Mention It All - The Scary Island Experience Ft. Kelly Killoren Bensimon

Episode Date: July 11, 2022

Dylan is joined in the studio by RHONY legend Kelly Killoren Bensimon, who shares some updates on her life lately, and why real estate has worked out so well for her. They discuss some highlights of her time on Bravo, and how she really handled her firing. They also recap the iconic Scary Island trip, and Kelly explains why the SkinnyGirl gift bags were so weird. Later, they talk about whether Kelly would do RHUGT, and what she thinks about RHONY Legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Betches Media presents. Ha ha, laugh, funny. Mention It All. A Bravo by Betcha's podcast. We don't say that, but now we said it. With Dylan Hafer. We'll go check me, though. Hey, everyone.

Welcome back to the Mention at All podcast. I'm Dylan Hafer, and today I am very excited to be joined in studio by, you know her from her time on Real Housewives of New York, but she is also an iconic, iconic real estate maven. She's a model. She is crushing it in all areas of life. please welcome Kelly, Kalorin, Benzimo. Thanks, Dylan.

I'm so excited to have you here. You look great. You look amazing. Thank you. I feel like you're crushing it in all areas of your life right now. Thank you. What's it like to be KKB these days? What's it like to be KKV?

I don't know. I mean, I've always been the same KKB, so I'm just the same person, just maybe a little older, maybe some more wrinkles. I was saying, okay. Don't tell anyone about my wrinkles. So I said before we started recording that I feel like you're having a little bit of a moment right now. And you said that you're always having a moment, which is probably true. But I know the last couple of years you have really leaned in to doing real estate and you have been crushing it.

How did you decide to start getting into that? And what would you say is your key to like such fast success? Thank you. You're like killing it. I'm feeling so gorgeous over here. Oh my God. We got to say how great I am. How amazing.

So, you know, it's bittersweet. My mother fell ill and she asked me to sell our family home. My father's older. And so she wanted me to get my real estate license. So I got my real estate license to help oversee and manage anything that needed to be, you know, anything that, any help that needed there. And so then I put my license here in New York and I really wasn't doing anything with it. And then I was just like, wait, I have this massive social media following.

I know all these people. Let me see what I can do. And so I started supporting and promoting all the new developments. So I became like the queen of new development. I knew every new development, like all the amenities. This was like the beginning of like when new development was the new kid on the block. and so I just stuck my, you know, like put my head down and just learned all about it. And, you know, I love interiors.

You know, I've been an editor. I've had to use my editor's lens with everything that I do, whether it's magazines, you know, my line with Paula George's, real estate, whatever it is. I always have a very specific way of seeing things and celebrating it. So it's resonating with people and, you know, people are always asking me to find them, you know, their new home or it helped sell their new home. I did do the number one deal last year for $42 million. And I did sell $110 million last year as well. So hey. What do you find like you said, you have the big social media following. Obviously people, a lot of people know you from

your time on housewives. Have you found at any point doing real estate or any other sort of career lane that that has hindered you ever? Or is it pretty positive for the most part? A lot of people ask me that. They were like, do you think that this is going to help you? Do you think your Instagram followers are from Bravo or are they, you know, friends? And, you know, my Instagram following is diverse because I've, you know, written two books with Simon & Schuster. I've written four books with Asseline, one for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I've had, you know, seven jewelry lines. I've been on QVC. I've been on HSN. So I have a very diverse group of followers.

A lot of men. I think it's like 42% of my followers are men. I'm sorry, 25. Well, that's more than any of the batches accounts. So I got that number wrong. Anyway, it's weird. I'm in the transaction business and I got that wrong. But anyway, it's a high number for social media following.

So I just realized that there is a lot of different people that are looking for, you know, a lot of different things and quality has always been my forte. And so that's just what I go after. Yeah. And I think, you know, your relationships on housewives and stuff aside, I think anybody who follows you or knows you would think that you have like good taste like that. I think that's like everybody knows that Kelly likes nice things. I'm the ultimate hedonist. I love beautiful things. Well, it is. I mean, obviously you're in New York doing real estate and now you've branched out to like other places in the U.S. international. I know you've. are working in Europe too. Like, it's not, you know, a lot of places, a lot of people could sell you

an expensive apartment in New York. So obviously there has to be kind of that like something special to make them want to work with you. Well, you know, I always talk, when people talk to me about about being successful, you know, I always say like you can reach out to your immediate network, but they're not necessarily the people that are going to be your, you know, people that are going to really resonate and help you with work. It's really that second tier of people. So, everybody needs to know what you're doing. Hey, you know, I'm doing this right now. I'm really excited about all my new opportunities. Can you help me? That's one of the, I think the biggest value ads that I have is my ability to ask for help. So where everyone else is telling everyone how great they are, I am so celebrating

the things that I have and asking for help. And so I think that's what makes me different. And that's why those second and third layer of people are really interested because they're like, hey, I can, work with Kelly on something and help her do something great. And then it's all good news. Have you ever run into Ramona Singer in the real estate business? I haven't run into her the real estate business, but she did come to my Bergdorf-Goodman lunch for Sliz 59, this great brand that I love so much.

I've been supporting for over six years. They're so great. So she came. She's look gorgeous. She's great. Yeah. Great. I mean, if anybody's like aging gracefully, it's Romona Singer.

She looks great. Period. We did see you back on Bravo. I think last year you were on a million dollar listing New York. I was with Freddie. You made a few little appearances. So we just got news this week that Bravo is putting that show on pause. There's not going to be another season for now.

Any feelings about that? I mean, I just love him so much. I've known him for so long. I went to Mexico with him to plow. Carmen with he and John, even before I was on Housewives to promote one of his properties, he's incredible. He and John are just so dynamic and just so professional, and I just love them so much. And, you know, he really gave me the stamp of approval. You know, he, after we filmed, he went in his interview and said, you know, she knows how to transact. She knows a lot of

people. She gets it done. And, I mean, that was like the sweetest thing. I will never forget that. And in a world of reality TV, where the nature of the, you know, of the game is to like, they're not all that, you know, for him to just be like, hear like a round of applause. Like, I was really, really taken it back. Yeah, that's amazing. And I think with real estate, obviously you can get the license. Like you said at first, you weren't necessarily doing that much with your license. We see some people on reality shows that just are kind of like, I could, maybe I could do real estate.

But like to hear from someone who is so successful that you are kind of like, like the real deal and not just like some lady who like said she's going to do real estate you're like out there doing it but you know what to that point of those women or men who are whoever it is that are getting their real estate license get your real estate license put it with a firm and get referrals so every time like like let's say you have two friends that like want to buy a million dollar apartment three million about hey Kelly I want to do that I can actually if you have your license I can pay you so get your license get paid okay I'm going to take the rest of the day off Yes.

Sorry, guys. I'm like, I'm lying today. I'm working on my side hustle this afternoon. I'm working on me. Was there, with million dollar listing, was there ever like any conversation about you coming on the show more?

Or maybe if there had been another season, would that have been something you would be interested in like doing the show versus just kind of like showing up and getting the job done? I mean, absolutely. I mean, definitely it was like the perfect place for me because, you know,

it was like Ryan Sirhan. Remember we met Ryan, sure hand on housewives we wanted a date together we played pool jill zarin organized that um so we we have that connection steve gold and i are really good friends um for a long time uh you know freddie and i have known each other for a long time john and i've known each other a long time uh christin and i work together at douglas elliman so i mean there's just like so much synergy and you know it's like like shows like that like the real estate business like yesterday i'm doing a showing, I'm picking up people's underwear. I'm like cleaning bathrooms and like black

hairs all the place. Like it just, it's the gift that keeps on giving. You can't make this stuff up. Yeah. You just can't. You just cannot make it up. I mean, it's like, you know, I'm on a phone call and I'm sitting there my new puppy and my new puppy's like peeing all over the place. It's just like, it's just like, you're like, yeah, hi, you know, you want to do what for $5 million? Yes, excuse me, one second, I just to clean up some urine. So sorry. My oldest daughter was like, Mom, where's my workout chores? I'm like, I'll be right there.

Your daughters, by the way, are like adults now. Oh, full grown. Beautiful. Thank you. Thank you. Have they watched your seasons of housewives? Yes, they have. My youngest daughter has, Teddy.

Yeah, she loves it. She loves it. She's like, Mom, listen, if you go ever, go back on that show, this is exactly what you're going to do. She's got a whole strategy. Oh, she's giving you like the play by play. Oh, yeah, she knows. She's like, mom, you're just not good at arguing.

Do you know that? I'm like, I don't argue. Well, what's the point? Like, you're either right or you're wrong. Like, is there a middle ground? That's really interesting because I was going to be curious if you said they had watched it or if, because I feel like some people would be like, oh, my kids hate it. They wish I had never done it. You know, like that kind of thing.

But that's like, that's kind of fun that she gets a kick out of it. It was interesting because like Jill and I were at a party together, like whatever last week. and we were just talking about our kids and, you know, how great Allie is and our kids, my kids. And she was just saying, like, how funny it was that they, like, grew up. Like, my kids were obviously younger when they were on the show. But they kind of, you know, grew up through, you know, watching all of this good, bad or ugly. And, you know, like Allie likes to be on TV. I mean, my youngest daughter is great.

She has her own Teddy Talks Tuesdays on Instagram, which are phenomenal. She's like, hey, it's Teddy. I'm talking and we're going to talk about my life. and then maybe some Tolstoy. It's like, okay, let's just all talk about Tolstoy. But she's just, you know, very insightful, charming, fun, spirited. C's working at UEG, which is a really, she works in sports management. She's like literally killing it.

She just started her job like six months ago and she's blowing it out of the water. I mean, she's just so phenomenal. So, you know, I think they really love it now because it's a different time. Like remember, I went on it during the Ice Age. right there wasn't the whole like stone age instagram like instagram wasn't even instagram wasn't alive facebook just started i'll never forget being like in l.a supporting some doing a bravo event and i was like i just opened my face a facebook account and all these people came like flooding and i was like who are these people what are they doing what's going on am i supposed to

respond do i like did you have to did you have to write the bravo blogs when you were yeah we would get the pre-tape and then they would send it to us and we had to go through and kind of go talk through the narrative of what was happening. But I would only watch my scenes and only talk about my scenes. Because I wanted to be specific that I wasn't like commenting at other people's things. If I hadn't been there, I was like, I'm not talking about it. So we were talking before we came on the air. I saw you at our mutual friend Sarah Galley's live show a few months ago. So great. And you were talking, something that struck me, you were talking about how your kind of approach to doing reality TV was always like you weren't going in and being calculated

or sort of trying to produce yourself or anything like that. It's like you were going in and just doing whatever came naturally to you and that maybe that didn't always go super smoothly, but you weren't kind of overthinking it. And with those blogs, it's like you don't, you weren't trying to like build this narrative about whoever else. It's like, you're just like, I'm talking about what I did. Right. And I think that that's one reason why the fan base still follows me and has grown up with me. And just like they're always interested in what I'm doing and which has been a great. I mean, I'm just so grateful for all things, Bravo. I mean, I could, would never, I would never be able to do the things that I'm doing. I'm a full time single parent, raised my two girls, all on my own, educated them. Like I'm so proud of everything that I've done, but it has not been an easy road. But, you know, the one thing that's been. consistent has been the Bravo, you know, fan base. I mean, they've been very, very loving. And I've just been so grateful for them. Do you feel like the, this sort of Bravo fan base's like opinion of you has

shifted it all over the years? Because to me, I feel like on social media, maybe people are like more appreciative of your work as a housewife than they used to be. Like they remember you maybe more fondly than I think when you're on the show and it's like the heat of the moment. Sometimes people have really strong reactions in both directions. I think, too, you have to remember that, like, we took over our show, took over soap operas. So we were like the new, we were the new soap opera. We were on Bravo during the night and then we were on BC during the day. So they were like, wait a minute, who are these people?

Like, what's going on? Like, what's why are they? And also, I think one of the biggest problems with, with me and my, my narrative was that there was nothing at stake. So it was like I, you know, met Luanna a couple of times and she was so great. But like the friend group was not strong enough. So there was nothing at stake. There was no, I wasn't sleeping with your boyfriend. You weren't taking my husband. You didn't say something. You know, there was nothing that was really, really that was like strongly in the ground for people to be like, whoa, this is like really bad. I'm freaking out. You're hurting me. You know, like we didn't have any of

that. And I think that's what really kind of was disarming for the fan base is that they were just kind of like, like, what's going on and why do we care? Like, why are all, everything's like, stop, sorry. Oh, she's here. She's there. Oh, she's like doing cartwheels. Oh, no. She's, she's mad at someone, you know, she's, she's like not happy with something. It was like very, like, strange. And now my persona is someone that people are like, oh my God, I can do it all. I can raise my kids. I can feel good about myself. I can, you know, do cartwheels. I can, you know, transact $110 million on my own with no one else. When people are like, she can't do that. She's not all that. I just did it all on my own. Arguing people like, you think that television is bad?

Come into the real estate world. People yelling and screaming at you. I'm like, I don't know why you're talking to me with a voice like that. I'm going to excuse myself and put this conversation on pause. I'm like, you can't talk to me like that. You're not going to talk to me like that. And I'm not going to give you anything that you want because you can't come to me and be up here. And it's, I guess like on Housewives, it's like when someone starts talking to you like that, that's when they get really excited. And they're like, keep rolling, keep going, keep going. Because that's, you know, kind of the juicy stuff.

Whereas in business, you're like, no. Right. But again, if it were like, if you and I were like, I'm like, I cannot stand red and orange together. And I cannot believe you're wearing those colors on your shirt. It's so annoying. It's clashing with the faux paw back in the back, the vodka soda. What are you doing?

Like, it would be different if it was like if it came from a real place, but nothing came from a real genuine place. And so I think it was really hard for the fan base to try to figure that out, coupled with the fact that they didn't really know who I was. They didn't know what I did for a living. They didn't know, like, where I came from. they were like, she's from the Midwest. It's like, I'm from Markford, Illinois.

Yes, I am. I'm not from New York. I have no idea what you're talking about. I have no idea what you're complaining. Like, just be grateful like I am. I'm for the Midwest too. We need Midwesterners on Bravo. Yeah, I'm like, I don't know what you're complaining.

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That's why you rack. Girl, winter is so last season. And now Springs got you looking at pictures of tank tops with hungry eyes. Your algorithm is feeding you cutoffs. You're thirsty for the sun on your shoulders. That perfect hang on the patio sundress. Those sandals you can wear all day and all night. And you've had enough of shopping from your couch.

Done hoping it looks anything like the picture when you tear up on that envelope. It's time for a little in-person spring treat. It's time for a trip to Ross. Work your magic. What was your kind of experience of after season four when they did the whole cast shakeup and you weren't on the show anymore? How was that time for you? Because I know people that leave housewives have all sorts of different reactions to it. Well, I got in trouble for not talking about it for seven days.

So that was that. I just, to be honest with you, you know, we had kind of talked about it. And I had such a great season. Season four was so great. And I think that, you know, I kind of come to a decision, you know, like, okay, it's like, you have to figure out like, how much you're making, how much you're getting out of it. Like, what's the value at for the future? And, you know, I just was kind of concerned about, like, where things were going.

Like, I saw where they were and I saw where I was. But I was just like, what's the future of this? You know, is this going to really take off? I felt like, to be honest with you, I felt like the brand was really like getting, you know, going sour at that moment. There was just so much back and forth, blaming, blaming, editing, blah, blah. you did this to me. How could you do that to me? You know, you ruined my career. I had this big, you know, it's like, it was so much. There was so much noise. And I just was like worried that, um,

my future, because I had a really important future, I've raised two kids and give them the best education as possible. And that takes a lot of money, especially when you live in New York City. And I just felt like there was, I needed to like put a pin in that and see what was going to go on. And then when we talked about it, you know, with the publicists and where we were like figuring out my agents, like what we were doing, how we were going to do it. And then I was finally like, let's let them do whatever they want. And then they were like, you're fired. I actually was like, felt bad. I really, really, I actually felt really bad. I was like, it's kind of like we don't, you know, it's like, you're not good enough. And I was like, I really was shocked, even though I knew

that we had come to do a decision and we were, you know, we were, we were, you know, we were, you know, trying to figure and organize it out to organize it together. I was like, it's like, it's like, I met someone else. It's kind of like it felt like that. Right. It's like I didn't, I wasn't in love with you anyway, but like I didn't want you to break up with me. Right.

It was like, wait a minute. I am breaking up with you. Like we are having a conversation and like we're basically uncoupling and then you broke up with me. So it's like, okay. Does that make sense to you though? Yeah. Well, and what happens.

Everyone else was like my career, my life, my future. Right. My editing time. My all this. I was like, I was like, wow. Like that really hurt my feelings. Yeah. And also, I mean, the fact that it came along with, you know, I think four of you left the show after that season and they brought in a few new people.

Like it, it was this kind of like, you know, they decided to go in a different direction, I guess. But like you said, your season four was not like, it wasn't like you were on the outs and like it was obvious that you weren't going to get asked back. I mean, people talk about Scary Island, but that Morocco trip is bananas. They, I mean, season four, made. me an American, like an American icon. I'm not kidding. They were like, you're an American icon. I'm like, okay. Thanks. I mean, the swear to God, people were like the way your fashion, like they were like going, they loved the way I dressed. Like they were just going crazy over the way I dressed like that whole season. It's just like, what's Kelly wearing? What's Kelly wearing? What's

Kelly wearing? It was incredible. Like it really kind of like forecasted and like pushed everything else that I've done, like through fashion, through all of my, you know, lines I've worked on, whether it's jewelry, whether it's my, you know, outerwear line, Unville, whatever it is, it really kind of like, everyone's like, okay, we know she's got great sense of style. So we're going to buy it. And my products are not inexpensive. Right. My, my Enville line, it's my fifth season. It starts at like $800. It's not like, you know, for the faint at heart. Right. Okay. But then maybe it's the kind of thing where if you had stayed on Housewives for another five years, Maybe some of those types of partners and brands and things wouldn't be as eager to work with, you know, if you're in, because your whole identity at that point would be Kelly Pinsome on the housewife, you know, real housewives, you know, been on forever.

It's your, you know, like, stay, the longer you stay on the show, almost like the harder it is to kind of branch out beyond that. Right. Well, because you get pigeonholed, you get typecasted. I mean, I was typecasted. I was typecasted as someone that was quote unquote crazy. Yeah. I mean, anyone that's known me since I was, you know, born, definitely be like, excuse me?

She's like the most even-tempered person on the planet. Like, what? If you want something done, ask Kelly, like crazy, it's not like, it's not crazy hot, maybe. Crazy hot, sure. But I think, I mean, like, I feel like the elephant in the room there is a lot of that goes back to the scary island trip, which obviously is like this, you know, in the Bravo like Pantheon is one of the things that gets talked about the most. Number two and number three, best reality moments of all time.

I'm up here, you're down there and Scary Island. You're welcome. There you go. What does it feel like being a part of that? Like, have you talked about it with the other women that were on that trip? And by the way, chicken of the sea was number one. Jessica Simpson. And it's all the same executive producer did all three scenes.

How funny is that? Wow. Wow. Do you, with the women that were on that cast with you in season three, have you, have you guys like talked about that trip in the years since? Or is it kind of this thing that like we don't need to go back there? No.

No, no, no one's ever talked about it. No one really talked about it. I mean, the only time that we ever spoke about that trip was when I filmed it at the pizza restaurant and then on the reunion. And the only reason that we were. We talked about it so much on the reunion is because when the, when I saw the clip, I called my publicist and I was like, we have to talk to New York Magazine. And they're like, what do you mean? I'm like, we're talking to New York Magazine.

We're going to give them the exclusive. And then it's going to trickle down from there. So I literally blew Scary Island out of the water with one interview. You're welcome. Was Bravo? Was Bravo okay with that? They didn't know. I didn't ask.

Sometimes you just have to ask for forgiveness, not permission. Sorry, guys. I mean, if you're bringing that level of like iconicness onto the show, what are they going to, you know? I mean, I also knew I was like this, this is like, well, it was a twofold. On the one hand, it was, you know, a mental health issue that was, you know, I, listen, I spent my entire legacy of my life, you know, working and with the editor's lens. working in the magazine industry, writing, doing all the modeling, doing all this stuff. And then all of a sudden, you know, things were not as important as how people were feeling

and thinking. And so I knew immediately that this was going to be something that was going to be huge and it needed a very, very tight bow on it because it's a very sensitive subject. And, you know, mental health is not something that people throw around. calling people crazy, calling, you know, acknowledging anyone's, you know, any, any kind of flaws that people have, do not fly today. But in 2011 or 2010, you know, we didn't know, we, you know, you could, you could say that mean things about people. And it would be like, people were like, huh, that's really funny. Today, it's like, you're going to get fired. You're canceled. If you talk like that. So I really, I knew that something, that was going to.

be big. And so that's why I called it a breakthrough. Yeah. Because I needed to put like tie a very tight bow on that, not for myself, but for other people. And I'm so honestly, if there's like three things I'm proud of, my two girls and breakthrough. I'm actually not kidding. It was really like bad. I was like, this is like not okay. People are. And, you know, to this day, I have on my DMs, I mean, you can ask Jack. I mean, people DM me like crazy. Just got divorced. What can, what should I do?

Oh, my boyfriend just broke up with me. Someone is harassing me in high school. Someone's doing this. What do I do about this? I mean, they literally ask me, and I'm not a professional, by the way. Right. I mean, I can play one on TV. You're a professional and other things.

Not that. Not a mental health specialist. But, I mean, I'm always, you know, I am a mother. And I do care a lot about. people's wellness. And, you know, I always, you know, talk to them and text them. And like, if I can, if I feel that like they're a genuine person that really needs help, I will like, you know, call me on the phone. Like, let me help you. Let's talk about this. I've done it a lot with a lot of different people. And, you know, I knew that, I knew that, that, you know, shit was going

to get real. And it did. Got real fast. Going into that trip, did you know that it was going to be kind of this like things coming to a head? Or were you, what was your kind of, you know, what was your kind of expectation. No. Yeah. No, I had no idea. I mean, it was kind of like going to camp, like being in eighth grade and being like, okay, I'm going to camp for the first time in Maine, and I don't know anyone there. So I hope I brought the right shorts and the right top, like everyone else. Yeah. So that's kind of what I was just like. And listen, I've traveled as a model all my adult life since I was 16 years old. If there's one thing I know how to do is go into a room with strangers and be able to acclimate and be friendly and get the job done and have a good time

because that's like what I've done all my life. So it's not something that was like so daunting. But it was this is a different. This is different. This was like, you know, I had no idea what they were going to do. I just was like, okay, it's going to be fine. You know, we'll figure it out. Like I love the sun. I like bikinis. You're taking pictures on the beach. Like that was amazing. Those are great. Those are great photos, by the way. Do you know, like, where are those photos? Are they, do you have them on a hard drive somewhere? It's on a producer's camera.

She like, let me her camera. And I was like, okay, great. They were great. Like, Sonya looked really great in that leopard bikini. Alex looked so, like, relaxed. She was giving you Johan face. She did. She did.

She looked so relaxed. So pretty. I mean, Ramona, I was like, you're a smoke show. That's okay. Here we go. But then you saw the, you know, the gift bags in the room. So then it was downhill from there.

The gift bags. Gift bags are such a weird thing. So you stand by the gift bags being weird. I just love the word weird. It's kind of like it's like, it's like, it's just like, it's just easy. It's just like when something's like just like just weird. It's like, oh my God, stop. But the gift bag, I mean, first of all, the gift bag were monogrammed.

That's like key. So that means that she puts some attention to it. So I really liked that. Marketing and branding are like critical. Yeah. Critical. And that's, I think, like, you have that eye for that and, like, carries over into your real estate and your jewelry and all of that stuff. It's like. So it wasn't like it was just so it wasn't like it was weird that first of all, it was weird that she was promoting her brand on our show. That's what was weird. It wasn't the bag itself. The bag, I was like, whatever. But I was like, you know, we could work. We can work on the bag. But the, I was like, you're giving me a gift bag on the show. Like, and I didn't promote anything. I mean, we did. did do one, that's not true, I'm lying. We did do one scene where I promoted my jewelry line. One of my jewelry rounds, my seventh jewelry line or something. So, but I mean, that's because it was an event and I invited everyone to come. But to promote stuff like that, it was a constant

promotion. Every time you turned around, it was like, oh, here's my t-shirt, here's my sweatshirt, here's my brand, brand, brand. It was a lot. Well, I think back, maybe it's changed a little bit now, but back in the day, it wasn't, not everybody on Bravo had come up with a business idea that was going to be their thing. It, like, it wasn't as, right. It wasn't as much like, you wouldn't be able to do it today. Yeah. I mean, it would just wouldn't, people wouldn't, they wouldn't put up with it. And you wouldn't want that either. Do you know what I mean? You want like now, it's like you want experiential branding. You don't want to just like slap something on it and be like, here I am. And you need, it really needs to be experiential. It needs to be

something that like resonates. Yeah, like I saw on the, the like girls' trip season that's coming out right now, it's like, you know, they have like, I think like Jill gave them like sweatshirts or something. It's like it's cute. Yeah, it's like you put on the sweatshirt and then it's, you're just like comfy and. But you know what she did too is like I have to give her a huge round of applause because during COVID, I was in Florida. She was in Florida and she came up with the masks and was sending them to everyone. And I just was really, I thought that was, I mean, listen, I understand that she's, it's a, it's money generated.

but I also thought it was very clever and I also appreciated that she did something to help other people and I really appreciate that. And there were a lot of housewives that did some really, really great things. And, you know, that was a really, really scary time. And we, there was a lot of uncertainty. And so I really appreciate everyone who, you know, helped others. I really, really appreciate them. They, they, they donated a lot of masks too. They did. They did. But those were nice masks. They were really nice masks. Back in the early days of- And her sweatsuits are the cutest things ever. The early COVID days, when it was like my, I think my mom had like, sewn me a mask out of like an old, like, big comforter or something. You couldn't buy them anywhere. Anywhere. Anywhere.

I know. I was afraid to leave the house. I was like, you know, C and I had to go to like, you know, the grocery store together and I was just like, oh my gosh. Yeah. Like, I was afraid. Weird times. Really scary times.

But I really, you know, I appreciate that people like, you know, saw the forest with the trees. it really did something great for other people that really like I really appreciate that. Supporting your community. I like that. Yeah. You're the cutest Dylan. Wait, you guys, I wish you could see Dylan smile because he has this like his most beautiful teeth in the planet. So you have beautiful teeth. You have nice to see too. Thanks. Ready to soundtrack your summer? With Red Bull Summer all day play, you choose a playlist that fits your summer vibe the best. Are you a festival fanatic, a deep end DJ, a road dog, or a trail mixer? Just

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Watch only on Prime. But speaking of Ultimate Girls Trip, which is now a thing that happens, we do these shows on Peacock. You know, some of your fellow past castmates have been on them. Is that something that sounds like a fun idea to you or like a nightmare?

So Jill said it was a week, and I was like, that would be fun to go away for a week. also too, the ultimate girl's trip is like different people. So it's not just like, you know, the same people rehashing, you know, the same story. So that would be super fun. Like I would love that. And again, anywhere that has a bikini and sunshine, I'm available. So not Dorinda's house in Massachusetts, hopefully somewhere a little more tropical.

I mean, I like, I really like Durinda. So, I mean, I don't know. Maybe, I haven't been to her house, but I'm sure I could figure it out. There's a pool. I don't know. Okay, fine. I'm good. Wasn't it filmed to like the fall or something like that?

Yeah. She said she heated the pool, though. Okay, fine. I can get us pre-tane. It's fine. Are there housewives, like, from other cities that you haven't been on the show with that you get along with would like to do that with? There's just a lot of different housewives that I love. I mean, I love the Beverly Hills Housewives.

I mean, they're just loaded and they're hot and they've great work done. They're just hot. I love them. I just love, like, I love, like, when women just feel really good about themselves. I just think it's so cool. Like, have had work done, haven't had work done, just feel good about themselves. Like, that's like, that's what really, like, I gravitate towards that. Women that are complaining, not my girl.

Yeah. I don't like complainers. I'm like, oh, please stop. Yeah, you got to have the confidence. I love it. Yeah. I don't even care what you do. Like, just as long as you feel good.

Like, it's just sexy. Yeah. Right? Like, who wants to hang around? Like, you want to hang around hot girls. Right. Like, nobody likes, like, the sad housewife in the group who's, like, bringing the mood down all season. It's like, no, we went ahead. No, the grumpalump. No, we do not want that. No. And also,

let's be honest, like, you know, every single housewife has gone through something. You know, lost money, lost their, you know, a loved one had a situation, you know, we've all had some kind of narrative. And I think that one thing that, you know, I really always wanted to hear more about were those real narratives, you know, not necessarily, because it's like, you know, people, that's how you grow. It's like you argue, you hear someone's narrative, like what they, what happened to them. You like have empathy for them and then you grow. But like, it's so hard to grow when you don't know what people are really going through

if their stories are real. Do you know what I mean? Like everyone's got these like, it's like always like this like, like you were talking about before like a, you know, a branded narrative. And I'm just like, oh my God, please. Like I'm sure like I can read through that really quickly. Right. Like her marriage is falling apart.

She doesn't have the money. She says she does. How about like when I'm in France, when I'm in Morocco and the fortune teller person is talking about Ramona and I'm like, I'm not translating that. Luana's like, let me do the French. I'm like, uh, you're welcome. I am not going to translate that. Oh my God. And that was really terrible.

It was really hard too. I was like, whoa. Like that was really, that was hard to swallow. Yeah. I think it's like no matter how you feel about Ramona. that situation was just brutal. Well, it's just any, anytime a couple, like, you know, has issues, like, you just feel badly for them.

I mean, you want them to be happy, but it's like nobody wants anyone to go through a hard time unless you're, like, demonic. Exactly. Like, no one wants that ever, you know? Right. So I felt really badly for her that trip. Yeah. Well, she was really, like, it was a lot for her that trip.

Luana and I had the best time ever. You have a bee. She's on the camel. She's on the camel falling off the camel. I was like, oh my God. I never forget. I was like, oh my God. And then I'm like, wait a minute.

I know how to ride horses. Why am I nervous? Like, I was so worried for her. I was like, oh. Like Jill and Ramona are screaming at each other. Alex has flustered the whole time. And you and Luan are just living your best life. And then at night, we were like drinking and like in our lingerie like hanging out,

just like drinking tons of wine, having the best time ever. because we had rooms that were right next to each other. I was just like loving life. I was like, oh, my God, this is so good. This is so good. Before we finish, I have to ask about your New York former co-stars. Now this legacy show is in the air on the table. What are your thoughts about that?

You know, I think it's great. I mean, again, like, it's just a different time. We're 22. And, you know, I haven't been on television on that show since 2011. and I think it would just be totally interesting to see where everybody is. I mean, you know, to see Ramona at Bergdorf at my event like the other day for splits, that was just, you know, she looked great. She feels good.

It's just nice to see that. And, you know, like I am such a girl's girl and I am such a mama bear. So I am like my nature is always to like nurture and take care of people and make sure that they are safe and happy. and, you know, so it's just so interesting to see people see me in a way that's not that. Do you know what I mean? So who knows? Like I always, like, everyone's like, would you ever do it? I'm like, you know, you just never know.

Like, why not? You know what I mean? Yeah. It wouldn't affect my business at all because my business is my business. Like, it doesn't matter what anyone says about me, like on a television show. My business will always survive because it's a transaction business. and, you know, I know how to transact. So, like, you can say whatever you want about me, but, like, the numbers speak.

KKB gets it done. KKB gets it done. Oh, my God. Is that my new tagline? I thought it was going to be something like hot. Like, KKB gets it done does not sound hot. Sounds like very like, don't call me crazy. Call me crazy hot.

Oh, my God. Listen to you. Wow. It's like a branding session. There we go. Yeah. You're coming out of here with like a notepad full of ideas. I know. Hold on one second.

Someone write it down. Quickly. Write it down. Write it down. Oh my gosh. Well, Kelly, this has been so fun. You guys are so cute. And I love you.

And I thank you so much for being so supportive of me for all these years. I like literally every time that you guys DM me or comment, you know, I always like respond. And I just want you to know that I really appreciate you guys so much. Well, we appreciate you. We appreciate you. You coming into the studio. Of course. fun to see people in person.

I had to come in. I was just like, I've got to see what's going on here at Benches. Like, I got to see this. Wait, tell me quickly before we quit. Like, how did this start? Like, what's your narrative? So the Betches narrative started in 2011. Three women co-founded their senior year of college.

You know, really like out of their apartment. And then it's just like, grew and grew and grow. I love that. I've been here for a few years. You know, we're... Wait, that is so cool. Nobody knows that. That is so cool.

And what college did they go to? Cornell. Of course they did. Of course they went to Cornell. You're like not Columbia. Yeah. Well, it's like there are like a think tank over there. And they're like, let's figure this out.

Let's figure this out. Oh my God. All good news. Come back any time. Sarah brought us together, by the way. Yes. Yes. She did.

So we have to tell her. Would you give her Sarah a big hug? Well, go listen to Andy's girls and go rate review and subscribe to our podcast. Of course. Follow us on Instagram. Kelly, anything you want to plug? you have coming out? Yes, you guys can follow me on Instagram.

You can follow me on TikTok. We're having so much fun with TikTok. Do not take me seriously because I don't take myself seriously. So don't think I'm taking seriously. Everyone else is like so serious about TikTok. I'm like, um, that's not going to happen ever. Maybe I should go on dancing with the stars because I just cannot dance. Oh.

It's just like just like this cannot dance. There should be like a hashtag Kelly KKB on KKB dance. No. Oh my gosh. Well, thank you. much everyone for listening and until next time be cool, don't be all like uncool. Two stories.

Mentioned at all is produced by Dylan Hafer, Sean Kilby, Jorge Morales Picoe, and Rebecca Sousmaqat. Editing by Jorge Morales Pico, social media by Dylan Hafer, guest booking by Dylan Hafer and Ali Friedlander. Be sure to follow at Bravo by Betches on Instagram and Twitter.

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