Did you have any fears with your kids being involved?
No, because that was the main reason I wanted to be an executive producer. I was like, “I’m not going to do another show unless I’m able to have some control over what people see of my children.” Then it turned into something where I really enjoyed the process of getting a show made. I really love producing.
I knew I could protect them, so it was never an issue for me. And then, when I saw how they reacted to the camera crews being around…they wanted to get mic’d up. I had to tell them, “No, you can’t wear a hot microphone around the house. It’s not good for your body.” They hated when the crew would leave. They’d ask, “When are the friends with cameras coming back?” They loved it. Until they don’t like it, we’re good.
What were the nonnegotiables for you?
Not really that much. I’m really open. There’s nothing that’s off-limits.
It was interesting to see you in such a different place compared with where we left you in Vanderpump. Is there anything you feel misunderstood about, because people still remember this older version of yourself?
I don’t know how people really view me. I can’t see outside myself. You know what I mean? I do try to stay away as much as possible from the comment section, because I will be affected by it. I have thick skin, but I am a human being. I’m not immune to being hurt from that. So, I don’t know how the audience collectively sees me right now, but I know how reality TV is. People will love you one second and hate you the next. You could be on top of the world, but everything that comes up must go down, and then you try and come back up again. This industry, and life in general, is a wave you just need to learn how to master and cope with.
Speaking of your former self, when we last saw you on Vanderpump, you were blonde. What was behind the decision to go brunette?
Okay. So. After my wedding in Italy—this is May 2022—I had the perfect blonde. Bridal blonde. When you get that blonde, you’re like, Oh yeah, we nailed that. But that was a lot of maintenance. Now I just want to match my daughter. I want my hair color to look like hers. So we took it down to a darker blonde, and I never touched it again. This is hair that hasn’t been touched since May 2022.
That’s your natural color?
Yes! I think this suits me the best. I loved being bridal blonde. That was great. But I do feel more like myself with this hair color. Granted, the grays are starting. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to maintain it. I know at some point when the grays are overwhelming, I’m going to have to choose highlights or cover it up. As long as I can keep it my natural color, I will.
