Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast
with iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
It's the Almost Famous podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:08):
Ashley myself are here with you today, and since the
news is out and we are excited for our Ashley.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
That sounds very weird, but I like see.
Speaker 4 (00:18):
I like that.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Yeah, she's our Ashley.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island is going to be airing,
and my co host is going to be on this season.
We've asked some of our listeners to share some messages
with Ashley. We're going to listen to those and she's
going to respond. I'm going to take a step back.
But before we get into it, Ashley, I know there's
a lot right now that you cannot speak about when
(00:42):
it comes to the show, and we're going to respect
that here, however, and I want to also preface the
messages that you're going to be hearing, Ashley are from
other housewives, from some people that we definitely know the
names of, and our fans. But before we kind of
kick this off, I just want to ask you, why
(01:04):
did you say yes to it? I think you could
speak to that well.
Speaker 5 (01:07):
I can't go into casting, which is that sucks. I
will say this when asked it was quite the debate
in my head and a conversation between Jared and I
that continued months. It wasn't a fast decision that we
came to and that actually took like two months, and
(01:28):
we were like pretty much on the same page, which was,
if we don't do it, we'll regret doing it. If
we don't say yes, we'll always wonder what if. And
I've said many times on the show that I tried
to eliminate as many what ifs in my life as possible.
So I said I'd rather say yes and then later
(01:49):
down the road say no, than say no and then
never never be able to say yes. And I believe
that stay true to myself throughout the filming process, and
we will see how Bravo and that audience takes to me.
Because I do find I felt myself to be untraditional
(02:13):
in the role.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
That's good.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
So yeah, we'll see how it plays over with this audience.
Maybe they won't like me. That's a good chance they
won't like me.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Here's the truth, Ashley. If you stay true to yourself
and they don't like you.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
That's okay.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
It's okay. It's a different audience.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
We do have some messages from some stars from the
Real Housewives franchise. We're going to start with messages from
Jennifer Fessler from the Real Housewives of New Jersey and
she is with Kelly Bensmon who from the Real Housewives
of New York, who is a part of our iHeart family.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Both very great, very sweet people. Let's listen to the message.
Speaker 6 (02:53):
Hi, Ashley, It's Jen Bessler from Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Speaker 7 (02:57):
Hey, Ashley, it's Kelly bensimone from the Real house So
I was from New York.
Speaker 6 (03:01):
Hi, mikekel Kel, Hi beauty.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
I we are so excited for you, Ashley. We are
so excited. We watched the trailer. It looks unbelievable. We
are so excited to watch it.
Speaker 6 (03:14):
So congratulations my new friend, and welcome to this crazy,
crazy Housewives world. So one thing we all know is
that you are going to go to a crazy dinner party.
So here's a piece of advice. Eat first. I can't
preface that enough because by the time dinner is over,
you are going to be so exhausted and if you're me,
(03:37):
so completely starving because you will have expended so much energy.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
So I would suggest to you just to eat first and.
Speaker 6 (03:44):
It'll help you with stamina, and you're gonna need stamina.
Speaker 7 (03:47):
That is great advice. And you know what's so interesting
is that I would always eat like chicken and vegetables
and rice before every single big scene.
Speaker 4 (03:58):
I felt like an athlete.
Speaker 7 (03:59):
I was like, I am I'm going to be hydrated.
I had my create four so I was like, all
ready to go and an ultimate girls trip. It's like
you're eating only when you're having the meals with the
other housewives, which I did not eat a lot, and
I did not eat enough, and I regret that.
Speaker 4 (04:14):
That's yeah, that's really hilarious.
Speaker 7 (04:16):
I already knew you were going to be on this
show because we talked about it. I love that you
called me right after we were on Almost Famous and
you were like, oh my god, what's going to happen?
And what did I say to you? I said, be
your gorgeous, fun kind self and the world is going
to love you again and again, just like they loved
(04:37):
you Impachination as You're going to.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Do so great.
Speaker 7 (04:40):
Jenna and I are here for you.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
We love you. Dolores is there with you, and we
love our Dolores. We absolutely do. We really mean it
reach out anytime.
Speaker 6 (04:49):
Happy to be your big Bravo housewife sisters, not your mother,
your big sister as.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Yeah, your iHeart team. We are here for you.
Speaker 7 (04:57):
We love you, and we're so excited to hear about everything.
Speaker 4 (05:01):
I'm Ashley, baby, Ashley sweet.
Speaker 5 (05:05):
Oh my gosh, guys, that's so nice. It's so funny
because they don't have to tell me to eat. I
am the girl that if they show it, we'll be
eating in every single scene. One of the best things
is that there's like always a charcouterie board.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
There and I think we all eat, but.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
I I use that as a distraction in a lot
of moments. We're like, oh you guys, are you guys
are having.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
A thing over there?
Speaker 5 (05:32):
Okay, I'm just gonna like wander over and emotionally eat
over here.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
These messages are gonna be great.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Onto the next one.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
We got Emily Simpson from The Real Housewives Orange County.
Speaker 8 (05:48):
Hi, Ashley, it's Emily Simpson from the Real Housewives of
Orange County. I just wanted to say congrats on joining
the Real Housewives. The best advice that I can give
to you about being a housewife is just always saying
authentic to who you are, to what you think, to
your opinions. And also, I think Housewives really starts to
(06:08):
decline when they try to drive the narrative or get
a specific outcome, and I think you just need to
stay away from that. You just need to have an opinion,
not think about what the audience reaction would be, not
think about how you want something to turn out in
the end. Just whatever you think in that moment, just
say it, because you can always apologize later. But it's
just I think it's best to just be authentic, open
(06:30):
and raw about what you're feeling and what you think.
Speaker 7 (06:32):
Right then.
Speaker 5 (06:33):
Interesting, Okay, Oh, there's so many things that I would
love to respond to, but I'm like, I don't want
to get that at call because it's so early. If
you guys were to give me this advice, or if
I want to be listening to these wall the show
is airing, I think I could give you almost shame
as audience a little bit more feedback, but right now
(06:57):
I don't.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
But this is all.
Speaker 5 (06:59):
So interesting to hear. Yeah, after having already filmed, I.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Think a lot of a lot of this right now
is like a tease to what we're going to be
able to get into together as the season starts and
when you can start to openly discuss some of the
stuff that's happening. This is like the tease for people
to foreshadow and wonder what is going to happen? How
does this all work? And I think that's healthy in
(07:24):
its own way, and it's also great that these ladies
who have been through are giving you this advice. Up next,
we have two icons in the Real Housewives franchise, people
we know and appreciate and I know know and appreciate you.
(07:50):
Up next, we have a message from Teddy Mellencamp from
the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and also Tamra Judge
from the Real Housewives of Orange County.
Speaker 9 (08:00):
Teddy E Mellencamp and Tamra Judge, I want to give
it congratulations to Ashley the new housewife and just let
her know that just be yourself, don't let those girls
push you around, be authentic, have fun, and make sure
that whatever's on your mind you speak it all right.
Speaker 5 (08:17):
It's very similar to what Emily says.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
Yeah, it kind of feels like this trend Ashley, that
I'm hearing somebody that's not familiar with what happened with
your season and also the show. It just like authenticity.
That feels like is what they're trying to tell you,
because they're like, this could get crazy. Don't get yourself involved.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
It says.
Speaker 5 (08:34):
They're talking about like letting your opinions be known, though,
and that's something that I've heard a number of times
from different sources.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
I'll be excited to see if you do that.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Napola from Real Housewives Miami has our final message for you.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
Hi, Ashley.
Speaker 10 (08:53):
It's Alexi Napola from the Real Housewives of Miami, and
I want to say congrats on joining the Real Housewives family.
Welcome to this crazy housewife world where we have the
best fans ever, and you're going to see that and
you're going to love it. We do have the best
fans ever. But you know it's also a little scary,
(09:14):
so I hope you're ready for it. Just embrace it.
It's a lot of fun. Your life is about to change,
and I wish you all the best things in life,
and just have fun. It's a wild experience and I
want you to enjoy every moment of it. Actually, the
best advice I can give you about being a housewifeist
(09:35):
own your storyline. You have to say your story before
somebody says it for you, because once the girls say
the story for you, it's not going to be the
same story that you have to say. And you know,
there's usually rumors and confessionals and then it turns into
a big mess. So just own your story and tell it.
Be authentic to yourself, be authentic with the public. You know,
(09:58):
don't try too much. I feel like a lot of
the bookie housewives come in and they want to take over,
and they try too much. So you know, just be authentic,
be real, and everyone will love you.
Speaker 5 (10:10):
I love that that was good, and I will admit
that there are many times throughout filming that I said
I'm scared. Hi guys, I'm Ashley, and I'm really nervous
to be here.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Yeah, I'm sure.
Speaker 5 (10:22):
I would say that her advice seems to be the
one that I feel most connected with herd gens. I
want to say thank you to everyone, Jennifer, Kelly, Emily, Teddy,
Tamra and Alexia for your calls.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
That's so so sweet of you.
Speaker 5 (10:38):
I am excited to see the fandom that is the
Bravo universe because it's possibly more intense than even Bachelor Nation.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
It sounds like it could be. I'm excited for you, Ashley.
Here's my advice for you. I have no clue what
I'm talking about, and so my advice for you is
just to keep being you, Ashley? Is there anything closing here?
I know it's a weird time. We heard about standing
(11:07):
up for your own opinions. We heard about staying true
to yourself. We heard about the fear or how scary
this whole new world could be. Ashley, is there anything
even a nugget that you could share with us about
some of the advice that you heard and how it
(11:29):
made you feel? Or I guess even when you hear it,
are you like, no, I don't really know what they're
talking about, or when they know, I.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Know exactly what they're talking about. And I guess.
Speaker 5 (11:45):
Opinions is interesting, opinions on things because your opinion on
things means so much as a housewife. And it was
something that wasn't front and center on Bachelor because a
Bachelor's front and center is literally love. And that was
(12:07):
my hardest adjustment, having a show that didn't have a
focus beyond chatter.
Speaker 4 (12:16):
I guess I.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Think that's great.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
I think that is Uh, that's your nugget.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
That's my nugget, and I'll take it. I'll take it. Ashley.
Speaker 5 (12:25):
Our producer is asking whether this felt like a game
like Bachelor did, and I will say it doesn't. It's
not a competition show. And so that element not being
there was also a new thing for me where it
was like, kind of you didn't know where it was
(12:46):
gonna go, because at least on The Bachelor, you have
a formula. You're like, you're gonna have a there's gonna
be two one on ones this week, there's gonna be
a group day, and then there's gonna be a rose ceremony,
and you kind of knew what to expect as like
an outline every week, and here you have no idea
what's on your plate. And that was intimidating for me.
(13:10):
All Right, Well, again, thank you to all the housewives
who sent little messages of hope and support. I appreciate
you so much and I'm excited to get to meet everybody.
And just as a side note, it was so lovely
getting to know Dolores over this summer as well. She's
such an amazing woman and it was cool to see
(13:31):
her at Bravo Con and all that talking about Rhode
Island and what to expect. So thank you, guys for
all the love and support from Instagram over the past week.
And yeah, I'll be able to say more soon hopefully.
Until next time, I've been Ashley, I've been Ben.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Bye guys.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
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