Podcast Summary: Jeff Lewis Has Issues

Episode: Elizabeth Vargas & Ryan Bailey
Release Date: January 31, 2025
Host: Jeff Lewis
Guests: Elizabeth Vargas, Ryan Bailey

Introduction

In this episode of Jeff Lewis Has Issues, host Jeff Lewis is joined by Elizabeth Vargas and Ryan Bailey to delve into the tumultuous experiences Elizabeth faced during her stint on The Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC), her complicated divorce, and the ensuing drama with fellow cast members. The conversation is candid, revealing, and peppered with notable insights and personal anecdotes.

Real Housewives of Orange County Experience

Elizabeth Vargas shares her brief but intense experience on season 15 of RHOC, highlighting the challenges of filming during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Elizabeth Vargas: "You were trying to film around Covid, and it really didn't translate very well." [01:22]

Ryan Bailey adds that a second season could have provided a deeper understanding of her character, suggesting that one season was insufficient.

• Ryan Bailey: "You need two seasons for any housewife right out of the gate. Like, one season, you're not gonna ever get to know them the way that we want to know them." [01:39]

Elizabeth laments that the COVID-induced restrictions, such as social distancing and mask mandates, severely impacted the show's dynamics and her ability to connect with other cast members.

• Elizabeth Vargas: "Between Covid, the cast, the filming, the COVID people standing there 10ft away, masks, mandates. It was a disaster." [02:03]

Divorce and Legal Battles

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Elizabeth's complex divorce, which became a central storyline during her time on RHOC.

• Jeff Lewis: "So were you friendly with Bronwyn? Did you get along well with her?" [03:11]

Elizabeth explains how her divorce complicated her time on the show, leading her to hire investors to fund her legal battles.

• Elizabeth Vargas: "I approached an investor and a group of them and they invested in me and they got their money back. And then I was able to rent my house and I was able to buy short term rentals, and now I have a rental portfolio." [15:21]

The episode touches upon the unconventional method Elizabeth used to finance her divorce, involving real estate investments and investor backing, which provided her with the necessary funds to navigate her legal troubles.

• Jeff Lewis: "So these people, do they then have a say of what? Of who you're going to hire as a family law attorney to fight your ex?" [15:48]

• Elizabeth Vargas: "No, unfortunately, I'd hire them myself. And then I realized there's no way I could afford 900 to 1200 an hour. So that's when I got an investor." [15:56]

Conflict with Fellow Housewives

Elizabeth recounts her strained relationship with Bronwyn, another cast member, which became a source of ongoing tension on the show.

• Elizabeth Vargas: "So something about Bronwyn where she just doesn't like me. And I know the exact moment when she started not liking me. It was when she hit on me in a bar in Laguna." [03:48]

Jeff reveals how Bronwyn meddled in Elizabeth's personal life by contacting her ex-husband, leading to further complications.

• Elizabeth Vargas: "Bronwyn contacted my husband... sending me cease and desist." [06:07]

This interference not only affected her divorce proceedings but also intensified her conflicts on the show, making her experience even more challenging.

Personal Life: Dating and Drama

The conversation shifts to Elizabeth's personal life, particularly her dating experiences following her divorce, which became a focal point of drama.

• Elizabeth Vargas: "I ended up seeing each other at a bar, connected, hooked up..." [09:22]

Elizabeth discusses her brief relationship with Jim Bellino, detailing how a leaked photo exacerbated tensions with other Housewives, particularly Kelly Dodd.

• Elizabeth Vargas: "We took a photo together, and it ended up on TMZ." [23:40]

This incident sparked rumors and misunderstandings that Elizabeth had to address, leading to a phone call confrontation with Kelly Dodd later in the episode.

Weight Loss and Fitness Journey

Elizabeth shares her journey towards weight loss and improved fitness, highlighting the measures she took to achieve her transformation.

• Elizabeth Vargas: "I tried Ozempic. I barfed for a month. It didn't work. I then tried Manjaro. That didn't really work. So I went to a compounding pharmacy, and now I'm on trisepatide with working out." [07:46]

She elaborates on her customized fitness and weight loss regimen, emphasizing the importance of muscle tone and overall health.

• Elizabeth Vargas: "I take a triazepatide with other things in it that keep my muscle tissue, but it also curbs your appetite." [08:30]

Conflict Resolution with Kelly Dodd

Towards the end of the episode, Elizabeth addresses the fallout from the leaked photo incident, leading to a heated phone call with Kelly Dodd and Christina.

• Kelly Dodd: "You're thirsty. You're desperate for publicity." [34:31]

Elizabeth defends herself, clarifying that she did not intentionally leak the photo and expressing her frustration with the ensuing rumors.

• Elizabeth Vargas: "I did not [send the photo]. But I have a feeling Christina was hoping that it would go on TMZ." [35:34]

The confrontation underscores the lingering tensions and complexities among former cast members, illustrating how off-show drama continues to impact their relationships.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Jeff Lewis reflecting on the inescapable nature of being a reality TV star and the enduring impact of show-related conflicts on personal lives. Elizabeth expresses her desire to move forward, either by returning to RHOC or forging her own path in the spotlight.

• Elizabeth Vargas: "I didn't want to be involved in that disaster... I just think that that's a really shitty way to get back on the show." [29:54]

The candid discussion provides listeners with an unfiltered glimpse into the personal and professional challenges faced by reality TV personalities, highlighting themes of resilience, conflict, and personal growth.

Notable Quotes:

• Elizabeth Vargas: "Between Covid, the cast, the filming, the COVID people standing there 10ft away, masks, mandates. It was a disaster." [02:03]

• Elizabeth Vargas: "I wanted to bang him. I didn't. Wasn't dating him. He couldn't get his..." [22:29]

• Kelly Dodd: "You're thirsty. You're desperate for publicity." [34:31]

• Elizabeth Vargas: "You're a housewife for good. But it would have been interesting because if I would have dated him and we would have kept being seen, I probably would have got on the show." [29:59]

This episode of Jeff Lewis Has Issues offers a deep dive into the personal struggles and interpersonal conflicts of Elizabeth Vargas, providing valuable insights into the often chaotic world of reality TV. Through candid conversations and unfiltered revelations, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by those in the public eye.