. They were actually very happy they ran into him. It wasn't a setup. They were staying at their hotel. Joe Judice, adorable, happy he's in the Bahamas, live in his best life.

Melissa and Joe's friend was like, oh, my God, they were with them. He's like, let me catch this momentous thing on my iPhone. It was, it was adorable. They sent it to Joe Judice. There was pictures. they stayed at the bar with him. I know because they told me, when I saw that video,

I was like a little teary-eyed because it's years of history. Right. Yeah, I felt the same way. I'm like, I don't, I mean, of course, there's always a choice that goes into, what am I posting, what am I documenting?

You know, okay, you have your opinions about, you know, sharing more or less, but I thought it was sweet. I don't know. It was very sweet. They've been through so much together whether or not you like one or the other more. It's good and,

They've had good and bad moments. But guess what? Those memories they've shared with their parents, no one else has those memories. The memories they've had with their little kids and their childhood, no one has those memories but them. So, of course, when they see each other, all those things come flooding back. So it was a sweet moment to make anything else of it. I just felt sad about it.

Again, a sad moment and a sad commentary that everybody feels, you know, everybody weighs in. I'm glad that Joe was down there living his best life. Me too. I'm going to the, Lexi, Joe and I are going to the Bahamas this weekend with friends. I mean, I wonder if I'm going to run into it. But I've never met him in person, only on FaceTime. You've never met Joe Judice in person? He was away when I got on the show.

Yes, and then he had to. Yes, so I've only seen him on FaceTime. That, for some reason, feels so wild that you've never met him. Yeah, do you believe I've never met him in person only on FaceTime? If I do run into him, I will not be posting a video. I'm going to make you. now. I'm going to be that friend with the iPhone. I can just picture the, you know, the post now that I'm like, Margaret is the slimyest,

is most scheming, conniving person. She went to the Bahamas just so she could take this photo. Yes, exactly. No, it's funny. I've seen, like, I'll be on social media and it'll just pop up that some, like, random 22-year-old girls were at a bar in the Bahamas and, like, took photos with Joe Chudais. I'm like, yeah, love your, it's like Disney World. Exactly. He could do like live cameo events in the Bahamas.

He could. Literally just set up a little podium. People love him. They really, I mean, we, when you think about Housewives of New Jersey or any show that's been on this long, it's like, we've, we've been through it with all of these people. And like, you know, Joe and Teresa back to the very beginning. It's true. You could say what you want about him.

He's been up. He's been down. He's iconic. He loves his daughters. Regardless of everything that's happened. He's a good father. mother. And there is something cute about if I can't help it. He has a sweet, warm smile. He does. He is a sweet, warm, loving smile. Yeah. We are getting more into Teresa and Louis wedding territory as this

season goes on. You were at the wedding. Yes. What was that wedding like? I have to say, it was, it was beautiful. It was a very beautiful wedding. I walked in the door. I felt emotional. Of course, I'm going to feel emotional. It was bittersweet. I was happy to be there to celebrate them, though she said recently. She doesn't know why I attended. Why I attended is because I wanted to celebrate them.

They were happy to get married. Did I feel badly that Melissa and Joe weren't there? Of course. They're my best friends. They are. We see them all the time. That's why I went there. I celebrated them getting married.

I stayed for a period of time. And did I sneak out early? Yes. because I felt I didn't feel comfortable just dancing the night away. Yeah. There's nothing wrong with that. It's complicated. It's complicated.

Relationships are complicated. So I was there to really celebrate them. I think sometimes maybe with people on the show, but definitely with social media and people watching, people don't like to acknowledge how complicated some of this stuff is. And it's like you have, you've known Teresa for a long time too. You guys have such a layered back and forth.

I mean, it's not as simple as just like, I like this one more than that one. And the truth is, she has done horrible things to me. She still met with my friend behind my back, brought it to the show, did things from Melissa and Joe. And I was like, you know what? I'm going to put that aside because I'm not going to make it about me. I'm not going to make it about Melissa and Joe.

I'm still happy that she's really in love and found the guy she loves. I'm going to celebrate this day because it's not about the show for me. At that moment, right, Lexi, I said that. Absolutely. I was like, I'm not going to make this about me. I'm not going to make it about the show. she's really in love. She is happy. Joe and I felt happy for her that day.

We went, we celebrated her. I gave her a gift. And then we stayed for a little while and I left. And that was it. There was nothing more to it than that. Anybody was making it more than that is an asshole. You came home and you said when she walked out down the aisle. To Ave Maria.

You would, but you cried. It was so emotional. It was so emotional. It was emotional. I mean, as she got closer, I thought doves were going to fly out of her hair. But bizarre I Okay honestly

The hair the first time I saw it was so shocking But every time now that I see it I'm like it works It works Listen she still She looked beautiful I stood next to her I mean her face look flawless

She's to me She's iconic looking She's very pretty She made everything I've ever said to this girl She mounds up stinging in So I was like don't fix your nose You're iconic looking You're beautiful

Everything I say people twist It's fucking ridiculous Oh am I allowed to curse on her I'm so sorry. It's ridiculous. It's always funny how far we can make it into an episode before somebody asks if they're allowed to curse me. Yeah, I know. Watch what happens live.

Don't ever curse on there. Oh, don't curse on watch. And you don't want to be on Andy's bad side. Never. That's like. I feel like I don't really get on there. I know how to behave. Yeah.

I mean, I feel like most, maybe not most. A lot of housewives know how to know how to their way around Andy. Most of them. I'd say 99%. Because you can tell, like, Andy Cohen, like you've spent more time with Andy than I have, but I can gather that he is somebody where if he's not really a fan of yours,

you can feel it. Oh, you can absolutely. Everybody can feel it. It's not a good feeling that your daddy doesn't love you as much as he shows. You know, that you misbehave. Right, you're like, you're the cracking jokes and he's like, okay.

You know, yeah, you want to behave. I need to come to watch what happens live sometime when you're on. I want you to come when I'm on. I'm on March 7th. Okay. I'll see what I can do. With Jerry O'Connell. Ooh.

I saw Jerry O'Connell at BravoCon, and I don't think he has ever had more fans in one place. Jerry O'Connell. It's like every middle-aged woman in there. It's like, it's Jerry. I know. Jerry O'Connell's amazing. So I'm very excited to be on with him. Yeah, that's going to be fun.

And we're going to have a surprise bartender. We're not going to say who. Okay. Yeah, don't get in trouble on. Never. Study and play. Come together on a Windows 11 PC. And for a limited time, college students get

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Try them all now at McDonald's. Refreshers contain caffeine. Copyright 2026, the Coca-Cola Company. Sprite is a registered trademark of the Coca-Cola Company. Have you talked to Jackie at all about, like, the book process? Like, did you chat with her about that? Did I? Yes, we spoke about it.

And I give Jackie so much credit because obviously I had help doing my book. And I'm not saying it was because it wasn't a full ghost writer. It was a collaboration with me. But Jackie really did everything herself. She's a beautiful writer. And it was a labor of love for her. and I can't wait to read it. I'm so proud of her.

And I know it was very emotional for her and therapeutic and such a journey. Yeah. I think it really, that's another reason. I think it was good that she took a, it was a step back. Yeah. I love your book, by the way. Oh, thank you, Dylan. Yes, I know.

I know. Listen, and I was very honest and upfront and tried to do it with a sense of humor. And there was painful things in there. Yeah, I think that's, I actually just recently talked to Heather Gay about, because her book came out and that it's like, it's important. important to get into the details of, you know, why your story is kind of worth telling and worth people reading about, but then also, like, have a little fun with it. Yes, I have to read bad Mormon.

She sent it to me and I have to read it. It's good. I'm totally reading. I'll take it to the Bahamas this weekend. This Bahamas trip, we're not going to hear a peep about it, but it's going to be fun, I'm sure. Yes, yes. I'm not going to be able to post. If I see anybody I know, don't acknowledge me if you have anything to do with Housewives.

of future. Yes. Don't come over with an iPhone, film anything we do. Yes. We'll just, everybody will just know that you're being thirsty in the box. Yes, exactly. I mean,

Margaret's thirsty, this, people tell me you're too old to post that much. I mean, you should hear the comments, I get. And I mean, the people tell me I'm too old to post, you should see what they look like.

That's always the irony, right? That, like, people are like, you look disgusting, you look this, you look that. And it's like, really? Like, take a look at the profile pit going on here. Like, have some self-reflection. Again, buzzword.

It's either that or it's people that just have like no online presence at all. They're either a bot or they're just like a ghost. I know. I know. You can call me a hag if you want. I know. I crack up. I'd like to answer them with humor.

You do a good job. You tempt people like that. It's very fine. And like, leave it alone. Don't. Don't. Don't. Don't.

She's like, watch me. I know. Well, I feel like the two of you both seem to have a really great attitude about things and kind of letting the right things roll off your back and just keeping it moving. You always have stuff that you're working on. It's, you know, you've got better things to worry about.

That's the attitude I always take. Listen, has there been some very hurtful moments this last two years, especially with like, you know, people that you think are super close betraying you. That kind of stuff really hurts. But yeah,

I'm always like, there's so many great things. Like we wake up in the morning and we're happy every day. We truly both believe we have like lucky girl syndrome. We're like very positive and there is so much good stuff happening. So I'm just like, don't get bugged down in the nonsense.

Let's just keep running. Yeah. We're happy people. Delusional. Delusional. And lucky. We are very blessed good lives. I mean,

I feel like if you want to stay on Housewives for more than a year or two and like not be a complete mess of a human, you got to keep the positive going. Oh, absolutely. You have to have a real life out. The whole show can't be your life. Your life has to be on the show. The show can't be your life. I think some people could take that advice a little bit to heart. Yes.

For all for all cities All franchises No for sure Because I think that's There's this idea That it's like If you're not being real Then you're you know

You know Not doing the job or whatever But it's like there's There's levels and layers To it of what you bring on the show What you keep off the show Yes absolutely How you don't take it home with you

In a way You know you You can't take it home with you You have to live your life It can't be your whole life My children aren't on the show Everyone's like Garry horrible mother

They hate your guts I shared a story with me my first season, listen, I was separated from, you know, two of my stepchildren. We have a total of six, just, you know, between myself and Joe. I have a biological son. I never said I was separated from my biological son. People like your kids say, you know, I see my biological son, you know, very frequently. He does live in New York City now.

He wasn't at the time because he was away at school. We're all very close. I've a very close family. I don't show that because my children are older. Everybody's reconnected. My ex-husband recently done. there's certain things I kept off the show because my family wants it that way. And people assume things, but that's my family's choice.

You can't reveal every single intimate detail about your life because otherwise you'll die, literally. Like it's because then you'll have not an ounce of privacy. Yeah. Also, it's tough because if you're doing that because that's somebody else's wish to not be brought into it, then that's important that you honor that. I have to honor that. And also, I mean, there have been other people on other shows where it's like, oh, you brought on this person from your life just to film with them. Or like it's this, you know, like, it's kind of like you can't win a little bit.

Because if you were dragging family members onto the show just to film a scene, then the same people would have the comments of like, she's just using her family for camera time, which first of all, you don't need camera time. No, I can't, you know, I have to be authentic. And my family chooses that to be very private. They don't, some, they don't have social media. They're just, they're, they're more private people. And I, I, I chose this life. They didn't, and I think I have enough cast of characters around me. And my, at my oldest steps on Brett always film with me and he'll film again. And he's, he's fine being on camera. But the rest of the kids aren't. Look, you've, yeah, you have enough going on. We've got Lexi. I've got Lexi, Marlaney. Joe, Marlaney. Marlaney. Oh, yeah. I have people coming and going left and right.

We saw Marlaney last week, because, you know, always a good time. Yeah, Marlaney, yes. She's always dancing around. I'm bossing me around. Oh, yes. Are we going to see March Sr. much this season? Yes, we're going to see more March Senior. There were so many other things going on.

Yeah. I didn't, we have March Singer around, but not as much as I normally do. Yeah. I feel like. And March, you know, that annoys, Marge Singer loves the camera. Oh, she does. She's a good time. She's a good time.

I saw her at that page six event that we were all at in December. And she's so lovely. She is. She's adorable. And the three of you together, you know. Yes, three blondes, matching haircuts. Oh, yes. We go for our Botox together. We go for our headcuts together.

I mean, we really are a trio. Yes. Oh, my gosh. Well, you got to keep it in the family. Yes, we do. This is so fun. I'm so glad you guys were able to come join. Tell everyone about Suarez and where they can find it.

Go ahead, Lex. Tell them about the sullare. So, yes. So this is obviously our brand new mock tale that we launched in four fabulous flavors. There's something for everybody. For the Mocktail Queen, Morgan Joseph's, for the cocktail queens like Lexi Bobbuto,

you could sip it or spike it, and it's available on drink, sullery.com, and you can find us on Instagram at DrinkSwere. Amazing. And watch Real House Sides in New Jersey, Tuesday nights on Bravo. Yes. A lot of season left to go.

Oh, you know, it's heating up already, and we're only on episode three tonight, so you have a lot of season. Definitely. You might want to spike it for that. Yes. You're like, I might need to start I might have to start spiking.

Well, thank you so much for being here. It's such a pleasure. Thanks, Dylan. Amazing. And thank you everyone for listening. Don't forget to rate review and follow the show wherever you listen. You can follow us on Instagram

at Bravo by Betches. And until next time, be cool. Don't be all like uncool. Mention It All is produced by Dylan Hafer, Sean Kilby, Jorge Morales Pico, and Rebecca Sousa McCat. Editing by Jorge Morales Pico. Social media by Dylan Hafer,

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