August 26, 2024 • 48 mins
Week after week, viewers saw Bristol Palin put in the work and make it through nine weeks of eliminations, beating out contestants with higher scores . . . but instead of applause and cheers, her time on Dancing with the Stars generated controversy!
The reality star, businesswoman, and mom joins Cheryl to talk about her headline-making run on DWTS, including the biggest misconceptions about her, first impressions of Mark Ballas, experiencing true bullying for the first time while on the show, the death threats, the passive-aggressive behavior she encountered, and the tea on the awkwardness between her and Brandy.
Plus, Bristol opens up about dealing with weight fluctuations during her time on the show and how all the talk about her body affected her self-esteem, coming back for All-Stars, what she's up to now, and how she's coping with her teen son Tripp moving back to Alaska!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is sex Lies and Spray Tans with me Cheryl
Burke and iHeartRadio podcast. Hey guys, welcome back to sex
Lize and Spray Tans. I'm very excited to speak to
our next guest. At just seventeen, she found herself in
the national spotlight, not just as a teenager navigating the
challenges of early motherhood, but as the daughter of a
(00:21):
high profile politician who was running for Vice President of
the United States. With the eyes of the nation upon her,
she faced intense scrutiny and criticism from the media, which
only intensified when she decided to step onto the dance
floor as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, competing
in both seasons eleven and fifteen. She faced harsh judgment
(00:42):
not only from the press, but also from dedicated fans
of the show. Despite the challenges, her journey with the
show continued even after her time in the spotlight, as
her son Trip later joined Dancing with the Stars Juniors,
where he unfortunately became the first to be eliminated. Today,
I am thrilled to have Bristol Palin on the podcast.
(01:05):
Oh my goodness, it's been fourteen years, Bristol.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
It's been a long time?
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Holy hell, how are you?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
I'm really good? How are you?
Speaker 1 (01:13):
I'm good? Welcome to Sex Life and Spray Hands. I
don't know if you've heard this podcast before, but it's
heavily about dancing with the stars. But that's like, at
the end of the interview, I read your book, did
you really yes? And I really want to get to
know my guests because, like, as you know, we don't
really have a lot of time that we spend together.
(01:34):
When we're on set, it's just you and your partner,
and that's it. Like we give each other high fives
maybe when we cross paths in that hallway at CBS,
but that's about it.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
You.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
I can relate to your story in so many ways.
And I know you wrote that book. How long has
it been. It's been a while, right.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
A long time. I think it was like twenty one
when I ran Yah, well over ten years.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Yeah, I'm sure your life has changed quite a bit.
What do you think people's biggest misconceptions are about you?
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Gosh, I don't know. I used to think people thought
I was kind of like, oh oh, because I was
a teen mom. So I think that that was like
a huge misconception about me for a long time, and
then I really haven't been in the spotlight for many years,
(02:26):
so I feel like there's not many that I can
think of off the top of my head.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Now. Yeah, well, I mean it's probably better for your
mental health, I think in general for anybody. Okay, And
who would you say you are behind the TV screen? Like,
who's the real Bristol Palin?
Speaker 2 (02:42):
A mom first and foremost? Yeah, a believer, a business woman.
I don't know, I feel like just very quiet.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
And yeah low key. Yeah. What were your family dynamics
lie when you were growing up?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
It definitely feels because I've been in Texas now for
seven years and being in the lower forty eight, it
feels like a completely different country. It's very different up there,
very cold obviously. But I had a very tight knit family.
We were outdoors a lot. My dad has always taken
us to do stuff fishing and hunting and snow feeling.
(03:25):
So a very like active outdoor life in a very
great childhood.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Yeah. And were you close to your siblings and you
guys are very religious right, Yes?
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah, we have a huge family. There's five of us
kids and grew up going to a Christian church and
just a very tight knit family.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
How would you describe your relationship with your parents, Like
did you were you more I guess attracted to your
mom or were you a daddy's girl or like how
was that dynamic?
Speaker 2 (03:56):
I'm close with both of them. Yeah, but my dad
has alway has been such an amazing dad where he's
like bluest collar ever and work so hard for his family,
provides so much for his family. But then also was
the one that was like braiding our hair for school
so very as well. Yes, so I was so fortunate
to grow up with a dad that was like very
(04:18):
hands on, very just selfless in raising a family.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Yeah. And when you guys would because I families do.
We have family conflicts and stuff. You know, it happens
for me at least still to this day. How did
you guys handle that with I know, you know, being
religious and like God was a huge part of your
guy's life. How would you resolve issues if anything got
brought up?
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Gosh, we're we definitely deal with things like more privately.
So I think that if there was an issue that
came up, it would be you know, kind of dealt
with and then not discussed again.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Yeah. Right, So me privately, and were you guys like open,
like did you guys have like for example, I never
told my mom when I got my when I was
going through my menstrual cycle the first time, Like I
did not tell my I told my cousin, yes, who
was five years older than me. I got mine when
(05:17):
I was nine, right, So like I really developed at
a young age, and so I just felt comfortable with
my cousin, not my mom. But I don't know how
was your dynamic.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
I didn't tell my mom because I was like so
embarrassed about it. I didn't want to talk about it.
So I did see my girls. Because I have a
seven and an eight year old daughter, I feel like
our conversations like are a little bit more open.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Right yeah, Like I mean I have my little sister.
I don't have kids, but same thing with her, Like
we have a nine year age gap, and I'm just
like we just say everything. But I definitely hesitate a
little bit with my parents because it's a they're just
as generational, you know, Like they didn't talk about mental health.
They think therapy is crazy, you know, and so it's
(05:58):
and I.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Think they're parents never talked about anything like that. But
I definitely think our generation is much more different in
how we're navigating things.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Yeah, and so you're more open with your kids now,
have it when it comes to mental health issues? Same thing?
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Yeah? Absolutely, Yeah. I think we just talk about so
much more of the overall picture.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
It's no longer like frowned upon as much it does people.
I mean, I would like to say it's everybody, but
it's clearly not everyone. However, I think with hearing more
about people's experiences with their own mental health issues, it
really helps. And like even school, I can tell that
I have like little nieces and nephews and there's like
no bullying happening anymore, which is great. I don't know
(06:43):
if that's the same for your kids.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yeah, I think that everything is. With social media and
the platforms that people have to relate their experiences and stuff,
I think it's just so much more talked about. Yeah,
normalized to go to counseling or to seek help or
anything like that. So I think the whole ballgame of
it has changed so much.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Yeah. And are you that you're not the oldest, right?
Speaker 2 (07:06):
I have an older brother.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
You have an older brother, right. So my mom was
a working woman, like she was from when I was
born in eighty four. She just created her company and
so like I was raised by nannies and stuff. Was
it kind of that similar dynamic while your mom was
obviously wanting to take the political path when it comes
(07:28):
to her career. Is that why your dad was so
hands on?
Speaker 2 (07:32):
My dad, I think that was just his nature. He
got it, you know, took care of his siblings growing up,
So I think that was just his nature. But my mom,
I feel like back then too, it was such like
a community event raising kids. It was like their friends
picking you up and then picking our friends' kids up.
So I feel like it was so much more of
(07:54):
that camaraderie of like a team community just helping out.
It wasn't necessarily like nanny's and whatnot like that got it. Yeah,
So I feel like it was just a lot of
doing things together with like my mom's core group of
friends for.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
Sure that you trust obviously. And it's such a small
Like was the population.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Tiny, It's really small. It's so so a lot smaller
than the Taliman now for sure.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
So like everyone knew each other, right, everybody?
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Yes, Yeah, so every the schools everything, we all went
to the same schools and we're all on the same
soccer teams like a much smaller town.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Did you, guys, ever, did you experience bullying, especially when
like the rise to fame or just being known by
the public, I'm sure was a shock to the system. Yes, right,
So how was that transition for you?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
I feel like I never really got bullied growing up. Okay,
I remember guys being like, oh, her booths are so big,
she must stuff her bra and that like that mug
be first for years. Oh my god, I feel like
I never it's true, bowling until I became an adult,
and right until I was gaining weight on Dancing with
the Stars.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Oh my god, girl, We're gonna get there, don't you worry.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Uh So, thankfully, I feel like I came into Dancing
with the Stars I think I was. I wasn't even
twenty one. I must have been like nineteen or twenty
maybe when I was on it the first time. So thankfully,
I was like pretty naive in not paying attention to
much of that stuff. But that's when I first experienced
bullying for sure.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Was like as an adult, and that's worse because like
everyone's seeing it, so it's not like it's was there
social media when you were on the show.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
No, I didn't have social media. I might have had
a Facebook, but I definitely didn't have an Instagram or MySpace. Yeah,
maybe it wasn't my face. And also to the bullying,
it always comes from like older people, like older women,
which is insane.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
I read that part. I have so many questions and
I think I know who you're talking about. But whatever,
we'll get there. So what was the when your mom decided,
Like was it a conver station when she's like, Okay,
I'm going to run for governor and then I'm wanting
to run as vice president, Like I'm pretty sure did
she kind of like take you and your siblings step
(10:11):
by step as to what would happen when this all happens, Like,
did you guys have rules to follow, like don't get
caught doing this because it's going to make me look bad?
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Or I think they were, you know, pretty strict growing up,
so we already knew definitely from right and if we
were going to get in trouble for something. But her
rise to fame was such a gradual thing. She was
pta mom, then she was on city council, and then
she was the mayor, and then she was the governor,
and then she got picked, you know, to run with Okay,
(10:41):
so it felt like so gradual and we were always
a part of it. We were just talking about it
the other day. She used to make her own signs,
so they would like be painting the apply what's amazing
be able to like put out as signs, And her
slogan for that campaign we were just talking about was
positively Palin. So we were like part of all of it.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
So you in your book, like you start out with
saying some pretty powerful things, and you talk about the
night that you know you lost your virginity.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Which I believe they let me even like I'm so embarrassed.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
I like youah, don't be embarrassed.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Oh my gosh. It's like you open the book in
the first chapter.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Of the book. It's a hook. You know what a
hook is. Yeah, no, it is a lot. But like
it really hooked me because like I can relate to you.
I have to tell you, the way I lost my
virginity wasn't necessarily something that I'm proud of by any means.
And I was really young, I was thirteen years old,
(11:43):
but like it really I I just connected with you
right away from the start. So thank you for being
so vulnerable, even if you feel like it's embarrassing. But
I think there's more people that can relate to you
than than maybe you think. How was first of all,
the process of just doing that. Was it scary for you?
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Like, what was it like writing the book? Mm hmm,
Well I always kept journals. I always kept journals. It
felt very therapeutic going back on everything and thinking like, wow,
that actually happened. Gosh, wow, maybe I did kind of
go through some stuff. So it did feel very therapeutic
going back on all the journals and looking back much
(12:25):
of my life.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Did you have a ghostwriter or did you do it yourself?
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Yeah? I have a ghostwriter.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Yeah I also wrote a book and it was the
same thing. It's like and then but then I'm like,
oh my god, my parents are going to read this.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Yes, I remember my parents reading the first page and
they were just like it was Yeah, it was bad.
But doesn't it feel therapeutic to read back on your
journals and to think back totally it's insane.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
I'm actually currently in the process of doing another one
because there's like so many It's like so interesting to
write a memoir when you're I was twenty four, you know,
so it was so uh Normally it's like do you
have to be dead to do this?
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Like or how does this?
Speaker 1 (13:05):
I know there's so much, But now I'm sure you
can also write another book, would you?
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Yeah? One hundred percent? Because now I feel like, okay,
from twenty one that mustn't when I wrote it to
now that's in like life is really hit.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
So much has changed, so many chapters. Can you tell
my listeners just I mean, go into much detail or
not as much deal as you want to exactly what
we're talking about, as far as you know what happened
that night when you lost your virginity.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
I was hammered, drunk, blacked out, drunk and out camping
in Alaska, lied to my parents, told him I was
staying somewhere else and lost my virginity that night.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
Wait, you were blacked out, like completely a blackaw like
blacked out drunk, and you never like said you know anything.
Obviously you know I.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Was, and I was dating the guy at the time.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
Right nowadays with me too, you know that is now
I know, no, no, I know.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
I remember when a reporter asked me that. I'm like,
I never thought about that, but I was dating and
we had been on. We were on and off my
entire high school career. But at least it's an inexperience
that I can talk about with my kids. Oh good,
we're not Drake. We're not gonna lie about where we're at.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
We're not going to.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Open the door to many conversations with my sisters and
my kids.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
I've always said, if I have kids, I'm going to
be so open with them. So it's so nice to
hear that you are with them, because I'm sure that's
not easy, right.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Yeah. Well, I'm just thankful for those experiences of like,
this is why you shouldn't do what I've done to
help you say them in a better direction.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Yeah. So how did you initially cope with that? I
guess trauma that you realized finally? Was it the next
day you realized that that had happened.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Or yeah that next morning?
Speaker 1 (15:00):
Yeah? How did that affect like your self, love and
worth and all of that.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
I think for me, especially coming from you know, a
religious background, it was like, oh my gosh, I just
lost my virginity. I wanted to wait until marriage, like
I'm I'm going to marry this guy. So in my
mind it's like, okay, well this has been done. Now
I'm going to figure it out with this guy and
I'm going to we're going to get married. That was it, Yeah,
(15:27):
And I think that's what it triggered in me. I
was like, oh, well, it's it's okay because I'm going
to marry him, right. And then we, you know, spent
the next four years on and off in a chaotic relationship,
which resulted, of course, in my teenage pregnancy. Yeah, but
you have Trip, Yes, Oh my gosh. And Trip is
just like he's my whole world. He's just the best
(15:48):
kid ever. And he's about to be sixteen.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
I cannot, I cannot. I remember when he did juniors.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
I know, yes, and he was like eight or nine.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Oh, did he want to do June?
Speaker 2 (16:00):
He wanted to, and he was like all excited about it,
like he couldn't wait. But then we'd get there and
he realized how different dances. He's like, I'm not doing this,
Like I'm not wearing those shoes. Oh no, He's like,
I'm not doing this. He did not realize that it
was like not his typical pull on fishing in football.
(16:21):
He was like, no, this is no, but I cannot
do it.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Oh my god, I had no idea. Oh yeah, he
was a struggle struggled to like put the Ryanstone button
down shirts.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
He's like such a boy, especially at that age, like
just such a boy. And he went into you know,
these dance lessons and he's like, mom, like I cannot
I am not too.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Did he get along with his partner, Yes, he loved Hailey,
oh good good.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
And he had a blast. Just he didn't love the
dancing part. So he had a blast.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
But what a learning experience for him though, Yeah, because
he must have been so nervous like that, you know
when the kids or even adult when I expressed like
I don't want to do this is because like I'm
super insecure about it, you know. But then like when
you face it and it's finished after ninety seconds or
however long the music is, you've achieved it, like regardless
(17:15):
of the result, you know.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Yeah, and he has a he had fun with all
the other kids and he was fine.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Was he sad when he got eliminated? First?
Speaker 2 (17:24):
I think he was.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Yeah. Did he get bullied when he got back home
or no?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
No, And I got kids only, like I think it
was high school when kids started bringing to back up
to him, like Trip, your dates with the stars, finding
on him about it.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Did he end up wearing the Cuban heels?
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Yes, he did, and he was mortified about it. He's like,
I'm not wearing these high.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
Heels, especially like it's the sound that kills the men
every time, it's like the click, click click. I know
recently he chose to move back with his father. How
(18:05):
has that taken a toll on you? Emotionally? That must
have been so hard.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
It was like it's still is gut wrenching to me
because it's been Tripp and just Trip and I, you know,
and then I've had my girls, but it's always been
Trip and I and then he would spend a couple
of weeks in Alaska and he'd come back, and then
the girls. I share fifty to fifty with my girls.
So it's changed the dynamic of so much. But it's
(18:30):
one of those things where he's, you know, almost sixteen.
He does need his dad, you know, and he needs
that relationship and he thinks that this is best right now.
And all I can do is just hope and pray
that it is what's best and he's having a good
time there. He just started school and he's playing football
and he'll play some other sports. But you know, kids,
(18:52):
especially boys, they need their dads, and I can't you
hinder that for myself. So as hard as it is
for me, and it's so hard for my girls too,
I know that he needs to grow that relationship with
his dad. And he loves Alaska so much. He's hunting
and fishing all the time, So I know that it's
going to be a good thing.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Yeah, how is the initial How did it get brought up?
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Like?
Speaker 1 (19:13):
What was Did he bring it up too?
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Oh? He just he just texts me and was like, hey, Mom,
I'm not coming back. I'm like, oh, I couldn't even live.
At first, I'm like, I'm coming up to Alaska. We're
not doing this. I was so mad, so mad. But
then he must have been so nervous, I know, And
you know, at least he because him. We talk before
(19:39):
school every day, after school, every day, we FaceTime every day.
So I'm sure that was like a very monumental decision
for him, and I'm sure it was so hard for
him to bring it up to me. But I respect that.
You know, he thinks that this is what's best, and
you know, he needs that relationship with his dad. He
needs to feel a relationship with his dad. And all
I can do selfishly, I'm like, I just want him
with me forever. He's like my best He's just my
(20:01):
kids are my whole world. But I can't be selfish
in that. It's like he needs to strengthen that relationship
and I just need to support it.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
Did he make friends in Texas?
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Yeah, He's got like a really good group of friends here.
So maybe one day I'll have like a secondary home there.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Yeah, but my whole family.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Still lives there and I grow up quite a bit,
so i'm there like every other month. I've been just
seeing my family. Oh, I'll be up there plenty to
watch him play football and yeah and whatnot. So hopefully
one day I'll have a secondary house up there. Yeah.
Is he driving almost? He's got a permit, so he's
he's driving, but just not by himself yet.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
So funny, So I'll never forget when I was like,
as soon as I was sixteen, I'm like, bye, I'm
driving everything.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
When you have that freedom.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
A lot, it changes a lot, for sure, so Dancing
with the Stars. Okay, so Dancing with the Stars happens,
but I'm pretty sure I can assume that you didn't
have reps, You didn't have a team of like agents managers, right,
So what happened with that? Like how did they get
(21:12):
a hold of you? Did they talk to your mom first?
Like how did it all happen?
Speaker 2 (21:16):
I immediately after high school, I started working at this doctor's office.
So I'm at this doctor's office and I it must
have been like an email. They're like, hey, you need
to get on a call, like we want you to join.
So I was in my boss's office and talking to
them on the phone and then they just offered to
do it. And I'm like, yeah, why not. My boss
(21:36):
was like very supportive, you know, he let me come
and go both times I was on Dancing with the
Stars and very encouraging. It was like, yeah, go do it.
So just decided to do it. But I had zero representation.
Speaker 1 (21:50):
Right, Like did you tell your mom? Like did she
did they talk to your mom first or no?
Speaker 2 (21:55):
It was like I think maybe my mom probably declined it.
Maybe I have no idea.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Or behalf Yeah, what they asked your father to do?
Speaker 2 (22:03):
It. I know, I wish you would have would I
had no idea.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
You guys should have done it together.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
That would have been hilarious.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
No, seriously, like a family affair like he would have
would have been partnered with somebody, and you guys would
compete against each other because they did that with the
Damelios not too long ago. That would have been really entertaining.
Did your mom ever get asked to do Dancing with
the Star?
Speaker 2 (22:24):
I wish she was, but she should have done it too.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
You think, I mean, it's never too late. I'm I'm
sure they would love to have her. Season thirty three
is around the corner.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
It's already season thirty three. That's crazy.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
Did you watch the show prior to being asked? Or no,
you had no idea.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
I'd heard of it for sure, but I don't think
I've even seen an episode, like a full episode.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
Did you say yes right away to the or no?
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Yeah, I was so fearless, like yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Did you even ask like details like how much am I?
Am I going to be put up somewhere? Like nothing?
Speaker 2 (23:00):
No, I don't even know how all of that unfolded.
My ki, oh my gosh, I'd be like what are
you doing totally? Yeah? No, it was like very yep,
I'm doing it going to California. Yet, this is gonna
be fun.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
So your boss knew before your parents knew.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
I know, I can't remember, but he died in the room.
When I was on the phone call with him, He's like, yeah,
go do it.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
So you drive from Alaska to Los Angeles.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
I worried that I wouldn't have a car there, so that's.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Probably why I would have gotten you one. But it
sounded like it was a fun trip. Right Who did
you you went with? So trip was with you? He
was a baby? Oh no, okay, he flew down.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
I can't remember who drove with me.
Speaker 1 (23:48):
So when your mom and dad initially, were they hesitant
or did they support you?
Speaker 2 (23:54):
If they were hesitant, I had no idea. Oh interesting, okay.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
And did you know that the show was the number
one show on primetime television with like millions and millions
of people? Okay? Did you request for your pro partner
or you just didn't know us?
Speaker 2 (24:11):
I think the only pro I knho was Derek Cough.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Did you request him?
Speaker 3 (24:15):
No?
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Because I didn't even know him. But I remember them
asking me like my personality type and like, you know,
are you outgoing? I'm like absolutely not, like you're like
diverted person ever, but I was. I was so thankful
to be partnered with Mark because Mark was so sweet.
Very yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
No, he really took care of you too. Like was
it I think social media must have been out by then,
or was it message boards? It must have been message boards.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
I know social media was out. I just didn't have
anything really right. God protected me so much that I
was just like I wasn't in the know of a lot.
Speaker 1 (24:49):
But I do imagine.
Speaker 2 (24:51):
Somebody sent something in to the studio.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
A white pottery thing.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
Yes, And then I remember h I think it was
like right before it was announced, like who was going
to be in the finale, some guys shot his TV
or something because I like the photo, Like people take
that show so serious, it's.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
Insane, So I am so passionate.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
They are so passionate. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Wait, so were you scared when that happened? Like was it?
I know, did they hire security or did you hire security?
Speaker 2 (25:24):
I never hired security, but I do remember that guy
shooting the TV, which was wild. And then I remember
them sending in some white powder. I'm sure it was
addressed to me because they were so mad that it
was still continuing throughout the season.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
Was it the guy that shot the TV that sent
the white powdery thing?
Speaker 2 (25:41):
It was a different person.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
Yeah, okay, so this is from what I when I
was reading your book, because you don't talk about the
show until like towards the end. But I just all
of these memories started flooding my mind because this was,
like I said, fourteen years ago. It was addressed to
you and they sent it to where we shoot the show. Yeah,
and it went straight to Bungalow one where all the
(26:05):
executives were, and it was a mess. It was like
they hired security for you Bristol. You may not remember,
but like even like maybe you didn't see them or
I'm sure they had to tell you.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
I remember like whenever we got to rehearsals there would
be a security guard out there, and then obviously like
at the studios there would be security guards.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
Yes, because of that incident, we started having major security,
like and still to this day, I think they do
because also Sean Johnson dealt with some crazy things. But
were you nervous or scared or did it not phase you?
Speaker 2 (26:37):
Oh? I think I was just so naive. It's like,
oh my gosh, that's crazy, like onto the next.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
Oh yeah, because that's really like that doesn't happen a lot. Yeah,
and your mom, how did she react?
Speaker 2 (26:49):
I think she was probably just as caught off part
as ion. Yeah, but again, being from Alaska, we're just
like I swear, it's like a different country.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
Up there, so we're like, well, it's just white powder.
Everyone needs to calm down or I don't know, like I.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Don't know if we're just I don't know, detached from
all a lot of the world when it comes to
like that scary type stuff. Even since Stands with the Stars,
we've faced so many stalker situations. I had a stalker.
I think he initially was like my mom's stalker, but
then he kind of was stalking all of us. He
showed up to my ex husband's house, roll into his house, stooles, vehicle, stools, guns. Like,
(27:28):
we've had some crazy situations with stalkers. So I don't know, but.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
Like stalking you, like what like following you guys.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
Yeah, he like had flown up to Alaska. There's been
so many different stalking situations that have like happened throughout
the last you know, decade or however long it's been.
But there's just been very like not normal circumstances. I'm convention.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
Do you guys report it or no?
Speaker 2 (27:53):
You just like he got arrested for sure? Okay, good good?
Speaker 1 (27:56):
And now with social media, this is a whole nother
way of stock talking people. I mean, it's almost like
a given. People are not as shocked when you say
someone's stalking me because it's so easy to find you.
Do you feel safe where you are today?
Speaker 2 (28:09):
I feel definitely safe where I am today. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
More than Alaska, Yeah, for sure. Yeah, because you could
definitely hide within the population of people there. I mean
it's crazy in comparison.
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Yeah, here a small community. There's a ton of people here,
so there's lots of places.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
What were your first impressions of Mark Ballace when you
walked in to meet him for the first time.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
He was very bubbly, very nice. He's just sweep. He
was shorter than I was expecting, for sure, But I
love Mark and I'm I'm wholl I'm five.
Speaker 1 (28:43):
To six, so with heels on your five eight or
nine girl.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
At least, yes, we were like I do I.
Speaker 1 (28:51):
Mark had to stand up. He either wear those cuban
heels like there was no converse allowed, Yes you did.
What were your first moves? Like, did you have any
dance experience? Did you ever dance like for fun as
a girl.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Like I wasn't like the cheerleading type. I played basketball
and write soccer and things like that, So zero dance
experience whatsoever?
Speaker 1 (29:12):
When you took your first step onto the ballroom floor,
What were your feelings and what were your thoughts? Because
you seem pretty calm, but I'm also introverted. But that
doesn't mean I don't have anxiety at texts every time
I used to perform, But how about you?
Speaker 2 (29:27):
I was I had like the first rehearsal, I was like,
what am I getting myself into? Like right? And then
of course I dance. Everyone's like you gotta perform, you
gotta perform, and I am like, I don't think people
realize how introverted shy don't say much. I am so
all that expression stuff like I cannot I cannot to.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
I don't understand how people rehearse facial expressions because like
it's just it's going to come out right, like it's natural.
But when you're like, smile on count two and wink
on cal three. I'm like, this is so cheeseball. I
can't do this.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
He had to dub it down so much for me.
He probably did tell me to smile right here, do
this right here, because I was so like deer in
headlines the whole time. Right.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
I thought, you did great. I mean, this is what
the show is, right. You're not supposed to have anybody.
You're not supposed to have the Jennifer Grays. Come on,
you're not supposed to have Brandy with dance experience. Let's
talk Brandy.
Speaker 2 (30:25):
She man. I thought we were cool. I thought everything
was so fun. And then when she got voted off
and I went to the finale, it was so awkward
in there. I've never felt something more awkward in that
dance room than when that happened.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
It was like, okay, wait, tell my listeners. Everything start
from the beginning.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
So it was the episode before the finale.
Speaker 1 (30:47):
Right, semifinals, the semi finals, and.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
I went through and she got voted off and it
was so awkward and I'll never forget it. I'm like,
what is going on here? Like this is what I feel.
Speaker 1 (31:06):
I was there. You could feel the freaking you can
hear the pin.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
Drop you could, and we were so cool all season,
and then when I went forward and she didn't, it
was like, oh.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Gosh, U wait, what what did you hear in the
audience when they when Tom bergeron took seventy five hours
to announce your name?
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Didn't her mom yell, yes, it's in your book, it's
exactly right. What did she say? I forgot? What did
she say?
Speaker 1 (31:31):
She goes, this show is rigged, The show is rigged,
and you can hear her like and it must have
been like during either because like they whoever gets eliminated
goes to Brooke and Tom and you say you're goodbyes.
I mean it turned into Jerry Sprigger. It was like
it was I she got up on her feet and
was like spitting, foaming from the mouth. Yeah, And that
(31:55):
must have been so hard for you.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
Those voted on skills, Like I know, they just they're
voting me through because they feel bad, Like I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (32:02):
I was just like, no, that's not the reason, Bristol.
They voted for you, because you deserve to be there.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
I felt like I needed to be like apologetic, but
it was just it was awkward.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
Did you try to apologize.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
I don't know if I'm sure, like when they call
it when the lights are on or whatever. Yeah, sure,
but I just just got your fault just being so mad.
I just remember her not even looking at me.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
Huh. And then her brother, remember her brother was there,
and he was like doing the press line like he
was angry. He was not okay with that. What's his
name again, ray Je? You mentioned in your book the
camaraderie was interesting, right. You saw pro not necessarily pros,
but you saw some cast members like roll their eyes
(32:44):
every time you guys would make it through. That must
have not been fun to deal with, right, Like, can
you tell us a little bit more? I hope I wasn't.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
I to god, it wasn't nice like that, You're okay,
good honest.
Speaker 1 (33:00):
I was always nervous because I was like, I really,
if I was like that, I'm so sorry.
Speaker 2 (33:05):
Never a lot of the people were very sweet and
very kind. But I do remember. I think it was
the first night because remember Pamela Anderson was on that season,
and she like did something, she like signaled something.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
It was all Stars, right, all Stars.
Speaker 2 (33:20):
All Stars wasn't the I can't remember which one it was,
but she like signaled something and the news picked it
up and it was like a big deal insinuating that
she was like I don't know, like saying I was
crazy or something. Oh what it was something like that,
but you would know it was All Stars. She got
eliminated first All Stars? Oh did she got? And your
(33:44):
partner on All Stars was Emitt Smith? Right? Yeah, he
was always really sweet. I really liked him.
Speaker 1 (33:49):
He's a good guy. Yeah, I mean, but honestly, you
start to see people's true colors sometimes when it's like
because everyone is at their breaking point, especially when you're
like halfway through, but also the like, you guys are
so vulnerable and the only way to succeed on the
show is to be authentic and vulnerable. And I feel
like in a way that gave you a leg up
(34:10):
because you know, people are there trying to revive their
careers for the most part. Yes, and you were just
like you remind me a little bit of I'm not
comparing you guys by any means. But Rob Kardashian same thing,
Like he didn't he was just like a normal He
didn't even want to be famous, Like he's just like
I'm just my last name is Kardashian, you know and so,
but those are the people that succeed on the show
(34:31):
because you've got nothing to prove. You're just like you're
just doing the challenge and task at hand. Yeah, did
so when all of this was happening, all the press,
paparazzi everywhere, you had like lots of paparazzi. I remember
that following you, did you ever feel like you want
to just throw the towel in because it was just
so much.
Speaker 2 (34:49):
It was all such a different world. But I think
I was just like thankful to be there.
Speaker 1 (34:55):
What did you learn most about your experience on the show.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
Gosh, that's a great question. That I can step out
of my comfort zone and I don't know, be like
more social and not be so introvert, just maybe like
put myself out there. I think I definitely like that.
Speaker 3 (35:13):
Yeah, are you ready to play some rapid fire?
Speaker 2 (35:25):
Sure?
Speaker 1 (35:25):
Okay, it's rapid okay fire and rapid okay. Would your
mom ever consider competing on the show?
Speaker 2 (35:34):
Probably?
Speaker 1 (35:35):
Who rolled their eyes at you and Mark when you
would get saved during gelimidation?
Speaker 2 (35:41):
Who oh Max? Oh he hated me so much? I
forgot that was red Party.
Speaker 1 (35:46):
Wait, so why did he hate you?
Speaker 2 (35:47):
I don't know, probably just because we kept going through.
I mean, he was real nice at the beginning, but
it was one of those things where like, as we
kept going through, it was.
Speaker 1 (35:57):
Like, it's interesting because in your book you say Max
actually went out of his way to say something nice
before it was before he got eliminated obviously. Was that
because of the tension like you felt. I mean, it's
not that hard to feel someone's energy when either you're
being fake or you don't like me, right, Yeah, No.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
I definitely felt the tension from him. I forgot about that. Yeah,
because the further we went along in it, the more
it was like, oh, gosh, okay.
Speaker 1 (36:23):
Who was the friendliest to you on set?
Speaker 2 (36:26):
How are you?
Speaker 1 (36:27):
Oh okay?
Speaker 2 (36:29):
Good?
Speaker 1 (36:30):
Thanks? And who was the person in wardrobe that said.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
That I bet you I could pick her out.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
It's a woman.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
Yeah, it was a woman. She was like a heavier
set woman.
Speaker 1 (36:42):
Does she have glasses?
Speaker 2 (36:44):
She like reddish hair?
Speaker 1 (36:46):
Oh? I know what you're talking about, because she's not
there anymore.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Good. She was definitely there all star seasons and I
can't remember if she was their trip season or not.
Speaker 1 (36:53):
So wait, can you tell my listeners what we're talking
about she.
Speaker 2 (36:56):
Like, I was in a changing room and I was
so self conscious in my body at that point and costumes.
Costumes was fun, but it was a change because I
wanted to like cover my chest and that's fine things
like that, and I wanted to wear spanks and all
this stuff. And I could hear her because I'm like
in a changing room and she called me a bitch
(37:18):
to somebody, like I can.
Speaker 1 (37:20):
Not believe that.
Speaker 2 (37:22):
Yeah, she was not.
Speaker 1 (37:23):
She was like very like when you were not in
front of your face, but like when she thought that
she was invisible or something and you were going to
hear her.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
Yeah, that's how I remember it. And I remember like,
did you just call me a bitch? Are you serious?
But yeah, she was grumpy for sure.
Speaker 1 (37:39):
Body image. I literally have body dysmorphia since I started
dance when I was four. And I understand that insecurity
that you may have felt, because obviously there's mirrors everywhere constantly,
and if you didn't come from a dance background, like
there's it's kind of impossible not to compare yourself to people,
let alone having people talk about your weight like I
(38:01):
got I got slammed. What was that like for you
to deal with.
Speaker 2 (38:06):
It was hard. It was really hard. And I I
mean my weight flunctu weights. It's still plunctuations, just not
as much, but something like that. On the show. It
was like everyone was talking about my weight, and then
I was stressed out about my weight. I felt like
I was just eating even more and gaining even more weight.
It was just like a vicious cycle and it only
(38:26):
affected my confidence so much for like years to come
because it was such a topic. I remember Kathy Griffin,
she was doing some I don't know, some show, and
she was talking about me on Dancing with the Stars
and she was saying how I was like the white
version of Precious, that TV character that was so messed up,
(38:49):
so crazy.
Speaker 1 (38:51):
So did you see that you said or you heard
about it.
Speaker 2 (38:54):
It was all over the news for a while, but
I remember that. I like, gosh, it just bugs me
so bad because I would be so upset if somebody
was talking about my daughter like that. And I was.
I think I was about nineteen on Dancing with the Stars. Uh,
maybe twenty, and I'm already self conscious of my weight.
Obviously I knew I was gaining weight, and just for
(39:15):
her to say something like that was, Oh.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
It's just like, Okay, if you're saying this in the press,
it's highly likely everyone else knows about it, right, Like,
especially in this industry. I'm with you, like, I don't.
I think that is shaped not necessarily in a positive way,
but maybe because I'm talking about it. But the body dysmorphia,
always questioning the way I look. I mean it started
when I was a little girl. It's not just dancing
(39:38):
with the stars, but it doesn't help when you're in
front of millions of people. And then like every fitting
I would have, i'd have to see a backroll and
I'm like, I can't do that like I would. It
would affect my mood towards other people too.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
Yeah, And I feel like it's like such a like
a vicious.
Speaker 1 (39:53):
Cycle, you know, where it's just a continual thing, you know,
And how are you now today? Like with your b
and stuff.
Speaker 2 (40:01):
I feel like the older I get, the more confident
I become, for sure. I think just at that age,
it's difficult. And then you know, on that show, it's
like you're in these little costumes. There's no avoiding anything.
You're being photographed all the time, and.
Speaker 1 (40:15):
The TV adds ten pounds.
Speaker 2 (40:17):
Yes, for sure. I remember meeting people after Dancing with
the Stars. I remember housing like an ultra support and
this one was like, you look just like that Bristal
Palin girl, but way skinnier.
Speaker 1 (40:27):
I remember, just I get that all the time. Girl,
Oh you're so much smaller in person than I'm like,
that is not a compliment.
Speaker 2 (40:34):
I know that's so rude, so rude.
Speaker 1 (40:37):
Well you're beautiful. Like it was Mark there for you
during that time as well, Like, yeah, he was.
Speaker 2 (40:42):
Like a very good partner. I can't remember if we
talked about it. I'm sure we didn't about it, but no,
he was always very supportive.
Speaker 1 (40:50):
I hate people sometimes, I really do. So favorite costume.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
There was like this big Elmo costume.
Speaker 1 (41:01):
That's what I remember, that one.
Speaker 2 (41:03):
With the pants and the fringe. I thought that one
was so fun.
Speaker 1 (41:07):
What was your favorite dance?
Speaker 2 (41:09):
I like the waltz or something. I like those old
school ones more.
Speaker 1 (41:14):
So, what happened between you and Mark when they so
the packages that Dancing with the Stars airs prior to
your dance?
Speaker 2 (41:20):
Right?
Speaker 1 (41:21):
Like I don't know if Mark ever told you, like
don't listen to it or whatever, but you guys had
some sort of confrontation that happened with you saying like
you probably want to dance with Sean. It was during
All Stars, it must have been, right what happened there.
Speaker 2 (41:34):
I think we were disagreeing on like how much effort
was being put in. I think we just like weren't
taking it seriously. Like I think I wanted to like
actually take it serious and rehearse more. And I think
that's probably what the conversation was.
Speaker 1 (41:49):
Got it. Yeah, what was the biggest difference between the
two seasons as far as you and Mark's relationship goes.
Speaker 2 (41:58):
I think we'd just both grown up because like several
years between them.
Speaker 1 (42:02):
Yeah, it was like four seasons.
Speaker 2 (42:03):
Yeah, so I think probably just more mature.
Speaker 1 (42:06):
And how about your experience on the show in general?
Was it better the first time or the second time?
Speaker 2 (42:14):
I think the second time was probably more fun for me, Yeah,
because I wasn't as self conscious as just with my body,
so I think it was the second time. I think
I just had a little bit more confidence and do
what I was getting myself into.
Speaker 1 (42:28):
And what was that like as far as like people,
the camaraderie and but mainly with the press, like were
they not as crazy or was it just as crazy.
Speaker 2 (42:37):
It was probably like the same.
Speaker 1 (42:39):
Oh really, but you just knew what it was like.
You came to La. You're like in a fish bowl,
you know, as you are for sure.
Speaker 2 (42:45):
But that the second time I did not drag my
truck up. They got me a rental car, so I
was very definitely.
Speaker 1 (42:50):
I'm sure asked for a few things.
Speaker 2 (42:52):
Baby.
Speaker 1 (42:55):
Are you single?
Speaker 2 (42:57):
Yes. I don't even like to say I'm single though,
because I feel like it makes.
Speaker 1 (42:59):
Me seem like I'm like girl, I'm single.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
I like being by myself. I do me too. I
don't think I ever want to be in a relationship well,
and I feel like just this culture, it's like there's
such like a hookup culture, like a fast, instant gratification,
and that just leaves everything so empty, and I just
am I'm not interested in anything that's going to be
like that. If I'm gonna build my life with so
(43:24):
many great but I'm not interested in like the instant
gratification or the attention even from.
Speaker 1 (43:30):
Guys I'm eating apps. No thanks never I could have
you ever. I got on Hinge for like two days
and I saw my son's teacher on there. I thank
you Jesus he gave me a signe right away never
ever again. No, I have never tried it. I don't.
I refuse. You're not missing anything, like I'm divorced, but
(43:52):
I'm fine, Like it's been three years. I'm celibate.
Speaker 2 (43:55):
That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (43:56):
And it's just me and my French bulldog.
Speaker 2 (43:59):
That's so great.
Speaker 1 (44:00):
It's peaceful. So you're not like dating at all, like
there was something online. I mean, I'm sure it's just
bullshit with you and some dude, but I don't know
if that's real.
Speaker 2 (44:07):
No, I'm like single, but I don't even like to
say that because I feel like that implies that I'm
like searching for something, and I'm no, not.
Speaker 1 (44:14):
Just say you're dating yourself.
Speaker 2 (44:16):
I just am not interested in the whole culture.
Speaker 1 (44:20):
Do you eventually want to get married?
Speaker 2 (44:22):
Yeah, of course, I eventually. I'd like to build a
life with somebody, for sure, But I feel like right
now I have so much purpose with the businesses that
I have with my kids, and I just unless I'm
going to be building life with somebody, I just am
not interested in entertaining anything.
Speaker 1 (44:38):
Thank you, girl. And you know what, like, the more
you stick to that, I think that if it's meant
to be. There'll be somebody there you know that is
on your level. Yeah, basically, God will make it very clear. Yeah,
what reality show would do? Would you do? You have
to choose one. I mean you might not want to
do any but just choose one. Love is Blind special
(44:58):
Forces or Traders special Forces for really?
Speaker 2 (45:02):
Yes, Oh my god, I would never do You would
never do it.
Speaker 1 (45:05):
I would die.
Speaker 2 (45:07):
Nope, I would.
Speaker 1 (45:08):
You don't understand, like I am a hermit, I live
in I'm here in this house and I never I
think I left yesterday for the first time to get
my nails done in a week.
Speaker 2 (45:16):
You could do that show. You can fully do it.
I can't.
Speaker 1 (45:20):
I can't swim. I mean I can, but I can float.
Speaker 2 (45:22):
Okay. I wouldn't want to swim, and I wouldn't want
to do like the pool you have to do the
cold water would be miserable.
Speaker 1 (45:27):
But oh my god, they're going to ask you now
that you said that, you know that, right.
Speaker 2 (45:32):
That'd be awesome. I mean, oh my god, I would
just not want to be voted off first or sent
off first, and.
Speaker 1 (45:37):
I better start swimming.
Speaker 2 (45:38):
I got to start some push ups or something.
Speaker 1 (45:42):
Okay, would you do the Bachelorette.
Speaker 2 (45:45):
No, because the lineup of men that would be on it,
I feel like no.
Speaker 1 (45:49):
Okay, fan questions and then you're done at Michelle and Jil,
I can't ever say these names anyway. Any chance of
a reconnection with Dakota.
Speaker 2 (46:00):
Codain and I are great co parents. We've been divorced
for a long time and we've tried to work things out.
I don't know. I think we're we both kind of
live our own independent lives.
Speaker 1 (46:13):
Yeah. At Kara h. Hoff love your clothing line? Can
do you still have it?
Speaker 2 (46:18):
Yes? Yeah, we have.
Speaker 1 (46:19):
What's it called.
Speaker 2 (46:20):
It's called boy Heart. It's a conservative clothing brand and
it's been so much fun. It's like a little side hustle,
side project that my best friend and I we've been
running and it's been a blast.
Speaker 1 (46:31):
That's awesome. And are you The question is if you're
going to drop another line soon or yeah?
Speaker 2 (46:37):
We have other drops coming up.
Speaker 1 (46:39):
Where can people find it? Boy Heart dot com got
it and that's b O Y H A R T. Yes,
okay And from at the James Bennett. Do you feel
you're treated differently on Dancing with the Stars because of
who your mom is? Probably a little bit yes, yeah,
in what way? I think the press were much harder
(47:02):
than on me than they were on anyone else. Last
one at eight fifty Local Social. If you hadn't done realestate,
what would you have done?
Speaker 2 (47:13):
I don't know. I've always been into buying and sign properties,
so I'd probably be like flipping properties things like that
that I have rental properties, and I'm always investing in
real estate, so I'd probably doing the same thing. I
remember being in the makeup chair dancing with the Stars
like on Zillow the whole time. I just I'm obsessed
with it.
Speaker 1 (47:31):
Zillo was around back then. Yeah, oh interesting, Okay, Bristol,
it was so fun to catch up with you. I'm
assuming you're never in California, right, Okay, Well if you ever,
if you are doing Special Forces, you still wouldn't be
in California. If you do another Dancing with the Stars
all Stars, let me know and we'll hang out.
Speaker 2 (47:49):
Yes, it's so good to see you. Thank you so
much for having me on.
Speaker 1 (47:52):
Thanks for coming on. And what is next? Is there
anything next for you? Or are you just focusing on you.
Speaker 2 (47:57):
Focusing on me, focusing on my kids and just listening
and hearing from God. On where's next to our family.
Speaker 1 (48:05):
Nice and website social media handles.
Speaker 2 (48:09):
My Instagram is BSMP two.
Speaker 1 (48:13):
I was wondering, I was like, wait before I tag
this person, I was like, is this Bristol.
Speaker 2 (48:17):
It's just my initials.
Speaker 1 (48:19):
And your clothing line is at www dot boyheart dot com. Right, Yes,
thank you, thank you so much, good to see you,
Good to see you, my friend. Bye bye, and that's
a wrap. As always, don't forget to please take a
moment to rate and review this episode wherever you're currently
listening to it, no matter if you've done so a
million times, as it's key to the podcast success. Your
(48:41):
feedback and support is invaluable. And remember we're now dropping
three episodes a week Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, with an
all new Rewatch episode coming out this Wednesday. Until next time,
love you all, bye,
This is sex Lies and Spray Tans with me Cheryl
Burke and iHeartRadio podcast. Hey guys, welcome back to sex
Lize and Spray Tans. I'm very excited to speak to
our next guest. At just seventeen, she found herself in
the national spotlight, not just as a teenager navigating the
challenges of early motherhood, but as the daughter of a
(00:21):
high profile politician who was running for Vice President of
the United States. With the eyes of the nation upon her,
she faced intense scrutiny and criticism from the media, which
only intensified when she decided to step onto the dance
floor as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, competing
in both seasons eleven and fifteen. She faced harsh judgment
(00:42):
not only from the press, but also from dedicated fans
of the show. Despite the challenges, her journey with the
show continued even after her time in the spotlight, as
her son Trip later joined Dancing with the Stars Juniors,
where he unfortunately became the first to be eliminated. Today,
I am thrilled to have Bristol Palin on the podcast.
(01:05):
Oh my goodness, it's been fourteen years, Bristol.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
It's been a long time?
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Holy hell, how are you?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
I'm really good? How are you?
Speaker 1 (01:13):
I'm good? Welcome to Sex Life and Spray Hands. I
don't know if you've heard this podcast before, but it's
heavily about dancing with the stars. But that's like, at
the end of the interview, I read your book, did
you really yes? And I really want to get to
know my guests because, like, as you know, we don't
really have a lot of time that we spend together.
(01:34):
When we're on set, it's just you and your partner,
and that's it. Like we give each other high fives
maybe when we cross paths in that hallway at CBS,
but that's about it.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
You.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
I can relate to your story in so many ways.
And I know you wrote that book. How long has
it been. It's been a while, right.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
A long time. I think it was like twenty one
when I ran Yah, well over ten years.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Yeah, I'm sure your life has changed quite a bit.
What do you think people's biggest misconceptions are about you?
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Gosh, I don't know. I used to think people thought
I was kind of like, oh oh, because I was
a teen mom. So I think that that was like
a huge misconception about me for a long time, and
then I really haven't been in the spotlight for many years,
(02:26):
so I feel like there's not many that I can
think of off the top of my head.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Now. Yeah, well, I mean it's probably better for your
mental health, I think in general for anybody. Okay, And
who would you say you are behind the TV screen? Like,
who's the real Bristol Palin?
Speaker 2 (02:42):
A mom first and foremost? Yeah, a believer, a business woman.
I don't know, I feel like just very quiet.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
And yeah low key. Yeah. What were your family dynamics
lie when you were growing up?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
It definitely feels because I've been in Texas now for
seven years and being in the lower forty eight, it
feels like a completely different country. It's very different up there,
very cold obviously. But I had a very tight knit family.
We were outdoors a lot. My dad has always taken
us to do stuff fishing and hunting and snow feeling.
(03:25):
So a very like active outdoor life in a very
great childhood.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Yeah. And were you close to your siblings and you
guys are very religious right, Yes?
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah, we have a huge family. There's five of us
kids and grew up going to a Christian church and
just a very tight knit family.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
How would you describe your relationship with your parents, Like
did you were you more I guess attracted to your
mom or were you a daddy's girl or like how
was that dynamic?
Speaker 2 (03:56):
I'm close with both of them. Yeah, but my dad
has alway has been such an amazing dad where he's
like bluest collar ever and work so hard for his family,
provides so much for his family. But then also was
the one that was like braiding our hair for school
so very as well. Yes, so I was so fortunate
to grow up with a dad that was like very
(04:18):
hands on, very just selfless in raising a family.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Yeah. And when you guys would because I families do.
We have family conflicts and stuff. You know, it happens
for me at least still to this day. How did
you guys handle that with I know, you know, being
religious and like God was a huge part of your
guy's life. How would you resolve issues if anything got
brought up?
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Gosh, we're we definitely deal with things like more privately.
So I think that if there was an issue that
came up, it would be you know, kind of dealt
with and then not discussed again.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Yeah. Right, So me privately, and were you guys like open,
like did you guys have like for example, I never
told my mom when I got my when I was
going through my menstrual cycle the first time, Like I
did not tell my I told my cousin, yes, who
was five years older than me. I got mine when
(05:17):
I was nine, right, So like I really developed at
a young age, and so I just felt comfortable with
my cousin, not my mom. But I don't know how
was your dynamic.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
I didn't tell my mom because I was like so
embarrassed about it. I didn't want to talk about it.
So I did see my girls. Because I have a
seven and an eight year old daughter, I feel like
our conversations like are a little bit more open.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Right yeah, Like I mean I have my little sister.
I don't have kids, but same thing with her, Like
we have a nine year age gap, and I'm just
like we just say everything. But I definitely hesitate a
little bit with my parents because it's a they're just
as generational, you know, Like they didn't talk about mental health.
They think therapy is crazy, you know, and so it's
(05:58):
and I.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Think they're parents never talked about anything like that. But
I definitely think our generation is much more different in
how we're navigating things.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Yeah, and so you're more open with your kids now,
have it when it comes to mental health issues? Same thing?
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Yeah? Absolutely, Yeah. I think we just talk about so
much more of the overall picture.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
It's no longer like frowned upon as much it does people.
I mean, I would like to say it's everybody, but
it's clearly not everyone. However, I think with hearing more
about people's experiences with their own mental health issues, it
really helps. And like even school, I can tell that
I have like little nieces and nephews and there's like
no bullying happening anymore, which is great. I don't know
(06:43):
if that's the same for your kids.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yeah, I think that everything is. With social media and
the platforms that people have to relate their experiences and stuff,
I think it's just so much more talked about. Yeah,
normalized to go to counseling or to seek help or
anything like that. So I think the whole ballgame of
it has changed so much.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Yeah. And are you that you're not the oldest, right?
Speaker 2 (07:06):
I have an older brother.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
You have an older brother, right. So my mom was
a working woman, like she was from when I was
born in eighty four. She just created her company and
so like I was raised by nannies and stuff. Was
it kind of that similar dynamic while your mom was
obviously wanting to take the political path when it comes
(07:28):
to her career. Is that why your dad was so
hands on?
Speaker 2 (07:32):
My dad, I think that was just his nature. He
got it, you know, took care of his siblings growing up,
So I think that was just his nature. But my mom,
I feel like back then too, it was such like
a community event raising kids. It was like their friends
picking you up and then picking our friends' kids up.
So I feel like it was so much more of
(07:54):
that camaraderie of like a team community just helping out.
It wasn't necessarily like nanny's and whatnot like that got it. Yeah,
So I feel like it was just a lot of
doing things together with like my mom's core group of
friends for.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
Sure that you trust obviously. And it's such a small
Like was the population.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Tiny, It's really small. It's so so a lot smaller
than the Taliman now for sure.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
So like everyone knew each other, right, everybody?
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Yes, Yeah, so every the schools everything, we all went
to the same schools and we're all on the same
soccer teams like a much smaller town.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Did you, guys, ever, did you experience bullying, especially when
like the rise to fame or just being known by
the public, I'm sure was a shock to the system. Yes, right,
So how was that transition for you?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
I feel like I never really got bullied growing up. Okay,
I remember guys being like, oh, her booths are so big,
she must stuff her bra and that like that mug
be first for years. Oh my god, I feel like
I never it's true, bowling until I became an adult,
and right until I was gaining weight on Dancing with
the Stars.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Oh my god, girl, We're gonna get there, don't you worry.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Uh So, thankfully, I feel like I came into Dancing
with the Stars I think I was. I wasn't even
twenty one. I must have been like nineteen or twenty
maybe when I was on it the first time. So thankfully,
I was like pretty naive in not paying attention to
much of that stuff. But that's when I first experienced
bullying for sure.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Was like as an adult, and that's worse because like
everyone's seeing it, so it's not like it's was there
social media when you were on the show.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
No, I didn't have social media. I might have had
a Facebook, but I definitely didn't have an Instagram or MySpace. Yeah,
maybe it wasn't my face. And also to the bullying,
it always comes from like older people, like older women,
which is insane.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
I read that part. I have so many questions and
I think I know who you're talking about. But whatever,
we'll get there. So what was the when your mom decided,
Like was it a conver station when she's like, Okay,
I'm going to run for governor and then I'm wanting
to run as vice president, Like I'm pretty sure did
she kind of like take you and your siblings step
(10:11):
by step as to what would happen when this all happens, Like,
did you guys have rules to follow, like don't get
caught doing this because it's going to make me look bad?
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Or I think they were, you know, pretty strict growing up,
so we already knew definitely from right and if we
were going to get in trouble for something. But her
rise to fame was such a gradual thing. She was
pta mom, then she was on city council, and then
she was the mayor, and then she was the governor,
and then she got picked, you know, to run with Okay,
(10:41):
so it felt like so gradual and we were always
a part of it. We were just talking about it
the other day. She used to make her own signs,
so they would like be painting the apply what's amazing
be able to like put out as signs, And her
slogan for that campaign we were just talking about was
positively Palin. So we were like part of all of it.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
So you in your book, like you start out with
saying some pretty powerful things, and you talk about the
night that you know you lost your virginity.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Which I believe they let me even like I'm so embarrassed.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
I like youah, don't be embarrassed.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Oh my gosh. It's like you open the book in
the first chapter.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Of the book. It's a hook. You know what a
hook is. Yeah, no, it is a lot. But like
it really hooked me because like I can relate to you.
I have to tell you, the way I lost my
virginity wasn't necessarily something that I'm proud of by any means.
And I was really young, I was thirteen years old,
(11:43):
but like it really I I just connected with you
right away from the start. So thank you for being
so vulnerable, even if you feel like it's embarrassing. But
I think there's more people that can relate to you
than than maybe you think. How was first of all,
the process of just doing that. Was it scary for you?
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Like, what was it like writing the book? Mm hmm,
Well I always kept journals. I always kept journals. It
felt very therapeutic going back on everything and thinking like, wow,
that actually happened. Gosh, wow, maybe I did kind of
go through some stuff. So it did feel very therapeutic
going back on all the journals and looking back much
(12:25):
of my life.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Did you have a ghostwriter or did you do it yourself?
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Yeah? I have a ghostwriter.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Yeah I also wrote a book and it was the
same thing. It's like and then but then I'm like,
oh my god, my parents are going to read this.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Yes, I remember my parents reading the first page and
they were just like it was Yeah, it was bad.
But doesn't it feel therapeutic to read back on your
journals and to think back totally it's insane.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
I'm actually currently in the process of doing another one
because there's like so many It's like so interesting to
write a memoir when you're I was twenty four, you know,
so it was so uh Normally it's like do you
have to be dead to do this?
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Like or how does this?
Speaker 1 (13:05):
I know there's so much, But now I'm sure you
can also write another book, would you?
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Yeah? One hundred percent? Because now I feel like, okay,
from twenty one that mustn't when I wrote it to
now that's in like life is really hit.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
So much has changed, so many chapters. Can you tell
my listeners just I mean, go into much detail or
not as much deal as you want to exactly what
we're talking about, as far as you know what happened
that night when you lost your virginity.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
I was hammered, drunk, blacked out, drunk and out camping
in Alaska, lied to my parents, told him I was
staying somewhere else and lost my virginity that night.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
Wait, you were blacked out, like completely a blackaw like
blacked out drunk, and you never like said you know anything.
Obviously you know I.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Was, and I was dating the guy at the time.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
Right nowadays with me too, you know that is now
I know, no, no, I know.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
I remember when a reporter asked me that. I'm like,
I never thought about that, but I was dating and
we had been on. We were on and off my
entire high school career. But at least it's an inexperience
that I can talk about with my kids. Oh good,
we're not Drake. We're not gonna lie about where we're at.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
We're not going to.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Open the door to many conversations with my sisters and
my kids.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
I've always said, if I have kids, I'm going to
be so open with them. So it's so nice to
hear that you are with them, because I'm sure that's
not easy, right.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Yeah. Well, I'm just thankful for those experiences of like,
this is why you shouldn't do what I've done to
help you say them in a better direction.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Yeah. So how did you initially cope with that? I
guess trauma that you realized finally? Was it the next
day you realized that that had happened.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Or yeah that next morning?
Speaker 1 (15:00):
Yeah? How did that affect like your self, love and
worth and all of that.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
I think for me, especially coming from you know, a
religious background, it was like, oh my gosh, I just
lost my virginity. I wanted to wait until marriage, like
I'm I'm going to marry this guy. So in my
mind it's like, okay, well this has been done. Now
I'm going to figure it out with this guy and
I'm going to we're going to get married. That was it, Yeah,
(15:27):
And I think that's what it triggered in me. I
was like, oh, well, it's it's okay because I'm going
to marry him, right. And then we, you know, spent
the next four years on and off in a chaotic relationship,
which resulted, of course, in my teenage pregnancy. Yeah, but
you have Trip, Yes, Oh my gosh. And Trip is
just like he's my whole world. He's just the best
(15:48):
kid ever. And he's about to be sixteen.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
I cannot, I cannot. I remember when he did juniors.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
I know, yes, and he was like eight or nine.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Oh, did he want to do June?
Speaker 2 (16:00):
He wanted to, and he was like all excited about it,
like he couldn't wait. But then we'd get there and
he realized how different dances. He's like, I'm not doing this,
Like I'm not wearing those shoes. Oh no, He's like,
I'm not doing this. He did not realize that it
was like not his typical pull on fishing in football.
(16:21):
He was like, no, this is no, but I cannot
do it.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Oh my god, I had no idea. Oh yeah, he
was a struggle struggled to like put the Ryanstone button
down shirts.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
He's like such a boy, especially at that age, like
just such a boy. And he went into you know,
these dance lessons and he's like, mom, like I cannot
I am not too.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Did he get along with his partner, Yes, he loved Hailey,
oh good good.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
And he had a blast. Just he didn't love the
dancing part. So he had a blast.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
But what a learning experience for him though, Yeah, because
he must have been so nervous like that, you know
when the kids or even adult when I expressed like
I don't want to do this is because like I'm
super insecure about it, you know. But then like when
you face it and it's finished after ninety seconds or
however long the music is, you've achieved it, like regardless
(17:15):
of the result, you know.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Yeah, and he has a he had fun with all
the other kids and he was fine.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Was he sad when he got eliminated? First?
Speaker 2 (17:24):
I think he was.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Yeah. Did he get bullied when he got back home
or no?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
No, And I got kids only, like I think it
was high school when kids started bringing to back up
to him, like Trip, your dates with the stars, finding
on him about it.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Did he end up wearing the Cuban heels?
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Yes, he did, and he was mortified about it. He's like,
I'm not wearing these high.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
Heels, especially like it's the sound that kills the men
every time, it's like the click, click click. I know
recently he chose to move back with his father. How
(18:05):
has that taken a toll on you? Emotionally? That must
have been so hard.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
It was like it's still is gut wrenching to me
because it's been Tripp and just Trip and I, you know,
and then I've had my girls, but it's always been
Trip and I and then he would spend a couple
of weeks in Alaska and he'd come back, and then
the girls. I share fifty to fifty with my girls.
So it's changed the dynamic of so much. But it's
(18:30):
one of those things where he's, you know, almost sixteen.
He does need his dad, you know, and he needs
that relationship and he thinks that this is best right now.
And all I can do is just hope and pray
that it is what's best and he's having a good
time there. He just started school and he's playing football
and he'll play some other sports. But you know, kids,
(18:52):
especially boys, they need their dads, and I can't you
hinder that for myself. So as hard as it is
for me, and it's so hard for my girls too,
I know that he needs to grow that relationship with
his dad. And he loves Alaska so much. He's hunting
and fishing all the time, So I know that it's
going to be a good thing.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Yeah, how is the initial How did it get brought up?
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Like?
Speaker 1 (19:13):
What was Did he bring it up too?
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Oh? He just he just texts me and was like, hey, Mom,
I'm not coming back. I'm like, oh, I couldn't even live.
At first, I'm like, I'm coming up to Alaska. We're
not doing this. I was so mad, so mad. But
then he must have been so nervous, I know, And
you know, at least he because him. We talk before
(19:39):
school every day, after school, every day, we FaceTime every day.
So I'm sure that was like a very monumental decision
for him, and I'm sure it was so hard for
him to bring it up to me. But I respect that.
You know, he thinks that this is what's best, and
you know, he needs that relationship with his dad. He
needs to feel a relationship with his dad. And all
I can do selfishly, I'm like, I just want him
with me forever. He's like my best He's just my
(20:01):
kids are my whole world. But I can't be selfish
in that. It's like he needs to strengthen that relationship
and I just need to support it.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
Did he make friends in Texas?
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Yeah, He's got like a really good group of friends here.
So maybe one day I'll have like a secondary home there.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Yeah, but my whole family.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Still lives there and I grow up quite a bit,
so i'm there like every other month. I've been just
seeing my family. Oh, I'll be up there plenty to
watch him play football and yeah and whatnot. So hopefully
one day I'll have a secondary house up there. Yeah.
Is he driving almost? He's got a permit, so he's
he's driving, but just not by himself yet.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
So funny, So I'll never forget when I was like,
as soon as I was sixteen, I'm like, bye, I'm
driving everything.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
When you have that freedom.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
A lot, it changes a lot, for sure, so Dancing
with the Stars. Okay, so Dancing with the Stars happens,
but I'm pretty sure I can assume that you didn't
have reps, You didn't have a team of like agents managers, right,
So what happened with that? Like how did they get
(21:12):
a hold of you? Did they talk to your mom first?
Like how did it all happen?
Speaker 2 (21:16):
I immediately after high school, I started working at this doctor's office.
So I'm at this doctor's office and I it must
have been like an email. They're like, hey, you need
to get on a call, like we want you to join.
So I was in my boss's office and talking to
them on the phone and then they just offered to
do it. And I'm like, yeah, why not. My boss
(21:36):
was like very supportive, you know, he let me come
and go both times I was on Dancing with the
Stars and very encouraging. It was like, yeah, go do it.
So just decided to do it. But I had zero representation.
Speaker 1 (21:50):
Right, Like did you tell your mom? Like did she
did they talk to your mom first or no?
Speaker 2 (21:55):
It was like I think maybe my mom probably declined it.
Maybe I have no idea.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Or behalf Yeah, what they asked your father to do?
Speaker 2 (22:03):
It. I know, I wish you would have would I
had no idea.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
You guys should have done it together.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
That would have been hilarious.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
No, seriously, like a family affair like he would have
would have been partnered with somebody, and you guys would
compete against each other because they did that with the
Damelios not too long ago. That would have been really entertaining.
Did your mom ever get asked to do Dancing with
the Star?
Speaker 2 (22:24):
I wish she was, but she should have done it too.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
You think, I mean, it's never too late. I'm I'm
sure they would love to have her. Season thirty three
is around the corner.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
It's already season thirty three. That's crazy.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
Did you watch the show prior to being asked? Or no,
you had no idea.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
I'd heard of it for sure, but I don't think
I've even seen an episode, like a full episode.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
Did you say yes right away to the or no?
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Yeah, I was so fearless, like yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Did you even ask like details like how much am I?
Am I going to be put up somewhere? Like nothing?
Speaker 2 (23:00):
No, I don't even know how all of that unfolded.
My ki, oh my gosh, I'd be like what are
you doing totally? Yeah? No, it was like very yep,
I'm doing it going to California. Yet, this is gonna
be fun.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
So your boss knew before your parents knew.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
I know, I can't remember, but he died in the room.
When I was on the phone call with him, He's like, yeah,
go do it.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
So you drive from Alaska to Los Angeles.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
I worried that I wouldn't have a car there, so that's.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Probably why I would have gotten you one. But it
sounded like it was a fun trip. Right Who did
you you went with? So trip was with you? He
was a baby? Oh no, okay, he flew down.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
I can't remember who drove with me.
Speaker 1 (23:48):
So when your mom and dad initially, were they hesitant
or did they support you?
Speaker 2 (23:54):
If they were hesitant, I had no idea. Oh interesting, okay.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
And did you know that the show was the number
one show on primetime television with like millions and millions
of people? Okay? Did you request for your pro partner
or you just didn't know us?
Speaker 2 (24:11):
I think the only pro I knho was Derek Cough.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Did you request him?
Speaker 3 (24:15):
No?
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Because I didn't even know him. But I remember them
asking me like my personality type and like, you know,
are you outgoing? I'm like absolutely not, like you're like
diverted person ever, but I was. I was so thankful
to be partnered with Mark because Mark was so sweet.
Very yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
No, he really took care of you too. Like was
it I think social media must have been out by then,
or was it message boards? It must have been message boards.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
I know social media was out. I just didn't have
anything really right. God protected me so much that I
was just like I wasn't in the know of a lot.
Speaker 1 (24:49):
But I do imagine.
Speaker 2 (24:51):
Somebody sent something in to the studio.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
A white pottery thing.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
Yes, And then I remember h I think it was
like right before it was announced, like who was going
to be in the finale, some guys shot his TV
or something because I like the photo, Like people take
that show so serious, it's.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
Insane, So I am so passionate.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
They are so passionate. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Wait, so were you scared when that happened? Like was it?
I know, did they hire security or did you hire security?
Speaker 2 (25:24):
I never hired security, but I do remember that guy
shooting the TV, which was wild. And then I remember
them sending in some white powder. I'm sure it was
addressed to me because they were so mad that it
was still continuing throughout the season.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
Was it the guy that shot the TV that sent
the white powdery thing?
Speaker 2 (25:41):
It was a different person.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
Yeah, okay, so this is from what I when I
was reading your book, because you don't talk about the
show until like towards the end. But I just all
of these memories started flooding my mind because this was,
like I said, fourteen years ago. It was addressed to
you and they sent it to where we shoot the show. Yeah,
and it went straight to Bungalow one where all the
(26:05):
executives were, and it was a mess. It was like
they hired security for you Bristol. You may not remember,
but like even like maybe you didn't see them or
I'm sure they had to tell you.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
I remember like whenever we got to rehearsals there would
be a security guard out there, and then obviously like
at the studios there would be security guards.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
Yes, because of that incident, we started having major security,
like and still to this day, I think they do
because also Sean Johnson dealt with some crazy things. But
were you nervous or scared or did it not phase you?
Speaker 2 (26:37):
Oh? I think I was just so naive. It's like,
oh my gosh, that's crazy, like onto the next.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
Oh yeah, because that's really like that doesn't happen a lot. Yeah,
and your mom, how did she react?
Speaker 2 (26:49):
I think she was probably just as caught off part
as ion. Yeah, but again, being from Alaska, we're just
like I swear, it's like a different country.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
Up there, so we're like, well, it's just white powder.
Everyone needs to calm down or I don't know, like I.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
Don't know if we're just I don't know, detached from
all a lot of the world when it comes to
like that scary type stuff. Even since Stands with the Stars,
we've faced so many stalker situations. I had a stalker.
I think he initially was like my mom's stalker, but
then he kind of was stalking all of us. He
showed up to my ex husband's house, roll into his house, stooles, vehicle, stools, guns. Like,
(27:28):
we've had some crazy situations with stalkers. So I don't know, but.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
Like stalking you, like what like following you guys.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
Yeah, he like had flown up to Alaska. There's been
so many different stalking situations that have like happened throughout
the last you know, decade or however long it's been.
But there's just been very like not normal circumstances. I'm convention.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
Do you guys report it or no?
Speaker 2 (27:53):
You just like he got arrested for sure? Okay, good good?
Speaker 1 (27:56):
And now with social media, this is a whole nother
way of stock talking people. I mean, it's almost like
a given. People are not as shocked when you say
someone's stalking me because it's so easy to find you.
Do you feel safe where you are today?
Speaker 2 (28:09):
I feel definitely safe where I am today. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
More than Alaska, Yeah, for sure. Yeah, because you could
definitely hide within the population of people there. I mean
it's crazy in comparison.
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Yeah, here a small community. There's a ton of people here,
so there's lots of places.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
What were your first impressions of Mark Ballace when you
walked in to meet him for the first time.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
He was very bubbly, very nice. He's just sweep. He
was shorter than I was expecting, for sure, But I
love Mark and I'm I'm wholl I'm five.
Speaker 1 (28:43):
To six, so with heels on your five eight or
nine girl.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
At least, yes, we were like I do I.
Speaker 1 (28:51):
Mark had to stand up. He either wear those cuban
heels like there was no converse allowed, Yes you did.
What were your first moves? Like, did you have any
dance experience? Did you ever dance like for fun as
a girl.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Like I wasn't like the cheerleading type. I played basketball
and write soccer and things like that, So zero dance
experience whatsoever?
Speaker 1 (29:12):
When you took your first step onto the ballroom floor,
What were your feelings and what were your thoughts? Because
you seem pretty calm, but I'm also introverted. But that
doesn't mean I don't have anxiety at texts every time
I used to perform, But how about you?
Speaker 2 (29:27):
I was I had like the first rehearsal, I was like,
what am I getting myself into? Like right? And then
of course I dance. Everyone's like you gotta perform, you
gotta perform, and I am like, I don't think people
realize how introverted shy don't say much. I am so
all that expression stuff like I cannot I cannot to.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
I don't understand how people rehearse facial expressions because like
it's just it's going to come out right, like it's natural.
But when you're like, smile on count two and wink
on cal three. I'm like, this is so cheeseball. I
can't do this.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
He had to dub it down so much for me.
He probably did tell me to smile right here, do
this right here, because I was so like deer in
headlines the whole time. Right.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
I thought, you did great. I mean, this is what
the show is, right. You're not supposed to have anybody.
You're not supposed to have the Jennifer Grays. Come on,
you're not supposed to have Brandy with dance experience. Let's
talk Brandy.
Speaker 2 (30:25):
She man. I thought we were cool. I thought everything
was so fun. And then when she got voted off
and I went to the finale, it was so awkward
in there. I've never felt something more awkward in that
dance room than when that happened.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
It was like, okay, wait, tell my listeners. Everything start
from the beginning.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
So it was the episode before the finale.
Speaker 1 (30:47):
Right, semifinals, the semi finals, and.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
I went through and she got voted off and it
was so awkward and I'll never forget it. I'm like,
what is going on here? Like this is what I feel.
Speaker 1 (31:06):
I was there. You could feel the freaking you can
hear the pin.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
Drop you could, and we were so cool all season,
and then when I went forward and she didn't, it
was like, oh.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Gosh, U wait, what what did you hear in the
audience when they when Tom bergeron took seventy five hours
to announce your name?
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Didn't her mom yell, yes, it's in your book, it's
exactly right. What did she say? I forgot? What did
she say?
Speaker 1 (31:31):
She goes, this show is rigged, The show is rigged,
and you can hear her like and it must have
been like during either because like they whoever gets eliminated
goes to Brooke and Tom and you say you're goodbyes.
I mean it turned into Jerry Sprigger. It was like
it was I she got up on her feet and
was like spitting, foaming from the mouth. Yeah, And that
(31:55):
must have been so hard for you.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
Those voted on skills, Like I know, they just they're
voting me through because they feel bad, Like I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (32:02):
I was just like, no, that's not the reason, Bristol.
They voted for you, because you deserve to be there.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
I felt like I needed to be like apologetic, but
it was just it was awkward.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
Did you try to apologize.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
I don't know if I'm sure, like when they call
it when the lights are on or whatever. Yeah, sure,
but I just just got your fault just being so mad.
I just remember her not even looking at me.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
Huh. And then her brother, remember her brother was there,
and he was like doing the press line like he
was angry. He was not okay with that. What's his
name again, ray Je? You mentioned in your book the
camaraderie was interesting, right. You saw pro not necessarily pros,
but you saw some cast members like roll their eyes
(32:44):
every time you guys would make it through. That must
have not been fun to deal with, right, Like, can
you tell us a little bit more? I hope I wasn't.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
I to god, it wasn't nice like that, You're okay,
good honest.
Speaker 1 (33:00):
I was always nervous because I was like, I really,
if I was like that, I'm so sorry.
Speaker 2 (33:05):
Never a lot of the people were very sweet and
very kind. But I do remember. I think it was
the first night because remember Pamela Anderson was on that season,
and she like did something, she like signaled something.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
It was all Stars, right, all Stars.
Speaker 2 (33:20):
All Stars wasn't the I can't remember which one it was,
but she like signaled something and the news picked it
up and it was like a big deal insinuating that
she was like I don't know, like saying I was
crazy or something. Oh what it was something like that,
but you would know it was All Stars. She got
eliminated first All Stars? Oh did she got? And your
(33:44):
partner on All Stars was Emitt Smith? Right? Yeah, he
was always really sweet. I really liked him.
Speaker 1 (33:49):
He's a good guy. Yeah, I mean, but honestly, you
start to see people's true colors sometimes when it's like
because everyone is at their breaking point, especially when you're
like halfway through, but also the like, you guys are
so vulnerable and the only way to succeed on the
show is to be authentic and vulnerable. And I feel
like in a way that gave you a leg up
(34:10):
because you know, people are there trying to revive their
careers for the most part. Yes, and you were just
like you remind me a little bit of I'm not
comparing you guys by any means. But Rob Kardashian same thing,
Like he didn't he was just like a normal He
didn't even want to be famous, Like he's just like
I'm just my last name is Kardashian, you know and so,
but those are the people that succeed on the show
(34:31):
because you've got nothing to prove. You're just like you're
just doing the challenge and task at hand. Yeah, did
so when all of this was happening, all the press,
paparazzi everywhere, you had like lots of paparazzi. I remember
that following you, did you ever feel like you want
to just throw the towel in because it was just
so much.
Speaker 2 (34:49):
It was all such a different world. But I think
I was just like thankful to be there.
Speaker 1 (34:55):
What did you learn most about your experience on the show.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
Gosh, that's a great question. That I can step out
of my comfort zone and I don't know, be like
more social and not be so introvert, just maybe like
put myself out there. I think I definitely like that.
Speaker 3 (35:13):
Yeah, are you ready to play some rapid fire?
Speaker 2 (35:25):
Sure?
Speaker 1 (35:25):
Okay, it's rapid okay fire and rapid okay. Would your
mom ever consider competing on the show?
Speaker 2 (35:34):
Probably?
Speaker 1 (35:35):
Who rolled their eyes at you and Mark when you
would get saved during gelimidation?
Speaker 2 (35:41):
Who oh Max? Oh he hated me so much? I
forgot that was red Party.
Speaker 1 (35:46):
Wait, so why did he hate you?
Speaker 2 (35:47):
I don't know, probably just because we kept going through.
I mean, he was real nice at the beginning, but
it was one of those things where like, as we
kept going through, it was.
Speaker 1 (35:57):
Like, it's interesting because in your book you say Max
actually went out of his way to say something nice
before it was before he got eliminated obviously. Was that
because of the tension like you felt. I mean, it's
not that hard to feel someone's energy when either you're
being fake or you don't like me, right, Yeah, No.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
I definitely felt the tension from him. I forgot about that. Yeah,
because the further we went along in it, the more
it was like, oh, gosh, okay.
Speaker 1 (36:23):
Who was the friendliest to you on set?
Speaker 2 (36:26):
How are you?
Speaker 1 (36:27):
Oh okay?
Speaker 2 (36:29):
Good?
Speaker 1 (36:30):
Thanks? And who was the person in wardrobe that said.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
That I bet you I could pick her out.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
It's a woman.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
Yeah, it was a woman. She was like a heavier
set woman.
Speaker 1 (36:42):
Does she have glasses?
Speaker 2 (36:44):
She like reddish hair?
Speaker 1 (36:46):
Oh? I know what you're talking about, because she's not
there anymore.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Good. She was definitely there all star seasons and I
can't remember if she was their trip season or not.
Speaker 1 (36:53):
So wait, can you tell my listeners what we're talking
about she.
Speaker 2 (36:56):
Like, I was in a changing room and I was
so self conscious in my body at that point and costumes.
Costumes was fun, but it was a change because I
wanted to like cover my chest and that's fine things
like that, and I wanted to wear spanks and all
this stuff. And I could hear her because I'm like
in a changing room and she called me a bitch
(37:18):
to somebody, like I can.
Speaker 1 (37:20):
Not believe that.
Speaker 2 (37:22):
Yeah, she was not.
Speaker 1 (37:23):
She was like very like when you were not in
front of your face, but like when she thought that
she was invisible or something and you were going to
hear her.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
Yeah, that's how I remember it. And I remember like,
did you just call me a bitch? Are you serious?
But yeah, she was grumpy for sure.
Speaker 1 (37:39):
Body image. I literally have body dysmorphia since I started
dance when I was four. And I understand that insecurity
that you may have felt, because obviously there's mirrors everywhere constantly,
and if you didn't come from a dance background, like
there's it's kind of impossible not to compare yourself to people,
let alone having people talk about your weight like I
(38:01):
got I got slammed. What was that like for you
to deal with.
Speaker 2 (38:06):
It was hard. It was really hard. And I I
mean my weight flunctu weights. It's still plunctuations, just not
as much, but something like that. On the show. It
was like everyone was talking about my weight, and then
I was stressed out about my weight. I felt like
I was just eating even more and gaining even more weight.
It was just like a vicious cycle and it only
(38:26):
affected my confidence so much for like years to come
because it was such a topic. I remember Kathy Griffin,
she was doing some I don't know, some show, and
she was talking about me on Dancing with the Stars
and she was saying how I was like the white
version of Precious, that TV character that was so messed up,
(38:49):
so crazy.
Speaker 1 (38:51):
So did you see that you said or you heard
about it.
Speaker 2 (38:54):
It was all over the news for a while, but
I remember that. I like, gosh, it just bugs me
so bad because I would be so upset if somebody
was talking about my daughter like that. And I was.
I think I was about nineteen on Dancing with the Stars. Uh,
maybe twenty, and I'm already self conscious of my weight.
Obviously I knew I was gaining weight, and just for
(39:15):
her to say something like that was, Oh.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
It's just like, Okay, if you're saying this in the press,
it's highly likely everyone else knows about it, right, Like,
especially in this industry. I'm with you, like, I don't.
I think that is shaped not necessarily in a positive way,
but maybe because I'm talking about it. But the body dysmorphia,
always questioning the way I look. I mean it started
when I was a little girl. It's not just dancing
(39:38):
with the stars, but it doesn't help when you're in
front of millions of people. And then like every fitting
I would have, i'd have to see a backroll and
I'm like, I can't do that like I would. It
would affect my mood towards other people too.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
Yeah, And I feel like it's like such a like
a vicious.
Speaker 1 (39:53):
Cycle, you know, where it's just a continual thing, you know,
And how are you now today? Like with your b
and stuff.
Speaker 2 (40:01):
I feel like the older I get, the more confident
I become, for sure. I think just at that age,
it's difficult. And then you know, on that show, it's
like you're in these little costumes. There's no avoiding anything.
You're being photographed all the time, and.
Speaker 1 (40:15):
The TV adds ten pounds.
Speaker 2 (40:17):
Yes, for sure. I remember meeting people after Dancing with
the Stars. I remember housing like an ultra support and
this one was like, you look just like that Bristal
Palin girl, but way skinnier.
Speaker 1 (40:27):
I remember, just I get that all the time. Girl,
Oh you're so much smaller in person than I'm like,
that is not a compliment.
Speaker 2 (40:34):
I know that's so rude, so rude.
Speaker 1 (40:37):
Well you're beautiful. Like it was Mark there for you
during that time as well, Like, yeah, he was.
Speaker 2 (40:42):
Like a very good partner. I can't remember if we
talked about it. I'm sure we didn't about it, but no,
he was always very supportive.
Speaker 1 (40:50):
I hate people sometimes, I really do. So favorite costume.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
There was like this big Elmo costume.
Speaker 1 (41:01):
That's what I remember, that one.
Speaker 2 (41:03):
With the pants and the fringe. I thought that one
was so fun.
Speaker 1 (41:07):
What was your favorite dance?
Speaker 2 (41:09):
I like the waltz or something. I like those old
school ones more.
Speaker 1 (41:14):
So, what happened between you and Mark when they so
the packages that Dancing with the Stars airs prior to
your dance?
Speaker 2 (41:20):
Right?
Speaker 1 (41:21):
Like I don't know if Mark ever told you, like
don't listen to it or whatever, but you guys had
some sort of confrontation that happened with you saying like
you probably want to dance with Sean. It was during
All Stars, it must have been, right what happened there.
Speaker 2 (41:34):
I think we were disagreeing on like how much effort
was being put in. I think we just like weren't
taking it seriously. Like I think I wanted to like
actually take it serious and rehearse more. And I think
that's probably what the conversation was.
Speaker 1 (41:49):
Got it. Yeah, what was the biggest difference between the
two seasons as far as you and Mark's relationship goes.
Speaker 2 (41:58):
I think we'd just both grown up because like several
years between them.
Speaker 1 (42:02):
Yeah, it was like four seasons.
Speaker 2 (42:03):
Yeah, so I think probably just more mature.
Speaker 1 (42:06):
And how about your experience on the show in general?
Was it better the first time or the second time?
Speaker 2 (42:14):
I think the second time was probably more fun for me, Yeah,
because I wasn't as self conscious as just with my body,
so I think it was the second time. I think
I just had a little bit more confidence and do
what I was getting myself into.
Speaker 1 (42:28):
And what was that like as far as like people,
the camaraderie and but mainly with the press, like were
they not as crazy or was it just as crazy.
Speaker 2 (42:37):
It was probably like the same.
Speaker 1 (42:39):
Oh really, but you just knew what it was like.
You came to La. You're like in a fish bowl,
you know, as you are for sure.
Speaker 2 (42:45):
But that the second time I did not drag my
truck up. They got me a rental car, so I
was very definitely.
Speaker 1 (42:50):
I'm sure asked for a few things.
Speaker 2 (42:52):
Baby.
Speaker 1 (42:55):
Are you single?
Speaker 2 (42:57):
Yes. I don't even like to say I'm single though,
because I feel like it makes.
Speaker 1 (42:59):
Me seem like I'm like girl, I'm single.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
I like being by myself. I do me too. I
don't think I ever want to be in a relationship well,
and I feel like just this culture, it's like there's
such like a hookup culture, like a fast, instant gratification,
and that just leaves everything so empty, and I just
am I'm not interested in anything that's going to be
like that. If I'm gonna build my life with so
(43:24):
many great but I'm not interested in like the instant
gratification or the attention even from.
Speaker 1 (43:30):
Guys I'm eating apps. No thanks never I could have
you ever. I got on Hinge for like two days
and I saw my son's teacher on there. I thank
you Jesus he gave me a signe right away never
ever again. No, I have never tried it. I don't.
I refuse. You're not missing anything, like I'm divorced, but
(43:52):
I'm fine, Like it's been three years. I'm celibate.
Speaker 2 (43:55):
That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (43:56):
And it's just me and my French bulldog.
Speaker 2 (43:59):
That's so great.
Speaker 1 (44:00):
It's peaceful. So you're not like dating at all, like
there was something online. I mean, I'm sure it's just
bullshit with you and some dude, but I don't know
if that's real.
Speaker 2 (44:07):
No, I'm like single, but I don't even like to
say that because I feel like that implies that I'm
like searching for something, and I'm no, not.
Speaker 1 (44:14):
Just say you're dating yourself.
Speaker 2 (44:16):
I just am not interested in the whole culture.
Speaker 1 (44:20):
Do you eventually want to get married?
Speaker 2 (44:22):
Yeah, of course, I eventually. I'd like to build a
life with somebody, for sure, But I feel like right
now I have so much purpose with the businesses that
I have with my kids, and I just unless I'm
going to be building life with somebody, I just am
not interested in entertaining anything.
Speaker 1 (44:38):
Thank you, girl. And you know what, like, the more
you stick to that, I think that if it's meant
to be. There'll be somebody there you know that is
on your level. Yeah, basically, God will make it very clear. Yeah,
what reality show would do? Would you do? You have
to choose one. I mean you might not want to
do any but just choose one. Love is Blind special
(44:58):
Forces or Traders special Forces for really?
Speaker 2 (45:02):
Yes, Oh my god, I would never do You would
never do it.
Speaker 1 (45:05):
I would die.
Speaker 2 (45:07):
Nope, I would.
Speaker 1 (45:08):
You don't understand, like I am a hermit, I live
in I'm here in this house and I never I
think I left yesterday for the first time to get
my nails done in a week.
Speaker 2 (45:16):
You could do that show. You can fully do it.
I can't.
Speaker 1 (45:20):
I can't swim. I mean I can, but I can float.
Speaker 2 (45:22):
Okay. I wouldn't want to swim, and I wouldn't want
to do like the pool you have to do the
cold water would be miserable.
Speaker 1 (45:27):
But oh my god, they're going to ask you now
that you said that, you know that, right.
Speaker 2 (45:32):
That'd be awesome. I mean, oh my god, I would
just not want to be voted off first or sent
off first, and.
Speaker 1 (45:37):
I better start swimming.
Speaker 2 (45:38):
I got to start some push ups or something.
Speaker 1 (45:42):
Okay, would you do the Bachelorette.
Speaker 2 (45:45):
No, because the lineup of men that would be on it,
I feel like no.
Speaker 1 (45:49):
Okay, fan questions and then you're done at Michelle and Jil,
I can't ever say these names anyway. Any chance of
a reconnection with Dakota.
Speaker 2 (46:00):
Codain and I are great co parents. We've been divorced
for a long time and we've tried to work things out.
I don't know. I think we're we both kind of
live our own independent lives.
Speaker 1 (46:13):
Yeah. At Kara h. Hoff love your clothing line? Can
do you still have it?
Speaker 2 (46:18):
Yes? Yeah, we have.
Speaker 1 (46:19):
What's it called.
Speaker 2 (46:20):
It's called boy Heart. It's a conservative clothing brand and
it's been so much fun. It's like a little side hustle,
side project that my best friend and I we've been
running and it's been a blast.
Speaker 1 (46:31):
That's awesome. And are you The question is if you're
going to drop another line soon or yeah?
Speaker 2 (46:37):
We have other drops coming up.
Speaker 1 (46:39):
Where can people find it? Boy Heart dot com got
it and that's b O Y H A R T. Yes,
okay And from at the James Bennett. Do you feel
you're treated differently on Dancing with the Stars because of
who your mom is? Probably a little bit yes, yeah,
in what way? I think the press were much harder
(47:02):
than on me than they were on anyone else. Last
one at eight fifty Local Social. If you hadn't done realestate,
what would you have done?
Speaker 2 (47:13):
I don't know. I've always been into buying and sign properties,
so I'd probably be like flipping properties things like that
that I have rental properties, and I'm always investing in
real estate, so I'd probably doing the same thing. I
remember being in the makeup chair dancing with the Stars
like on Zillow the whole time. I just I'm obsessed
with it.
Speaker 1 (47:31):
Zillo was around back then. Yeah, oh interesting, Okay, Bristol,
it was so fun to catch up with you. I'm
assuming you're never in California, right, Okay, Well if you ever,
if you are doing Special Forces, you still wouldn't be
in California. If you do another Dancing with the Stars
all Stars, let me know and we'll hang out.
Speaker 2 (47:49):
Yes, it's so good to see you. Thank you so
much for having me on.
Speaker 1 (47:52):
Thanks for coming on. And what is next? Is there
anything next for you? Or are you just focusing on you.
Speaker 2 (47:57):
Focusing on me, focusing on my kids and just listening
and hearing from God. On where's next to our family.
Speaker 1 (48:05):
Nice and website social media handles.
Speaker 2 (48:09):
My Instagram is BSMP two.
Speaker 1 (48:13):
I was wondering, I was like, wait before I tag
this person, I was like, is this Bristol.
Speaker 2 (48:17):
It's just my initials.
Speaker 1 (48:19):
And your clothing line is at www dot boyheart dot com. Right, Yes,
thank you, thank you so much, good to see you,
Good to see you, my friend. Bye bye, and that's
a wrap. As always, don't forget to please take a
moment to rate and review this episode wherever you're currently
listening to it, no matter if you've done so a
million times, as it's key to the podcast success. Your
(48:41):
feedback and support is invaluable. And remember we're now dropping
three episodes a week Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, with an
all new Rewatch episode coming out this Wednesday. Until next time,
love you all, bye,
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