When Reality Hits with Jax and Brittany - Zuri Hall on the End of Access Hollywood, Dating & Her Next Chapter

Episode Date: September 4, 2026

Zuri Hall joins When Reality Hits to talk about her incredible journey from growing up in Toledo and chasing her entertainment dreams to becoming an Emmy-winning host on E! and Access Hollywood. Zuri opens up about the end of Access Hollywood, her favorite celebrity interviews, learning to set boundaries and move beyond people-pleasing, dating and relationships, and what it means to enter a new chapter of her career as an entrepreneur and producer. Plus, she shares why she’s learned to enjoy being single, the reality TV shows she’d actually want to join, and what’s next for her.Please support the show by checking out our sponsors!Tempo: For a limited time, Tempo is offering my listeners 60% off your first box! Go to TempoMeals.com/REALITYHITSNutrafol: Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code REALITYHITSQuince: Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/REALITYHITS. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.K12: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child’s full potential. Enroll online today at K12.com/brittanyProgressive: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust ProgressiveSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I'm excited because Zuri Hall is here. You know her from Access Hollywood and American Ninja Warrior. And now she's got her own show, not about sports. She's interviewed basically everybody. She's an amazing. She's a boss with her own production company. And we have so much to talk about career, dating, life, pop culture, and all the good stuff. Zerie, welcome to When Reality Hits.

Hi. Thank you for having me. I'm so happy you're here. I'm so glad to be here. It's already such a vibe. I've been here. I just kind of want to pour a drink and you feel a kickback. I go very hard.

And I guess I should say that Zach Wickham is here as well, being my co-host today. Hi, guys. He's like always on the pod. So I guess I don't have to do a whole intro for you. I think that your audience knows something by now. I would hope so. Oh, my goodness. Okay.

I'd like to go back to the beginning. Okay. Your career trajectory is kind of crazy. You're from Toledo. Yeah, Ohio. Went to Ohio State. Right? Brittany, come on.

You got to give me a the. The Ohio State University. I know we're so obnoxious, but we got to do it. Okay, you have to have the day. We're from Kentucky. We're from Kentucky. So we're Kentucky. I respect it.

And we keep the the, the, like, it's UK, not U of K. Yeah. We don't. You're like, we don't do the other. We don't do those extra words in there. But you're close to us. Yeah, not too far at all. Kentucky.

Yep. You started hosting local TV and NBA games in Indianapolis. Did you always know that this was where you wanted to go with your career? I knew I always wanted to be in Hollywood. Yeah. Like it was always entertainment. I grew up in theater.

I was on stage. I was always begging my mom to take me to like auditions in Ohio for a little like one-off commercials. Even when you were like young? When I was like five or six years old is when I knew. I was obsessive with it. Yeah. And then I think eventually they were like, this is the only way we're going to shut

her up. We got to start shuddering her to auditions. Exactly. Did you book stuff when you were a little? I ended up booking more when I was in, college just because I could like go as hard as I wanted to. But when I was tiny, I would do a lot of children's theater workshops. So I was doing a lot of plays and musicals around town.

But it's hard. It was Toledo. My parents worked nonstop. They had three kids. So they would take me to the auditions for like the theater stuff. But there wasn't that much going on in Toledo as far as commercial work went. But we understand. We both did those modeling academy.

Oh, yeah. I did too. Wait. Do you remember the name of yours? Because the name of mine just came back. What's the name? Mine was, okay, so I had Hayman Talent Agency in Columbus.

Stop. Remember Barbizon where they would bring, like, the cattle call? Everybody would go and you would like in like a strip mall. The Hayman is also in Louisville. Are they? Oh my God. There was another one. Hayman got me a couple of cute checks.

Really? I did a state farm commercial. Oh, fun. Yeah, value city commercial. Value city. My mom used to work at Value City. I swear. Yes.

Heyman would get some good, like they would get some good. There was that one that was in the mall. I remember the stock came out. I had to go to mall stuff. We did the mall stuff. I loved a mall thing. I did mall fashion shows. Yes.

They were like sitting in the windows. Yeah. And like being still. Oh my God. Did you do that? So many of my life memories that I have not thought about are coming back now. I miss mall culture. I think I did do that once.

My mom used to take me to that stuff to and you would do like the little, like I remember I got to do like a limited two, which limited to was like the biggest thing ever. Like me and one of my little friends. We got to do just at the local mall, you know, but we thought we were the coolest thing. Because you were. You were limited to at that time in our life. It was just like for the mall, I guess. Like it wasn't like a national thing, but we still got to like to walk for limited to. And I think we were wearing like the silky pajamas.

Yeah. You know? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I got, I lost out on a J.C. Penny fashion show. I remember wanting to walk in this fashion show one year.

And then I think I might have made it like the next. year and it's just like to walk in the mall with all the people you see every day at the mall. Oh yeah. That's exactly what it was. No. But it was so cool whenever we were young, especially in Kentucky, Ohio. And now look at us. We did it despite those walks. Oh my gosh. Did your parents ever do like glamour shots? Remember glamour shots at the mall? Yeah, yep, yep, yeah. My parents weren't into that. Why not? Because my dad was like an amateur photographer, so he, we would just do our own. He was like, this is a big shot. He's like, no, no, no, no.

My mom was all about the Glamourchrist. My mom was actually a big model whenever she was younger. Like, she even was, like, getting signed to Ford and stuff. And from a farm in Kentucky, like, that's unheard of, you know. Didn't happen because she was, like,

pregnant right away with my brother. She, you know, married. Signed in them was like, I'm pregnant. My mom got married at, like, 17. So it was really young. But it was like a big deal in our hometown and they said something like, what will you do if you need money or something?

And I think they had her like in the article or something saying that she would sell a cow. Oh my goodness. Wait. A long time. I love that story though. So she, I want to see Mama now. I want to see her like headshots from 17.

Oh my gosh. She was, she still is gorgeous. But she was like such a beautiful woman and model back in the day. But she was all about the glamour shots because of course her history was doing modeling and stuff. So we literally, I've seen like home videos and stuff and we had this like.

little piano and it was like my mom's huge glamour shot in the middle and then mine my brothers and my sisters all separate like that was our do you remember the backgrounds that you would like choose for yours? It was like a pink and then maybe like airbrushy yeah airbrushed looking like that was our actual

and they had to roll out they rolled in the new one roll kids she was all about that that is so funny okay what were you like growing up I know you said that you loved all this but were you the kid who was always

performing? Were you outgoing? I was always performing and I was super shy actually. So like the stage was the opportunity to like take up the space and be loud and be ridiculous. Are a lot of people like that? I think I've heard of a lot of. I've met of a lot of people in the space, especially in theater. Yeah. Yeah. Acting as kind of my permission to be a character or do something that I normally wouldn't do. Yeah. And so for me, I was always like kind of in the background. I think it's why I became good at my job like when it came to hosting and interviews. Yeah. Because I was always watching everyone. Which kind of sounds crazy. creepy like in hindsight, but when you're a kid, like, I'd just be in the corner kind of like observing. I'm like watching how you interact with her and her with you and blah, blah, blah, blah.

And I was always curious and I always had questions. I was just too shy maybe to go up and start the convo at that time. So then obviously as I ended up in hosting, it's like that observational kind of quality paid off. But I feel like, I mean, I've only been around you know for like 10 minutes. You seem very outgoing. Yeah. Like you kind of grew out of that over time. I grew out of it.

I'm still more introverted than people think. I'm right down the middle. Right. What is like an amphivert or extroverted introvert or extrovert? It's the new term. They got a new name. Introverted extrovert. Yeah.

And I'm like, I'm like, can we just call it that? Like, why do we call it an autrovert or whatever they, because they just named it? Like a diagnosis. Yeah. I don't know if I want to be that. But I'm like, I love being out in these spaces. Yeah. And then I'll go like stare at a wall for two days.

And I'll love that too. No. That's just, you know. That sounds like me. The recharge. It's the recharge. That sounds like me. Like, Zach is very much extrovert.

He can go out and be whatever. A lot of people think I'm this huge partier, don't they? Like, that's such a weird thing. Is that really? Yeah, like, I guess it's because like when we're filming TV shows and stuff, like, we are going out and because we're filming. But like, most of the time, I'm just at home with Cruz and like he has to like beg me to come out. And half the time I might not make it out, you know?

So I feel like I'm like that too. I have to like decompress. Yeah. Yeah. The same way. But when I go out, I can be able to the car. 100% I have a good time.

Both things are true for sure. I'm definitely way more extroverted now than I used to be. But I mean 12 years in entertainment news, carpets, like you can't. Exactly. And you can't shy and do that. Okay.

So you were also a academic scholar. I was. Who did the research here? We're digging deeper. Listen, we do our research here when reality hits. I'm impressed. We dig deep. We do.

She's like, what's coming nuts? Oh, God. I'm like, if you know this. She's like, don't go too deep. Come on back to the kiddie pool. I mean, that's amazing. And I mean, does that make you an overachiever? Have you always been an overachiever?

Like, just like so obsessed with excellence and achievement and all the things. I come myself like a recovering, like a burnt out overachiever, recovering people pleaser. But absolutely. I was on full ride, academic at Ohio State. Everyone's always like, what sport did you play? And I'm like, excuse me. I read books. Thanks.

But I loved it. Like, I was such a nerd. And I say that with pride. I loved writing. I still love writing. I still love writing. And so, yeah, I did the Ohio State thing, graduated there, and then chase the dream. I like how she said you're recovering overachiever.

And, like, I'm not going to lie, I would have pulled out my Emmy and put it right here. I'd be like, I'm done because I achieved it. It's done. The Emmy is my personality at this point, honestly. Listen, it would be, I would carry it with, I would never leave it. I'd be like. Yeah. And, hello.

Just have like an extra big purse just so that it was. Yeah, exactly. What you said also, like a recovering people pleaser, how do you recover from that? Because I am the worst people. Are you? She is not recovered. Dude, it's just, have you ever gotten to the point, though, where the people pleasing made beds for you that you had to lay in?

Oh. You give and you give and you give. And then when it's time to get it back, you realize it ain't coming back at the extent to which you gave it. And I think you get so sick of that. And it's palling up and it's palling up and you're swallowing it. To the point you're like, I can't betray myself anymore. I'm not giving to too many people.

You're on E. And then you realize those same people aren't pouring back in you. So I just live on E. I can't do that. I think at some point I just was so tired and so over it not being reciprocated to that same level that I was like, yeah, I'm good on this. It's a no for me. And I realized the people who were supposed to stay stayed, a lot of them respected the nose. And then also when I said yes, I could actually show up fully without resentment because I meant it.

I wasn't doing it to be nice or to make you happy or, you know. to not disappoint you. Yeah, that's a good point because it's hard out there. It is. Wait, so you're recovering? No, she's not, no, she's in active. No, she's still actively. There's no recovery yet.

Liddy, come to the other side. You're going to love you here. I feel like I have put up a lot of boundaries lately. Good. Because I've been through a lot of bad stuff lately. Yeah. So I've put up a lot of boundaries. You've been a lot more.

And like you said, a lot of those people who don't respect those boundaries go away or they react and like, that's enough for me. Yeah. That's it. Clear. So I am getting better. You're getting better. We're on our way to recover.

Yeah. When you say no, do you still get the like sweaty pits? And I'm still that, you know, millennial who's going to put like an exclamation mark at the end and make sure or an LOL. So you know. You unpack that? Because I am trying to just put periods at the end of sentences and let it be enough. But like the way I want to throw in an LOL or an emoji or like two extra exclamation points to let you know I'm not mad or upset. I can't.

I have to. I have to show. I'm joking or like, L.O.L. Right. And it's like, it wasn't going to be something that's funny. Yeah, or it's not even funny. Yeah, it's just me being like, maybe it's like, I don't know if I feel like going tonight, L.O.O.L.

You know? Like, why do we have to do that? You know what, though? I will never stop doing it. I will, I will, let me unpack that for you. I'm not going to stop for Jin Z's sake. Like, Jin Z's like, you want to, excuse me? No, now I'm going to write LOL and put a gif on every single text that I send you.

Like, yeah, exactly. Yeah. But I noticed I did that because I started seeing people talking about how we always had to put L.O.L or exclamation points. I was like, God, I definitely, I do that. Guilty as charged. Or like emojis. You know what? I don't see a problem with this.

And I will not stop. The only thing is, though, I don't know what your senses of humor are like, but if they're more dry or sarcastic, like, I'm actually a pretty dry, humored person. Okay. Which is not quite how people perceive me like on news or like hosty stuff, right? Yeah. So because of that gap, when they get a text from me like that, they're like, is she being a bitch? Or is this as funny as I think it is if she's not who I thought she was. So adding that LOL really gives the context. Yeah, it softens it, but then it messes up the joke because no good joke, you can't put LOL at the end of it.

Or it's something funny. And I will die on that ground. That's fine. You're going to die. Okay. I will water the grass on that hill for you. Of course. I appreciate that.

Just with all the laughy emojis tears. Yeah. Seriously. How do you go from being in Indianapolis to suddenly breaking into national television at Fuse, MTV, and Eve? Yeah. I kind of bounced around. So I won a competition to be the face of this local TV station at Indianapolis. I was about to graduate from Ohio State. Didn't know what was next. So I just hopped in my little 99 for a tourist. The air didn't work. It was hot as hell. Drove from Columbus to Indianapolis and competed with like a couple hundred other people. And they were like, why is this girl here? Like it's not that serious. This is local news, baby. Like go back to all. Ohio and I was like I need a job. Thanks. You're like, I want money.

I actually need money. Thank you. Just like the rest of you. I'm just more desperate for it apparently because I'd use the last of my gas to get here. And so I would go back and forth, long story short, I ended up winning a one-year contract with this station. And it totally changed the trajectory of my life. I moved to Indianapolis.

I started doing like interviews with the local parade people, the mayor, like come with me to this local winery. The museum has a new exhibit. Check it out. and I just got paid to be myself. And so that was kind of the beginning of me learning to be me on camera. Because up until that point, I was always acting, right? It was stage, theater commercial.

This was like, wait, you just want me to introduce myself at Zuri Hall and, like, say stuff? You're like, I don't have to method right now. I don't need to have a character. My process? You don't want my process. So I was there for a couple years. The Pacers came calling. They were like, hey, would you like to audition to be one of our in-game arena hosts?

I was like, yeah. ended up getting that opportunity. So I was just out there doing TV, emcing for the Pacers, the Indians, the minor league baseball team at the time. And then the Super Bowl came there a couple years in,

and I was there like official entertainment village host for a week. So after that, I was like, we're off to the races. It felt like if I took one step, God took me too, with just TV in general. So I was like,

I'm going to do this, see how far it takes me. I kind of bounced around. I was in Ohio for a local lifestyle show. Then I got a job in Dallas, Texas, anchoring the evening news and working the weather wall, which was super random. And then my goal was to be national by 25. And I got that opportunity at Fuse.

So at 24 and a half, I moved from Dallas to New York. Started at Fuse. This was like a music countdown show and we were like off to the races. Oh, I love that. You like hit your goal by what age. Yeah. That's like cool. Because I did not hit any of my house by any age and I'm still waiting.

I'm like, wait. What was your biggest goal at like 21? See, I love that. She's, this is where she's like, so let's turn the tables. We're like, Zori, no. Exactly. No, we have to. See, the thing is, back, back then, I wanted to be married by, like, 24, have kids, like, from Kentucky, like, religious family.

Like, that was kind of like what everyone did. That is not how my life went at all. I ended up moving to L.A., been here for over 11 years. Yeah. Did end up getting married and having a kid, but I was already 30, you know. So, and I also never thought I'd be on TV. Yeah. So my whole life completely changed.

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And we were already, you know, surviving barely at that point. And then I just knew I wanted to move to L.A. at some point. And I like, I had to work like another like six or seven years, like literally working at a tanning salon. Really? Because I couldn't get a corporate job even though my resume read so well and that whatever. It didn't matter. Then I was able to get a job that helped me get here. But yeah, it was like years and years later.

And then even now I'm like, okay, we're getting back on track a little maybe. Right, right. I think that's what all millennials right now are kind of going through. I agree. We're all in these plot twists. We're all in these pivots. We're all sold this dream. Like, work really hard.

Go to school. Get a degree. Get married. Everything's going to work out if you check those boxes. Yeah. And it was all a lie. Yes. It is a facade.

It is a facade. Gosh. But I do feel like that with millennials. It's like, but we're creating a whole new way of doing things. and I really love that about our generation. Yeah. Yep. Yep.

Yep. I think not to get too, like, deep into stuff, but I don't have to talk about my life here, but something I've been saying is like back whenever we were young or, you know, our generation, I guess. I don't even know how old as I'm 38. Okay. Yeah. 37. She looks 20.

Yeah. I was like, you just started. You just started abuse, right? Like you said you're 24 now. Just got my first job in TV. That's why I was like, I need to ask her because she's. She probably is much younger. I'm like, okay.

I'm going to get a face. I'm staying forever. No, I'm like, I need to go get one. I'm getting to that point where I'm like, oh, I see a little thing. I started thinking like, I actually don't know how old she is. She might not actually be. You're like, is she in Z and we're just like over here talking about most. She's great.

Like, all those jenziers. I was like she's agreed with Malillo. Oh, that 38. Wait, how old are you? 39. 39. Oh, okay. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Safe space. We're all in this together. Oh, that's one. Not just kidding. But a lot of, like you said, a lot of us are doing things differently. Like, a lot of people used to stay together.

Yeah. Until their kids, like, graduated, despite how unhappy they were. And I've noticed, and it's being talked about on social media is, like, we're the first generation to, like, leave because it's what's best. Yeah. Instead of, like, staying and making things worse. You know what? That's so true. I feel like millennials, we have done so much work.

We're, like, the therapy kids. We're finally, like, talking about it openly. Yeah. Like even my parents, right? They divorced. They were married for 25 years. Incredible. Like, they're my best friends.

They love me and my brothers. They love each other. They're closer now that they're divorced. Oh, wow. Bizarly than probably at the end of that. I've heard that sometimes. Yeah, like time and life. But, you know, like, but in most like it can happen.

I think it's more rare. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's the goal. This might not be your sign. Whoever there is like I should call my ex.

But I do think there's something to be said for that. And I think. And I think, like, as I think about the type of mom and wife, I want to be, like, I take it so seriously dating and who I'm with because I think the best example we can give our kids is them seeing us be loved properly. Sometimes that means walking away or leaving their strength in that. You know, it's not always, I'm strong because I stayed. No. It's strong because I walked away to show you how somebody needed to be training. Walking away is harder.

Yeah. Yeah. But I've been saying that. I don't know if it's my algorithm because of my life or if it's, real. It's your algorithm. It's both. It's both. But it's your algorithm. All the algorithms will get you, girl. You know, like, you'll see what your friends, like, re-pote or, like, like, every single

thing with her. I'm like, okay. I was like, I know what your algorithm is. She's processed. She's surprised. I know. I know how she feels each day. I'm like, I need to call her. This is a... It's like a little heart floating over Britney's latest pose. And you're like, oh. Why is she? No, I need to call her. Are you okay today? How we doing? She's like, how do you know? I'm like, Instagram told me. I reposted some like sappy thing.

Oh my gosh. Since we're talking about like all these auditions and stuff, is there, was there a job or audition where you felt like, okay, this is going to change my career or was it that? Everyone. Yeah. And then it didn't change my career or I didn't get the job. I feel you on that. You know, like there have been so many this is the moments moments. Yeah.

This is the moment moments that just didn't pan out the way that I expected. One that I felt like it was really going to change things. It was E. It was when I moved from, and it did change things. That was the one where it was like, okay, I thought this was going to be something big. And then it really did balloon. So I was at MTV in New York. And I always had this goal.

I was going to be on E News by 30, I said. So you're 25 for national. I would set the thing. And it was just like, I never had a plan, a specific plan to do it. I just had a thing before I even knew intention setting was a thing. So I was like E by 30. So I was 26, 27, and E called. And they were like, hey, do you want to guess?

co-host fashion police with Joan Rivers. And I was like, let me think about it. Hell yeah. Oh my God. Especially back then. Because it was like peak. Peak. And Joan was everything.

We didn't know that you can't call people like that. And then you learn. And then we learned like fashion police would never survive. Yeah. Yeah. Different time. But they flew me out. I co-hosted with her with everyone else.

Kelly Osborne was on at the time. It was a great experience. She was so sweet. She was, they were like, oh, where's your glam team? I was like, people, I don't have people. I don't have a glam team. They were like, can you send us a Getty images? So for when you do your intro, I was like, what's a Getty image?

So I was just so clueless to this entire world. And I had no glam. So she gave me her glam team. She was like, oh my God, please go fix the girl up. Go do her, do her hair, do her whatever. I'll be fine. She like handled her own stuff. They got me together for TV.

Like, who shows up on a TV set with no glam? I just, I don't even know whatever. Perfect skin like you. Oh, yeah. Okay. Like, I can't stop looking at your, I'm like, yeah, there's not a poor. There's not a line. Yeah.

Microneedling. I will say. Oh, thank you. Love a microneedling moment. Yep. Highly recommend little Botax on the crow's feed. Oh, yeah. I love the two folks.

But then what happened after? So I hosted. Sorry, I got you off on that. That was good. Co-hosted fashion police. It was incredible. Went back and then they called and were like, hey, would you like to come out for a week and co-host e-news or like just be a part of the show.

it was obvious like they were testing me to maybe be a part of like some new hires yeah they flew me out put me up for a week I was on the show and then they were like we would like for you to move here and be a part of e-news and I was like absolutely so at 27 I moved from New York to Los Angeles and just started fresh and so the last 12 years has been red carpets entertainment news first e-news for five years then access Hollywood for seven all in the same like family same network family and that was it that really did change everything. That's awesome. Access Hollywood is ending after 30 years.

And you've been a part of that family for, you said, seven years. That's a long time. What was your first reaction when you learned that the show was ending? Surprised. I think we were all surprised. Not necessarily that it was ending. You know, I don't think we know. Our industry has been changing a lot.

Entertainment news, how we consume content. Like myself, too, as a consumer, right? I also watch things and I don't even watch them the same way. So I think it was just the timing. It was a little bit out of nowhere. And suddenly we thought maybe another year, two years, you know what I'm saying? So that was the one thing that kind of caught us like, whoa. And it was, I think, right before a major award show, like the announcement went out.

And then they were like, okay, guys, see you at the Oscars or whatever like that weekend. Or was it the globes, the grimace. I don't remember. But like the timing was wild. You're like, you couldn't await it. Right. Like, I'm a little emotional right now. Exactly. Exactly. And it's just you're working the mic and people are like, ooh.

Oh, no. On the carpet. Right. And it's like now you have to go through a line of sympathy. Exactly. Exactly. So it's like condolences. Condoling. Oh, no. That was fun. Yes, I know. And the news broke so early that it's been like forever. So six months, which is good. We've had time to process and prepare. But then also six months of that awkward. It's like being in a relationship. but you guys both agreed you're breaking up in September. Going off to different colleges. Yeah. But it's like, what do you want for dinner? It's like, are we doing? Why are we doing it?

What's happening here with this? So, yeah, it's the end of an era for sure. It's bittersweet. I have so many incredible memories. They really are like family at this point. But I'm excited for what's next. And, you know, I'm excited to figure out kind of what this new version of Zuri is going to get into. I'm excited for you.

You know, just kind of shake off the entertainment. Out of all of your, out of your, interviewing and all that stuff. Do you have like a favorite moment and the person that you met? Like specific to Access Hollywood. Yeah. I always say...

Was that your next question? It was. Zach is good. Listen. He's on it. There's the reason I'm here. I have an order. Okay.

I want to stick with Access Hollywood right now. Yeah, yeah, yeah. One of my faves, I always say, Denzel Washington. He's so sweet, so down to earth. We teared up together doing a really incredible interview, just talking about our shared love,

are fathers. And like, I'm such a daddy's girl. He was talking about his father. And it's like those human moments that you get. Because sometimes, like, you know, you're doing these interviews all the time. And it's the same thing. The rinse repeat answers. It's canned.

They're tired. You're tired. Like, it's just whatever. Yeah. So when you get someone who's willing to show up and really be human with you and let you in and give you, especially at that level. I was going to say somebody that big too. Yeah.

It's special. And it reminds you that we're all people. Yeah. It's the human. I love that. I still tear up whenever, because Denzel said something about how for a son, his first love is their mother. And like, I hear it as like, you know, the background of videos all the time. And it's like the sweetest thing because I have a son. And I'm like, oh, that was like the sweetest interview. It's true. Ever, you know? And that was just from something that he was talking

about in one of his interviews. And now it's like picked up as like people have like pictures of them and their son as it's like playing what he was saying, you know? I'm like, oh, my God. He's a very thoughtful guy. Yeah. Like spiritual, very grounded. He doesn't seem to have let this crazy industry of ours and his stardom at like the highest level affect him. That's awesome. In a way that it's affected.

I was like, because there's a lot. There's a lot. We'll just call it affected. Yeah. Definitely. What are you going to miss the most? Oh, also Oprah. I just have to further record.

Oh, my gosh. Oprah too. I gave her a little bit. She's like, let me slide. You gave her a loaf of bread. I know. I was so stressed. Remember when, because, okay, so this was early on in my days at E.

And the producers, right, we get produced up and they were like, we want you to give her a loaf of bread because she was in her, I love bread era. Like wait watchers, right? Oh, yeah. Bread and still do this. And I was like, you guys are freaking kidding. You got my first interview with like the queen. And you want me to give her a loaf of bread as a gift? Like, it was like a gag.

It was supposed to be telling you. But it could go either way. It could go either way. It's Oprah. It's my first interview with Oprah. I'm still developing my reputation in this industry and the space. But I was also new and I had to do what I had to do. Because I was like, okay. Yeah, you got to try it.

You're not saying no. I'm not saying no. Just figuring out praying over the bread, Jesus, please let her receive his bread. And the way that I intend for this bread to be received. And so I have the loaf of bread. I get to the carpet. Like, I am literally like sweating, doing the interview. It's going great.

And I'm like, this is such a good interview. I do not want to ruin it by being like, I've got a gift for you. And her being like, what? Yeah. So then I look back at my producer and it's like time. Get the bread. And then she pulls an entire loaf of bread out. And I'm like, I have a gift for you.

She's like, oh, what is it? I pull out the loaf of bread. I give it to her. I was like, I know how much you love bread. Whatever. This floats on the internet somewhere. This interview is online. And she is the most gracious kind person ever.

she's like, oh, thank you so much. She took the bread. She was like, next time, toast it. She's like, so bread toasted. And she actually gave it to, like, her handler to put in the tote back. I would, if she would have tossed that bread as soon as the interview ended, I wouldn't have upset. But she took the bread and then we bonded over our shared love of Flaming Hot Cheetos. And I was like, she is everything you think she is.

And I've interviewed her many a time since then. And we've had incredible conversations. That is an amazing story. I also feel like any of the type of celebrities, no matter what the gift is or no matter what the green room is, I know that I've worked for plenty of people where like, it's like, okay, take every single thing in this room that is not bolted down that they won't charge us for.

Like, because they're like, get clear it out. And I've like taken that into my own life now. So like when we do stuff, I'm like, I'm like, Benji, open the bag here. We got to take all the sodas. It's like raccoon it back home. Yeah. So that's hilarious that you do that.

It's probably what she was doing. She's like, yes, I have exactly. Free bread. Free bread. He doesn't love it. Although she's a billionaire. I love that now. The more money, it's almost like a game. I think so.

It's more fun to like get like some things for free. Like even if I'm in a hotel, do I really need these samples? Do I really need to take this back? Are you ever going to use it? Absolutely not. But I'm taking it. But I'm going to have it. It's mine.

It takes the money. Exactly. It's complimentary. Going in the back. I love that. Zach, I have not watched. Actually, I have seen you. Last time we were doing interviews at that, that podcast we were doing

You were grabbing all the drinks out of the fridge. Now that you say that, I remember that. I'm usually sneaky about it. Are you? I bring a bit because I was going to say. Do you bring like a cooler backpack? Well, it was a press day. So we had, you must have had a bag.

I always have like a bag that has like social media equipment. Okay. You know, some extra whatever. Yep. You know, just in case stuff. I used to be an executive assistant for a bunch of celebrities. Also billionaires. So like.

So you know what I mean. So I always have that stuff. So I'm usually very sneaky about being able to. you know, just clear what I know I can take. I was in the green room with you and I didn't do that. There was no way to hide it. I was like, we gotta go. Do you actually drink and eat the things?

1,000%. Even when I don't like it, I'm like, this was... I'm sorry. Yeah. No, Zach is a type of person, like, whether we're sharing a room in San Diego or whatever, like, he is a little squirrel and on his side of the bed, he'll have, like, drinks. I mean, he had a two-liter. He had French onion dip.

He had chips. Oh, you're eating good. Yeah. And then he stayed in my, he stayed in my gas room at my house. Same thing. He had all these little, like, different snacks and stuff. Like, he goes down to the pantry and just, like, keeps everything, like on his little side of it. You never know when you're going to need a little nibble, you know?

I mean, you stay ready. And you don't know what of. So you have to have all of it. Everything. Oh, my gosh. I love it. You know those pieces in your closet that you find yourself reaching for over. and over again. The sweater that somehow works with everything, the jeans you know will always

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That's the letter K-the-number-12.com slash Brittany. K-12.com slash Brittany. I'll ask this again because we didn't know about Oprah before, so that's That was an awesome story. What are you going to miss the most about Ex-Ith Hollywood? What am I going to miss the most? I am going to miss because it's way more corporate and scheduling than you realize. So I'm actually excited for the flexibility schedule-wise, but there's something really comforting about knowing that Monday through Friday-ish, you're waking up, you're seeing the same people.

You're able to build these bonds over years. I've been in access for seven years. So, like, I really, you get to know these people's families, their kids, they know mine. Like they've seen the relationships come and go. You know, so it's like you really do feel like a family. So I'll miss that waking up and seeing people that I really care about. Yeah. Yeah.

I understand. I understand for sure. What do you say currently not going to miss? Waking up and saying the same thing. She's like, okay, wait, the same thing. Yeah, I won't miss. Like, you know, the red carpet stuff, it's a grind. People don't realize, like, I love award season.

right that's big that's sexy i love globes oscars grimmies emmys give it all to me right but like the year-round grind of red carpets like you've got an assignment tuesday night at this red carpet at seven p.m. it's like awesome but people think that we're getting like black card over to the carpet that we're getting out walking and then you know being placed on our spot like i am fighting in rush hour in my car after i drop my dog off at daycare yeah finding parking at hollywood and highland garage Power walking in here. The word triggers. It's crazy.

And then I'm like power walking and they're always in Hollywood. So you've got tourists everywhere and you're trying to get to the carpet, get to the wheel call, get to your spot. And then, you know, it's you got two questions. You get three questions. Then they get there and it's like, you get one question. So make it good. You know?

So it's just a grind. I love it. It's a beautiful beast. Yeah. But two of those a week on top of like the junkets every week and in the studio every week. week, every week, 52 weeks of every year for 12 years. It's a lot. It's a grind, you know?

So I won't miss some of the chaos that comes with it, but I will miss the people. And the aftermath, then you get the interview and you're like, oh, that was worth every chaotic moment. Just the lead up. Yeah. Just the lead up. Just the lead up. Okay.

You have started your own, not about sports. Yes. Yes. Can you let everyone know? You get to, like, interview the athletes. like not even about the sports, obviously. Precisely. But just like they're, they're live, their actual life.

Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. So we did like a first launch, a limited run, which I was really excited about. I came up with the idea like seven years ago. And, you know, more than anything, I, it sounds so cliche now. Everyone's like, I'm a storyteller. But like genuinely am a story.

Yeah. Like I used to write competitively as a child, like writing my own packages in the newsroom and local. Oh, fun. Like all of the best things I've done have thought. like, okay, how do I give a beginning, a middle end and in it? And so for sports, like, I'm not the stats and analytics girl. There are people who are incredible at that. I never want to be or claim to be. But I am like, what's your why? How did you get here? When's the last time you cried?

How does your partner speak life into you? Like, what does it take to be at that level of greatness? And so little of it has to do with what people assume is the bulk, wake up, crying every day. It's the world around it. It's your support system. It's how are you raised, your value system like what are the things that get you to wake up and want to show up and be excellent like that really hard they work so hard and you know like mental strength yeah it is wild and so it's like how do you craft that and it's like some people like I do yoga I work out I ride horses I my dad has a farm and I shovel crap for like you like on the weekends for years and it developed that work ethic for me like that's fascinating to me so it's just a lot of these athletes people are understandably and rightfully fascinated with like the scoreboard and and and the wins and the trophies. But so few of them that I spoke to in the years leading up to launching the show were like, I have a place to go and talk about who I am just like as a person. Like I'm more than this incredible Olympian.

And that's wild to say more than an Olympian. That's so impressive, right? But then, you know, I have Alison Felix, who is world class Olympian, just came out of retirement on the road to LA 2028, track and field star. And she's a mother. She almost died fighting for her life and advocating now for black maternal health. health because of her own pregnancy scare. It's incredible what she's doing.

Also while building a business, you know, Sage. And it's like talking to these athletes about who they are off the field or off the court has been so fun for me, rewarding. And also they've really enjoyed it because we're playing games. We're not taking it all so seriously. And you just get to kind of like humanize

them a little bit. So I'm excited to hopefully partner up with a brand. So if any sports brands or athletic brands are listening, so we can finance this next season, this next run. It's been really fun. Well, you know, reality TV and athletes have a little bit in common in the sense that people think they know everything about us. And even with like...

But they keep us in these boxes of what they think they know. But with reality TV, they get to see it like a little bit of our lives. So with you, that's something that most people don't really get to see. They just get to see what's on, you know, ESPN or whatever, but still people think that they know everything about them. And also you really, now that you mention it, it's like you don't really, really get unless there's like maybe a documentary done about them later like later later like something yeah every once in a while you don't really get unless maybe there's a news article everyone's the the true essence of the people and like what makes them and like there's so many great

stories that's exactly yeah and like I realized because I love a good game like I love I'm competitive I like to get into it but I'm someone who like I've got to have a why like I've got to know like who am I cheering for and why what What's your story? Oh, she just did this or he just did it or he just proposed to his girlfriend and they're so cute. And I love like whatever. Yeah. But I love that this show, like when you're watching and you're talking to these athletes,

you're giving people more reasons to cheer for them. Yeah. Now I know that your child. Because you're not going to do like drama. No, it's not. It's like a safe space to like open up and share for sure. Like it's not the gotcha of it at all at all. I'm not like, I'm not like when people come on.

Though a lot of times I'll be like, we don't want to talk about this or that. I'm like, you don't worry about that. I already have enough. I'm not trying to bring drama in your life. Exactly. We're good. We live it daily. This is our one reprieve.

We keep it positive on when we're out of here. I love it. I love that, though. And yeah, we need to get you sponsored. Yes, right? Can we make it happen, y'all, you know? So you've been interviewing for a long time now. Can you tell when somebody is, like, giving you a real answer or like a social media trained?

to answer. Oh, totally. Totally. Totally. Yeah. I can even tell. Just from doing TV for 11 years. Like, I'm like, I can just do it. It's just, yeah. I don't like it at all. It is, look, I understand. Like, I have compassion for the fact that in this day and age, anytime a mic is hot and a camera is on. I mean, if it's something big, I get it, but like, you should still be you. You just have to be. And I had to learn that and, like, break out of my shell. Because, like, especially when you're on camera on this side of the mic, like, I guess I'm on the other side now. But when you're on the, I know,

the that side. I love it here, by the way. I'm like, this is so much fun. Again, we're going to do this. This is perfect. Let's do more of this. Exactly right. But it's like, you just have to get to the point of like, it is what it is.

If I'm living in my truth, if I'm living authentically, if I believe what I say and I can stand ten toes down on it, I have to make peace with the fact that it's going to piss somebody off somewhere on this crazy internet of ours. So if I can look back at the things I've said and be proud of it, generally speaking, and I'm not going to get everything right. Yeah. Like, that has to be enough. And as someone who.

overachiever, people please are always say the right thing for so long that was scary. Like the internet got weird. And so I kind of went into hiding for a few years, wasn't sharing things personally. And now I'm back to you got to be careful. Yeah. But it's just like you got to live. You've got to own it though. Yeah.

You just got to be willing to own it. Like because this is a great example of you saying like you can tell the PR like Tate McCray had her PR answer about because they just they basically blanket said like you know you've been called like a Republican or this or that. Like can you state like what,

XYZ, you already knew this was going to come up. Yeah. And her PR answer, it was like, you should know, well, it's like you should know

who I surround myself with. So that should tell you everything you need to know. And it's like, mm. Yeah. Because of that, because of that gay backup dancer,

I was like, there's gay Republicans too. You know what I mean? It's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, you got to stand in whatever it is.

And whatever it is. Say what you mean. Because 50% are going to hate you, 50% are going to like you. And that's in blanket statement on if you say you like a chocolate chip cookie. Yeah. Like that is literally how it is.

So I like the people that are more authentic or they will say their truth. Yeah. Yeah. No, I agree with you. I think it's so hard because also what's really bizarre with the internet culture now is something can be true like one day and I just have found people won't let you change your mind. They will not.

I hope that five years from now. We've lost that. Yeah. Like I'm not the same person. I hope that someone has been. been able to change my mind about a thing or two. Then I can grow. Exactly.

But then it's like they come five years ago. She said, okay, yeah. Well, that was then and this is now. And I believe in accountability, especially for like serious stuff. But it's just like, man, if I say this. And you do it, like, you have to be able to learn at some point. Totally. I used to like back in the day with the real world, they put, you know, they put the racist

and the homophones and the gay and the, you know, like all. And they're like, have fun. Yeah. And then it's like, but you see people learn real time. lessons when they're pulled out of their comfort zone and put with a diverse population. Again, why DEI matters and is not a buzzword. But like the real world, you used to have those conversations and then it would cause like, oh, a bigger public conversation around the topic.

And we've lost our way to have those conversations productively. It's always like, let's cancel this person. Let's do this instead of like listening and growing. It's exhausting. And then people get afraid, understandably, too, even if you're with, willing to be vulnerable or like learn on camera. Yeah. If you're going to be crucified regardless, it's like, just never mind. Right.

I get that, but it's still, it's hard because you got to say, you got to say what you should be. Yeah, you got to say how you feel. So you're a boss bitch. Oh, thank you. I got too serious. We got light again. You launched Good News for studios. What's your big vision for your company?

Oh, my God. I love that question. Also, we love your name. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. Because we always believe in. Goodness.

Yes. Yeah. That's really it. You know, I see everything out there. And I've always been someone who wants to bring joy, positivity, lightness. Even with how I do interviews, I'm going to ask you the questions. I'm going to ask smart, thoughtful questions. I'm going to ask hard questions sometimes, especially if it's like a hard news interview.

But I want you to see me and want to talk to me. Right. I want you to expect that you are going to have a real interview. You're going to ask some things. Yeah. But it's not like, oh, my God. here we go with this. I know how this is going to go. And so I like putting good out into the world. I love that. I want to create content that makes people feel good. There are pockets for everything.

And all of it's important. There are places to get your hard news. That's so important. It's where I get my hard news. There are places for destruction and despair. Sometimes I doomscroll there. And that's the fix I need that moment. There are places for sports and whatever else. I want to be a place where when the content that we put out goes into the world, it creates just like a little bright spot. Some place to go and feel good, right? So just really neat right now. You know, like growing up in local news, it's always, do you want the good news? You want the bad news, right?

Yeah. Like that kind of has been the theme of my life is like, how do we bring more of the good news to the world? I love that so much. Yeah. Yeah, you've always talked about wanting to build something yourself instead of waiting for somebody else to green light it.

Was that scary? Like financially and professionally? Financially, yes. I love to show knowledge that. I was going to say scary, like just me doing it? No, I've always been such a like, visionary sounds. Oh, we can tell. Yeah, no, but visionary. That's why I wanted to say,

you did it. So, you know, and I'm like amazed by you were like, I want to do this by 25. I want to do this by 30. And now you're starting your companies and you're starting, you know, the sports show and like everything. Like, you're amazing. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. I, um, I've never been afraid of like that. I think I just was kind of born with that ambition. My dad really fed it. And he always made me believe to like, a healthy delusional standpoint that I could do anything I put my mind to. There is a healthy. There is just healthy delusional, but we need to be healthy. Exactly. It's like rain it in, but I'm going to get real crazy. But it's like just enough delusion to go after things that I would have talked myself out of like a girl growing up

in the inner city in Toledo, Ohio. There was a chapter. We were on food stamps. We were welfare. I made it to this incredible country day school, got a full ride there, academic scholarship, then Ohio State, et cetera. But it was because from, like five, six, seven years old. My dad was like anything's possible. You can do it. We will help you. Always feel like you can fly the nest.

And if you fail, you fall, we will be there. We will figure it out if you need money. I ain't got it, but I'll find it. Like, it was just so do it. That's like, all right. I guess I'm going to do it. Yeah. So I never processed like no or rejection as like this final thing.

It just felt like not yet. And that's the only reason I left. Oh, I love that. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Or not here. not in this way.

But the vision, it's going to be a yes. I just have to figure out how I make it one. And that's where the faith comes in, for sure. But financially, yes, it is, it's scary sometimes to bet on yourself. But you've got to do it first or no one else will, especially in this day and age. Yeah. Everyone in their mom is like launching and creating things. And that's incredible.

It's so empowering to see all of these ideas coming out to the world. But it means you better have a really strong idea. But it's hard to break through. It's a break through for sure. There's so much noise. There is. Do you feel different walking into a room now as the owner and executive producer instead of the talent somebody's hired? Ooh, that's a great question.

Yes, I do. In one sense, there's a certain level of, like, don't F with me. Like, I forgot to find out just because, like, if it's talking business and money and contracts, like, when you're showing up as talent, it's you smile, you shake the hands, you kiss the babies, you just be charming. and like someone else does all that on the back end. Right. But if I'm going into a meeting now and it's to actually close a deal or we're negotiating equity

or we're talking about how much brand money is going to be a part of this integration, like it is a different energy. It's still smiley, but it's like, don't. I just want you to know. Like, don't get it twisted. Like, this is still business. Yeah. So I'm learning that, you know.

I'm not used to it. It's not my strongest muscle, but I'm definitely working on it. Also, being talent is more fun because you just get to like show up and steal all the snacks from the green room. Exactly. And, you know. That's the best. But it's been fun, like, exercising the like entrepreneurial arm. And I actually really love to execute and plan.

So that's been exciting too. It's just a different muscle. During the week, my schedule is nonstop. Meetings, errands, late nights, and healthy eating is usually the first thing to slip. Tempo keeps me on track with real meals I can heat in just two minutes so I don't default to snacks or takeout. Tempo delivers fresh, chef-crafted dietitian-approved meals right to your door. It's making it easy to eat well and save time on my busiest days. Each meal is perfectly portioned for lunch or dinner or ready in just two minutes.

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Thank you. That's awesome. There's another part of your life that people may not know as much about. You are a global ambassador for global fund for children. How did you get involved with that? Yeah, so I actually have a really great friend. I was emceeing a gala. I emcee every summer in the south of France, which is incredible for Patrick Marasaglu.

And he is an incredible tennis coach and used to coach Serena. Like, he's Naomi Osaka, incredible people. And over the years of doing that gala, I met this guy. Hi, Antsvon. And he's the best. He's so smart. And we just became really good friends. and he sits on the board for,

I'm really going into like the nitty or anything. We don't care. And so he sits on the board for GFC. And as we got to know each other, he was like, you know what? I think you would be a really great addition to this nonprofit. They're looking to expand.

And so I took a couple of meetings and I loved their mission. Basically, they raise a bunch of money. McKenzie Scott Bezos was their biggest donor a couple of years back. And again, just this past year, she's the only billionaire that, matters. I'm sorry. I will let her

be a billionaire because she gives it all the way. Yes, right? She's the only one. I'm like, she's going to get libraries and stuff named after her because she's literally the number one donor for Planned Parenthood the highest donor of every single HBO. Everything she does is just shout out to McKenzie.

Right. So she is incredible. She's one of their biggest donors these last few years and they basically take the money that they raise and then just give it straight to grassroots organizations who are already doing the work all around the world. So it's not like this arrogant sort of we're going to come in and tell you what to do with this money. It's we trust you and your neighborhood, your community trusts you. So here's the money, do with it what you

will, right? So whether it's youth in Atlanta and the inner city who are underserved, whether it's girls in India, whether it's children in London. I went out there and emceived their gala and did a site visit to some of the nonprofits that they work with. They're like, we raise the money and then we give it to you because you're already doing the incredible work. So it's just about raising awareness for them. So everyone go check out Global Fund for Children online. You can donate. Every dollar matters and that they're really doing important work.

I love that because it's like they distribute it. Yeah. It's like because each one of those places they can't always fundraise themselves. Yeah. That's an amazing part. And they're like doing the real work that's important on the ground. Yeah. Yeah.

Like there's a nonprofit here in L.A. And it was like there was a kid who. I think he'd been kicked out of his home and it was a really sad situation and it was an emergency of like we need to get him housing tomorrow. We need to get him, you know, transportation to school, all these things. He was underage. And if he was reliant on dollars that were tied up in like corporate red tape, well, we got to go through the approvals. Well, this is what you can do. Apply here.

And then in two weeks, we'll let you know if we can find you a place. He's like, I need a place tomorrow, you know, and I've got school in the morning. but because they get funds from GFC and they're allowed to be flexible with those funds the money could just go done. That's amazing. And do it now.

We don't have to deal with the corporate. Yeah, everyone check them out. Yeah. That's awesome. You've done a lot of amazing things. Like, I'm very impressed with you. And you also... Thank you, Judy.

Boss bitch. You also helped lead access Hollywood's partnership with Black and Missing Foundation. How important was that for you? That was important. And honestly, I would love to do more with the foundation and just period. in sort of the harder news conversations.

We had this partnership a few years back with Black and Macing Foundation, which is also still doing incredible work. So everyone, please go check them out. And also take a look at the cold cases there, right? Because they're highlighting, they're putting a spotlight on cold cases for especially black and brown people,

people of color who have gone missing where, you know, the story has died down. But those loved ones are still hoping to be found their loved ones, right? And so we would go and we would fly travel across the country and sit down. I would interview the local authorities. I would talk to a sheriff. I would talk to the mothers and the fathers of these missing people.

And, you know, we were just sharing their stories, hoping they'd get a crack in the case. And I've said this a couple of times recently on different podcasts, but what I realized was really a gift to them and not what I expected to be was just them feeling heard. Because, you know, for them, that loss is never going to go away.

And really the pain of no final answer. It'd be different if there was some sort of closure. But when you don't know, like, that ache is something I can't even imagine. Like missing your child. I cannot imagine. Precisely. And at a certain point, life goes on for everyone else. But that's something you wake up and live with every day.

And so for us to be able to just go and listen and hold space and shine a light, hoping there's a crack in the case, it was really special. That was like one of the greatest honors of my career to be a part of. So what was it like meeting all those families? Like I'm sure it's like heartbreaking, but you have to be strong. It's so heartbreaking. Yeah. It is it's heartbreaking.

You do have to be strong. I think it's two things. One showing up with the heart and the empathy and just like holding the space for them to share whatever they want to share. It almost, but there's a resolve. I think that activates in you where you want to be strong for them and you want to get the details. So I want to get answers because, yeah, you deserve answers. It's almost like that, you know, that like the strength you get when your child is in day. It's like a different type.

It activates something in you of like, okay, well, it's time to lock in and try to help you get some answers or like connect some dots. So like asking hard questions in those spaces, absolutely. Like the authorities, et cetera, folks on the ground who may or may not know something, it does activate something in you for sure. And it activates gratitude. Like in a bizarre way, it's like every single person you sit down with those losses are so real. and I would be emotionally exhausted and then be after in a good way and then be like, how blessed am I that my emotional exhaustion is just from two or three hours of sitting in that world? How unimaginably painful for them that that's their everyday reality.

And so it makes you so much more grateful for your life, for what's going right in it, for the loved ones you have. So it was, yeah, that was a special thing to do. Well, we think you're amazing. I'll say it again. That's definitely you're doing the good word. Yeah. Want to do more. I would love to do more.

That was an incredible chapter for sure. Check out Black and Missing Foundation. Yes. Black and Missing Foundation and Global Fund for Children. Make sure everyone checks that out. I'm going to check them out even more. Yeah, no.

I was like I love that. Okay, we've talked career. We did career. Don't know. Let me sit in my water. Now I need to know what's happening in your love life. Are you dating? I am now single.

I was like, she's single. This is my favorite part. Should we do some double? Let's get some double days. Let's get it out there. I am single. So I am adjusting to kind of like dating again and getting to know new people. And yeah, outside is something else.

It is. Okay. I feel like me and you, I mean, we obviously have different. Exactly. I was going to say she, I was like, she doesn't like to, she won't let me put her on the dating apps yet. Why not? I just never have.

I, so I've had obviously chapters of single and relationships and if I end up in one, because it takes me a while to commit to want to get in there. So once I'm in there, I usually stick around for a long time. Yeah. So all that just like. That's why I try to keep her. I'm like, wait a second. Let's take a little bit longer before we get trapped.

Right. Before we get locked in. But like the dating apps, Raya specifically, like I know people love it. they hate it. Riot. I've had some incredible stories. Jasmine signed me up for riot and I have not been accepted. What?

Yeah. That wait list gets so weird. There's like a purgatory or like a limbo. Some people go to. Jasmine went on my phone and signed me up. So that would be the only one I would. I mean, yeah, I'd be open to it. Well, no, because me and Jasmine are very, we're aggressive friends.

We basically will just be like, we don't care. We're doing it. And then here, you can do it if you want or not. You know what I mean? These are good friends. Yeah, but I'm in the waiting room or whatever. I'm like, I guess it's because I'm reality TV. I don't know.

They don't really love reality TV. There's like certain, or they'll make them wait a little bit longer. They will. Some of our bachelor friends took forever, like it took one of our bachelor friends who like is a well-known person. Like over a year to get accepted. She was like, well, now I don't want to. Yeah. I thought it's changed for me.

If I want to get on there, I'm like, I'm losing staying now. Wait, so do we know, like, what are we looking for? Are we thinking about? I don't really know. I don't really know. I mean, I'm down for like whatever comes, but like, do I even really want a boyfriend right now? That's what I'm. There you go.

That's a spirit. Yeah. I don't think, I don't know. I don't think we're looking in that manner. No, I just want to have fun and no one dates and just like, you know. Good for you. Yeah. I'm like, I'm the opposite.

I'm going through things. And I have my house now with my son. Like, could I imagine somebody being there all the time? I don't know. But it's good for you for knowing that. Yeah. It doesn't have to be, and I tell my friends that I'm someone who, look, I don't, I'm ready for marriage and kids and all the things. Yeah.

But when I'm dating, when I'm single, like, I got really good at being single and dating. And it's like, everybody does, every man on a first day is not your future husband. You only have won if that's what you're looking for, right? So dating for me is fun. Like, I like getting to know people. I like. I think she's finally getting to that point. It's taking her a while for it to be like.

As we talked about earlier, it's hard for me to like get out of my house and stuff. I need to do that. more so I can actually meet people. This is true. She's not that I'm saying that the only options out there are the apps or like again, again, in person would be great.

Let's get out. I keep saying, let's go to the professional games. You want to go to the games? You want to go to the games? Let's go to some games. But that's what I was like, okay, here we go. Let's go. Where do you want to go? Do you want to go watch it? It's football season is upon us. We can go hang out. See, I was like, basketball come November.

Let's go. I mean, this is the dynamic. Let's do it. Let's go. Let's go. But I'm like, let's get you out there. Let's just have some fun. I think she's finally ready to just like be herself and have that instead of like, oh wait, I think I need to jump into something, you know, with people. No, don't jump in. No. I don't want to jump in. I just want to have fun. Just have fun. Yeah. You have fun. And then you can send all the guys who are ready to settle down my way. If they're like into serious, it's like, I know somebody for you. But you're single, but you are looking for me. You are looking for me. You are looking for me. You. You are looking for me. marriage and family. Yeah. Yeah. I'm single. And it's like, yes.

So that's what is really at this point in my life. I know what I want. Yeah. And so being single again is kind of like, oh my God, here we go with this. That's how I feel. Because, you know, it's just. It is exhausting. It is exhausting, especially when that's not the era that you're trying to be in right now.

But I've always said as much as I want to be a wife and a mother and I take those roles really seriously. And I've been doing a lot of self-work to try to be the best version of those. roles when the time comes. I don't want to be those things so badly that I'll just pick anybody, settle in anything, settle for less than I deserve. And so you have to be willing to walk away when someone can't meet your needs. I think that's the hardest thing. Yeah, but it also allows you to date from a position of power. Yeah. Because I know deep down, I want these things, but I don't need them so desperately that I will deal with whatever this is. Exactly.

You're just a weird shit. I think that's something I have learned. And that's what I'm so happy. Like, yeah, I've definitely learned a lot about that kind of stuff. Like, being able to step away when things aren't working and all that. Because I did not. She's a fixer. I'm a fixer to do.

I feel like I'm the person who can change them. I believe them when they tell me they're going to change and then it never happens. And it took me a long time in relationships. But now I'm like, oh, no, like, I'm not dealing with that stuff anymore, you know. And I still believe in love. I still believe in all that stuff. But you can believe in love and also be, okay, that's a walking red flag. We got to walk away.

Like, I was talking to my best friend about this recently, and she is like, you know, we're both really empathic people. She is like super empath. Yeah. She will, you know, just big as heart, concede in support so many people. But, you know, we were talking about the fact that when you have a soft heart and you have that level of empathy and you want to fix and you see. Like I would make excuses for the wounds And I got to the point where it's like Okay, you are wounded and I can see exactly why

And my heart does break for you Still not my problem Still not I can't take that pain on for you I can't be that like emotional punchback Whatever it is and it's when you've got the softest heart That you have to have the strongest boundaries And like your no becomes even more important Because you are wired to say yes

It's hard And so let it be what it's going to be You need to start a relationship podcast I got things to say some good stuff today. I'm like, this is, you're where it's at. I'm like, you need to, wait, this needs that we need, her weekly calls.

Weekly calls. We're here for it. Oh my gosh. I, okay, so I do ask two questions before everybody leave, so I have to ask you this, no matter what. If you could be on any reality TV show, what would it be? Oh my goodness. That is a great question. I've been thinking about that

lately, because I never was like, I never thought about it. I like interviewed people who did it. Yeah. I mean, you know, I'm so Bravo was our world, like at NBCU. Yeah. So I did get invited to go to the summer house by Kral. Oh, yeah. Yeah. So like there's a chance I might go to the summer house like over this upcoming like their Labor Day weekend party. We might say. Who knows? Are you going to be there? I don't know. We just always say we'll go. There are friends in real life. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So wait. What are you? No, I'm like, no. I was like, okay, we're getting you there. I was like, we're getting to a party. I was like, we're supposed to have. So hopefully. So hopefully. that sounds fun.

I don't know there. I mean, I live in the Valley. Yay! Come to the Valley. Listen. I feel like. We're ready. Are you, wait, but here's the thing.

So I feel like I've watched the show because you see clips like online, right? So they're like, wait, what's happening here or there? Like, how intense is that? It's exactly as an intense as you think of. Yeah. It's intense. But we're an intense bunch. But we have a lot of fun.

We have so much fun. Do you? There's a lot of stuff because we've had like, like especially with my story it's been hard it's been a lot of like dark but it's only going to get better you know like this new season knock on wood yeah um i'm excited for what's to come okay you know but we have so much fun together and it doesn't have to be drama like i don't fight with anybody yeah i have little like puffs here and there but like i love everybody you know i'm just a I know, like, I know you gotta give it all.

You got to show up. You got to do all things. So I kind of, but because I'm in this like, F-it phase in the best way of my life or I'm just kind of doing things for the plot. We would love to have the valley. I love the street. Yeah. We're about to be in our next first.

I'm about to be at our Halloween post. Oh, let's go. Okay. Let me go find my outfit. I'm ready. I'm so down. Oh, when's your birthday? October.

Yeah. Scorpy. No. Libra. Libra. Lebrah. Lebrah. The scales.

We love a Libra. Because everybody says I'm balanced. Exactly. You see both, uh-oh, wait. That doesn't mean what I thought of. Everybody's like,

ha, ha, ha. I was like, that's real. Brady's like, that's a really funny fact. Oh, my God. See, I should have put LOL at the end of that sentence.

Yeah, oh, exactly. That is hilarious. If you had to pick one reality TV star over time, who would be your favorite? One reality TV star. That's a really fun one.

I don't know. Reality TV star. You can go back to Real World Days. I know. Jersey Shore. Oh, my gosh. I mean, there's so many. Oh, there are some incredible housewives, for sure.

I mean, real housewives of Atlanta. I love Portia. I just love that she is. She's fabulous. She's gorgeous. Did you see her on Z-Way? She was so funny. So funny.

I saw clips of that too. I know. So good. So good. Yeah, Porsche. Let's go with Portia. She's a vibe. I love her.

Yeah. All right. What do you want to plug? Where can people find you? So people can, I'm on Instagram, but I'm actually launching something by the time this comes out. Oh good. This will have dropped. But it's called LuxLeague.

And essentially it's a lifestyle brand in world around the real luxuries in life being the things that money can't buy. And so community events in real life. And then we've got some other things coming. But go follow the handle Lux League. I told you all boss bitch. I said it again. I talked over you. No, just like Luxe, L-U-X-E-A-G-U-E.

And the whole ethos is life's your league play at lux. So like how do we show up in our everyday lives and make sure that we're building up the pillars that allow for us to have a life that feels as good as it looks. And then I'm also writing a lot about substack. So zurihaul. That substack.com and writing, you know, weekly about love and relationships and self-chish and all the things. So, Rindney subscribe. I'll do an interview with you a substack written in the Q&A. We'll unpack all of our life lessons.

Oh, gosh. Before I let you go, congratulations on the finale. Thank you. American Ninja Warrior was season 18? Season 18. The finale, it's been an incredible journey. I mean, folks love the show. The sport is headed to the Olympics in 2020. Which is so crazy, right? How long have you been with American? So I've been with Ninja for eight years, which is wild. So, yeah, I joined just before the pandemic. We had a couple of seasons, and then we had our pandemic years, which was fast. fascinating. We still pulled off like seasons in a bubble, like a little ninja bubble,

anything that was pulled off during COVID. It's like, it's just, I did a few music videos and stuff and like the fact we could do anything during that time was insane. Yeah. Yeah, it was a while time. So, well, congratulations on another season. That's awesome. Well, thank you, Zeri and Zach. Yeah, thank you for having me. You're going to sound cute together. Zeri and Zat. I'm going to be starting a podcast. I think it's happening. It's all coming together. Yes. Thanks for joining me today. You guys are both amazing.

And thanks everybody for tuning in to another episode of When Reality Hits. We'll see you next week. Love you guys. You would like to see. Just stream it for free on Pluto TV. Where all your blockbuster favorites are landing all summer long. Catch Anchorman, the legend of Ron Burgundy. Fantastic.

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