The Viall Files - E1128 - Cynthia Bailey Breaks Down RHOA, Chris From Perfect Match, Selfish Fathers & James Charles Said WHAT
Episode Date: May 19, 2026Welcome back to The Viall Files: Reality Recap! Today, we're joined by the ICONIC Cynthia Bailey to get into the incredible new season of RHOA. Does Phaedra eat dead bodies? Is Pinky really vegan? W...e discuss. Later, Chris from Perfect Match stops by to get into his history with love bombing, returning to reality tv, and more! Plus, we cover James Charles' insane video to a former Spirit Airlines employee and Danny Darko on The Valley. You won't want to miss it! "He's like the Pennywise of the beauty community!" HEY! YOU! DO YOU NEED DATING AND RELATIONSHIP ADVICE? Email asknick@theviallfiles.com and be a part of future Ask Nick episodes! Want ad free episodes and incredible bonus content? Start your 7 Day Free Trial of Viall Files + here: https://viallfiles.supportingcast.fm/ Subscribe to The ENVY Media Newsletter Today: https://www.viallfiles.com/newsletter To Order Nick's Book and/or learn more about the show, go to: https://viallfiles.com THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: BetterHelp - Fill out the questionnaire and check your coverage today at https://betterhelp.com/viall Ollie - Head to https://ollie.com/viall, tell them all about your dog, and use code VIALL to get 70% off your Welcome Kit when you subscribe today! Quince - Head to https://quince.com/viall for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. The RealReal - Get $25 OFF off your first purchase when you go to https://therealreal.com/files To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/theviallfiles Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 25:53 - The Valley 43:28 - Cynthia Joins 01:25:35 - Perfect Match 01:38:35 - Chris Joins 01:59:32 - Outro Episode Socials: @viallfiles @nickviall @nnataliejjoy @cynthiabailey @chrisdahlan @susiecevans @the_mare_bare @justinkaphillips
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On everybody. Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Valfiles reality recap edition.
I'm your host, Dick. I'm your host, Nick. Unfortunately, your favorite co-host of this show,
Natalie Joy is not feeling well today.
We are in that third trimester of twins,
and not every day.
No days are the same.
Do you guys know what Braxton Hicks is?
No.
I'm familiar.
I didn't either.
Apparently, and I probably am getting this wrong,
out there, internet, moms out there who have,
it's like there are contractions that feel like you're going into labor,
but you're not really going into labor.
Yeah.
Very uncomfortable, so.
It says they're often called,
practice contractions or false labor.
Yeah.
To prepare the body for childbirth.
Right.
Also just a big pain in the ass for anyone out there who has experienced them.
So brutal.
Send Nelly your best.
She's doing okay, but she's taken today off as she should.
But we have a great week lined up for you.
We got three reality recap episodes this week with some amazing guest.
Obviously, perfect match is up and running.
We're enjoying it.
It's a great season thus far.
and we got all the interviews that you can possibly ask for and more.
In addition to that, we got the incomparable, talented and an iconic Cynthia Bailey with us today
to get into all things Atlanta Housewives.
She is immersed in the drama.
And we are excited to have Cynthia join us to help break it all down with us.
I'm glad we finally got back into Atlanta.
I know Justin's always been in it.
I finally caught up.
So good.
What a fun, messy group.
Yeah, messy.
Oh my gosh.
I'm shocked.
Anyways, we are excited to.
have Cynthia with us and she joins us in just a moment.
But before we get to Cynthia,
now is a good time to remind you that Val Phyllis Plus is ad-free
and get some amazing bonus content available on that,
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We dive deep into your favorite reality TV shows and into our lives.
We tell stories.
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We also have our pop culture,
a pop extra roundup where we talk about,
we get into the weeds of your pop culture topics.
Plus, you get your update specials,
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So be sure to check that out.
Just go to Valafalz.com to sign up,
and you'll be glad that you did.
And then Justin and I did a little takeover on Plus as well.
Yeah.
Have you liked listening to us, Gab.
Get your Gen Z takes all from Justin and Mary.
Lots going on in the world of pop culture and reality TV.
But before we do, Natalie and I, we're up at the lake.
It's really enjoyable.
It's wonderful.
We went to a Luke Colmes concert.
Natalie, it's always nice.
When we're at the lake, it's like, we're kind of in the middle.
of nowhere. I mean, I wouldn't say
middle of nowhere. I mean, we're fine.
That's a little dramatic saying middle of nowhere. But it's a
bit rural. Where's the closest city?
There's a Walmart 20 minutes from us.
Hell yeah, brother.
Yeah. Do you ever go sit in the parking lot just for fun?
No. No.
You ever drink a 40 in a Walmart parking lot, Nick?
I haven't. Is that a thing?
Yeah, but we're from the other side of the country.
Yeah, sorry. You got a 40% of the parking lot.
Anyways, shout out to Luke Combs.
That man, that man fucks.
You said it was a last minute concert.
That's what I saw Natalie post.
Last minute for us.
I think Luke Combs and his team
have been planning this for some time.
Well, yeah.
It was at Lambeau Field.
It was a two-night extravaganza.
We went to the first night.
But Natalie discovered it last minute,
which was kind of cool.
It was kind of my point.
It's like usually when we come up here,
it's very much like nesting,
relaxing, enjoying the lake.
Obviously, the house that we did.
It's very relaxing.
It's very comfortable.
I saw it on a hot tub.
Nali can't do any of that stuff.
right now obviously because she's pregnant but there's a lot of things that she can enjoy but it's
nice that when we get to go out and like get outside of the house it's really nice luke homes what a talented
man i'm wearing a sweat i got concert merch is great merch nick what is your favorite concert merch you've ever
gotten uh easy answer easy answer ariana grande cocella black hoodie arana grandeurne oh yes i wore it the day i met
Natalie.
Wow.
Cute.
And it's also
just like a dope
sweatshirt.
It was before
the oversized era.
Well, she created
the oversized era.
She did create
the oversized era.
I don't think,
I mean, as much
as I think
my wife is very talented
and much of a visionary
in fashion and is great taste.
I don't think she invented that.
No.
Ariana Grande.
Ariana Grande created.
Oh, she did.
Okay.
She didn't,
but she kind of brought it
back for that generation.
Yeah, I was like,
wait,
what are you talking about?
I thought you were like
trying to give
to say like Natalie
invented the oversides.
I'm like, don't like, why are you trying to get the internet coming for us?
Just one of rage, babe.
I love how you nicely, like, declined it for her.
Politely, she's incredibly amazing.
However, I do not think we can attribute the fashion ideology of oversized to Natalie Jones.
I am very excited to pass that hoodie down to my daughters.
Oh, that's cute.
It's going to be vintage.
Vintage, Joryana Tour March for your daughters.
That's so chic.
Yeah.
Shout out to my Wisconsin people.
It's always good to be back at the lake.
get back with my roots. I'm also just very thankful that my wife has embraced Lake Life.
It's also something I feel like I'm really grateful that Natalie and I do because obviously we,
you know, she's from the South. I'm from the Midwest and we both kind of left the nest, so to speak.
We moved out to the coast. And I'm always like, you know, I was up at the lake with my uncle.
Maybe I've told this story. I don't know. And I'm going to tell it again. But I was
out the late with my uncle. He was up visiting. My mom's brother. So obviously the lake is very
important to him as well. And it was over Christmas. And he's like, you know, you're really lucky, man. And I was
like, what do you mean? He's like, you know, my aunt, his wife. She like, she never really enjoyed
the lake life, so to speak. And the reality is when, like, you marry someone who's, like,
not from your community and not, not from your hometown. It's not a foregone conclusion that
they're going to embrace it. Like, you embrace it. Yeah. And I always know, like, how important,
like, Savannah, Georgia and Alabama, Art and Natalie, and obviously the farmhouse, her sister's
farmhouse and how important that is to her, obviously we got married there. So there's a
sentimental, like, connection that I have to it. But, like, I'm really grateful that.
we both recognize the importance we both have to like what we call home and we both like encourage
each other to spend time there and like we both you know we don't make it difficult for each other
to like go home so to speak and that's something I'm always really been grateful for of of Natalie and
also just like it's this good to like you know now that we have the lake to really kind of get back
you know I've been out of Wisconsin for so long they're still my people you know anyways
it was good to experience and also just in 2026 I feel like concerts are
humanity.
I agree.
Human experience.
They're getting people outside.
You're connecting.
You know, no one's othering each other.
Everyone's just, they're all there to just experience great music, great vibes, good people.
Agree.
I think we're also moving away from the super overly expensive scale with prices of like concerts.
Like now a lot of the websites are cracking down on that and like I'm going to cash a concert for $50.
Oh, fun.
You know, so it's like a lot of like it's coming back.
I would like to see Kesha concert.
Are there still tickets on sale to this
Kesha concert, do you think?
Okay, interesting.
But anyways, like you can go to concerts now
and it's like getting back to like the normal prices
where like artists aren't.
And it was never the artist that we're trying to.
No, it was ticket master.
Yeah.
May I tell the most incredible experience
I recently had at a concert
that reaffirmed my belief in humanity?
Yeah, that's so nice.
So I saw Haley Williams this last Tuesday.
She played at the Wilter and it was incredible.
It was amazing.
and this thing happened where I got my contact stuck behind my eye, and I could not get it out.
Oh, gosh.
And so I went to the bathroom during the one song in the album that I'm not, like, completely obsessed with.
And so I go to the bathroom, and I still can't get it out.
So then I go to, there's like this mirror outside of the bathroom that's like well lit.
I think maybe I can get it out.
Also, full disclosure, perhaps I had had some weed and also a beer.
So I was not exactly in a place where it was going to be as easy for me as it could have.
to get this contact out.
Fair.
I still cannot get it out.
I'm like kind of tweaking, freaking out.
This girl walks out of the bathroom
and she is
gorgeous, gorgeous girl,
tatted up, like really cool,
exactly the type of batty you would expect to see at Haley Williams.
And she goes, do you need any help?
And I was like, yes, I do.
And so she goes, let me wash my hands.
She runs to the bathroom, washes her hands.
She is like, girl, I've been there before.
What a thoughtful queen.
She gets up in my eye and is like,
I can help you.
And she's really helping me out.
And then this other woman from the corner was like, do you two know each other?
And we both go, no.
And she goes, that's amazing.
Anyway, we located the contact.
I get it back.
I had eye drops.
Put it back in.
We go back out.
I give her a huge hug.
And I was like, thank you so much.
You saved my life.
She was like, I have been there, girl.
Wait, this is so nice.
And I just felt so safe and, like, hell.
Honestly.
Every single person at that Haley Williams concert.
It's a good story.
And I do just want to say, if this girl hears that, thank you so much, mama.
And two, that's the power of Haley Williams
And that's the power of live music
Nick, you're absolutely right
Susie, welcome back. Susie's back with us
Joining the Household.
Thank you. How have you been, Suz? What do you been up to?
Good. Oh my gosh, I've missed. I gave everyone hugs today
When I came in. I was like, I missed you guys. But I'm good. I froze my eggs. I was in Chicago.
Got these eggs on ice. Yeah.
Open to be a mama bear someday.
Is that like our congratulations in order for freezing eggs? Is that what?
Yeah, sure.
I think so.
I'll accept it.
Conversations around freezing eggs.
Did you learn something new that you didn't know about the freezing egg process that you maybe like heard from like, you know, because I feel like a lot of people are talking about it more and more.
Yeah.
But were there still any surprises?
For sure.
I think, I mean, the whole process, I wish I'd started sooner.
And I posted about it and so many people reached out that were like 38, 39 that are either trying to get pregnant or going through IVF.
And they're like, I wish I had done this when I was your age.
You're going to be so great.
that you're doing this now. And I even waited until I was 32 because I thought, like, oh, I don't
want to take away from my future eggs. Like, what if I want to just get pregnant? Naturally, is this going
to, like, affect that? And I just assumed that I was taking eggs from my future. And I learned through
this process. And I was like, am I dumb? But the Ovo where I got it done, they're like, no, people come in
all the time and they have the same thought about it, that you're taking your future eggs, but you're
not. Every month, your body recruits, like, it could be two.
it could be 30 depends kind of like your levels and stuff,
but follicles,
and they all have the potential to be an egg,
but your body only creates one egg from those follicles,
but the process matures as many as you can, like, retrieve.
So you're not taking away from future fertility.
You're just preserving what you have, like, literally in that moment, that month.
So some people get 50 eggs, like crazy.
I got 11, so I might go back and do another round in a few months.
Are eggs, follicles?
So each, they, they,
call the follicle like a house for the egg. So a follicle may not have an egg in it. So like when I,
they could see 14 follicles and they, they actually extracted 14 follicles. But I think only 12 had
eggs and then only 11 were like mature or something like that. So they only froze 11.
Because you're born with the same amount of eggs that you have throughout life. Yeah. It does make a lot of
sense that you would have that that question. And because you are taught as a woman growing up that you
have a certain amount of eggs.
And so it would make sense to be like, oh, I'm taking away from that supply.
That seems scary.
But that is like really interesting to kind of like recontextualize that.
Yeah.
And it's like, because you know how you learn growing up?
It's like, oh, you only have one egg a month.
But you have multiple follicles.
And like as you get older, it goes lower and lower.
So I wish I had started like, because I've been thinking about this for years.
I wish I didn't like when I was 30 because maybe I would have had 20 or 30 follicles to
choose from but now I've got 11 or you know I've got 11 eggs but I'm still really happy with that
number yeah no is it and this is something you're doing like is it like a just in case type of thing like
what what is the thought process that you or other women who decide to do this in any stage of life
like what are what are reasons or indicators that might make you do it because it sounds like
when you say oh I don't want to take like future eggs away from possible fertility is that like
yeah if and when you meet a man of your dreams you you
it sounds like you still might do it the old fashion way, so to speak, right?
And then like if complications arise for whatever reason, then you have these on standby.
Yeah, exactly.
So as you age, the reserve goes lower and lower.
So also something I learned, like you can at any age just go get your levels checked.
Like there's, you can look it up and there's like things you can look for in your blood work.
And then ultrasound, like an internal ultrasound will show you kind of like what you're working with.
Oh, wow.
So you can have an idea of like where your fertility is because like my cousin did it at 29 and she only got six eggs. And so keep in mind 11 eggs doesn't mean 11 babies. For every 16 eggs, that like statistically equals one child. So I know. So that's like another misconception is you think 11 eggs like oh you don't need 11 kids. But like just based on like the process like you lose so many along the way. So 16 kind of is like the number of like for one.
So the idea is that hopefully I meet somebody, you know, yesterday and can try the old-fashioned way.
But like if I'm, you know, 38 by the time I want my second kid and I'm having trouble, then I'll have these eggs that are preserved at the quality of my eggs right now at 32.
Interesting.
Yeah.
I didn't know what a follicle was until like this pregnancy with Natalie.
Yeah.
Because you guys had two follicles, right?
Yeah.
Like is that what they said?
They were like two follicles or two that were developing into eggs because that's how you got, you guys got twins.
Yeah, something like that. Nali would be better at answering that question.
Yeah.
But yeah, I remember when we were, because we had to see a specialist, because of the miscarriages
and just kind of doing a bunch of like analysis, mostly on Natalie, but a little bit on me.
And then obviously all the ultrasounds she did, I remember her doctor talking about how many follicles she had and things like that.
Yeah.
So I didn't know what that was as it relates to like eggs.
I'm so happy to share about it and I'm glad I'm posting about it because I wish I knew more.
Like I wish I had done this two years ago because I think I would have had even more and, you know, be even better quality and things like that. And I just, I'm like, everyone should do it. Like there's there's very little downside other than the fact that it is an expensive process. Yeah. I appreciate that you're sharing it too because we were talking about this where I feel like a lot of people know about like insemination or they assume that the process of freezing your eggs is that process. But it's like for two different. I mean, they go hand in hand, right? But like the journey of freezing the regs is its own thing as well.
100%
I got a few DMs
from mostly like guys
that thought I was like
getting pregnant
I think that they were like
congrats which
and I couldn't tell if they thought
like that I was going straight
from this to like making
like having a baby on my own
which I could do eventually
but I'm not
I'm freezing
but I think there's just so much confusion
because when people go through this process
a lot of times
they're going straight into like
creating a baby from it
yeah it really does just go to show
how limited
of an understanding
most people have on like
reproductive health
right
My sister is literally an OBGYN.
And the way I don't know anything at all, you know?
There's so much to learn.
There's so much to learn and there's so much to it, especially like as women.
It's like you're taught like in basic sex ed as a kid that there are these certain things.
But then it like completely goes out the window for like an actual like adult woman's body or like if you're like queer and you're like not.
You know what I mean?
There's like so much stuff that you just don't know and you have to find out yourself.
So I think it's really, really cool that you've, you know.
I spent my whole 20s scared that I was going to get pregnant,
not realizing that you can't get pregnant every single day of the month.
Like I didn't understand that, which is so dumb.
But I just was like a young 20-year-old that was like, every time I did anything,
I was like, oh my God, I'm going to be pregnant.
Yeah.
Oh, my God.
Like the first time I met out with a girl, I was.
Yeah.
Oh, because my name was Mary and my dad was a pastor.
Oh, immaculate.
I was convinced I was going to immaculately conceive.
I mean, there was a time where I was in high school.
I'm still not convinced I won't.
There was a time in high school, makeout sash.
I was supposed to be babysitting through in the Disney movie for the young ones.
Where were the kids?
Yeah, where were the children?
My younger siblings.
Oh.
I'm like 17, 18.
Girl from high school comes over.
Second, third base.
Right?
That's all it happens.
Third.
Good for you.
Okay.
We rounded second, you know, for a high school kid.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
But it was enough that, like, afterwards, I was, I was like, I don't know, I think she's pregnant.
And there, by the way, there was no possible way she could be pregnant.
And I was so neurotic that, like, I remember, like, counting.
Like, I got my calendar out.
Oh, Nick.
And then, like, for the next three or two weeks, I'd, like, call her up and be like, so how are you feeling?
Any.
So you kept her around just there?
Are you feeling normal?
I was so, like, terror.
When was the moment you realized it wasn't an issue with her?
I don't know, four months later, probably.
Okay.
You guys, I...
Like, she's still looking hot.
Literally moved to Japan, didn't have sex for a long time.
And, like, for the first seven months, I would take a pregnancy test because I was so scared, which nothing was even happening.
I just kept convincing myself.
I was like, I think I'm pregnant.
Like, from my boyfriend before I left.
Yeah.
And I was, like, seven months into living there.
And I was like, is this bloating or like, what's going?
And I would, every month, pee on a test.
You said you live in Japan?
Yeah.
Well, I didn't know that.
I did.
Two years.
She was a Disney princess.
Wow.
Oh, that's right.
Yes.
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
I knew that.
Well, speaking of motherhood,
and you guys all watched the most recent episode of the Valley?
We did.
Yes.
Do we want to talk James Charles first?
Do you want to talk James Charles first?
I think Mary has something to say.
I got some reads prepared for him.
Yeah.
Table this.
James Charles is popping off on customer service.
This is an insane story.
I'm sorry, y'all.
Like whatever you want to say about James Charles, the video that we're all seeing is just the most example of like out of touch, like rude, gross, like not knowing.
This is sadly one of the least problematic things about James Charles.
Yeah, true.
James Charles is kind of like, he's kind of like the beauty community's penny wise.
And that every like certain number of years, he pops up from a little gutter and just like reeks habit comes back from the dead on the people of dairy.
Yeah.
Well, and to give the audience, like, context of what we're talking about, basically, we know Spirit Airlines closed in the last month.
And someone was laid off by Spirit Airlines.
RIPP.
DMed James Charles saying, like, hey, like, I just got laid off.
Like, here's my go-fund. Me, link, if you can, like, contribute.
She DMed it to multiple influencers.
James Charles saw it, saw that she wasn't following him and, like, didn't engage with his TikToks and decided to send her a video.
And it's, like, the most atrocious, like, disgusting out-of-touch things that he was saying, Mary's going to do a dramatic rea.
It's crazy.
Yes.
James Charles posted this video.
He sends a video DM to this person.
He sends a video DM and with this tone.
You're a lazy piece of shit and you're entitled.
And you think that influencers and celebrities should fund your life for you?
You think I'm just going to give you money because you lost your job?
Oh my God.
Welcome to the real world sweetheart.
That's literally why people.
give money away sometimes.
All you did was
lost your job, okay?
Welcome to the real world. Why?
Why would I ever help you? You're not a fan.
You don't even follow me. You've never
supported me. This is your first time
DMing. I could at least
understand if you were like, James,
I'm a long-time fan.
Here's a trillion years of DMs in my support
for you. I love you. I'm suffering with a really
rare genetic disease that there's no cure for
and I'm trying to raise money for myself
and all the other people have this.
Maybe I would help then.
Maybe.
That was well done.
Only maybe he would help then.
Yeah.
It's just.
It's just like it's so, you hear it and you think it's fake and you think it's AI because
you're like, this is like the things he was saying is just so delusional and so like mean.
Again, Penny was of the beauty community.
Why couldn't he had just read it and moved on?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Why?
Sometimes you don't have to speak.
And I remind myself of that all the time, although I'm not about it.
Do people have a problem with the GoFundMe movement out there?
Like what's the issue?
I don't think so.
I donated to one like a week ago.
Oh, I donate, yeah.
Yeah.
A lot.
You know, if you don't want to, you don't have to.
And if you want to, you can.
It's like the perfect free will.
She reached out to you because she's in a position of like needing help and you decided to like destroy her.
Like I just feel like that was unnecessary when like you could have just at least let her out of repeat.
It's so rude.
And it's also like just thinking about what's happening to so many people in the world right now in the economy and like how many people are going on.
Exactly.
Struggling through hard times.
and like there are go fund me's that are literally saving people's lives literally and it's a way
to like crowdsource from your community and just like actually have people go and help you and support
you and if you're on hard times and you DM celebrities just to see that's not a bad thing that's like
shoot your shot yeah and by the way her gofummy like was really low like it wasn't a large
numbers like he probably could have maxed it out with like a small donation but like now he's going
viral people are going after him and posting like their own videos of when they got later
off and using it as an audio to be like reminder that this is a reality people face.
Yeah.
And luckily this person, like her GoFundMe link like has popped off as it should.
And like I think he DM'd her an apology and he also did donate now.
But like it's yeah.
She posted a video of being like I'm not accepting this apology like just because you got
called out for something so crazy.
Now listen, if you if you send a request to anyone and they for whatever reason don't reply
or don't send you anything, that's also okay.
Right. Shoot your shot.
You know, a lot of people who.
you know, get requests. Sometimes people like, well, you know, even on the street, you know,
like side of the road, sometimes there's someone asking for money. Sometimes you have a little
cash on hand. Sometimes you don't. Sometimes you give it away. Sometimes you don't. It's all okay.
You know, as long as you're doing what you can. And that's up for you to decide. It's not for
anyone else to decide what you can and can't give. No one knows your situation. I was reminded
of that, you know, like there was a situation that happened a few months back. And now,
Ali was like kind of wishing she got a call from a friend. And we were dealing with a bit of a
crisis, not a crisis, but we were like, and she was kind of wishing she'd got a call from a
friend. That friend didn't call. Whatever. Whatever. And a couple weeks go by, they reconnect.
Well, it turns out that friend at that particular time was going through their own crisis. So it's
kind of like, you know, and you don't really think about it, right? When things are going on in your
world, you're the center of your universe. And it's so quick to forget that everyone else has their
own problems and things like that. But like, yeah, if you can give away some, you know,
a few bucks, give it away. And if, if you ask and they don't reply, that's also okay.
Or they don't, you may not see it. Like, there's so many, especially James Charles. I feel
like he has a huge following. Yeah. But I think with this particular case, it's such a reminder.
Like, he was a YouTuber before he was even like 18, I think. So he's really never worked a normal
job. He has faced a lot of, like, tough stuff online. I think it's really hard to. I think it's really
hard to get canceled and stuff. I know that's
a horrible feeling,
but... He's done some
pretty bad stuff. For sure.
That's the thing. Is I like... My sister.
Yeah, totally. But I think
it just shows how out of touch some people
like in entertainment
can be when it comes
to understanding how
normal everyday people live and struggle.
Like it's just so...
I think he probably is
truly unaware to understand like
how people... He had to be. Because people...
are seriously struggling and it's literally like i'm sorry that people online got mad at you and said some
awful disgusting things about you after you actively like did shitty things to other people and you got your
comeuppance sorry buddy but you know you did get to cry about it in your like giant house and with your
money that you made off of your youtube ad sense and stuff so it's just like yeah this wiping your tears
with hundreds yeah it's like girl give me a break you're really like going to victim
maximize yourself after like going after someone that literally lost their job like he's also a ragebaiter
but I'm just like this is not what you're you're not rage baiting someone's like hurt like this I just feel
like why did we choose this like where was your publicist obviously he was not I very much doubt he ran
that by his public no not at all he didn't think that sending that video to the person was going to then be
posted and go viral it's just like don't be dumb yeah like why did you do that it's just crazy you hear
it and you're literally like what probably because like like
Like, you know, I think probably deep down, he's probably not.
You know, there's good people, there's bad people.
There's a lot of people in between.
Most of people are good people who sometimes do bad things and have to like be accountable and learn and apologize and blow.
And then there's people who just like at their core aren't great.
A little rotten.
Mm-hmm.
And the celebrity breakup news, sadly Pete Davidson and his girlfriend, also the mother of his child, Elsie Hewitt, they broke up.
But then it reminded me of the episode of the Valley.
Everyone's been talking about Danny Darko
this episode
or these past couple episodes.
And I honestly, as someone who's wanted,
like, you know, I've gotten,
Danny seemed like one of the decent guys on the Valley.
I know last season it was always like Danny Darko,
but it never really landed for me where it was this like,
I don't know.
All we got was like a couple times he was drunk.
Not that that like is acceptable to like get carried away.
But it seemed like they kept referring to this one moment.
But now it seems like maybe there's something there.
They basically went on this, they went to, what, San Diego?
They live in L.A. They went to San Diego.
And it seemed like Danny was like, well, we have a nanny.
So like, I'm off the clock, which I was just like, I couldn't process that.
Like, I just don't operate that way.
And then I was thinking about, you know, we're watching Summerhouse and we have Kyle
throughout these seasons speak to his wife in a way that's inappropriate and unacceptable.
You know, the fuck you, you fucking match, stuff like that.
Obviously, no excuse for that.
But if we have to pick between two horrible things, I think that honestly, being an unhelpful partner
to your wife or partner, if you're a man, and you don't participate 50-50 and you play the
like 1950s version of a man where you're just like your job is done and like you like what,
nine to five or whatever it is, I just feel like not participating in helping your work.
wife, like not sharing full responsibility. Like that scene from two weeks ago,
Nia is eating a sandwich. Danny's on his phone. He's on his phone. He's just on his, I don't know
what he's on his phone. Maybe, I don't know, didn't seem like work. And even if it was,
but the way he looked at her, like, is if she was interrupting his screen time, literally,
while she was trying to eat a sandwich. I can honestly say, I just would, I would never do that.
I just would never, if I see Natalie struggling, like she has my, and I'm an aloof guy.
I'm in my head a lot.
I am often not paying attention.
But like as soon is now I can get my attention, which sometimes can be a struggle because
in my head a little bit.
Once she has my attention, she has my full attention and help.
It's a nightmare, to be honest.
As someone that does want to be a mom and has been around children and loves children,
And like, it doesn't matter how much you love being a mom.
It's like if you are in a partnership, yeah, I agree.
Like there is this like 19.
Some people still live by that where they think these gender roles are like, okay, well, you're the mom.
So like you have to take care of it.
And I'm like, that would literally be.
Yeah.
I would rather not be a mom than be or be a single mom than be a mom with a husband that does not participate in help.
Yeah.
Unfortunately, men today.
are not, you are no Don Draper.
And Don Draper also should not have been doing that shit in the 60s, you know?
And it's just like, it's crazy that there is this thought that there's this expectation that
some men have that you're just going to be served by your wife and you're, and she's also
going to take care of your child.
And to go back to the Danny thing really quick, though, what my issue with is with Danny is
that he's doing both of those two things,
Nick. He is also
speaking terribly to Nia.
Well, he didn't Kyle cook it. Did he?
He didn't Kyle cook it, but in the energy that he said,
like, the way he was talking down to her.
Yeah, but like, I just want to, I just.
It's a kind of chill up my spine, man.
There is a huge difference between, if all Danny did,
in between being incredibly helpful and very present
helping with the kids,
is be kind of a poor sport in this.
That was a bit more than kind of a poor sport.
Okay, a major poor sport.
I'm just saying if that's all he did, then you could be like maybe he's having a bad day,
you know, whatever.
That's not the same as telling your wife that she's a fucking bitch.
It's not remotely close.
I think I might have a hot take on this.
I don't know.
I may have a hot take on this and I don't, I could be completely off.
But let me start by saying I am so partial to Nia.
I love her.
She's great.
I love Nia so much.
And whatever that means I want her to have the best life, the best relationship.
I just want her, like, I love her so much.
I will say, like, watching that scene from the pageant where she's trying to get him ready
and she's like, stop talking to me this way, stop disrespecting me.
And she's, like, cutting in like this.
I was like, I was proud of her.
But I almost felt like I was watching a little, almost like a little boy who was like in his own world where he was like playing a character that he was like, I think he thought he was being funny almost.
Like I was watching and I'm like, do you think you're being funny?
and like and you're talking to her this way like as a bit like it almost felt like a bit and then it's like but he was probably drunk so he couldn't like take himself out of it and then he was offended that la la said something which i was also so proud of la for saying something i actually kind of agree with you susy it felt like he thought he was being funny while drunk yeah exactly you know the problem though is he's too comfortable doing that which means he probably does this outside of just that scene exactly and it's something that obviously bothers nia and again susy you're saying that
Like, Nia is just such like, she's such a gentle soul.
She's such a kind soul.
She's, she's got four kids.
She's on a TV show.
She's fucking taking care of Danny also.
Like, that man is no help.
And he has the audacity as she's putting him in drag.
That's supposed to be a silly evening to be so just condescending and rude and having these expectations as if he is like, as if he is goddamn share sitting in a chair having hair and makeup done.
Like, who do you think you are?
The drug wasn't that hot.
And it's like, sorry you don't look, sorry like Tom Sandoval looked hotter than you in drag.
Like, I don't know what you want, Danny.
No need to reference him.
What?
I'll say it.
I think every happy husband who has a wife kind of secretly or unsecretely kind of feels like his partner is the best he can ever get, you know, like you couldn't do better.
You know, not in a way like I don't deserve you, but in a way where it's kind of like, I can't believe you're with you.
I bag to batty.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I think every, like, real happy husband has that kind of feeling.
But I feel like, unfortunately, Danny doesn't seem to do a good job of showing that in a way.
It's almost like, I don't know if it comes from a place of insecurity, of, like, not wanting to acknowledge that he landed this seemingly great partner in NIA, where a lot of people might be like, how'd you do it, man?
He doesn't want to embrace the whole, like, I don't know, you know, and maybe just show him through.
through like his actions like of like not being a jerk and again we can pick apart the whole like
was he drinking i don't know like was he kidding i don't know it does seem like maybe he's like
if you abuse alcohol on a regular basis where it changes your behavior where you're someone
different where it causes like issues in your relationships friends romantic like that's a problem
obviously it's always the shots it's always shots which i love but like at this
stage of the game, why is Danny doing
shots on camera if he knows
that he goes to like a different side?
I'm honestly was surprised that
not that it's Nia's fault, but that she was like
watching him take all those shots.
And like they seem to be the couple who like
we handle things behind closed doors which I think is
I respect that. I respect the hell out of that.
Like the way Lacey was like
it seemed like she was doing a scene though
when she was trying to call out Jesse for being like
you know you yelled at me.
It's just like well fine if like don't do
that in front of all the friends.
and use words like that I was just triggered.
Like you're using buzzwords with your partner
in front of his friends to pick a fight
and it kind of feels like you're doing a scene
and even if you're not doing a scene,
it was like, I don't know how that's like
and not to defend the action of Jesse.
It's just more like that's not how you go about
like creating a safe space for you and your partner
to like work through like your issues
and like we all have done and said things
that like made our partner feel unappreciated.
We had like we've all had to been like,
hey, don't like don't talk to me that way.
you're like it's not me you're mad at you know and a lot of times it's like you're right i'm sorry
you know um but i guess all that all that aside there's a million different like oh maybe this
happened or maybe that happened when it comes to watching danny be on his phone and look at his wife
and disgust while like she's asking for help with the kids i just there's no there's no middle ground
for me there's no like how could you like dude i'm just like i all the all the excuses we want to make for
reality TV stars. Oh, maybe it was editing. Maybe something's taken out of context. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I'm just like,
there's no world where I would have allowed that to be the case or the context in which something was filmed.
And I'm sorry, like, if you're just, if you're just, there's this, there were too many moments on that day where Danny kept referencing like, well, I just, I have a nanny.
I just want to have fun with my wife. I mean, have fun with your wife. Like your kid, I mean, I understand.
And listen, they have four under four. I don't know what it's like yet. I'm sure our world will change.
drastically when the twins show up. That all being sad, like you just, it's, it's, you're taking care
of your kid. It's part of your family. Like, it doesn't have to stop you from having fun. And the
moment you look at your kid is like the thing that stops you from having fun, I don't know.
It's just like, you know, for example, like Nia, right? She wants to have fun with Danny.
She wants to have fun just as much as Danny want to have fun. But like, you know what? Sometimes the kids
need you. You know, sometimes things happen. And she doesn't throw a fit. She's not stomping her feet.
not like Danny is literally being like, you know what, I'm going to have fun either way. So either
Nia or a nanny can like, they can deal with it, but I'm not. And I just can't believe I'm
watching that on this television show. Like, I just can't believe that Danny wouldn't want to like
be thought of as a guy who shows up for his family and is always ready to say, yes, I can help.
I just like, it's crazy to me. We don't know that he thinks of his children that way, though, right?
So we're just kind of extrapolating.
Like we don't know that he's saying like his kids are, this isn't me defending him.
I'm just saying like we don't know that he's looking at his kids as like a barrier to him having fun.
But we're just seeing the way he treats me.
In that episode, he just kept talking about how like, you know, this was the weekend have fun with his wife.
Why did we get a nanny if she's not going to be the one like ting?
You know, like we are lucky enough to afford some help when it comes to child care.
We also have like our parents who are incredibly helpful.
but for us that has just never been
something that allowed
we don't check out you know we're still there
they're there to help it's like it's a help it's another hand
but like we're never like obviously when we're recording the podcast
and we can't like attend to like or we're not there and we have a thing
but when we're around and we're here sometimes we still have some extra set of hands
and that's very helpful but like we're still the parents we're still there we're still
in charge you know what I'm saying like
dad's still there.
It's never like, I'm not here
talk to the nanny or talk to mom.
And I guess it was that mentality
that he kept kind of echoing and parroting
throughout the episode
that seems to me that he has this mindset
where it's just like, it's,
it was almost like, hey, Nea, we got a nanny
so figure out how to use the nanny.
You know what I'm saying?
It wasn't, you know what I'm saying?
It was never, it just, I just think that's horrendous.
I just, I can't, I can't fathom that type of behavior.
I feel like they were on just different
of like what fun was too you know like she was like I'm having like she was so cute and she's like
yeah she's like stop talking to me like that like I want to I'm doing it and da da da da da and she's like just
trying to like she's just trying to have like wholesome fun where I feel like he was like playing
this character where I was like you guys are having two different kinds of fun and like it's definitely
not fun for nia yeah she's like I just want to put you in makeup and he's like we have to win right
now yeah exactly that's like that's not fun with your wife she was literally like I want you
to connect with me yeah literally she was she was she was she was she was
was reaching her arm out and he just like slapped it away is what it felt like i would have eliminated him
and i just like you're not in my pageant i don't know it just i'm the director and you're out you're out
danny abbey lee miller dance company bottom of the pyramid you're cut for your behavior yeah yeah i acknowledge
that next year it's like this show is already kind of like used danny as like a storyline and you would
think he would counter correct the season he's leaning in and rise to the occasion maybe that's just
who he is i also just mean in culture in general i think there's enough of like
families and couples that like don't have this kind of Don Draper mentality who share in the
responsibility of of being parents and look at Luke on the valley yeah like even with all of his
issues with Kristen which trust I have takes on but like I mean postpartum like we're
fortunate enough not to deal with what they're dealing with and I just think it seems like a very
difficult thing for both parties but at least Luke is like trying
He is trying.
I give him a lot of credit.
Yeah.
I think that I think that I can tell it's heavy.
That whole situation, I'm like, wow, this is very heavy.
And they probably brought things from before into the postpartum era as well.
And I'm like, wow, this is like a lot.
But I do give him credit because I do think he wants to show up.
And I think he feels like nothing he's doing is right.
And I think that's probably very common for people that are dealing with like postpartum relationships.
Yeah.
I did think it was crazy, though, that he sent Kristen home and then went back to the party.
That was crazy.
Just go home, look 100.
Just go home, man.
That was crazy.
I was like, what are you doing?
Go home with her.
I think the difference between Luke and Danny to me of like two guys doing annoying things, right?
So their wives that you're just, or like, you know, two guys doing annoying things to their partners.
Yeah.
But I think the thing is Luke does seem to genuinely love Kristen and is doing his best and just.
not really doing it in the best way.
But his intent, he does have good intentions and a good heart about it.
And at least how Danny is presenting, not going to assume to know what's in his heart or
whatnot, but he's being selfish.
He's being completely selfish and only thinking about how he feels in a situation.
And it's like, girly pop, you got four kids in a wife.
You need to grow the fuck up.
Lala said it perfectly where she was like, I don't need to know what, like, I don't
know what's going on in your relationship.
But what I'm seeing right now is enough for me to speak out again.
Yeah. Like cut the shit.
Yeah.
Is kind of how Danny's doing it.
And anyway, that's just maybe I'm being mean to Danny, but whatever.
I think the takeaway, like at least for me is I do hope, I think sometimes reality TV can offer reflection.
Not just for them, but for anybody watching where it's like from the outside looking in, it's almost so obvious where you're like, okay, Danny, you just need to, one, stop taking shots probably.
to be a little bit more aware and sensitive
and be there really show up for Nia
but I do hope the takeaway and I do hope that like
watching this back I want them to work out
like I want them to and I want them to be healthy
I don't want them just to fight through like misery
but I do hope he can like have some takeaways
where he's like oh yeah I like definitely need a course correct
because Nia is a queen like literally the best
I feel like yeah I know but are you bag to batty
but regardless of that just regardless of what your wife looks like
Yeah, but it's also the inside too.
Show up, show up as a man, show up as a dad.
Yeah.
It's a tough beat to, like, again, I don't know if there's editing.
I don't know if he's leaning in, but like I would never even like lean into that aspect of not showing up as a parent.
You know, and kind of leaving your partner hanging.
I just, I can't relate to that experience.
It's just crazy to me.
I don't know.
Wild stuff.
We'll see.
Yeah, it is wild.
You know, marriage is tough.
You get at each other, you know, you know each other.
Maybe sometimes you speak to your partner in a way that you have to apologize.
It's not okay, but like there's humans.
But like if you can't just want to show up for your partner and your kid in a way that's like, you know, where you have, you know, yeah, you prioritize your own immediate needs and not even like your career goals, like big picture like you're today.
Because it's Saturday.
And Saturday's for Danny.
You know what I'm saying? It's like, that's crazy.
Yeah. Wild stuff.
Anyway, we do have a jam-packed episode lined up for you.
Coming up later this episode, we got Chris from Perfect Match, formerly, of Age of Attraction.
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That he, him himself names is love bombing.
I just, like, again, he's kind of giving a little West Wilson.
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he's a bit of a fast talker, everyone loves him.
But he does this thing where he's like falling in love with everyone
and not in a way where he's joking.
I don't know.
We'll get into that.
We have Chris with us.
But now up next, we have the iconic Cynthia Bailey
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Cynthia, welcome back to the show.
Hi.
Hi, family.
How are you?
Hi. I'm doing good.
Do you, like, after each episode,
what's your, like, decompressed process?
Do you watch? Are you online?
Are you just, like, completely disconnected from it?
Okay, so we get screeners.
So I usually watch it on Friday.
And then on Sunday night,
I am, you know, aware, obviously,
to everyone, the world's going to watch it.
And then as soon as it goes off,
I go right to social media to see,
everyone's thoughts. Oh, you do. Wow.
You plan the chaos.
Oh, no, for sure. Because it's like, you know, when you're in it and you're living it and it's
your reality, it's always interesting to see what everyone else thought happened in the episode.
I got a question for you. What offends you the most as a host of a party? Pop off, by the way,
great party. Thank you. What offends you the most? Someone
showing up when the party's over or someone starting a fight at your party that kind of
campbellizes the vibe of the whole party. Wow, that's a good question. Okay, I don't like
either, to be honest, but at the same time, I think the worst is starting to fight. Like,
in real life, is starting to fight on reality TV, fights kind of a good because that means you're seeing.
States. But in real life, I would be pissed. But I'd rather someone just not come if they're going to be
super late, to be honest. Well, and I appreciate you recognizing the TV element of it. That being said,
like, how does Drew show up that late? Like, did she not know? Does she not care? Like, which one is it
more of? Okay. So there's a lot of backstory to that. Number one, I don't think Drew, like,
set out to be intentionally late.
Okay.
You know, Drew has always been super supportive of all of my events.
She always shows up for me.
She always supports me.
To be completely honest, because if you guys think back in an episode, when it was time
to start getting dressed, Shemia called a meeting.
So one of the reasons why I was super quiet and kind of stressed out because the entire
time Shemia's meeting was going on, I knew it was eating into our time to get ready.
And, you know, with that said, I knew, you know, it just takes some women longer than others.
And to be completely transparent, because I'd love to just break the fourth wall at this point, we were having some glam issues.
You know, glam was doubling up trying to do the girls.
They had a theme.
It wasn't like they could throw in a baseball cap and come to the event.
It was a whole Dallas dynasty theme.
So it just took some time.
And Drew's glam was held up actually in my room for a little.
bit because I was filming something else. And it's a whole thing. She didn't intentionally try to be
late and she has apologized for it, which I'm totally fine with. Okay. So you guys are cool.
I'm totally fine. So where do you land on the K. Michelle side of things? In terms of what?
What she's upset about. Like she that she thinks that all the people. Yeah. Do you believe that
there's a plot or do you think it's more in her head? Well, I'm going to always validate
how she feels, you know, she obviously can, you know, feel how she wants to feel. I would never
invalidate that. However, the one thing I can say is I'm not a part of any kind of plot or scheme
as it relates to Kay Michelle. I love Kay on this show. I was excited for her to be a part of this
cast. I still think, you know, we're only, what, like seven episodes in? Like you guys are still going to
see a lot of Kay. We still have a lot of episodes to go. But at this point, I just was concerned,
and we all were concerned, that she was upset. And we're just, you know, we were just trying to
figure out what, what is the plot? Like, what, what is it that she's been told that we don't know
about? All I know is, I'm not a part of it, for sure. Do you have speculation in who told
K. Michelle this? Because I know everybody was thinking Shamiya might have had a part,
No, I don't know.
I don't know where she got the information from.
And I think Kay said in seeing that it wasn't Shemia.
So I honestly don't know.
Do you, what about like the little like comments?
Like on one side, like you bring oysters out.
Like there's always like a dirty joke about private parts, you know, sometimes.
On the flip side, if you're Kay Michelle.
Is there always, wait, is there always a dirty joke about private parts?
No, with oysters.
I think sometimes with oysters,
there's always some kind of connection between that and, you know, the...
Aphrodisiac, right?
I feel like it's that.
Right, right, right.
That part, that part.
Yeah.
Okay, but maybe I'm crazy.
But, like, I guess what I'm saying is it's more like,
if I'm K and I'm in my head about this and I feel like, you know,
like it would seem like maybe they are making comments at me referencing this thing.
Or do you think it's just a projection of her insecurities?
Well, I think number one,
the people that she's talking about would have to know the situation.
You know what I'm saying?
Like, we all have different traumas that we've been through.
And everyone doesn't know what my traumas are, what my triggers are.
What I can tell you is, if I go to dinner and oysters is on the menu, I'm going to order them.
I love oysters.
So with that said, I didn't, like, I didn't read into any of it, to be honest.
Like, you know, we, this is a reality show.
We act silly.
We have fun.
We're just playing around.
It is what it is.
I didn't know until watching it back that Kay was even upset.
I couldn't even tell in the moment because we were just eating.
And, you know, I was dealing with pinky in the bathroom.
She drank too much tequila.
It was a lot of moving parts.
So it wasn't like, you know, had she said something.
And I really honestly wish she had said in that moment, you know, guys, you know, I'm a little trigger right now.
I had a horrible situation in the past where.
you know, someone that I was seeing, said some horrible lies about me or whatever. And that could
have really opened up a whole conversation for the table because guess what? Like, you know,
we all have vaginas. We all have had different experiences. And I think that that could have been
a moment where we could have actually connected and kind of loved on Kay and really just moved on. But
now you guys got to wait until next week to kind of see how this whole thing plays out.
I have a question about your theme.
Were you the one that came up with the Dallas Dynasty?
Yes.
What was the inspiration behind that?
Well, the inspiration behind the theme was my tequila commissario,
one of our biggest mark is here, is Dallas.
So when I think about Dallas, I think big hair,
I think about the TV show, I think about diamonds,
I just think about this whole Dallas lifestyle.
And I grew up watching Dynasty and Dallas.
I was like, you know what?
Let's have some fun.
And I just love a theme anyway.
So let's get the girls all done up and do like a whole thing.
Let's do our big one.
And for me, I was doing my big one.
So it was like kind of go big, go home, you know.
So that's how I came up to the theme.
I love the part when you brought the jewelers in, the frost, the ladies.
Yes.
Yes.
The jeweler was like, oh, this is $100,000.
And Fadra was like, oh, that's not that bad.
Was that Fadre knowing being the professional TV maker that she is and like the great one-liner?
Or is that really not that big of a deal to Fadra?
Probably both.
Probably both.
You know, Fadra's funny.
And, you know, this is Atlanta.
These girls live very, very well.
And, you know, they do have a very expensive lifestyle.
So maybe $100,000 necklace is not a big deal for Fadra.
But I can tell you, I was like clasped in mind the whole night.
Like, is this thing still on my name?
neck because I was very relieved to actually return it to him at the end because it was like security
and we had to go back and return everything.
I was going to Ocean Z8.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Cynthia, going back to Kay and Portia, why do you think Kay has felt so unsupported by Porsche
given that Portia brought her into the group?
I don't know.
I don't know.
And I'm looking forward to us getting more to the bottom of that.
You know, as the episodes go on, are you guys kind of seeing how all of that plays out?
but I will say that from what I have seen,
Portia has, well, first of all, I know she was very excited for Kay to come on the show as well as I was.
And, you know, I've seen her really make a real effort to, to, you know, be friends with Kate.
Like, she was very excited to bring Kate into the circle.
So I don't know where it kind of went left, but it's unfortunate because I have known Portia for a really long time and I'm just really getting to know Kay.
and if Portia doesn't want to deal with you,
she's just not going to deal with you.
So if I feel like if she's making an effort
to show you love and give you love and support,
like even when, you know, Kay started crying,
we were all like sitting there with her,
Porsche was like, who is it?
You know, even if it's me, tell me, what can I do?
I want to address it, but or whatever.
Like, Portia was really, really overextending herself
and trying to, you know, help Kay get to the bottom of it
or just, you know, we were all loving on her.
I mean, we obviously want, you know,
we got a lot of drama in this group,
at the same time, it is still her sisterhood.
And at the end of day, if somebody breaks down crying, you're like, wait a minute, like, we don't want that.
We don't want anyone to be really upset and hurt about anything.
Yeah, I do really like Kay's perspective that she brings to the group of being, like, why are we breaking each other down when we could, like, be coming together?
Yeah, I agree.
I agree with that.
And, you know, like, for someone who's been a part of it for so long, you know, I've seen, I've seen it all.
So I guess I'm a little more numb to the situation.
And I really know and understand how this group, this friend dynamic, this formula works for housewise of Atlanta.
And it's always like a bunch of ups and downs and twists and turns and everything.
And I think what I try to do, because I can only speak for myself is when I do have an issue with someone, as you guys saw, I did, you know, have an issue with Shman Kelly.
And then I had a little bit of an issue with Pinky.
I'm okay to have the conversation and get to the other side.
If I if I if and when I need to. I don't have a problem doing that. Can we talk about the accommodations? Because I felt like you had it prepared and ready and they came in it. It looked like a beautiful house. Yeah. If there's one thing we know about you is that you take pride in your accommodations and you do it well. Oh yeah. The house. Okay, first of all, let me just give a shout out to the owner of the house. The house was absolutely amazing. It was beautiful. But like most houses, you know, for these cast trips, they don't have 12.
bedrooms in the actual house. It's like guest house and pool houses and all that stuff. So
somebody always has to get like, you know, maybe a lesser room. Now the problem is, you know,
because I only get the good room if it's my trip. Nobody's like setting me up in the main room.
And I may or may not be in the main house. You know what I'm saying? It just depends on the
host and where I'm at with the host or just what the host wants to do. So my issue,
and this is where I completely agree and understand why Shemia and Kelly was upset,
if they didn't feel like the room was clean, even if it just wasn't clean to their standards,
I received that.
And I was definitely trying to rectify it in a timely manner on my end.
Now, here's the thing.
We're shooting a whole show.
It's not like we can shut down production and clean the room.
You know what I mean?
So we're still filming it.
I'm checking in.
Like, did they get their room together?
Did they clean the rooms?
Like, yeah, they're working on.
they're dealing with they're dealing with here. We need you to be in the scene over here.
So unless I stopped and went to clean the room myself, I was being told that it was being taken care of. So every time I saw them, I kept thinking that, you know, we had moved past it. And then my issue was once I realized, you know, they were still upset. I'm thinking, oh, so this has been rectified. I just felt like their issue was valid if that was how they felt. Where I had an issue was, why do we keep dragging it on a business trip? Like, give me.
that little bit of grace. You know, we're not even in the room at this point. We're like out
filming and doing all kind of things. So I just wish that they had given me a little bit more
grace at that moment to say, hey, we don't, we're not trying to make this. We're not trying to
ruin your trip at this point. We just want this rectify. And we can just move on. And we,
we do end up moving on. Like what you guys didn't see was, you know, after the back and forth
with Shamea and I, we were laughing and having a good time. And, you know, I like twirked on Shamiya,
you know, her favorite thing. And, you know, we like twirked a maid.
You know how you hug it made up?
We twirked it made up.
It was good.
So do you think they were overreacting prior to the makeup?
Like, do you think it was doing too much?
I just, again, I'm not invalidating their feelings.
I just think it drug on longer than it had to, especially when we kind of know the deal.
I'm like in situations like this all the time.
And my whole thing is, A, I'm at work.
B, you know, this is someone's business trip.
C, as long as it's taken care of, like, I don't want to stop, like, interfere with me.
good time on a trip. Like, I felt like at one point, I'm like, you know, if you guys are having
fun at this point, like, I don't know what to do. Like, why are you guys here? It just feels like,
yeah, like we just keep going back to this and I keep being told that it's rectified. And so,
you know, obviously. Yeah. So I just felt like, I wouldn't have drugged that long. I just
would have been like, okay, let me just work this out. And, you know, it just, you know, to eat
some. Who started the rumor that Fadre eats dead people?
You know what? It came from Pinky. That was the first time I heard it. I have no idea where Pinky got it from, though.
Was that in response to someone accusing her that she eats meat?
That's what I was thinking.
I don't know because I felt like I heard about favorite eating dead people a little earlier on before it was revealed allegedly that Pinky was eating meat.
Like no one believes that rumor, right? Are we not?
Yeah, a cannibal? What do you call people?
Eat meat, a cannibal, right?
Yeah, well, I think cannibals eat live people.
They don't eat dead people, right?
Well, I think...
They eat all of the above, probably.
Yeah, I mean, I think typically, once you eat a person, they're dead.
Well, no, I mean, you could, like, you could chew a finger off and their kids still moving.
I don't know.
Okay, so if we're going Hannibal Lecter rules, right?
He was starting when they were alive, but they ended up dead and he still finished them.
So I think the cannibalism is really just the human flesh of it all.
Right.
Right.
I do not believe that Fadra is dead people, and Pinky has made it very clear that she does not eat meat.
Trust me, when we were on my trip in Dallas, that was one of the issues that we were having that she didn't feel like there was enough vegan options on the menu, which I am here to say, you know, she ended up ordering fries.
But there were there were definitely some other food vegan options salads and, you know, all kind of stuff on the menu.
So, but, you know, here's the thing with vegans, and I love vegans.
My boyfriend is like pretty much a vegan at this point.
I have tons of vegan friends.
And, you know, usually if we go to dinner, like, they already know they're going to have to, like, kind of try to figure it out because this is a lifestyle choice that they have chosen for themselves.
And sometimes, you know, they just don't have, well, most times they just don't have as many options as someone who's not vegan.
Right.
So do you see Pinky's perspective or do you think, like, was there a discussion prior to going to the restaurant if Pinky could eat there?
I was told by production that there was all kind of food options.
But, you know, we're in Texas, so I knew that, you know, you know, like there was going to be a lot of meat around.
Yeah.
But then, you know what the whole vegan thing is like, I don't know, like, you know, some vegans, they don't actually want to see people eat meat either.
You know what I mean? Because they don't eat it. But, you know, I don't know. I mean, it depends. It depends on how deep you go with your veganism. Is that a word? Veganism? Yeah.
Who did you warm up too faster or who are you closest with now, Kay Michelle, or Pinky?
Oh, wow. That's a good question. I actually have a great relationship with both of them, to be honest. Like, they're two very different people. I love them both. I love them both as part of this cast. I think they bring two very different things to the show. You know, I love the fresh energy that they bring. Like right now, it's kind of like all over the place. And everybody's watching. Everybody's watching the show, which I'm really super excited about. But I'm at a good place with both of them. I'm still getting to know both of them. It takes me a while.
to really get to know people and I don't really force myself on people.
I really am just letting it organically play out.
But I think they're both great.
I feel like you are so you're at Pisces and you're just so great at conflict resolution amongst and keeping peace between all of the way.
Am I?
I think you are.
No, I think 50 Cent.
50 Cynthia's great at conflict resolution.
Okay.
Yeah, you're right about that.
Once I get pissed off, yeah, then it's a whole other thing.
I do try until I have to tap into my little office.
Well, it's more like the 50 cents good at the conflict and the Cynthia Bailey.
India comes in for resolution.
Exactly.
The ultimate Housewives duo.
It's a collaborative effort.
Well, in the name of the collaborative effort between 50 Cent and Cynthia Bailey,
what do you think is your advice to Housewives on the perfect amount of conflict and then resolution?
I think it's totally fine to disagree.
about things or go back and forth about things. I think that's normal in a group of women. However,
I do think it's good to actually agree to disagree and not drag it too long and just get on the
other side of it. Like, I'm me. I, you know, believe what I believe and I feel how I feel.
And I don't expect everyone to feel and believe the same thing that I feel and believe. Like,
it just doesn't, you know, that doesn't exist. But again, one of the things that I learned
was to try not to like stay in my feelings too long.
And that was like very hard for me because like when I get mad, I'm like,
I just really don't want to be around you anymore or really have to deal with you.
But on a reality show, something happens and then you're eating a crap cake next to them in the next 20 minutes,
like 20 minutes after or having a margarita with them.
So it just doesn't like you kind of have to understand that it's good to try to be able to move on.
I don't even think the fans like when we stayed mad too long because they're like, all right, girl, get over it.
We're like, wait a minute.
It's only been one episode I was mad.
Dang.
Can I like be mad at this girl for at least two episodes?
They're like, girl, we're over it already.
It was not that deep.
You know what I mean?
I feel like everyone's out of tune when you're in conflict, Cynthia, because you're usually like the voice of reason.
Well, I try.
I try.
And I do choose peace.
I choose peace.
I don't always get peace.
And I will say, and I think you guys would agree.
I don't really go into anything trying to have conflict.
I really, really don't.
Like, I'm more of a responder to smoke.
I'm not really coming in.
Like, you know, it's not like the cast is looking to me like,
oh, Lord, here comes Cynthia.
We know it's about to be some smoke now.
Like, he's about to come in and, like, you know, turn it up.
That's not my role.
That's not who I am in real life.
You know, I like trying to be a mediator.
I like trying to have, like, real conversations
and just get to the other side of it.
I don't want any smoke.
But if you bring me some smoke,
then we don't smoke.
There we go.
Why do you think there's so many rumors
in this group about women sleeping
with other people's husbands?
I don't know.
It seems to be super heavy for Atlanta, right?
And I feel like it's every season.
Do you think there's like some stuff going on there
or do you think it's like something in this group
or that's the mudlay like the throw
because of the damage it can do?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
And I can't help but wonder if like, do you,
do you think there are, you know, where there's smoke, their fire, so to speak,
or do you think it's just, you know, in the heat of the moment,
saying things that maybe you regret?
I don't know why the whole sleeping with the Meritman thing continuously comes up on Atlanta.
It's like, I really honestly don't.
And I don't even know what's really true and what's not really true when it comes to that stuff.
I do think that sometimes when you're in a friend circle like this and you have,
different women and different personalities on the show. I think that when you're in a fight with someone,
I think some people are just more comfortable, just throwing out anything they can. And I'm not saying
that some of the accusations are not true. What I am saying is I definitely know that, you know,
I've definitely been in this for instance of a long time. And a lot of the women are not
beneath lying as well. So it could just go either way. So it could be true. It could be a lot of
I've seen people get caught in lies, and I've seen people be, you know, caught in a situation where it was their truth.
Well, speaking of this, and I will preface this was saying I love Kelly, but do you think Kelly is kind of being a mean girl towards Porsche's efforts to like fix what she brought up?
And I'm referencing like the roses and like even after that.
I think that first of all, I don't think what's going on with Kelly and, um, Porsche is beyond repair.
I mean, you know, some horrible things have been said on both sides, and it's just where they are.
I think that, you know, they've just taken it to hell at this point.
So now, you know, when they get tired of being in hell, I think that there's a conversation that can be had, for sure.
I do think it's workoutable, for sure.
But I think that Kelly, I felt like Porteous and the Flowers was kind of an olive branch, to be honest.
And I just don't think Kelly was ready.
Like, I don't think she is interested in trying to fix it right now.
I think she just needs more time for whatever reason.
And that's her choice.
Why do you think everyone is so obsessed with Black?
It seems like he gets so much attention.
I don't know.
That would have to be a question.
Like, that whole conversation is really between Drew and Kay Michelle.
Yeah.
I don't know Black.
I've met him on the five-hour Zoom call.
So that was having it at Portia's dinner.
And he seemed like a nice guy.
I know he's a successful business person.
He was, you know, I don't know.
I really can't really answer that because I've never met the man before.
But he seems like a likable person.
That FaceTime Darren thing was crazy.
I know, right?
Well, she said I bring a date.
She didn't say it couldn't be a Zoom date.
I respect it.
It's true.
And you had your man on your Zoom date?
Well, no, he wasn't there for the whole time.
He just said hi.
Yeah, he was there in the beginning.
No, that's the thing.
It's the whole time the sitting there.
It's like.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, he was there the entire time with her.
No, that was that was a different kind of commitment.
Prince basically was like, hey, let me say hi, everyone.
And I'm out.
Like, he was in, he was in another country.
He was in the Netherlands.
So he had a very valid excuse not to be there.
Yeah.
Otherwise, he would have been.
I have a quick final question.
Who won the duel?
Angela or Pinky?
Oh, man.
I'm going to have to give it to Angela because she just kept her cool, stayed in her seat, you know, just was so effortless with, like, she's just so smooth with her shape.
You know what I mean?
You know, one of my prayers every time my film is like, Lord, please let me never get into it with Angela Oakley because she will read me under the table because I'm not that quick.
And like I need some time to kind of like for my comebacks.
However, however, Pinky did not go down easily.
He did not go down without a fight.
She sat back down.
I felt like, she sat back down.
She sat back down again.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Yeah, but Pinky, Pinky was a good sparring partner.
Pinky did her thing.
I just felt like, you know, the one that the smoothed one won because if Angela was sweating,
we never saw, you know, when you're playing a game like that,
you're going back and forth is like, even if you are sweaty, you never let them see you sweat.
And I felt like, for someone who has a whole fan line, I never saw that woman sweat, okay?
Do you think Angela is more comfortable with the group in her sophomore season?
Oh, yeah. I think Angela is very comfortable with herself. And I think she's a great addition to the show.
And I feel like, I feel like Angela, you know, what I love about Angela, Angela is the kind of person.
she sits back and she observes a lot.
Like she, I know you guys see her like reading people all the time,
but she's not really like a super talkative person.
Like she takes in everything.
So when she does have something to say,
I'm always listening because I'm kind of all over the place in the scene.
I'm like, oh my God, what's happening?
I'm not always the most observant
and everything goes over my head.
Like the whole worst thing, like whatever.
Like I'm always like, wait, what?
What happened?
Who said what?
You know?
But Angela's like,
like, you know, laser focused on everything that everyone says.
And to our point, too, to her credit, she remembers stuff.
Like, that was said.
Like, literally when the scene is over, I literally forget everything that happened in the scene.
So when I'm doing my interviews, a lot of times they're like, so, so when you said this in the scene,
where I was like, what?
I said, what?
But what happened?
And then they would literally have to, like, tell me what happened in the scene.
I'd be like, oh, shit, I did say that.
Okay.
All right.
Well, let me address that.
I am like, girl, as soon as we wrap up, I completely forget everything, which is not usable.
Because at the reunion, which is coming up, we're getting ready to shoot that in a couple of weeks.
We have to relive all this stuff.
And, you know, when I respond into certain things, if I forget, like, some of the main things that happened when I was going back and forth with someone or just something that happened to someone else and I'm chiming in on, I'm like, I have to really kind of know my facts a little bit more because I can't defend something or even defend myself if I don't remember.
what they all happen.
So, yeah.
What is the main energy
you're bringing
into this reunion?
I always try to bring
love and light,
but, you know,
I definitely have,
I'm definitely like and loaded
if I need it.
You will be bringing smoke.
You have the smoke.
You got the smoke in a bottle.
Well, I'm just saying this.
I, again,
I am completely fine
with having conversations
for the most part.
You know,
I already know what happens in the season.
I really don't have a real, real, real issue with anyone.
However, you know, I've had disagreements.
I've definitely been pulled into things where I've had strong opinions about it.
So if I need to, you know, step up, then I'm fine with doing that.
You know what I mean?
It's just like, it is what it is.
Like, it's good to, like, be locked and loaded at the reunion than not be.
Now, if I don't have to use anything, you know what I mean?
I don't have to, you know, shoot any shots or whatever, then great.
I'll just take my lock and load itself back to Lake Bailey after.
But it's good to be prepared because I don't know what's coming my way.
I ended up being a lot more, you know, as a friend of the show,
I actually ended up being a lot more involved in the season that I even had planned to.
Like, I was just excited that I got a chance to do the girls trip for Tequila Commissario.
Shout out to Adrian Maloof and her family for bringing me into that and my partner, J.C., as well.
but I just thought like, okay, you know, I'll be in it a little bit, but I didn't really think I was going to have any real, real back and forth.
You opened the whole season.
I did.
I think they just give you your damn peach.
Well, thank you.
I appreciate that.
We'll see.
I mean, I never say never.
Segway a little bit.
Cynthia, have you ever met Bethany Frankel?
You know what?
I don't know that I've actually met Bethany.
I feel like I must have been around her at some point.
We have so many friends in common.
But I don't think I've ever really spent any real time where I could say like we ever had any real conversation.
Have you seen the latest online drama that she's a part of?
Oh, I saw something about like some shoes that she didn't tag or something.
Something like that.
Justin, can you explain it for her audience?
I'm kind of team Bethany.
Well, I was going to ask Cynthia, do you know Dina Manzo?
Yeah, I do.
So what happened is Dina Manzo's daughter has a brand.
a clothing brand and she sent shoes to Bethany
a couple months ago.
And Bethany has posted videos
and photos in these shoes but never tagged
the brand until recently and she tagged a dupe instead
with an affiliate link.
So she didn't even tag Dina's daughter's brand.
So basically Dina's daughter like called her out,
I guess is a way to say.
And just said like I looked up to you.
I sent these to you because you're an entrepreneur
you've been on Shark Tank.
She just feels like she's been duped
because they never promoted the brand.
and then basically Bethany had clapped back
and was like, well, I think this is a good
business learning experience.
What did Bethany say in her response?
She just says, like, I don't usually respond to things,
but I think there's a business lesson here.
But what was the business lesson?
I think it was, I think the gist of it was like,
don't send celebrities free stuff?
Or like once it's in my,
once it's in my hands,
like, you don't get a say
in what I do with it kind of a thing.
What's the lesson?
I...
You're sending product to an influencer?
Yeah.
Or maybe a follow-up because she did post the DM where she said, Bethany was like, sure.
It was like very brief.
It wasn't like, oh, my God, I would love to tag your product and link back.
I think they just offered to send the product.
And she said, sure, and like listed an email where I feel like the business lesson to infer from my perspective would be like, okay, well, if you're expecting a post or a link, then you need to go through and make sure that there's confirmation that she's going to link it back or post about it or whatever.
I feel like the business lesson from Bethany was like, don't expect people to give you free promo if you're not going to like count them on it.
All right. So here's the thing with that, because I get free stuff all the time. And I've also sent some of my products, my skincare and different things to celebrities.
When you send any of your products to a celebrity or anyone an influencer, there is no guarantee that they are going to post it.
Especially if it's unsolicited, right?
Like if you're just like, hey, we'd love to send you product, hope that you like it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, now, usually most people say it would be great if you could tag me in the post, if you do post.
Like, you always are hopeful that they actually do tag you if they do wear or use the product.
However, it's never a guarantee unless you have a contract with them where you actually hand them to post and tag you and tag the company or whatever.
That's a whole different situation.
But if it's just like we're going to send you these shoes, it's pretty much up to Bethany to do it.
But I will just say for me, because I've been, you know, I get sent a lot of free stuff all the time.
If I actually wear something, a piece of clothing, like first of all, I already forgot where I got it from half of the time.
And even if it was free a lot.
So, but if the company says, hey, because a lot of times they'll take the picture if they see me in it.
And then they will say what it is and then put it in and then ask me to,
and put it in the story to like share it.
And then I'll just reshare it.
Like I would be like, oh my God, that's right.
I got this shirt from this company.
And I'll just reshare.
Like I won't even think like I actually have the intention to tag people,
but sometimes you just forget or whatever.
But if it's brought to my attention and clearly this girl brought it to her attention in a very big way,
I would have no problem saying, girl, here's your tag.
Like, why do I want to go back and forth with you about that?
I think that's crazy.
and just a little like, you know, like, why not?
Like, what does it cost to, like, tag somebody for a free pair of shoes?
If, if, especially if they do all the work for you and you just got to repost it.
It seemed like Bethany's response was after her daughter, like, called, like, put her on blast online.
Mm-hmm.
But I agree with you.
I'm sure you get sent a ton of stuff.
Now I get sent a ton of stuff.
Even if you have the best intentions, you often forget or lose track.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And so it's like, and so sometimes, now.
Like sometimes when people ask, you know, sometimes I know, well, you'll just say no because you're like, I don't know what these people expect or want. I'm not sure if I need it, you know. And sometimes you want to avoid put yourself in that situation. And it seemed like Dina's daughter. It's almost as if like she assumed the, like the association between her mom and Bethany being kind of like associates that she kind of assumed that Bethany would like do something about it. I don't know. I mean, maybe the lessons like don't assume.
I don't know.
Yeah, well, yeah, that is that is a good lesson.
But I do think like now if, you know, I get stuff from all kind of people.
Now, if I'm getting someone from anyone in the Bravoverse, because I feel like a certain
sisterhood with most of these people, whether I've met them or not.
And their kid is sending me something.
Like, it's going to be a little bit more on my radar because I'm like, I probably know
their mom or whatever.
I've probably seen them in BravoCon.
Like, I feel like, I feel like there is somewhat of a connection to that.
as opposed to someone that is not in the Bravoverse.
So I would be a little bit more like,
oh, this is Deano's daughter.
Oh, shit.
Let me make sure I tag her stuff.
What would you do if your child started a business line of some kind
and did what Dina's daughter did?
And without you knowing,
went out and put one of your housewife friends or associates on blast
because they felt like they didn't tag their product.
What would you say, if anything, to your kid?
Well, first of all, Noah wouldn't do that.
She's, you know, she wouldn't do that.
That's just not how she moves.
But if she did.
Well, if she did, I would, that would be an issue for me.
I wouldn't want her to do that because I'm like, now you're eating smoke with me between
these people because, you know, when it's our kids, we're parents.
Like, Nick, you already know, you got little kids.
But when they get older, trust and believe, you know, we're very protective over our kids.
We don't want their feelings hurt.
We don't want them upset about anything, you know, any of that stuff.
So I would not even want Noel to put herself in that position for that kind of stuff.
Like if she was interested in sending anyone that I know from the Bravoverse, anything,
I would literally call and be like, hey, Noel wants to send you something from her T-line or whatever.
You know, would you mind giving her a post or just reposting whatever it is?
Like I would definitely try to like get in the middle of that a little bit to be like,
and if you just don't want the stuff, then that's cool too.
We just wanted to offer it.
Yeah.
This is actually, we do have a quote from Bethany on what she did say.
Bethany said, so playing the short game and whining and being a crybaby about something that didn't go your way in business means you're not a real business person.
You have a lot to learn because I would have worn all the shoes on your site and you would have sold thousands of pairs and made hundreds of thousands of dollars.
She added before sharing that she'll be exercising her choice not to promote, which is a very Bethany, frankly.
That is a, I mean, listen, not wrong.
little harsh.
I think the message,
I understand what she's,
I get the message.
I think the delivery is a little harsh,
for sure.
Yeah.
I mean,
it's like,
damn, Bethany.
It's a bit.
Kim Kardashian,
you would know if you had run a business.
Yeah.
Bethany really cared.
She should have called her friend,
Dina,
and said,
if your daughter's willing,
I'd love to talk to her
and give her some advice.
Exactly.
And she probably could have handed that offline.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And then,
I don't know,
I would just say,
not to cut you off,
Nick,
that Bethany would just be a little more sensitive with her wording because she has a young daughter.
You know what I mean?
Like, what if somebody, I think Bethany would definitely feel some kind of way if somebody was,
if she felt they were like being disrespectful to her kid.
You know what I mean?
So I think that's where the mom thing comes in.
The mom thing comes in for me because I would be like, hey, how would I want someone to speak to my kid or respond to my kid?
How old's Dina's daughter?
29.
29.
Okay.
All right.
Well, if a 29-year-old puts you on blast.
And I guess it's fair game.
I think that's the hard part is like, I think reading between the lines to put somebody on blast like that, you're, without giving them the opportunity to correct it in DMs, DMs don't count because I'm sure a lot of us know like you can miss a ton of DMs.
We don't always see them.
We don't always see the DMs.
But I think the action and maybe the business lesson that she's referencing and I'm not saying it's right how Bethany handled it, but it would be like maybe going to Bethany's people finding an email and getting in touch with something and being like, hey, I sent these shoes.
My mom and her are friends.
I know she posted the affiliate link,
but we would love to send her an affiliate link for hours.
And, you know, if she could correct it or if you do the tag and maybe Bethany can repost.
That's the easiest thing.
I mean, I think the lesson, we're talking about the lesson.
I think the lesson is for anyone that's listening to this.
And they send any celebrities or influencers, any products, is to not expect anything
and just be excited when you get something.
And then make it easy.
Make it easy for that influencer.
And just post it.
you see us wearing it, screenshot it, post it, post that thing right away, tag it and tag us in it,
and then we'll just repost it. Like, nine times a 10, so nobody is going to, like, not reposted.
I mean, it's right there. All you do is click the button.
Especially if, like, whatever it is you're sending, if it, if they like it, and we're actually
wearing it. But more importantly, if you can't afford them not to reshare, you know,
like, if the cost of sending it to them or making it or whatever, like, don't send it, you know,
because like I think that happens a lot where it's just like obviously if you have a small business you're putting your heart and soul and sweat and tears and everything you have into it. So I understand where like that passion comes from. But yeah, it's like sometimes you kind of project that expectation on someone who's like I don't like I didn't ask for this. Like you asked if I want it. I said sure. I kind of regret saying sure now. It's become work for me. You know, I didn't I didn't ask for this type of thing. But yeah, it's a fine line. It's a fine line. Yeah.
It's true. It's true. And then just to wrap it on up, even if she had like, I feel like she could have had a comment, even though she's 29, I think she could have just got some advice from her mom and just said, hey, you know what? I kind of feel some kind of way that like Anthony's wearing shoes and, you know, he's not tagging me or whatever. What do you think I should do? Because Dina knows how this world works a little bit more. So that could have been an option. But in any case, I think what we learned is, A, to your point, don't send anything out that you can't afford.
to send out or you don't feel like you're going to get any
value in and sending it to this person and don't
expect them to post like it's always great when they do
but if they don't like I don't know if you need to put them on blast
like there's other ways to kind of deal with it because that would make me
like you know not want to get the shoes either I'm like wait a minute now if I
don't post it I'm going to be like on TMZ the next day
like what the hell you know I think someone needs to say it I think
Dina's daughter is a successful business woman and knows how to market her goods
Because now we're all talking about it.
I had the same thought.
Yes, exactly.
And they're cute shoes.
I actually, matter of fact, send me a pair of them.
I'll post them in tech.
Because they're really cute shoes.
They are really cute.
They are super cute shoes.
Shout out to her.
Cynthia, always great to have you on.
Thank you for coming.
Before we let Cynthia go, just know,
you can listen to Cynthia on Humble Bragg
with her amazing co-star, Crystal Minkoff every week.
And if you can't get enough of that,
be sure to watch Cynthia on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
the rest of the season. We're really enjoying this season. You women are always delivering,
and you're obviously including that, Cynthia. And they really need to give you just a peach.
I think it's, um, let's just make it official. It's like, there's like you and like, like,
I know, like, Britney Baman and so, there's some of these like friends of where they're so
ingrained to the storyline. Like, I don't feel like that's like a friend of type of role where
it's like the pop and pop out where like they kind are there. I don't know. It just seems, but like I'm not,
the producer of these shows. What do I know? Well, the friend role, the friend role is changing.
Like, I feel like every year, it definitely changes. And for me, because I've been on a part of the show for so long as a housewife,
the ladies, and I give the credit to all of the ladies, they don't treat me like a friend in the show.
They all treat me with love and respect. They all, I pretty much do pretty much everything they do.
even doing a trip was like, you know, they were all happy and excited for me to like, you know, to like do my thing.
So I think for me, I'm like a different kind of friend because I've been doing the housewife thing for so long.
So I love my position, but, you know, I'll never say never.
Okay.
Always a pleasure, Cynthia.
All right.
Love you guys.
Bye.
Bye.
Bye.
Bye.
I love you.
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Always great to have Cynthia join us.
I love for.
I'm just glad we're up and running on Atlanta.
Sorry for those listening.
Justin and Mary have been like, it's just like we've been so busy with so many other shows.
I just like I had to have the right frame of mind.
I ride hard for my housewives in Atlanta never feels.
And trust that we have been keeping up.
We've been taking notes.
They're easy to catch up with.
So if you haven't started watching Atlanta,
you should probably do that.
What are you doing?
No, no, Mary.
I'm sure they're doing something.
I know.
I was being a bit hyperbolic.
I just think Atlanta's great TV.
I think since ultimate road trip is coming,
if you're not watching any housewife season airing,
you're in the wrong spot.
Exactly.
All right, we got some perfect match.
We got Chris from Age of Attraction,
also star of Perfect Match.
What's Chris's last name?
I really know these people by the first name.
His last name is from Age of Attraction.
Chris from Major Attraction.
Is that like everyone's perfect match name?
Allie Lubber.
No, we'll see.
I know Ali Lubber.
We said this last week when we were previewing perfect match.
But isn't Ali so great on the show?
Ali has been my absolute favorite part of perfect match this season.
She is just such a breath of fresh air, especially I just love seeing her like thrive post.
That DJ, you know, dating a DJ.
Yeah, that's a pipeline.
Yeah.
Post DJ.
It's also just like, amazing.
Amanda Batula, look at who you could have been.
I don't think Amanda.
No.
Post-D-J.
I'm going to say, I'm going to say it, no offense to Amanda.
Because even though we're down on Amanda right now, we can still offend.
And we should be cognizant.
Anyway, I don't think Amanda has this in her.
Yeah, I just feel like Ali has like the younger persona where she can play into like the like Delulu.
It's more than that.
I think she knows what she's doing.
She does.
Yeah.
In a funny way.
I think they're relatively the same age.
Allie's in her early 30s.
Amanda's in her mid-30s?
I think when I heard, I heard rumors that Ali was going to be iconic this season.
Allie's 30.
Yeah, and Amanda's 34.
Okay, there you go.
I kind of, I don't want to say, like, question that, but I was like, I don't know.
Like, perfect match is a very, like, ostentatious kind of show.
And I was like, I don't know that I really see her, like, leaning in.
I feel like she knows exactly what she's doing.
She understood the assignment.
She understood the assignment.
She's like, I'm going to be messy.
She was going on Love Island in her head.
Yeah.
She brought the tea.
But not, she wasn't like messy and a like, showed up just to like, you know, because some people show up and they're just like, well, I just want to be in TV.
So I'm going to be literally messy and sloppy.
And often that requires them to be careless with other people's feelings.
Yeah.
You know, if we're including Amanda in this conversation since, I mean, honestly, shout out to us.
We haven't really talked about Summerhouse once this episode.
I did bring us back into it.
I apologize.
I don't know.
No apology needed.
Okay, good.
It's the most fascinating topic on the internet right now.
It's great to go about it.
Anyways, but like we could, you know, we could, there's still more, still more two reality
recaps this week.
Allie is the star of perfect match.
She is the literal lead of this show.
And a show that doesn't necessarily designate a lead like, say, the Bachelor would, right?
Amanda Petula could never.
And I'm not even trying to say that in a snarky, disrespectful way.
But like, I know that a Kyle Amanda have been like, they're like, they're like, they were like
the main couple, so to speak.
But it was never because Amanda, like, led, you know what I'm saying?
About, like, leading a scene, you know, you weren't always this, like, you know,
now with Allie on your TV screen, when she leaves your TV screen, you're like, give me more
Allie.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You know, you're enjoying her moments.
She is really.
She just has such a light presence to her that's so engaging on camera.
The only time right now, Amanda has really been, like, carrying the.
show is when she's caught up in this shit you know it's not because she is bringing like wit
and i'm not even trying to say that i'm this is not like an amanda pile on section i'm it's this is like
giving alley her flowers and like alley again was someone who was the girlfriend of a star of a show
and i use star lightly but like you know i mean he was he was on a show for a long time he was he
he had some iconic lines on that show as well he was a main stay he was a main character
on a cast full of main characters.
Right. That's such a good way to put it.
And she, you know, Allie, like, that wasn't her role.
And now that she is in this, it is like crazy, I mean, not crazy, it's awesome to see.
She's so, she's so fun to watch.
Charming is the perfect word.
Her kissing everybody.
She's just, she's so wholesome, but then her being, yeah, let's kiss.
And then she's like, yeah.
And wave at Jimmy.
Yeah, exactly.
Yeah.
Wait, are you mad at me?
You mad at me?
Well, I think that's like, to your guys' point.
And, like, to your point, too, is like, she's going there to have.
She's going there to have fun and be messy, but in a positive way.
Like, she's, what Ali, what Ali has the ability to do that not everyone on reality TV has the ability to do is to, like, go into a situation with, like, good intentions and you believe it.
And she's just there to have fun and have a good time.
Yeah.
And like, she's going to be a little messy because it's TV, but she's not going to, like, take it so seriously that she's going to let it, you know, like, hurt her.
Mm-hmm.
And I really love that.
Okay, wait.
Who's everybody's number one perfect amount of choices?
Guys and girls going around the room.
No, like if you had to choose your guy and your girl.
To date or like to play matchmaker?
To date?
I'm married.
I'm married.
Okay, but this is the hypothetical.
We can play over here then.
I cannot be a former reality TV person who says that this would be the person I would date of.
That's true.
You can choose a boy.
But we can do the boy.
Jimmy.
Okay, Jimmy.
Which one?
Oh, yeah.
Perfect match.
Jimmy.
Love is blind.
Oh, I like Jimmy.
Yes.
No, I'm sorry.
Damari.
Damari.
Oh, Demari is hot too.
If I'm picking a girl, I'm picking, I'm picking, Ellie, no question.
If I'm picking a boy, here's the thing I want to say Damari, but Damari is a little, I don't know, his attitude a bit of the times.
I'm just like, I don't mean his attitude.
It's not that he has an attitude.
He just, the way he kind of shuts down a little bit sometimes I understand.
I'm on his side with.
Marissa, love her, but like she showed up to perfect match being like, you have to date me or I'll kill you.
I know, and I'm not saying, I'm honestly, I'm more team Damari and than team Marissa.
I could just see myself if I was dating Damari.
I will say.
Maybe getting a little annoyed.
Mary is right when they were in the boardroom, whatever they call it.
And Marissa's like, wait, so you're friends and like, so you would go with her if she came after you?
And he's like, I don't know.
Yeah.
It's like that was not the right answer.
Yeah.
That was the part where I was like, to me.
I think he was looking at me.
But.
But overall, I would probably pick Damari or that cowboy that came in.
Yeah, the cowboy.
He's like a part of the singles, right?
Yeah.
Is that Westing?
I need more from him to be able to agree or disagree.
But yeah, that was fun.
She came in with an interesting energy that I would maybe want to couple up with.
Okay.
There's an intensity to Marissa's dating choices.
I didn't see on Love is blind.
I love her.
I love her, you know.
But she is a...
Letter Culp.
She is very intentional, let's just say.
I think she probably represents how a lot of women would actually be, if I'm being honest.
Yeah.
You know?
A lot of people, not just,
women but people uh well we have chris from perfect match coming up next but before we get into
chris i i i listen i i i appreciate the cast members like nal and i have talked about some
age of attraction we it's like there's a there's a closeness that we feel to that cast we look out for
them we're rooting for all of their successes we obviously had chris on age of attraction and we
announced his appearance of perfect match at the age of attraction reunion um and it came up in
both our interview with Chris for Age of Attraction at the reunion that he seems to be very like
aware of reality. And it seems to have been like something that was on his radar for some time.
And that's not a crime. Coupled with that, you see him on the show. And he, he acknowledges
that he has this habit of like moving fast. He even named it as potentially love bombing. And then we see
him whip out this like, was it like a Prada wallet or something? I don't know. It was a nice
wallet. A very nice
designer
thing. And
strangely wants to give it
to McKenzie after
one night. I would take it.
So funny.
Would you take it, Susie?
On a first day, guy whips out designer bag
says, do you want this? I'm just like, I don't know.
It's just like sitting in my
car. Actually, in the real world
I actually don't think I would because I think I would be
like, oh, there's like something
behind this. Yeah. I'd be like, oh, like this
never happened to me before.
So I think I would be like cautious of it.
If you were on perfect match, would you take it?
If I was on perfect match, yeah, I'd be like, and then I'd go to the camera and I'd be like,
this guy's crazy.
Taking this home with me.
Would you want a match with him?
We talk with Chris coming up next.
I challenge him a little bit.
Like, because like, again, I'm rooting for Chris.
He's a very nice guy in person.
He's very lovely.
He's just, he's nice.
He's charming.
Yeah.
And you can tell, you can see that how the cast feels.
about him. But he's doing the thing
that I've been talking so much about lately
which is like I think, you know,
connects with the West and Summerhouse
which is like this kind of new
kind of guy who
like he knows what love bombing
is. He can name the thing.
It's all part of the charm or it's like, oh,
he's self-aware. Like I'm working on being a love bomber.
Meanwhile, like, do you want this purse?
And it's so like
it's the thing where it's just
like these guys like Chris
as well-intentioned as he claims to be or maybe even is.
Like, it's a type of behavior that at 26 years old,
I think you have to start, like, taking a little bit more seriously
and not, like, chalk it up as to, like, a goof and, like, my bad.
Or, and if you can name the thing that you're working on,
because, like, good on McKenzie for, like, being like, I don't know, that's not for me.
And obviously, that's a little, like,
like that's like a little on the nose where you know like I don't think anyone would not feel a little
uncomfortable receiving a gift like that and even if they were like really excited about it there
there's always like what is what is this costing me but more often it's not as obvious it's a more
subtle thing then Kayla walks in and then he's like just as in love with her and like when he talks
to these women both of these women he's just like being like hey listen I'm feeling really great
about this. This is like, I'm locked in. And he's clearly not locked in. He's like locked in in the
moment, you know? And like, you know, it's just like, I think a lot of people, and it's not just
men, I think a lot of people like that. Well, like their excuse is like, well, that's how I felt then
when I said it. It's like, I'm a lover boy or I'm a lover girl. I feel like that's what's been used.
That's the word that gets used now. Yeah. And I'm like, I don't think that's what that means.
But okay. Anyways, we talked to Chris about this.
I wanted to see what he wanted to say because he's very smart.
He's self-aware.
He's a nice guy, but he does this thing where it's just like, again, and when we interviewed
him, when he had him on Age of Attraction, there was a part of me that was this more like,
I was more empathetic to Leah because like the combination of him, like, obviously like being
interested in being on reality TV and moving quickly, I thought he got careless with Leah's
feelings. And, you know, that's always like this fine line in relationships is something,
like when you enter in a romantic relationship and feelings are intense, like sometimes you get
hurt. You know, your feelings get hurt. And that doesn't always mean that the other person
did something wrong or bad or nefarious. Sometimes like their feelings is changed and that's
okay. But when you watch this type of behavior like you see from Chris, and if that is a pattern,
that is hard not to say like, yo, you can't keep moving like this because you are, in fact,
going to be hurting a lot of women that you shouldn't have to hurt just for the sake of trying
to make a connection. And yeah, I just, he does the thing where it's just like, oh, I just,
I don't know better. You know, it's very West Wilson coded where it's like it's really funny and
really charming and really cute until it's not. Yeah. You know, until someone really gets fucked up
over it. I think you hit the nail on the head on that. Well, we do have Chris up next and we have a
conversation about this very thing with Chris.
So I'm excited to hear what you guys have to say about it.
Tomorrow, we will get into all things perfect match, cover episodes four and five.
We also have Allie Lubber and Allison from Perfect Match joining us tomorrow as well as we'll cover the Real Housewives of Rhode Island that dropped on Sunday.
And then we have a jam-packed episode for you on Thursday as well.
But right now, it's Chris from Perfect Match.
Well, welcome back, lover boy.
I'm happy to be here.
I'm excited.
You didn't bring in your sunglasses.
I brought him on my side.
I left him in the lobby.
I didn't want to deal with that again.
Yeah,
I was like,
let me start on a good note here.
How did you feel like your perfect match experience went?
Chris,
let's start there.
I feel a lot more confident in myself.
I think I was a lot more vulnerable
on perfect match.
I wouldn't say it was good or bad,
but it was definitely something different.
And I'm excited for the world to watch, honestly.
Okay.
Okay.
Obviously, we got to know you a little bit.
on age of attraction.
And then we had you on the reunion
and I gave you a little bit of shit
about maybe
warranted, fair.
Lack of maturity,
it seemed like you had a little bit.
You obviously, you're a very nice
and charming guy.
He seemed like you have a nice heart
and your energy is calm.
But then like watching you on a perfect match
it was more like,
what's up with the gift giving
the thing that you do?
The,
um,
be more specific.
Like you,
who'd you get like a...
Getting the girls
Louis Vuittal.
Was it a...
Yeah, you offer a Louis Vuitton wallet to McKenzie on night one.
Wow.
That came out, isn't it?
No, okay.
It did not happen?
It did, it did.
Okay.
To be honest with you, I mean, they talk about love languages, and I think gift giving is definitely
one of my love languages.
That's fair.
I came on the show with a few things like that, a little wallet.
I had two of them.
No, I had one of them.
I had one wallet and I had some hats like in Formula One, some like, that was
like given to me from the team. I thought it was cute. It wasn't planning to give it to someone on day one,
but to be honest with you, me and McKenzie had an interesting connection right off the bat,
like very friendly, very comfortable. And I could tell that she was overthinking a lot. I'm such an
overthinker. I don't know why I offered it on day one, but it really was just, hey, I opened my backpack,
saw it, and I was like, would you like this? And she didn't like it. But she, her dad was,
do you appreciate why she? Absolutely, absolutely. I completely understand. Too quick.
also not necessarily, you know, taking a gift and then expecting something,
maybe people take it that way.
That's not how I meant it.
But at the same time, her dad's into racing in cars.
So I was able to give her one of the hats.
I think she brought it back for him.
So that was cool.
Okay.
Yeah.
You come on the show and you kind of acknowledge that you have,
I think you even named it as a bit of like a love bomber kind of habit.
And while I don't think we're using love bomb appropriately in those contexts
and you don't seem like you're nefarious.
nefarious about it.
But nevertheless, you have, you know, for, it's always like, it reads a little off to me when
someone is self-aware enough to name the thing that they know is something they have to work on.
And yet, then the very next thing they do is to do the thing that they know, you know,
that they, they have a bad habit of, whether it's the immediate gift giving McKenzie.
It was like, I love you.
I mean, I don't think you said the word I love you.
but you spoke in a very intense and intentional way.
And you come across as passionate or intentional,
and that can read as either, you know,
too intense for some people or a little unsafe for others
because it's like, yo, like, why are you so intense?
And then Kayla walks in, and then like the next day,
you're equally in love with her or so it seems.
and I am just wondering when self-aware Chris,
who can name the thing,
is going to meet the Chris who can actually show up differently
in relationships.
Yeah.
I think that that's, I mean, that's fair for sure,
but at the same time, well, I guess we can get into the detail
of like Kayla come in and second, right?
But to answer that question first,
I do think that I'm very intentional
with relationships in general.
That's why I probably have struggled in dating for a long time
because I'm very quick and it's probably not a great thing,
but I'm very quick to think about the future.
Like, okay, I'm already going to, I'm going to be with this person now.
What if I'm with her a year from now?
How does that look, right?
It's something that's going on in my head now,
specifically with McKenzie.
I think I was really just comfortable with her and trying to,
even though I was struggling in my mind,
just anxious for the whole situation,
me trying to be vulnerable with her and being very open,
I thought that would allow both of us to feel more comfortable.
Clearly, I was wrong.
I do have to be maybe more socially aware when I'm in that moment
because sometimes sharing everything,
everything's a little too much.
But nothing that I told her was a lie.
By any means, I was very much into us.
I thought that we, I mean, I thought we could go do really well, honestly, on a perfect match as far as staying together for a long time.
But it's almost scarier that it's not a lie in a way.
Well.
Because, you know what I'm saying?
If you're like, you meet someone and you're like, yo, I'm, this, this relation means a lot to me.
I forgot it's specifically what you said, but it was very deep.
And it was very like, yo, like, this is it for me.
I'm in.
And it's almost scarier.
people who might not be as in touch with their feelings believe the thing that they are almost
trying out on people or at least that's coming across? I wouldn't say trying out. Now, I do think
it's really important for people to understand where there was a switch between McKenzie and then
to Kayla. So you're moving in with someone on the first night. And like I said, it was very comfortable
right off the bat and very cool. Obviously, there is an element of you do want to be in a room with
someone you're comfortable with, that you're friendly with. But after night two, I think McKenzie was,
and it was very nice and fair for her to be honest and say, this is a little too much. You know,
you're intentional about being in a relationship. I do think this is a little too much. She inferred
that, pretty much said it verbatim, but not exactly. And then said, she talked about she had
requested somebody to come into the house. And that's when everything changed for me. So she said
that she requested someone to come in the house and that he's there and that he's waiting to come in
as a bombshell. Now, she kind of insinuated that if he comes in, I'm going to be switching to him.
Okay. That's true. And then that night, she slept on the couch in the room. Nothing wrong with that.
But it was funny because when I woke up, I was like, damn, I just got couched. I was the one
doing the couching on my last show. And I just woke up and was like, this is a, I was like,
it's not good. And like, kind of was honest about it with her and just was like, hey, this is,
you know, but we're together and I still see us together. And I'm not expecting to wake up tomorrow
on Switch. And I told her that as well, that I'm still in this.
You know, although it might not be moving the direction we want, like, I'm still going to give all that we got.
We knew bombshells were coming in. We didn't know who they would pick.
So the singles come in, and obviously we have three of them.
And very quickly, Kayla was asking about me.
And she asked McKenzie, you know, just the girls, but she was like, hey, who's this guy with?
And McKenzie said it's, you know, he's with me.
I think immediately that made things uncomfortable.
Obviously, McKenzie was already dealing with a lot, completely fair.
So, you know, everybody's overthinking to a certain degree.
And she just came off of a competition show, which is very different.
than going into a dating show.
So I think immediately the fight or flight kind of kicked in.
And that's when she came to me.
And I was like, look, I'm not expecting Kayla to pick me tomorrow.
We had a great conversation, but she had a great conversation with Damari.
And I thought with Jimmy as well.
So I said, I'm still in this.
I'm not expecting her to pick me tomorrow.
Now if she does, that'd be really cool, obviously, and it feel great.
And then fast forward, she chose me.
Dave chose McKenzie.
Best case scenario was McKenzie's birthday.
I did not want to go on this date, leaving her back at the retreat.
I mean...
But didn't she already tell you that she was, like, waiting for someone else?
She didn't, you know, she inferred that.
She did.
So that's why it was very odd that like the next day when Kayla came in and chose me, it was like such an issue I felt like.
Because I told her I'm still with it.
I'm still in this.
I'm not going to, I'm not going to, I think it's unfair to expect someone's going to choose you, even if you have a good conversation.
It's not fair to anybody.
But it's also unfair to just start thinking about someone else while you're sleeping in the same room as somebody.
I do think I wanted to at least be myself, be vulnerable.
And I definitely was vulnerable on perfect match.
So then how did you go from that to like, whatever?
you said to Kayla, which was also very intense and very like, I love you.
I do think, okay, I think that when McKenzie did talk about requesting someone and coming in,
I for sure mentally and emotionally pulled off. I mean, I'm definitely the type of person that
can like, in a bad way, just remove myself a little bit emotionally and kind of just took a breath
the entire day. Finally at night, we had another good conversation, but that's when I started
looking at myself. I'm like, okay, maybe just hold your tongue for a second. Don't overspeak.
It's okay to think certain things. And I try that. I think I did a good job of that. Again,
with Kayla, we connected on, I mean, she's beautiful. We connected. We're physically attracted to all
that. But she has deep faith and that's something that's so important to me. She led with that.
It's not even something that we like forcefully started talking about. And I think that that just
allowed again, me to be very cultural. Also, I felt so chosen for the first time on.
the show, I mean, on any reality show, that somebody sought me out so much that they wanted to
get to know me, want to be with me. That wasn't just, I'm attracted to you, just like, I wanted
to get to know your heart. I'm not saying the other women weren't doing that, but that was the
first time I'd ever felt that. And I wasn't sure if that was real on reality TV. So I was really
happy with that. And then after our first date, that's, it wasn't until after the first day
was over. That was like, you know what? This is, this is really cool. I mean, it gives me goosebumps
I was just thinking about it. I was really happy in that moment.
Okay. Do you, do you think that, like, the idea of being,
chosen is something that like like with the gifts giving like do you think not to be
therapy therapy person over here but like are you looking for like someone to
choose you like that and that's why you like kind of show up in the way you do that's
fair I do think that I I do like I mean love that feeling of being chosen but I
don't think that's why I like the gift giving I mean when you give something to
somebody whether it's time or like just I don't know a ballet in the end of the
day what usually people aren't used to that and I
I try to have, you know, the pre-notion, the pre-thought.
Like, I thought enough to bring something that someone I might be given it to.
It's sure it's a little too much.
And I could dial it back.
But that really is the thought.
You seem to, from what we hear from you,
you're a very financially successful young man.
I'm working on it.
Well, that's how you present.
You talk about it a bit.
Do you think there's any truth or maybe something behind?
Do you think you talking about the watches
and the giving the luxury gills?
is a way of, you know, talking about your money
without talking about your money in a way
that might be reading is like an insecurity.
Talk about therapy with Nick.
That's a good way to put it.
I don't think it's an insecurity.
I really don't think so, man.
The gift giving, if you look at like the way I was raised, my mom,
I mean, we would go to Lebanon and she'd bring two suitcases
to bring as gifts and people that we barely even knew.
Yeah, but you could give a card and write a sweet note.
100%.
meaningful is like the like naming the luxury watches that you own or the giving the luxury wallets and purses in a way there's
there there there's a name brand element to your gift giving that is it says I have money I have money I have money
and I'm just wondering if that's is that just a coincidence or do you think maybe there's something there
yeah I wouldn't say I wouldn't say there's too much there but maybe it's not a coincidence at the same time
it's part of my culture a little bit okay so I do think that's the biggest thing but if there is
tads of insecurity for sure. I mean, I deal with a lot of different insecurities that I think I've
grown up to manage much better than I ever have in life. And I feel secure about myself and where
I'm at now. That's why, again, I think people aren't necessarily used to just someone putting their
heart out on the table. And sometimes, you know, I try to do that a little. I probably tried to do that
a little too much with McKenzie early. Now looking back, just because sometimes we need to take a breath and
understand ourselves as well. But I don't think that being disingenuous is fair at all.
in this show because I was anything but that. I was definitely genuine. I was definitely into McKenzie.
I was very into Kayla and, you know. So you were caught off Gar, you felt it was a bit unjust for you
to be voted off as the most insincere person? Absolutely. There's no. You didn't understand where
anyone was coming from? I did understand where everyone was coming from. They knew that I was not the
most genuine, this is a genuine person there. Everybody in that room knows that and they know it in their
heart and they may not admit it. Why do you think you got voted off? Because, well, me and Kayla were the
strongest couple in the house at that point. There's no question about it. She comes in, had a huge
target on her back. I mean, to spill the drama, the reality is that. I think she, yeah, I think hers
was pretty unfair. I mean, she showed up. Super unfair. The girls talked about, there was people that
talked about, I don't know, I don't know exactly names about how they're going to have each other's backs
on the starter, specifically the girl. She came in, huge target, direct across. We sit there that night.
Nick Lechay brings us all together, and he's like, I want everybody to give their definition of love.
why are you trying to be here? And we start around and my boy Jimmy P, he starts and he kind of gave
like, and we laugh about it now, but I'm like, you gave the worst answer you could have possibly
given. It was like, honestly, like this is like a game to me because getting to the end is going
to be success. It was like exactly the opposite of what you want to hear. And I'm like, Jimmy.
But anyway, we go around the circle. Of course it gets to me and I give the whole, you know,
I always ready for a speech. I said something like, I've been always an overthinker. But, you know,
as I've sat sometimes with overthinking, we miss the blessings right in front of us. Kayla's been such a
blessing, I like something cute. And we go around and then it was finally, well, now you're
going to vote for the person that you feel like is here not trying to find love. And in the back
of my head, I'm like, Jimmy, what have, are you fucked? And I was like, damn. But at the same time,
I hope this gets spoken about. Me and Jimmy were really cool on the show. And that morning,
he came and knocked on my door and we're, I'm just doing the bicep curls or something. He's
like, can I do some bisonic curls? We're sitting there talking. He's like, bro, you're honestly
a homie. I could tell five minutes into the show that you were real. He shook my hand, looked me in
the eyes and he was like, I want to have your back, no matter what happens. He wasn't thinking about any
vote out. But he's like, I want to have your back. I want to just be honest with each other. And I looked
in the eyes, shook his hand. I said, I got your back no matter what. That's exactly what I said.
And then that night, when the vote started, in the back of my head, of course, I had a feeling that
it was probably Jimmy or me. I went into that vote. I scratched my vote. I voted on Yemen.
I told him after there. And he scratched his vote. I think he voted Jimmy S. We didn't vote for
each other, knowing that we were a big target. And then when we went into the votes, it was a
deadlock tie, obviously. So pretty interesting and pretty cool. Obviously, at the end, it was me
that was voted out. But I was still happy with that. I was still happy that the people that knew me
and spent more time with me and anyone else, Allison, Jimmy S., Jimmy P., Natalie at the time,
people that knew me on the show, they didn't vote for me because they knew that was being genuine.
And yeah, you know, I do believe, and I know that I just said, I'll say it again. I think that the
people in the house knowing me now will go back and say they're the truth. Yeah, I mean, for sure.
I mean, as you get to know each other, you know.
But I just, are you open to the possibility that you weren't voted off because everyone was afraid of you and Kayla being the perfect match?
But maybe because whether they were misreading you or not, that your intensity with McKenzie and your intensity with Kayla, you can't be too in love.
You know, it's like you can't fall in love with two people in two days.
And you were, regardless of whatever your reasons were, were made.
suggesting that you could and that might be thought of as a bit that's fair that's
fair yeah yeah 100% that's fair that's fair but I don't believe that's what happened to be
yeah you were there yeah how is how's your age of attraction cast anyone you can
I love the age but you know I love my AOA cast family honestly uh Andrew my boy stayed
in Miami for a little bit and Libs Logan and V still doing great which is awesome to see
are John and Teresa still pretending to do whatever they're pretending to do it
John and Teresa are outcha.
They're not doing their thing.
They're out.
Because I just, there are always a couple like, you know, good for them.
Good for them.
Yeah.
But there were a couple like TikToks I saw floating on the internet.
I was like, I thought they're not talking.
I know.
I saw Vanelle yesterday two days ago.
She went out to eat.
She's great.
Vanilla's great.
Yeah, she's the homie.
I love that.
We really created a cool family.
And like, with all the drama and all the BS, like, I think that all of us are respectful and
mature enough to like get past that.
What's your next big reality TV dream?
I kind of want to get into...
So we've talked about Survivor, how many times we said that.
And then the first vote out I ever had in my life, I get freaking voted out.
So I need another chance at a voting show.
I want to do some type of game show.
Maybe I don't want to drop a name yet, but some type of game show,
something that'll allow me to test my speaking ability,
and hopefully people can find me genuine for real.
Okay.
Maybe a less relationship-focused game show.
for now. Although I had a great time on both shows. And to be honest with you, with all the negative,
there's so much more positive. And again, I'm much more confident. Although there's notion
of people and what people expect or what, you know, love bombing this and that, I do believe
I was honest and true on this show. And I think that sometimes I need to dial back and grow.
But the growth from age of attraction to perfect match, I think was huge. What did you learn about
yourself? Well, that trying to help other people all the time, sometimes the most, the best thing you can do is just
be vulnerable, be yourself.
You know, I think with Leah, when we moved into each other together,
I was so focused on this routine and trying to be proper
and trying to do the things at home so I could show her what my daily life is
and trying to keep things right.
And I came into this and I was like, just be yourself.
Stop overthinking everything.
And, you know, the back to the thing,
like the relationship's not going to be valuable if it's not vulnerable.
I need to be vulnerable, like actually vulnerable.
So maybe I need to find a little medium-happy in between, but I'm trying.
Okay.
I have a question, Chris.
If it shouldn't have been you and Kayla, who should have been voted out there?
Great question.
Good question.
It should have been, well, no, not even to be strategic.
I really think that in the moment, I do believe in this is the reality.
I think he should have been Yemen.
I think he was the least genuine with any.
And it's funny because I actually did vote for him, but that's not why I voted for him.
I think he was the least genuine in that moment with any of the women.
And on the women's side, I can't specifically say anybody because I did vote for McKenzie
and I probably would have voted for McKenzie again because now looking into it, I don't.
You voted McKenzie out?
I did.
I voted for McKinsey.
I knew she was voting for me and I also, but I voted for us genuinely because she was
sitting there with Dave when she had already told me that she's waiting for a guy to come in
that was not Dave, right?
So I'm like kind of odd, I thought.
So it's okay.
Who was the guy?
Danny.
Intemptation out?
He's hot.
Yeah.
So, and I love Danny, to be honest.
Have you learned which boy band Nick Lechay is in?
Yeah, that's really important.
Backstreet boys?
Nope.
No, thanks for coming on the show, man.
Stop, it's sweet.
Who's my favorite Nick?
I thought you were going to ask me that.
98 degrees.
Who's your favorite host, Nick?
Come on.
It can be Lechet.
It's an harder on you.
I care because I love, you know.
I know, bro.
Well, it's good to see you again, man.
I wish you nothing about the best.
I'm sure we'll see you on reality TV again.
You think so.
Who was the...
Didn't we find out that you had some kind of trist with...
When you were 18?
What was that?
Like your truth or dare?
Like the planks?
Oh my gosh, yep.
And you're like, yeah, he made out with her...
I don't know.
What was it?
Yeah.
The made a...
Hooked up with a reality star when I was 18, yeah.
And she was 48.
Yeah.
Because actually, yeah.
Is she stolen around TV now?
I don't know.
Okay.
Survivor, right?
She was not on Survivor, no.
But, I mean, it's something you've been passionate about for some time now.
Yeah, well, that was, all right.
So that was when we had the charity going with different contestants.
I'm not talking about older women.
I'm talking about reality.
Yeah, it's a cool.
I, okay, the actual full thing I was, when I went, when my parents went through a divorce,
I was like 16 and 17.
It's probably the first time I ever actually felt any, like, depression or any type of, like,
mental health, whatever.
And I definitely found myself losing.
myself in reality TV, watching other people's lives, and trying to like, not lose, not forget
my problems than that, but it was a source of peace, a source of reprieve. And I really, I mean,
for two or three years, it's all I wanted to do was going Survivor. And then once I didn't get
on it, started speaking, started getting, you know, I honestly, since 2018, I said the best
blessing that ever happened to me was not going on Survivor, but how it all came together, you know,
and I think full circle, it is such a blessing. Is it something that I would do now? Probably not. That
shit looks really hard.
Survived.
Yeah.
But it still was a blessing.
And I think how things worked out were amazing.
So if I get the opportunity to do another show, you know, God willing, everything works out,
then we can take a look.
Well, it's good to catch up with you, buddy.
Good to catch over you, too, man.
I like the show.
I know you got voted off, but we got you came back and we'll see how things play out for you.
Exactly.
Well, thanks for having me again.
Good to see you, buddy.
See you.
All right.
Well, that will do it for today's episode.
Thank you to our guest, Chris and Cynthia Bailey, both for joining us.
Also, don't forget, we are back tomorrow with another episode of reality recap.
We have Ali Luber.
We have Allison, also from Perfect Match.
We'll be talking Real Housewives of Rhode Island and so much more.
We'll see you then.
Bye-bye.
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