
#887: Join us as we sit down with LuAnn de Lesseps – famously known as the “Countess LuAnn,” a television personality, singer, actress, & author best known as an original cast member of The Real Housewives of New York City. From her...
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Michael Bostic
The following podcast is a Dear Media Production. She's a lifestyle blogger extraordinaire.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Fantastic.
Michael Bostic
And he's a serial entrepreneur, a very smart cookie. And now, Lauren Everts and Michael Bostic.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Are bringing you along for the ride.
Lauren Everts
Get ready for some major realness.
Michael Bostic
Welcome to the Skinny Confidential. Him and her.
Lauren Everts
Luann, one of my favorite housewives of all time. I am such a connoisseur. You have range, you have song. You have showmanship. You really are girly. Style, style.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Marisi Beaucoup.
Lauren Everts
I am so excited to have you on the show. We've been doing the show for 10 years, and I've wanted you on for all time.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Wow. Oh, my God. What took you so long?
Michael Bostic
Lauren, we've been calling and calling. Your people over there didn't get back.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I'm all, who do I have to fuck?
Lauren Everts
Mary Kel, who do you have to have?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Mary Kelly. I love that song.
Lauren Everts
I want to talk before we get into all the things you're doing about the Switzerland of it all.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Okay.
Lauren Everts
I don't think that that's focused on enough. And I, as a viewer, found that so interesting to hear you talk about that on other podcasts. I've listened to you on Juicy Scoop. Not skinny, not fat. Talk to us about your life like before Housewives in Switzerland.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, let's see. Oh, my gosh. So the girls always refer to me as Switzerland because I never took sides. I tried not to take sides because, you know, what happens to the messenger gets killed. Right?
Lauren Everts
Yes.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It's like walking a tightrope.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
You don't want to look. Go far to the left, to the right. You're gonna fall.
Lauren Everts
Right.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
So it's that fine line. Right. And so I think that comes from growing up in a big family. My parents are Canadian. I have six brothers and sisters. And so, you know, Switzerland is always. I had to manage people in my whole life, right? Brothers and sisters, getting what you want from them without pissing them off, you know? So. So Switzerland comes from that, and it comes from the time that I spent in Switzerland, because, listen, I've been in television since. Let's see, when did I start in TV in Italy? In 1990. And I was living in Milan, so I speak Italian. I stayed. I went for three weeks, and I stayed for three years. Wound up as a host on a soccer show, which is huge. And then I went skiing in Switzerland, and I met the love of my life, and we got married two weeks later.
Lauren Everts
How does he approach you? Like how you guys know true love. Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Because you've been together forever, right?
Lauren Everts
A long time.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Long time.
Lauren Everts
And does he walk up to you at a bar? Like, what's the. What's the vibe?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
No, no. It was a ski up to a very seated dinner party with candelabras, a gorgeous table with cutlery that you had to navigate, right? You start from the outside and you work your way in. And I was just watching the hostess, like, okay, what do I do? Which forker spoon do I pick up her. It was a beautiful dinner party. I was seated between Alex and his brother Ferdinand. You know, I don't know. Do you know the history of the devil's EPS at all?
Lauren Everts
Give us a little history.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
So I'm sitting between the two brothers. So their father was ambassador to Monaco for 40 years, right? With Prince Rainier. So they, you know, they've been to Monaco, they know Grace, they know Albert and Stephanie and Caroline and all them. Anyway, so how they got a title is they were responsible, really for the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal. And then they actually were so important in France that they gave the Statue of Liberty to the United States, for the French. So Ferdinand de Lesseps handed over the Statue of Liberty to this country, Right. I did not know where the de Lesseps come from. Well, I didn't pick it out of Cracker Jack's box, you know, it wasn't.
Lauren Everts
Like a lucky, lucky toy, the lucky charm, right?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
So. So that therefore the countess, which, you know, of course is being like a Getty or being a Kennedy in France. Anyway, so I'm sitting between them. I don't know who they are. I have no idea what is a countess. I'm like Count Dracula, like, that kind. I knew when I saw him that he was going to be my husband. And apparently he knew, too, because he said to me the second time I saw him, we went skiing the first day, and then we saw each other at a party and there were other people around. He come up to me. He comes up to me and he goes, you know, you're going to be the mother of my children. You know that, right? And I said, I know. And he goes, but I really never wanted to get married again. And. And I said, because he's been married three times before he married me. And I was. He's never been married again since he married me. So he goes, I'm never going to get married again. Well, how's that going to happen anyway? And I said to him, do I look desperate to you? I was like an Italian TV star at the time. And so you know. You know, I knew if I left. If I left him, I would lose him. So I left my career in Italian television to marry him. And Victoria Noel came about very quickly after that. And. Yeah, so. And we were married for 17 years. It's a long time.
Lauren Everts
Are you guys. Oh, yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
So I'm keeping the title, bitches.
Lauren Everts
Keep the title. Keep the title.
Michael Bostic
Yeah. I feel like at least a decade in. You get a title.
Lauren Everts
Yeah. You get to keep the title after 10 years.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
And you know what? The count will always say to me, you know, you'll always be my countess. And that's true, because he never did remarry. Now I had a little blip in the screen and we're not going to make this about Tom, are we, Lauren?
Lauren Everts
We. Well, I have a couple Tom questions.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, shit. I knew it.
Lauren Everts
Michael's like, Michael don't lie, though. Michael does Peripheral House.
Michael Bostic
I'm going to keep up. I've seen New York is my favorite one. I watch, you know, like, there's a lot of them. And I watched. I watched you guys the whole time. I feel like I've seen every episode.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It was so good because it was just. We were just living our lives and we had a lot going on between, you know, all the different characters. You know, it felt like you didn't.
Michael Bostic
Need to force anything with you guys. Like, it was. It was actually all about.
Lauren Everts
It's not produced, let's put it that way.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Sure, it's produced and edited, but, you know, what happens in scene. It's not scripted, obviously, but we just all had, you know, different personalities to bring to the table, and we all end up, you know, it's like that Sex and the City moment or Desperate Housewives moment. You know what I mean? When it works, just works. And we were really, you know, and I think that makes a big difference with franchises, whether or not, you know, they're thrown together and. Or they actually are friends. And I think that's what makes the big difference.
Michael Bostic
It didn't feel forced at all. Very natural. Felt like everything was really going on.
Lauren Everts
Thank you for your commentary.
Michael Bostic
Michael, let me tell you what happened on the show.
Lauren Everts
Wait, I have to know this, though. How long were you guys living in Switzerland? How long were you raising your kids there from when you came to New York City?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
That's a great question. Most people don't ask me that. So I was gone for over a decade. Like, I was in Europe for 12 years now. We had a house in the Hamptons for the summer, so we built a home and we were only there, like, July and August, and then we go back to Europe since, you know, 1993. Victoria was born in 94, so. And Noel was born in 96. They're, like, 22 months apart. So we had children quickly. We lived between Switzerland and the Hamptons, and that was our life.
Lauren Everts
That's kind of the dream, what you were living.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It was a dream. I was like Cinderella.
Lauren Everts
So what makes you want to move here, like, for.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, because, you know, I worked in. I've been working since I'm a kid, since I'm a teenager. I was doing dishes in a rest home. That's how I became a geriatric nurse, because I love the elderly. So that's why I became a nurse, because I just love them. And then I got scouted to be a model in New York as. As a nurse at a. At a beauty pageant. Miss Connecticut beauty pageant. Random. And so I took them up on it. I moved to New York after being cheated on by my boyfriend at the time. That's a whole nother story. So big mistake. You know, heartbreak and love makes you do crazy things, right? So I think we move for love and we move for heartbreak. And he broke my heart. So I said, you know what? I'm gonna go to New York. So I moved to New York, and then all the models were going. Milan in Paris. I'm like, I want to go there. So I saved my money, and I moved to Milan. It was really hard, and I didn't make it as a model because it was like the wavy period of Kate Moss, the 90s. Like, odd looking, really thin. I was like, they're like, lose 20 pounds and call us back, you know, but. So I couldn't make money there. So I found television. I found television, and they love Americans in Italian television. You know, there's a lot of showgirls in Italian television. You ever watch Italian television? There's showgirls everywhere.
Lauren Everts
I need to.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I'm a showgirl, you know, and that's where I learned that I love television because I was done pounding the pavement, you know, trying to make money as a model.
Lauren Everts
How did you have this, like, resourcefulness and resilience and independence at such a young age?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Curiosity. I was curious. I want. You know, I was like a sponge. And I am like that, like, with music, you know, I. I love languages. I speak four languages, you know, French, Italian, Spanish and English. And. And I have a musical ear, so I love music. I can remember song lyrics, languages, and I love the culture. I fell in Italian People because of their love of life, first of all, their love of food and espressos. Yeah, okay. And. And they're sexy. So I fell in love with. With the culture.
Michael Bostic
It's interesting you mentioned that because obviously we prep for these shows and we have mutual friends and one of the big themes with you is that you seem to really love and enjoy life through all of life.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Ups and down. We all have our ups and downs. Sure. But you know what happens when you fall down? I fell down and I got up on the cabaret stage. It was scary as shit. I mean, I was scared to death. And it was being filmed for Bravo as well. But what people don't see on that, for example, that episode or season, the famous Giovanni season. Right. Is what I really do. Because they don't have music rights. They're not going to play the songs that I do. Right. Some of them they can because of money and chic that I give them the rights to. But you know, a lot of the things that I do in the show they didn't really show. Is always the drama around my cabaret show. Right. It was never. You never get a really full on cabaret experience unless you come to my show. And I've been doing it since eight years now. I've been doing cabaret. And you know how I started really is, you know, a friend said to me, you love to sing for your friends, you love to host parties, you love to tell jokes. You should be doing cabaret. And finally I. I did. And. And what I do is I pick a song I love and I go, what story is going to bring me to that song? And it's always a song that you will know. Cause it's a big sing along.
Lauren Everts
Like give us an example.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, I do Tina Turner. You know, what's love Got to do? Got to do that. So I have to wear a very short, divine dress and it's all legs and fringe, you know. And so this another example. Oh my God. I do Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer.
Lauren Everts
That's a good one.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
And I talk about how I love men and I love sex.
Michael Bostic
Nice.
Lauren Everts
That's what I love about you as a housewife though. There's so many different layers to the onion.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I think the pirate.
Lauren Everts
There's so many. It's so many. It's so.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I kind of look like the pirate today with this hat on.
Lauren Everts
Yeah, you do. I was gonna ask you, I was like, whose hat is that?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It's gonna. This is Philip Tracy from London.
Lauren Everts
I thought I just asked.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I had to ask, who is the Hatter of the Queen of England. And he, he did, you know, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins.
Lauren Everts
It looks so Joan Collins.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I mean, I went to his place in London because I play London now. You know, I play theaters. I played the Delphi Theater, the home of Sunset Boulevard and the Sunset Boulevard. And it's Andrew Lloyd Webber who owns that theater. So. Until the Swinton introduced me to the stage. Because she's a fan of mine, right?
Lauren Everts
I know.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I love her.
Lauren Everts
She's. She really, really is a huge fan. Before you guys met. And you guys are friends now, right?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah. I'm going to Amsterdam about 10 days. She's having a party, so I'm gonna go there.
Lauren Everts
And you said on a different podcast, I forgot which one. You said. She's really cool and really, she's amazing.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
She's a true aristocrat, really. She comes from. Her family dates back to 800, not 1800, 800. And Swinton is swine. So titles were given in Europe for those who served the king. So they used to give, if I'm not mistaken, swine to the king. And so then you get your castle and you get land. You get a title.
Lauren Everts
Michael, I'm dying because my husband just loves history and he loves powerful women. And I can tell, he's like, well.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I was just thinking if you got.
Michael Bostic
A hat like that, maybe the views would go up. You gotta get.
Lauren Everts
Maybe I need to get a dress and a hat like that.
Michael Bostic
Yeah, I mean, listen, I mean, you can start pulling some of that, your weight over here and get, get the hat and get the dress.
Lauren Everts
And I knew you were going to be excited to have her on the show. So at what point do you and the Count decide to move to New York City? And what point does Housewives come into your life?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
So I moved back right after 9, 11, actually, I moved back in 2002 after being there since 1990 in Europe. I mean, we went back and forth a lot. So we decided. I decided really that, you know, I was living in the Swiss Alps. You can't buy a pair of socks off season. Do you know what I mean? Or. It's really very isolated, but it's romantic and beautiful.
Lauren Everts
It's stunning.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It's very isolated.
Michael Bostic
It gets a little slow.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
And I'm a good skier now, that's for sure.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
But I've done everything. Snow, skiing, snow, how do you call it? Racketing, and going up the mountains on rackets and, you know, I've done every kind of sport you can imagine. But. But kids started to go to School. And I'm like, okay. And he's traveling internationally, and I'm like, at home with the kids. I'm like, you know, I need to get back to work. So that's what happened really, is like, you know, let's move back to New York. I miss my family. My parents are here. I have a big family. So I miss my family. I would cry every time I had to leave in August to get the kids back at school in Switzerland. I would cry because I didn't want to leave.
Lauren Everts
So what do you.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Because September is also my favorite time.
Lauren Everts
Of year when you get here. It's not Housewives immediately, right? No, it's not Housewives immediately.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Housewives started in 2006. So a couple years later, really? And I met Jill Zarin at a party, and she goes, you know, I'm doing this show. You know, I don't know what's gonna. I'm Jill Zarin.
Lauren Everts
Meet Bobby.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
And I don't know if it's gonna happen. And I've never met anybody like this in my life. Right. Redhead. Not just Jill. I'm Jill Zarin. I'm like. So we ended up hanging out the whole night. I fell in love with her personality because I love people who are authentic.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I don't care where you're from or what you learn. Money can't buy your class. So I like people that are authentic, that are real. The posers, for me, are a problem. And Jill, we just hit it off, and she said to me, I'm gonna do this show. I think it'd be perfect. You should meet the producers. And it came to me, really? The Housewives.
Michael Bostic
Were you guys the first one or who?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
No, it was O.C. o.C.
Michael Bostic
Was just.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
O.C. was. And if I saw O.C. i would not have done the show. Because don't forget, you know, I'm a countess married to the count, and small children and my beautiful life. And, you know, if I saw that show, I don't think I would have ever done the show. They said it was Manhattan Moms, right? And then it became the Housewives. So, you know, I didn't even know what reality was. You know, I missed a decade. So the 90s, like, shows from the 90s. Certain music, certain things. I don't know from the 90s.
Lauren Everts
How do you pitch the real house? I guess the Manhattan Moms to the Count. Like, how do you get him on board for the show?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, you know, at this point, I think he was happy that I was gonna be busy. Cause he was Traveling a lot.
Lauren Everts
Got it.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
So I think he was happy that I had something to do, and he thought this is harmless, I guess. Right. And he's only been on, I think, maybe two episodes of that show. Very beginning.
Michael Bostic
He never came back again.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
No, no, no, no. I mean, we stayed married till 2009. We got to worsen.
Michael Bostic
Oh, so he only did those two and then never was born.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
He did a couple of.
Lauren Everts
He wasn't one of the husband.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
No. It was when Alex arrived, when the counter. I was like, oh, here he comes. You know? But he was hardly on the show.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
And the kids weren't on that much either. You know, it was really about me and the women. You know, I didn't want it really to be about the kids. I mean, the first season for sure was, you know, Rosie and the townhouse and the bird and the dog. We got Aston. I mean, I have a living photo album of my life.
Lauren Everts
So cool.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
On television, which is pretty cool.
Lauren Everts
When you look back when you first started, did you have any kind of strategy or plan for the show, or were you just like, I'm gonna try this out and see what happens.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Try it out and see what happens?
Lauren Everts
So as it starts to roll by.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
The seat of my pants like, I went to Milan.
Lauren Everts
It's just kind of.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I didn't know it was gonna happen.
Lauren Everts
Let's see.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
But, you know, if you don't take chances right then nothing ever changes.
Lauren Everts
So when it started to get momentum and you start getting recognized everywhere and it starts to really pick up and you guys become like these larger than life characters. What was that like?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It was crazy. I mean, I remember getting in a pedicab in New York with some of the girls, and people were like, count as and yelling our names. I was like, oh, my God, this is so weird. I remember that moment, which was, wow, this is bigger than I thought it would ever be.
Lauren Everts
I'm gonna say, and again, I'm a connoisseur, that it's probably the biggest one on the network. And your season and cast was the biggest hit, and you guys are in New York City, so it's like a trifecta.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I always say New York is like another housewife, because either people have lived here and they miss it.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Or they've never lived in New York, and they aspire to live in New York.
Lauren Everts
You know, what was it like to see all the different personalities around you as you guys are coming up and you're getting all this momentum? Like, how do you manage all these friendships? You're on air. It's like a lot.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It's a lot. It's. You know, we make it look easy, but it's a lot of work, you know, between. And, you know, and we weren't that fancy. We weren't like glam with the latest clothes. We didn't have glam. We didn't have any of that stuff. You know what I mean? It changed a lot. Now you watch Beverly Hills, it's glam. Glam. Glam.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Which is fab. But, you know, we were more gritty because New York is gritty.
Lauren Everts
The only thing about the glam, though, that I have to say, is that sometimes when I'm watching some of the episodes now with the latest Housewives is it takes up half the show.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, it's all about the glam and what they're wearing. I want personalities, but don't you think the glam also.
Michael Bostic
I mean, listen, I'm not like, I don't know everything, but it kind of takes. It makes it feel a little bit more produced then, so it takes you out of kind of what feels real.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Right, right. Well, I think people need escapism, and I think that's one way of it is, like, you know, that's why we like RuPaul's Drag Race, and that's why we like shows like Housewives or Below Deck. Right. Get taken out of your own universe and get immersed into somebody else's. And for me, being interesting is what makes you interesting.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
If that makes sense.
Lauren Everts
Yes. Agreed.
Michael Bostic
How do you deal with either criticism or people that are not as kind online, or people that have, you know.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I delete them and block them so it doesn't bother.
Michael Bostic
It doesn't ruffle feathers.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
No. Because, you know, who are they? How am I gonna let somebody I don't even know upset me? I don't do that. You can't. You can't mean the negative naysayers. You know, people always. About my singing and things. Listen, I have. My director is Kristin Chenoweth's director, was Bette Midler's director. Currently is Barbra Streisand's director. He came to my show. He goes, countess, I came here not expecting very much from you, but you blew my fucking mind. Can I say fucking. Yeah, you blew my fucking mind. First of all, you can sing, you're funny as shit, and you wear a dress like no woman I've ever seen. You're gonna be a big star. I was. No, I like my little small, little 54 below, which is the old studio 54 that I started my show in, I want to keep it small and intimate. He goes, no, this is. And this is not a gay show. This is for everyone. And my fans are 80% women.
Lauren Everts
I want to go. I like, really think I want you.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
To have the time of your life. It is so much fun because what I do, and I've had people that go to Beyonce, they go to Taylor Swift, you know, they have more fun in my show because they can relate to me and they can talk to me also because I play, I do Q and A with the audience or I'll do trivia with the audience. They come to my show and they say, we had the time of our lives because they're immersed in my world, right? And they get to interact with me. And they also get to interact with the audience in a different way because they all know the housewives. So they make friends. If you come alone, you don't leave alone. You go out with people. It's very immersive as a show. And like I said, I pick music that my fans know because they grew up with their mothers who were playing that kind of music.
Lauren Everts
Do you have a very hands on approach with how you lay out the show creatively?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, yeah, I create the show myself. My director does things like this. He'll say, if you're gonna sing Tina Turner, what's Love Got to Do with it? At the end, there's gonna be a light that shines down on you. It'd go, Tina, that's what a director does. Come from that sign. Sit in the chair now sit on a stool to sing that song. It creates flow. You know, the show has to flow. You have to bring them up, bring them down a little bit, bring them back. So it's about flow. So I've been doing so many now that it's like playing chess. So now I can move around all these different parts of my shows from the past to create a new show. Like, I'm working on holiday now and Sonya got run over by a reindeer stumbling home from Bluestone Christmas Eve. You can say, there's no such thing as Santa, but me and all the OGs, we believe. So I take music like I take. I said to my director, I want to sing Lay Down Sally from Merrick Clapton. You know, lay down Sally. He goes, but it's holiday. I said, yes, but now it's Santa. Lay down Santa. Why doesn't he stay with me? I always leave out the milk and cookies, but I never eat. So I go into a banter. You know, so funny. It's very creative. I have the best time. And that's my favorite part, is the creative part of creating the cabaret.
Lauren Everts
I almost think I love this era for you even more than housewives. It sounds like. It's like you're. Like you said, in your flow.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I'm in the driver's seat, you know, I could do anything I want, say anything I want, sing any song I want. Because in cabaret, you can do any song you want. And I play clips from the past. I mean. I mean, you're gonna love the leg toss of Aviva. I mean, that moment alone is just worth watching again.
Lauren Everts
Wait, can you just explain to Michael what you just said? Because he.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, one of our castmates. Viva Drescher.
Dee
I'll hear you explain this.
Lauren Everts
Go ahead.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Viva Drescher had a terrible accident as a child, and she lost her leg below the knee. And anyway, so she had, you know, beautiful. How do you call? Prosthetics. Made one with high heels. I mean, most beautiful legs with shoes and the whole thing. And anyway, so one day we're at Le Cirque, remember Le Cirque, for lunch, and people are saying, she's fake. He said, the only thing that's fake about me is this. And she takes off her leg and she puts it on the table. I'm trying to laugh at it, and I'm dying with laughter. No, I'm dying with laughter because my first thought was, oh, my God, her dirty shoe is next to my silverware. That's what I'm thinking about. This woman's leg is on the table, and then she throws it across the room. I mean, it's epic. I mean, that was her swan song, but it was really a very iconic moment in the show.
Michael Bostic
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Dee
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Lauren Everts
Also.
Dee
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Lauren Everts
When you look back, was there any times where you wanted them to to stop with the camera, get it out of your face like they're annoying?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Absolutely.
Lauren Everts
So what do you do?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I go to the bathroom.
Lauren Everts
Yeah. Because they can't follow you in there.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Can't follow you in the bathroom.
Lauren Everts
But they can hear you. So you got to be careful.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Correct.
Lauren Everts
So you can like send a quick text.
Michael Bostic
How often do you forget that you're being question mark?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah, question mark. Question mark.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
But how often do you forget that they're even there?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I forget all the time.
Lauren Everts
You do? You really Forget they're there.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah. If you. If I thought about that, I couldn't be myself.
Michael Bostic
Yeah.
Lauren Everts
Who was, out of all your cast, your favorite person? Sonia.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Sonya, Rita, Dorinda.
Lauren Everts
Okay. Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I hate to say not all of them. I mean, I'm friends with all of them. Really. I think.
Lauren Everts
No, I think that you knew, though. I think that. I feel like you're so smart to know that they all made great tv. And so it was like. It's not even about who the favorite is, Michael. It's about. It's a team making good tv.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
That's correct.
Lauren Everts
That's the difference between their cast and the other casts is that they all were in on it. They all were in the room.
Michael Bostic
How long did, like, the core cast last? It was long.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
13 years.
Michael Bostic
Yeah, it was a long time.
Lauren Everts
That's insane.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Longer than Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives.
Lauren Everts
Well, do you think we'll ever get you guys back on the screens together?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I think so. I think there's. I think there's a place for the OGs, don't you? Oh, people would. I'm trying to get this us to go on. Below deck.
Lauren Everts
That would be so funny.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Below deck with Captain Sandy Mediterranean. Let's hit it.
Lauren Everts
That would be hysterical if you guys could do that. But if you guys could get back on our screens. Like a reboot.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah.
Lauren Everts
And rejuice what's happened.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
No, I like some talk of going on a show like. Like a different franchise with a new cast.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, that would just be kind of a visit, like an ultimate girls trip.
Lauren Everts
One thing that I don't think is talked about enough with you is what a good mom you are. And I've heard this from people who know you personally, and I can tell on the show it's really important to you. What are some things that you think are, like, non negotiables with your children that you want to instill in them?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
You know, I think children have to have a certain sense of fear of you.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
That the hammer's gonna come down and they better know you mean it.
Lauren Everts
Yep.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
So, you know, when you see kids that are misbehaved. Right. And we see them all the time. Right. The foot doesn't go down and, you know, and they just try to placate the kid instead of saying, you know what? Let's get. You're out. Yeah, let's go. I think being strict is very good for parenting. Be a strict parent with love. Tough love, if you want to call it tough love. Yes. And I think just you Know, being there for them. Right? And I was out a lot. I was out a lot. You know, thank God for Rosie. But I always made my family first, you know, for example, I wasn't on scary island trip, was I? Back then. It was Victoria's birthday. I said, I'm sorry, I'm not going.
Lauren Everts
Right?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
And that was it. Today, forget it. They would be like, oh, no. Sorry, you got to be on that trip.
Lauren Everts
And are you guys, like, with your kids now that they're grown? Are you guys friends? Do you hang out? What do you do? You guys, like, go places?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, yeah.
Lauren Everts
What's your vibe with them now? I'm sure the fans would love to know.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Victoria's with me a lot. She's in the Hamptons most of the time, and she has a little place in New York, so she's with me a lot. You know, the girls are always near their moms, right?
Lauren Everts
I hope so.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Boys are. You know, they get a girl. Yeah, right. And then, you know, that mommy dynamic shifts with boys. They don't. You know, Noel, well, he actually called me before I got here tonight, so. So. But my son comes out to the Hamptons. My son is a major artist, by the way. You should check him out.
Lauren Everts
I've heard about that.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, his work is so. And he's doing really well as an. As an artist in Brooklyn and amazing painter.
Lauren Everts
How do we see his paintings?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Noel de Lesseps on Instagram. And Victoria? Same. You know, she's an incredible artist. And also, Victoria is now doing. You know, my daughter's really a psychic medium in certain ways. She can read people. She can talk to people that are no longer with us. She's very special.
Lauren Everts
Has she always been like that? Since she was little?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
She's always. No, no, she's always had a knowledge, you know, and maturity, like a knowing. A knowingness about her. Her grandmother was like that. Her grandmother could tell if somebody had cancer. You know, she has a pendulum that she swings, which, you know, if you put a pill down here, she can. The pendulum will tell you if it's bad for you or good for you. She's very into healing and mediumship, and she's really good at it.
Lauren Everts
That's cool.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
She's actually been doing. She does online, you know, things for people to help them. And a lot of my friends, they'll reach out to Victoria. I'm like, you know, I need to check her out. Oh, she's amazing.
Lauren Everts
I love all that stuff.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah, she's really good.
Lauren Everts
Sounds like she's like, Clairvoyant. Almost.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah, she is.
Lauren Everts
With everything that you've been through on Housewives, up, down, all of it, I feel like you've chosen to be honest. Whereas some of the housewives, they get on the show and they don't really show you what's going on.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Right.
Lauren Everts
You know what I mean? And. But we all know as viewers, like, the thing is, is they're underestimating the viewers. Because we're smart. We know. We know.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
You can see right through it.
Lauren Everts
And you decide to just be honest and lay it on the table. Is that a decision that you thought about, or is that just your personality?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Just my personality. I'm a bad liar, so you just rub. I really should get better.
Lauren Everts
When the producers are, like, pushing you, you just were like, I'm just going to be honest.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Listen, in the very beginning, I remember, you know, saying, you see that door over there? That's my bedroom. Don't go near the door. Nobody could go. Remember, you never saw my bedroom in the Housewives. You're right.
Michael Bostic
Why was that? Like, what was the reason for that boundary?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It's personal and self limits.
Lauren Everts
So what do you do when you're on trips?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, well, that's different. I'm just saying, when we first started, you know, it was so different. You know, today it's like, you gotta bear it all. No, you don't. There's something to be said for mystery. Now, hiding is that.
Michael Bostic
Cause you have to.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Hiding things is one thing. Right, right. Mystery is another.
Lauren Everts
Tell the girls about mystery. Cause I'm noticing even when you talked about the count and how he fell for you, like, there's a mystery there that you know how to sort of work well.
Michael Bostic
There's a confidence.
Lauren Everts
Tell us about the.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
There's confidence.
Michael Bostic
There's confidence.
Lauren Everts
Tell us about the mystery, how that works with men. Because I think that needs to be talked about.
Michael Bostic
There's not a. There's not a. There's not a hint of desper.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
No, no.
Lauren Everts
It's an aloofness.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Right. You gotta be happy in your own skin.
Lauren Everts
Yep.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Right. And then that energy then brings other happy people Energy around you. Yes. Because we have a huge force field. I'm very big into Joe Dispenza. I've been to him a couple times.
Michael Bostic
She loves Joe Dispenza.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Meditating for eight hours a day.
Lauren Everts
I go to Joe Dispenza with Luanne.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, my God.
Dee
That's checking something off my bucket list.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, my God. Oh, I love Joe. And you know what?
Michael Bostic
If that's the way you Went to Joe's. Like, you wouldn't.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
You weren't expecting that path to it. I'm all about, you know, being comfortable in your own skin. And that's what class is really all about. Because if you're comfortable, you make other people feel comfortable. And that's why the aristos are good at it, because they have to greet a lot of people. So they have to be. Make them feel comfortable. Otherwise they feel odd or nervous.
Lauren Everts
It's nothing to do with you.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
And also, I'm a nurse, also, don't forget. So I'll be the one to say, you know, take a deep breath. You're gonna be okay. I got you. You know, it's all. It's so many different things from my past rolled into one, but it's really about being comfortable in your own skin. And I think people then feel comfortable.
Michael Bostic
It makes you feel like you're not being judged by who you are, if that makes sense. Like, when you're around someone like you, you don't feel like you have. You feel like you can be yourself.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah, well, you know, what people don't realize about me is that I'm down to earth. I'm not this countess that they built up ordering pizza. Remember that famous scene they couldn't get De Lesseps, right. They couldn't get Luann Wright. So I finally resorted to Countess. Like, I. Like, they're gonna know what a countess is. I mean, I didn't know what a countess was.
Lauren Everts
I think that's what's so endearing about you, though, and why it did so well on the show.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, yeah, I. I think that, you know, obviously, you know that famous scene where I get out of the car with Bethany and she's like, you know, Luann. And I'm like. Because I just moved from Europe, I mean, I was always referred to as Mrs. Delaseps. Right. I didn't ask for Countess, but Mrs. Delasep, I don't know. Right. It just was what I was used to. So, you know, I have a lot of people that love that about me, and then people that hate it, right, because they think that I'm trying to put that person down. It's not about that. It's about how I was raised as a young adult in Europe.
Lauren Everts
Bethany got mad and how we addressed it, how she was asking the driver to call her a certain name, and it was like an iconic scene.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I said, I'd rather Mrs. Dilliceps. You know, I need to keep up. You know what I mean? So it's just.
Michael Bostic
It was just people here felt it was pretentious.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Exactly. Exactly.
Lauren Everts
But it wasn't, though. Cause I feel like you included everyone by writing the book. And like, you taught. Like you taught. Like you taught lessons. But it wasn't a condescending way.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Right. Does he know I did a book called Class with the Countess delegates?
Lauren Everts
Have you read it, Michael?
Michael Bostic
I have not.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I want you to do an audiobook, but I will. Putting it out there.
Lauren Everts
20, 25.
Michael Bostic
Listen, I will.
Lauren Everts
Let's.
Michael Bostic
Let's sign up the audiobook. I feel like that's the one you will love. That I would dive into. You've got to be the voice, though.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
That's.
Michael Bostic
Can't be like one of those crusty narrators.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
No, no, no. It has to be me. Of course. But I wrote that book because, you know, when I got back from Europe, you know, I sent the kids to school here in New York, and they come back going, mom, they're throwing food at each other, and they're letting spaghetti drip out of their mouths at the table. Oh, my God. My kids were complaining about their manners. I swear to God, I'm like, that's it. I'm writing a book, how to behave.
Lauren Everts
You know, Michael, you love this. Michael loves manners so much.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, and then I did Manners with Victoria at the Hampton Classic. She was so embarrassed, But I'm so glad I did that, because a lot of young ladies learned how to navigate a table from the Hampton Classic with my own child.
Michael Bostic
You know why I like manners? I feel like people with manners, it shows that they're paying attention and thinking and being thoughtful.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Exactly.
Michael Bostic
That's why I like manners.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah. Don't look at me like I don't care about manners.
Michael Bostic
It's because it's like you're just like a drone running around.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Right? Yeah.
Michael Bostic
It's like, put some effort into it.
Lauren Everts
I want to go back to something, though, that you said earlier. You said, when you're. When you're confident in your energy, you attract energy. Is that the advice that you would give to anyone who's out there listening, who wants to date or wants to be approached?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yes. I feel like if you don't think you're great, nobody else will. And that's true.
Lauren Everts
I think you should write a new book. No, I really do. On confidence.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Right.
Lauren Everts
And. And. And being in your energy. So people come to you, like, in a magnetic way.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Exactly. Because people don't realize how much energy they do have and what they exude. I mean, you see people walking around, they've got this frown on their face and they're rushing and. And then you see the people that are kind of just strolling along and they're just going along. It's called flow. Right, Right. When you try. So I say this, and I learned this from Deepak Chopra, which is there's more neurons in your gut than there is in your brain. So your gut knows what to do. But then we get up here between our ears, which is the dangerous spot, and we go, well, maybe, you know, but this always knows what to do. So that's why it's called gut instinct, because we just know what to do.
Lauren Everts
It makes sense.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Right. And then we get up here where we've been taught, trained, you know, Right. Wrong, all that stuff. And this messes up with what. This really knows what to do. Right.
Lauren Everts
When you look back on all 13 years of Housewives, what's your proudest moment out of the whole show?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I'm gonna say probably singing with Natalie Cole.
Lauren Everts
That is so cool. That is cool.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
That was amazing.
Lauren Everts
Like, I know that's big. Do you think that another moment is probably like how you sort of built the cabaret on the show and then it launched?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah. I mean, yeah, I'm proud of that moment. Of course I am. Because like I said, there was a lot of pressure, you know, not only to do my first show and, and do it on television and not get smashed up for it. Do you know what I mean?
Lauren Everts
And you had people copying you.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah, well, it took me years to copy. Right, yeah. Who would you say copied me?
Lauren Everts
I think we had a little bit of Sonya was. Is it Sonia or Sonia? I never.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Have you seen her show?
Lauren Everts
No.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, she doesn't sing.
Lauren Everts
I haven't seen it.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
And it's, it's, you know, it's, it's, it's a Q and A.
Lauren Everts
It's different.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
And a moderated show. Right. I do full on cabaret.
Lauren Everts
Does she still do it?
Michael Bostic
Yeah, like a slight shade.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It's on you in your city.
Michael Bostic
Slight shade.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
No, there's always a little shade with the housewives.
Lauren Everts
What? There's always a little shade. What makes you want to go back and do Crappy Lake? And what makes you want to do your latest show that you just did about finding Love Hotel? Yes.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
You know, I personally, I mean, I would like to see a makeover show where I come in like, I'm like the Avon lady meets the Tupperware lady meets Martha Stewart.
Lauren Everts
Pitch it. Pitch it.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Which is, you know, can you imagine? People reach out and say, I would love the Countess here to come to my house and straighten. Straighten it out.
Lauren Everts
That's a Netflix show.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Because there's so much going on. Right. And guess what I can do. I'm a Renaissance woman. I can handle those children. Okay, what are we eating? Are we working out? Where's the closet? Where's the makeup? Where's the guy Wingman? Oh, no. You know, the whole kit caboodle. I mean, just send me in and let me do my work, which I would love to do, which is, you know, I think there's a need for a makeover show. Again, kind of missing the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
But I could do it all.
Lauren Everts
You're very capable.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, because I've had to do it all myself.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I didn't have any money growing up. I grew up middle class in Connecticut, in the middle of Connecticut. So I had to make my own money and had to make my own life. I had to make it in New York. I had to make it in Europe.
Lauren Everts
When did you feel in your.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I didn't have, you know, boyfriends supporting me or any of that. I had. I mean, I have had some great boyfriends, that's true, but none that were paying my bills.
Dee
You've had some hotties.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Hotties.
Lauren Everts
I mean, I'm like, whoa, you know how to. You know how to get them. Like, you know how to get along.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I grew up with four older brothers, so I grew up around boys. You know what it actual men. Because you know what it is?
Lauren Everts
So many women hate men.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I know.
Lauren Everts
And that. You're so right.
Michael Bostic
She's a bit counterproductive.
Lauren Everts
Right. She reminds me of my aunt, though, Michael, My aunt. Like, when you love men, they're, like, attracted to you. There's so many.
Michael Bostic
It's kind of like, I love women. It'd be very odd if I was trying to get with a woman and hating women. Right. Just seems very counterproductive for the women out there that hate the men. Right.
Lauren Everts
If you hate men, you're not going to attract that tear.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I think there's a lot of disgruntledness going on and disappointment with guys, which I understand.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
But that energy is not going to get you anywhere.
Lauren Everts
You can't. Also blanketly saying you hate all men is like such a statement, such an affirmation.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah.
Lauren Everts
What I've realized is, like, I hate men is an affirmation.
Michael Bostic
Well, it's like having a bad restaurant experience and be like, I hate all restaurants.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
What people don't realize is what they speak to the universe matters. So the words that come out of your mouth, they really do matter because the universe listens. Exactly. And so we don't positive self talk to ourselves enough. What we do is we beat ourselves up and we, you know, talk to ourselves in a bad way. And believe me, that resonates. And when you talk to yourself in a bad way, like, oh shit, I'm such an asshole or whatever, whatever it is, I should have done that or whatever, I mean, we have that moment, sure. But we're gonna say no, we're gonna turn that around. We're gonna make it positive.
Lauren Everts
So this is a great question for you, especially if you have a shitty day and you wake up the next morning. What's your self talk like? How are you getting yourself out of it?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I listen to self, I listen to, I meditate and I do positive affirmations in the morning.
Lauren Everts
Is there someone specific?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I am, I'm that I'm amazing. I'm gonna have a great day, you know, positive. So when you speak positive and you're going to see after 15 minutes of that, you have a smile on your face when you come out of your bedroom. Meaning that when you first get up, go to the bathroom, get back and meditate just for 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 10, doesn't matter, which is positive self talk. And you're going to see, you're going to have a different day.
Dee
I just got the cutest polo sweater. Go run to look at this polo sweater. It's so cute. I just wore it while I was in New York. It's such a staple. I'm obsessed with it. I sent it to all my friends. I was like, you have to go get this polo. It looks like it's a quiet luxury, super expensive polo sweater. And it's $118. I got the heather tote. So the polo sweater that I love is on this site called seven diamonds. Michael actually introduced me to this brand. He was telling me that it's a really good place to get high quality fabric but for a great price. And so I went on and I was just like perusing it and I picked up this sweater and I just couldn't believe how good I felt in the sweater, especially postpartum. I wore it with like a baggy pant. I also wore it with a little skirt. It was so cute. So the one that I got is called the Lelo polo sweater. It's so cute. I sized up. It also comes with a matching skirt. They even have a polo dress too. I would definitely check them out if you're Looking for flattering staples in your wardrobe. It feels very wearable without being basic, if that makes sense. So if you're looking to like do a little wardrobe refresh or even like a good gift, this is a brand that you guys should check out. Seven Diamonds. Okay? So you can use code skinny for 20 off your first order at 7diamonds.com. Again, that's code skinny for 20 off your 1st order at 7diamonds. Check out the link in the show notes. You won't be disappointed. I am in my tightening up moment. Okay, it's time to tighten things up. I had a baby three months ago. I am not messing around. I am someone that dives in head first. I am intense. We know that. I have already been cold punching, sauna ing, lifting weights, doing my cardio, my walks, all the things I want to get my body back to feeling my best. And I also obviously am doing a lot of supplements. I'm doing my creatine and you know, I am also doing my array. So I first got turned on to Array because I take their array bloat. But then the brand launched Tone and this is like my thing, especially when it comes to lifting. So Tone is their first gummy supplement and it supports lean, sculpted muscles and enhanced workout performance. I think creatine and I've talked about this so many times, talked about it with Ivanka Trump on the podcast, is so intense, important for sculpted muscle and recovery. And this is something that I'm very much into in this phase of my life. The one that they have, the gummy also has this thing called slim biotics and this is going to give you optimized body composition. And then it also has ginger root, which I'm a huge fan of. And this is antioxidant protection. So they truly designed a gummy that helps you like tone. I feel like it supports that. It's laxative free, non gmo, gluten free, filler free, nut free, cruelty free, non habit forming and vegan. I like to take mine before or after my workout. That's my tips. I'm serious about my supplementation. I've always been a fan of array, especially when it comes to tightening things up. Go to array.com and use code skinny15 at checkout to receive 15% off your first purchase or auto ship order. That's array.com use code skinny15.
Michael Bostic
Quick break to talk about Caraway cookware. Ever since Lauren and I discovered Caraway, we have not looked back. We have switched all of our cooking and food storage units to Caraway's products and that that is because they are simply the best. And we feel great knowing that we aren't cooking for our family on any harmful products that release chemicals. Let me read you some scary stats. The average adult unknowingly consumes over 150,000 plastic particles every year. Over 70% of cooking and bakeware pans sold in America are coated with PTFes. Microwaving plastic for three minutes can release over 4 million microplastics. We spend so much time as a population now trying to figure out ingredients and labels and what to put in our body and what to eat and what to feed our families and all of these things. We don't spend nearly enough time thinking what we're preparing our food on, what we're cooking on, and what those products are made of. This is why we love Caraway, because we know their products are clean, better for you, and we don't have to worry about compromising our health when we're cooking or storing our food with them. Years ago, Caraway's founder and CEO Jordan accidentally overheated a nonstick ptfe, AKA Teflon pan and got sick with Teflon flu. It was black and fuming. If this sounds familiar to you, it's likely because you've experienced the same thing. So he went on a mission to build better for you products and a better for you company. And Caraway was the result. So check them out. Caraway's cookware set is a favorite for a reason. It can save you up to $190 versus buying the items individually. Plus if you visit CarawayHome.com TSC10 you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase. This deal is exclusive for our listeners, so visit carawayhome.com TSC10 or use code TSC10 at checkout. Caraway Non Toxic Cookware Made Modern if.
Dee
You are someone who struggles with bloat and discomfort after your morning coffee, I've got you. You should try Everyday Dose. Okay. I have been trying this especially while I'm traveling and I noticed my bloating has been reduced and most importantly for me, my face has become less puffy. Everyday Dose offers coffee that does more so think like coffee with benefits. So this coffee is enhanced with functional ingredients for a smooth energy. It's a calm focus. It's a gut health support. It's also a skin support. So there's no crash, no jitters. It's really like an all in one coffee that makes you feel good. So the one that I like is the medium roast. And it's rich, it's full body. It has like 90 milligrams of caffeine. It's perfect in the morning. It's absolutely delicious. I like to do it after my electrolytes. What I like about this brand is it's underwent third party testing to ensure purity and potency. It's free of mold. And you guys should know that most coffees have mold. So this is really cool that the brand Everyday Dose doesn't have any mold in it. Like that's a big one for me. I do not want my coffee to have mold. It's also rich in active compounds. You're sort of getting like a functional coffee, a coffee that does more. A coffee plus benefit. It's all the things we want in our coffee. And here is some exciting news. You can find Everyday Dose in Target stores across the country. Celebrate with a buy one, get one deal. Just buy any two Everyday Dose products at a Target store near you and they'll pay you back for one. Visit everydaydose.comskinny for more details. That's everydaydose.com skinny.
Lauren Everts
What'S a day in the life of you when you're. When you're here?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, well, let's see. What did I do today?
Lauren Everts
Are you an early riser?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I'm an early riser. I go to the gym.
Lauren Everts
Okay.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I, you know, I listen. Oh, God. I go podcasts like this. I have lunch with girlfriends.
Lauren Everts
Okay.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I go to fashion shows.
Lauren Everts
Do you have to practice for everything you're doing on the tour?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I. I practice my show. Which will happen on Friday. Cause I have a show Saturday in Chicago.
Lauren Everts
Or is it a little bit more natural now that you, like you're in this?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah, I know the show now.
Lauren Everts
It's like, you got it.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I got it.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
So it's really fun. I really enjoy myself. You know, when I first couple of shows, I say, okay. Or if I play like a big venue, like I play the Wilter in Los Angeles. That's where Madonna plays. I played Town hall in New York where I met Liza Minnelli for the first time.
Lauren Everts
That's cool.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah, I went to her birthday party. I met her there because I was singing same night her Chita Rivera and Lucy Arnaz.
Lauren Everts
You should sing Somewhere over the Rainbow for her.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah, now I do. Forget the troubles. Come on, get happy singing. That's her mom's song.
Lauren Everts
That's such a joke.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Jimmy Garland song.
Lauren Everts
Where are some housewife places that people can hit in New York City? So say people Want to come here and do the housewife circuit? What are some, like, there used to.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Be housewives tours in New York. They used to have buses of housewives tours.
Lauren Everts
Well, where could we go?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
We would go to the Regency first.
Lauren Everts
Oh, okay.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
We're going to the Regency. Okay, let's go have cocktails at the Regency. You know, Central Park. I'll go to Central Park a lot. I've got a lot of tourists in Central Park.
Lauren Everts
So what's the hotel for housewives?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
The hotel.
Lauren Everts
Is there a hotel that you know?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Because we live here.
Lauren Everts
Right.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Okay, so hotels.
Lauren Everts
So there's not, like a good hotel bar? I thought you were gonna say maybe like the King Cole. I see. I feel like.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, yeah. I go to St. Regis sometimes. Okay, that's King Colbert. Right? Vera is a biggie. Okay's a biggie.
Lauren Everts
And now you have to tell us.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Are you the Plaza?
Lauren Everts
The Plaza. Are you hanging out with any of the housewives still, like, in day to day life?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Absolutely. We were just all together in the Hamptons. We had lunch at Bill Bouquet.
Lauren Everts
All of you?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, no, we got Sonia. Dorinda couldn't make it. It was Sonia. Ramona couldn't make it. She was sick. So it was Sonya, Kelly, myself and Kelly and Jill.
Lauren Everts
Zarin, do you ever have these, like, moments that need to be on camera when you guys get together?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, I wish that. That lunch was on camera.
Lauren Everts
Was it good?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It was so good.
Lauren Everts
Can you give us one speck of juice out of it?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, I. Sundia goes, they asked me to be on the Love Hotel, but I said no. I said, oh, there it is. Really? Really? You turned down the Love Hotel? Okay. Oh, no. She asked Ashley Darby. She knows. I go, I will. So I call up Ashley Darby.
Michael Bostic
In front of her, of course.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Of course. In front of all the girls. I'm like, don't bullshit me. Oh, I was so mad at her. There should have been a camera there.
Michael Bostic
Was she telling the truth?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I won't tell you the. The end of the story, but what do you think?
Lauren Everts
I heard there's no fish room for Dorinda anymore.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
No, the fish room. I think the fish is at. Watch what happens live now. Oh, okay.
Lauren Everts
So he has it as like a souvenir?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah, yeah. It's one of the. It's hanging in his. What's it called? The Clubhouse.
Lauren Everts
The Clubhouse. So if someone wants to come watch you perform live. Give us all the details. Tell us all about it.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, I'm playing Toronto. I'm doing a show called the Loonaverse. Show. So some venues don't have capacity for a grand piano, drum sets and keyboard because I travel with six guys. I travel with three musicians, my assistant, makeup and etc, so. So a lot of places can't afford that amount of money and they can't have the space for me with the band. So I created a loonaverse show which I talk about all those famous scenes like who took that photo at the Regency that Bethany showed me.
Lauren Everts
Who did?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, you have to come to the show.
Lauren Everts
Do you tell us who took it at the cabaret? Do you tell us? Yes, you're gonna tell us.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I told you the story. So I go behind the scenes of some, some really iconic scenes. You know, I come out to a little chic and then I do a Q and A with the audience. They ask me whatever they want to ask me and I can't let them leave without giving them some money. So I do a little money number and so it's a smaller show but I love it because it's more in depth into Housewives as. As opposed to a full on cabaret show.
Lauren Everts
You've got a full production going on.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I do, yes. I love it.
Lauren Everts
It's smart what you did like a pivot. It's like, it's fresh.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, you know, I started cabaret because I love variety. It started as counted some friends. I mean I've had big stars. Bass has been in my show. Bridget Everett, who is, you know, who's becoming a huge star and a cabaret performer herself, Marie Hill. Rachel Dratch from SNL has been in my show. So I did count as a friends and then I kind of morphed into count as cabaret. Cause it got expensive to travel with all these people.
Lauren Everts
So what do you think is next for you after this chapter? Are you gonna just hit it hard and keep keep outselling theaters?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, you know, I, I'm doing less shows and being more selective about where I go and I like that because I have more time and I'm doing the loonaverse shows which is, you know, easier than a full on cabaret show. So I'm loving that. And you know, listen, I'd like to do my own podcast too.
Lauren Everts
Well, you met. Here's the guy.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
We're gonna talk about that.
Lauren Everts
This is a guy.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah, I think it's time. People have been asking me for years to do podcasts. I'm like, everybody and their sister has a podcast.
Lauren Everts
It doesn't matter.
Michael Bostic
I just call it a show at this point.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Like it's gonna be. But you're right, it's not even a podcast. It's just a show. Right? And, you know, it would be fun. Maybe me and Dee do something together. Would be great. Maybe we bring people to the studio and ask them, you know, what is it they they want? Me and Dee could make a dynamic duo in terms of coming to the rescue. You know what I'm saying? So. And maybe we start with a podcast and then, you know, we actually get into your home, which would be cool.
Lauren Everts
I think that.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
That and I like our local.
Lauren Everts
Like Michael said, it's not just. It's not just audio. It's totally. Could be a Netflix.
Dee
Like, you can.
Lauren Everts
You can parlay it, I think, like.
Michael Bostic
This medium now in the beginning, you know, everybody, it was just like, such a focus on audio. But I just think these are the new age talk shows now, and, like, people can figure out whatever format makes.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
The most sense for them. No, I think it's great.
Lauren Everts
You're great on the dialogue.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
The two of you are doing so well with it, so, you know, I'm not.
Michael Bostic
Well, at least people know what the hell they are now because for the first, like, six or seven years, everyone's like, what are you guys doing? My dad still thinks I'm on the radio.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
That's funny.
Lauren Everts
Heather does a good job with what she's done. And I love when she interviews you, too.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Heather McDonald. I love Heather.
Lauren Everts
Yeah, I like when you go on.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Her show, Juicy Scoop. Yeah.
Lauren Everts
She's so funny with her juice.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I love her. You know, she. She was in the Hamptons. I came to pick her up. She was staying with Jill, so I came to pick her up. We had a day on my boat, actually.
Lauren Everts
That's fun.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah. Yeah.
Lauren Everts
When I go to the Hamptons, Mark, I'm waiting for my invite. I'd like to go for a day on the boat.
Michael Bostic
We've never been to the Hamptons.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Isn't that funny?
Michael Bostic
I've never been, ever.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, you have to come and visit.
Michael Bostic
I think we're gonna come this up next summer. We're gonna come. We'll come for, like, two weeks.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
I don't know why we've never.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
You must have a ton of friends out there too, right?
Michael Bostic
Yeah, we've. You know, we spent some time in Nantucket, but then we'll bounce around to Europe. And our family's in California still, so.
Lauren Everts
We'Re kind of like, I'd like a Hamptons trip.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
We have rapid fire anytime.
Lauren Everts
Rapid fire. Questions? Ready?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah.
Lauren Everts
Champagne or cocktail?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Cocktail.
Lauren Everts
What kind?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Tequila. Just plain tequila and Diet Coke. I know it's weird, but I love it.
Michael Bostic
It's not bad.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Isn't it good?
Lauren Everts
What's your guilty pleasure TV show.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Right now? The Hunting Wives.
Lauren Everts
Oh, my God, it's so good.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I'm obsessed.
Lauren Everts
It's sexy sex.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
She's hot.
Lauren Everts
I'm like, oh, I want to do that. I know.
Michael Bostic
Well, maybe I will turn it on. Maybe I will turn it on.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It's so good.
Lauren Everts
It's good.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It's good. It's kind of a girly ish.
Lauren Everts
Yeah. I don't know. Like. I don't know.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It's a lot about the girls hanging out. But if he likes housewives, then he'll be good.
Lauren Everts
It's a lot of, like, lesbian things happening behind the guy's back.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well.
Michael Bostic
Oh, no.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Better. Sounds terrible. Taylor, save it on my next two girls making out.
Michael Bostic
Taylor, save it for me. Oh, yuck.
Lauren Everts
Wait, I have to ask you this one caveat question. Do you watch any of the other Real Housewives or have you?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I do once in a while just to catch up with what's going on. Like, you know, Miami Mary Soul is a really good friend of mine.
Lauren Everts
She's my favorite.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I love Mary.
Lauren Everts
She's my favorite.
Michael Bostic
Housewives ash you for advice.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Sure.
Michael Bostic
Do they call you and be like, what am I in for? What's going on? What should I do?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Sure, sure. Not so much now, but in the.
Lauren Everts
Past, I think my three favorite housewives are you, Mary Soule and Kathy Hilton.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Oh, I know Kathy.
Lauren Everts
I think those are the top three for me because they know how to show up and, like, play ball.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah. And have fun with it.
Lauren Everts
What's your go to self care ritual?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Working out really work.
Lauren Everts
Do you lift weights?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I do. For the arms for the cabaret dresses, you know.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
It sounds like you're pretty spiritual.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
You have spirituality.
Lauren Everts
When you get in a bathing suit on the show, you always look so good. Is that. Is that weights?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
That is just being active. I'm, like, really sporty. Like, I play pickleball. I'll go swimming, I'll play tennis or, you know, I'm like, very active. I do yoga. Yoga is really a big one for me. It's very grounding because, like, you picked up on. I am. I'm very spiritual. So I love yoga too. So I like a lot of different things. I don't do, like, the same thing, but. But, you know, staying fit, I love. Because it's at the same time, like when I run or when I do something, I'm going over lines in my head also. So you practice cabaret that way as well.
Michael Bostic
Like, the person. If you're on vacation, like, you're up for the activity. Let's do the activity.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah. Don't give me the chair on the beach. I mean, I'll be bored. No, I like to be in, like, where I'm learning something or, you know, I. I love the beach, don't get me wrong. But I want the beach, and I want, you know, city life, a pirate or two.
Michael Bostic
You know, the group trip where they.
Lauren Everts
Do you know about the pirate?
Michael Bostic
I know about pirates. Yeah.
Lauren Everts
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Michael, we'll tell them about the pirate later. That's a long story.
Michael Bostic
But, you know, like, the group trip, you get, like, 10 to 12 people, and, like, half of them are sleeping, and, like, some of them get up and, like.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Yeah, I'm the one doing stuff.
Michael Bostic
Yeah.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, you haven't seen Crappy Lake, obviously. I'm, like, doing working out in the morning and sun is hungover with clothes everywhere.
Lauren Everts
Different personalities.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Totally. We're like. We're like the odd couple.
Lauren Everts
Yeah, you guys are the odd couple. Last question. A goal that you would hope to accomplish by the end of the year. Maybe a podcast?
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Maybe? I was gonna say a podcast. I would. You know, like I said, people have been asking me for years about podcasts, and I just have never done one. But I think it's time. So that's my goal.
Lauren Everts
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
You know why I think it'd be good for you. And I'll kind of, like, take this hat off and put that hat on. Is a lot of the time, like, you're somebody that will just. You're not afraid to just be vulnerable and talk about everything and show the. Like, sometimes, like, people curate a little bit too much. I feel like you could talk to anyone about anything and have a good time with it.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
And you're curious, right? Sure. Yeah, that's true. Luann, thank you. Thank you for that compliment.
Lauren Everts
You are currently on the North American leg of your new Cabernet tour.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Cabaret. Cabaret, Cabernet, and Cabernet.
Lauren Everts
I'm thinking about wine. Isn't that wine? Your table.
Michael Bostic
Lauren's on the cabernet tour.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
She's on the Cabernet tour.
Lauren Everts
Wait, I have trouble pronouncing words. Let me say this. Cabaret.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Taylor, keep that in.
Michael Bostic
Keep it in. I'm keeping it in.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
No, keep it in.
Lauren Everts
Keep it in.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, because Cabernet's my cabernet. Can't escape this party scene. Hell, with Countess Nome Queen. It's part of the lyrics of my music. So she referring to my music.
Lauren Everts
Tickets are available now. I can't discount.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Just don't call me countless like, like Mario.
Lauren Everts
Tickets are now available@countessluann.com and where can everyone find you and pimp yourself out. Go for it.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Well, Instagram, you know, Countess on Instagram and you know all the social media stuff and you know for tickets, it's. That's where to get them.
Lauren Everts
And I'm going to be in Toronto.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I'm doing Vegas for Bravocop.
Lauren Everts
That's fine.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
House of Blues. So you know, lots of tour dates coming up. So. And I just got asked to do Sydney, Australia. I'm playing Mardi Gras, which is a big deal on Bondi Beach. I've never been to Australia and I'm getting paid to go to Australia. I'm very proud of that.
Lauren Everts
I heard the boys are fun in Australia.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
I know I should probably. You shouldn't bring sand to the beach. So I should probably leave my guy home.
Lauren Everts
He's fine here. Well, you know, I think you should go fresh.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Did Darinda say that? I think Dorinda said Dorinda. So I love her one liners. It's like don't bring Santa to the beach. Meaning don't bring a guy if you're going to Australia.
Lauren Everts
Yeah, yeah.
Michael Bostic
I think that term is universal. I think it goes.
Lauren Everts
Thank you for your time. Thank you for your outfit. Go watch YouTube, you guys. Cause this outfit is a real good one. And it's also Giovanni.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
It is because I'm feeling Giovanni.
Lauren Everts
Thank you so much.
Countess Luann de Lesseps
Thank you, Lynne.
Michael Bostic
You're great.
Episode: Countess LuAnn de Lesseps Gets Real About RHONY, Enjoying Life Unapologetically, & Life As A Cabaret Star
Release Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: Lauryn Bosstick & Michael Bosstick
Guest: Countess Luann de Lesseps
In this candid and lively episode, Lauryn and Michael Bosstick sit down with the iconic Countess Luann de Lesseps, best known for her long reign on The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY) and her flourishing career as a cabaret star. Together, they dive into Luann’s fascinating path from European nobility and nurse to TV stardom, discuss the evolution and realities of Housewives fame, explore unapologetic enjoyment of life, and unpack life lessons from both cabaret and reality TV. Luann is open about love, resilience, confidence, motherhood, reinvention—and she dishes on legendary RHONY moments.
[01:01-06:59]
[07:02-10:23]
[09:07; 18:03]
[10:23-12:29; 20:25-21:49]
[12:29-18:18]
[18:25-19:31; 26:26-27:59]
[22:05-24:20]
[29:36-32:41]
[33:10-34:56; 38:13-39:04]
[39:17-40:20]
[40:20-41:25]
[41:49-43:23]
[50:54-60:39]
[58:01-61:11]
[61:00-end]
On surviving and thriving:
“What happens when you fall down? I fell down and I got up on the cabaret stage. It was scary as shit.” (Luann, 09:19)
On tough love parenting:
“I think children have to have a certain sense of fear of you... that the hammer’s gonna come down and they better know you mean it.” (Luann, 29:53)
On female confidence and attraction:
“If you don't think you're great, nobody else will. And that's true.” (Luann, 38:13)
On boundaries with fame:
“There’s something to be said for mystery. Hiding things is one thing. Mystery is another.” (Luann, 33:49)
On public criticism:
“I delete them and block them so it doesn't bother.” (Luann, 18:33)
Iconic RHONY moment:
“She takes off her leg and she puts it on the table… throws it across the room. It was epic.” (Luann, 22:12)
On self-care and self-talk:
“I meditate and I do positive affirmations in the morning... I am, I’m that, I'm amazing, I'm gonna have a great day.” (Luann, 43:31)
On show legacy:
“Longer than Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives.” (Luann, 28:56)
On reinvention:
“I'm doing less shows and being more selective about where I go... And, you know, listen, I'd like to do my own podcast too.” (Luann, 55:56)
This episode shines as a masterclass in unapologetic authenticity, reinvention, and life enjoyment. Luann de Lesseps is both candid and funny, weaving together wisdom from her many lives. Whether waxing poetic about Italian TV, sharing behind-the-scenes tales from RHONY, or offering practical advice on confidence and boundaries, she leaves listeners inspired to cultivate resilience and pursue joy “in the driver’s seat.” Her next chapter—cabaret, or perhaps a podcast—is poised to be as magnetic as her last.
For tickets and show dates: countessluann.com
Follow Luann: Instagram @countessluann