Not Skinny But Not Fat - Ariana Madix: from Vanderpump to the Villa

Episode Date: June 3, 2025

Ariana Madix is here and she’s mentioning it all… from saying goodbye to Vanderpump Rules to hosting Love Island USA and stepping into her post Scandoval glow-up. We talk about friendships, long-distance love , and what life looks like when you finally put yourself first.This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.House Marg Summer is here. Time to stock up! Go to www.astraltequila.com to find Astral near you - and don’t forget the limes! PleaseEnjoy Responsibly.For the dad who deserves better than basic—Quince has you covered. Go to Quince.com/notskinny for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five-day returns.Get the Rakuten app NOW and join the 17 million members who are already saving! Cash Back rates change daily, see Rakuten.com for details. Your Cash Back really adds up!Right now, IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your twenty percent off, text NOTSKINNY to 64000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details.To explore coverage, visit ASPCApetinsurance.com/NOTSKINNY.Tired of dealing with shedding and thinning? Take back control of your hair with Vegamour. For a limited time go to VEGAMOUR.com/notskinny, code notskinny to get twenty percent off your first order.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Okay, guys, it's been such a long day for me that it's time for my skinny margarita. Do you guys remember my skinny margarita? Oh, geez will know my skinny marg days. These were the days that I used to drink before I went out, which is like, oh, my God. But you know what? Maybe I should go back to that. Like, it's time to go back to that life. Back in the day, I used to make a skinny marg because I was always, you know, trying to drink.

Like, if I was drinking, I really wanted to make sure I'm. drinking the best drink that I can to feel good the next day. So the number one choice you should be making if you want to drink reasonably and smartly, if that's a word, is tequila. Tequila is the way to go because good tequila, like Estrelle tequila. It is the best. It is made from 100%. Agave, I got a man to open it. It's so annoying. I know. What I love about a straw tequila. Aside from it being made with 100% agave, is that by drinking the tequila, you are also helping people get their homes built, which I love. So after they make the tequila, the leftover agave is upcycled into Adobe bricks, which are made to build homes in Halisco, Mexico.

So by drinking estrall tequila, you're also giving back, which I love. So let's make way Skiddymark. See if I remember how to make my skinny mark, like a baby shot because, okay. This is the big one, the small one, right? Kind of put that in there. And I know this is weird, I use like a soda. And I would use some ice.

I would use like even more healthy now. If I had, I don't. I add some maple syrup. to make it a little sweet, and lemon. It's so good shaking. Okay, let's see what I'm doing wrong. I literally just went like this. For?

Mmm. Mmm. Wow, that is smooth. Whoa, cheeky, whoa, whoa, chicky, whoa, chicky, whoa, chiqu, whoa, chiqu, whoa. No, no, no. Like, am I a bartender? That looked like I didn't know what I was doing, but it tastes? I'm just amazed.

I'm amazed with myself. Make my skinny marg. Make it with a shrillade. The summer of house margs is here. I can't wait to be sipping this on my fire escape, wink, wink, to get your Astral Tequila and to find a store near you that carries a, go to www.com. That's A-S-T-R-A-L-T-R-A-L-T-E-Q-U-I-L-A. Please drink responsibly.

The following podcast is a Dear Media production. Welcome back to the Not Skinny Bonafat podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Hirsch. I can't believe that I get to chat with some of my favorite stars on my very own podcast where you'll feel like you're just talking shit with your best friends in your living room. and stalked me on the street. I harassed and stalked you on the street for a year. So actually... No, when was the first harassment?

September. 2020? No, 2020. No, 2020 what? 22. Yeah, because I went to BravoCon. Did we ever tell this story? No.

And the people... Because everyone's waiting for my solo episode. Yeah, Booth Girls back. Clock in. You're going to have haters if you continue at this moment. And I'm, like, dying for them. Like, that's what you don't get. Okay.

Move on because this is what makes you annoying. Okay. Let's tell the people how, because we've talked about this, you've said before, people are coming for your job. Resumes are piling up. Yeah. And every time I fuck up. Favoriting, clocking, organizing. No, I'm just kidding. So annoying. But I think it is interesting for people to know, like, how you even started working with me. So, weo, weo, weo. Rewing to September 2020. Which your hair is literally like dark brown. excuse me yeah my hair goes through some changes and like it was cute though when you're talk about the eyebrows before you were pregnant with me at some point yeah I know thank you for like noticing the things that are important because I posted about this before and I don't feel like enough people cared but like I have a weird pregnancy side effect and it's that my eyebrows get lighter but not like one shade like seriously seven seven shades it's like it's the craziest thing ever my eyebrows before were literally like year

color eyebrows. And then now they're literally like blonde eyebrows, which is so crazy. So crazy. But anyway, September 2020. So I had just moved to the city. I was here for maybe five days. And I had just moved into my apartment. Yeah. I had just moved into my apartment, which was like hell. Sixth floor walk up, 17 roommates. No. I was living in a studio. Fifth floor walk up with like no view. Like seriously depressing. And my friend. One roommate? No. After. After. And my friend had just. And my friend had just come to visit me because we were going to BravoCon because I was a crazy bravo fan still fucking am and it's just keeps it under control yeah like seriously you do and she was like oh like

do you have a coffee like I'm dying and I was like no I literally just moved in like let's go to the coffee next door I was like I think there's a coffee like right next to here like let's go so I go and we're ordering coffee and I see this teeny tiny blonde woman with her adorable little kid and I was like why do I know this girl like she looks so. familiar and at this point i think i'd seen your face because of the whole like kardashian thing like i think that's why i recognized you you weren't she was one of those people you hate like don't do it yet what what rapper like stops people from if they want an autograph he goes it's a travis scott he was like name three songs right so i should have done that to you you

okay you're gonna bring it up i'm not gonna i'm gonna say the story she wasn't following me at the time is the point she comes up to me at the coffee place and is like oh my god that's game but not You said it. So, but like, like, think about it. I literally was waiting for the coffee. And I told my friend, I was like, who is that? And she's like, oh, my God, it's the girl. And I was like, yeah, but what's her name?

I don't know. Imagine how hard it was for me to, like, just like, it pop in my head, be like, not skinny, but not fat. Like, I mean, if you were an avid follower, no, but like, that's crazy. Okay. So you weren't at the time, but let's just. And it's okay. I look her up.

I look her up. And I was like, it's her. And I'm like, oh, my God. Hi. Big, huge fan. And asks for a pick. Fake it till you make it, you guys. Yeah.

This is right here happening. So didn't know, like kind of knew who I was, had to ask, still ask for a pick. It acted like she, like, loved me. Yeah. And then I posted it and she reposted. And in my head of being so smart, I was like, well, she reposted, obviously I'm at the very top of her messages. So like if I send a message now, like the probability of her seeing it is way higher. And keep in mind, I didn't know that actually Amanda guys, like seriously like looks at all your

messages because she's like always like chit-chatting with you if i would have known that i would have been so crazy so i like didn't even tell my friend i was like you know what i'm just going to message her like hi if you're ever interested like in a babysitter or a personal assistant like i've experienced both would love to like like meet with you or whatever blah blah guys like keep in mind i've been in new york for like maybe a week at this point and this was like my dream right she answers and i was seriously like i'm on my way to bravo con i'm like freaking out i'm like i call my mom was like mom i made it you can make it any No, seriously, I was like, this is it.

Like, I'm, like, I'm done. Like, I'm going to quit my job that I came here for. And, like, this is it. And I meet with Amanda, like, the next Tuesday. We go to the same coffee shop. And we, like, chit chat, blah, blah. And I go home. She's like, okay, I'll have an answer to you by, like, in a couple days.

Like, let me think about it. And I was like, okay, perfect. Obviously, I'm following up through DM. She's, like, not answering. I'm like, no, what do you mean? No. And then she ghosts me. She ghosts me.

After like a month, she's like, hi. Like, sorry. I'm just like really not interested. Like I just don't think. Because guys, it literally takes Amanda a year to think about anything. Like anything you want her to do, give her a year. That's a minimum. That's her like thinking period.

And that's the minimum amount of time. Yeah. But usually like a year is your sweet spot. So I like keep falling up with her like every couple of months. Wait, after I said no, you keep following up. Yeah. So don't go that far up. In our messages, it's embarrassing.

Like one night I was like drunk and I was like so sad. and like I hated New York because I was like my dreams aren't coming true and I was like you know what like let me just DM her one more time like blah blah blah and then I was in Vegas having the worst day of my life because like I lost my wallet and stuff and I like go into my Instagram and I see this message from Amanda and she was like hi are you still interested in working for me literally a year later and I was like oh my god yes and she's like okay can you start tomorrow and I was like oh my god yes like I literally like but you were in Vegas who said yeah I flew home like I was going to fly home that day but I was having this whole thing with my wallet

But and then I started and we did Nikki and Brie and it was crazy. But like the craziest part of all of this is that we were actually neighbors. And I would run into her all the time. And it was so awkward because like, if you like, oh, hi, remember when you ghosted me. But like we would never like talk. But I remember I saw you on the street like three or four times. Really? Yeah.

And you were like in the, you lived in the building in front of me. So like I would always. Right. It was across the street at the time. So I would always be like, oh my God. She probably thinks I'm actually stalking her, which I was. So then a year, I mean, the moral of the story is not a true fan yet still wanted a pick. No, I'm just kidding.

The moral of the story is a year later, she's not exaggerating because we exaggerate a lot here. It was September 2020. Like the pick September 2020, the text, September 2020. And that's like how fucking like my brain works. Just actually at the time, I didn't need anybody. Or whatever, like, my situation was, like, I had just had just Noah, you know, like, I was just managing. I was managing well at the time. But because, and you told me this one time, like, you said, and I totally understand your brain way more after you told me.

You were like, I've always just done it by myself. Yeah. So I think it's also hard for people that are, like, they made everything by themselves to, like, delegate tasks and give things to people. Well, I'm still like fucking anal. Yeah. But. Yeah. You're like, no, but she's way better now.

But like it makes sense that you're, because it's your baby. Like obviously you're going to be crazy about it. Yeah. You think like that nobody else could, which I still think. Yeah. IMO that people that are on top of their shit and don't delegate to 1,0001 teams

and just like kind of put their hands up. I feel like that can't work, you know. I think I was talking to my agent, Bradley. And we were talking like there was like a team meeting or something. And then people were like, okay, I'm into like, so when are you available? Like, should we ask Regina or like, should we? And I was like, no, I can tell you.

And then he was, and you know what he said at that moment? He's like, that's how the best ones do it. Yeah, because you're like, it's like, I can fucking tell, like, I, you know those people that are like, I don't know. My assistant has my schedule. I don't even know it. Like, great. Good for you if like that stresses you. But I can open up my phone.

Schedule my own stuff. Like sometimes you do, but sometimes I do like, I can do it. But the point of the, the fact of the matter is the. day that I, when I said no to her at the time, I felt like, I just don't really need it right now. So like that was my truth. It felt bad, which is why the ghosting, because sometimes people go see because they feel bad, not because they're being dicks. But I think when I asked you if you could, which was so fucking random, I can't believe I remembered your name to find you in the DMs. Thank the fucking Lord that I had. But they love that name. Yeah, but tell them like

literally the reason why you wanted to hire me. Like what popped in your head. This is my favorite thing over. Because you were like, I have a couple of things. Like, how am I going to get lunch? Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. That's what I was going to say. So I had, I usually like in terms of podcasts, like my goal would be like one podcast a day

because I feel like I get so into it. I'm so into the guests. I love like thinking about them all night, preparing for them like, you know, all day. And then I could do other stuff. But in terms of podcasts, I like to focus on one person. Anyway, that day I think I had like two podcasts. Which we did it. Oh, yeah, we did.

And I was, like, thinking about it. And I was like, but I'm going to be hungry in the middle. And then in my mind, I was just like, I'm like, this is why people have help. So, like, somebody can go get you a coffee, help you with lunch. Like, you don't have to like, think like, oh, like, that's why people have help. And I remember, like, yes, the catalyst is always food. Like, always food. The catalyst was lunch.

I was like, I'm going to need somebody. And then I have to say. And hopefully our time runs out when I'm done saying this. No. So I don't have to like keep saying nice things about you. Stop. It's literally my fake birthday. Wait, we'll get to that and then we'll go.

But hi. Yeah. But so my catalyst is always food. And I have to say like that day, I don't know if you like pep talk to yourself before, came in with a plan, like whatever. You fucking like made me see how valuable you would be. You know, I'm literally going to cry. I know, she cries.

But in that one day, I even remember, didn't we eat at Mamun that day? No, Mammon. We had lunch that day. I swear we didn't have lunch because we did. Maybe went together like a nice day. No, remember? Like, it was the craziest day also. Like, she was like, okay, we're getting in the car with my husband and Noah.

And Noah is literally looking at me like, who is this psycho freak in the car with us, mom? And I was like, okay, perfect. And then we did Nikki and Bree. And then you were going on a podcast. But I swear it was literally 30 minutes after. No, we went to Momon to get those gross. salad's like probably like three months into me working with you that's not true one of a bit i literally remember because i remember there were the small things that you did

that were like okay first of all you know i don't know where i'm walking so it's like helpful if somebody guides me then it's like there was like i remember i remember standing in moman in that corner like down next to in soho and you like were like should i get an extra dressing to go like should I do you need a bag for this like here's a there's like oh you want to sweeten your I see just like all these like forward thinking thoughts that I was like she came to get the fucking job get the fucking like she came and she she thought steps ahead like you weren't today you kind of wait for me to tell you yeah I know I need to start thinking steps ahead again you so I'm saying so that day you came like I'm gonna show her yeah I can like

bring shit to the table even if it's like that's what I'm saying at that point I'm talking about small things, right? Where you're like, you could do it yourself. But so many things that I'm like, I'm actually just like doing these things I wouldn't have thought of doing. I thought of asked like just I remember these small things that I remember telling my husband

and he had already been in the car with you and he was into you too. And he was like, love her. We need her. Anyway, that's up. But let's talk about your birthday for a second. Yeah, my birthday. So I put your wrong birthday in the calendar this year. And I put it for me six with the confidence that I was like,

repeat. Yes. And like coming after that podcast, we were like, yeah, like, I'm not really good with birthdays. Like, I kind of just do like whatever, like, blah, blah, blah. And it's so funny because she's like, I'm a tourist and her husband is a tourist and we're so like about our birthdays, but we're like shy about it. You know what's so funny?

Your own literally said that to me yesterday because I told him it was your birthday on May 6 that I made up. And he was just like, oh my God, like we're both tourists. And he was like, I was like, yeah. He was like, isn't that crazy? Which, like, he usually doesn't care about this stuff. I'm like, is it that crazy? No, me and Husbar, seriously, the same.

You're in supporting roles in my life. Seriously. The same. Seriously. So I put May 6, but it's May 4th. So I put May 6th, so confident. By the way, like, talked about it. I told you, I told Ariel, like, about your birthday.

Then you walk in today and I tell my nanny, Grace. I'm like, I'm like, it's her cumplianas. And then you were like, yeah, two days ago. And I'm like, what? And I literally freak out because I was thinking. thinking about your birthday. I brought you a good. You're so sweet.

I was like, wait, you didn't think it's weird. I didn't fucking call you and like FaceTime you on your birthday. Like I just can't stop thinking about it. Like how wrong, but I showed you that I put in my calendar today.

Yeah. How to repeat annually. And I had two days off. I don't know why. And then what did I write on your little card? May sex is better. Like you're so crazy. What sounds better?

May 6? No. Or May 4th? May 5th. Like, Cinco de Mayo? Like seriously, I would have been.

Oh, because you're, yeah. Like, That would have been my favorite thing. I can say you're Mexican, right? I'm Mexican. Yeah.

Yeah. I forget. Where do you think I'm from? I know you're Mexico every day. I shouldn't forget. Like, where do you think I'm from? Lots of vacation days. But May 4th.

May 4th. May 6th. So you want me to change it. You're like, think about it. May 6, 26, everybody. Guys, I'm so old. 26 years young. So happy birthday.

Thanks. Love you. Happy birthday. Thanks for my gift. Huh? Thanks for my gift. It was actually funny. I'm like your funny ones.

Here's this card game you'll never play. Wait, it's so cute. Okay, guys, like let me tell you one thing. Amanda seriously has one of everything if not too. Like she has everything known to man because these fucking brands send her 70,000 things. So when you have,

when you work for an influencer and stuff, you have to be very creative about what you get them. So I get her useful things or like cute things. Did we use the pants stapler? Yes, we could have, but you're like scared of it. No. So she always gets her stuff and, like, she never tailors anything because she's like, it's fine.

Like, it works. And I'm like, no, it doesn't. So I got her a stitchy. If you've been on TikTok, it, like, stitches your clothes. It works. It works. It literally works. And then, oh, for, I don't know what. I think I got it for Mother's Day, like the card game, because we haven't been together for two birthdays.

I don't know what I got it for. But I got her this, like, card game. But where do I put it? Shut up. Lenny's going to use it, you know, and he's going to love it with pictures of her. like being so cute with the kids like it was very thoughtful where is it see great question anyway guys very cool guests today very i'm so excited because she's just everywhere everything the glow up the thriving hood she just looks better than she's ever looked

she's doing better than she's ever done and i don't think there's a person in the world that doesn't stand yeah that doesn't stand ariotomatics you guys areionatics is here the new season of Love Island USA is coming out soon. She's hosting it again, duh, because she did such a phenomenal job last time and got so many people to watch. I need to know numbers about this. Anyway, so yeah, welcome Ariana Maddox. Ariana Maddox is here. Hi. We've never done this in person. No, we're always on like a Zoom or that weird app. Don't say always. It was so many years ago. It was. It was a gazillion trillion. Yeah. It was like COVID. It was definitely COVID time.

For sure. COVID, you know, because I still referenced this episode we did back in the day. Do you know what I'm talking about? No, you probably don't. Well, which what? You taught me about toxic fandoms. You were really into it at the time. Oh, my God.

I was like, but I really want one. You manifesting bitch. No. But you, I remember, and I referenced that since because we've talked about it a lot in the episode. We just kind of went on Canton. And you were like, I want, like, I want one. Maybe we're talking about Taylor Swift or something. Yeah, I was like, I hate it, but I also want it.

Yes. I love you. I'm so happy you're here. Oh, my God, me too. I'm glad we're getting to do this, like, literally IRL. IRL. Yeah. You know what's funny, though, is I feel like when I am really busy, though, I'm, I've learned

that I'm less tired when I'm busy. Even though while I'm busy, all I'm saying is, like, I want a nap. I'm so tired. Uh-huh. And then I'll have a stretch where maybe there's less going on. Yeah. And then I, it's like, not good for. me.

To be too busy. To be less busy. To be less busy. You need to be go, go, go. Yeah, apparently. Really? Yeah. Because you said you have like three full days right now.

Yes, of Love Island stuff, yeah. Of Love Island Press. Yeah. Not that it needs to cancel the pot of you guys because the Love Island does not need press. It was so fucking good. Oh my God. Thank you.

I was obsessed with it. I mean, I always am. But last season obviously was just so incredible. Do you have, you have your phone during that time? I don't, well, because there's nowhere to put it. Yeah, but like during the filming. Yes. But like your NDA'd up, like you're not going to tell your friends, even if they're dying to know.

No, it's funny, though, because... Your friends don't want to know. Yeah, they love watching the show. But also everything, the show is very good about, I mean, they really have to move so quickly to get this show out. I mean, you're getting episodes almost in real time. 69 million. It's so quick. Crazy.

And because of the time different. We're getting, like, whatever episode is going to air that night on Peacock, 9 p.m. on Peacock, Eastern time, 6 p.m. Pacific. Okay, love it. Whatever episode is going to air that night, I'll have the cut sent to me on my phone at, say, maybe sometimes it's like 1 p.m. or it's earlier so that if I'm filming either after sun that day or if I'm going into the villa or just, you know, it's part, that's not just part of the job, but I also really love watching it.

Yeah. But I get that earlier in the day. But even by the, when you think of the time difference, there's really nothing I could spoil for anyone because it's coming so quickly. But you're watching it without the narration, right? I do some of the narration. It depends, actually.

Sometimes if it's a narration, like you don't have that. And he does that so quick. I don't know how they do that with the... He's in Scotland. I would need that. You know, I need it. I need the narration. Yeah. Sometimes maybe the music's not quite in there yet. But I love your hair right now. Thank you. A lot of it's not mine. But the color. Yes. Like I like this color on you more than

blonde blonde. Right. Yeah. Like you also had darker recently like you've been playing now. I've been all I've had darker for a while but I've I usually when I get it I have to get them to go my girl Alyssa. She's like the absolute best but I always have to ask her like can you go darker like because it always kind of washes out a little bit lighter. So but it's been a long time. So this is, I think, just growing out of my head at this point. I love it. I love it. I love your whole style. Thank you.

I told you your butt. We have some deliberation on the outfit today, so thank you. No, it looks your butt. First of all, like, it needs to be like, there needs to be a butt shot because that's where it's happening. Well, the outfit has like swirls on the butt cheeks too. Oh, yeah. I was like swirls of the boobs.

It looks. I read your, you did an article with people like the style thing, the stylecaster. And you were, first of all, the looks there were great too, but you were talking about how you're like taking more risks and like yeah kind of leaning in more yeah and it's funny too because one of the outfits in that shoot in that interview I talk about how like I'm like fuck flattering like flattering like flattering is such a stupid thing that we care about and I'm still there sometimes I like it I love to be like oh this accentuates this sometimes I'm like

why don't I just wear this thing that I think is cool but then someone comments it on like one of the outfits they're like this is the most unflattering and we're like did you not Read the article. Wait, which one, they like the Billy Elish look? They didn't like, yeah, they thought that was like very... The Billy Elish look? Yeah, like the baggy shorts and the... I'm like, but that's kind of the point.

You're right. It's such a thing because like there is the cool versus flattering. Yeah. And sometimes flattering things are shit we wouldn't wear today anymore. Yeah. Like I just discovered you guys and this is important for girls. You're like medium height, right?

Or are you? I'm on the shorter side, but I'm like 5, 4, 5.5. Oh, yeah. So you're like me. So I just learned, because I ordered these mid-rise jeans, and I always was like, mid-rise. Oh, my God, that's so scary. It's like low, it's like low-rise. And I was like, damn, like, I should be wearing mid-rise and not high-rise.

Like, I just realized high-rise is so dumb on me. And then I posted it and all the like medium-high girlies, like, I'm 5-4-2, we're like, yeah, we can't wear high-waisted because it's like here. It can really be like an under-boob thing. Right. Yeah. So now I'm like, I'll literally look at jeans and be like mid-arize. Mm-hmm.

For, this doesn't go with what you're saying because for the, for the flattering effect. But then I feel like you can change it up. But you can change it up. But like these huge, like my husband would be like they look huge. Like he would think like something that looks bigger like that isn't accentuating your body. It doesn't look as good. No, but then I think that actually looks really cool. They don't get it.

They don't get it. They don't. Does Dan get it? Yeah, you get it. Yeah. style? Like, do you ask him for opinions on outfits and stuff? Yeah, but he also asks me, which is nice. That is nice. Yeah. I mean, I would assume you, like, know what you're doing. Sometimes, but guy stuff is different. But also, like, the teeth? What's going on?

Oh, I got gyms. I got a butterfly and then some, another one over here. But here's the thing. I did it for the holidays because I wanted to be sparkly over the holidays. And I thought, like, this is fun. I'm not working. And now I'm like, it's May. And I thought they would fall off. Oh, they, what's the process? I thought they just fall off. And they're not? No, so I'm going to have to get them take it off. I'm like, now I've got to find time to go to the dentist. You did it at the dentist?

No, I did it. I went to like a girl. Okay. The girl can't take it off. And she does, I mean, she probably could, but she typically, like, she does, where people get, like, a full gem of multicolored and just, like, really cool. And I was like, I just, like, really want the butterfly. It looks really good, but I'm just thinking how it's another thing to deal with.

You know what I mean? Like getting your nails done is already a thing. Eyebrows, fucking this. Now you have to deal with like, I have to take my gemstone off and replace it. Yeah, which I thought I was going to fall off like four months ago. So you were saying before you're good at being busy. Yes.

But it's really been like, like, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack. Like it's been finished Vanderpump, straight into dancing with the stars, then straight to Broadway. Straight to Broadway, straight to Love Island, straight back to Broadway. Right. Because they asked you back. Because it was such a good fucking run. Yeah.

It was great to be back. Yeah. I love it. You were so good. We passed the theater out of the way here and I was like, I have a story, actually, because I came to see you with Lala. And I was sitting next to your friend from college. Oh, my gosh, Meredith.

Meredith. Yeah. And this was kind of before because you had just, Dancing with Stars and then this. And then I feel like then people were like, wow, she was so good. Like, how is she so good? This is crazy. And then people kind of found out like, yeah, no, she studied musical theater and she wanted to do this and blah, blah, blah.

So I got the privilege of like Meredith sitting next to me and like, she was telling me all that before. Yeah, you got the TLDR of like the whole thing. Yeah. Yeah. Like she was just like, she was crying the whole time. She's the best. And she was like, this is what she always wanted. Yeah.

Like this is. She was like, you guys were like in the same. Yeah. We were in the same theater program. Right. So she was telling me about that. And I didn't know. You know what I mean? Like, I feel like on one hand, I know I hate when people are like and boom, like then it happened overnight. Right. Of course. Yeah. Because it's not. But we didn't like on the show they didn't show us. You know, obviously they choose like the storylines for the show. Yeah. But tell me what was happening in the background of like how were you working towards this dream that you've always had. I mean, well, I've always, I've taken acting classes. and things like that always, like, throughout the years. It's actually my acting teacher who told me that I should do Vanderbump because she was like, you never know what happens.

And I remember she had said that. And another one of her alumna from her acting classes was Nicole Scherzinger. And this is Nicole Scherzinger, free Sunset Boulevard, obviously. This is like, she's nominated for a... For a Tony. Yeah. And so I was like, wait, she's like classically trained, but she's had said yes to things that were in front of her.

and now she's able to kind of, even though this is so far long ago, and now I just think like it's so true, like you just say yes opportunities and you make it what you want of it. Yeah. But like it does take time. And so, yeah, whether it's vocal lessons or just keeping up with like dance and things like that and acting classes like over the years. But there definitely was like a stretch where I just thought like,

you know, it's probably not. I'll focus on cocktail books and I'll focus on other things. things that feel like maybe that's maybe more, you know, I, that was what was in front of me. So I would like follow that more. Yeah. But I've had the same manager since before Vanderpump and he would always ask me like, you know, do what do you want to do? Or like, what do you still want to do?

What are you thinking that you don't want to do anymore? And I was like, no, but I still always want to do that. Yeah. Like that was always still what I want. So like whatever, if that's always going to be there. Always going to be there. Were you auditioning? Were you trying to like send in tapes and stuff like that?

I did audition, but God, tapes. I hate it. I'll tape so much. You'd rather go in person. Oh, yeah. I miss in-person auditions. Yeah.

But, yeah, I would audition for stuff. And I think the thing that I heard the most was great. We loved it. We loved the audition. It was so good. We need more of a name. Really?

Always. I thought we're going to say the opposite. No, they always wanted more of a name. So then I would be like, okay. And, you know, it'd be like, okay, I got callbacks and I got stuff like that. And then, you know, it would come on television or the commercial for it would come on. I'd be like, the part I auditioned for would be like, Ashley Tisdale is doing it. Or which one, it's either Allie or A.J.

Like the one with the curlier hair, it's like always someone that was like more recognizable of a name. And so it was always like, okay, I have to make more of a name for myself. Oh my God, that's such a, it's such a catch-22 in this industry. Exactly. Because you know how people are like you want to get an agent and then you see you hear stories about back in the day

like Johnny Depp and fucking all these people the agent found out of the mall whatever. Yeah. Like nowadays like no no you need to like be someone then you get the agent.

Yeah. Then you can try to do other shit. Like you're not getting an agent. Yeah. But how am I going to get stuff without an agent? Right. Unless it's, you know, something of Craigslist or I mean now

I guess people make like videos and stuff on TikTok. It's easier to self-make things that it was back. then and like get people to see it. But even still, it's just like, there's always that that paradox of like exactly what you're saying. Yeah.

But it's such a good example of like keeping out something, having it in the back. Because I say about manifesting like, and I give the example of like, I don't think like everybody needs to sleep in their car and, you know, like sometimes you could just be like, keep the wheel kind of turning. Yeah. Even if it's over here and it's not right here, even if you're doing something. else and then you never fucking know. Like, look at Walton Gagins, who by the way

was here in the studio a couple weeks ago. No way. Having the year of his fucking life. Oh my God. He was just invited to the Meggala. Like he was doing mad shit before and he has his like fans from before. But his moment is now. Yes.

You know? And everywhere. I mean, SNL. Meggala. Yeah. He's literally everywhere. He's living and like it's just I love seeing people have, you know, moments where they worked really hard because we do see the overnight.

Of course. It does happen. Yeah. And there's people who, you know, maybe had, you know, a little bit of help, whether it was, you know, they grew up with money so they don't have to worry about working or they have family in the industry or family friends. And it's like, that's nice. But some people have to bartend for a long time. Which you were so good. And you did write a book. It was it, it was like, did really well. Yeah.

It was New York Times best for the cocktail book. Yeah. Yeah, it wasn't like a little e-book, you know, if it was a huge book. But I also read in one of the interviews you did that you think you were a bad reality star. Yeah. You think that. But I think sometimes what made me a bad reality star is also what makes me a good reality star. Explain.

So, like, when people think reality star, like they have, you know, if you kind of put it into a box. Yeah. You might think, you know, someone who instigates. Right. It's more villainy. Who's able to live comfortable. in that space of, yeah, come at me, you know, like has fun doing that. Yeah.

And I feel like a lot of parts of me, too, like I have a hard time being very vulnerable unless I feel really safe. I'm a cancer. So there's that. And so it's hard to kind of be able to have all of that and also be able to be great at doing what you're doing as a reality star, which is, of course, people want to watch for the drama. And, you know, so I would, I would do my best and, like, put myself out there.

But I feel like I would, sometimes, like, old clips of Vanderpub will come on my TikTok. I've been fucking cool. Is that it? That was a good one. That was a good one. I would have to, I would have to drink to kind of, like, get more comfortable. Yeah. And I don't feel like that's a very, like, good space to be in long term.

Where do you think, do you remember thinking about it consciously, like, oh, if I have, like, yeah, I'd be like, thank God it's a night out. Not like, you know. just like going having tea you know like the night's out the big nights out where it's way more fun way easier to film too

yeah and I think but at the same time being something doing something a little bit different or being like maybe not fitting that mold is maybe what made me resonate with people right we'll be right back after the break

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You guys, I'm Gabby Wendy, your host of Long-Winded. You may or may not know me, emphasis on may not. But I did have 26 boyfriends not too long ago and tragically lost dancing with the stars. And now I'm back with the more freeing and liberating platform than ever, which honestly might make you sorry. Anyways, with all of this under my belt, naturally I do have some shit to say. In my very sweet, soft voice and public school education, I'll discuss girly topics with a bit of cheek.

Topics like gaslighting. Die for it. Internalized misogyny. One of my faves, honestly, and the depths of the dark dating world. I will beg you again and again to come and listen, but most of all, I hope you enjoy. And we're back.

Literally Ariana destroyed the mic with the workout. We were just talking with Dan's workout programs. Like, literally moved the mic. They needed a new cable, like a new studio. She Hulk. Okay. So, no, we were talking about how you were a bad reality star, which made you maybe a good reality star.

Yeah. So I was thinking, like, there was that instant gratification of villainous moments or people creating drama that gets the most hype. But I feel like because you had so many seasons of being normal, like, do you think you were too normal for reality TV? I don't know if normal's, I mean, because I do think I'm very, pretty annoying a lot of the time like I've had like some pretty

annoying moments for sure I guess I think maybe I would be better at it now but I think I have too much anxiety for reality TV because yeah it was really bad you talked about it

yeah and sometimes it would be like to the point where it was like debilitating and what I was thinking of is sometimes old clips will come on my for you page on TikTok and there's scenes that I never really noticed it because I wasn't really, I wasn't like watching and rewatching. It's like maybe I would watch the episode where they sent it to us, you know,

forever and ever ago. But then seeing the old things and in hindsight, I can see myself in scene being like completely disassociated and terrified. Really? And like not knowing what to say or how to say it or who like I can watch myself going through like this whole thing. And what it comes out as is just going, like, there was one particular that came up. It was like, me and my ex were behind the bar. And it was like, Jacks was on the other side. And he said something that I didn't like.

But I was sitting there and I didn't say anything about it because I was just like, oh, well, like, well, he'll say something. Because I don't really know, like, how to say. You were overthinking. Constantly. Really? Yeah. Or I would think about like, like right now, there's,

there's three cameras in this room. And one of them is right there. so I might need to be like mewing. You're thinking about it. Constantly. What? Yeah. Well, that's good for like an actor because they know they're fucking like where to stand.

But even, yeah, where to stand. Like some of it's great for like understanding that. But then some of it's a little bit like, you know, go take a nap. Like this is not, this is not positive. Did you mind seasons where you were more like took a, not a backseat, but because you weren't involved in drama. Well, it's annoying a little bit because I would always be what I thought was like really, you know, talking about stuff or giving of myself and then it would air and they just like didn't want to follow it. And so it's a little bit like, because people might say like, well, that means that I didn't give it.

It's like there are so many times where I'm like, oh, this is going to be, for great example, Carson and I's friendship like developed and it was something. that I thought and I think she as well thought was something that they would have and then it never aired and you just think like wow we really kind of gave our hearts to this and it just wasn't I guess what was you know whoever's making those decisions just thought like oh it's okay we don't need to follow it now you're do you think of yourself like was I naive to think like they'll want to follow this like beautiful friendship yes yeah yeah even though it is special are you still friends yeah it was just that her baby she's shower. Oh, her baby shower was so classy and beautiful. Brittany, like, really knows how to throw party. Oh, Britney did it for her? Yeah. Oh, that's sweet. Yeah, it was really cute. Yeah, Kristen, it's pregnant, you guys. It's all happening. It's coming up quick. In 2023, you had an interview with us weekly, and you said you want to own a home, you want to be on Broadway, and you want to be a host of a dating show. Did you know of any of these opportunities when you said that? I knew. Like, let's, like, you manifested all of them or, like, do you.

two out of three. I manifested, I definitely manifested the house. Okay. Because I definitely did not have that at that time. The Broadway thing, I hadn't like locked that in yet. Okay. Oh, but you put it out there in this like hypothetical way. Interest had been shown at a, you know what I mean? And I was having to do work sessions. You're basically like sort of like an audition, but it's not. But basically, so that was like a little bit kind of like on the cusp, I think. And then the host of a dating show I mean, I really wanted to, I don't think I had Love Island at that point, but I was like very, very much wanting that. Did you try to throw your hat in that ring?

Did you tell your manager or did it just come to you or like organically? It happened, but I think because Sarah Highland had left, she was going to do, she went and did the off-Broadway a little shop. So it was like, it all just, the puzzle pieces. Oh, you knew she was leaving it and you were like, oh, maybe they were looking for a new host. No, no, no, no. I had no idea. And then it just really worked out.

Wow. Was that with like auditions and stuff? No, but I had done the two guest spots previously. So yeah. That was kind of your right, your hat in the ring for that. Yeah, it was a little bit of like, I guess, like a mini audition for that. I loved how transparent you were. I mean, on Vanderpump rules with anxiety and depression and stuff.

But also after everything happened and you were doing these major brand deals, you were pretty much, like I remember, your glamour article, one of them, you were like, yeah, I'm fucking taking the money. Like, I have bills to play. The way you said, I don't know why you were asked about it. Yeah, people were very weird about me working. They're like, you should stop. I'm like, but retire, I should retire. Is that what you're telling me?

Like, it was very weird how people were like assuming that I would not work. Like that you wouldn't take it like a financial. Yeah, like a brand deal is a, it. it's a job, it's work, it's memorizing a script, it's acting, it's like, this is literally what I've like, this is what I do. Yeah. And I've, I'd always done things like that, you know, with other things. I'd done things with like Alka-Seltzer, I'd done things with, you know, different cosmetic brands and things like that. So what I feel like that people wanted you? Did I feel like people wanted you to like just go be sad or people didn't want you to make money

of the, like what did it feel like? Yeah, I don't know what they thought. I don't know. Like, like, it's something in astrology, wherever your Jupiter is, is apparently, I don't know. Allie Louber can talk about that more. Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But my Jupiter is in, I think it's my first house, which means that I am the business. Uh-huh. And that's very true.

Like, I'm a reality, like, I do own, you know, I have other businesses where it's not just me, but like, I am the business. So, like, whether it's like acting or maybe it's like a brand deal or it's like it has to do social media, stuff like that, or being on reality TV, like, right. So when these offers come in, it's like I have a whole team that negotiates and like, but we've been doing this for 10 years. So we just got busier. That's it. And then people thought I should, I don't know, like, I don't know what they thought I was going

to do, like move to Utah and. No, I love how you put that when you're asked about it because it's like, it goes back to what we talked about like the overnight versus the like, no. Yeah. You know, because we have so much of that that people are like, and then it's like, no, that's not what's been happening. But dancing with the stars, let's talk about it for a minute,

because I thought you were going to win. Well, I wanted to get to the finals because I wanted to make sure I was able to do every single dance that I didn't miss anything. Like any of the style. Yeah, I just was like, I would have too much FOMO. Like, I would kill me if I didn't get to do the whole thing. Brutal, brutally hard. But, like, I would do it again.

It's like, I feel like it's what people say about childbirth. We were like, it was so hard, but then you, like, forgot. Yeah. Somehow your brain, like, forgets how hard it was. Right. Like, I would totally do it again. You would do it again. But how hard, like, physically, like, emotionally.

Yeah, all of the above. You got ripped from it. Oh, yeah. Did you feel like your body, like, worked, like, harder than that? Well, there was at one point where I had gained weight doing it, and I don't know what that was about. Like muscle? No, I just was like, what's, why do I look? Really?

I think I was inflamed, swollen. Really? Yeah. I remember thinking you looked amazing. Maybe it was you thinking it. Yeah, also probably. Probably. But that's how, I mean, it changed my entire life.

Like, I, dancing with the stars is everything. And I feel like I'm, like, if there's a cult, I'm in the cult. Fully in the cold. Like, wait, did you do a tour? No, I didn't because I left to do Broadway. So I wanted to do the tour. And I was like, you guys, like, I really want to do the tour. Wait for me.

Yeah. My man, I was like, I was telling my, like, agent. I was like, I really want to do the tour, though. And she was like, babe. I was like, I can't do both? You thought you could do both? I was like, can I do both? They were like.

When how rigorous was playing Roxy Heart? Like, you did a show every night for. Yeah, eight shows a week for four. months. Eight shows a week is every night plus two matinees. Every night and then matinees, Chicago's schedule is matinee, two shows on Saturdays and Sundays. Everyone says it's the worst schedule on Broadway. That or Dancing with the Stars, what's harder? I think it's different because Roxy, you know, you learn the show and then you do the show over and over. Yeah. Dancing with the Stars is a new dance every like five days because, or, you know, it's every

seven days, but technically you have five days to learn and hopefully try to perfect this thing you've never done before in your life. So it's hard in different ways, for sure. The thing about Roxy is that, you know, you're singing, you're dancing, you're acting, but she as a character has every emotion under the sun in the one show and it's all at a level 100. She's not subtle about anything. So it's just very, it could be like, Emotionally exhausted. I'm such a fan of the movie. Yeah, me too.

Like, I know by hard, like, yeah. She had a coming. Like, I know all that, like, fucking love it. Like, watch it a million times. I feel like a lot of people go to see it. I'm sure a lot of your fans also came to see you.

And maybe, like, we're in a, you know what I mean? Like, not everyone was obsessed with Chicago. Right. You know what I mean? So many people are. But for me, I was like, all the songs. Like, I fucking love it so much. And you did not that I was surprised,

but there was a little because I was. I was like, oh, my God, she can sing amazingly. I didn't know. You know what I mean? You're singing, you're dancing, you're acting. How scary was the singing part? Was it the most? I feel like by the time I was up there is a little bit better.

That first week of shows was like a rock concert, which was amazing. But then I couldn't hear. Oh, it was very loud. Yeah. So there are times where I was like, I can't hear. You have that little thing in. like a, like Madonna does, right? Like in your ear, do you hear yourself?

No. Oh, you don't have that? No. Okay, so you literally don't know what you sound like. Mm-mm. It depends on who's running the monitors. Sometimes whoever's running the sound, like the monitors, they're really great. And then other times, people will be commiserating about it backstage.

Like, I can't hear shit. So, I mean, you could be, like, not hitting a no and you wouldn't know because you don't hear it. Or you're like, that felt weird. You're like, mm-hmm. But, or, but usually then people, or like, I didn't notice anything because there's speakers backstage.

Yeah. I'll be like, wait. When I did the, you know, mine, mine felt really weird. And, you know, my friend Red would be backstage. She was Amos during my run and he'd be like,

sounded perfect. I'm like, okay. But singing in general, like, how scary is that? It can be scary. I think the scariest thing is that you're, the first singing moment for her

is up on that ladder. Right. And not only that, but it's a song that's not, it can be a little bit of a, it's not the, it's slow, it's a slower one. It's a little slower. Yeah, funny honey. And so it's a little bit like, you know, as long as if you, if you feel good about that one, it's all. It's all uphill. Yeah. Exactly. And how was living in New York during that time? I loved it. Yeah. Yeah. I lived here a long time ago. So it was nice to. Like before Vanderpom? Oh, yeah. I moved to your, I moved to L.A. from New York. So I was here for like five years, like a little bit in college and then like straight out of college. And then moved to L.A.

And then, yeah, it was nice to be back for an extended time. And Dan, your boyfriend lives here. Yes, yeah. So you get to be like the bi-coastal vibes. Yeah, felt very much like,

oh, we're just bi-coastal. And it was nice because we got to do normal things. Yeah. Because usually... I mean, not how normal you were crazy busy, though. Yeah, but it was like, come over and cook dinner in the, apartment like stuff that you do yeah when you like live in the same city all the time but you

bought a home in l.A so you kind of made a declarate like a decision yeah i bought that house without stepping foot into it so that was yeah did somebody else go for you yeah my my my friends went and looked at it for me and i had to kind of just say yeah well i'm running out of time because i was about to come back from here so why not rent like why would why did you have the pressure because it just feels like the money is going to some landlord. And I would, if I have it, I'd rather like put it in a house, put it right into a house. But then you step foot since. Plus, I don't want to move twice. Yes, yes, yes. And it's good. Yeah. You love it. Yeah. We'll be right back after the break. This episode is brought to you by IQ Bar, our exclusive snack sponsor. IQ Bar is the

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Code not skinny. And we're back. You are surrounded by such amazing friends, like Meredith crying for you. She's the best. Dana is such a good friend. Also, like Braddock. Brad is always around you.

Katie's such a good friend. From the outside, like it feels like so much, like so many of your friends are so supportive. Was there anything? People always say like you learn who your friends are kind of in hard times. Sure, yeah. Did you have any disappointment around you of friends that turned out to not be? Or were they all as great as these people? I feel like you saw a lot of that sort of struggle on season.

and 11 of VaynerPump. Yeah, and Lala as well. I personally felt Ariana's correct me or wrong. Like, you and Lala weren't ever really... No, but I really thought that we would kind of go like this, you know? And I think at that time, I really thought we were going to like... In a good place. It was going to keep going like that.

Well, she came to the show and everything. And then I watched Vanderpump, and I was like, what? Oh, that was before the season came out. Yeah. Before it came out, but after we shot it, supportive of you, I have to say. Yeah, and so I really thought that was going to continue. And then, you know, and Sheena and I still keep in touch, but it's just not, you know, obviously

we're not in the same places we all were before, but. Is that sad that she didn't think? Because she said, you said to her, like, you're my family in the season finale. Yeah, so I still feel like that to some extent. It's just not, you know, we're not getting together all the time. Yeah. It's about to be her birthday tomorrow. So she's having a party.

Is she 40 tomorrow? Yeah. Oh my God. Yeah. Is everybody, because you're turning 40. and to June. June. She's tomorrow.

Is more people from the cast are turning 40 or no? No, because Katie's like a couple years younger. Right. And then Lala's obviously much younger. Yeah, and then the boys are like... And the boys are older. Oldies.

So she never wrote a book. Yeah. Yeah. And she said she really hopes you read it. Are you going to? Yeah, probably. I'm more of like an audible person. Yeah, you're an audiobook. LVP.

Where are you? with her because to me, like, she always really loved you throughout the seasons, but she does have a thing where she kind of loves the boys. Like, did you feel that in any way? I think it's a little bit of loving the boys, but also loving the, I think it's like a business thing sometimes, too, with her. Not always business decisions that I would agree with or that I would make or, you know, supporting people that I necessarily would not. Right. In that way. But, yeah, I mean, I don't, we don't like chat. Yeah.

Not having your tea times anymore. No. No. Did you feel like she was happy to see you succeed? I guess I just, I haven't really seen her since then. She wasn't in my comments. I was like, that was like two years. Like, I haven't even seen her since.

Right. You know, so. So were you, I know you, you came out with a thing. But yeah. You said that. I mean, I feel like she would say that she is. I would hope so. Yeah.

Yeah, I don't know. You did say that you were planning on not coming back, but you made it very, I love, because I feel like now that we, you also said here that you're an overthinker and you think about everything, because I feel like when you said it, you had like parentheses, like, just like disclaimer, because you already know what people are going to say. Yes. So it's kind of like, and I was not going to back, come back, not because I think I'm better, not because I think of it. I have to say it because it's like if I don't, they immediately go to that as if that's like they think they know me better. then, you know, it's like so silly, but yeah. But you made those disclaimers that it's because you really felt like there was nothing more to do. It was during when we were like negotiating contracts for season 11 and we were working on all this stuff.

It was like if they're working on dancing with the stars contracts, they're working on this contract. You know, my team like and I, we have these conversations all the time where it's like, which what do we want to do? where are we going? Yeah. And I was like, I was like, if this, I was like, I can't afford to say no to this. Like I have, they were like, are you sure you want to go back? I was like, I have to because then what? What do I do?

Yeah. I was like, I don't have, you know, millions in the bank. I don't have like, what do I do if I don't? And I was like, plus also, this is my job. Like, why should I like disappear off the face of the planet? Because I was like, why don't I just show like that my room is filled with boxes, that I'm cleaning out my, which also they didn't show why I had closed. clothes everywhere because I was literally cleaning out my closet because I was packing

because I thought I was moving. Yeah, you weren't just a slob with some food left out. Like all the things. Packing like everything. I've put everything in my room to try to pack it all up. Like, like, guys, get a fucking grip. But I was like, but if this could please, like, if we could make it so that this is my last, I feel like that would be ideal.

You would feel good about it. I would feel like, but I didn't tell anybody that, obviously, besides my team. Guys were the team, okay. Yeah. So you kind of, yeah, so you went in thinking that and then. And then I was like, and then we'll see how it goes. But like that's... Do you feel like you would have had FOMO if they had another season?

FOMO? What's the opposite? Jomo. You would have had Jomo. They did come to us and asked, they asked me if I would come back. Yeah. And I said, well, you know, what does that look like? And what do you, you know, and there was a lot of different things talked about.

And I think they were, like, taking temperature, different places with different people. And for me, I was like, look, I mean, I've done so much work on, like, my mental health is so much better right now. And I just feel like going back into that now doesn't really make sense. And then I was like, plus, when would you do that? I was like, I'm booked until... Let me check my schedule. I was like, we could do it possibly in January. I was like, I just don't know how this is going to work out.

And I mean, you guys always, like, how is it. waves, two people always want to know who's coming back. You guys don't know until you kind of know. Well, they never knew are we renewed or not until like so last minute. As a viewer was always surprised and was like, was not the best long season ever? Like, or the most ratings

or whatever. Yeah, but then you always think like, well, you know, not like breaking, maybe like shows, you know, big shows. Sometimes it's just that's it. Right. You're like, maybe it could be. You never know. You never know. And now that's it. And I think there were like, I think there was a lot of different things.

I think maybe it was a factor. Maybe it wasn't. I think maybe Katie was a factor as well. I know Katie, we had talked about it plenty that we both didn't go right about it. Or like, you know, maybe they were like, look, the puzzle pieces are just not coming together. And maybe we should do. I think they should have done it in Vegas, though. With the staff?

With the new. But with staff? Yeah, like for Vegas restaurant. Are you going to watch this new one? I mean, we'll see. I'll probably put it on and see if it gives me, like, you know. If it feels traumatizing. But I thought that they should have done,

instead of just doing it at Sir with a new cast, I thought they should have moved it to one of her other spots. And kind of just been like, the whole thing's new. The whole things now. Yeah, we'll be weird to see Sir just, you know, just new with new people. I wonder. I wonder if you're going to care. I don't know.

Something about her finally opened. yeah about how was it over a year it's like a year in the works yeah a year and it happened even though people were like there was that rumor remember remember that it was like fake and not gonna happen or like and then people were like it's a film set yeah yeah oh my like for what yeah yeah so it did happen opening a place was it harder than you thought may it's like May 20th or May 21st will be our year still lines at the door it's very hard it's hard now it's hard it was hard then it's hard now. It's different problems. Did you think going into it

that it would be this harder? Were you like sandwich out of you? Well, we knew because people always tell you. They're like, it's the hardest thing ever, you know? We're like, yeah, but we still really want to do it. Yeah. And we love it. But yeah, it is hard. It has a lot of work. Yeah. And do you, how often do you go? When I'm in town, I try to be there twice a week. Yeah? Or sometimes, you know, I like to take people there for lunch and then

I like, I check in. Plus also, it's like we're having lunch and stuff. You can cut the line. Yeah, I do cut the line. I mean... Although, if there's like a big... You know, there's a lot of people waiting, I won't do that. But usually it's a little bit more chilled out, though.

Are you thinking of expanding? So more people can sit? That would be great, but I feel like the first location has to be... Like, just, like, working really well. Yeah. Yeah. I feel like maybe down the road would be cool, but yeah. Love Island, you guys, is coming back June 3rd.

Jun 3rd. So, yeah. I love closer than you think. I hate when announces, you know, when there's a movie announcement, it's like Margo Robbie is going to be Cinderella. in 20, by the way, that I just make, like, that would be a good. She would be a great Cinderella. Cinderella in 2028.

So I love that like it dropped that it's coming out and legit less than a month or a month from today that, no, less than a month. It's coming out. Yes, the train is leaving the station. So my mom brain needs to, okay, that means you haven't filmed it yet. No. It hasn't happened yet. No.

You can't tell us anything. It's all live. You don't even know what you're, did you see, like, pictures of the new contestants or anything? No, I don't even think they know, because basically, you know, a lot of people get flown out and they are sequestered and they're all in these, I mean, they're in Fiji, it's beautiful. They go to the gym, they can go to the pool, but they always have to have a chaperone because none of them are allowed to meet or see each other. And then they basically wait and then would they find out if they're casted or sometimes people, people stay there and then they're like, hey, no. Wait, do they save some of those people for Casa Amor?

Yes. From now? Or they bring people or they might bring somebody later on. You never know. And they're up there. They're like beautiful masterminds. Like they're able to just kind of puzzle piece and they know what to look for in a cast member. And they know what's going to be good.

Yeah. Like I remember I saw a guy at the hotel last year and I was like, that guy was really attractive. And they were like, he's not going to worry he's getting sent home i was like oh wait so is that the audition period or that's the like after oh that's after the casting process goes on for a really long time with like meetings and phone calls and all kinds of stuff before you get to that point surprised last season like who got the public attention like lea like i thought i had my pulse on

pop culture yeah but i would have not seen that coming like well in the beginning when the The Rob, you know, when he, that first time, when I also don't know sometimes, like, are we, like, when they, when he chose Andrea, or no, the first person who came in, he chose the first bombs show, was at Liv, but he had done it before. Liv chose him. Yes, that's what happened. So, Leah was standing there by herself and I thought, oh, no, that's it. And then, of course, they tell me my ear and I get to be like, you're not. not going home. But I didn't know that.

I didn't know right away I'm going in and we're going to fake out an elimination and they're not actually going home. Uh-huh. So I actually, for a minute there, I was like, oh, no, that's it for her. That sucks. Yeah.

But then, of course, it's like, not only did she make it to the finals, she's second place with Miguel and they're happily ever after in love. Would you have seen, like, when you walked around the Bella, did you look at Miguel and Leanne who were like, they're going to make it?

Like, I want to, what were, did you think that? Well, you never, you never, No, I thought the top three couples I had a lot of faith in, like, the whole time. Yeah. So, you know, Janae and Kenny, Leah McGill, and Serena and Cordell. Jan and Kenny are still together, too? Yeah.

Die. Yeah. I'm dead. So I like, and I loved them all. I thought they were, like, all so cute and they're like so good for each other. Yeah. But then I think to myself, yeah, but you don't really know them. Yeah.

I'm like, who knows what happens and they go back to real life, but here they are. And wild because Leah and Miguel, I mean, he's from the fucking UK. Yeah. She's from Calabasas. Yeah. And now they're getting a spinoff show. Yeah. And they're all together.

They're all like going to be like living in an apartment comics or something. You're in a house together or something. I don't know. But it's like, are you going to make cameos there? I don't know. She's around. I don't know. But you're like, depends on my schedule.

Things made of trade. Yeah. I don't know. But that is, I mean, I don't know the numbers, but I would. will say I had until that point watched only the UK. Yeah. And I jumped on USA this season you were hosting. I don't know if that's a coincidence, but I am sure that if we look at the numbers,

you brought over a lot of new viewers. I think there's a lot of people I saw in comments that would say, like, I never watched it before. I came initially to see, you know, Ariana hosting. But then, of course, then they stayed because the cast was so incredible. Because it was so good. And it was so good. Yeah.

It's so funny with each season of any, the way I'm saying, like, I won't watch the new Vanderpp. But it's kind of like you get attached to these to the cast and you're like, they'll never be as good, you know? And then somehow, and then first episode you can still be like, see, not as, and then you get fucking hug. That's me with every season of Love Island, whether it's UK, Australia, I always, when I'm like a viewer, as a viewer, I'll be. be watching in the first couple of episodes. I'm like, no. Yeah. And then I'm hooked and then I'm in love with everyone and I, then all of a sudden it's different and I.

Were you ever there physically for one of the like makeout challenges? Plus, the one with Nicole and Andrea. Wait. And the one of the first episode when they had to make out before picking who they were going to. How? Because when I watch it, I don't know. I've become a prude with the years.

Okay, you guys. I mean, I don't know. I just get, I'm like, oh my God, to me, like, I, how are you there seeing the tongue and seeing all this happen and the grinding and the like, like, what are you feeling in those moments? It's so hot. It's like kind of hot, but it's also funny because it's so, I don't know. It's weird, too, because I feel like in my younger years, I'm not saying I've never made out with anybody, but like I've never been in that type of position where people are.

just playing these like make out challenge. Right. And where you would make out with anyone the same way you would make like the fact that like they go and there's a French kiss like it's full French. It's full French. I feel like they just have such. Yes. I think they they prepare with

Oh they prepare for these challenges. Well I definitely yeah and I definitely think to especially being a bombshell coming in or being a CASA person the amount of hyping up of yourself that you have to be able to do to have that confidence because if you come in and you're awkward and you're not confident, it's already, it's already bad. And how was your confidence? Because I can imagine, I mean, we're seeing the slow-mo. But when you walk in and those looks, like, bam, fam,

fam. And then they're all like, Ariana. All right. Like, does that give you the most ego boosts ever? Yeah. It's so nice. Yeah. Well, it helps to the, you know, like in glam with Carl and Crystal and we've been covered in me in body makeup and things like that to make sure that we're fully ready to walk in and nail it. And be hot. But then also a little bit

is I am playing a character a little bit. You know, it is a little bit of I'm putting it on. Right, because hosting, you can't just be like your cool chill self. I can't like lean back. Yeah, and I got to, you know. Be more on.

Yeah. I'm foam rolling. I'm like, I've got, I have good posture. You know, it's a whole thing. Do you love hosting? I do. Do you want to? like keep doing that?

Yeah. In other places. Yeah, I love hosting. It's so good on you. It's so much fun. Thanks. And so you said you don't, it doesn't feel like work for you. No, it doesn't.

Not at all. Really? Because it's so interesting. And I love like, I walk in, I get to meet them and I don't know. I just think they're so, like especially last season, it was my first time. And I had done the guest boss before, but it's different because I'm just coming in for one thing. And then I'm out. But getting to, sorry, there's like.

a fuss. But getting to like come in and see them and I've been watching their relationships progressing or not. And like it's a little bit bittersweet because in those moments sometimes I really want to be able to just chat. And give your opinion. And be like, are you okay?

But do they or like... Do you get a time like behind the scenes ever to like chat? No. No. Sometimes it can just be like a... What are you most excited about coming into this new season? I'm really excited to meet the new cast, whoever they may be.

I'm excited to see the refreshments to the villa. I know that they're doing a little bit of refurbishing. I'm like the food. It was my bad. I should have said it. No, because that's what I get excited about. Do they have more avocados for more avocado toast this year? By the way, they had all the avocados in Fiji, apparently.

Couldn't find avocados anywhere outside of them eating it in the villa. Feel it at this time. I know. I should. I should just be like, guys, you're not... Give a little avocado. I'm not appreciating this as much as you should. So, yeah, I'm excited.

I'm excited to see how they've kind of revamped the villa, the new cast. I don't have any outfits planned yet. We have mood boards and ideas, so... Here you go. I'm excited to see what ends up happening there. And I'm really excited to see my crew again. And how long is the filming? I will be there for about two months, but the filming is about six weeks.

Two months in Fiji. Yeah. Do they ever get, like, bad weather? Like rain. Sometimes, yeah. Yeah. But typically in this window, we're okay. Okay, cool. It's usually later in like July, August, September, it starts to get more rainy.

So June 3rd, Peacock, 9 p.m. every night? 9 p.m. every day, but hump day. Oh. No episodes on Wednesdays. Okay. Thank God. We need it. I mean, we need it to catch our breath. You know what I mean? It's so hard to. It's a job. If you got like Love Island, you got to like give it your all. You know what I mean? I love that for you too because it does feel like another.

manifesting of yours. I remember you said on the show to your ex, you said like, and I want to watch Love Island or like something. Yeah, I was like, yeah. Like putting Love Island out there, I just love this for you. 40th birthday will be when you're filming.

So are you going to... June 24th. Are you going to plan? Do anything out there? Yeah. I hope that I'm able to do something. Last year I had a really, really amazing birthday that my my like host team kind of put together and it was really awesome and it was like this incredible

Fijian experience. Fijian. Yeah. We know there was we ate lovo which is like they put it in the ground like it was all these things that you know it was really really beautiful night and now I'm like no now what are you going to do you're like we already ate the Lavovo we we we were had Kava we did it all like it's got to be bigger this time babe 40 it's 40 I'm scared no that's so, but, but this is another example. Like getting older is better. I always say it. Don't, don't you feel it? Like, you're in the prime.

No, I agree. I would ever people would say that. I was like, I don't know what they're talking about. But now I feel like it is true. Just don't look at my neck too closely. Stop. You're perfect. Thank you for coming on.

Thanks for having me. Thanks for having me. And happy almost 40th. Thank you. Sorry, I'm about to break your mic again. Be a new K-ball for She-Hulk. Thank you guys so much for listening. to this episode of Not Skinny but Not Fat.

Follow me on Instagram at Not Skinny but Not Fat. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. Rate the podcast that you love so much on Apple Podcasts and write a little review. If you tell me you did, I'll give you a big virtual smoocharoo. Thank you guys so much for listening. And I'll see you next Tuesday. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements. and advertisements for products and services.

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