Lipstick on the Rim
Episode Title: Inside Rachel Zoe’s New Era: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Divorce, and Reinvention
Host: Molly Sims & Emisha Gormley
Guest: Rachel Zoe
Release Date: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this captivating and candid episode, Molly Sims and Emisha Gormley sit down with legendary stylist and entrepreneur Rachel Zoe to dive into her new chapter. The conversation is a deep and revealing look at Rachel's life changes: her return to reality TV with "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," processing divorce after decades of marriage, redefining her selfhood, and how she’s navigating reinvention—both personally and professionally. Rachel reflects on friendship, motherhood, beauty rituals, and what it means to own your story and place in the spotlight on her own terms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rachel Zoe’s Legacy and Enduring Friendships

[04:23] – [05:42]

• Molly and Emisha reminisce about their decades-long relationships with Rachel, crediting her kindness and consistency in both personal and professional circles.
• Rachel reflects on the meaning of real friendship:
  • “Your real friends… sometimes you have the least pictures with and the people that you speak to sometimes the least, but that you always know they’re there. ...that’s a friendship.” (Rachel Zoe, 04:58)
• The trio discusses how treating people well has contributed to Rachel’s longevity in a cutthroat industry.

2. Reality TV Comeback: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH)

[06:45] – [14:44]

• Rachel reveals her return to unscripted television after 11 years, emphasizing she’s “winging every day.”
• The decision was spurred by a need to share her story post-divorce and to "humanize and share what goes on in divorce, in separation, in love stories.” (Rachel Zoe, 09:35)
• Rachel’s family’s input was critical – she didn't say yes to RHOBH until she summoned her sons for a "family meeting":
  • “This is a group decision… [my boys said] 'Mom, this is what you need to do for yourself.'” (Rachel Zoe, 11:55)
• She highlights the need for space after years of intense press scrutiny, describing paparazzi encounters as "terrifying" and resulting in PTSD.
• On her “dimmed” light during her marriage’s last years:
  • “I have never felt more myself than I have felt in the last year and a half. ...I like found my fire, I found my light.” (Rachel Zoe, 13:55)

3. Divorce, Reinvention, and Identity

[12:05] – [16:32]

• Rachel, who spent “more than half my life” with Roger, talks openly about the pain and lessons of separation.
• "That light was definitely dimmed for sure, without knowing it,” Rachel admits, adding she wishes she’d left sooner but takes solace in her bond with her sons.
• The hosts affirm Rachel’s reinvention and encourage her embrace of “single hot Rachel.”

4. RHOBH: The Experience

[16:47] – [32:38]

• Rachel enters the RHOBH cast with minimal prior relationships or knowledge of other Housewives (“I rolled in knowing nothing,” 28:42).
• Her take on the process:
  • “I am legitimately winging every day.” (Rachel Zoe, 16:50)
  • She is closest to Kathy Hilton, and “everyone on this show is dealing with shit.” (Rachel Zoe, 25:57)
• Rachel resisted any “prep” from industry friends (“I wanted to form my own [opinions],” 30:04), drawing a parallel to “getting rushed” for a sorority.
• Gave a behind-the-scenes look at filming schedules and emotional whiplash:
  • “Graduation, June 6th. Shooting, June 7th. …There was no prep. There was no facials.” (Rachel Zoe, 27:54, 28:42)
• She emphasizes authenticity is non-negotiable:
  • “If I can be me and I can be my honest me, I’m in.” (Rachel Zoe, 24:25)
• Rachel confesses to feeling nervous: “I'm always scared and nervous. I didn't watch the trailer until, like, 40 people told me it was good.” (Rachel Zoe, 51:05)

5. Signature Beauty and Style Rituals

[30:42] – [35:32]

• Rachel denies being high maintenance, calling herself a “lowest maintenance beauty person”:
  • “I am going to pound with all the things of hydration. ...But it'll take me five minutes, you know, really five minutes.” (Rachel Zoe, 34:39)
• Favorite products: Barbara Sturm, Wyze, exfoliating pads, Westman Atelier, Charlotte Tilbury, Victoria Beckham, You Beauty, and more.
• Mascara is her “junkie” product. Always a heavy eye, even in quarantine:
  • “In the darkness of COVID I had a cat eye every single day where nobody saw me. ...I went into my bathroom, I did a black liquid liner, put on lashes, black liner in the waterline, a full lip, did my hair and sat in my bed.” (Rachel Zoe, 41:11)
• Rachel rarely wears flats, iconic for her platform heels.
• Secret to staying glowy and fresh: lots of hydrating serums and quick, consistent rituals.

6. Fashion Philosophy & Style Icons

[39:46] – [49:44]

• Quick-fire “That’s so Rachel” round:
  • Most treasured piece: Halston tie dye caftan from the 70s.
  • Go-to glam: Five minute face, heavy on shimmer stick, mascara, gloss, and brows.
• Fashion no's: She'd “never bring back the whole decade of the 80s” except maybe a Mugler shoulder.
• Personal style rule:
  • “Never, ever follow trends. Always interpret them for yourself.” (Rachel Zoe, 44:47)
• Reflections on celebrity friends (the Hiltons, Kardashians), their work ethic, and how much time is devoted to beauty behind the scenes.

7. New Era, New Beginnings, and Dating

[56:52] – [57:44]

• Rachel’s excitement and nerves about being single for the first time since she was 19.
• Hosts and Rachel bond over what makes a man attractive (“open the fucking car door, stand up when we leave the table, pay the bill,” 57:26).
• Lighthearted banter about dating, sleeping habits, and Halloween mid-episode for a dose of personal and relatable humor.
• Rachel is encouraged and supported by Molly and Emisha as she steps into her “new era.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Friendship:

  • “Your real friends… are the ones sometimes you have the least pictures with... but that you always know they’re there.” (Rachel Zoe, 04:58)

• On Divorce and Reinvention:

  • “I have never felt more myself than I have felt in the last year and a half. ...I like found my fire, I found my light.” (Rachel Zoe, 13:55)

• On Real Housewives:

  • “I am legitimately winging every day.” (Rachel Zoe, 16:50)
  • “If I can be me and I can be my honest me, I’m in.” (Rachel Zoe, 24:25)

• On Beauty Rituals:

  • “I am the lowest maintenance beauty person, but I do care about skin more than anything. ...I am going to pound with all the things of hydration.” (Rachel Zoe, 34:39)
  • “In the darkness of COVID I had a cat eye every single day where nobody saw me.” (Rachel Zoe, 41:11)

• On Style Philosophy:

  • “Never, ever follow trends. Always interpret them for yourself.” (Rachel Zoe, 44:47)

• On Dating and Manners:

  • “Open the fucking car door. Stand up when we leave the table... Pay the bill.” (Rachel Zoe, 57:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:23] – Rachel on kindness, friendship, and professional longevity
• [06:45] – Discussing her return to reality television
• [11:37] – Family decision about joining RHOBH
• [13:55] – Rachel on rediscovering “her fire” post-separation
• [16:47] – Entering RHOBH, forming new friendships, shooting schedule
• [24:25] – Commitment to authenticity on reality TV
• [28:42] – Filming began the day after son’s graduation; no prep, no scripts
• [30:42] – Beauty rituals, products, and makeup essentials
• [39:46] – "That’s so Rachel" rapid-fire and style philosophy
• [44:47] – Her rule: interpret trends for yourself
• [51:05] – On nerves and not watching her own trailer
• [56:52] – Stepping into the single life and modern dating

Overall Tone & Takeaway

This episode balances deep vulnerability, humor, and wisdom. Rachel is fully herself—open, direct, occasionally raw, and always committed to authenticity and self-reinvention. Molly and Emisha keep the atmosphere warm, supportive, and playful, making this not just an inside look at RHOBH but an empowering listen for anyone facing big life transitions, craving fresh starts, or seeking to age (and style) boldly on their own terms.