On Display with Melissa Gorga - Squashing the Beef (w/ Mercedes Javid)

Episode Date: November 3, 2022

Fresh off of "squashing the beef" at BravoCon, Melissa invites Shahs of Sunset star, Mercedes Javid, onto the sho w to talk about Reality TV regrets, the striking similarities between Shahs and RHONJ, and the proper attire for a podcast interview.   Mercedes also gives Melissa some incredible advice as both a friend of the family AND a fan of the show. 

How do you have so many children when I have won and the entire floor of my house is covered in sand from taking off one sock? Okay, what's up everybody? I'm so excited girl Mercedes Jevvee today. Hi, guys. Oh my God. Can I just say, I was, if you told me, is there any chance in hell that I would be squashing a beef with anybody? I would say, absolutely not.

You can t and you can all you know, be possible. I was in c we've done brabocon so m to a squash to beef and I when that little wheelst my face is never gonna c one of those, right? You

Ramona every year, like seven times. You know Ramona's coming because she's definitely said something stupid. You know Vicki's definitely gonna pop up because she said something stupid. Or you know Kenya. You know Kenya's gonna pop up, right? Never, it may be Mercedes, you have like, you're spicy, you have a little like spice that way.

Never are you ever gonna think Melissa Gorgas gonna pop up, right? No, I don't think that you and I beef, but it's us together, never, never. Never, I tell you I was genuinely like in shock, especially when my, I think my face popped up first. So I was like, me, what? I have no beef with anybody. Do I?

I mean, unless they're going to pop Theresa's head up there, like, what's going to pop up? I mean, which would have just been so typical. So I'm like, come on. Who are they going to pop me next to? And then when your face pop, I'm like, wait a second. This is wrong. This is 100%.

Wrong. Like, I have no beef with her. I was in shock. I was like, wait, so did you beef with her. I was in shock. I was like, I was in shock. Wait, so did you, when our little faces popped up together, did you know instantly, like, oh, I know what I said? Absolutely not. I don't remember saying that.

That's why I was like, I have to own it because I'm sure that it happened, although, like, so that time, Resen and I were doing a show called Kiki with Resa and MJ. So he would come over to my house and we would talk about, like, whatever was on Bravo that week or whatever we wanted to. And like, it was, it was clear to me that there must have been a side. You have to take a side and

Resa and I disagree a lot on our opinions of things on the show. So whatever happened that week, I clearly didn't take your side in that week, but you know it changes every week. I know. I don't I don't I totally get it. We need to you need to play devil's advocate sometimes, right? You need to play get it. We need to, you need to play devil's advocate sometimes, right? You need to play both sides. We can't always win. But what I was, I was like, dirty. Why would she call me dirty? I'm so freaking clean. I have dove coming out of my ears. Like, I, I, I, I, my phone with dove. But then when you said to me, I had to forgive you in two seconds because you're like, no, I said you probably played it dirty. I was like, oh, we're good, we're good.

I probably did. We're good. Yeah, which I mean, we have to, you know what's so crazy? I, at the first time, whether it was, it wasn't even a problem. On the first time I ever saw you in person was in a very packed all the way crowded elevator. Like the kind that you like say is like at capacity,

should I wait for the next one? And we were at the, either the Trump hotel, it was like one of those wherever we stayed for the Bravo Upfronts. Oh, years ago, I just love the Upfronts. By the way, I miss those so much. They were fun. And it was so fun.

But again, that day, I remember, like you were sparkling from head to toe. It was like the same body, the same like larger than life. Like, you know, you could see somebody in person and be like, are they gonna look good, better, worse? What are they gonna be like? We never actually interacted. We didn't get to, it was just like,

whoever got your attention in that elevator, kind of trumped the opportunity for me to be like, well, let me make eye contact so that I can say hi to her and show. This is what I was thinking. But it didn't happen. And then I think we've probably been at the same in the building together, but I never really had

an interaction with you. And I feel like whenever one might big takeaway from this brabha faan was any person that I met, I felt like they're more likable in person. In person. That the way that we are portrayed on TV. Yeah. Well, that's a fact.

I feel like a lot, well, listen, there's no editing in person, right? So what we say or do is said, because even if they edit us, they take out the line in between of the first and the last thing we said, which could really buck us up, right? So that happens quite often. Or you know what happens to me, I noticed all the time in editing. I'm rolling my eyes at the wrong person. I'm like, wait, I was rolling my eyes over there, not over there. Why are you making it look like I'm rolling? Yeah. That always, and I'm like a big, what I've realized is I need to calm my expressions down like I have

very big shocking expressions and I not putting it on for TV like I truly realized in my real life I'm like a like and every I'm like oh my god. I'm so you're so annoying like everything's like a and like Bravo must love it because every time I open my mouth like the big oh and I'm about to like puff something out of it or something. Bravo's got the camera like all zoomed into me. So I'm like, I guess I'm the expression girl. I'm the girl that you like, let's see how Melissa's going to react to this. And it's like I'm always so dramatic. So don't ever stop doing that. Please. It's like, it's crazy. But good.

So I'm glad that we, I thought people thought it was so funny. Even I have to be honest, my sisters, my family, who by the way all love you. They're like huge shots fans. They all love you. They were like, we were dying when your face came up because like, we love both of you.

And we were in shock. And we couldn't believe it. And we couldn't wait to hear like what she was going to say you did wrong. And I was like, oh my God. So we met, we, so we never really met at the upfront's then or we did. No, we were just in an elevator and it never, like we never said hi really. That's right.

I never had an interaction with you in person ever. And that would see like I did not know. Like I feel like we did when I saw you. So you're saying this Bravo Con was the first time we've ever had an hello? Really? Yes. Come on.

Yes. See now I don't know. I just feel like maybe I know you because of the show then or something. Because when I saw you I didn't feel like, oh, it's so nice to meet you. I felt like I met you a thousand times. That's an idea.

I swear. Yeah. Well, I mean, I think the... Okay, so I'm sure that you and I haven't had up until, but I also feel like I know you. I feel like, in a way, we're family, you know? I feel like Joe, your husband, is like a little brother, you know, because I've always like his face,

like the sincerity in his face just goes a zillion miles, you know, because I've always like his face, like the sincerity in his face just goes a zillion miles, you know, beyond the TV screen. And like over the years, all I have always thought was, I'll give you the perfect example. Okay, good. In a nutshell, you just did ultimate girls trip with Teresa and that conversation you guys had in the car, where you were like, you know, like maybe someday we'll like get along and like each other and then she was like, aha, you know, I was like, this is always gonna be like this.

I felt like, like, you know, because we've all had strained family dynamic. And as much as you want to change it, as much as you want to try, like I always saw something about you bothers her. And your brother, your husband, her brother is always going to be the little brother, you know, that like just wants everything to be okay, you know.

So that's like really where it's been for as long as I've watched you guys over the years. Yeah, I mean, it's kind of crazy that you bring up that clip from Ultimate Girls trip because do you know that clip really bothered me watching it back like not and I don't mean bothered me like I was mad. Bothered me like I was very like. Like this really is never gonna change like there's nothing that's ever gonna make our relationship be different than it is, you know, and and I can truly I don't know how you see it from the outside looking in but I can truly say that I've always really tried to put my best foot forward. And even when they say fake it to you make it, in other words, where it's like, come on, let's make it happen, right? There's no reason not to be between the kids loving each other and Joe just wants her.

I mean, there's no one new who can deny that Joe is the most so sincere with it to a fault, right? He almost gets himself in trouble sometimes because he can't fake it. Mercedes, he can't like at Brabocon. He couldn't fake how he felt it like because you know, trees is walking around. G is walking around like he has heart hurts, right? And he can't just stay. Hmm, I don't care.

I wish them well, he can't do it. He's like, no, I'm dying. I'm hurting like he can't even fake it. So it's been such a long and I'm sure you know because you're basically like family now, right? It's been such a long road of like this roller coaster that we just don't get off of and I just feel like everyone is tired, right? So it's like it's tiring and I know you haven't even seen this new season that we just filmed and it's going to air probably the beginning of the year next year. But like it's very sad if I'm being honest and I hate to report sad news, but it doesn't get much better. It doesn't. No, well, we all kind of know that like the worst thing is we're raised to watch like this terrible thing this fall out. And like,

you know, like you were just saying how Joe could, he couldn't fake it. Like I wish many times that I could, you know, you wish you could turn it off, you wish you could not tear, you wish you could not care. You wish you could be in the same room as your family. And like, you know, I very much relate, my, our first bravocon was you guys is this year, bravocon, where there was like so much tension in the room that you cut it with the knife. And I was just glad that it wasn't me this year, to be honest, because it was so hard.

The last time, like this year, it was like, I was like floating on a cloud compared to the, the year that it was like Mike and Gigi and Raza are at a whole different hotel. I remember all of that with you guys crazy. Yeah. Yeah. And I used to feel I could feel the tension in the room with all of you guys at that time. You can sense it. And to be honest, I feel like people sense it.

You're saying you did sense it, right? You can sense us in the room. Oh, definitely. I mean, you and I, you and Joe and I did enough panels together that where I was backstage and I had an opportunity to just kind of like observe him and I was just like, oh, he just looks sad and it just sucks, you know, because this bravo con is a freaking celebration. It's like a fan reunion. It's an opportunity for us to

just like have fun and I think bravo killed it and we all did like a great job. Like I said, all weekend, I was bringing like first day energy the whole weekend, you know, yes, and outfits. You looked so good every day, by the way. You really do. You looked awesome every day. I loved how you did like the breeze, your outfits, like you did. You I thought you were killing it every day.

I'm like, she like you were bringing it every single day. You looked really good. Thank you. Do you know Brandon Liberotti? Because I think he does know. Yes. Yes. I know who. Yes. I know who he is. He's from LA, right? He's from LA and he came to do my glam and so did Vicki. And there was an Darian who also does an amazing job. Anyway, you have to try her if you ever need somebody, but what was so funny was, I am the worst at glam. And so I was like, guys, can I just wear today's hair tonight?

And they're like, no, get back here. We're doing this look. And I was like, okay, bye, whatever. So like, it was, you know, my first time doing braids like that. And it was definitely outside of my comfort zone But yeah, like let's talk about your diamond bra halter And I'm like I

Touched you with my hands and I was like how does it feel to be in this body? Like I know I lost like a couple pounds and so like, yeah, feels good not to feel as thick, but I was like this whole entire body because it's like so tight and torn and my perfect tone. And that's, let me just tell you what women think. That's okay. I've seen it, right? And like online and I'm like, could you just imagine

how many seconds that class in the back would last before it just pops off. You like killing me, right? All the more. Oh my God, I hope people haven't appreciated it. You are so, where you staring at the class on the back. No, I don't think the class was on yours, but I just know that that's a very,

like you can't rely on the article of clothing to stay together, your body just has to hold it and just naturally be like that. I was like, ooh, you are so funny, I love you. You are hysterical. Thank you, by the way. I was what it's like for kids a whole entire life, multiple careers.

Three kids I have three. Okay, three, but I do have multiple things going on that I do. I don't know sometimes you were just saying when we jumped on before a funny story tell me that story again because my listeners didn't hear it. Oh, okay which one? With your child and the sand everywhere. Like I started to think about you having three. So this what happened. So we jump on this Zoom, we jump on this pod right now and Melissa's on video and I was like, wait a minute, I thought we weren't doing video, I thought we weren't doing video.

And so she's like, no, just for us to see each other and I was like, girl, I am not wearing a bra, I'm not wearing a shirt, I'm not wearing anything. She's like, no, just for us to see each other. And I was like, bro, I am not wearing a bra, I'm not wearing a shirt, I'm not wearing anything. She's like, okay, but how? Like, what's the background behind why you're not? And I was like, honestly, I don't know. All I know is that I was changing shamps. He takes off his socks.

And so I was having a conversation with you Melissa, saying, how do you have so many children when I have one and the entire floor of my house is covered in sand from taking off one sock. One sock, the shoes are full of sand. Every single day he comes home from school. And I don't know what to do because like I don't have a living made, but I definitely need one. I'm in. And I have probably like, God knows how many thousands of square feet you have in your house. Tell me. Is it like 10,000? I would have loved for you.

Oh, my square footage of my house, my new house. Why was it 15,000? Yes. And. But we're downsizing to about 75. Thank you very much. Modern. We're switching it from like the make mansion. We're going like half the size very modern, which

I'm right now about to move in. Very modern, very chic, very different. Yeah. Now the the thing about so we move from Hollywood Hills to Calabassus. Now in the neighborhood where we moved in, we have a very big house, it's considered, but it's still less than 3,000 square feet, okay? What I tell my husband and think every day, it's like, it's not just the house, it's maintaining it, it's that much more dust

and more places for toys to go. And more like curtains that are like, just, oh my God, it was so much work so like downsizing it's smart because like if you're not really using every inch of that house is it really you know is it really do you know I mean like just a lot it's a lot oh yeah no it's definitely a lot and like there's too many places for everything to hide there's too many chandeliers that are getting dusty. It's like, it's a whole thing. And you know what, I did that. Joe and I were young. That's what we do for a living. That's one of our many jobs. Obviously,

we are, you know, Joe builds buildings all over New Jersey, but we also, you know, we built custom homes for a living. So we built that first house and we did it ridiculous. It was ridiculous. It was like, we didn't even use the whole left side of the house. It was just super pretty and to collect us basically. And so like now as I got older, I was like, and obviously my style changed, like you know, want to switch up the house, right? I'm like, no, I want usable space. I want functioning fireplaces. I want smaller. I don't want any of the big like jerseys very known for like their Mac mansions and some of these towns, you know, and I'm like, I'm over it. I'm downsizing, but I know to live in Calabassas, that's like a dream. First of all, 3,000 square feet in Calabassas is a

mansion. No, I think it's probably considered a shot. I'm just saying. Really? Well, it's the price of a mansion in New Jersey. Because like Calabas is amazing out there. Do you run into Kardashians that like drive by you on the street? So I mean, there was a time when they were hanging out a lot more often at the comments. You know that, you know, the comments is like the little shopping area, it's where your Starbucks and your, you know, your pharmacy and everything. So it's teeny tiny. I don't think that they really ever even stepped foot into like anything public anymore as they used to, but whatever. I'll tell you what happened last night. We go trick-a-treating and hidden hills. Okay. Okay. Hills is, you know, it's like, Calabasus is like in the corner and hidden hills is like 10 times more exclusive. Oh, really? It's like up at the top in the hills. It's basically

like as soon as you walk, as soon as you drive in the gates, there's horses and it's that white picket, not picket, it's that horse fencing, it's where like Kylie buys up all the houses and then Chloe and Chris, I mean, it's just like every single, yeah, and everyone, everyone would be like, hi, you know, it's like a really, it was interesting because the men don't watch TV. So they treated me like just a person. And then the women were like, where's your mom? How's this? How's that? And I was like, you just need a stranger. And you're like diving into like all the questions.

But everyone was like, oh, hi, this, do you live in Hidden House? Do you live in Hidden House? And it was like, no, I can't afford a $50 million house. I'm sorry. No, I'm just visiting for Halloween and who's like, it was, it was so funny. So these houses

aren't they so far apart? Like how many houses can you actually hit up to get? And I hope you're getting like gigantic full size bars at these houses, can you actually hit up to get, and I hope you're getting like gigantic full-size bars at these houses, correct? Yep, you're getting like a football field, a lot, and you're getting just a house that looks like it's out of a storybook.

I mean, I can't, you know, like when you see those homes that are like decorated for Christmas, like first storybook Christmas. Yeah, I don't know with it. It was just so overwhelming. Hey, Fred and I Lights fans, it's not only football, Friday Night Lights and Beyond is an episode by episode discussion of the hit TV series, Friday Night Lights. Hostify, you are truly Scott Porter,

who played Jason Street on the show. And my two wonderful co-hosts me Zach Gillespie D.K.A. Matt Sarison and me May Whitman a.k.a Someone who wasn't on the show, but really really loves it a lot We will also bring on some special guests answer your questions and tell you about what's going on in our lives today It's not only football Friday night lights and beyond coming soon wherever you get your favorite podcasts clear eyes full hearts Can't lose You guys didn't go trick or treating because your kids out for it. Yeah, so my youngest is 12 right now and he's at the point where so instead we'll have like we go to these like

and he's at the point where, so instead we'll have like, we go to these like parties, so to say, like on the front yard, where it's like, we had like a pizza truck, we had a wine truck, our good friends had like a pizza truck come out, we had wine truck with like full bar. We had a DJ outside and like the kids would hit up like the local, but really we just stayed like on the driveway all night and just hung out. Yeah. And Antonia and Geno, they're into like, you know, they're going to the parties. It's all parties. Today was senior skip day. I can't believe I have a senior, but I do. It was senior skip day. How convenient after Halloween was last night because, you

know, they all had a good time and skipped today. So it's crazy to actually watch my child, like, that I can't believe that I'm old enough to have a child that's old enough to do these kinds of things and, like, go to these parties and, like, apply for colleges. I'm like, what is happening? I still feel very young, deep inside. I'm, I really feel that way. And I had her young, obviously, but, like it's crazy for me to like see like the other day I had to see Gino. Okay, so I get this Amazon box to my house, okay, shows up to my house. It says Melissa Gorg. I'm like, what did I order from this? I open it up. It's a full bone like huge Joker, like looks like costume. And I'm like, I didn't order this. None of my kids are going to be the Joker. I'm like, what is this? I just put it on the counter. I'm like, is this like a practical joke? Maybe someone's calling me a Joker? Like, what is this?

Never saw it again. I forgot about it. Because I guess Geno must have came home and snagged it up when I wasn't looking. Instagram his girlfriend posts. She's Harley Quinn, he's the Joker. Yeah, I'm like, what is this? I reposted it because I was like, look at my child. He doesn't, he hides everything for me when it has to do with like his girlfriend because he thinks I'm annoying and he hates the fact to be honest that I'm a celebrity.

So he doesn't, Gino doesn't like it. Like the other two kids, like they reap all the benefits. Gino's like, stop. Don't look at me. No one's coming over because it's Melissa Gorgas house. No, and I'm like, Gino, like, come on, I want your girlfriend to come over. It's Sunday. I'm making pasta. Doesn't she want to come over? He's like, no, she doesn't want to come over. I'm like, yes, she does. Let me call her. I would definitely be in my feelings about that. And I definitely like somebody asked me a brabocon like if your kid was gonna like grow up,

I immediately was like Frank Coutanius Jr. Like the way that your children are like young adults like your son looks like a young man. I mean he is a young man. I mean, he is a young man. It's crazy. It's gotta be really uncomfortable when you transition from like he's a baby to like he's a young man. It's cringe worthy, honestly.

And when you're voice, how old's your son? He's three. He's three. Okay, so you have a minute for this, but you have about 10 years, right? So what happens is their voices start to crack. And I'm like, they talk and I'm like, why did you just say like their voices are cracking?

And then there's like, I need deodorant. I'm like, you need deodorant. Like they need deodorant. And then there's like some hair coming under the armpit. And I'm like, oh my god, like, are you gonna shave it? Like get it off. Like I just can't really turn into little men. It's actually, it's actually crazy.

But you have about 10 years. It starts at like 12, 13 when that really starts to happen. So you're good. Enjoy that little munchkin as long as you can. Wait, let's speak about your family for a second. You have Shams who is your adorable son. He recently met Resa, who, Resa and I, by the way, I've had him on the podcast. My listeners love him. Like he is, I love him. I've always loved him from day one. I will say he's just like, he's so like real and he just has that vibe. I don't know what it is, but I love him. And there you like walks into room, lights it up. And I love that at Brabacan anytime we go into the green room,

he would be like, yeah, and like really loud. And I feel like Resa is a icebreaker. If you could put icebreaker in a person, you know what I mean? Like he is. That's a personality. Yeah. He does. He brings that just like that warm energy that you feel like you want to tell him everything. And he has that voice. I can't explain it. And he's always like in head to toe, like Louis Vuitton or Gucci or Prada. And he's just like a walking designer. L.A. gay man that you're just like come talk to me. Like it's just like a walking designer, L.A. gay man

that you're just like, come talk to me. Like it's just like, you've got that thing. But anyway, I heard, and you, you and Reserville always had a relationship that was kind of on and off for years, right? That you guys would go like back and forth, but I think at the end of the day, you guys are really super tight and super close.

And there, you know a lot about each other you there's a lot of love there, right? Yes, definitely. I mean we we met in high school and it was like this very, I don't know like love it first side between friends, you know? Yes. If there can be like an instant chemistry like how often do you hit someone up at a house party in high school and then become inseparable and like the way that we grew up was very, very, very, very close. Like if I said I'm hungry, we're going to dinner. If I said like I need,

I need to like find a pink outfit. It was us hitting them all and finding a pink outfit. One of his favorite stories is to say, like, Maris hit me up one day and said, I'm missing Ma from my wardrobe. And it's like New Year's Eve and the Ma was about to close in like two hours and we're pounding the pavement to find some. So it was like, we're very much invested in everything

about each other. Right. So our first falling out would have been when the show came around. So, you know, whether it's what the show is like a pressure cooker and it brought it out. And I don't want to blame. I'm definitely not blaming the show because you have to, you know, own your behavior. But, but yeah, there was like the fallout was when Shams was born, it took three years, to three years. Wow.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That and he finally met him. What was that like when he met him for the first time? It was like, so we were at a, it was like the party that you described last night that you had like in the front yard, it was in a cul-de-sac at Goldness's son,

Gigi's son's birthday. And they, I could see them from really far away and I'm walking up. Tommy has just dropped me off and he was like, you know what? I know the restraining order hadn't gotten dropped yet officially. Okay. But Resa had pursued the dropping of the restraining order and it took several several months because of like COVID and the courts and everything like that.

So Tommy was like, you know what? It's, it's Eli's birthday. I don't, I know you want to take him, you know, just go and and so I just, it was hard for me because I have to like take that long walk from the distance. Right. And I'm like focused on my son and, you know, this is like six months ago. So you know, he's still like a little baby boy, whatever. Right. And I just saw, you know, I like part of me just felt really comfortable like it's about time, you know. And so I felt also like the nervous feeling of like what Reza is probably feeling because like how is Shams going to react

to him. You know how kids are. And like there was just this really cute moment where he just like walked up to him. Shams just walked up to Reza. And it was like about as natural as like, I don't know like a water coming out of like a mountain spring. It was just like really like, he just had a vibe.

Yeah, he like handed him something and then like Reza gave him like a little packet of gummy bears and then I was like, and it was just like, it was just like one, two, like nothing. It was like, instant, instant. Yeah. So that's sweet. And Reza was probably so grateful to be able to meet him and that you allowed and that Tommy allowed, you know, him to meet him, right?

How is there a relationship right now, Tommy and Reza, how are they doing? I know they've had their issues in the past. Yeah, so I mean, there was never, ever, ever any issues between Resa and Tommy at all and their entire thing up until, you know, all that stuff went down until it did, you know, no problem until there was. And you know, Tommy is from Howard Beach Queens. He's, that's him, you know, he's, you know, how your people are, you know, very, very loyal and very right or die. And there's just nothing like it in California. You just don't, which, you know, it's just, it's just made very differently. And, you know, I say that with the biggest, greatest admiration. So Tommy just, he put, he just had a moment where it was like, I know that on principle, that I'm just putting this court stuff aside

so that we can just move on and put this BS behind us, this let's start to heal. You get to a point where you can't get fixated on who is right, who was wrong. You just have to focus on, you know what? Let's just forget it. Like squash means like be happier. Like this bra, this thing that you know,

you and Joe and Lissa are, I mean, excuse me Teresa are going through right now has to do with like who wants this tension you know who wants to keep going and going and having all of this stuff and like you said like you've got all of your beautiful children who are so close their first cousins why you know like why block life right. It's toxic after a while it takes over your happiness you know know, and it's like, if there's, and I'm sure even the situation with you guys, like you're truly genuinely happy. You don't have any time for arguing over unless someone is really, really hurting you, right? It's like, how do you, what, what, what is the point to keep like the toxic,

it's poison, it's poison, and it ruined life. When they say life is short, it's short, it's short. You'll see that now having a child. It's like, it just goes every year, it just goes, and it goes, and it's like, you know, you start to realize, you know, who doesn't wanna fix it? And then you have to come to peace with that. And I think that's where I was at,

but I love that you and Reza have decided to come to peace with that. And I think that's where I was at. But I love that you and Reza have decided to come to peace together. Yeah, it takes more energy to have that toxicity in your life than to just say let it go. Yeah, you've got to let it go. And don't be about like the ego and don't replay it in your head and who should have could have this that you just have to put it all the way to the side in order to move on and you know it's it's very freeing to make that choice and to do that you know and it is more work to have to like you said like oh who's going to this party is so and so is there going to're gonna be there and would have, you know, drop off pick up. I mean, who wants that? You know, I'm worse.

Nobody, you know what? And I also know that like happy people also don't have as much time for it. That's all I'm gonna say about that. Like when you're really genuinely happy and you enjoy your life and you, you're working hard and there's things you're, you don't have time for, like you just don't wanna do the toxic.

You'll try to do anything you can to like bring the piece, make it stop, not go into the circle. And so it's always been a struggle for me that way because I choose my life, right? I think God I have Joe and like I have a great family and a great life. And and maybe even for you like having the baby and and being so happy with Tommy and like, it's it was it probably got a little easier for you to like throw in the towel and say, you know what? That's really not that important.

Like look at my life and look what I have. Look at my child. Look at my husband. Like this is making me happy. So like now I want to find peace with Reza. Totally. I don't want to see those two men in my life fighting or being unhappy and, you know, how much hurt you carry, anger, all of it. But when you said about that scene with you and Teresa at ultimate

girls trip that you said you didn't like it, you didn't say why. You know what? Because it felt very discouraging. I will say that. Like, because I felt like when I was sitting there and I can see my genuine, like, this is me and you, like, I was trying to tell her, like, one more 81 day on a rock and a, we're going to be like, Oh, well, we've been to this city together. We've been to that city together. Now we've been on two TV shows together. You know, we're on our way to like an island, like, you know, as the powerhouse housewives right now, like this is exciting, and she just had zero excitement

in her face. I mean, it was obvious the reaction. And I think I felt it that day, but I felt it a lot more when I actually watched it because I was like, wow, Melissa, maybe you need to stop trying. It's like, no, I think it's, you know, I'm telling you what I saw for my POV. And it's very endearing to see you have this like, unending joy and like positivity, you know, you're like, thank you.

You're recognizing that like look at this crazy opportunity, like we're on TV, your family has been followed by the world because we are not just on in the country, we're on everywhere in the world. And like you're appreciating it while you're experiencing it. So you're in the moment and then you're kind of like, come on. Like, you know, it's like, when you let's find, Nuggle back. Yeah, like, come on, like, let's do it. Like, whatever it is, like, you know.

No one has explained it better. That's like, honestly, the best explanation of that moment that I've ever heard and you are so spot on onto like I've never even explained it that way but that is what I'm trying that was what I was thinking and that's what I was like trying to say like come on like going here let's like let her have life you know and it's like and I think I got shot down right but that's the vibe I'm in and I usually get like that whenever I have a cocktail as well, like I'm a happy drunk. So I'm that girl, like you give me one drink. And I'm like, I'm not going to fight with her, even though she's so mean, like, come on.

She's good. See, somewhere deep down inside, like, that's me when I have a drink, but I was sober in that scene. And it was like just discouraging, but the way you just explained it is like spot on. That's exactly how I was feeling at that moment. I think that like sometimes you don't even have to say it because we're seeing it, you know, we're seeing the dynamic, we're seeing the two of you and like, I'm sure everyone just wishes that whatever it is for her that she could look around and be like,

okay, I'm remarried. I have all of these blessings. Can't I just let it go and like you guys be happy? So it does seem like it's very much there on her side and we do see you just kind of like be like, you know, so, you know, I just, I think it's fun. I mean, what is your advice? Do I keep fighting? It's time to, you know, there's gotta be a time where you guys have to also maybe, because I know you're actually a viewer, right? You're also coming from like a viewer standpoint

of the show. I mean, I'm kind of asking you for advice. Like, do you, is there a part of you as a viewer, not as knowing Teresa, knowing Melissa? Like, as a true viewer of the show, ever saying like, you know what, maybe we won't mind if Melissa like gives up, because you know what, I think she's tried hard enough.

Or like, is there a piece you that wants me to grow a freaking backbone? Or what? You know, we're throwing the towel. No, you don't come off as weak when you are making yourself vulnerable to say, let's have togetherness where a family. You never have come off like your, because you have to be a strong person from inside to be able to be like that, to be able to extend and all of branch and be loving and be putting yourself out there. I would never tell you to stop and it definitely wouldn't be omelissa. You've got to get a backbone

stop. No, no, no, because it just it just looks like you're happy and you're on like a higher ground in like a positive way like joy from your heart. It doesn't seem like you're doing anything but just wanting to see your brother and his sister together and happy and all of your family, you know. So never, yeah, just keep like keep doing it like being humble and being cute and being playful and fun loving and you know like you said one day you're going to be on your rocking chairs and we're all going to be looking back at this time and you know it's definitely like a culturally phenomenal thing that we all are doing. So the only question is is she ever going to be able to accept it? I think that's just that's about her and it doesn't have anything to do with anybody else right?

and it doesn't have anything to do with anybody else, right? Right, or with me. And to be honest, sometimes it's really hard for me to continually fight for a relationship that someone else just doesn't want. So I am human, you will see this season, but I am human, you know, and that's what I will say to that, because, you know, it's not easy. It's not easy being breezy. It's been 13 years, you know. No pun intended. Not easy being breezy.

People are still talking about like, oh, you know, it was, you know, they did come on the show and whether, you know, how did they enter the show? Oh my God. It's like the oldest running. It's like, because to be honest, if you ever want to pin something on me, right, if we go by actions that have happened for the past 13 years or anything before that, I'm not saying I'm perfect, but there's not a lot to like fight me on, right? And say like, she was wrong.? And say like she was wrong. She was wrong. She was wrong. Look what she did to me. Look what she did to me. Other than she joined the real Housewives of New Jersey. So you know that I'm in pretty good shape

with what I've done in the last 13 years. If we're still only going back to 2010 when I joined the real Housewives of New Jersey. It was an opportunity for me, just like it was for every other housewife that joined any other show that wanted to kick off businesses and do the right thing. So the fact that that is the only thing that anyone can ever say I should almost be proud of, I guess, of this point at this point, because it's just like the oldest running excuse. I'm like, all right, I'm taught. I don't even want to hear that anymore. And we've come back from that seven

times already. We've had that conversation, cleaned it up, put a button on it, and why does it keep resurfacing? But like my complaints are new complaints. My complaints are not repetitive. That's the problem here. I'm not going back to, well, 13 years ago, I'm not saying any of that. I'm saying yesterday, last week, last year, last month. So I mean, we're lies the problem really here.

I mean, you cannot be more petty than saying you came on a TV show. The, by the way, the cool thing about Shaws is that if we were to be the most like a housewise franchise, it would be Jersey because Shaws is about family, Jersey is about family. Beverly Hills is not about family, you know, these other shows are nothing like that. So the show wouldn't be what it is, if it if it even existed, if it weren't for the family dynamic of it all, you know, of course, of course, the family shows are always huge because they hit home, they're relatable. That's why you guys shot, I will miss shots so much. Is there any talks of any kind of anything new? Do you have a relationship so with Andy Cohen or talk to him at all? that there could be an update or an announcement.

We were maybe even hoping that Prabhupan there would have been, but as you know, Prabhupan's gonna announce what they're gonna announce, when they're gonna announce it. Okay, but that is sounding like we're gonna hear something. Can you at least say like there's probably something brewing? Well, TMZ was, this is why I'm lucky because if TMZ already put photos of me and Golnessa

and Reza out in the city. And you're allowed to come. I'm just saying that it was out there over the summer, which has now been six months. Okay, so they're just taking their time, but this is making me very excited. I'm so they're just taking their time. But this is making me very excited. I I'm so happy that you are saying that. That's amazing. Okay, we won't say too much because we know the Bravo gods are always listening. We do not want to upset ever, ever, ever. And now we do

not thank you for having us and we hold them to the highest. We'm so amazed. Shout out to her big day. She did it such a great job. I have problem with on. No, like, you know, this is what, um, whatever, whatever we do, we just love, like having a story that is also evolving. Like the way that you and you were talking about you and Teresa, I do that with Goldn were talking about you and Teresa, I do that

with Goldnissa because she, to me, like, I will like push her with like little, like, love nozzles or kisses or what have you. And she'll always kind of be like, like, be a little bit more like Teflon and like resistant. And I'm like, I don't care. I'll be the one, you know, I'll be the one that will, you know, push and squeeze and do all of that. And so it's It's That one. Be that one. There's a certain amount of respect for the person who's that one also because it It goes a long way and it shows your warmth. I think that's what you're such like a it goes a long way and it shows your warmth. I think that's why you're such like a,

you're so like down to earth. You really are. You're such, you're like, you don't hold, like you're an LA girl, you live out in Calabasas, you do all these things, but you have a quality about you that's very like, what's up girl? I have to be honest with you and I'm gonna admit this to you.

I did not know we met for the first time at BravoCon. I swore, did I talk to you like, hi, nice to meet you. I think I was probably like, hey girl, what's up? Like I don't know. I don't know if I can introduce myself. I know at this point, it was like,

we had a lot of like backstage-ish stuff, but that's why I fell off my chair when they said that it was a squash that beef with two of us. I was like, what in the world's get it ever be? That's why I said to Andy, I was like, roll the tape. And he's like, there's no tape. We're on live on a stage. And I was like, okay, because I'm pretty sure

I wouldn't have anything like you said, unless it were to be like, you play dirty, like in that episodic thing that happened that week, you know? And we're like doing a kiki, you know, but but I think the down to earth. I mean, look, we're all like, I don't think I would have married a Queen's, a Howard Beach Queen's guy if I was, you know, anything but down to Queens, baby. I love it. All right. Well, listen, I do a really fun. I do a little fun segment.

It's called grilled with gorgah. Okay, we're going to, I'm just going to ask you some questions. Just rapid fire. Give us your answers. Just so my listeners know more about you a little bit and we have some fun with it. Okay. Yep, I'm ready. Your first celebrity crush.

Benicio del Toro. Oh, nice. Okay, your favorite 80s song. Okay. 80 song. Oh my god. Like, one of those songs that they played during 16 candles. Like, Oh, everything during 16 candles.

Yeah. whole era. No, like there's like seven movies that go along with that cast or something like from that right? Like Molly Ringwald, right? Is that who that is? And all of those people like John Hughes movies. Yes, yes. I'm going against the push when he picked her up at the end. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Okay, okay. I got you, that's a good enough answer for me. What's your biggest regret that you've ever had in life? I guess it would have to be what we were talking about this week.

I'm, I would, it would be pretty easy to say if I could turn back time, I would love to rewrite history and never let them fall out. Tommy and Reza. Yes. Yeah. When I don't have a lot of other ones at all, if anything. And that's what I'm saying about one day. I don't want to look back and say, what did we do we're now 90 and we ruined all those years. But moving on, that's a good regret. What's the best decision you've ever made? Having a baby. Of course, you's a good regret. What's the best decision you've ever made?

Having a baby? Of course, you're a mom now. Yeah, of course. What is your pet peeve? Cheap people. That's what my mother said too. I did grilled with Donna. Grilled with Gorga with Donna Margo. And she was like, cheap people.

I hate cheap people. I love that, that's good. Tell her, say like cheap people. I hate cheap people. I love that. That's good. Tell her I said, Hi, please. I will. She loves you. Your worst date ever before maybe before you got married, your worst date.

So I was the bad date in my worst date. I'm going to tell you what happened. So I met this guy. He was so my type. He was like very tall and dark and like green eyes and just gorgeous. And I was so nervous about this date that I starved myself. And when he came to pick me up, he took a while, like instead of coming at like seven, I think he came at like 830. So I kept on pouring myself a glass of wine while I was waiting for him by the time he picked up. A box of wine? A box of wine?

Is that what you said? A glass of wine? No, I didn't say box. It was a bottle. I thought you said I'm pouring myself a box of wine. I'm like, really? Okay, get ahead. Continue.

No, I kept pouring myself more like in the glass. I'm sure I ended up more like in the glass. I'm sure I ended up being like almost a bottle. So by the time he came to get me, I was black out. But you don't know it, you know, because you're so nervous, so nervous about this guy. And I wanted it to go so well. Like I already named my kids and I was like,

so I come to find he was recently a sober. So he like saw this hot mess that was me and was like, um, there will never be a second date. And it was so hard for me to get over it because I destroyed it like I ruined it. Oh my God. And from nerves you drank up up that is definitely your worst state for sure. Yeah, he came an hour and a half late and I was like, what was I doing? It wasn't even my fault. Oh my God. What was your first concert you've ever been to?

Durand, Durand. Durand, Durand, well there's 80s for you. Yes, it was my best friend's older sister would like drag us around to a bunch of places. So yeah, it was something like that. Okay, tell me something about you that would surprise us. I know we know a lot, but give me like something that we don't know.

I'm truly a morning person, and I probably am hard pressed to stay up like after 8.45 pm. Really? See, I would never, I would never think that. I would think you're like a night owl that like hangs out all night. Can't stand that. I wanna go to the park.

And I've never been a person that likes to party until the sun rises. I think that it's so wrapped out and horrible. Like you know, like when you go to Miami, like people like stay out to like, they go to the after hours of the after hours, like I have always thought that was so icky. Gross, it's like, all right, time to go home.

Yeah. What is your favorite late night snack when you're on the couch at night? What are you eating? Pop. Oh, the white cheddar popcorn. The smart food. What kind of popcorn?

The smart food white cheddar popcorn. Oh, yes, the best. Okay, and what was your first job you overhead? I worked at a frozen yogurt store and I did the, did you make a nice, nice little side? Yeah, and actually I was also a Domino's Pizza phone girl. So I would go. Thank you for calling Domino's pizza 23 or free. How many take your orders and like? I love it. I love it. Whoever in 23 minutes or it's free and there were too many par abstinence so they had to stop doing it. That's hysterical. You're like, this is Mercedes speaking. How do you like your pizza? Okay, what do you binge watching right now? What's your favorite show?

Girl, it is housewives right now. It is housewives. Beverly Hills. Yeah, I was doing that. I did the Domer thing. It was a little hard to watch, but that Nisi Nash did such a good job. She did.

I watched the whole thing from beginning to end. Probably three times because then my children would come and not see the episode and rewatch the episode and it was crazy. After a while I was like, Joe, I feel like we're all going to turn into killers. We need to turn it off. It was hurting my brain after a while, but I did see it until the end. Yeah. Okay, and I always end with, if the day is all about you, how do you treat yourself? Like, what are you doing to just be about you today? So I wake up, I work out, and my ideal day,

I wake up, I work out, I get really nice, like, dressed in, like, a killer outfit, which rarely happens. And then I go to, like, a really bougie, like, lunch, like, polo lounge, a little, like little like after lunch strolls to walk it off, find like something amazing. I very much shop on a budget. I'm not like Resa with like the fancy head to toe.

And then like I'm all about like the restaurants, like the cranks of it all and like the polo lounge. And like, you know, like hanging out and like that mentality of like the key key and like dating having like a date with your husband and like, you know, I like that stuff. I love it. Mercedes, this is but I can literally talk to you. I'm not even kidding.

For another hour, I definitely need to have you back on the podcast because I actually have so much more to say and I don't want to keep you all day, but we are going to definitely do this again. I need all my listeners t you check out Mercedes pod husband. It's called til it's available everywhere you check out her Vaca l

seven, which that I defin some my way, girlfriend. We're going to be in New York and we will make sure to get some to your fund door. Yeah, make sure you do and give that cute little kid a hug for me.

Thank you so much for being on this today. I love you. You're so much fun and you're so real and you can come back anytime. I want you back. Thank you.

And I would love to have you on ours. We'll have a box of wine and make bad choices. Exactly. That sounds perfect to me. Fresh produce is the best produce. That's why at Crocker, we invest in local farmers to bring you the freshest seasonal picks.

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