April 24, 2025 • 43 mins
RHONY alum Kelly Bensimon joins Jen in Napa to discuss the good, the bad and ugly of reality tv.
Kelly gives her hot take about the rebooted RHONY cast. Does she think it’s working? And, would she ever return?
Plus, an X rated moment on Ultimate Girls Trip that the cameras didn’t catch.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hi guys, I'm Jen Fessler from Two Jersey Jays. I'm
without my partner Jackie today, but guess who I am with,
the beautiful Kelly Bensmoon and we, by the way, are
not in Jersey. We are not We are not in Jersey.
We are in Napa Valley. We're in the Napa Valley.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Have you been here before? I have been here before,
but can imagine today? We were at the concert live
from the vineyard. It was such a vibe. All of
the wine, all of the country music, so dreamy. Everybody
was in cowboy boots. You're looking fire, by the way,
thank you. You're looking fire too, Thank you so much
like the Feathers. I was like, you know what, let's.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
You caught you well when I text you earlier today
about like what we bring, what you're wearing, and you
said to me, I'm just going to bring like go
whole Coachella, right.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
And I like, yeah, it's like a country I know.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
But then I had to stop and call my daughter
Rachel and say, so, what would one where to Coachella
do such a thing? Anyway, said feathers and cowboy boots.
She didn't say this.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
She didn't say bikinis.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
You know, all right, you guys, but I am so excited,
first of all, well obviously to be here at NAPA,
but to be with Kelly, because so Kelly bensimone, I'm
sure to most of you, but to me is iconic.
So Kelly goes back on New York Housewives. You know,
the years where it was I'm sorry, the golden years
(01:31):
to me, but your seasons on the Housewives were I'm sorry,
no offense to anyone listening, the best of the best.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
They were.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
They really were, right, they were, you.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Know, Luena and I talk about it all the time
and how just the relationships that were nurtured during that
time were very raw and very real. I mean, do
you remember too, we didn't have social media, right, so
like everybody now, Like when I was on Ultimate Girls Ship,
I was like, You're like, you're in a relationship with
social media. Yeah right, I'm not just the Housewives so true.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
So it is so.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Different, so different. And the way that you play or
the way that I don't play to anybody. I'm just
like do myself, which is you know, bittersweet. But the
way that some of the ladies play to the camera
based on their social media following, it's really strong, and
I just don't pay attention. I'm like, if you like me,
you're gonna like me. And if you don't like me,
(02:26):
maybe you like me someday.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
That's the healthy way to do housewives right there. And
it's very unusual actually, but it's just you're right. There
was no the social media of it. There was none
of that back in the day. So like we would
watch an episode and whatever, get to work the next
morning and just go through. Like when Kelly said I'm
(02:48):
here and you're here, that was the best. I mean,
I'm talking about that whatever. But you know, it was
like it was such a different thing.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
You know, it's so funny because it was the Brass
Monkey and i'd been you know, there was like a
lot of waiting throughout the day of when we were
supposed to film, and I didn't realize this because I
did not watch the show. So I made a concerted
effort because they were like, this is reality TV and
I had been on I'd done had my own show before,
(03:15):
so I was like, Okay, I'm just.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Gonna be wake out what I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
I had a show call behind the hedges where I
interviewed like the best of the best, and I went
shark diving. I was so much fun. I know that
it was great, it was really fun. But what happened
was as much fun as House was. House Lives is
a really really fun dynamic. Well, what happened that day
was that we were supposed to be filming, and what
I did not realize is that when she was doing interviews,
(03:42):
she was saying like she was setting me up. She
was she was not setting me up for me, she
was setting me up for the viewer. She was saying,
this is Kelly Bensimone. This is who she is. She
hates me. She's a you know, she's a bitch. I'm
just a minion, you know, poor me. She's like the
cheerleader and things. She's amazing and I'm an awful, awful
(04:05):
And so she tried to set up this narrative and
then when I got there and she's like, I'm late.
I'm just like, you are being so rude. You made
me wait all day long. You're a child. She just
acts like a child, and she continues to.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
So I so, Kelly, and I just for the listeners.
So we now we've become friends. But before, we just
keep running into each other, right, I guess do iHeart Well.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
We ran into each other on the on the Red
carpet at iHeart Radio, which was so much fun. But
then also at the movie premiere Amateur with Ronnie Oh
my god.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Yes, so we ran into each other there, and then we.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Did run into each other. We literally like had like
a melt down. Who you saw each other. We were
having so much fun. And by the way, Sonya Morgan,
who I love so much, She's the most spirited, beautiful human.
She and I said, Jen, you can't do you can't
do all that, you can't do all.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
These I yes.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
So I'm like walking the red carpet and there's all
these paparazzi and I'm like trying to stop and like
push my way into them like a desperado. And Kelly
saved me. She's like, because it's like, so I look,
so whatever, just desperado.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
That is not true. You did not look Janfessler there
last second, I was on the House size on New.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Jersey as a friend a two years but meanwhile Sonia
was working it and Kelly's like, just stand back. If
they come to you, they come to you. So one
of the first favors that Kelly did for me. But
then you introduced me to a photographer and you said, Jen,
this is why Beth and he hates me. Yes, this guy,
who I guess was is a photographer, nice guy, very
(05:42):
new I guess was at the time her boyfriend.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
So he was taking photos of an event at my
house and she came with him and then I, you know,
he wanted to see the house and he wanted to
go through it. So I mean, I know him very well.
So I was taking him through everything, and she like
literally got her panties in a wad and thought.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
You were trying to steal her that No, no, no, yeah,
all right, we haven't like the bethany of it all.
Put it yeah, I won't put it on ice for
a few minutes because.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
But you know what let's not put on ice is
that we were on this red carpet and you were
and I chatting up a storm. Everyone else is taking
photos like Laura's fish. Jan goes, I'm gonna eat the photo.
I'm going a photo so and and your is so
sweet and he's like, are you into the photo? And
I was like, yeah, I'm like if whatever photo you
want you get like, you just get whatever phone. Kelly's like,
(06:37):
not a starker and I am.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
And then I'm like, I am self proclaimed. I'm like,
are you thinking that I got dressed up? I spent
two hundred and fifty dollars on the makeup and I'm
not getting a picture next to Laurence Fishburn.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
It was his wife. His wife is so beautiful, and I.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Felt a little badly. She was a little scared. She's like,
your house like an animal was, Yeah, it was.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
And then you look at the photo and you go,
oh my god, no, oh my god. So the problem
is with my husband's I was a very star man.
He's a he's an attorney.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
He's a corporate attorney, securities or something, I don't know,
something uninteresting, but he like people trust him.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
You don't know, how do you get through the day.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
It was like literally like there was no you couldn't
even see us in the picture, and he didn't have
the wherewithal to say, guys whatever, any that's for a
different episode, but.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
You know, I'm sorry. One thing that I really really
love about you is that we've had all these funny,
fun things that have happened. So it's like Laurence Fishburne,
my carpet, Sonya, all these things. I heart radio. But
I remember distinctly we're waiting for Lawrence for you to
get hit the photo and I asked you guys about
(07:53):
your relationship because I did not know, and you were
so genuinely open right for that, and I just was
very taken aback and just like, oh my god, what.
You're such a beautiful human because you're just so vulnerable.
And I think that's something, it's the truth, and it's
something that I've learned from being on this podcast. From
(08:16):
and I do part two, I've learned to be open
and I've learned to be more vulnerable and it's helped
me out so much in my personal life so much.
But you are just inherently very vulnerable, and it's a
beautiful thing. You know.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
It used to feel more vulnerable.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Now it feels like like when you start to share stuff,
it starts to feel like a strength. Like in other words,
So if I tell you my shit, and there's lots
of it, right whoever it is, I find it like
immediately you'll start opening up then to me, So you
like connect with people differently.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
But the other piece is you don't do it at
a time that's strategic. You just are not open, which
is so disarming, and just like women or not like that.
Women are just not like that. They don't just jump
into friendships because they're like, I don't know you, who
are you? You know, give me your bio. I might say,
okay for me to friends with you. I mean, you're
(09:11):
just very disarming. And it really like, that was a
really fun night. It's the truth. It was a really
fun night. But I was also like, oh my god.
And I was also I learned something from that small
little moment, which most people like, you know, I just
listen to what you guys were saying, and that how
you guys had had your differences and how you were
(09:33):
back together. And I also thought that was incredible because
most people, most relationships, women or men are just like,
you're not doing what I like, I'm just gonna get
rid of you. Yeah, And basically that is what it is.
I mean, you can say it however you want. You
can say they were uncoupling, they were doing this whatever.
But most men and women they're just like, you're just
(09:53):
not You're not you're not filling this void. You're done
and you guys.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Yeah, we definitely, I mean went through so much Mutch Definitely,
we definitely did go through a lot. And I get
very also very lucky and I can do you know
something because you're good Kelly. On.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Here's the thing. This is how you know she's a person.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Okay, but here's how you know that Kelly is a host,
she's not just a guest. On I do part two?
You have in three minutes you have switched this entire thing.
This is about you, And all of a sudden, I
know this is like what No? Like clearly that's why
they have made you a host. What else do you
want to know about me?
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Kelly? No, tell me about me.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
I'll tell you anything about my marriage for house.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
What do you want to know about me? Well, I'm
just thinking, I mean thinking.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
But it's honestly, and by the way, I don't always.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Maybe you should be on New York maybe if I
if there is this you do I can't that's the dream.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
But and then I'm going to ask you a question
that's going to relate directly to my next statement, which
is that I would want to be on Old New York.
And now I want to ask you about New New York.
So tell me what you think in terms of the
last two seasons.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
And I don't think that this is even insulting.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
I think it's pretty well knowned it has didn't resonate
the same way that the reboot has not resonated, like
you know, Old New York, And why do you think
that is?
Speaker 2 (11:22):
I think one of the reasons that the reboot it
does not resonated is because women are so focused on
their brands, and I don't even know what brands are
talking about. I've never even heard of any of their brands.
I love Jenna Lyons. I had no idea that she
had eyelashes. I didn't I didn't even know she before.
(11:45):
I had no idea. So I've never even heard of
any of these brands. And that was that also just
rubbed me wrong because when I went on the show,
I was recently divorced, I had two young children. I
was single, very very very single, and I was is
literally like they were like, don't talk of being single
because it's not it's not cool. It's not cool to
(12:05):
be a single parent, Like that's not sexy. I'm like, well,
I'm not even forty yet, and I'm I think of
myself as attractive. Yeah, and they were like no, no, no,
like you need to be a certain way and you
need to have your hair blown out. I'm like, well,
sometimes my hair gets blown. Sometimes my hair is dirty
four days.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Yeah, welcome, welcome, that's the trick, ladies. So it's so
funny when you see the brand thing because.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
But it's just weird. I mean, I'm like, brand, what
are you talking.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
Because some people so I've had me like.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Like that's not on brand for me, or I don't
want to.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Do or like with it, even even endorsements like I
don't want to do that, it's not on brand. I'm thinking, well,
my brand is making money, so if you're going to
pay me, it's going to be on brand. And I'm sorry,
I mean, I'm not. I don't not everything is for sale,
but like the brand, I don't even know what that.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
I don't know what that means either, that does not
I mean and believe me, I mean I was the
editor of multiple magazines. I think I know what's a
brand and what's not a brand. And I can tell
you that if someone's telling you that they have a brand,
they don't have a brand.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
So you think that's what happened with the housewives with
the news.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
I think it was just like they were so they
were so caught up in what they thought they should
look like, and then they didn't realize that you're in
high deff television, right, and every single facial expression, everything
that you do is like magnified. So even if they
(13:42):
thought they were being chic and cool, they came off
cross as like totally douchey.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
So funny because I also feel like they were maybe
because they were trying to be on brand.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
And I don't think they'll be many mean girls. I
think I've met them. I've met them. I like a
lot of them. But I'm interrupt you for one thing.
We did this thing at page six, and I met
a few of them. We were doing behind the scenes,
like some TikTok stuff. We're supposed to be having fun.
If you were behind the scenes with the core og
group of housewives, they would be literally clawing each other's
(14:16):
eyes out to talk to the producer get more time.
They'd be like asking questions while the person was being
interviewed by X, Y or Z person. They would be
doing absolutely anything to get themselves out and about and
to create as much drama so that they could be
the talk of whatever. That polet was right. These girls
are like in the corner. I like, I literally, after
(14:39):
I did my interview, I went to find them. When
they're sitting there, They're like, okay bye. I was like, oh, okay,
bye bye. Guys. Wow, that's so interesting. I was like,
what are you doing? Like, let's go. Let's like even
in the TikTok, I'm the I mean, okay, I'm an
inherently animated human. But I was like, I look like
(14:59):
I I'm like, I don't know, like I'm the Mickey
Mouse Club.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
But don't you think that's because they are so And
I don't blame them. I was on Jersey for two seasons,
and I was in my head not all the time,
but a lot of the time. Because it's a different time,
right there is social media, and we have, as newbies,
watched those that came before us and seen what they've
gone through, and we've watched the pain that they've experienced.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
I was never in my head because I'm not in
my head well, because you can see right now I'm
not in my head.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
Because also I think that let's take you out of it.
There's also you didn't know what you were getting into.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Well, we're going to always keep you in it.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
But I'm talking about OG in New York. They didn't know.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
There was no precedent, so they were just getting fucked
up and getting drunk and fighting and having fun and
it was so real. And now I think it's just
it's a different time because of social media obviously, so
I think, like, like, maybe personalities are a little more tempered.
And I am guilty of it as well, right right,
(16:04):
I think that I did the best that I could
to be authentic, but there was something about the ogs.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
I don't know. And maybe you're on housewives. You're not
on Netflix, you're not on Lifetime, You're you're on Housewives
of New York. You are supposed to be in the
most glamorous city, doing the most glamorous things and interacting
in a way that's so raw and real, because that's
what's sexy about New York, Like when you want sex
(16:32):
in the city. One of the reasons that we love
sex and the city outside of the fashion and was
like that was cute. We loved the rawness, we loved
the realness. We loved even though it's not that wasn't reality.
That's what people are, So.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
That's what you think. That's the difference. Think between Old
New York and New New York.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Hundred percent there's a rawness and rawness that is not there.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
And do you think that's because of the social media.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Of it all. I definitely think it's because of the
social media. But I also think that it's because that
they these women are seeing so much, so much other programming,
and they're trying to make themselves brand into a brand,
and it doesn't happen like that. I mean, people like
you because they just like you, whether you're the prettiest girl,
whether you're the ugliest girl, whether you're like whatever. It is.
(17:18):
People just like people who are real that they could
be like, you know what, I'm like her, Oh my god,
I'm like her. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
No, I think that's so true.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
I think that's a good, bad or ugly like I
think about Jersey, and I think about like Jersey was
has been a success for so many years because good,
bad or ugly these women were who they are.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
And the dynamic between the families.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
Yes, but everyone seeing the families the families, yes, of course,
but also these women, it didn't matter like the cameras
were up or the cameras were down. They loved each
other or they hated each other, and there was no
faking it.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
And I mean, you guys are a great cast. So
when we were at Bravo Khan, hanging out with you
guys was so much fun. Like, you guys are like
real and like I remember meeting Joe Gorga at the
first time on a plane. I didn't even I never
met him before, and he was like, let me help
you with your bag. He's a very he's very very
(18:19):
gentle human, very really really nice guy. And Melissa, like
I do a lot of stuff with her. Margaret josephs.
I love her. We have a lot of friends in common.
She's a baller. I don't know if you like her.
I love I love her my close friends, and I
just love how real she is. And then she talks
about everything that she does, she talks about and I
think that's really I mean, it's really important, especially when
(18:40):
you're you know, getting older.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
There's also there's something about these characters, these humans, Dolores, Melissa, Margaret,
it's these women and all of them, Jackie, Danielle, Rachel, Teresa,
j God, I'm gonna I forget someone and then who
(19:02):
am I forgetting? Yelle Teresa? Anyway, But these women are
all they're all, but they're all individually a little cucka.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
They're all a little crazy, including me.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Well it's the genesis of the of the of the show.
And they are. Yes, we can't work with each other,
you know, every single day and talk to each other
and be filming to get with each other and talking,
talking and filming and talking and filming and talking and
filming and talking and filming, and it's like the worst reality.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Yeah, yeah, but I think that it's there's no like
at some point Jersey just everybody said, we're completely fucking
crazy and we're just gonna go with it, like there's
no more. We can't pretend there's no brand. There's just
we are all a bunch of hot, fucking messes. And
but that's I think. I feel like that's what worked
(19:52):
with New York too, Like there's no I don't know
what whatever whoever's trying to sell. Whatever they're trying to sell,
whether it be eyelashes or toaster ovens, I don't know.
But that's not what's interesting, right, what's interesting is these
women and the fact that they're messy, and the fact
that they actually like in the moment, like they hate
(20:13):
each other or they're laughing at and they adore each other.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
That chemistry is hard to find, and I.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Think that the ogs of New York did it perfectly
and very hard to get that back.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
I mean, I wouldn't know perfectly. I just again, I
think it's also what we have that's different is that
we get out of a taxi and you open that
door and the volume of New York and the smell
and it's just it's very just authentically gritty. And so
(20:45):
just before you've even walked into you know, into like
you know, your cocktails or whatever, you have to really
like kind of you kind of like you, yes, get
through it, and so like you're like, okay, but yes,
I'm gonna be vulnerable, right, But there has.
Speaker 3 (21:02):
To be commonality between New York. Think about it. So
New York to Dubai fancy to Beverly Hills, you guys.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Are fancy, your houses are beautiful. New York, you guys
are really dressed well like Jersey. Yes, I mean New
York women are not well dressed. They're not I don't
come from a lot of money. They don't. I don't
know what.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
Wait, whoa whoa whoa whoa?
Speaker 1 (21:23):
What don't you just say notorious for being the worst dressed.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
I'm sorry. You guys always look great. You guys are
always that point. Agree, You're always like you guys are
like the Kardashians of the housewise.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
To Kelly, you are losing me fast. What are you
talking about?
Speaker 2 (21:40):
You guys are like in your range rovers, your gorgeous houses.
You're always dressed.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Hold on, I agree, how on Jersey people have We
have beautiful homes, and I agree with you. But I
am telling you you and I are the only ones
that agree.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
People think that Jersey is the worst dress.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
That tackiest have to just do with the fact that,
of course, it's like Jerseys don't to be Jersey.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
It's Sopranos country, it's you know. I disagree. I think
that you guys are all love We're like, I mean,
New Yorkers are like, guys, hello, do you guys have
a job, Like, where's the cash? Shit?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
What?
Speaker 2 (22:20):
Really? I was like, Oh, I'm rich.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
I'm like, okay, wow, that is Jersey, New York, California.
Oh see, no, it's a lot of showmanship and there's
not always a lot to back that up. So I
think that's a housewise Housewives that's notorious for that, but.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
Someone like me, that's I mean, that's another reason I
love Everet Hills is because I love I love that,
Like the women will go and be like, I'm going
to get a present for my daughter and they like
drop like thirty grand on themselves. I think that's amazing, right, Like,
I mean, I would never do that for my daughters.
I mean I'm like, you know, I want them to
have like personal respect and like if they want they
(23:01):
get a gift, I want them to like, you know,
be really really excited about it. I don't just like
throw money at them. But I love that as.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Like to watch it as I love to watch your kids,
just not my kids, not for me. Let's just like
we'll talk about Jersey and New York quickly. What do
(23:30):
you see is the best scenario.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Moving forward for both? Is it a mix of old
and new?
Speaker 3 (23:35):
If so, is there anything specific you would like to suggest?
Speaker 2 (23:38):
Definitely a mix between old and new. I mean I
know I should go back. I've heard of course, yeah,
of course, I mean now now not now because people
have seen that like real is cool, like not real
is uncool, Like they're finally getting that.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
Would you go back with your old cast?
Speaker 2 (23:58):
Would you go back with Bethany? Ever?
Speaker 1 (24:00):
No?
Speaker 4 (24:00):
I never.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
I'm like, would you go on? Yes? Would you no? Yeah? No?
And she can't film anyway she's But you know, it's
interesting because when when I talked about the list that
I sent to Andy, one person was like, oh my god,
she always calls Andy. That is not true. I literally
I never call him. I don't even have a cell
phone number. I texted him one time because his daughter
(24:25):
was so unbelievably adorable, and then his another time I
sent his I sent them this like really cute teddy
bear and his son is so cute. So like I
never text Himbout. Well, by the way, I do know.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
I do know that a lot of housewives do have
his cell number and do text him. I mean, it's
not like I don't know what a regular I don't know.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
I'm just saying.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
I do have his cell number, and I text him
once and never again.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
You don't worry. Do his photo do a photo of him?
Like what do you mean? Like a not like on
your mantle? But do you have like a photo of
you guys together.
Speaker 1 (25:01):
Not framed, not for like it's not like all the
photos of the people you have like you that's the
side of all these famous people. Literally what you're talking about,
because I'm a literally and right I'm telling you my
friend Shary, my best friend is here right now, I
was telling Kelly earlier. So Shary used to take me
(25:22):
and are their best friend from college to the Grammys
every year because Sharry is Shary and her husband is
this big studio exect and we used to go to
the Grammys every year until literally like we were like maybe.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
Three or four years in.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
Remember, and there was a security guy and I guess
he worked there year after year who and I would
be and he was like, I'm done. Like he walked
up to us and he was like, I know your
game now.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Like this is like this is after years of us
going on, You're you're like a gorgeous brunette, which I
was not obvious.
Speaker 1 (25:54):
I was only eyes because I was so annoying, and
I would like go over and I would be like
reading out, like.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
No, you had no choice.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
I'm all right.
Speaker 3 (26:06):
We digressed, We digressed. I have a question for you, Yes.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
If you could get your photo taken with any housewife,
who would it be?
Speaker 3 (26:16):
I mean, Kelly Bensmo, any housewife? Let me think. No,
you know, it's like that, if you'd asked me.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
That four years ago. I mean, first of all, I
would have just been in heaven. I would have just
started drooling out of the left side of my mouth
thinking about me getting a photo with I don't know,
Kyle Richards or you know what. Okay, I know, I
know because I was gonna say yes. But I've gotten
a few pictures now, so it's different. But if you
(26:48):
ask me right now, the one that I haven't gotten
and that I would give the most, take with, Yes,
Lisa vander Pump.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
I love me some Lisa van I really I knew it.
I always die from her.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
I just did the way her hair would just flip back,
and she was so everything.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
The lipstick was first. I think she's she's Jacqueline Smith.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
I totally agree, right.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
She was the most beautiful and like, maybe a little
older than the rest of the Jackson people say you that, No,
she was the least pretty of the angels.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Take it.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Yeah, that's your fair faucet, and you know it. Anyway,
so thanks, thanks Helene.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
I'm k j.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
J.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
She's hot.
Speaker 1 (27:34):
I thought she's hot. She is, Yeah, she was like
the brainiac. She wasn't the hot one.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
But whatever. Anyway, all right, so.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Ultimate Girl's Trip, Which, what did you think?
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Ultimate Girls Trip?
Speaker 3 (27:46):
I loved every second.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
Of it, did I really. It was such a great trip.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
I thought it was so much fun to watch them.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
I kept telling them, you guys, you're missing the narrative.
I think this guy is going to ask me to
get married. He's sent me all these love notes with
photos that I was reading to Derinda, and instead of
a following my lead, they were like, no, no, we're gonna
try this to make this into Scary Island. I'm like,
it didn't. It didn't work. So there was a lot
(28:19):
of people didn't even know what scary Island was.
Speaker 3 (28:22):
Then they were like, we're not doesn't know what's scary Island?
Speaker 2 (28:24):
Well, because he just they don't. I guess they don't
want to know him because they're like, oh my god,
it was such an iconic moment, and they're like, but
one of my favorite favorite favorite moments on Ultimate Girl's
Trip is that we go and do this water therapy
I'm remembering water therapy and they're in like ther bikinis.
(28:47):
I'm like, I'm not gonna wear a bikini. I'm gonna
wear a one piece. I literally it was so warm
and I was in this velvet blue velvet one piece
and I'm like looking up with my eyes are closed
and I see the sun and it's like these lips
are trying to kiss me. And with the movement of
the water, I was like, I am so wildly horning.
(29:11):
I don't know what to do with myself. And I
get out of the water, and first of all, the
guy that was moving me around was just like a
smoke show. I get out of the water, I was like,
oh my god. I'm like this guy is so hot.
And like Luanne and durindare like I love my mother.
I'm like I'm like, no, no, no, no, my mother was
(29:32):
not in the water. I am so wildly horny. And
they were looking at me like I had fifteen heads
that I didn't have a cathartic. I get my own cathartic.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
But I'm trying to wait. But I'm thinking, like you
just said that, like they missed it. They missed the
bar where your boyfriend your fiance at the time you
were reading. I know you, I remember you reading the
love letters from him, but you already maybe not so
much into him, and we missed broken up. You were
about to get married. I thought we were.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
Broken up, and then he was like really really, really pushing,
and they definitely didn't catch that.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
That was.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
I got you and Kristin Takeman arguing.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
I mean, christ we were arguing. I was actually like,
tell me what the situation is. Let's talk it through.
I mean, you can you sit there with her for hours? Hours? Yeah, Christen,
one thing, please, Okay, I want to ask you. It's
frustrating to sit with her for hours. You couldn't get it.
So wait, it's very frustrating on this and she's a
literally human.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
Yes, but she just just she couldn't make it happen
with her.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
She'd be like if you and I were in a
scene talking, she would like leave and run upstairs and
go talk to the camera. And I'm like, and do
her own testimonial. I'm like, no, no, no, no. In the middle
of We're here, this is this is, this is the show.
We're here.
Speaker 1 (30:56):
I have a question for you very myself.
Speaker 3 (30:59):
Because you're a model and she's a model.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
I'm curious because you and I have touched on this
a little bit personally, but like the modeling thing on Housewives.
First of all, going into Housewives as a model, do
you think that is a helper a hindrance? And also
I know that modeling is can be tough for a
lot of reasons, and you and I have spoken a
(31:23):
little bit about this, but but show me some parallels
in terms of like.
Speaker 2 (31:29):
Being on Housewives. It's super triggering for me. I don't
know about for her, but for me it was very
triggering because you know, I started modeling when I was
so young, and people were like, you're fat, you're ugly,
you're too tall, your hair's too short, your boosters too big,
You're to this, you're to that. It's just a constant, constant, constant,
every single day. You're just never good enough. And so
when I went on Housewives and like I'll never forget
(31:50):
the first air, Mona Center called me a scarecrow and
I was like a scarecrow and then she's like, yeah,
you have no brains. I'm like, I'm the most educated
person here. It's fun. You go to Columbia and I'm
like okay, but your guys are you know, you're just
so great and you're so smart. Talk about that now
that you went to Columbia. It's none of the it's
not your business, not your business, but they're But when
(32:11):
I used to do this view, I want to like
and so the simple intication, but just being berated and
having them belittle me, you know, as a way of
making them bigger and listen. You know, for me, I've
always been the kind of person it's kinetic energy. If
you're good, I'm good, and then we're going to be better.
(32:32):
But if you're not good, and then I'm good, and
I try to make you feel bad or gaslight you
were doing whatever, whatever they were doing. It's just it's
very unsettling, and like a lot of the viewers were like,
I mean, to this day, they're like, we are so sorry.
I'm like, you don't have to apologize, but they're just like,
we're so sorry. And you know, it was really, really,
(32:55):
really hard. That's why for me to even be vulnerable
in the relationship was almost impossible. I would meet guys
and go on dates with them, and I'd be like,
all they want to do is go out with the housewives.
All they do is want to go out with someone
that's crazy. All they do is want to go out
with a model. All they want to do. I never
ever thought that they wanted to like meet Kelly. I
(33:17):
just always assumed and always had my think that was
about them or about you. You think that was about
you or everything. But I mean I was also conditioned
for my modeling years coupled with being housewives. I mean,
just constantly having that reminder really affected me, really affect me.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
I'm thinking about it now as you're saying it, like
walking into a cast, a Housewives cast, And I'm thinking
about this with Brandy Glanville for whatever reason, But like
when a woman comes in who is modelesque, I think
that there's a weird energy, there's a weird flow of energy.
And I think that it probably happened with Brandy. I
(34:00):
think it probably happened with you. I don't know if
you agree with me or not, but I don't know
if anybody's ever walked onto Jersey that's been model asque.
I'm trying to think of some of the other franchises,
but could it could be intimidating And I think in
if you put that in a housewife's setting, Like it's
already like going to spark a bit of jealousy, a
(34:23):
bit of competition, right, do you feel like that, Like
just because of the fact that you are you are
a model, that already put you maybe at a little
bit of a disadvantage.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
Potentially it did. And I think that they thought that
because I was a model, I was going to have
this thick skin. But you know, I was like, oh,
I'm from Illinois. They're like, yeah, you're from Illinois. I'm like, no, no, No,
I am from Rockford, Illinois. Like the way you speak
about people, this way you speak to people, I was
not raised like that, and I don't understand that. And
I'm not going to speak that language. I'm going to
(34:54):
speak my language. And if you don't come to me,
that's your problem. And then people were starting to be
like nicer and real and more open and more just real,
because I was like, I don't know what you're talking about,
and I just didn't doesn't matter if I work in
New York, I still don't communicate like that, and I'm not.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
Going to start I think about No, I'm just I
just think it's so interesting. I think about the other
franchises and just about how especially when someone knew and
is even maybe I mean, I think about Jenna Lionce,
who's her career, but she wasn't new. They all came
in at the same time. That could have been intimidating
or but like models, I feel like in particular particularly.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
She also Jenna has and she always has, whether she
was at you know, Jaye Crew when she first got there,
when I was at Hampton's before I was l She's
always been a very striking confident person. We didn't know
that she had certain things that were going on in
her life, of course, but the way that she presents herself,
(35:55):
and we talk about that a lot now, is about
the way that present she presents herself as a very
very confident person.
Speaker 3 (36:03):
Yeah, but I'm I'm yes, all of that, But people.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
Say that I do like that too. I mean, just
because I'm wearing heels and like, you know, seven feet tall,
doesn't necessarily mean that I'm I'm.
Speaker 1 (36:12):
Feeling housewise, I know, but I think that not just
house housewives is a microcosm, right of, sort of of
the rest of the world and how we all work
and we all spin around each other. But I feel
like there's something about a really tall, beautiful modelesque woman
that is probably makes it a little more difficult. Not always,
(36:38):
but I just think sometimes, and I think maybe maybe
in your case, maybe in Brandy's case, I think that
the dynamics maybe shift a little bit and maybe it
makes it harder.
Speaker 4 (36:48):
Do you agree, Well, I think that there's I think
that there has always been this idea that if you
are pretty, things are easier for you, and it's not
necessary true.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
I mean, you can open that someone can open the
door for you, but you still have to walk through,
like you know, okay, the door is open, but you
can't make it through, Like okay, how are you successful? Right?
You know, you're it's so it's it's really you know,
it's it's it's the life that you make. And you know,
it's really nice that people like the way that I
(37:21):
look and I appreciate that. And botox makes me even prettier, but.
Speaker 1 (37:25):
I yeah, well both talks makes all of us.
Speaker 2 (37:29):
And looks and me and yeah, but I'm kidding, but
I really really appreciate that so much, so much.
Speaker 1 (37:36):
And no, I just think it's so interesting, and I
think that also probably happens with women that come on
that are let's say, way wealthier than the rest, right
there is as an audience member.
Speaker 3 (37:49):
Which is what I mainly am.
Speaker 1 (37:52):
Right, and I see if I see a cast and
someone comes on like Caroline Stansbury, right, do buy what
I want to although they're all actually ridiculously wealthy, so
that doesn't even apply.
Speaker 3 (38:03):
I'm trying to think of like Orange County.
Speaker 2 (38:07):
It's just interesting the way that you talk about yourself
and say that you're like you present, Like we were talking
about that before. You present as the observer, but you're
the participant. That is not good. I mean, I present you.
I have both. You have to allow yourself to be
the you know I.
Speaker 1 (38:26):
Am, but I always have to also like qualify like
I'm not I'm a friend of a house I'm a.
Speaker 2 (38:31):
Two year friend in this world. Yes you're on You're.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
I appreciate that that is true, but I am. I
have been a fan for so long, so it's a
very weird thing. At age fifty three, that's when I
went on the Housewives of New Jersey. I love that
I have watched all of that. You know, I've been
a crazy Housewives fanatic for so many years, so maybe
it like the heart of me. That's how I feel.
(38:56):
I feel both, but that it will always be there,
you know, like I love that it is what it is.
Speaker 2 (39:03):
But like I was thinking about just now, I appreciate
that you are open enough to be like I'm I
was a huge fan. I mean a lot of these
women who are That's I think. No, I don't get this, No, no, no, no.
I think that that's actually a really really strong point
is that a lot of the New York women, they
were such massive fans and they thought this was going
to be a launching pad for them, and instead of
(39:23):
really really like digging deep and really reveling in being
a housewife, they were on the periphery. And it made
the fans very uncomfortable.
Speaker 3 (39:35):
No, I think that's probably pretty accurate.
Speaker 2 (39:38):
It's not that they're I mean, it's more than just
not resonating. It made fans very uncomfortable. Yeah. Instead of
fans feeling like they're in the conversation, they just felt
very isolated. Yeah. I could see that. Yeah, and that's
why they love to watch.
Speaker 1 (39:53):
I mean, I was a fan and when I went
into it, though, I'm not gonna say that I was
never in my head, but I don't.
Speaker 2 (40:00):
I know that.
Speaker 1 (40:01):
I really tried not to be. In most moments, I wasn't.
But there were times because I've been a fanned for
so long, you know that you were seeing, you're in
a scene, but you're also there's that little part of
you that floats above and remembers very like, very specifically,
what it's like to be a viewer of the scene.
So it's a little tricky.
Speaker 2 (40:20):
Don't throw a table. So you would go.
Speaker 1 (40:33):
Back to Housewives, you would return. You already gave me
that answer. You said absolutely, yes.
Speaker 2 (40:37):
Yeah, I always think it's a good I mean, I
had never I always said since day one, I would
never say no. The only reason that I left when
I left in twenty eleven is because they were bringing
back someone that I could not film with.
Speaker 3 (40:53):
And I really play coy right now.
Speaker 2 (40:57):
Schenkel, Okay, I was like, no, that's not how happening.
I'm not I'm not going to be I'm not going
to have someone be a liability. Yeah, it's not happening.
Speaker 3 (41:05):
So interesting.
Speaker 1 (41:06):
You know what everything that happened with her with Jersey
and I know what she was talking about Teresa, and
for whatever reason and said that no one Jersey was
a train wreck of a show. No one would ever
go on it if they weren't broke, and once they
did make money, they would just get off of it.
And I was like, what, like say what like, so
(41:27):
all you were on a franchise and I know you
went on it quote unquote broke.
Speaker 2 (41:33):
She wasn't broke. She went to a very expensive college.
She wasn't broken. I know. I mean I know more
about her now because all of the guys I've did
or went on days told me everything about her, which
was really fascinating. Can you imagine going in a date
and some guy being like, oh my god, let me
tell you about her.
Speaker 1 (41:49):
I'm like, I I met her, I know her.
Speaker 2 (41:52):
I'm like, I'm like, dinner's over.
Speaker 1 (41:54):
Yeah, yeah, recently who she was dating that dated you
or something of that.
Speaker 3 (41:59):
Right, it's another episode any.
Speaker 2 (42:01):
Way, But I do think I do. You know, it's
actually a shame because you know, had I had that,
had that not have happened, I would have I would
have continued on Housewives. I would have continued. I would
Here's a good news. I tell of my favorite trips Leuenna,
I had the best time ever.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
That was my trip to Ireland. That I had on
season thirteen was one of the best times.
Speaker 2 (42:21):
I mean, some of the trips are so unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (42:23):
One but here's the good news.
Speaker 1 (42:25):
I don't even don't even say that a scary island
scary island.
Speaker 2 (42:29):
There are parts of it that are amazing. And then
there was an issue that happened between between us and
I just was like I made a choice of the
wellness of a family versus like I was just I can't.
Speaker 3 (42:42):
Launch, I can't do I'm watch you into anything done.
But let me just say one thing.
Speaker 2 (42:47):
I don't feel.
Speaker 1 (42:48):
I don't feel like Bethany's coming back, so now would
be a perfect time. I feel like probably not going
to be on the Housewives again.
Speaker 2 (42:55):
She can't be.
Speaker 1 (42:56):
Let me just propose this, Andy Cohen, if you're listening,
Ultimate Trip, uh, Jen Fessler, Kelly or even better.
Speaker 2 (43:04):
Ultimate Girlstrip are the best trips as whatever. Well, first
of all, because you get to go on trips with
all these other housewives you never get to meet, and
it is amazing, so fun. I would love to do
that and everybody and everyone gets to tell which is
which was? Which was great for me is that like
even on Ultimate Girls Trip, I did not film with Gerinda,
(43:25):
and I got to really know her, and she, you know,
told me what was happening and all this stuff, and
you know I had, you know. I mean she's a
very funny human.
Speaker 1 (43:35):
I mean she I love that woman. Smart and charismatic.
Talk about the ultimate housewife. All right, Kelly, I love you,
Love you guys, love me some Kelly, Ben Simone, love you.
Speaker 2 (43:45):
See you next time. Bye, guys,
Hi guys, I'm Jen Fessler from Two Jersey Jays. I'm
without my partner Jackie today, but guess who I am with,
the beautiful Kelly Bensmoon and we, by the way, are
not in Jersey. We are not We are not in Jersey.
We are in Napa Valley. We're in the Napa Valley.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Have you been here before? I have been here before,
but can imagine today? We were at the concert live
from the vineyard. It was such a vibe. All of
the wine, all of the country music, so dreamy. Everybody
was in cowboy boots. You're looking fire, by the way,
thank you. You're looking fire too, Thank you so much
like the Feathers. I was like, you know what, let's.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
You caught you well when I text you earlier today
about like what we bring, what you're wearing, and you
said to me, I'm just going to bring like go
whole Coachella, right.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
And I like, yeah, it's like a country I know.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
But then I had to stop and call my daughter
Rachel and say, so, what would one where to Coachella
do such a thing? Anyway, said feathers and cowboy boots.
She didn't say this.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
She didn't say bikinis.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
You know, all right, you guys, but I am so excited,
first of all, well obviously to be here at NAPA,
but to be with Kelly, because so Kelly bensimone, I'm
sure to most of you, but to me is iconic.
So Kelly goes back on New York Housewives. You know,
the years where it was I'm sorry, the golden years
(01:31):
to me, but your seasons on the Housewives were I'm sorry,
no offense to anyone listening, the best of the best.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
They were.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
They really were, right, they were, you.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Know, Luena and I talk about it all the time
and how just the relationships that were nurtured during that
time were very raw and very real. I mean, do
you remember too, we didn't have social media, right, so
like everybody now, Like when I was on Ultimate Girls Ship,
I was like, You're like, you're in a relationship with
social media. Yeah right, I'm not just the Housewives so true.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
So it is so.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Different, so different. And the way that you play or
the way that I don't play to anybody. I'm just
like do myself, which is you know, bittersweet. But the
way that some of the ladies play to the camera
based on their social media following, it's really strong, and
I just don't pay attention. I'm like, if you like me,
you're gonna like me. And if you don't like me,
(02:26):
maybe you like me someday.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
That's the healthy way to do housewives right there. And
it's very unusual actually, but it's just you're right. There
was no the social media of it. There was none
of that back in the day. So like we would
watch an episode and whatever, get to work the next
morning and just go through. Like when Kelly said I'm
(02:48):
here and you're here, that was the best. I mean,
I'm talking about that whatever. But you know, it was
like it was such a different thing.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
You know, it's so funny because it was the Brass
Monkey and i'd been you know, there was like a
lot of waiting throughout the day of when we were
supposed to film, and I didn't realize this because I
did not watch the show. So I made a concerted
effort because they were like, this is reality TV and
I had been on I'd done had my own show before,
(03:15):
so I was like, Okay, I'm just.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Gonna be wake out what I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
I had a show call behind the hedges where I
interviewed like the best of the best, and I went
shark diving. I was so much fun. I know that
it was great, it was really fun. But what happened
was as much fun as House was. House Lives is
a really really fun dynamic. Well, what happened that day
was that we were supposed to be filming, and what
I did not realize is that when she was doing interviews,
(03:42):
she was saying like she was setting me up. She
was she was not setting me up for me, she
was setting me up for the viewer. She was saying,
this is Kelly Bensimone. This is who she is. She
hates me. She's a you know, she's a bitch. I'm
just a minion, you know, poor me. She's like the
cheerleader and things. She's amazing and I'm an awful, awful
(04:05):
And so she tried to set up this narrative and
then when I got there and she's like, I'm late.
I'm just like, you are being so rude. You made
me wait all day long. You're a child. She just
acts like a child, and she continues to.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
So I so, Kelly, and I just for the listeners.
So we now we've become friends. But before, we just
keep running into each other, right, I guess do iHeart Well.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
We ran into each other on the on the Red
carpet at iHeart Radio, which was so much fun. But
then also at the movie premiere Amateur with Ronnie Oh
my god.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Yes, so we ran into each other there, and then we.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Did run into each other. We literally like had like
a melt down. Who you saw each other. We were
having so much fun. And by the way, Sonya Morgan,
who I love so much, She's the most spirited, beautiful human.
She and I said, Jen, you can't do you can't
do all that, you can't do all.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
These I yes.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
So I'm like walking the red carpet and there's all
these paparazzi and I'm like trying to stop and like
push my way into them like a desperado. And Kelly
saved me. She's like, because it's like, so I look,
so whatever, just desperado.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
That is not true. You did not look Janfessler there
last second, I was on the House size on New.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Jersey as a friend a two years but meanwhile Sonia
was working it and Kelly's like, just stand back. If
they come to you, they come to you. So one
of the first favors that Kelly did for me. But
then you introduced me to a photographer and you said, Jen,
this is why Beth and he hates me. Yes, this guy,
who I guess was is a photographer, nice guy, very
(05:42):
new I guess was at the time her boyfriend.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
So he was taking photos of an event at my
house and she came with him and then I, you know,
he wanted to see the house and he wanted to
go through it. So I mean, I know him very well.
So I was taking him through everything, and she like
literally got her panties in a wad and thought.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
You were trying to steal her that No, no, no, yeah,
all right, we haven't like the bethany of it all.
Put it yeah, I won't put it on ice for
a few minutes because.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
But you know what let's not put on ice is
that we were on this red carpet and you were
and I chatting up a storm. Everyone else is taking
photos like Laura's fish. Jan goes, I'm gonna eat the photo.
I'm going a photo so and and your is so
sweet and he's like, are you into the photo? And
I was like, yeah, I'm like if whatever photo you
want you get like, you just get whatever phone. Kelly's like,
(06:37):
not a starker and I am.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
And then I'm like, I am self proclaimed. I'm like,
are you thinking that I got dressed up? I spent
two hundred and fifty dollars on the makeup and I'm
not getting a picture next to Laurence Fishburn.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
It was his wife. His wife is so beautiful, and I.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Felt a little badly. She was a little scared. She's like,
your house like an animal was, Yeah, it was.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
And then you look at the photo and you go,
oh my god, no, oh my god. So the problem
is with my husband's I was a very star man.
He's a he's an attorney.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
He's a corporate attorney, securities or something, I don't know,
something uninteresting, but he like people trust him.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
You don't know, how do you get through the day.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
It was like literally like there was no you couldn't
even see us in the picture, and he didn't have
the wherewithal to say, guys whatever, any that's for a
different episode, but.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
You know, I'm sorry. One thing that I really really
love about you is that we've had all these funny,
fun things that have happened. So it's like Laurence Fishburne,
my carpet, Sonya, all these things. I heart radio. But
I remember distinctly we're waiting for Lawrence for you to
get hit the photo and I asked you guys about
(07:53):
your relationship because I did not know, and you were
so genuinely open right for that, and I just was
very taken aback and just like, oh my god, what.
You're such a beautiful human because you're just so vulnerable.
And I think that's something, it's the truth, and it's
something that I've learned from being on this podcast. From
(08:16):
and I do part two, I've learned to be open
and I've learned to be more vulnerable and it's helped
me out so much in my personal life so much.
But you are just inherently very vulnerable, and it's a
beautiful thing. You know.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
It used to feel more vulnerable.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Now it feels like like when you start to share stuff,
it starts to feel like a strength. Like in other words,
So if I tell you my shit, and there's lots
of it, right whoever it is, I find it like
immediately you'll start opening up then to me, So you
like connect with people differently.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
But the other piece is you don't do it at
a time that's strategic. You just are not open, which
is so disarming, and just like women or not like that.
Women are just not like that. They don't just jump
into friendships because they're like, I don't know you, who
are you? You know, give me your bio. I might say,
okay for me to friends with you. I mean, you're
(09:11):
just very disarming. And it really like, that was a
really fun night. It's the truth. It was a really
fun night. But I was also like, oh my god.
And I was also I learned something from that small
little moment, which most people like, you know, I just
listen to what you guys were saying, and that how
you guys had had your differences and how you were
(09:33):
back together. And I also thought that was incredible because
most people, most relationships, women or men are just like,
you're not doing what I like, I'm just gonna get
rid of you. Yeah, And basically that is what it is.
I mean, you can say it however you want. You
can say they were uncoupling, they were doing this whatever.
But most men and women they're just like, you're just
(09:53):
not You're not you're not filling this void. You're done
and you guys.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Yeah, we definitely, I mean went through so much Mutch Definitely,
we definitely did go through a lot. And I get
very also very lucky and I can do you know
something because you're good Kelly. On.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Here's the thing. This is how you know she's a person.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Okay, but here's how you know that Kelly is a host,
she's not just a guest. On I do part two?
You have in three minutes you have switched this entire thing.
This is about you, And all of a sudden, I
know this is like what No? Like clearly that's why
they have made you a host. What else do you
want to know about me?
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Kelly? No, tell me about me.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
I'll tell you anything about my marriage for house.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
What do you want to know about me? Well, I'm
just thinking, I mean thinking.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
But it's honestly, and by the way, I don't always.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Maybe you should be on New York maybe if I
if there is this you do I can't that's the dream.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
But and then I'm going to ask you a question
that's going to relate directly to my next statement, which
is that I would want to be on Old New York.
And now I want to ask you about New New York.
So tell me what you think in terms of the
last two seasons.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
And I don't think that this is even insulting.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
I think it's pretty well knowned it has didn't resonate
the same way that the reboot has not resonated, like
you know, Old New York, And why do you think
that is?
Speaker 2 (11:22):
I think one of the reasons that the reboot it
does not resonated is because women are so focused on
their brands, and I don't even know what brands are
talking about. I've never even heard of any of their brands.
I love Jenna Lyons. I had no idea that she
had eyelashes. I didn't I didn't even know she before.
(11:45):
I had no idea. So I've never even heard of
any of these brands. And that was that also just
rubbed me wrong because when I went on the show,
I was recently divorced, I had two young children. I
was single, very very very single, and I was is
literally like they were like, don't talk of being single
because it's not it's not cool. It's not cool to
(12:05):
be a single parent, Like that's not sexy. I'm like, well,
I'm not even forty yet, and I'm I think of
myself as attractive. Yeah, and they were like no, no, no,
like you need to be a certain way and you
need to have your hair blown out. I'm like, well,
sometimes my hair gets blown. Sometimes my hair is dirty
four days.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Yeah, welcome, welcome, that's the trick, ladies. So it's so
funny when you see the brand thing because.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
But it's just weird. I mean, I'm like, brand, what
are you talking.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
Because some people so I've had me like.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Like that's not on brand for me, or I don't
want to.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Do or like with it, even even endorsements like I
don't want to do that, it's not on brand. I'm thinking, well,
my brand is making money, so if you're going to
pay me, it's going to be on brand. And I'm sorry,
I mean, I'm not. I don't not everything is for sale,
but like the brand, I don't even know what that.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
I don't know what that means either, that does not
I mean and believe me, I mean I was the
editor of multiple magazines. I think I know what's a
brand and what's not a brand. And I can tell
you that if someone's telling you that they have a brand,
they don't have a brand.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
So you think that's what happened with the housewives with
the news.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
I think it was just like they were so they
were so caught up in what they thought they should
look like, and then they didn't realize that you're in
high deff television, right, and every single facial expression, everything
that you do is like magnified. So even if they
(13:42):
thought they were being chic and cool, they came off
cross as like totally douchey.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
So funny because I also feel like they were maybe
because they were trying to be on brand.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
And I don't think they'll be many mean girls. I
think I've met them. I've met them. I like a
lot of them. But I'm interrupt you for one thing.
We did this thing at page six, and I met
a few of them. We were doing behind the scenes,
like some TikTok stuff. We're supposed to be having fun.
If you were behind the scenes with the core og
group of housewives, they would be literally clawing each other's
(14:16):
eyes out to talk to the producer get more time.
They'd be like asking questions while the person was being
interviewed by X, Y or Z person. They would be
doing absolutely anything to get themselves out and about and
to create as much drama so that they could be
the talk of whatever. That polet was right. These girls
are like in the corner. I like, I literally, after
(14:39):
I did my interview, I went to find them. When
they're sitting there, They're like, okay bye. I was like, oh, okay,
bye bye. Guys. Wow, that's so interesting. I was like,
what are you doing? Like, let's go. Let's like even
in the TikTok, I'm the I mean, okay, I'm an
inherently animated human. But I was like, I look like
(14:59):
I I'm like, I don't know, like I'm the Mickey
Mouse Club.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
But don't you think that's because they are so And
I don't blame them. I was on Jersey for two seasons,
and I was in my head not all the time,
but a lot of the time. Because it's a different time,
right there is social media, and we have, as newbies,
watched those that came before us and seen what they've
gone through, and we've watched the pain that they've experienced.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
I was never in my head because I'm not in
my head well, because you can see right now I'm
not in my head.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
Because also I think that let's take you out of it.
There's also you didn't know what you were getting into.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Well, we're going to always keep you in it.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
But I'm talking about OG in New York. They didn't know.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
There was no precedent, so they were just getting fucked
up and getting drunk and fighting and having fun and
it was so real. And now I think it's just
it's a different time because of social media obviously, so
I think, like, like, maybe personalities are a little more tempered.
And I am guilty of it as well, right right,
(16:04):
I think that I did the best that I could
to be authentic, but there was something about the ogs.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
I don't know. And maybe you're on housewives. You're not
on Netflix, you're not on Lifetime, You're you're on Housewives
of New York. You are supposed to be in the
most glamorous city, doing the most glamorous things and interacting
in a way that's so raw and real, because that's
what's sexy about New York, Like when you want sex
(16:32):
in the city. One of the reasons that we love
sex and the city outside of the fashion and was
like that was cute. We loved the rawness, we loved
the realness. We loved even though it's not that wasn't reality.
That's what people are, So.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
That's what you think. That's the difference. Think between Old
New York and New New York.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Hundred percent there's a rawness and rawness that is not there.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
And do you think that's because of the social media.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Of it all. I definitely think it's because of the
social media. But I also think that it's because that
they these women are seeing so much, so much other programming,
and they're trying to make themselves brand into a brand,
and it doesn't happen like that. I mean, people like
you because they just like you, whether you're the prettiest girl,
whether you're the ugliest girl, whether you're like whatever. It is.
(17:18):
People just like people who are real that they could
be like, you know what, I'm like her, Oh my god,
I'm like her. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
No, I think that's so true.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
I think that's a good, bad or ugly like I
think about Jersey, and I think about like Jersey was
has been a success for so many years because good,
bad or ugly these women were who they are.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
And the dynamic between the families.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
Yes, but everyone seeing the families the families, yes, of course,
but also these women, it didn't matter like the cameras
were up or the cameras were down. They loved each
other or they hated each other, and there was no
faking it.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
And I mean, you guys are a great cast. So
when we were at Bravo Khan, hanging out with you
guys was so much fun. Like, you guys are like
real and like I remember meeting Joe Gorga at the
first time on a plane. I didn't even I never
met him before, and he was like, let me help
you with your bag. He's a very he's very very
(18:19):
gentle human, very really really nice guy. And Melissa, like
I do a lot of stuff with her. Margaret josephs.
I love her. We have a lot of friends in common.
She's a baller. I don't know if you like her.
I love I love her my close friends, and I
just love how real she is. And then she talks
about everything that she does, she talks about and I
think that's really I mean, it's really important, especially when
(18:40):
you're you know, getting older.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
There's also there's something about these characters, these humans, Dolores, Melissa, Margaret,
it's these women and all of them, Jackie, Danielle, Rachel, Teresa,
j God, I'm gonna I forget someone and then who
(19:02):
am I forgetting? Yelle Teresa? Anyway, But these women are
all they're all, but they're all individually a little cucka.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
They're all a little crazy, including me.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Well it's the genesis of the of the of the show.
And they are. Yes, we can't work with each other,
you know, every single day and talk to each other
and be filming to get with each other and talking,
talking and filming and talking and filming and talking and
filming and talking and filming, and it's like the worst reality.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Yeah, yeah, but I think that it's there's no like
at some point Jersey just everybody said, we're completely fucking
crazy and we're just gonna go with it, like there's
no more. We can't pretend there's no brand. There's just
we are all a bunch of hot, fucking messes. And
but that's I think. I feel like that's what worked
(19:52):
with New York too, Like there's no I don't know
what whatever whoever's trying to sell. Whatever they're trying to sell,
whether it be eyelashes or toaster ovens, I don't know.
But that's not what's interesting, right, what's interesting is these
women and the fact that they're messy, and the fact
that they actually like in the moment, like they hate
(20:13):
each other or they're laughing at and they adore each other.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
That chemistry is hard to find, and I.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Think that the ogs of New York did it perfectly
and very hard to get that back.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
I mean, I wouldn't know perfectly. I just again, I
think it's also what we have that's different is that
we get out of a taxi and you open that
door and the volume of New York and the smell
and it's just it's very just authentically gritty. And so
(20:45):
just before you've even walked into you know, into like
you know, your cocktails or whatever, you have to really
like kind of you kind of like you, yes, get
through it, and so like you're like, okay, but yes,
I'm gonna be vulnerable, right, But there has.
Speaker 3 (21:02):
To be commonality between New York. Think about it. So
New York to Dubai fancy to Beverly Hills, you guys.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
Are fancy, your houses are beautiful. New York, you guys
are really dressed well like Jersey. Yes, I mean New
York women are not well dressed. They're not I don't
come from a lot of money. They don't. I don't
know what.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
Wait, whoa whoa whoa whoa?
Speaker 1 (21:23):
What don't you just say notorious for being the worst dressed.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
I'm sorry. You guys always look great. You guys are
always that point. Agree, You're always like you guys are
like the Kardashians of the housewise.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
To Kelly, you are losing me fast. What are you
talking about?
Speaker 2 (21:40):
You guys are like in your range rovers, your gorgeous houses.
You're always dressed.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Hold on, I agree, how on Jersey people have We
have beautiful homes, and I agree with you. But I
am telling you you and I are the only ones
that agree.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
People think that Jersey is the worst dress.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
That tackiest have to just do with the fact that,
of course, it's like Jerseys don't to be Jersey.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
It's Sopranos country, it's you know. I disagree. I think
that you guys are all love We're like, I mean,
New Yorkers are like, guys, hello, do you guys have
a job, Like, where's the cash? Shit?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
What?
Speaker 2 (22:20):
Really? I was like, Oh, I'm rich.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
I'm like, okay, wow, that is Jersey, New York, California.
Oh see, no, it's a lot of showmanship and there's
not always a lot to back that up. So I
think that's a housewise Housewives that's notorious for that, but.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
Someone like me, that's I mean, that's another reason I
love Everet Hills is because I love I love that,
Like the women will go and be like, I'm going
to get a present for my daughter and they like
drop like thirty grand on themselves. I think that's amazing, right, Like,
I mean, I would never do that for my daughters.
I mean I'm like, you know, I want them to
have like personal respect and like if they want they
(23:01):
get a gift, I want them to like, you know,
be really really excited about it. I don't just like
throw money at them. But I love that as.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Like to watch it as I love to watch your kids,
just not my kids, not for me. Let's just like
we'll talk about Jersey and New York quickly. What do
(23:30):
you see is the best scenario.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Moving forward for both? Is it a mix of old
and new?
Speaker 3 (23:35):
If so, is there anything specific you would like to suggest?
Speaker 2 (23:38):
Definitely a mix between old and new. I mean I
know I should go back. I've heard of course, yeah,
of course, I mean now now not now because people
have seen that like real is cool, like not real
is uncool, Like they're finally getting that.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
Would you go back with your old cast?
Speaker 2 (23:58):
Would you go back with Bethany? Ever?
Speaker 1 (24:00):
No?
Speaker 4 (24:00):
I never.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
I'm like, would you go on? Yes? Would you no? Yeah? No?
And she can't film anyway she's But you know, it's
interesting because when when I talked about the list that
I sent to Andy, one person was like, oh my god,
she always calls Andy. That is not true. I literally
I never call him. I don't even have a cell
phone number. I texted him one time because his daughter
(24:25):
was so unbelievably adorable, and then his another time I
sent his I sent them this like really cute teddy
bear and his son is so cute. So like I
never text Himbout. Well, by the way, I do know.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
I do know that a lot of housewives do have
his cell number and do text him. I mean, it's
not like I don't know what a regular I don't know.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
I'm just saying.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
I do have his cell number, and I text him
once and never again.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
You don't worry. Do his photo do a photo of him?
Like what do you mean? Like a not like on
your mantle? But do you have like a photo of
you guys together.
Speaker 1 (25:01):
Not framed, not for like it's not like all the
photos of the people you have like you that's the
side of all these famous people. Literally what you're talking about,
because I'm a literally and right I'm telling you my
friend Shary, my best friend is here right now, I
was telling Kelly earlier. So Shary used to take me
(25:22):
and are their best friend from college to the Grammys
every year because Sharry is Shary and her husband is
this big studio exect and we used to go to
the Grammys every year until literally like we were like maybe.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
Three or four years in.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
Remember, and there was a security guy and I guess
he worked there year after year who and I would
be and he was like, I'm done. Like he walked
up to us and he was like, I know your
game now.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Like this is like this is after years of us
going on, You're you're like a gorgeous brunette, which I
was not obvious.
Speaker 1 (25:54):
I was only eyes because I was so annoying, and
I would like go over and I would be like
reading out, like.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
No, you had no choice.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
I'm all right.
Speaker 3 (26:06):
We digressed, We digressed. I have a question for you, Yes.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
If you could get your photo taken with any housewife,
who would it be?
Speaker 3 (26:16):
I mean, Kelly Bensmo, any housewife? Let me think. No,
you know, it's like that, if you'd asked me.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
That four years ago. I mean, first of all, I
would have just been in heaven. I would have just
started drooling out of the left side of my mouth
thinking about me getting a photo with I don't know,
Kyle Richards or you know what. Okay, I know, I
know because I was gonna say yes. But I've gotten
a few pictures now, so it's different. But if you
(26:48):
ask me right now, the one that I haven't gotten
and that I would give the most, take with, Yes,
Lisa vander Pump.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
I love me some Lisa van I really I knew it.
I always die from her.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
I just did the way her hair would just flip back,
and she was so everything.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
The lipstick was first. I think she's she's Jacqueline Smith.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
I totally agree, right.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
She was the most beautiful and like, maybe a little
older than the rest of the Jackson people say you that, No,
she was the least pretty of the angels.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Take it.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Yeah, that's your fair faucet, and you know it. Anyway,
so thanks, thanks Helene.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
I'm k j.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
J.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
She's hot.
Speaker 1 (27:34):
I thought she's hot. She is, Yeah, she was like
the brainiac. She wasn't the hot one.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
But whatever. Anyway, all right, so.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Ultimate Girl's Trip, Which, what did you think?
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Ultimate Girls Trip?
Speaker 3 (27:46):
I loved every second.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
Of it, did I really. It was such a great trip.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
I thought it was so much fun to watch them.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
I kept telling them, you guys, you're missing the narrative.
I think this guy is going to ask me to
get married. He's sent me all these love notes with
photos that I was reading to Derinda, and instead of
a following my lead, they were like, no, no, we're gonna
try this to make this into Scary Island. I'm like,
it didn't. It didn't work. So there was a lot
(28:19):
of people didn't even know what scary Island was.
Speaker 3 (28:22):
Then they were like, we're not doesn't know what's scary Island?
Speaker 2 (28:24):
Well, because he just they don't. I guess they don't
want to know him because they're like, oh my god,
it was such an iconic moment, and they're like, but
one of my favorite favorite favorite moments on Ultimate Girl's
Trip is that we go and do this water therapy
I'm remembering water therapy and they're in like ther bikinis.
(28:47):
I'm like, I'm not gonna wear a bikini. I'm gonna
wear a one piece. I literally it was so warm
and I was in this velvet blue velvet one piece
and I'm like looking up with my eyes are closed
and I see the sun and it's like these lips
are trying to kiss me. And with the movement of
the water, I was like, I am so wildly horning.
(29:11):
I don't know what to do with myself. And I
get out of the water, and first of all, the
guy that was moving me around was just like a
smoke show. I get out of the water, I was like,
oh my god. I'm like this guy is so hot.
And like Luanne and durindare like I love my mother.
I'm like I'm like, no, no, no, no, my mother was
(29:32):
not in the water. I am so wildly horny. And
they were looking at me like I had fifteen heads
that I didn't have a cathartic. I get my own cathartic.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
But I'm trying to wait. But I'm thinking, like you
just said that, like they missed it. They missed the
bar where your boyfriend your fiance at the time you
were reading. I know you, I remember you reading the
love letters from him, but you already maybe not so
much into him, and we missed broken up. You were
about to get married. I thought we were.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
Broken up, and then he was like really really, really pushing,
and they definitely didn't catch that.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
That was.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
I got you and Kristin Takeman arguing.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
I mean, christ we were arguing. I was actually like,
tell me what the situation is. Let's talk it through.
I mean, you can you sit there with her for hours? Hours? Yeah, Christen,
one thing, please, Okay, I want to ask you. It's
frustrating to sit with her for hours. You couldn't get it.
So wait, it's very frustrating on this and she's a
literally human.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
Yes, but she just just she couldn't make it happen
with her.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
She'd be like if you and I were in a
scene talking, she would like leave and run upstairs and
go talk to the camera. And I'm like, and do
her own testimonial. I'm like, no, no, no, no. In the middle
of We're here, this is this is, this is the show.
We're here.
Speaker 1 (30:56):
I have a question for you very myself.
Speaker 3 (30:59):
Because you're a model and she's a model.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
I'm curious because you and I have touched on this
a little bit personally, but like the modeling thing on Housewives.
First of all, going into Housewives as a model, do
you think that is a helper a hindrance? And also
I know that modeling is can be tough for a
lot of reasons, and you and I have spoken a
(31:23):
little bit about this, but but show me some parallels
in terms of like.
Speaker 2 (31:29):
Being on Housewives. It's super triggering for me. I don't
know about for her, but for me it was very
triggering because you know, I started modeling when I was
so young, and people were like, you're fat, you're ugly,
you're too tall, your hair's too short, your boosters too big,
You're to this, you're to that. It's just a constant, constant, constant,
every single day. You're just never good enough. And so
when I went on Housewives and like I'll never forget
(31:50):
the first air, Mona Center called me a scarecrow and
I was like a scarecrow and then she's like, yeah,
you have no brains. I'm like, I'm the most educated
person here. It's fun. You go to Columbia and I'm
like okay, but your guys are you know, you're just
so great and you're so smart. Talk about that now
that you went to Columbia. It's none of the it's
not your business, not your business, but they're But when
(32:11):
I used to do this view, I want to like
and so the simple intication, but just being berated and
having them belittle me, you know, as a way of
making them bigger and listen. You know, for me, I've
always been the kind of person it's kinetic energy. If
you're good, I'm good, and then we're going to be better.
(32:32):
But if you're not good, and then I'm good, and
I try to make you feel bad or gaslight you
were doing whatever, whatever they were doing. It's just it's
very unsettling, and like a lot of the viewers were like,
I mean, to this day, they're like, we are so sorry.
I'm like, you don't have to apologize, but they're just like,
we're so sorry. And you know, it was really, really,
(32:55):
really hard. That's why for me to even be vulnerable
in the relationship was almost impossible. I would meet guys
and go on dates with them, and I'd be like,
all they want to do is go out with the housewives.
All they do is want to go out with someone
that's crazy. All they do is want to go out
with a model. All they want to do. I never
ever thought that they wanted to like meet Kelly. I
(33:17):
just always assumed and always had my think that was
about them or about you. You think that was about
you or everything. But I mean I was also conditioned
for my modeling years coupled with being housewives. I mean,
just constantly having that reminder really affected me, really affect me.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
I'm thinking about it now as you're saying it, like
walking into a cast, a Housewives cast, And I'm thinking
about this with Brandy Glanville for whatever reason, But like
when a woman comes in who is modelesque, I think
that there's a weird energy, there's a weird flow of energy.
And I think that it probably happened with Brandy. I
(34:00):
think it probably happened with you. I don't know if
you agree with me or not, but I don't know
if anybody's ever walked onto Jersey that's been model asque.
I'm trying to think of some of the other franchises,
but could it could be intimidating And I think in
if you put that in a housewife's setting, Like it's
already like going to spark a bit of jealousy, a
(34:23):
bit of competition, right, do you feel like that, Like
just because of the fact that you are you are
a model, that already put you maybe at a little
bit of a disadvantage.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
Potentially it did. And I think that they thought that
because I was a model, I was going to have
this thick skin. But you know, I was like, oh,
I'm from Illinois. They're like, yeah, you're from Illinois. I'm like, no, no, No,
I am from Rockford, Illinois. Like the way you speak
about people, this way you speak to people, I was
not raised like that, and I don't understand that. And
I'm not going to speak that language. I'm going to
(34:54):
speak my language. And if you don't come to me,
that's your problem. And then people were starting to be
like nicer and real and more open and more just real,
because I was like, I don't know what you're talking about,
and I just didn't doesn't matter if I work in
New York, I still don't communicate like that, and I'm not.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
Going to start I think about No, I'm just I
just think it's so interesting. I think about the other
franchises and just about how especially when someone knew and
is even maybe I mean, I think about Jenna Lionce,
who's her career, but she wasn't new. They all came
in at the same time. That could have been intimidating
or but like models, I feel like in particular particularly.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
She also Jenna has and she always has, whether she
was at you know, Jaye Crew when she first got there,
when I was at Hampton's before I was l She's
always been a very striking confident person. We didn't know
that she had certain things that were going on in
her life, of course, but the way that she presents herself,
(35:55):
and we talk about that a lot now, is about
the way that present she presents herself as a very
very confident person.
Speaker 3 (36:03):
Yeah, but I'm I'm yes, all of that, But people.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
Say that I do like that too. I mean, just
because I'm wearing heels and like, you know, seven feet tall,
doesn't necessarily mean that I'm I'm.
Speaker 1 (36:12):
Feeling housewise, I know, but I think that not just
house housewives is a microcosm, right of, sort of of
the rest of the world and how we all work
and we all spin around each other. But I feel
like there's something about a really tall, beautiful modelesque woman
that is probably makes it a little more difficult. Not always,
(36:38):
but I just think sometimes, and I think maybe maybe
in your case, maybe in Brandy's case, I think that
the dynamics maybe shift a little bit and maybe it
makes it harder.
Speaker 4 (36:48):
Do you agree, Well, I think that there's I think
that there has always been this idea that if you
are pretty, things are easier for you, and it's not
necessary true.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
I mean, you can open that someone can open the
door for you, but you still have to walk through,
like you know, okay, the door is open, but you
can't make it through, Like okay, how are you successful? Right?
You know, you're it's so it's it's really you know,
it's it's it's the life that you make. And you know,
it's really nice that people like the way that I
(37:21):
look and I appreciate that. And botox makes me even prettier, but.
Speaker 1 (37:25):
I yeah, well both talks makes all of us.
Speaker 2 (37:29):
And looks and me and yeah, but I'm kidding, but
I really really appreciate that so much, so much.
Speaker 1 (37:36):
And no, I just think it's so interesting, and I
think that also probably happens with women that come on
that are let's say, way wealthier than the rest, right
there is as an audience member.
Speaker 3 (37:49):
Which is what I mainly am.
Speaker 1 (37:52):
Right, and I see if I see a cast and
someone comes on like Caroline Stansbury, right, do buy what
I want to although they're all actually ridiculously wealthy, so
that doesn't even apply.
Speaker 3 (38:03):
I'm trying to think of like Orange County.
Speaker 2 (38:07):
It's just interesting the way that you talk about yourself
and say that you're like you present, Like we were talking
about that before. You present as the observer, but you're
the participant. That is not good. I mean, I present you.
I have both. You have to allow yourself to be
the you know I.
Speaker 1 (38:26):
Am, but I always have to also like qualify like
I'm not I'm a friend of a house I'm a.
Speaker 2 (38:31):
Two year friend in this world. Yes you're on You're.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
I appreciate that that is true, but I am. I
have been a fan for so long, so it's a
very weird thing. At age fifty three, that's when I
went on the Housewives of New Jersey. I love that
I have watched all of that. You know, I've been
a crazy Housewives fanatic for so many years, so maybe
it like the heart of me. That's how I feel.
(38:56):
I feel both, but that it will always be there,
you know, like I love that it is what it is.
Speaker 2 (39:03):
But like I was thinking about just now, I appreciate
that you are open enough to be like I'm I
was a huge fan. I mean a lot of these
women who are That's I think. No, I don't get this, No, no, no, no.
I think that that's actually a really really strong point
is that a lot of the New York women, they
were such massive fans and they thought this was going
to be a launching pad for them, and instead of
(39:23):
really really like digging deep and really reveling in being
a housewife, they were on the periphery. And it made
the fans very uncomfortable.
Speaker 3 (39:35):
No, I think that's probably pretty accurate.
Speaker 2 (39:38):
It's not that they're I mean, it's more than just
not resonating. It made fans very uncomfortable. Yeah. Instead of
fans feeling like they're in the conversation, they just felt
very isolated. Yeah. I could see that. Yeah, and that's
why they love to watch.
Speaker 1 (39:53):
I mean, I was a fan and when I went
into it, though, I'm not gonna say that I was
never in my head, but I don't.
Speaker 2 (40:00):
I know that.
Speaker 1 (40:01):
I really tried not to be. In most moments, I wasn't.
But there were times because I've been a fanned for
so long, you know that you were seeing, you're in
a scene, but you're also there's that little part of
you that floats above and remembers very like, very specifically,
what it's like to be a viewer of the scene.
So it's a little tricky.
Speaker 2 (40:20):
Don't throw a table. So you would go.
Speaker 1 (40:33):
Back to Housewives, you would return. You already gave me
that answer. You said absolutely, yes.
Speaker 2 (40:37):
Yeah, I always think it's a good I mean, I
had never I always said since day one, I would
never say no. The only reason that I left when
I left in twenty eleven is because they were bringing
back someone that I could not film with.
Speaker 3 (40:53):
And I really play coy right now.
Speaker 2 (40:57):
Schenkel, Okay, I was like, no, that's not how happening.
I'm not I'm not going to be I'm not going
to have someone be a liability. Yeah, it's not happening.
Speaker 3 (41:05):
So interesting.
Speaker 1 (41:06):
You know what everything that happened with her with Jersey
and I know what she was talking about Teresa, and
for whatever reason and said that no one Jersey was
a train wreck of a show. No one would ever
go on it if they weren't broke, and once they
did make money, they would just get off of it.
And I was like, what, like say what like, so
(41:27):
all you were on a franchise and I know you
went on it quote unquote broke.
Speaker 2 (41:33):
She wasn't broke. She went to a very expensive college.
She wasn't broken. I know. I mean I know more
about her now because all of the guys I've did
or went on days told me everything about her, which
was really fascinating. Can you imagine going in a date
and some guy being like, oh my god, let me
tell you about her.
Speaker 1 (41:49):
I'm like, I I met her, I know her.
Speaker 2 (41:52):
I'm like, I'm like, dinner's over.
Speaker 1 (41:54):
Yeah, yeah, recently who she was dating that dated you
or something of that.
Speaker 3 (41:59):
Right, it's another episode any.
Speaker 2 (42:01):
Way, But I do think I do. You know, it's
actually a shame because you know, had I had that,
had that not have happened, I would have I would
have continued on Housewives. I would have continued. I would
Here's a good news. I tell of my favorite trips Leuenna,
I had the best time ever.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
That was my trip to Ireland. That I had on
season thirteen was one of the best times.
Speaker 2 (42:21):
I mean, some of the trips are so unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (42:23):
One but here's the good news.
Speaker 1 (42:25):
I don't even don't even say that a scary island
scary island.
Speaker 2 (42:29):
There are parts of it that are amazing. And then
there was an issue that happened between between us and
I just was like I made a choice of the
wellness of a family versus like I was just I can't.
Speaker 3 (42:42):
Launch, I can't do I'm watch you into anything done.
But let me just say one thing.
Speaker 2 (42:47):
I don't feel.
Speaker 1 (42:48):
I don't feel like Bethany's coming back, so now would
be a perfect time. I feel like probably not going
to be on the Housewives again.
Speaker 2 (42:55):
She can't be.
Speaker 1 (42:56):
Let me just propose this, Andy Cohen, if you're listening,
Ultimate Trip, uh, Jen Fessler, Kelly or even better.
Speaker 2 (43:04):
Ultimate Girlstrip are the best trips as whatever. Well, first
of all, because you get to go on trips with
all these other housewives you never get to meet, and
it is amazing, so fun. I would love to do
that and everybody and everyone gets to tell which is
which was? Which was great for me is that like
even on Ultimate Girls Trip, I did not film with Gerinda,
(43:25):
and I got to really know her, and she, you know,
told me what was happening and all this stuff, and
you know I had, you know. I mean she's a
very funny human.
Speaker 1 (43:35):
I mean she I love that woman. Smart and charismatic.
Talk about the ultimate housewife. All right, Kelly, I love you,
Love you guys, love me some Kelly, Ben Simone, love you.
Speaker 2 (43:45):
See you next time. Bye, guys,
Hosts And Creators
Lauren Zima
Chris Harrison
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