On Display with Melissa Gorga - Let's Be Real (w/ Margaret Josephs)

Episode Date: December 15, 2022

Melissa invites her friend, confidante, and one of her favorite castmates, Margaret Josephs, onto the show to talk about seeing relationships for what they truly are, how last season's reunion set the table for this new season of RHONJ, and why loyalty and honesty always go hand in hand.  It's a real chat between two women who have stayed true to themselves on AND off camera.  This week's sponsors:  Advocare - Spark Energy Mix: advocare.com/melissa (15% off first order) Caraway - Good Looking, Clean Cooking: carawayhome.com (20% off) Chime - Credit Builder Visa Credit Card: chime.com/melissa (No annual fees) 

We make this look easy. So people are like, why can't I have that too? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. with Melissa Gorga, I think you're gonna be very excited about this week because I know that you guys love when I bring anybody from my show on. This is a first timer on my podcast. She is one of my very, very good girlfriends.

She's actually one of the realist people I know in the reality TV game if I'm being honest with you guys. And I can't wait to finally have a conversation with her in front of all of you So ladies and gentlemen, I have Mrs. Margaret Joseph's today. Oh My god Melissa. I'm so excited to be on display with you And I love that you said I'm the realist which is so sweet because I am a real girl You are you are I have to say that about you because and you know, I'll never forget when I first met you and it was, our introduction was really

through Sige Flicker, right? Oh, yes. I know. Just even saying her name makes me nauseous, but it's true that, but she brought a lot of good things because I came on the show through her, but I immediately loved you. Well, she actually, I'll never forget her telling me that she was gonna bring, you know, one of her friends on and she came right to me and she's like, you over everyone are gonna love her. She is gonna be best friends with you, you guys are both,

like crazy business women, you guys are both workhorses, like you are gonna love Margaret and she was 100% right. And we both do work harder, I feel like, than anyone, right? We're like crazy people. we're always we're always moving. We're always shaken. We're hustling for the next deal and thinking about our business and knowing, you know, this show doesn't less forever and we're always moving on to the next thing, which I appreciate about you and I know you appreciate me for that and and I think we're very

smart about it. We are definitely hustlers and I think that I so appreciate that about you. I see that about you all the time. Margaret, by the way, guys, again, you should don't know this about her. She always has like a random posse around her too of people who like help her. Like no matter what it may be, where like I'm always giggling because I'm like Margaret will roll deep with like four or five people to do all her little shit. And I'm like, wait, why am I holding this myself?

And why am I doing this? Margaret, I'm trying to keep you. I'm trying to convince you to get more people around you. You're like, I don't know. I have these people. I said, Melissa, how do you do this all yourself? That's what I was impressed with. I was like, I could never be me without my team. But I've had my team a long time because before I got on the show and I had my business, like these have been with me for 14 years. And then I got Lindsey, who's been

with me for six years. And I have this guy, Ron, who, you know, comes into my life, who's done graphics for us for a long time and design and, you know, he dips in and out. But, and Ralph, this, I've been with forever, who's been in licensing with me since 2009. So I have so many I've now created my, my posse, but it took me a long time to like figure out how to delegate where I feel like you've already mastered delegating and for me, it was like, I felt like if I wasn't doing it myself, it was not gonna get done, right? And I almost can't, to this day,

I can't let anyone even Instagram for me. I'm like a psycho with that. Like I just, I'm pretty good. You do a great job on your Instagram. That is my most hated job. I think also you do a great job on your endorsements. I do always say that it's very authentic because I know you use the products and everything else and you do such an amazing job on that. But I think people don't realize such a

media is a job. Right. A long job, full, blown job. Like it is, it is a full time job, whether you're creating the content where you're figuring out, whether you're figuring out what you're actually going to accept and what deals you're going to do and what you're going to use and how you're going to create it. Just to learn how to do these reels with these transitions and these cuts and holy, it's a lot. It's a lot. I know you know, and I know you have help with that too, but I have to have help with that.

I can't do that myself, and I think people discount influencers or people doing any kind of endorsement or doing their job, but at the end of the day, it's not easy to do it correctly. And that's always the end of everybody who does something like that, you do a great job. And I'm very impressed with that because I to do it correctly. And that's the always they add up everybody who does something like that. You do a great job.

And I don't very impressive that because I cannot do that myself. And it's my most, I love doing it, but it's also my most hated, everyone else me. Take a picture, do this, do that. I don't like being on my phone. I get it. No, I know, it gets exhausting. But I want to talk to you today also about the fact

that obviously we're both on the Real House so I said New Jersey, right? We have this huge platform. I feel like you and I are very great at utilizing it as well, right? Yes. But I do want to talk to you a little bit about relationships.

And like since obviously I've been on the show a lot longer, so I get it and I know it. But now you're also becoming someone who has been on this show for how many years has it been now six years six years, six years, six years in the public eye, the way that they show kind of just like blast you into the universe from the first time you walk on. And you were one of those, I would definitely think it's fair to say that you are one

of the people that we casted that caught on really quickly, that the fans accepted very nicely, that blended with us amazingly, even though you are not family, you were not 100% Italian. You were not any of the criteria, right, that we are known for. You was printed in, I would say, better than almost, I think I would say better than almost I think I can say better than any other housewife we've ever, ever had tried to blend with us on the real housewives in New Jersey. You like it just works

for some reason it works and I feel like a lot of it is also because you are real. You you don't cave for anyone. You don't fan girl for anyone. You keep the you just keep it real with what you really feel. And you're very big on points that I noticed, like, uh, what's the word I'm looking for, Margaret?

You know, I need to find my words sometimes. Um, you're big on, on what's right? What's that word? You're a principal. Yes. The point for principal. You're big on principle. So at the end of the day, whether, you know, when you're in a situation on housewise, I do feel like you go off

principle and what is truly right in your heart. And I think that's what's made you, you know, that really is what made you this successful on the show. I agree't thank you. No, I also feel like, listen, if I thought you were wrong with something, I love you, badly. I'm not going to turn against you, but I'm gonna say Melissa, that wasn't right. Even if my friend is doing something, I'm going to call the mad on it.

Right. It's, of course, I could say this very wholeheartedly. There's certain people I'm going to bond with who off the show I would be bonded with. There's certain people who are on the show who I probably wouldn't be good friends with unless I was thrown into a situation with them that I'm on the show with them,

which I'm sure you feel the exact same way. But I can appreciate that they're great TV. We become friends because we were on the show together. But I think the thing about me is, I'm going to agree with you on certain things. I'm not going to agree with you on certain things, but I can move on from it. I'm not a broadholder.

I've made up with your sister-in-law who's had my hair pulled. I could see past things that we have to be together. She said horrible things to me, but I could take things at face value. But with that being said, everybody's not like that. And that's what I have a hard time relating to. People who stay stuck can't move past things, bring things up over and over again. So I think that's a very hard thing for me And I think that comes with age and I mean I mean, you know, I am older, you know, than some of the people on the show You're not that much older though than the

Not at all a few years. I mean the lower sentries are both 50. How old are you? Yeah? 51 to Laura's is 51. I think she's gonna be turning 52 I'm like three years older than Dolores and We're not talking about a 10-year difference here or 15-year difference. We're talking about three to five years older You are yes, and can you send Dolores, you know, I mean, you know, I'm a face left ahead of Teresa and Dolores and I are about Get out save it. You're battling the You know Dolores are battling are about to get out, save it. You're battling the two of you. You know, Dolores and our battling the age, battling the age.

We want to talk about Placid's surgery. The one thing I did notice about the show, I am the only one left on the show that has a real teeth. You are. You're the only one that has your teeth. I can't believe it. I'm beautiful. You'll never have to do your teeth. No, there must be a reason everyone does them, though. I might eventually have to do them. No, you don't have to do them. You do not have to do your teeth. No, there must be a reason everyone does them though. I might eventually have to do them.

No, you don't have to do them. You do not have to do your teeth. I didn't. I never realized my teeth are so small for my big mouth until I got on TV. I was like, oh my god. Well, that's another thing until you're on TV. Like, I never thought that I had like a large nose. I was like, my nose is, I always knew it was like a little pudgey, but like until I got on season three of the Real Housewives of New Jersey and actually watched it play out, because everyone always has so many questions, right, about my nose, my nose, holy shit. Yes. They thought I was like hiding it. Andy Cohen even forgets that I announced it on, he asked me once on the show and I said, Andy, I've told you over and over again that yes, I had a nose job. I'm not denying it, you know, and then the Jackal and LaRita thing came out with like the four nose jobs, which I've never had four nose jobs. No, no doctors going to operate four

times on one nose. I know that was just. And I was freaking, I was like, why would she even go there or say something so crazy? But yeah, the crazy thing is reality TV, right? Or when you see yourself on television at all, I'm like, wow, my nose is little, it's like little punchy and I have a little bump. Like I need to do something and like what you're saying. You don't even realize. Oh my God.

If you have small teeth, so you see yourself on TV, it's kind of like, it's crazy that that happens. What possessed me, I said to Joe, because I was a main bitch before see yourself on TV. It's kind of like, it's crazy that that happens. What possessed me, I said to Joe, because I was a baby bitch before I got on TV. I had my eyes done prior to getting on TV. Once, you know, when I was 42 years old, I had gotten plastic surgery.

But when I went on housewives in New Jersey, I was not in the best state. I had gained a little weight. I had a horrible loss to my bank account was frozen. So I wasn't looking my best. I was a in the best state. I had gained a little weight. I had a horrible loss to my bank account was frozen. So I wasn't looking my best. I was a little stressed. So I was a little chubbier than I normally am. And I went on and I was like,

Jesus, Joe, why'd you let me go on without a face lift? I was so irritated when I looked back at the pictures. I was like, listen, I was like a chubbier, a cuter version of myself, but Joe, it's like that's the way he liked me to look, you know, voluptuous. Right. But you're not voluptuous anymore. I don't know if anyone has seen Margaret Laley, but she's, um, a time. She's tinier than me if we're being. No, I'm not tinier than you.

Yes, you are. If we're standing next to each other, I think you're way to smaller than mine. No, I am just now I'm like thin, middle white woman. I've I've changed my figure style. I used to be very curvy and that worked for me. I lost some weight and I had my breast reduction. So now after having a breast reduction and then you lose weight now I literally have no boobs left. Joe's like there's nothing hitting me in the face anymore. I don't know who I'm sleeping with. But I'm like you should be happy. Now you're like, have slept with another woman. So when I got on Chi-E, that's what it was. I was like, how, when I saw myself back,

I was like, oh my God, what was I thinking? Because there's, you should have not looked bad by any means. You did not. No, there's sabers and there's wrinklers. I wasn't a wrinkler. I was a saber. So a sabver is easy to

fix with the facelift. They'd just go under a soda, muscle up and cut the extra skin off. And I was like, all right, I'm doing that easy breezy. It's crazy. The mirror of reality. The mirror of reality TV is always so close to your face, right? Like it's

just right there. It's like it's one of those things that's part of getting on this show. Okay, guys, it's one of those things that's part of getting on this show. Okay, guys, it's time to ditch the chemicals with caraway homes, non-toxic cookware and bakeware collections. So you can make healthier cooking of piece of cake. Caraway homes kitchen wares are all designed for the modern home and feature a chemical-free ceramic coating. So your food can be prepared with peace of mind that no hard-to-pronounce chemical junk will get into your healthy ingredients. All sets come equipped with easy access storage solutions so

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Like did you notice your relationships changed a lot from when you entered the show, just with your personal friends and your personal group? Did a lot of things change for you at that point? Nothing up until truthfully the past year. I was very blessed. I have friends that have been in my life since I'm a little girl. And most of those have not changed at all. I have the most support friends. You know, I talk about them all the time. You see when I have a dance day all come,

I have the most tremendous parties. They're all very supportive. Like I always say, the capi Steinbergs. You know, I always give you that you have all the Steinbergs and all the Rosenbergs and all of them. Exactly. All my friends, because my ex-husband was Jewish, you know, we passed away, but he was Jewish and my children were raised Jewish. So while my friends, I live in a Jewish community. I did every Jewish holiday. So all my good friends, nothing, nothing changed. They're also supportive. I did have some friend, one particular friend, unfortunately, that turned on me. I think certain people see you in the public eye.

And there's one thing I think about you and myself, we make this look easy and that it comes easy. So people are like, why can't I have that too? And you know what, I never thought of that, but you're absolutely funny. And it's not easy. This isn't easy. So of course, I've had some relationships that are going to play out on this season that

you know about that has unfortunately come out against myself. You, Jackie, this one friend who I couldn't deliver her to be on the show with us. Unfortunately, I couldn't deliver her to be on the show with us. Unfortunately, I couldn't deliver what she wanted. I, and that's very, very sad when people jealousy really gets people. But I think what happens is when we make something look easy, people want it. People think, well, if it's so easy, why can't I have it too? Well, it's not easy. This is social media.

No, social media and being a housewife is very intense for us right or wrong. I mean this is a very It's not an easy job. I mean there's only been a hundred something housewives in the history of the last 15 years that housewives have been on not Jersey hasn't been on 50 we've done 13 seasons right But in the history of housewives with those things, everything else, I think it's 15 or 16 years. It's been less than 200 housewives in the history of housewives. So out of all the way made in the United States, so the truth is, it's not a easy job. It's, you are in the public eye, it's grueling

and it's fantastic as it is. It's as hard as it is. And I think people think it comes easy and they want it for themselves and people unfortunately get a taste of the spotlight and want it also. Listen, I had a friend who I actually filmed with who was in my wedding, who tried to come on the show too,

which in the same season, okay, I brought her with me to a lunch and then late because because I was trying to help her get on the show as well. And then you're on in that season, you see or have a sit down with my sister-in-law to tell my sister-in-law horrible things about me and that I'm a cheater. Oh, once again, you know, once again, like all of these things, cheaters, strippers, I don't know what's next. I rob banks, I hurt babies, like at this point who gives a shit, like whatever. You'll come be, I mean, that's the next thing.

I mean, it's like at this point, the formula is like, okay, someone sit with Teresa and tell her something horrible about Melissa and we're gonna say it on the show because there's gotta be something horrible about Melissa. Like, this is just like the formula. We can all just like figure this out by now, right? Yeah, and that's what I find so sad.

And I think to try and get in between people's relationships and people's families, and I think this person was just like, well, how am I going to her mark right the worst? And what does Margaret value the most in life? Well, she values the most in life her relationships with people and her friendship. So, and how am I gonna get myself on the show this way? And I think that was like a very six-ish one to the two people who weren't talking to me.

So I find that very distasteful and upsetting. But otherwise all my relationships are amazing. I'm very blessed. You know what bothers me? People are always like, because I don't talk about my kids on the show, what you know about? And you were here at my house for my husband Shiba,

you know, my ex-husband Shiba. You see my son was here. You see that I'm close with my family. Yes. That is one thing I do keep very private, because they choose to stay out of the public eye. Right. And I have to be respectful of that.

Yeah, it's not for everyone. And he's older, your son, how old is he? 26. 26, 26. 26. And as a man of 26 years old, starting his life, doesn't want to be on reality television. Of course, you're going to respect that.

Yes. And I choose to keep that private. That's something I hold very dear and close. And I spend a lot of energy out. Also has two children. And I'm reconnected with my other kids minus my stepdaughter who you know there's still some issues but all my other kids are around and we have a very close family

it's just that's one thing that my children choose to stay private and I have to respect that from them and I don't talk about them and I don't post pictures publicly they all have private social media. And that's the way I have to keep it. You know what I think, Margaret? I think that sometimes the realist people on reality TV are often open to the deepest attacks on social media because people know the real us.

Do you know what I'm saying? They see it. They know us. They, I feel like without seeing a lot of the dark side, or if we don't have a lot of the dark side, social media sometimes wants to create a dark side. And lately, I mean, I know you know, and like people, you know,

there's definitely social media out there that are just, they wake up in the morning, right? And they start from 9 a.m. until midnight just trying to say the most horrible things they can and what I found recently and you know is that they're now pulling clips from 2010 that are not that bad I'm like what if you pull the other side of the clip to see why I'm reacting to something that was happening to me. It's almost like it's just such bullshit that people have zero, so they have to go back 10, 15 years to try to find something and anything that they can possibly dig for.

It's like, give it a move on. That's what I don't understand. Why people cannot get over the past. And I think we'd still be in a civil war if we didn't move forward. I mean, we wouldn't be able to go to Florida, the North and the South. I don't understand how people cannot move past things.

You have come so far and you are not a grudge holder. You don't bring up things from a long time ago. You have forgiven so much in life in general. You move forward. I don't understand why people cannot move forward in life and keep bringing up things because that's not a way forward. Nothing gets done or settled if you can't forget things or just move. You don't have to, I can get my words up,

because I'm like in shock when I look on social media and I see these things coming up, well, this happened. I even saw like people pull up clips of your friend Jan who that happened. And I'm always in shock. Like, why are we talking about this? There's so many things that are much more relevant to today. And it's, you know, my friend Jan shot me a text

the day that Eridin said, I'm so sorry, I lied. Like she Jen shot me a text the day that aired and said I'm so sorry I lied. Like she honestly shot me a text explained to me I lied. I just I don't know why I got dragged in by the producers in your sister-in-law and all these people and Kim D and yada yada yada and I did it and I'm sorry. Like literally she texted me that. Exactly. And I mean it's so old already. And the show has changed so much. And people have evolved. And I don't understand why this is so hard. I think people Margaret, when you did you used to watch? I mean, back in the day, there was, there was a lot of different character.

There was a woman Penny who came through, right? That used to say she was a social media like, like she used to go hard on social media. Then she came out and said, I don't know why I did that. I was just trying to get out the show. And I was influenced, and she came out and said, I don't know why I did that. I was just trying to get out the show. And I was in, and she came out and said, I was influenced by your sister along Kim Day.

Everyone is always influenced by another, someone else on our show to do bad to others. Yeah, it's all people trying to get their moment. But I mean, people are so invested, which great, they keep us on TV. but be invested on what's going on now. Be invested in the moment and what's happening. We're here for entertainment. We're not here to, we're not here in cancer, okay?

It's not that serious. Exactly. Which I, right, and that's what it is. It's like they take it to the next level where it's beyond entertainment for them, but you know what, I feel bad for them because you know, and I know you do the same, it's kind of like a block and move thing.

So unless someone literally brings it to me, I see nothing anymore, you know? It's true. And it's like they're wasting their time and it's kind of sad, but I do see a little bit of like the old school past, like just let's go full blown and attack. But then I kind of it, it came full circle to me because Theresa was on watch what happens live and she was bringing up 10 years ago and

that she watched the she's now watching all the old clips and I'm like, oh, that makes sense. That's why all the hater accounts are saying exactly what she's saying is that's just like a coincidence. And then she brought up Louis. And I think Louis definitely won to cross his D's and dot his eyes. So he's watching and learning and she's like, I don't believe that Theresa never watched the show. We had to write a blog just so you know, you didn't come around when we had a right.

Well, I first got to show we would have to write a blog. Oh, we'd have to recap the whole entire episode word for word. She recapped everything. There's a, I don't know who was writing her blogs. Then if she never watched any of the episodes, it makes zero sense. You know, and obviously at the reunion, Andy is going to play every single snarky thing that anyone has said. So that to me is like a bullshit, like you're digging, reaching for anything because you

have nothing to be mad at. Okay. That's what that says to me. And instead of that, you know what I respect more Margaret? I would respect more saying this and I just don't want you in my life. I don't have to make up a thousand reasons as to why you're a shitty person and why I don't like you and why I'm hurt. How about instead just let's be real and say, I just don't have to make up a thousand reasons as to why you're a shitty person and why I don't like you and why I'm hurt. How about instead just let's be real and say I just don't want you in my life done.

Why do we have to hurt each other and say bad things? That's what I don't get. Well, I don't, the only thing I don't understand and I have said this to her, I'm like why I was still talking about this. Why are you talking about things from 10 years ago? It's, it's not doing anybody any good. It's, and it's not any good for you. Who could still be mad about something like that? It's actually mind-boggling.

It's actually, and that's what I said, it's like, well, I didn't, you did, you did know and we, and why do you care? Of course, you matter. Everyone knew everything. It doesn't matter. You want the truth. I don't even care. Like if I brought up things, there's things Joe Benigno has done to me a few years ago. I could bring up numerous things. If I brought those things up, I probably wouldn't be married.

Of course. I could get married to Joe every single day for everything. My girl, my sister, for anybody, anybody in the the world and that's not the way that's not the way life is and that's not the way a adult's behave and nothing in life that's not the way the world works and nothing in life would ever move forward and it's being stuck on a maze and no one wants to hear it anymore and that's I've tried to say that if it's not fun and it's not healthy. And it's, and that's not what we're about. So that's why I just don't even understand where it's coming from. It's, it's actually very odd. I know it's very frustrating. I remember even at the

reunion last season, which was a horrible reunion. I don't think it's going to really set the tone for this new season. When you start to watch this new season, it is very, very much so a reflection of how that reunion went and like how horrible that really was for our family, right? And it kind of just goes into it from there and it explains why Joe and I, you know, feel the way we do going into the season. It was, it was a a very very rough reunion. And I you know it's hard because when I see you I want to talk to you about everything we know and we really can't say. Yeah I can't wait for people to

actually see it. But you know people don't realize it comes right off the reunion. So if you watch the reunion that's where we started within two weeks after that. So it's like, that's where our heads were at. That's where we're coming off of. I mean, listen, you. You know what Santa, you also were very, there was also some great moments that we all had together and that this

all transpired and it's all coming back again is it's actually fucking crazy. It's crazy. Sometimes it's all coming back again. It's actually fucking crazy. It's crazy. Sometimes I feel nutty. Sometimes I read stuff and I'm like, wait, am I actually reading this? What's up everybody?

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I am Lola Blanc and I'm Megan Elizabeth and we're the hosts of Trust Me, the podcast about cults, extreme belief and the abuse of power. Now on podcast one, we're real life cult survivors and we're here to tell you anyone can join a cult. If you've ever dived headfirst into a new self-help program or believed will heartedly in a spiritual practice or even just trusted someone with your life. Guess what? You're just as susceptible as everyone else. No one is safe, especially not Megan. I'm the most susceptible.

We want to debunk the myth that people who join cults are uneducated or naive or broken, because anyone can be manipulated by a narcissist or feel good in a new group they've joined. And we should know we both have been. Join us every week as we explore the world of extreme belief, talk to survivors and experts, and share our own experiences with cults and the abuse of power. Don't be fooled. You might be next. Get new episodes of Trust Me every Wednesday on podcast one. Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you get your podcasts. You know what kills me too.

And I can discuss this with you. I know you had Carlos King come on your podcast. And that car calls the stir. I guess you went on with Heather McDonald first. Yes, I said he wasn't sure on the internet. Yes, I've never met him. He seems very nice, very kind. He said he said it on my podcast.

He's never met you. And he has no issue with Melissa and Joe. And he said, you guys were lovely. And he said, he wasn't on season three. Right. But what made me laugh is that he didn't, like, what, you know, the haters want to say or whatever. He didn't say anything vindicating if you asked me because it's like, no, he's saying exactly

what we've said all these years. Teresa, like got the phone call, right? And then got upset. Yeah, no shit. We know she got the phone call and then got upset. And then called me and said, I heard your auditioning for the show. And I said, yes, I'm supposed to audition this weekend. This is why I'm like, he's not lying. What he said, she did get a phone call.

I'm sure because Bravo must have called her to say, Hey, we're going to interview your sister-in-law. And at that point, wherever he was, he said he was at a food store, right? Or something? Yes, he was at Chicago and this is a frantic, frantic phone call from Teresa saying, oh my god, my sister-in-law is going to be on the show because she's smart enough to know that like if I end up getting interviewed, I'm probably going to be on the show, right? And I have to say whether or not we were Teresa's in laws or not, but we did, we did join a show that was a bunch

of sister-in-laws. There's Caroline's sister-in-law. It was a family show. And like, come on, you know. It was a family show. It was a fan of the show. And, like, come on. You know? It was a family show. It was a fan of the show. And this is what I'm also going to say. When people are like,

when people talk about storylines, or they say these insane things, you have brought amazing TV for the last 10 years that you've been on the show. Now it's going to be 11 years, Teresa has brought great TV. No one could do it without the other one. So when people are like, you know,

this is a militant, the storyline, absolutely, that's not even plausible or possible. For the sake of, one could not do it without the other because it's a family story. Because we're discussing each other. Each other, everyone's just cutting it. Because we're discussing each other. Each other. Everyone's just so funny. Even on like watch what happens live, like every question

obviously was about Joe and I, which so it's like, OK, so if you don't have us, then what are your questions? I don't like it's vice versa. People say things, you know, and people will say things to me, you know, what's your storyline? I've spoken about, you know, how I, when I came on the show, how I had left my first husband, how I know for Joe, and those were consequences that estranged me from some of my stepchildren, because they were very devastating.

I spoke about that. I spoke about issues in my relationship with my mother when I had written my book. I spoke about my losses. I have spoken about so many personal issues on this show and revealed so much of my life. But we're non-somber cast. We're non-somber. And we're a great cast and we all need each other.

And everybody needs off of each other. That show for seasons one and two was the Manzo show. It really was. It was very centered around that. I think when Joe and I joined, it did, Teresa became more prominent because now it was about her family. So we were feeding off each other, obviously.

Like I think it's black and white. It's easy to see that it's a family show. And you know, Andy Cohen has said this himself. He's like, where did these like storylines come from? He's like, I don't ask for storylines. He's said that himself, like the fans created this world of like, they need a storyline. What about your storyline is, hey, not everyone is hurting

and in major problem and trauma and trouble. What about your, what about showing a happy family that works hard, that has great kids, that shows their everyday struggles that's relatable? What happened? What, what, don't we need some of those families on reality TV as well? Yeah, what happens like everybody's not in crisis at all times. Exactly.

Exactly. And listen, and I, and it's like, she has, she's had it very hard. We're not saying that. But let's like, like, not, of course not. It's been, it's like, she has, she's had it very hard. We're not saying that. But let's like, like, not be. Of course not. It's been rough. And I think we have, but the good news is, we have some new people this year. Yes.

I know. We can't really touch on them, but yes, I am actually excited about them. I know that you prefer one over the other as we all probably do. Yeah, I, yes, of course. I mean, listen, I think that we get along with some better than others. Yeah. And

we don't have we have multiple new girls, multiple that and they're yes. So I'm excited. I always love when we bring in, you know, some new people. I love it. I think it's going to be a really crazy, great season. I have to say you have always been

you know, since day one, you've just been your my kind of girl. You really are Margaret. You really are. I have to say you have always been, you know, since day one, you've just been your my kind of girl. You really are Margaret. You really are. I have to say it. You're very down to earth. You're very reasonable. I can talk to you about something that pisses me. I've definitely called you before with an attitude. Like, what the hell are I've gotten mad at you? But like, it's a sensible, reasonable conversation that the two of us come to an agreement on. Yeah. No, I don't think anything's going to separate. We're grown-ups that can have a conversation and be mad at each other, but like it's not

going to tear us apart. It's not like, oh, she's not my friend anymore. She did this. She's dead to me. We're not those people. And I think that's what makes us great friends and great castmates. And we can come back together. I mean, I think that's what separates, great friends and great cast mates and we can come back together. I mean, I think that's what separates the grownups.

I hate to say it and we're not broad shoulders. And that's what makes us very good friends and that's why we're drawn to each other. I also love that we encourage each other in business and we're not jealous of each other and we build each other up. You have, which I love, you have that great line. You started licensing, which is a big deal. I love it. With that line come out.

Of course. And that was, you know, I knew the people you work with, which is great. Yeah, that was your connection that you, which is, no, I knew that was great for you. I don't know. I appreciate you, but that's how we work together. And that's what real girlfriends do. And that's what real girlfriends do. And that's what real coworkers as well, right?

So we're not just girlfriends. And you're killing it. And I want you, I want you to have all good things. I would never be like, oh, look what Melissa did. If you do better, there's room for everybody. And I think everybody's not like that in business. A lot of women aren't like that in business. And I think we have to change

that. And sadly, we have to change that. I would rather have women lift each other up. And I think people get jealous of each other. And it's unfortunate because everybody's not competition. If one woman does better, another woman does better. Everybody's not competition. If one woman does better, another woman does better. There's no difference for everyone. I mean, speaking of business, you have a new mocktail coming out. Sorry.

Give me some details about this. Yes, suare, which I've been working on about a year and a half, which I'm so happy. Because I know you girls, every time I'm out with you guys, you guys are fine and drinking, but you know, I'm always ordering my iced tea. So Lexi and I, but you know, I'm always ordering my iced tea. So Lexi and I started a beverage together, which I'm very excited about.

It's called Suarez. Okay. And it's a cocktail line. It's only 45 calories. It's in a 12 ounce can. We have four amazing flavors. And you can spike it as well. So you'll be having it to spike.

You know, I've been throwing some stuff out there. It just came out. having it to spike. You know I'll be throwing some fast out. It just came out and it's amazing. We have a margarita which is passion fruit rose and guava. We have a tejito which is watermelon, basil, mint and canviel. Yum. Yes, we have a cucumber one which is cucumber, mint, lice, and elderflower, very good. And then we have another cucumber one, which is cucumber, mint, lychee, and elderflower. Very good.

And then we have another one that's cocoa colada, which is pineapple, coconut, ginger, and lemon grass. Oh my God. I really, they're pretty bad. They're pretty bad. They're all natural, vegan, kosher certified. There's nothing crazy in them. They're not gonna get you high.

They're just like good, clean, fun, great to have at a party, lightly sparkling, sophisticated flavors. It took me a long time to do it. I invested all my own money, but Lexi and I own it together. You could buy it on our website and actually it's going into stores, it's coming out for dry January and we're pretty excited. That's awesome. You know I'll be I'll be spiking mine with a little vodka but that's awesome that you're putting a mocktail out because that's so true to you. Margaret's always like can I please have an iced tea or what else do you get? I feel like you always order that iced tea right? A iced tea or cranberry and club or something like that

because there's nothing really to drink and I think that's that's hard for me and everyone who's like, my I'm just giving a drink being proud and I'm like, no, I don't or you're I'm hiding something and I'm just like, I get a headache and listen, I watch my mother drink growing up and to me it wasn't that attractive and maybe I'm a little bit of a control freak but I don't enjoy feeling out of control and And when I do like the taste of one drink, like an aparole, sprits or something, I get a horrible headache. I hear you, we'll listen.

I am so excited to try that. I am super excited for that. Everything you do, I mean, you really do amazing with all of your things, and I know you put so much time into it. And I love that my Lexi girl is part of it too. So that's awesome. Congratulations on that. Thank you.

I know that you have a lot going on tonight. You have some some things going on. So I just don't want to take any more of your time. I love you so much. Yes, yes. And then I read you on my talk. I'm already talking about coffee in the morning. Yes, we're going to gossip about coffee in the morning. But then I want you to come on my podcast

because it's entrepreneurial. You you kill it in the pop culture game. I you have to come on my podcast, have your dreams, Jennifer's budget. It's a lot of it. Make sure everyone tunes in and listens to that as well. You got and that's with also with your co-host Lexi who I love. I like it. The best accent ever. She's the cutest diverse. Yes. Thank you. Thank you for having me on. Thank you. I love you. I love you so much. I'm coming on your podcast next. Yes, yes, I need you immediately. Okay.

All right, envy, envy, and you're lying and your fitness line. 100%. So listeners, be sure to check out Margaret's mocktail brand called Suarez and be sure to check out her podcast, caviar dreams, tuna fish, budget. She's one of my besties. I love her so much. Thank you so much for coming, Margaret. Thanks.

I love you. Love you. We'll talk to you tomorrow. Talk to you tomorrow. No! Jessica, this is the happiest day of my life. Right up there with the day I bought my RV and insured it with progressive. Man, I love that pink. There are a million fish in the sea, which I'm reminded of every time I bring my RV to the lake, but I vow to love and cherish you. Just as much as I cherish campsites with full electric and water hookups. I'm so sorry.