Podcast Summary: Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel
Episode: Inside Members Only: Taja Abitbol Reveals the Truth Behind the Palm Beach Power Wars
Guest: Taja Abitbol (credited as Taja Lucky in the transcript)
Release Date: January 9, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode of "Miss Understood" dives into the drama and reality behind Netflix's "Members Only Palm Beach" with special guest Taja Abitbol. The host, Rachel Uchitel, aims to give Taja a platform to share her side—beyond the show's edits and social media commentary. Their candid conversation unpacks Palm Beach society's perceived glamor and chaos, the true stories behind the cast, and how reality TV constructs and distorts the truth. They also discuss the origins of the show, cast controversies, and what viewers get wrong about Palm Beach life.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Origin of "Members Only Palm Beach"
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Taja’s Introduction to Reality TV (04:52–07:31)
- Taja originally tried to develop her own show about Palm Beach's country club life with a New York producer, even attempting to cast Rachel. The initial project stalled due to various setbacks, including a production strike and personal issues among collaborators.
- The "Members Only" opportunity came unexpectedly via her hairstylist, who introduced her to show producer Dani Bear.
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Casting and Cross-Show Connections (07:31–10:59)
- Rachel reveals she was almost involved in a rival show, "Snowbirds", which sought a similar demographic but failed to launch.
- There is significant cast crossover between "Members Only" and "Snowbirds", leading to confusion and commentary about authenticity in casting.
2. Controversy Over Authenticity & Geography
- Palm Beach vs. Palm Beach County (10:59–11:29)
- Discussion around accusations that cast members aren’t truly from Palm Beach proper. Both emphasize the difference between Palm Beach the town and Palm Beach County, clarifying the show never claimed exclusive town representation.
- Taja: “They said Palm Beach County … Not just Palm beach proper. Like, nobody wants to live there. It’s too restricted.” (10:57)
3. Taja’s Background & Personal Narrative
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Entrepreneurship and Family (15:58–23:17)
- Taja details her journey from real estate to owning French-Moroccan restaurants and nightclubs in New York, then transitioning into wellness and biohacking with her brand Taja Drip.
- Her family heritage (French/Moroccan/Tunisian) informs her business and personal values.
- She has a long-term relationship (over 15 years) with famed baseball player David Cone, with whom she shares a child, challenging the show's selective portrayal of her personal life.
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Reality of Relationships on the Show (13:39–15:19)
- Taja discusses her family's limited on-screen participation, noting Netflix deliberately kept her partner’s exposure minimal to preserve boundaries:
- Taja: “I think they knew what they were doing. Netflix, you know … I don’t think that he should be associated with such a ridiculous… show.” (14:18)
- Taja discusses her family's limited on-screen participation, noting Netflix deliberately kept her partner’s exposure minimal to preserve boundaries:
4. Reality vs. Edited TV
- Show Experience vs. Reality (27:04–28:46)
- Taja filmed many scenes, especially with family, most of which were cut. She believes this editing ultimately protected her reputation:
- Taja: “Most of my shit got cut out … because I’m not compared to the rest of the girls, like, about them being ridiculous and I need to preserve my business … I really do have a serious brand to protect. None of them do.” (27:15)
- Taja filmed many scenes, especially with family, most of which were cut. She believes this editing ultimately protected her reputation:
5. Cast Member Dynamics & Drama
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Breakdown of Main Cast
- Gayle Brophy: Widely perceived as over-the-top both on and off camera, her behavior at Taja’s premiere resulted in her being removed for disruptive conduct (36:02–37:32). Their relationship is now openly adversarial.
- Taja on Gayle: “She comes in in a drunken stupor … says, ‘oh, we're gonna have a lawsuit here tonight.’” (36:02)
- Rosalyn: Frequently accused of exaggerating her social status, especially relating to membership at Mar-a-Lago. There’s discussion about her possibly being asked to leave the club in real life (43:32–44:07).
- Hillary: Seen as the “real deal” but has also attracted attention for her choice of husband (a former doorman), which some cast members find surprising. Taja and Rachel defend her as legitimate and down-to-earth.
- Taja: “Hillary prefers to donate under the radar. That's the way to do it.” (42:35)
- Sous Belle: Touted by Taja as “iconic” and “beautiful,” praised for her class and potential future on the show (46:59–47:38).
- Maria (“DJ Tumble”) & Romina: Cast to represent the aspirational, newer arrivals to Palm Beach society, often ostracized for not conforming to traditional norms.
- Gayle Brophy: Widely perceived as over-the-top both on and off camera, her behavior at Taja’s premiere resulted in her being removed for disruptive conduct (36:02–37:32). Their relationship is now openly adversarial.
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Rifts & Real Tensions
- There is genuine, ongoing conflict between Taja and Gayle, as well as between Hillary and Rosalyn (57:45–58:43).
- Taja: “There is a real rift now between me and Gayle because, I mean, first of all, like, everything I do, they copy me. … She got thrown out because she was under the influence and misbehaving with her etiquette.” (57:45)
- There is genuine, ongoing conflict between Taja and Gayle, as well as between Hillary and Rosalyn (57:45–58:43).
6. Critique of Show’s Social Hierarchy & Wealth
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No True Billionaires & Portrayal of Wealth (50:45–51:16)
- Rachel and Taja emphasize that the extreme wealth depicted is not representative of the cast’s true backgrounds; scenes frequently use borrowed or staged settings.
- Taja: “There's nobody that's a billionaire on our cast.” (51:12)
- Rachel and Taja emphasize that the extreme wealth depicted is not representative of the cast’s true backgrounds; scenes frequently use borrowed or staged settings.
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How TV Distorts Real Social Life (39:08–40:10; 53:04–53:23)
- The show amplifies Palm Beach stereotypes (loudness, name-dropping, etiquette lessons), often for comic effect, but these are not descriptive of the island’s “real” old guard, who largely avoid the spotlight.
7. Looking Forward: Season Two & Personal Projects
- Taja expresses hope and reasonable certainty that "Members Only" will be renewed, based in part on audience obsession—even if loud opinions remain divided (48:56–49:19).
- She plans to showcase more of her business and family life should a second season happen (59:38–60:10).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the Show’s Tone:
- Rachel: “Some people see Members Only Palm Beach as a glossy look into privilege, power, and elite social circles. Others say it exposes entitlement, secrecy, and a world most people never get access to.” (03:36)
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On Social Climbing:
- Rachel: “It's uncomfortable to watch that kind of person be such a social climber. That, to me, was what was like ... this is going terribly because all the women started acting like that.” (39:08)
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On Reality TV Ridiculousness:
- Taja: “Of course. I mean, but it's reality TV. Like, reality TV is ridiculous.” (14:45)
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On Criticism and Authenticity:
- Taja: “Nobody is claiming that the cast is only people who were born and raised on the island. … Palm beach county is a big place.” (49:33)
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On Show Editing:
- Taja: “Most of my shit got cut out ... I think they did me a service by doing that, because I … have a serious brand to protect. None of them do, you know, so they can look like ... they can be criticized.” (27:15)
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On the "Queen Bee" Drama:
- Taja: “Gayle happened to, you know … I do think she's good TV. I really do. I think she's great TV. She is. … But her bad side is just too volatile.” (32:29)
Important Timestamps
- [04:52]–[07:31] – Taja details her original show pitch and how she got cast in "Members Only"
- [10:59]–[11:29] – Discussion of Palm Beach versus Palm Beach County, battling public misconceptions
- [15:58]–[23:17] – Taja shares family background, entrepreneurial ventures, relationship with David Cone
- [27:04]–[28:46] – Taja explains how editing shaped her portrayal and protected her reputation
- [36:02]–[37:32] – Story of Gayle’s disruptive behavior at Taja’s premiere and subsequent fallout
- [39:08]–[40:10] – Rachel and Taja discuss how reality TV exaggerates social climbing in Palm Beach
- [42:35] – “Hillary prefers to donate under the radar. That's the way to do it.”
- [51:12] – “There's nobody that's a billionaire on our cast.”
- [57:45]–[58:43] – Real-life rifts among cast members, especially between Taja and Gayle, Hillary and Rosalyn
The Heart of the Conversation
The heart of this episode is an unsparing look at how manufactured drama and calculated casting create a warped mirror of Palm Beach’s true social fabric. Taja uses the platform to defend her identity, correct misconceptions about her background and Palm Beach society, and reveal unedited truths and real rivalries behind the show’s glamour.
Rachel encourages listeners to see the show for what it is—entertainment, not a documentary—and urges the public to avoid conflating cast antics with the culture of Palm Beach at large.
Conclusion
The episode draws a clear line between the spectacle of reality TV and the multilayered, often misunderstood reality of those it features. Both host and guest embrace the entertainment value while highlighting the lost complexities and humanity of cast members—especially those, like Taja, who were nearly reduced to tropes or left off the cutting room floor. Ultimately, the episode calls for a more discerning, empathetic view of both TV personalities and the exclusive worlds they allegedly inhabit.