Podcast Summary: Call It What It Is

Episode: "Call It with Selling Sunset’s Sandra Vergara"
Host: Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington
Guest: Sandra Vergara (Selling Sunset)
Date: November 11, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This lively episode dives deep into Sandra Vergara’s experiences joining Selling Sunset as a new cast member—her first-ever reality TV stint. With hosts Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington, Sandra discusses adjusting to the intense reality show environment, navigating drama with costars (especially Chrishell), friendship dynamics, the editing process, and her personal lessons in staying grounded amid chaos. The conversation provides an inside look at the realities of reality TV, the emotional highs and lows, and the importance of resilience and authenticity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sandra’s Journey to Selling Sunset (03:41–07:22)

• Background: Sandra reveals coming off a tough breakup when the opportunity for Selling Sunset arose. She originally met with Netflix for live events, but got directed to Done and Done, the show’s production company.
  • Quote: “I chose to do it because I needed to get out of, like, the emotion. Emotional bottom that I was in.” (07:01, Sandra Vergara)
• Getting Her Real Estate License: Sandra was encouraged by friends and family in real estate, got cast on the show, and obtained her license right after filming.

2. The Reality of Reality TV Production (08:45–09:29)

• Producer Influence: Sandra explains how producers “feed you” suggestions and try to stir the pot for drama.
  • Quote: “They tell you things you should ask when you’re new... but everything was like, feed you. They feed you. But I caught it pretty quick.” (08:49, Sandra Vergara)
• Editing Realities: Sandra notes many logical or heartfelt scenes don’t make the cut, so “whatever they edited you as, that’s who you’ll be—it's not a documentary, it’s a TV show.” (09:32, Sandra Vergara)

3. Navigating Conflict and Accusations: The Chrishell Drama (10:36–18:09)

• Conflict with Chrishell: Chrishell labeled Sandra as a “fake realtor” and repeated a theft rumor about her—Sandra denies ever having lunch alone with Chrishell or wronging her.
  • Quote: “She has all the right to not like me, but, like, say the reasons. Don’t make up all these things.” (11:49, Sandra Vergara)
• Betrayal in Friendships: The hosts and Sandra examine Chrishell’s fallout with Emma, whom she exposed negatively on reality TV.
  • Quote: “If she’s your best friend, you don’t expose her on a reality TV show.” (13:07, Sandra Vergara)
• Reunion Dynamics: Sandra shares that Chrishell posted damaging content right before the reunion, probably as “damage control.” (13:41, Sandra Vergara)
• Aftermath and Sides: Sandra highlights that Emma took the high road, refusing to engage on social media. The cast’s friendship lines have shifted, with Chrishell largely isolated.

4. Editing, Public Perception, and the ‘Villain Edit’ (19:01–24:04, 30:57–31:43)

• Manipulative Editing: Sandra affirms that editing is heavy-handed, sometimes flipping the story or removing important context, especially to craft a “villain” each season.
• Social Media Impact: Sandra receives both criticism and adoration online, sometimes compared (humorously) to Sophia Vergara, and admits she finds some comments “hilarious.”
  • Quote: “I love answering comments. I’m a comedian so I take the piss at some of them. It’s hilarious...” (23:23, Sandra Vergara)
• Villain Roles: The hosts discuss whether Chrishell got the “villain edit” this season, with Sandra suggesting the storylines are constructed but also that Chrishell’s behavior played a role.

5. High-Drama Scenes and Aftermath (16:32–29:09)

• Friendsgiving and Personal Attacks: They recap the infamous Friendsgiving argument and “drug allegations,” noting that deeply personal jabs (like comments about Chrishell’s parents) are what cross the line and shift the focus.
  • Quote: “Everything would have been great had she not said that last part...Nicole, you could have not just said that and she would have won.” (17:47, Sandra Vergara)
• Consequences: Nicole was fired, but Sandra points out it was likely an “accumulation of certain things”—not a single incident.
• Processing the Chaos: Sandra recounts panic attacks and moments she considered quitting but ultimately persevered.

6. On Staying Grounded and Handling Reality TV Stress (32:02–54:35)

• Spiritual Tools: Sandra credits meditation, Kabbalah, and helping others for staying sane and calm, especially counseling others as a sobriety counselor.
  • Quote: “When you’re of service to somebody else, everything gets better because you’re not in your head...that’s when you actually get peace and serenity.” (50:57, Sandra Vergara)
• Not Taking it Personally: She advises future reality stars to “take zero things personal” and to expect the unexpected.
• Avoiding Excess: Sandra doesn’t drink on set, stays mindful of what she says, and trusts a select few cast members (Mary, Alana, Brie) to keep confidences.

7. Fun Behind-the-Scenes Nuggets (47:40–48:54)

• Fashion: All the cast’s outfits are their own—including the parade of Birkins.
• Glam Squad: Sandra does her own makeup, drawing on her background as a makeup artist, but others use personal glam teams for “talking head” interviews.

8. What the Show Leaves Out (43:00–54:22)

• Pot-Stirring Myth: Sandra denies stirring the pot, saying the drama was “ready made” before she arrived, but those scenes got trimmed to seem otherwise.
• Misconceptions: She refutes rumors about “keying” a car and shares that much of her real self—especially her humor—wasn’t shown.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sandra on Producer Tactics:
  “They want naughty. But, yeah, I had the most amazing, like, real estate scenes and, like, one on one, like, logical conversations that did not make the cut.” (09:17, Sandra Vergara)

• On Friendship Fallout:
  “Emma has...said nothing bad about her [Chrishell] to the media. Nothing on social media. So she, it’s like a one-sided fight.” (14:09, Sandra Vergara)

• On Reality TV’s Emotional Toll:
  “I had a panic attack once. Malibu. That scene when she started saying...Out of nowhere. And the producer set me up, of course.” (32:13, Sandra Vergara)

• On Handling Drama:
  “You have to let it go. Because if you’re controlling it, then you’re going to be all stiff and not say anything, and they’re going to be like, ‘Get out of this show.’” (33:43, Sandra Vergara)

• On Staying Balanced:
  “I practice Kabbalah. I meditate, I pray, I help other people. Thank god I went hard on Kabbalah before doing this...It teaches you how to react in a non-reactive way.” (51:41–51:53, Sandra Vergara)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 03:41 | Sandra’s arrival to Selling Sunset | | 08:45 | Producer manipulation and editing discussion | | 10:36 | Chrishell drama, accusations, and friendship rifts | | 13:32 | Chrishell/Emma pre-reunion social media | | 16:32 | Friendsgiving incident and “mean girl” moments | | 17:47 | The impact of personal attacks | | 23:23 | Sandra on social media reactions | | 30:57 | ‘Villain edit’ and reality TV manipulation | | 32:02 | Sandra on emotional aftermath and panic attacks | | 33:43 | Advice for reality TV resilience | | 47:40 | Who brings what to the wardrobe | | 50:52 | Sandra’s spirituality and counseling | | 53:46 | Life lessons from reality TV |

Conclusion & Lessons Learned

Sandra closes by reflecting on the unpredictability and emotional intensity of the show:

• Friendships are complex: “Some people are meant to be friends, and that's okay...there has to be some form where there's harmony, but...some differences are irreconcilable.” (53:46, Sandra Vergara)
• Be prepared for anything: Reality TV is full of surprises—“Anything. You’re at a dinner with these people and the shoe drops and then...all hell breaks loose.” (54:23, Sandra Vergara)

Tone & Language

The episode is candid, witty, and warm—with honesty about the reality TV experience, a strong emphasis on resilience and self-care, and lots of humor and camaraderie between the hosts and guest. Sandra’s openness about her spirituality, emotional journey, and “realness” marks her as genuine and grounded amidst the chaos.

For fans and newcomers alike, this episode offers a behind-the-curtain look at what it’s really like to join a reality TV juggernaut, highlighting both the messy drama and the importance of keeping a strong sense of self.