Scheananigans with Scheana Shay - The Valley Offer, The Friendship Fallout & The Truth with Alex Baskin

Episode Date: October 3, 2025

This week, Scheana sits down with reality TV producer Alex Baskin to clear the air on everything — from her alleged “dream” of joining the RHOC, to whether she was really offered a role on The Valley, and why she ultimately chose not to join this season. Scheana opens up about chasing dreams beyond reality TV, and if she has any FOMO about sitting this one out. Plus, Alex shares behind-the-scenes tea: when he knew VPR would be a hit, what a Season 12 with the original cast could have looked like, and the surprising names he’s tried to bring onto Housewives. And of course, we get into the big questions: What really led to Scheana’s fallout with Lala? Who is she more likely to squash the beef with — Tamra or Katie? And is Kiki about to pop up in another Baskin show? Tune in to find out! Follow us: @scheana @scheananigans Co-Host: @thetalkofshameGuest: @thealexbaskin Purchase your very own copy of the NYT Best-selling book MY GOOD SIDE at www.mygoodsidebook.com!Episode Sponsors:Get organized, refreshed, and ready for the holidays for way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to hero.co and use code SCHEANA at checkout.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The following podcast is a dear media production. From Vanderpump rules to motherhood and everywhere in between, warm up the kettle. It's time to spill some tea. Let's get into some shenanigans with Sheena Shea. Hello, Because we're good as gone. Because we're good as gone. Because we're good as go.

Because we're good as go. Because we're good as go. Hello, everyone. And welcome back for another week of shenanigans. Kiki and I are here in the studio today. And soon we will be joined by a very special guest here to clear up a bunch of rumors that are going around. And I feel like other than that, we still have a lot to cover because it's like we never get to all of the cards.

No, we never get to all the cards. They just recycle every week. They do recycle every week. And like, okay, I opened my phone this week and literally, I'm not even kidding, I scrolled five posts about you, all different things. It wasn't even the same thing. And I was like, oh, my God, Sheena is like, her ears must be ringing because everyone is talking about her. Yeah. I assume you saw Lala's podcast.

that just came out this week. I did. And instead of just reading the transcript, I did listen because I want to hear the inflection in the voice and the other people. You know, I was like, okay. So obviously we talked about this last week on the podcast. And then I saw her Amazon Live where she said she's really been struggling lately, you know, with her anxiety and worrying about what she says and just her mental health and whatnot.

And so I immediately text my podcast producer and I was like, hey, I don't want to kick a girl while she's down. You know, I still have so much love for her. So let's just cut all of that out of the podcast. I just didn't want to put it out there. But then she goes and does a podcast and doesn't put out the complete truth. So after extending grace last week, I do feel the need to address it because Lala knows why our friendship is in the state that it's in. And on that podcast, she did not take accountability.

This is not just about not posting for my book for a week. It is about so much more than that. Yeah. And I'm sure people will say like, you know, why don't you just go to her directly? And I feel like, but she did bring this out in a public forum. And so I feel like you do have to kind of address it publicly. Well, and that's the thing. She made it public without maybe even realizing it when she didn't post. So I'm in interviews that whole first week every day, some all day, that first week of book press. I can't tell you how many times I got asked, how are you and Lala? Are things with you okay? People in the audience at my live shows when they would send in questions and whatnot were asking about Lala. And we're like, oh, are you guys still good? She hasn't posted

your book. And I'm like, yeah, I noticed that. But I'm still trying to, especially in in front of a live audience with phones everywhere. I'm still trying to keep it cool. So much so that when we were doing like prank calls in the beginning of the shows, I called her one night. Everyone's like, call Wala, call Wala. And I'm like, I don't know if she's gonna answer,

but I was like, you know what? I'm just gonna call her. She didn't answer. Okay. The next day she texted me was like, was everything okay? And I was like, yeah, I just, my show, like,

everyone was dying to talk to you. And so that was my way of trying to keep our private matters private by publicly calling her. I mean, like, no, no, everything's fine. Oh, she didn't answer. I'm like, you guys, look at the time. It's bedtime.

You know, she's got two kids, blah, blah, blah. But the real reason, which obviously, you know, but now I'm going to need to tell you again because we have to tell the listeners, it was not about the book post or her saying that nothing she ever does will be good enough. It was not about that. The real reason, which I've alluded to in interviews,

but I didn't want to put people completely on blast because these are people I genuinely care about. But it was that not one, but two of my closest friends repeated the Brock affair story to other people. One of those, it was repeated to Brittany. I know Britney doesn't have bad intentions. I wanted to tell her myself, we didn't have a chance. That one, I'm like, I can get over that. Lala told Jenna Willis, who I have not been on good terms with since last season. So I guess over the months since the show wrapped last, what, September, leading up until February, Jenna had just been going in on me. And Lala, after I told her in February, like, hey, you know, I thought as early as March, certain excerpts and things were going to be going

out and I didn't know the whole structure of it. So I wanted to tell her obviously before it was public. I told her in February. I found out a week before I left her book to her that she told Jenna around February. Why? She did it to humanize me because she said that she was going so hard on me that she wanted to tell her about what I was actually going through. Now, I understand the intent was not malicious. I get that. You wanted to explain something to someone. But this is someone I have had a friendship with for 15 years. This is someone who I think if you're like, yo, Jenna, I just found out something extremely devastating, extremely personal. Sheena has been going through something for the last couple of years. I know she's going to talk about it

in her book. This isn't my place. But like, trust me, you got to give this girl some grace. Like, she's really going through a tough time. I think that would have been sufficient instead of just... Explaining everything. Telling her exactly because then you know what Jenna did? Jenna told people. Yeah. And so Lala only told me this because I was having lunch with Zach that day.

And I was actually trying to make up with Jenna. And I was like, hey, actually tell Jenna to call me and maybe we can meet up after lunch or whatever. And then she had called me back a few minutes later, sobbing. I guess she mentioned to Jenna, I was seeing Zach, and Jenna goes, okay, well, I should probably tell you, I told Zach, and I'm not sure who he told. And then now I'm not sure who else Jenna told. I kept this to myself for two years. Yeah. And then I tell you one of, I think my best, closest, dearest friends, and you go and tell someone. Yeah. So that was extremely heartbreaking. And I was just like, you know what? I told her, I loved her on the phone. I was literally getting ready to go for a hike. My friends were waiting on the corner for me. And I was like, I'm going to need some time to process this. I was very calm and collected.

I said, thank you for telling me. I'm going to need some time. Like, I had no words. I was just like, what the fuck? Yeah. Like two friends, one week. I was just like, oh my God. And so then obviously that brings up all of the feelings again.

My own husband betrayed me. My closest friends betrayed me. It was the same sort of feelings of. trail that I'm feeling right before I'm about to leave her book tour. And it was devastating. I know she felt horrible. You know, she talked to Brock and whatnot about it. But I just felt like, okay, this isn't even the first incident. There had been two things prior to that where we were already Rocky and this just tipped me over. She called me at a time when my kid was in the car, her kid was in the car, screaming and yelling at me.

cussing over a play date being overheard and it was just like you couldn't give me some grace you know there there's no malicious intent especially when it comes to the kids that aside there was another incident with our mom friend group and me suggesting for the valley this season they asked who's your friend group outside of the core group and I'm like oh my god la and I have all of these amazing moms they're dynamic they're diverse they're this they're that she got not mad at me for giving the mom's names to production because she said she likes these women and she doesn't want to go toes with them. I'm like, so you don't like me, you don't like Britney, you don't like Janet, like you don't like Michelle, you're okay going toes with us.

Like that doesn't make sense. Your reasoning, I let it go. Then this, I was just like, yeah, it's, it was especially painful for me because Lala knew. the whole saga, the dark place that I was in mentally when I had a breach of trust when I first started writing this book. And it's like, finally, I was ready to open up to my close friends about this. And she did the same thing. So for her to violate my trust in a way like that, I was like, this is not, you know, a safe space for me. This is not a friendship I feel good in. And this has been a pattern of behavior for years, you know. And I remember, Ariana and I would talk about this before every reunion. Like, oh, are we ready for the Lala apology tour season five,

season six, season seven? It was like every year should treat me like shit and then come to the reunion and cry and apologize and I would forgive her. And it was just like a rinse and repeat. And then it's just like, okay, well, with her, sleep it under the rug. Get over it. Move on. Get over it. Move on. I don't want to just get over things and move on now. I want to place boundaries and have a little more respect for myself and the circle that I'm keeping. I want it to be people I trust. I don't like feeling like I can't say everything I want to say when I'm in a situation, whether it's the moms at school, whether it's my friends on the show, my friends from high school. I feel safe in all of my friendships. And now I don't feel safe in this. And I know

she's not used to me standing up for myself because in the past, I just let people, walk all over me and I sweep it under the rug and I just want to keep the piece and have everything be sunshine and fucking rainbows. But I couldn't let this just be like water under the bridge. You know, like this bridge is flooded. It needs to be fully rebuilt and I don't know if I want to rebuild it. So when you told her like, okay, I need to process this, I need some space. Did she understand that? And was she like, okay? So we got off the phone. I was like, you know, I'm going for a hike right now. I'm going to need some time to process this.

About 20 minutes later, she texts me and said, I'm so sorry, I betrayed your trust. There's nothing I can say. If you don't want me to come to Utah anymore, I understand. And this was because she wasn't able to make it to the Grove book signing. She had a prior engagement. And so I was like, well, why don't you come to Salt Lake? You know, that'd be fun.

You're from Utah. I can do a bit with you. Lisa Barlow, Jesse and DeMe. Like, that would be so fun, like all of these different women from Utah. Yeah. And so she booked her own flight and everything. As I did when she was on her podcast tour, I flew myself and Brock out to Atlanta. That's what friends do.

Yeah. You know? And so I didn't respond right away because I was on a hike. And then Brock calls me. He's like, La La, just called me. And I was like, I can't do this right now. And that was the day I'm having my sit down with Zach to just hash everything out. We literally sat at Costa Vega for three hours.

I did not check my phone. My alarm went off to pick up my kid. I go to school to pick her up. I'm putting somewhere in the car and I see Lisa get out of the car. And I was like, oh, hi, Gigi. Then Lala and Sosa get out and they just like start walking into the school. Lisa's like, you girls aren't going to say hi to each other. I'm like, I didn't do anything.

Like, I'm strapping my kid in. She just walked past me. And so then Lala comes back without Sosa and she was like, my mom said I should give you a hug. And I was like, well, yeah, it's kind of fucking weird that you're just walking. passed me when she goes, well, you didn't respond to my text. I'm giving you your space. And I'm like, honey, I was going on a, I said, I need some time. It's been a few hours. Yeah. Just give me some time. I will respond to you. So I respond. I said, look, Utah isn't tomorrow. Okay. I just need a little bit of time. So apparently enough time for her was until, I think it was

8.58 the next morning. This is around 4 p.m. we're picking up the kids from after school. And the next morning, I get a text about this long. It was the most gaslighting text that I have ever received. It was no accountability. It was blame. It was, you are not going to punish me. You are not going to do this to me. What I told Jenna, you wrote about in a book.

You've done a cover article. You did a glamour story. You've been monetizing on this. It was a full deflection and gaslighting. Like, how dare you? say this, or treat me like this. And she called me cold and hostile. She goes, yeah, when you are cold and hostile on the phone, I'm like, I was calm and collected. I don't yell and react like La La does. I take time. I process. It is very rare. I raise my voice. There's just not

reasons that you need to yell. Sure, when you're filming, you get amped up. Absolutely. I have raised my voice to a pitch that I didn't know I could hit at times. Yeah. But, with, With this, it just, I wanted some time to process it. And I'm going to get over and I'm going to forgive because that's what I do. But to not even give me a full 24 hours to process this, to just sit with it and understand, like, just everything. I was beyond hurt. I had a full press day, the day of the text. And so I'm like, I can't even respond to this right now.

So I said, don't have time to read this right now. I'm not ignoring you. I will respond later after my press day. Press day wraps up. I go to my text. The first one was a mom chat about dance class or something. And I respond. And I was like, oh, shit, la, la's in that.

And I'm like, oh, my God. Now she knows I'm on my phone. If I don't respond to her immediately, but I'm like, I haven't even digested this yet. Yeah. So then I text her because she knows him on my phone. I said, hi, finally sitting down, catching up. I'm going to respond soon. I respond.

I clock everything that she says. I completely read her, and all she can respond with is, I hope you have a successful book to her and safe travels. The issue is now the lack of accountability and you deflecting and you projecting this all onto me and gaslighting me. That's not okay. So because I chose to write about it in a book, that's okay for you to go and tell someone four months before it's even coming out. You don't think that this person who has not good intentions for me is going to tell other people who also don't have good intentions for me and that this could leak to the press,

did you not think that? You're a very smart girl. Yeah. Well, because that's the thing when you're telling the story because you're saying that Jenna had been talking really poorly about you. I'm assuming to Lala and Lala

had been sharing that with you. One, I don't know, like, I would think if Lala was your good friend, she should have shut that down because I just feel like that's like not a good friend thing to do. But also she should have known this is not a safe person for Sheena.

So I definitely shouldn't be sharing intimate details with her, no matter how close I am. Right. Yeah. That's what you would think. So I just hearted her. I hope you have a great press tour and safe travels. And then the next week on the 21st, the day before the book came out, she said, hi, sheesh, I'm giving you your space. I've canceled my ticket to Utah.

I hope you have an amazing trip and the tour is a success. And I just said, hi, I just finished my life show, got back to the hotel. I appreciate you giving me space and the well wishes. Tonight went great. I was genuinely looking forward to Utah with you, but I understand. We'll talk and hang when I get back. No response. Then the next day, you know, the book comes out.

People are asking like, why haven't your friends posted? Especially the next day when I'm impressed. The next day. So I check in on her on the 24th and just said, hey, did your box come? Because I know everyone else's have been delivered. If yours wasn't delivered, I'm going to call the publishing house and be like, what the fuck? That was supposed to be there.

She said, haven't seen it. But Lisa and Easton deal with packages. When I get home, I'll check. And I said, okay. And you really canceled your flight? get back tonight if you want to talk that was on the 24th I didn't hear from her again no acknowledgement of that she had her red receipts on no acknowledgement of that and then August 5th she texts me and said I know we're in a strange place but I find it important to tell you I'm

happy for you and so proud of you and again I said I really appreciate that I'd love to talk when I'm back next week tried and tried to meet up oh I have this I have my Amazon Live now I have to go to the dermatologist oh I can't go to your event tonight because I have this that and the other But I just feel like the whole posting thing, yeah, I did make a comment about that when I was asked about it. And she did post. It was passive aggressive, but she did. She posted after the New York Times bestseller window was closed.

And she just put at Sheena. And some of our mutual friends also noticed how passive aggressive that was. They've also seen her behavior and how she treats me. And they're like, why do you put up with this? What are you gaining from this friendship? And I'm like, no, you guys, like, she's got a lot on her plate. And I just make excuses and make excuses. And I'm always there for her.

The post itself, how passive aggressive it was. It was hurtful to me because I wrote a whole chapter about her. I praised her in this book. Like, I just was, yes, expecting from my closest friend a little more than just at Sheena. You know, so proud of you for this book or whatever. And it's like, you did text me that on August 5th privately. Absolutely. That does mean something to me.

Yeah. But did you text me that genuinely? Or did you text me because your DMs were flooding with people saying, why haven't you posted for Sheena? Why aren't you supporting Sheena? Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da. Do you think that from the years you've spent on reality TV that has made it, like, detrimental to relationships in real life?

because people react in a way that they think, almost as if they have a camera on them at all times. And so it's really difficult to like get to a deeper level because it's like a TV show all the time. Kind of. Yeah. And part of me wonders too. And I've had other people put this in my mind and so that my mind goes crazy. But I'm like, did she instigate this over the summer to kind of fuel her storyline on the Valley because she's only friends with a couple of them. You know, I'm friends with all of them. And so if she has beef with me, then she gets in more episodes. And even if there's not true to it, of course your mind goes there because that is how the thinking, I think, when you're on reality show for so long, you can't help but wonder like, why are you doing this? Because

it doesn't make logical sense. No, and I'm like, that's why I've tried to reach out multiple times privately because I wanted to hash this out privately. Also, I've seen people saying, you know, this fight, this feud whatever was manufactured for a storyline on the valley no truth to that the last thing i wanted to film about and you know it's just like she couldn't give me more than 12 hours to just process this huge betrayal and another heartbreak i'm experiencing you know like i know brock got on the phone with her and was like la la imagine how she feels you know everyone close to her it's just betrayal betrayal betrayal like think like give her some grace but you know why night of that, I guess, was enough. But I feel like the podcast episode that she just put out was

purely performative. I feel like she's trying to, you know, save her brand, do this whole rebrand thing. And she's saying what she thinks everyone wants to hear from her. But it's just like one thing behind closed doors, one thing in front of the cameras, one thing when, you know, she's on an Amazon Live or her podcast. And it's just frustrating. So she said, you know, she's done a lot of soul searching and that I need to do the same. And she was like, you know, you have all of these things to be grateful for, lists all of the things that I already know and am extremely grateful for. And then says, like, why are you so mad? I'm not mad.

I'm at peace. That's why I'm making the choices I'm making in my life currently is because I'm not mad. You know what I'm mad about? I'm mad about a betrayal. But at the same time, I have so much empathy for Lala, you know, with losing her dad coming into this show at such a young age, not really knowing anyone, just everything she's gone through with Ocean's dad and dealing with her relationship with alcohol. You know, that's a choice she has to make every day. And as I said in the book, it's like there is a lot that I admire about her, you know, her confidence as a mother, her activism, her passion, her IUI journey. feel like that has been inspirational for so many women out there. And I think that's why I've

always had a soft spot for her and why I've put up with a lot of struggles in this friendship over the years because I'm like, I know there is a good person in there. You're not always a good friend, but I can forgive. I can move on. But if we're going to do that, then we need to put the full truth out there and you need to take full accountability. I just have to point out that it was not because she didn't post the book on my timeline. Yeah. It was the betrayal. And I'm not just going to sweep things under the rug anymore.

You know, I've wanted to be there for her and I've always wanted to root for her because I think she's a very dynamic woman, but it's like at what expense? You know, I found myself in the most crucial moment of my book tour, the biggest thing I've ever done professionally. And I'm just getting weighed down by law. Law's emotional manipulation, yet again. And I have to put some boundaries in place and stand up for myself. And I know people aren't used to me doing that.

But, yeah. Well, like she said, you guys are neighbors. So I think you're going to have to resolve it at some point. Maybe it won't be any time in the near future, but sometime. Yeah. You know, just listening to that podcast this week showed me there's never going to be accountability in this friendship. And I just feel like for so long in my friendships, in my relationships, I've set the bar very low with how, you know, I allow others to treat me. And

the real issue in this friendship is not that Lala changed. It's that I've changed, you know? And I think she acted this way because she knew she could get away with it because I have let her every time before. I forgive. I move on. Let's keep the kids together. Like, I've just swept too much under the rug. And now I just feel like I needed to say my piece. And I really genuinely don't want to address this again, but I'm not going to have a false narrative out there about me. Let's just put it all out there. And after this break, talk about why it is not going to be a storyline on the valley with our special guest. We're back. That's right. It is the time where I talk to you on the podcast about how much I love Wayfair and tell you

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Free and easy delivery, even on the big stuff. Get organized, refreshed, and ready for the holidays for way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. That's W-A-Y-F-A-I-R.com. Wayfair, every style, every home. All right, and we are back from the break, joined by someone who has played a really big role in my life and my career. As one of the creators and executive producers of Vanderpump Rules,

he was there from the very beginning and helped shape so much of what this show. became beyond Vanderpump Rules. He's also behind the scenes of some of the biggest shows in reality TV, Housewives, The Valley, the list goes on. But I am really looking forward to this conversation. Please welcome Alex Baskin. Hey, Sheena. Hi. Hey, Kiki. How we doing? It's just great to be with two stars of the Real Housewives of Orange County. I know, right? Are we getting a call time for the reunion? You know, it's my dream. I, but so I hear. Okay. Obviously, I know you offered to be here and thank you so much for that, but I do want to clear up some rumors. So let's just start with that one. In the 14 years you've known me, have you ever heard me say my dream is to be on Real Housewives of Orange County? You have not expressed that to me. Don't you think you would be the person I would go to if I had that dream? I would hope so. Yeah. So not my dream. I do remember the conversation when we were at Upfront and I was telling you,

Tamara how much I loved living in San Diego and that we were thinking about when we were in Marina moving to Orange County because of the schools and whatnot. But I said, you know, work is in L.A. And she goes, well, you should just be on our show. And I'm like, you said that. I never said that. If there was a joke made, it was probably like sarcasm from Brock, like, oh, yeah, that's her dream, you know, which I don't even think he said. But I'm like, girl, you brought that up. I think this is a fun Bravo feud. So I'm amused by it. But thank you for offering to be here today to clear up all of these rumors because I feel like on one hand, it feels a bit weird that I even have to address this publicly. You know, it's not like I'm stepping away from a show.

I've been a cast member on. It's not like season 12 of Vanderpump Rules is all of us and I'm not doing it. But with just how rampant speculation has become around whether I'm filming the Valley, all of the things that now just get posted in real time. You know, you see, I wasn't in San Diego across the street from where I used to live. But I just feel like because there are so many false rumors, we do need to acknowledge that. So for anyone hoping that I would be joining the cast, I am sorry to disappoint you this season. And for those who were very vocal about not wanting me to join the show, don't worry. I'm sure I will still find some other way to disappoint you.

So stay tuned. But, yeah, I have not signed on for season three of the Valley. And I want to kind of get into why. But first I want to ask you was I offered a role on the Valley. Oh, God. Look at this. You're getting right into it. It's up like, well, we definitely had serious conversations about you being a part of the cast.

Mm-hmm. And it was a great offer. I thought it was a compelling offer. Right. Okay. So people saying out there that I was not asked and that La La took my spot, what would you say to them? That is not true. That's not true at all.

And obviously, if we weren't talking about your joining the show, I wouldn't be here because there wouldn't be anything to talk about in the first place. Right. And I've also seen rumors out there that I have been put on pause because the network is punishing me for writing my book. That isn't true. Thank you. I know that you have always been very supportive and understanding and I appreciate our talks recently just reinforcing you know that I'm family that the door is always open you never know what the future holds but I'm still going to be a provocon you know but no I just I do want to say

thank you for always being so supportive of me because you were the one person who made me feel confident to go and pursue the show in Vegas when we were in the off season. Lisa was like, you can't do that. You have to be in L.A. I'm like, I'll fly back every Tuesday, work every Wednesday. Like, I'll make my appearances still in L.A. every week if I need to. And she was telling me that I couldn't do it. It was going to be a bad look.

And essentially, I might get fired for it. And then when I talked to you, you were like, no, Sheena, it's fine. As long as you can make your call times and whatnot, like, go do that. That's something that I was doing in the beginning of the show was pursuing acting. And so I just want to say thank you for, you know, supporting other things that I've wanted to do after all of these years. Yeah, I mean, look, I appreciate all of the contributions that you've made to Vanderpump Rules over the years. I know not always an easy show to do. And so I think at this point, I'm proud of the fact that everyone has grown into a different phase of their

their lives. And I think that's a testament to them. And also, I think the show in a really good way, you know, can claim to have played a role in giving them a chance to do that. And I like seeing people grow and move beyond something they were doing many years ago. And I think the original premise of the show holds again for an entirely new group. And that's exciting to me as well. Totally. And that is one of the reasons. I mean, I mean, I was going back and forth with this, you know, is this the right move? Is this the right next step for me in my career? Post book, post Vanderpump Rules. Is it the fresh start I'm looking for? Or is it a continuation of what I've been doing all along? And after just

going back and forth, there were a few things that kind of stood out to me that made me make this decision. I remember last season and like, I'll never forget this. It's the stupidest thing, but one person, you know, it only takes one comment, just sticks. But the episode was airing where I made enchiladas for everyone. We had like a pool party and whatnot. And someone tweeted me and they go, why do I feel like Sheena's the girl who graduated high school last year, but still goes to the high school parties? And I was like, ooh, is that what the valley looks like for me? that I'm just like desperate and thirsty and I'm like you know this is a show that other people have been paving the way for the last couple of seasons and this is kind of their thing so

everyone thinks it's like oh how can I make it about me but I'm like I'm not trying to make it about me I'm trying to figure out you know what the best next step is for me and I was at her house and she was telling me how she just really missed going toes with people and and that she just like thrives off of reality TV. And again, she pointed that out a couple weeks before we were about to start filming asking if I was excited. And she goes, you know, reality TV just scratches a niche for me. And it feels like the first day of school at a new school.

And it doesn't scratch a niche for me in that way. I love it for the platform it gives us to talk about real life things. I want to be a part of a show where people are excited about showing their lives, not going toes and it scratches an itch and gets them off. Like that just kind of rubbed me the wrong way. And then while I was doing book press, it was a podcast I did called Unwells. It was like a pop culture show. And they had a section at the end where it was like, fuck yes or hell no.

And they said Paige DeSorbo leaving Summerhouse. And I was like, hell nah. And then I go, whoa, wait, let me change my answer. I go, fuck yes to her trying something different for, you know, having an offer, walking away from it, no one walks away from these offers, right? Like, I ask myself daily, like, am I crazy? Am I making the right decision? Because, like, have you experienced cast walking away and declining an offer like this? Very infrequently.

Yeah. It wasn't an easy. decision, you know. But when I was thinking about Paige and her walking away, you know, she's someone I've been friends with for years. And I reached out to her and I'm like, I'm really struggling. Like, I need to make a decision soon. Like, how did you know it wasn't for you? And just after having like a long conversation with her, I started to feel the same way. And I thought, you know, maybe maybe this isn't the next step for me. Emotionally, it's like I felt like, I felt like, Like, I've been running a marathon for over a decade and I didn't even have time to breathe before the next race.

It felt like from book tour to filming season three, I didn't even have time to like check in on my marriage or my family. And it was like, and we're just going to go right back into it. And, you know, once my book made the New York Times bestseller list, I truly, I never imagined that would be possible. I did not think I would get the support the way that I did. I feel like I kind of, I had given up on myself. I felt like I lost my confidence. I let the mean girls, the first few seasons, take a part of my spark.

And I just feel like I'm not the same person, you know? Obviously, we all grow and stuff that I was 14 years ago when we started this show. I was booking jobs. I was acting. I was doing all of these things that I was genuinely interested in. And as you know, from our first meeting, my dream wasn't reality TV. I was very hesitant to do the show in the beginning, but it kind of just happened. It made sense.

And I am beyond grateful. I just want to say this. I said it in my book in the acknowledgments, but I just also want to say it. I'm so thankful for the opportunity, for the platform, for everything this has given me, allowed me to pursue, allowed me to talk about and just things that... unless you do, you know, write a book and everyone listens, it doesn't have the same reach as a TV show. And, you know, Kiki, actually, I don't remember where it came from. Oh my God. But you did say, no, you said something to me and you said dreams don't have

deadlines. And in looking ahead at my future, I feel like when I step in front of reality TV cameras again. I want to have the feeling that I had when I was on set of Lopez versus Lopez. It was the first time in a long time that I had like a fire in me where I was excited. I didn't have tightness in my chest and the anxiety feeling like, oh my God, I have lunch with her tomorrow and we have to talk about this. Like I feel like I want to find my purpose on reality TV. I don't want my purpose to be reality TV. And I really don't know what my next chapter looks like. It's not like I have this big master plan and I'm walking away from this show because I'm going to do this show. There's nothing that, you know, I have set in stone. But I feel like I want to take a chance

and I want to bet on myself. And there are just so many other things that I know can exist alongside reality TV. You know, Garcel is the best example of that. But I know I will be back on TV. I'm never going to not be on your TV. Sorry, but I will be. And, you know, maybe it is the valley in the future. I love this platform. I love sharing my story. I really do, you know, just when it can have a positive impact on someone, when someone can come up to me and tell me that they relate to something, whether it be in my book, something I said on the show and my podcast, we have a reach. And I'm so thankful for this platform for all of that and just even giving people, you know, an escape outside of their own lives, the people that we hear about, you know, while they're

going through their cancer treatments, this is their escape and this is their show that they watch. And I hate to disappoint the people who are expecting to see me next season, but I also need to start living my life for me and not pleasing everyone else. and I feel like I've done so much of that over the years is the people pleasing. You know, you want this, I'll do this. And beyond reality TV, I've learned my lessons about not talking about things until they are fully baked. But you all know that I will share the moment that I can because I'm in a book and I like to put it all out there. But until then, you know, I'm going to be here every week.

I'm doing my vlogs. I'm on Instagram. I'm going to see you guys all at BravoCon. I want to take the book tour international. There's just a lot of other things that I do want to pursue right now. I know you have other shows that you're working on, which I do want to talk about. The Valley Persian style is in the pipeline.

Yeah, sorry. This has been a very long-winded. No, well, there's a lot to say. Well, I have a couple questions for you, too. Okay. Do you have any FOMO? So I'm not going to lie. San Diego was a kick in the dick if I had one.

Seeing that, knowing that a reason I was told I got demoted season 10 was because I said on a podcast, I live in San Diego, but I work in L.A. And then to see y'all literally filming across the street from where I used to live, the restaurant I used to go to, I was like, hmm, well, that kind of sucks. because I wanted to film down here, and I still had my house season 10. We could have literally filmed at my house and walked over to Belmont Park. So that, yeah. But the rest of it, I'm like, I can do a girl's night with them whenever. You know, it was just the San Diego was the, yeah. Who are you more likely to squash the bees with Tamara or Katie?

Is Katie Malone? Oh, Katie Janella, you mean? Well, Katie, aren't you still, you and Katie? Yeah, I was going with Maloney, yeah. Okay. Because I'm beef with both. Is Katie going to be at Provocon? I don't know the answer to that.

Okay, I didn't think so. I might say Katie. Yeah, but I don't know. I mean, she had some choice words about me on her podcast recently, but I do think if I were to squash the beef, the one I would want to squash it with would be Katie. Right, because you guys have the history with each other. Absolutely. Yeah. Tamara, I mean, she's a scary one. I'm like, I'm fine keeping her to distance now.

Who knows what'll happen? Who knows? You might be on OC. Who knows? That's right. He's in 20. My dream. My dream. Some dreams come true. I'm like, ask anyone who's known me in the last 15 years if I have ever said my dream is beyond housewives. It's not that they scare me. Well, then why did you share that with her? So, no, not my dream. But you know, it's like, the thing is, too, I'm never going to say, like, I would never do that. You know, I have no idea what the future holds, but I just know that I did not say that was my dream. I want to take a quick little break.

And then I have questions for you. I'm sure you have some more for me. We'll be right back. Okay. And now I'm back to tell you yet again this week about my favorite bread. Hero Bread. I feel like health goals are for thriving, not sacrificing. That is one thing I have been doing lately. I started working out with a new trainer. I am tracking what I eat, making sure I get my protein in. However, I want to still enjoy what I'm eating. And I love bread.

I love tortillas. I love bagels. I love Hawaiian dinner rolls. All of the things that you can still have with hero bread and not feel guilty eating it. And one thing I want to point out that summer also loves other than the croissant, you can now try their all new hero noodles. They have more protein and 60% fewer calories than the best selling noodles. Only 5 grams of net carbs, zero grams of sugar, 12 grams of protein and 32 grams of fiber. I just want to point that out again because this is a way that I'm getting in some of my protein that I need to get in during the day and I'm enjoying eating it. It's soft. It is so flavorful. I'm obsessed with the bread. So is Brock. So is summer. And you'd literally never know that it's low net carb and high fiber

bread from the texture. No compromises, just flavor. Hero bread is offering 10% off your order. go to hero.co and use code Sheena at checkout. That's Sheena at H-E-R-O.C-O. So do you have more questions for me before I get into more for you? For Gigi, for any? Let's see. This is trouble. I guess we are the troublemakers.

Right? Yeah, you guys kind of are. I'm all right with it. When's the last time you and Lala spoke? And what was that conversation like? I saw her two nights ago at a birthday dinner for one of the school moms. She was there before me. She opened up the door.

I said, hi, gave her a hug and a compliment. We all got ear piercings at the birthday. And that was it. Hopefully you guys hash that out. I mean, time will tell. I feel like now it's just like podcast wars. And, you know, she says one thing on hers, but then she doesn't give the full story. So it's frustrating when, you know, with reality TV, we work towards accountability and

resolution. And right now, I want to work towards setting boundaries instead of working towards resolution. A show is not supposed to be punishment. And I think people sometimes forget that. It's really not supposed to be. No, what one thing that Brock says, what he loves about reality TV is you are forced to be accountable. You're forced to have tough conversations. And It's great for that. I just feel like there were multiple incidents with her that I'm like, I just, I don't know if we come back or if we try and just, you know, be mom friends. The girls have playdates when they have play dates. Well, I genuinely hope you guys figured out because you've been in each other's lives for a long time now.

You've been through a lot together. Yeah. I agree. Switching gears. The Valley Persian style. Are we getting an announcement for that soon? You will. And I don't know the exact timing of it, but we now know when we're premiering.

So that's right around the corner. And it's really good. It's an ensemble series that works because it's a group that has a ton of history with each other, great chemistry with each other. It's really funny. It's laugh out loud, funny at points. And we couldn't be more excited. about it. And it's a great cousin of the Valley. So it feels like it belongs in the franchise,

but it's the Persian cousin of it. I got to watch some beef go down at a party. Mercedes invited me too. Oh, really? So that was fun. I'm excited. You might see me in the background of another Alex production. Give her a contract. In every single show. If I don't pop up, it's not going to be a success. Right. Yeah. Hitmaker. Where would you want to take the Valley franchise next? I think it depends. I mean, we've looked into some other territories as well. And, you know, we're running out of San Fernando Valley real estate.

So I think that, you know, two that are set literally in the Valley is enough. But I think of it as a life phase. So I do think that it can travel to other places. And I always said, yeah, it's the space in life between Vanderpump rules or the way that we originally thought of it and sort of the new one and the real housewives. And so I think there's room for it to travel and we've got some good cast in mind. Yeah, definitely. Do you see it franchising like the Real Housewives? I think possibly.

I think, you know, it's bold to assert that it'll become the Real Housewives because that's one of one. But I definitely think that it can grow. I think that, you know, I think it's about that time in life and where I think that you're sort of caught between going out and refusing to grow up and then all of a sudden finding yourself a parent and still not quite knowing what you're doing, but the stakes are a little bit raised. Totally. Would you ever allow, like how Housewives is, other production companies to do other franchises of the Valley? Or do you want to keep that all with you? I mean, I would hope to

do them all. I'm super passionate about it and having launched it. I would love to make the different iterations of it. Housewives had kind of a different origin story. And so, you know, it's, very capably been made by others. And I look at the work that other companies have done. And I marvel at it and I think they're so talented. And so I love being, you know, in that extended family. But I would love to to keep the valley in house. You know, that would be great. Yeah, for sure. Vanderpum rules. Season 12. What can you tell us? I think that it's going to be a breath of fresh air for the audience because we're not trying to make the same show that we made before.

And so there's certain hallmarks of that show that exist again, which is a group of 20-somethings that really works at the restaurant together and has these very entangled relationships. And I think that's fun. But it feels like the 2025 version. And we didn't go for archetypes. I mean, we started with the people who really work there. And that's the foundation. And so I think that's really refreshing.

So it's a lot of fun. And it's, you know, the crazy goings on of people that age and everything feels so serious when they break up until they get back together again the next day. And that's pretty fun. Did you feel like the cast members, like they had this to live up to this expectation because there was like this? Or do you feel like they were like excited to do something new? I think they were excited to do something new. And we were pretty clear to them that we didn't want them to try to fill the shoes of their predecessors because... That was a legendary series, and we're so proud of that.

And we can't make that again. But what we can make is a new great series with a completely fresh group. And I think that it will feel very different. And we fully expect that, you know, there's going to be a, you know, sort of a reaction of doubt at first. And so we knew when we announced it, you know, all of a sudden people would be very nostalgic for the last series, even though they didn't like season 11, I'll add. So they're nostalgic for what it used to be. and you can't try to recapture what something was. That was a great moment in time.

We actually did for a very long time. But I think that if people take this for what it is, I think they're going to be into it. And I think they are. I think they're going to watch the first episode. And in spite of themselves, they're going to find themselves invested in it. Shit, I love it.

Yeah. Because people were not, people had the same feeling about the Valley. They were like, it's going to be, they were not going to hate it. Every comment, they're like, we don't want this. We don't want this. And now they're like, we want this. But I thrive on that because I think as far as the show is concerned, you want the attention and even people reacting to it negatively means they're going to check it out. And then it's up to us to hook them.

And if we don't do that, we haven't made a compelling show and we haven't done our job right. So I'm okay with that. And I think it just means people have really intense feelings about the franchise. You think? The Bravo fans, they are die hard. Well, I love the people of that will send me, you know, horrible DMs and will say, you ruin the show. And I'm like,

but I made it when you liked it too. Yeah, no, it's, I love it. I mean, there's no fandom that is better than Bravo's

and there is committed as any. Yeah. I think all three of us have been in cues of ruining the show. Right. I know. On a daily basis. Yeah.

Yeah. If you had been able to do a final season of VPR with like the OGs, which I know what you were going back and forth with, What might that have looked like? Well, I think it would have looked a little bit different than season, or a lot different than season 11, not a little bit, because I don't think we could do the same thing again. I think that was an end point for that.

I think it probably would have looked like separate spheres that maybe only sometimes would have come together because I think it would have been artificial to try to put everyone in the same room. And I don't even think you would try to talk everyone into it because then you would be producing against the principle of the show in the first place. And so I thought there was a version that we could do that would have wrapped up everyone's story as an individual chapter, which would have included new footage and old footage. And I thought we could have done something really different. And I thought we could have announced that it was the final season. And I thought it

could have felt very fresh. And I was also happy not to do it. Because I also think things come to an end. I really did. I thought at a certain point, I think you don't want to fight to me. make something that probably shouldn't exist. And we all thought that it was time to take a bow and move on. Yeah. Do you ever see like a, you know how like high school, you have a 10 year, 20 year reunion? Do you see something like that for OG Vanderpump rules? Like a 10 year reunion special and we all go get thrown in a house together like Jersey Shore? I sure hope so. I mean, I think we need time. I think at this point you couldn't even pull that off. Like you couldn't. And it would be miserable and no one would want to be there. And so I just. I just,

just think that we need time to have an appreciation for what it was like, for everyone to go through that together. And then I would love that. I would love to honor the legacy of the show. I think Elsie from the Hills was not interested in the Hills and now she's the first one to announce that they're doing this reunion. So yeah, this takes time. Yeah, I think so. Definitely. A decade might be good. Yeah. Maybe two. Maybe two. We're all in our six days. The Jackson's 75. The 2045 reunion. Oh, my God. Speaking of OGVPR, when did you know that you had a hit on your hands?

I thought very early on. I'm not just saying this after the fact, but I thought in meeting everyone in the first place and putting together the original cast map, the diagram of everyone's relationships, and that's now a staple in pitching reality shows, illustrating how connected everyone was, but it was pretty new then. It was a novel thing to do. And I just, I thought everyone was really game to do it. And even when we shot the presentation after we originally did casting interviews,

everybody just naturally made the show. So I thought we were, we were there. And it was just a matter of the audience feeling the way that we did making it. Yeah, definitely. Was there ever a time when you were nervous about a pickup, like a season pickup, not a pickup scene? Yeah, later on I was. We were, we struggled after like season eight, for example, because we were right at the point where we were feeling the strain of the fact that life was changing.

People were going in different directions. And so I think the show had to find new footing. Yeah. So I was sweating it. I thought we should come back and I thought we could do better. And, and, you know, faithfully we did, right? But right around then, I thought we were, we were struggling a little bit. And then season nine was really tough.

So after season nine as well, I was glad that we came back after season eight where we were our casted ballooned and we had sort of a new generation and then we also had all the OGs and wanted one more go at it. Season nine was very constraining because of the pandemic.

And so we just had like a succession of theme parties which was rough. And like nothing fit me. It was just, oh, it was so tough. It was a tough time for everyone. It really was. I think I was still in diapers when we started filming. Oh my God.

Yeah. Anyway. Memories. Can we talk about OC? Of course. Okay. So this season on Real House Eyes of Orange County, we have seen the introduction of, you know, outside people in the media world becoming central figures to the storyline. Katie, I have heard Katie Janella that she talked to other bloggers that she talked to other bloggers.

about this story as well. So I'm curious how Gretchen told me and I told you, but she told other people. So like, how am I involved in this, do you know? Any behind the scenes info of where Teddy and Tamara got this that Sheena somehow started this? No idea.

So I will say that when I read the headlines that you were being brought into it, it did sort of make me laugh. First of all, I love a good crossover. But also, it was like, of course it's you because you know and talk to everyone. So I thought that it makes sense. It makes sense. No, my name has popped up on so many other shows.

And everyone's like, Sheena's so desperate. She's so thirsty. I'm like, I didn't ask for this. I don't want my name to be on OC Housewives. I don't want it to be on the secret lives and Mormon wives. I did not ask for this. It's just I'm good at networking. I make a lot of friends.

And then I get entangled in there. Yeah, right? No, literally. How difficult has that been, though, navigating, telling, the story. When you do have, you know, so many leaks, you're having everything be posted. You see who's filming, who's not filming. People like Kiki being brought in and rumors like that. Do you try to work around it until you can't? Or? Largely. I mean, I don't like it on the whole because we just want the group to focus on making the show. And so we don't want anything preempted. It also feels like

to the audience that they've already seen it, right? Because they've heard about the stories in advance. And so we tell the story largely when we have to. I don't believe in. trying to break the fourth wall. But I think that you do it when you would miss the story if you didn't do it. Right. And, you know, unfortunately, we needed to do that in order to tell the story this season or the story wouldn't have been complete. Yeah. It was, whof, how did you feel about it? I felt, I feel great. I mean, I don't know how everyone else feels like, I'm fine. I know that you're not a liar. Yeah. And I know I'm not a liar. Yeah. Exactly. But it is just wild to me how people just say lies. And,

And then it's like, do you just believe your own lives? Well, that's what I want to ask about because I'm like going, you know, casting in the future, it seems like it has to be difficult because I think that people think that this is what you want when it's clear that this is not what you want. So how do you make them understand like, no, we just want you to be you and you don't have to bring this drama and you don't have to bring this extra? No one ever believes us. It's like even on the shows, like when we feel like there is a propensity to try to create conflict, right? And we're like, no, like, go on this trip and actually have fun. And if something happens, not telling you to pretend that it didn't happen, right? But we're also, we're not asking you to do that.

And everyone thinks that we're doing some voodoo on them or that's some code word to do something else. And we don't want it. We want people to show up as who they are. We don't want them to sell us something that they're not. We don't want any of it. And if they're right for the show and if they're a fit within the group and if they belong on television and if they have the right constitution, for it great and if not they shouldn't be there yeah yeah agreed moving on to beverly hills because i just have to know how did you guys get rachel zow like is this something that's been

in the works for a long time that you wanted her it was just the right timing i mean she's iconic well she makes so much sense so she and i started talking and she was at a point in her life where she was considering this but i think she wasn't sure whether to do it or not and she wanted to kind of make the right decision. And ultimately, the conversations were really positive, and she decided to take the plunge, and we couldn't be more excited about it. She fits in in a really fun way. She knows everyone there, you know, and I mean, she literally lives down the street from

Kathy, so that's really fun. Yeah, and she obviously, you know, she adds star power and she adds fashion, and she's also very open, and she's someone who's sort of. can't help but express herself. And so she's really a great addition to the show. And I mean, I think people are going to love her in the show from the jump. Not just right now they love the idea of her. Yeah.

And they're actually going to love her in the show. Yeah. So I'm super excited about it. Well, because I feel like there's so many Bravo fans that have been along this journey. And we remember Rachel from her original. So to have her come around again, the 20-year reunion, but in a different way, I mean, we love this. I can't wait. Yeah.

No, it's super fun. And I'm not just saying this. I'm not just hyping the season, you know, for no reason. It's a really fun season and takes a bunch of different twists and turns, but I think everyone is going to be super excited to have them back on their TV screens. I love it. Is there someone that you've wanted for Beverly Hills but haven't got or did get? That's a really good question.

For a few years, I talked to Ida Williams about doing the show and she would have been great. And we always, like, flirted with it. it never happened, obviously, but she would have been a strong addition to the show. But then plenty of people have come true. I mean, Rachel was one of them, right? It was like a name who just makes so much sense. And sometimes you bring in someone who would seem to be a great fit and you're like, well, shit, that's better, you know, on paper than it is in reality. And then sometimes it's just pretty seamless like it was with Rachel. So it's fun. There's a really high bar, obviously, for casting that show. Yeah. And, you know, I think we certainly met at this

season. I love that. I think everyone is at their best doing the shows when they're doing them because they want to be there. Yeah. Right. And so just like we were saying in casting that, it sort of doesn't work when someone is really thirsty and they are desperate to do the show. It's the same thing, you know, if you need to do the show for whatever reason, fully understand people need to do it financially or sort of whatever else. I don't think that's great. I don't think anyone should feel trapped. It's hard enough to do anyway. We ask for a lot from the people who were doing it. I ask them to be honest and vulnerable and to be in situations that can be tough, can be challenging. And you have to on some level want to do that. Even if you don't want to do it every day, you have

to be in for the ride. And if you're not, you shouldn't do it. Well, thank you for understanding just where I was coming from and where I'm trying to go. And, you know, I know this isn't going to be the end of the road for us. We've been on this ride together for so long and excited to see what the future holds, but for now, I'm going to announce the jack's hole of this week. And that's anyone coming for our boy, bad bunny. Okay, Super Bowl, halftime performer. He's literally one of the biggest artists in the world right now, selling out stadiums, breaking records, putting Latin music front and center. And some of the commentary that I've seen is like straight up racist. Yeah. Literally complaining that his music isn't an English newsflash. The Super Bowl is global

and music is universal. So I think Bad Bunny deserves that stage. I think it's going to be one of the biggest shows the Super Bowl is over done. I think so too. The real jacksholes are the ones who can't handle it. So thank you all for listening. Thank you Kiki and Alex for being here.

Are we still doing Hot Mike? What's going on with that? The pod? We are. We wrapped our last season a few months ago. And so we're kind of figuring out we're going to pick it back up again. Okay.

Sounds good. And you can catch Kiki Weekdays on Radio Andy's Reall. check and find her at the Talk of Shame on Instagram and you can find Alex at the Alex Baskin. Nice DMs only. But, you know, you always have a show on air currently. O.C. Next up we got VPR, Beverly Hills, and then the valley next year. So tune in for all of it. And if you haven't already gotten my book, New York Times bestseller, my goodsidebook.com. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you.

Thank you for sticking around. All right. guys. Thanks for listening to shenanigans with Sheena Shea. Tune in next time for juicy updates from the world of reality TV, pop culture, and more. Download new episodes every week on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.