
#826: Join us as we sit down with Denise Richards – acclaimed actress, businesswoman, philanthropist, & New York Times Best-Selling author of The Real Girl Next Door. Denise skyrocketed to fame in the late ‘90s & early 2000s with...
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Michael Bostic
The following podcast is a Dear Media Production.
Lauren Everts
She's a lifestyle blogger extraordinaire.
Michael Bostic
Fantastic.
Lauren Everts
And he's a serial entrepreneur, a very smart cookie. And now Lauren Everts and Michael Bostic.
Michael Bostic
Are bringing you along for the ride.
Denise Richards
Get ready for some major realness.
Lauren Everts
Welcome to the Skinny Confidential. Him and her.
Denise Richards
What a show. Denise Richards. We get to sit down with her and talk about her multifaceted career in the entertainment industry, her early aspirations of modeling, Starship Troopers, Wild Things, her experiences as a Bond girl and Real Housewives. She's really done it all. She's also faced a lot of public scrutiny during her divorce from Charlie Sheen. She is a mother of three. But what I like about her, she emphasizes her commitment on her family, even in all the chaos of fame. She's lovely. She's down to earth. She's warm and she's cool. I got to tell you, I really like Denise. On that note, Denise Richards, welcome to the show.
Lauren Everts
This is the Skinny Confidential.
Michael Bostic
Him and her.
Unknown
Denise Richards. So many moments that you've had that we'll go over in the show. We are so excited to have you.
Michael Bostic
Thank you.
Unknown
Michael Taylor. Don't get too excited. Listen, they might have had posters on their wall.
Lauren Everts
Oh, it's possible.
Michael Bostic
Oh, thank you. You did. Thank you.
Lauren Everts
I go back to the younger me.
Unknown
Yeah. I think, like, while we were dating when we were 12, he might have had posters. I'm not sure.
Michael Bostic
That makes me feel really old, but thank you.
Unknown
No, you should feel iconic. It's amazing.
Michael Bostic
I feel very flattered. Thank you.
Unknown
We're very excited to have you on the mic. Obviously, everyone already knows you who's listening, but just give a little overview for anyone maybe who doesn't.
Michael Bostic
I've done a lot of different movies, TV shows. Some of the movies that people might recognize me from are Starship Troopers. I was a Bond girl. I was in Wild Things. Those are, I think, in Drop Dead gorgeous. Those are the movies that I think that people recognize me from. And then television, reality world, especially, I would say from Housewives of Beverly Hills, which it was the last reality show that I did before ours.
Unknown
When you were a little girl, did you always know you wanted to get in the entertainment business as a little girl?
Michael Bostic
Even though I grew up in Illinois and I didn't grow up around the industry, I always wanted to be an actress. I didn't know how it would be because we didn't live in Hollywood or anything like that, but I knew that I always wanted to act.
Unknown
And were your parents in tune with that? Did they know?
Michael Bostic
I think so, yeah.
Unknown
So what was the first moment that you dipped your toe in the. In the acting pond?
Michael Bostic
We moved to California when I was a teenager. My dad got a job transfer, and I started modeling when I was 15 years old. And I was taking drama classes, acting classes in high school, and then I started modeling after I graduated high school. And I knew that acting was something that I really wanted to do, and so I just started taking acting classes. I was lucky enough to get an agency right away and just started building up my resume doing small parts. Doogie Howser and Saved by the Bell were the TV shows that got me my SAG card. And I had one line or two lines in each show, so that's what got my SAG card. So I just started, you know, pounding the pavement.
Unknown
And what's the first, like, hit?
Michael Bostic
Well, I did a few pilots. They did not go for television or for television.
Lauren Everts
Okay.
Michael Bostic
And a pilot for those of people that don't know that it's just shooting an episode. There was always this pilot season back then. Now it seems like it's all year long because all the different streaming platforms. But when I started out, it was the. There was a certain time of the year where it was pilot season, and we would shoot an episode, and then if the network picked it up, then it turned into a series for the season. And I did a few of those. One was for the creators from Married With Children that, you know, all these did not go. One was with Aaron Spelling, and all of us thought, oh, we got the next Melrose 90210 show didn't go. And it was just so. I think my big break was when I got Starship Troopers, because we were all unknowns pretty much, except for Michael Ironside and Clancy. They had obviously worked more than any of us actors. But it was like the first movie where I was like, oh, it's gonna be in. We were like, oh, it's gonna be in the movie theater.
Lauren Everts
That was a great movie, by the way.
Unknown
It was a great movie. I remember my dad took me to that, and my mom got mad. It was a violent.
Michael Bostic
I know.
Unknown
I love Paul Voorheven.
Michael Bostic
Paul Verhoeven. Verhoeven. Oh, no. I'm sure he would take either way. How you say it. He was so beautiful in that movie. Thank you. I know.
Unknown
I remember. I thought you said he looks so beautiful.
Lauren Everts
She looks at Polo like, wow.
Unknown
Yeah, you do.
Michael Bostic
So beautiful. Thank you. Paul Verhoeven directed it, and it was with all. And we're all still, most of us are still friends from the cast, and it was just such a. It took six months to shoot, and it was just that I was my break into being in the business, really. Even though I was doing little jobs that no one knew I was in, that was the thing that changed my career.
Unknown
So when you're in that movie and you're as beautiful as you are, is there a line out the door of guys that want to date you? How does that work?
Michael Bostic
I don't know.
Unknown
Or are they intimidated?
Michael Bostic
I don't know.
Unknown
When you look like that and you're.
Michael Bostic
On that movie, I'm not thinking about that. I'm thinking about, oh, my gosh, I'm in a movie.
Unknown
They were thinking about you.
Michael Bostic
Well, I'm not thinking about that, but thank you for saying. But I'm just thinking I'm so excited. I've worked so hard. After all these acting classes and all the rejection and everything, I got a movie that people are gonna maybe see.
Unknown
I think it's so important to hear you say that you got rejected so many times because so many people make it look so effortless getting into Hollywood, and it is so much rejection, and that's hard. But it almost seems like it becomes like, reps. Like, you just start to kind of get used to it and go through it to get to the other side.
Michael Bostic
Yeah, you do. And people that ask me that are starting out, my advice is always just, if this is your passion, keep going. And all the rejection. It takes one job to change your career. And it's worth it. It's worth the rejection. And it is hard. It is not easy to be told no so many times. When I did first start, my first week of auditioning was for Saved by the Bell, which was such a popular show back when I started out and Doogie Howser and I thought, oh, gosh, this is great. But then, you know, months of rejection after that. So it is. It wasn't easy.
Unknown
No. I can't imagine it's a lot.
Lauren Everts
When your career started taking off, were there any roles that you turned down that you regret turning down?
Michael Bostic
I don't regret turning them down. I did turn down different roles that when you do see it come out, you're like, oh. I always like to say, like, I don't have any regrets because I feel that different choices bring you where you're supposed to be and what's meant to be. And, you know, things are learning lessons, too. But, you know, there were a lot that I turned down, and there were a lot that or and some. That I did do that, I was like, shouldn't have done that too.
Lauren Everts
So maybe one that came out that you're like, oh, that would have been cool if I did that one.
Michael Bostic
Yes. And I never stayed.
Unknown
Yeah. It's a secret, Michael. You'll have to go back and watch some old movies. When you found out that you were gonna become a Bond girl, were you freaking out or did you not understand what got.
Michael Bostic
I didn't understand the gravity of being a Bond girl. I auditioned for it, and then I flew to London. They screen tested a few actresses with Pierce. With Pierce Brosnan. And we all flew to London and then we did our screen test. And then we went back where we all lived. And it was like a week or so later when they let me know that I got the part. I have said this before in interviews. I hadn't seen at that time a Bond movie ever at that time. When I auditioned, I didn't. So I didn't understand. I remember asking my agent, why am I on the news for a movie? Because at that point, I had done Starship Troopers and Wild Things, and I think I did Drop Dead Gorgeous. Or it was after, I can't remember. But I didn't understand why it was news. And he was like, do you understand that you're in a Bond movie? And I quickly knew and learned. So then I. I saw some movies.
Unknown
When you were in that movie, is there anything that you had to do to prep? Or were you just already in shape, ready to go? Didn't have to do anything.
Michael Bostic
So I got the part. I screen tested. I'll never forget it because it was Thanksgiving, and my dad came with me to go to London to screen test. Cause our family is always together on Thanksgiving. So my dad came with me. And then I remember we started filming in January in London until June, and the movie came out in November. So it was quick.
Lauren Everts
Oh, wow, that is quick.
Unknown
And so what happens when it comes out and the fans.
Michael Bostic
It's a whirlwind. It is a whirlwind. Did you even go out to dinner of going promoting the movie? As soon as it's coming out, you're flying to whatever country, landing, doing press conferences, doing a junket, going to the premiere, and then you go on to the next country. And that was one of the most wonderful things about that movie was I got to see the world. I got to meet all these fans that were fans of such an iconic franchise and to be part of that. And it was really a very humbling and wonderful Time that I'll never forget.
Unknown
You seem like you have a really special relationship with your dad.
Michael Bostic
I do.
Unknown
Yeah. I've seen your show. Your first show.
Michael Bostic
Thank you.
Unknown
I read your book, and it seems like he's very important to you. And that's so sweet to hear that he went with you.
Michael Bostic
Yeah.
Unknown
It's really cute.
Michael Bostic
Thank you.
Unknown
Have you guys always been like that?
Michael Bostic
I've always been close to my dad.
Unknown
Yeah. And you still are.
Michael Bostic
I am.
Unknown
He seems really special and sweet.
Michael Bostic
Thank you.
Unknown
He's adorable.
Michael Bostic
He is. We're very close. He's such a good dad and a great grandpa even. You know, he always. You know, I was telling my older daughters who are 19 and 20, when they think I'm being overprotective, I'm like, you never stop worrying as a parent. My dad's never gonna stop worrying about me either, even though I'm a grown ass woman. It's just the way it is when you're a parent. So we're very close and will always be close.
Unknown
After you finished the Bond movie, how did you decide, like, what the next move was? Cause I can imagine it's like you went to the moon. How do you know what to do next?
Michael Bostic
It's hard. It's the thing too, with when you are. The thing that I say with you go from people not knowing who you are and when people say, oh, things happen overnight. You can work your butt off in the business of doing jobs and people don't see them and this and that. It takes one job that changes your career, but that's also the job. Sometimes the changes were, oh, people will recognize you at the grocery store or at the airport and stuff like that. So that's the thing I think is overnight, where it goes from no one knowing who you are to all of a sudden people recognizing you. And I think that's something that is a little intimidating too, and different. But I think, you know, having a team in place and, you know, it's not easy figuring out what should I do next? Or, you know, whatever movie or TV show, it's just what was after it. I cannot remember what I did right after Kayla.
Unknown
We have to pull out.
Michael Bostic
I didn't know if it was drop dead gorgeous was before or after. I can't remember.
Unknown
I'm gonna guess it was after. If my.
Michael Bostic
I think it was after too.
Lauren Everts
I think after having after doing all this, why decide to on Housewives?
Unknown
I'm always curious way later. We're not Housewives yet. We got a lot more to go.
Lauren Everts
No no, we could, but. But I'm just.
Unknown
That's way later.
Lauren Everts
But I'm just wondering, like, what. Because you had. Were you doing the movies and then.
Michael Bostic
Like, why would I do a reality show?
Lauren Everts
I'm just wondering the thought process.
Michael Bostic
You know, I had a friend at the time that was on the show, and she. Her experience was really. She had such a positive experience. And also, you know, over the years, the business has changed. It used to be when I started out acting, if you did movies, you didn't do television, one or the other. Yeah. And it's so wonderful that then over the years, that. That changed that. You can do movies, you could do television, you can do reality, you could do all that. So the business has changed a lot, too. And because of my friend that was on the Housewives had such a great experience, and I had been approached for reality shows and that, too, I thought, you know, why not? This could be fun and something different.
Unknown
You also were sort of a pioneer with reality television because of your show.
Michael Bostic
The first. The.
Unknown
The first one, like, I feel like you kind of did it before the Kardashians.
Michael Bostic
The Kardashians had already filmed a couple, I think a couple seasons. One or two seasons before I did. And it was Ryan Seacrest who did Kardashians, too, who did our show at the time. For that, though, I will say, I went through so much with my divorce from Charlie that it affected my career. I had a hard time actually getting a job because people perceived me as someone that was trying to take down Charlie Sheen, who was on this big show, and it was the network and studio, and it was a different time.
Lauren Everts
No, but that was the way things were. Like, even, like, not participating. Obviously, we're not actively participating, but he was all over the place during that time.
Michael Bostic
Yeah. And it was hard. So I also had two daughters. I didn't have Eloise at the time. And I, you know, I had to work.
Unknown
So what'd you do?
Michael Bostic
You just constantly did my reality show.
Unknown
I did your reality show. And then you just.
Michael Bostic
And then it changed. Then I was able to get back to working as an actress again because I just had to be myself on that show because there was so much written in the tabloids about me that was so negative. And I wasn't one that if you say stuff, then it creates another story. So sometimes it's better to just be quiet and let that story go away. But there were so many stories that was really difficult when I was going through my divorce, you know, So I did make the Deci Ryan Seacrest approached me to do a reality show, and I was nervous about it. I was hesitant because I thought, oh, my gosh, to put my life out there even more than what it is. And my mom, before she passed, she's the one that actually encouraged me to do it. She's like, you just need to do it and just be yourself. And I'm glad that I did. And it actually helped the perception of whatever people. And of course, there's always the people that still have negative feelings or think something bad about me, whatever. But at least I got to be myself without trying to defend myself in a tabloid. I just got to be myself on a TV show.
Unknown
I think it humanized you, and I think in that moment, they were constantly villainizing the woman. If you look back on all the divorces at that time, it always was the woman's fault. Like, they just went to the woman.
Lauren Everts
Do you think that's because, like, Hollywood rallies was rallying around him to protect the franchise that he was working on?
Michael Bostic
Absolutely.
Lauren Everts
And so it was like, we gotta not let this guy go down.
Unknown
It was like the golden boy that they were protecting, which doesn't really fly anymore, I feel like.
Michael Bostic
Well, and then years after that, unfortunately, you know, with Charlie going through the downfall that he did have on the show, people saw what was really happening. I couldn't say that, though, at that time. It wasn't my place to. Yeah, no, it was a different time. And it was. Of course, I understood that they were protecting. You know, this was before even, like, all this. This was right before all the streaming stuff was starting. This was like network television, which was a conservative show. Network. So, yeah, of course they wanted to protect him, and I got it. I understood, even though I didn't love it.
Unknown
How did you guys meet him? Did you guys get set up by someone, or did you naturally.
Michael Bostic
We met on a job.
Unknown
On a job?
Michael Bostic
Yeah.
Unknown
Was it a movie?
Michael Bostic
It was a movie called Good Advice. We met on that. And then a year. I think over a year later, I did a few episodes of Spin City. He took over for Michael J. Fox.
Unknown
I remember that.
Michael Bostic
And so I did an arc on that show. And that's when he and I really started to get to know each other.
Unknown
Did you like him right away or no?
Michael Bostic
When I met him the first time, yeah. Yeah. I had a boyfriend the first time I met him. Yeah. I was always a fan of his work, and I liked him. I wasn't romantic.
Unknown
You just liked him as a friend?
Michael Bostic
Yeah, I liked him as a human being. And, like, as an actor, and I admired his work and all of that. So that's how. It wasn't like, oh, love at first sight. It wasn't that. It was more about being, you know, very respectful and admiring him as an actor.
Unknown
Well, I think one thing that's been so cool for me to watch is that the whole time everything's gone on in the media, you're always so complimentary of him and supportive, even though you always seem like you're supporting your girl's father. It's an undertone. And in your book, when you wrote about him. Sounds like you guys have really nice memories. When you first met, how he wined and dined you in the beginning, and it seemed like he was very charismatic. It seems like he has a great side.
Michael Bostic
I wouldn't have married him.
Unknown
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
You know, things went a little sideways, but you're a mom.
Unknown
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
So I always wanted to be respectful and support him as their dad, you know, no matter what's going on behind the scenes, I did my best to try to keep it as private as possible. And there was many times it wasn't. But at the end of the day, I always wanted my girls to have the best relationship that they could with their dad, because I have such an amazing relationship with my dad. And I wanted Charlie to always be the best version of himself, to be the best dad that he can. And I'll always support that. So I. I never wanted to shit on anything.
Unknown
You've done a good job of that.
Michael Bostic
Well, thank you.
Unknown
And it's. I'm sure it has not been easy. And it's not like one of those things where you can call a friend and ask for advice because what you're going through is so unique.
Lauren Everts
Well, people forget how maybe now they forget how big Charlie Sheen was back in the day. I mean, like, he was.
Michael Bostic
There was up there tabloids and publicity and paparazzi around all the time and trying to navigate all that. And believe me, I. There. You know, I can't even think of one. Like, when you say regrets. I don't have regrets. Did I maybe at times say something I shouldn't have or do this? Of course, I don't know specifically, but I know, you know, when you go through a divorce as it is, it's so hard. But then to go through something so public is awful. Not that you want anyone to pity on you. It's not that at all. It's just like trying to navigate everything.
Lauren Everts
I mean, like, there was that period of time when you guys were going through that, where you were in and he was in a story pretty much every day. Like it was just like for like.
Michael Bostic
Months, a couple years.
Lauren Everts
Yeah, I remember it was a long time. You just like, it was endless.
Denise Richards
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Unknown
So I did like de puffing drops.
Denise Richards
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When you became a mother in Hollywood, how did your life change when. When you had your two girls? So I'm just wondering how you maybe balanced it all. You're having a baby.
Michael Bostic
I think your life changes.
Unknown
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
When you become a parent, no matter whether you're in Hollywood or if you live where I grew up in Illinois.
Unknown
Right.
Michael Bostic
I think becoming a parent, your life changes. And any working parent, you have to balance it if you want to. If you do want to work, it's a balance. Or if you choose to be a stay at home mom, it's. I think no matter what job we do as a parent, it's a. You have to. It's trying to juggle that sacrifice. I had never looked at it as sacrifice. I always looked at it as sometimes unorganized chaos or sometimes one thing gives and one thing's balance. There was a period of quite a few years when you're in the thick of it with the younger ones where it's like something is off balance. Like maybe you're not able to have date night when you want to, or maybe if you do, then someone's watching the kids that night. So then it's like a constant, you know, trying to balance everything. And I just finally was able to let go with that and say it's okay that everything's not balanced. It's okay.
Unknown
So you used to write hard.
Michael Bostic
Yeah. And my advice too is I think it's so important to have the couple remain a couple too.
Unknown
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
And my husband now, he came into my life when the youngest, she was four years old, Eloise. And now she's 13 and that's her dad. She's my youngest that I adopted. I always say, and my older girls were younger teenagers, is we would do one night a week a month where we would do like a staycation somewhere so that we could have our alone time even if we were at our place and they went somewhere or, you know, if some people can't afford to go to a Hotel. I get that. If you're able to even lock the room and say they went for the night and you sneak back in your room and they don't know. Do you know what I mean?
Unknown
Whatever it takes. No.
Michael Bostic
Even if you tell your kids we're. We're leaving for the night, and if people can't afford to, like, go to a hotel or somewhere and you sneak back in and the door is locked and they don't know you're in there, just to have that couple time, even if you're just watching TV and connecting or having romance, whatever it is. I always am such a big advocate of the couple having the time together, you know, because without this, that can fall to shit sometimes.
Unknown
And it does if you don't. I feel like if you don't stay connected, it's. It's not good for the kids.
Michael Bostic
It's not. It's good for the kids to know that mom and dad, or mom and mom or dad and dad, we're here. And then, you know, you guys have to understand and respect that. We also have to have our time, too.
Lauren Everts
Put the old sock on the door.
Denise Richards
Whatever.
Unknown
Whatever it takes. I don't know what it's like having sex with me right now. It's like an old sow hunter.
Michael Bostic
Yeah.
Unknown
It's not the most fun thing in the world.
No.
Lauren Everts
But first time around, I was like, I had to get used to it. Then second time, and now third time. All right, wait.
Michael Bostic
Okay. When you say you have to get used to it, you mean having sex with her while she's pregnant?
Lauren Everts
I didn't know the first time.
Unknown
I didn't want to hurt the first time.
Michael Bostic
Because you didn't want to hurt the baby. Yeah. I didn't know anything. I get it.
Unknown
Now I realize the stick is so big that it was touching the baby, poking the baby. It's poked the baby's head so huge.
Lauren Everts
I was like, the baby's going to come out deformed. No.
Unknown
Oh, my God.
Michael Bostic
And what happened the second time? No.
Lauren Everts
Then I'm like, okay. Second time now. I'm fine. I'm fine.
Unknown
You're fine?
Lauren Everts
Yeah, I'm fine.
Michael Bostic
If now.
Lauren Everts
What about third time's a charm?
Unknown
Third time's a charm.
Michael Bostic
That's good.
Unknown
But I'm so happy for you that you feel confident now.
Lauren Everts
Yeah. It's so nice to meet you, Denise.
Michael Bostic
I'm glad you. And I do think you guys should do, like, once a month, do a little. Just even one night or a day. Whatever.
Unknown
I can't wait for you to see what you plan this month.
Michael Bostic
I can't wait either.
Unknown
It's Valentine's Day. By the way, don't forget, right now.
Lauren Everts
Our two kids are in the hotel. We're all in the hotel where?
Unknown
Oh, my.
Lauren Everts
Five days in a hotel with two kids under four.
Michael Bostic
Yeah, that's. It's interesting. That is. But that is a lot.
Unknown
Like you said, it's unorganized chaos.
Michael Bostic
Exactly.
Unknown
Why and how did you decide to adopt Eloise? Tell us about that process.
Michael Bostic
I always wanted more kids, and I always wanted to adopt, too. And then, you know, after my divorce, I thought, I don't want to wait for another partner for me to have another child. So I decided to do the. Go through the adoption process on my own. And I heard it could be six months. I heard it could be three years. And I thought, well, if someone comes into my life during that time, then we'll do it together. And if not, I'm adopting on my own.
Unknown
And so what happened?
Michael Bostic
How long I adopt on my own? A year and a half.
Unknown
Year and a half.
Michael Bostic
Yeah.
Unknown
And when, like, what is it like, when you adopt a baby? I mean, for someone that has no idea.
Michael Bostic
Yeah.
Unknown
Do they call you and say, hey, like, come pick her up?
Michael Bostic
Oh, no.
Unknown
Well, it depends.
Michael Bostic
It depends on the situation.
Unknown
I'm like, does a stork drop the baby at the.
Michael Bostic
No, the stork doesn't drop the baby off. It depends on the situation. I think in some situations, they could call and say that there's a baby. You know, you have to go through a long process of. It's a process. In my situation, I was. Knew Eloise was gonna be born about five months prior to her birthday.
Unknown
Oh, that's cool. So you had five months to plan.
Michael Bostic
Yes.
Unknown
Okay.
Michael Bostic
Yeah.
Unknown
And so then you get her. Right. When she's a brand new baby. Did you name her after Eloise at the Plaza?
Michael Bostic
No, I've always loved the name Eloise. Beautiful. But I asked Sam and Lola. They loved the name too, because we had the book too. But I've always loved that name.
Unknown
My daughter had an Eloise birthday party. She's obsessed with Eloise, and it was so fun. She had, like, the little hotel dingers on the table.
Michael Bostic
There's a lot of wonderful things for. Because actually, Eloise's baby shower after she was born was Eloise themed.
Unknown
Oh, cute.
Michael Bostic
There's so many wonderful things that you can have with the name Eloise.
Unknown
It's the most beautiful name. I love it.
Michael Bostic
Thank you.
Unknown
And then Sofia Richie just named her baby Eloise, too.
Michael Bostic
Oh, she did.
Unknown
She did.
Michael Bostic
Aw.
Unknown
So after your first reality show ends, what is the gap between that and Real Housewives? What were you working on?
Michael Bostic
For quite a few years, I did different movies, TV shows. I was on a lot of different things. And then housewives came. 2018.
Unknown
Okay.
Michael Bostic
I did my first season, and they.
Unknown
Wanted you for a long time. I feel like your name was always on the. I always feel like Andy Cohen was wanting you.
Michael Bostic
So this. With this. I was friends with Lisa Rinna.
Unknown
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
And I asked her, I said, I think I'm ready. And so I met with her.
Unknown
Be ready.
Michael Bostic
And it was great. We had a great first season.
Unknown
And then how many seasons were you on?
Michael Bostic
I was on two seasons, and then I've done a few episodes after I've been off the show because I'm still friends with a lot of the women on the show.
Unknown
What is the process like? Is it as grueling as it seems, or are they editing it up?
Michael Bostic
I was like, what is this? And this is why people make fun of me. I was a deer in headlights. I mean, my first trip was to the Bahamas, which was my second day of filming, I believe, on the Housewives. Second or third day, I'm leaving for the Bahamas with these women that I didn't know. And I was really nervous, and I told my husband, I said, I think I need to look at this. Like, I'm going on location. You know, I only know Lisa Rinna. I met a couple of the other women, but I didn't know the women enough to, like, go on a. Hey, let's all go on a trip together. So it was intimidating for me, and I went there, and I. Going to the Bahamas. I don't know about you, but I don't bring fancy clothes to a tropical area.
Unknown
You want to relax.
Michael Bostic
I want to relax. So I apparently brought the wrong wardrobe, being a housewife. And they certainly let me know that I was the ragamuffin on the show.
Unknown
Who called you that again?
Michael Bostic
Kyle. And I'm sure the others did, but maybe they didn't air their comments about. I'm sure they've called me much worse.
Unknown
No, I am a housewives watcher. I watch all the shows and seasons. I wish I knew you because I would have sent you a PowerPoint presentation of what everyone.
Lauren Everts
How to win.
Unknown
Not like, it's not a win. I think it's just how to come in.
Michael Bostic
I don't want to do that, though.
Unknown
That's what I was just gonna say. What I liked as a viewer about you is I found it endearing.
Lauren Everts
Lauren watches all these shows, different kinds of shows, and she thinks she can, like, either win them or I just.
Unknown
I just. This is my advice. I like to watch Housewives.
Lauren Everts
Like, she fully thinks she could win the Bachelorette.
Unknown
The Bachelor.
I could win the Bachelor. I mean, the Bachelor.
Lauren Everts
She thinks there's, like, the strategy.
Unknown
There is a strategy to that.
Lauren Everts
No, no. The producers, they're gonna do their thing.
Unknown
I might out produce the producers.
Lauren Everts
I think a lot of people think that.
Michael Bostic
I found it in Traders. Maybe you should go on there.
Unknown
I've never gone on anything.
Lauren Everts
No, she just. She just goes. She, like, yells at the TV and has interest. I would teach them how to do.
Unknown
I yell. I just give notes. I found it endearing that you were, like, this amazing actress that's so beautiful, that does have access to all the clothes and the makeup and the hair, and you came on as yourself. So the housewives that were saying, like, what are you wearing? Like, you already have had all that. Do you know what I mean? You've already been there, done that.
Michael Bostic
Well, when I met with the producers before I did the show, I'll never forget, I was wearing jeans and a Guns N Roses T shirt, casual. And I said, this is how I am at home. You guys have seen me on the red carpets at events, this, this, and this. I said, I could. I'll do that. But if you want. Or do you want me to be myself at home? And they said, we want you to be you. So at home, I'm not wearing glam at home.
Denise Richards
Some people are on the show.
Michael Bostic
Some people are. Well.
Unknown
Or are they.
Michael Bostic
I don't know.
Unknown
We don't know.
Michael Bostic
But I just like, I'm not. Where. Sometimes I wish I would wear glam to the grocery store, because when there's paparazzi, I'm like, well, shit, why'd they take that fucking picture?
Unknown
I know, but it's so cool.
Michael Bostic
You know what I mean? I know, but it's always like. I'm like, how come they don't see me when I'm coming home from. Like this? When.
Unknown
Hopefully they catch you on the way out.
Michael Bostic
Yeah, and maybe I'll go to the grocery store and see.
Denise Richards
Go to the grocery store.
Michael Bostic
And that's the other thing. Who calls paparazzi?
Unknown
Oh, my God.
Michael Bostic
I mean, they're everywhere. You don't need to fucking call. I'm sorry, For.
Unknown
Are you kidding? It's been done.
Lauren Everts
It's been done before many times.
Unknown
No, we have. Go for it.
Michael Bostic
Okay, thank you. But I'm just like. It's like they always catch me when I look my worst. But I. But that was the thing. When I did Housewives, I wanted to be myself. I didn't. For better or worse, you know, it was. That's how I went into it.
Unknown
I liked that, though.
Michael Bostic
Well, thank you for speaking. Yeah.
Unknown
I think. And I actually think the viewers like it too. The viewers can spot when something feels off. Yeah. Inauthentic. They can see. And then the producers take that and make a mockery of it. Kind of like you. Like, you can see when someone's not being themselves. So I like that.
Michael Bostic
I think sometimes, though, it's. The other women sometimes take it and say things and try to instigate a little tiff or whatever.
Unknown
They're looking for a breadcrumb.
Michael Bostic
I. You know, I think some viewers liked that. I would. But I think some viewers were like, oh, we wanted her to come on all glam or whatever. I just felt to be glam when I would be glam in real life, like a red carpet or an event or something.
Unknown
I think you can't win. You know what I mean? If you came on, I was like.
Michael Bostic
I was trying to be myself because at least I could say, well, I was myself. If I did try to self produce or do something or dress a certain way just to, you know, appease an audience, then that's where I think for me, it wouldn't be good for me.
Unknown
And I feel like, in houzzwise, like, everyone starts out like. Like that, and then they evolve into their glam.
Michael Bostic
Well, my second season, I did do more glam, and some of the women did shit on me about that. And I told them, I'm like, well, look, I saw myself on tv and I'm like, maybe I should, like, spruce up a little bit. I don't want to look like shit the entire season. Well, also, when you're next to, like.
Unknown
Going to the Met Ball, well, with.
Michael Bostic
Erika Jayne, like, always, like, dorit. I'm like, I don't want to look. Always look like a rag of muffin. So I'll always spruce up a little bit. And they gave me shit for that too, but whatever.
Unknown
When you go into all these trips with the women, is that a lot of stress? You're away from your house, there's alcohol, they're all drinking, they're fighting. It's like. It seems like a lot.
Michael Bostic
How many kids do you have?
Unknown
I have two. I'm gonna.
Michael Bostic
You have a third?
Unknown
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
Coming.
Unknown
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
Sometimes work is like a little Vacation, that work. I'm saying sometimes. Sometimes.
Unknown
Okay.
Michael Bostic
It's like you're. You know, when the kids are gonna be calling you, you're like, mommy's away. I'm a little too far. Go call dad.
Unknown
Go call a friend.
Michael Bostic
Do you know what I mean?
Unknown
Oh, yeah.
Michael Bostic
There's sometimes, like, all of us. It's not. I don't mean to sound bad with this. It's. Any mom or dad will say, like, it's sometimes kind of nice. I'll tell you the trip. Listen, I only did two seasons where I had the two trips. It's a nice thing to have a group of women be able to go away. You go to a beautiful place, you get to have these wonderful dinners. Even if you're fighting about God knows what at some table, at some fucking dinner, it's still. It's something you'll never forget. And these are memories, too, that I will never forget. Yeah, it really, truly. Even if some of them were crazy and hard for me, some of them were great. I have had a lot of laughter and all the other women, too. There's something nice and nostalgic about that that brings you back. Like when you were younger and you got to go on a girls trip before you're married and you have kids and you have, you know, doing this and other jobs. It's nice to be able to have that time, too.
Unknown
It's a little relief.
Michael Bostic
It was. It's nice.
Unknown
Why'd you decide to leave?
Michael Bostic
There was a couple reasons. I had a terrible second season, and we were in the height of the pandemic.
Lauren Everts
Terrible in what way? Like, you're just fighting with people.
Unknown
Michael does. Michael. I know the Insignia.
Michael Bostic
So women try to insinuate. Well, more than insinuate that I had. So I got married my first season on the show, actually, to my husband. We've been married for six and a half years now. And my second season, they try to insinuate that I cheated on him and had an affair, which was really, really shitty, like me.
Lauren Everts
And did you know that they were gonna do this, or did they just fly?
Michael Bostic
It was totally blindsided. And it was. And also it was with a cast member who was on the show before that wasn't even. I met her only a couple times, whatever. So it was a combination of. And my friend of 20 years was coming at me, who I was so shocked at how different she was on camera and off camera. And I just felt. I felt very vulnerable that during the pandemic, how are we gonna move forward filming and how and then what more. What would they do next? You know, my husband.
Lauren Everts
They'd already tried to destroy your marriage.
Michael Bostic
Yeah. And I was like, well, shit, they're not trying to get past this, like, the reunion. A lot of the women weren't trying to resolve anything. So I thought, well, I'm not gonna have any friends on this show anyway, except for Garcelle and Sutton. So I really felt like I wanted to be. How am I gonna go on a show where everyone hates me except for, you know, two? And what more would they try to do to my. My marriage is so important, my family? So that was the reason why. And the pandemic, it was just such a weird time, too, where I just. It was an extra added. Being vulnerable. So it was a combination.
Unknown
And the reunion was on Skype. Skype. Yeah.
Michael Bostic
We did it. Yeah. We were all, like, on a zoom for the reunion.
Unknown
It was the pandemic.
Lauren Everts
Why do you think they turned on you?
Michael Bostic
Like, what I think that they need. You know, sometimes I think they feel they have to go after one person, which I think does a disservice, quite frankly, with the show and with the women. It's like, if you have something to say, okay, get past it, move on, and then fight about something else. I actually think it kind of gets boring when they just focus on one thing to fight about. But I don't know, it was like, I was that target that year, and now looking back, I get it how some of the. Some of the women. Not all the women are like that, but just how.
Lauren Everts
Do you watch any of the other franchises or shows? Do you watch the current show?
Michael Bostic
I've only seen a few episodes of this season of Beverly Hills. I still have to catch up on that, but I do see a lot of the other cities of the other housewives. I love the franchise. That's why I actually went and did it.
Unknown
Yeah, it's a great franchise. I do think, though, when they go so hard on someone, there's stuff going on in their life that they're deflecting.
Michael Bostic
Look at what's.
Unknown
Yeah. I think that when you have something going on that you don't want anyone to look at, you protect.
Michael Bostic
I agree with you.
Unknown
And I think that if you look back in the history of what has happened since she left the show, that's exactly what was going on. I think, though, when they have something in their life that's going on, they don't want the light on them. So they're, like, looking for anything they can look for. And I will say Your marriage to Aaron seemed really sweet throughout the whole show. It seems like you guys have a really good relationship.
Michael Bostic
We do.
Unknown
How do you guys stay so solid in all this craziness?
Michael Bostic
We just are. That's the thing, you guys. We really are. Thank you. I mean, we're. We're. We love each other so much. She's my best friend, and we're really close and connected. And even during all of that, people will ask me, like, what did he think about? He didn't even question anything, you know, so we're just really connected. We just have a very strong relationship in marriage.
Unknown
Yeah, you seem solid, but you guys also seem like you have a childlikeness to you, which is fun. You keep it flirty and fun. My dad always says a good relationship is, like, remain childlike.
Michael Bostic
We are just very. We have a sense of humor about stuff. And, you know, even. We go through ups and downs too. Like, everyone. And during down, we try to have a sense of humor and we get through stuff. And, you know, we love being with each other. We're really. We're very close.
Unknown
So why did you decide, hey, we're gonna go back on reality television and.
We'Re just gonna let it rip?
Michael Bostic
I think because. Well, it was a conversation too, because of my daughters making sure we wanted. This wasn't just like, should we do this? And it was the next day we were filming, right. It was a process of us really talking to the girls, making sure everyone was on board, who is who wouldn't do it, and figuring out then what the show would be, who. Who would be if the girls weren't gonna be involved, like, how. What would the show be and if they are gonna be involved and how involved they would wanna be. And it was just a family decision where we were like, yeah, let's do this. Let's have fun.
Unknown
And the girls wanted to do it.
Michael Bostic
They wanted to do it.
Unknown
They're ready.
Michael Bostic
They were ready.
Unknown
Oh, my God.
Michael Bostic
Now we'll see once it airs, if they're ready. I'm just joking.
Unknown
No, I think.
Michael Bostic
No, it's a lot like. And this is something that I've also talked to them about, is to be prepared. You can't prepare for certain things, you know, when. But I just try to also prepare them, which I have for a long time with social media and stuff like that. But when this isn't them being on a show of, oh, I'm showing up a couple scenes on Housewives, they are very much a main part of the show. So that was also something at Their age I went back and forth with, quite frankly, I was like, you know.
Lauren Everts
How old are they?
Michael Bostic
They're 19 and 20.
Lauren Everts
Okay, so they're adults.
Michael Bostic
And then Eloise is 13, but it's more Sammy and Lola. Being 19 and 20 at this age is where I, you know, worry about the comments or people's opinion and stuff like that.
Denise Richards
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Lauren Everts
From your perspective. Because you're one of the rare people that would have had both experiences. What's the difference between fame from doing movies and fame from reality tv? Like, is it. Is it the same? Is it similar? Is it different? Like, like or the.
Michael Bostic
It's. Well, with reality people, I think it's the same now because with reality, people think they really know you because they see your home, they see intimate parts of your life. But at the same time with anything with movies now with social media, because we give a glimpse of our life with that. It's. People still think they know you. So I think fame in itself, when people know who you are, is that.
Lauren Everts
Like, does it feel. Did it feel like you had more attention from Housewives or more attention when you were doing the Bond stuff? Because I feel. I just imagine it like might.
Michael Bostic
It's different because back with Bond, there was physical magazines that were tabloids everywhere, worldwide and. Yeah, but Housewives is also worldwide. So back when I did Bond, the. There was. It was just a little different with magazines and being on covers and tabloids. And now here we are where it's like instant. With social media, things go viral in a second. There could be stories out about you where they don't have. There is no. Oh, we wanna comment. They don't care. They'll just print it. Cause they, you know, it's so fast the way things are. So it's just a little different. But it's the same as far as not where people will recognize who you are. And that's the thing. You know, my daughters grew up in the spotlight of being the daughters of two parents. Now they're on a show where it's. They're gonna. Where it's them as themselves. Does that make. Do you know what I mean? And so that's the thing that I was. I try to talk to them about.
Unknown
I think though, it's cool that they're able to get on a show like this and then they can kind of have control of where they want to take it. Yeah, like, you could really. When you have a reality platform, you can really do anything you want. As we've seen Bethenny Frankel Launched her margarita line. People have launched books, they've launched.
Michael Bostic
There's.
Unknown
It gives you a platform to do a lot of different things. So I think. I mean, I think it's probably going to be amazing for them to kickstart whatever career they want.
Michael Bostic
I agree.
Unknown
Yeah.
Michael Bostic
Yeah.
Unknown
What have you.
Lauren Everts
What have you cautioned them against? Or like, what have you told them to look out for?
Unknown
Oh, my God. She probably needs another hour to tell, probably.
Michael Bostic
And then I'll help you with, like, jeez. I mean, by the time your kids are my girl's age, when they're 12, we're gonna just.
Lauren Everts
Yeah, we're gonna go move on to the.
Michael Bostic
Can you imagine, like, social media, like, I didn't. It didn't exist when my girls were.
Unknown
Born, but, you know, the pendulum swings where people.
Michael Bostic
It goes back.
Unknown
They're just gonna want to be off their phone.
Lauren Everts
I actually think that your generation, because you didn't. Because you guys just one day, social media was just here, maybe had a more challenging time than our generation will with teaching kids. Because I'll tell you why, like, we'll go and speak at schools sometimes, and I always tell the kids when I'm speaking, like, you have to decide if you're a consumer or if this is a tool. And if you're. If you're just mindlessly consuming, then that's. That's not good. Like, you gotta use this as a tool. But the reason we know that is, like, it's been businesses in our life. But my parents, for example, they would have no idea what to do to tell, like to tell me anything about it. So a lot of times it was just like a lot of parents, you know, not their fault, but they, you know, gave access to certain things early because they didn't understand it and it's not their fault, but they didn't have the context of, like, how to frame out, how to use.
Michael Bostic
Even if you are able to, as a parent, to stop your kid going on social media. My kids were able to.
Lauren Everts
I don't think you can stop them.
Michael Bostic
You can't. When they were younger, sure. When it's, you know, I tried to stop that, you know, or. And educate them. So I think. But if you're talking about someone when people are in the public. My generation, we grew up with being in the public. When all my peers that are in the public eye, it was tabloids. And then it moved to that. Whether it's tabloids or that your private life is out there. So that's the thing that is trying to Navigate that when your kids are in the spotlight.
Unknown
I mean, like, I don't even like to go on TikTok. I just have. I post and I get off. I can't imagine a little girl's brain going on there. Like, I. I'm like, how does like a 10 year old.
Lauren Everts
I guess what I'm saying is in a similar lane. Like, I imagine because you guys were so public and you were in the tabloids, you're able to equip your daughters with what it will be like if that starts.
Michael Bostic
We try to.
Lauren Everts
Well, like, if a parent has no experience with social media or they have no experience with the tabloids, and then the. The kid goes into it, it's like you don't have the tools to teach them anything. You know what I mean? Like, because of the career that you've had, you're probably able to talk to your children in a different way than someone who hasn't had that experience.
Michael Bostic
But they pretty much don't listen.
Unknown
Yeah. Michael, let's pull this clip. When Zaza comes to you and says, dad, I want to go on social media, No, I know she's gonna be. I can't wait.
Michael Bostic
They think they know what they're talking about.
Lauren Everts
I'm get on her algorithm every single night, and there's like puppies and cats.
Unknown
I'm gonna whisper in her phone like flowers and butterflies. Train her phone to just show good things on the feed. Listen. It's the wild, wild west out there. These are rapid fire questions. Okay, one word to describe your life right now.
Michael Bostic
How would you describe your life right now? In one word.
Unknown
Okay. You can use more than one word.
Michael Bostic
Okay.
Unknown
Thank you.
Michael Bostic
It's organized chaos, always. That's how I always look at it.
Unknown
That's how I would describe mine too. What's one lesson that you've learned the hard way?
Michael Bostic
One lesson. Here's the thing that my mom always said to me was, especially because when I started going through my divorce, is this too shall pass. So that is a lesson that I will never, ever forget that my mom taught me, and I will always remember it, and hopefully my daughters will too.
Unknown
What's a wellness or beauty routine that's changed your life?
Michael Bostic
I mean, I've always made fresh juices since I was early 20s, late teenager. I've always worked out drinking 2 liters of water a day. So I've just always been, like, healthy.
Unknown
What's the Denise Richards workout? What's your workout of choice?
Michael Bostic
So I do Pilates, but I did special forces and I right before I did it. I. I hired this amazing trainer, his name's Josh, at this place called Proactive out in Westlake. And they train a lot of the athletes, and it is the most incredible. Like, I don't like going to gyms. I love going there. It's a gym. It's. They have a chef, and they also have a great recovery program where they have infrared saunas. They have a treadmill that has water for your joints. They have an altitude room to run on the treadmill. It's just like a treadmill. It's like a. Well, I spent a few hours there a day right before I did special Forces.
Unknown
It's like a wellness.
Michael Bostic
It's an amazing, incredible place where. So for the first time in quite a few years, I incorporated weights because I was always just Pilates. So I do that now, too.
Unknown
I love it. We're big fans of weights for women here. What's your most surreal holy shit. Moment of your entire career?
Michael Bostic
Well, I think doing Bond. I mean, I met Prince Charles during that time. Well, he's King Charles now, I think.
Unknown
Was he nice?
Michael Bostic
He was very.
Unknown
I bet his eyeballs popped out of his head.
Michael Bostic
Would you stop?
Denise Richards
I bet they did.
Lauren Everts
What is she gonna say? She's like, nah, nah, King Charles isn't good.
Michael Bostic
Eyeballs fell out. Meeting him. No, it was. I think that was a moment. Just. Just seeing, being realizing, okay, I'm part of this incredible iconic franchise where many generations watch, so I think that's it.
Unknown
What? You've worked with some of the biggest Hollywood names. Who surprised you the most in a good or bad way?
Michael Bostic
I don't.
Unknown
I mean, could be, like, who's, like, your favorite?
Michael Bostic
My favorite? There's too many to even.
Unknown
Who's, like, someone that we like? You loved working with. Cool off and on set. How is Pierce?
Michael Bostic
He's great.
Unknown
Okay.
Michael Bostic
He's. Pierce is a class act. He's wonderful.
Unknown
I think so, too.
Michael Bostic
Kevin Bacon. The best ever. So cool.
Unknown
And he's still married.
Michael Bostic
I know. And his wife is so lovely.
Lauren Everts
His wife was still married, too.
Michael Bostic
Yep, he's still married.
Lauren Everts
He was a great Bond, too.
Michael Bostic
He was a great Bond. He was a great Bond. He's really cool.
Unknown
Pierce and Kevin Bacon.
Michael Bostic
They're awesome.
Unknown
Okay, last question. If you could sit across. And this question was asked by our audience. A lot of people ask this. If you could sit across from your younger self and say one thing to her, what would it be? Maybe you could also give advice that you'd give your daughters.
Michael Bostic
Buckle up. It's going to be A crazy ride, girl. But hang in there.
Unknown
Tell us about your show that's launching March 4th. What can we expect? You got your own show on Bravo. Tell us all the things about it.
Michael Bostic
The show is called Denise Richards and Her Wild Things, and it premieres on Bravo. And then Peacock Me. My kids, my husband. Lots of familiar faces, friends. And it is just the crazy dynamic of our family. Blended family. We've got my ex husband's other ex wife. She's in it. It's just we're blended. Crazy family.
Unknown
Brooke's in it.
Michael Bostic
Brooke's in it.
Unknown
And you and Brooke are like friends, huh?
Michael Bostic
Yeah, I've always tried to. We've had our ups and downs and we do address that in the show, too. But, you know, we try to keep things good and great and positive for the kids. We've had our time up and down, but we're really great for a while. That's cool. Yeah. So it's good. Charlie makes an appearance. He's great. And it's just, you know, our family.
Unknown
Charlie makes an appearance on the show, too. Yes. Erika Jayne was in the trailer.
Michael Bostic
Yes.
Unknown
So that's gonna be a big moment.
Michael Bostic
Yeah. Erica, Camille, Tori. My ex. Well, I have two exes in there. Charlie and Patrick Muldoon. So it's just. The one thing I will say is that I love that the girls do, too. Is they. Everyone's themselves. We are ourselves. This isn't no acting. Yeah. It's us. For better or worse, it's us.
Unknown
What else are you working on? Anything we can support? It looks like you're also involved in a charity. Is there any Anything else that you want to pimp out?
Michael Bostic
Anything else I want to pimp out? You're funny. I want to promote our show and I hope everyone watches it. Starting March 4th also.
Unknown
I'm just saying, your book is really good. If you guys are here for a good biography, it's a good book.
Lauren Everts
Taylor, get my Wild Things poster out so she can sign it before she leaves.
Unknown
Taylor's getting his out. And Taylor also has the Bond poster and the Starship Denise.
Lauren Everts
Thank you, Denise.
Unknown
Where? Can I just pimp your Instagram out really quick?
Lauren Everts
Just Denise.
Michael Bostic
Denise Richards.
Unknown
Okay, that's easy.
Michael Bostic
It's the one with the blue check.
Unknown
Thank you for coming. Yeah, you look that up, there's probably a lot. Thank you for coming on the show.
Michael Bostic
Thank you for having me.
The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast: Denise Richards Exposes The Dark Side Of Fame
Release Date: April 7, 2025
Hosts: Lauryn Bosstick & Michael Bosstick
Guest: Denise Richards
Production: Dear Media
The episode kicks off with Michael Bosstick and Lauryn Bosstick warmly welcoming Denise Richards to The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast. They commend her multifaceted career and down-to-earth personality, setting an inviting tone for an in-depth conversation about her experiences in the spotlight.
Lauryn Bosstick [00:25]: "She's lovely. She's down to earth. She's warm and she's cool. I got to tell you, I really like Denise."
Denise Richards delves into her early dreams of becoming an actress, despite growing up in Illinois away from the entertainment industry's epicenter. Her family's relocation to California during her teenage years marked the beginning of her modeling career at 15, followed by acting roles in drama classes and securing her SAG card through appearances in popular TV shows like Doogie Howser and Saved by the Bell.
Denise Richards [02:52]: "I started modeling after I graduated high school. And I knew that acting was something that I really wanted to do."
Her breakout role came with Starship Troopers, a film that transitioned her from minor roles to a recognized name in Hollywood.
Denise Richards [04:54]: "I think my big break was when I got Starship Troopers... it was the first movie where I was like, oh, it's gonna be in the movie theater."
Denise discusses the relentless nature of Hollywood, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in the face of constant rejection. She shares personal anecdotes about auditioning for shows and pilots that didn’t make it, reinforcing her belief that persistence eventually leads to success.
Denise Richards [07:12]: "If this is your passion, keep going. And all the rejection... It takes one job to change your career."
She reflects on the roles she turned down, maintaining that each decision was part of her journey, even if it sometimes led to unforeseen paths.
Denise Richards [07:19]: "I don't regret turning them down. Different choices bring you where you're supposed to be."
Denise recounts her experience auditioning for and landing the role of a Bond girl in Starship Troopers, a pivotal moment in her career. She humorously admits her initial lack of understanding about the significance of being part of the Bond franchise but quickly grasps its impact once informed by her agent.
Denise Richards [08:06]: "I quickly knew and learned. So then I saw some movies."
Her journey included extensive filming in London alongside seasoned actors like Michael Ironside and Clancy, fostering lasting friendships and professional relationships.
Denise Richards [05:10]: "We’re all still, most of us are still friends from the cast."
Shifting gears, Denise explains her transition from scripted roles to reality television with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH). Inspired by a friend's positive experience and the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, she embraced the opportunity to showcase her authentic self on reality TV.
Denise Richards [13:52]: "I just started to let go with that and say it's okay that everything's not balanced. It's okay."
Denise highlights the challenges and vulnerabilities of being on RHOBH, especially during her highly publicized divorce from Charlie Sheen. The show provided a platform to humanize herself amid widespread negativity and tabloid scrutiny.
Denise Richards [15:00]: "I just got to be myself on a TV show."
Denise opens up about the intense media scrutiny during her divorce from Charlie Sheen, describing the ordeal as a blend of personal turmoil and professional challenges. She candidly discusses how negative perceptions affected her career opportunities and the importance of maintaining her integrity and focusing on her family amidst the chaos.
Denise Richards [16:13]: "It was like the golden boy that they were protecting, which doesn't really fly anymore, I feel like."
Despite the adversity, Denise emphasizes the strength of her relationship with her daughters and ex-husband, striving to present a united and positive front for their sake.
Denise Richards [19:05]: "I always wanted his the best version of himself, to be the best dad that he can."
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Denise's efforts to balance her demanding career with her role as a mother. She shares strategies for maintaining a strong marital relationship while raising children in the public eye, including dedicating time for just her and her husband to nurture their connection.
Denise Richards [27:08]: "We really have to have time together, because without this, that can fall to shit sometimes."
Denise also touches on the challenges of co-parenting and the importance of creating a supportive environment for her children, especially with the complexities introduced by fame.
Denise narrates her journey to adopt her daughter, Eloise, highlighting her determination to grow her family independently post-divorce. The adoption process, albeit lengthy at a year and a half, culminated in the joyous addition of Eloise to her blended family.
Denise Richards [30:02]: "I always wanted more kids, and I always wanted to adopt, too."
She discusses the emotional aspects of adoption and the thoughtful process behind choosing her daughter’s name, aligning it with her family's values and preferences.
Looking ahead, Denise announces her upcoming reality show, Denise Richards and Her Wild Things, set to premiere on Bravo and Peacock Me. The show promises an intimate look into her blended family dynamics, interactions with exes, and the everyday realities of managing fame and family.
Denise Richards [63:15]: "It's just the crazy dynamic of our family. Blended family. We've got my ex husband's other ex wife. She's in it."
Denise underscores the authenticity of the show, assuring audiences that it will depict genuine moments without scripted drama.
Denise Richards [64:21]: "Everyone's themselves. We are ourselves. This isn't no acting. It's us. For better or worse, it's us."
Throughout the episode, Denise emphasizes the resilience of her marriage to Aaron, highlighting their unwavering support for each other despite public and private challenges. Their relationship is portrayed as a cornerstone of her ability to navigate the tumultuous waters of fame and personal upheaval.
Denise Richards [44:07]: "We really are. We love each other so much. She's my best friend, and we're really close and connected."
She attributes their strong bond to mutual respect, humor, and a shared commitment to prioritizing their family's well-being.
In the closing segments, Denise shares valuable life lessons learned through her experiences. She underscores the importance of resilience, adaptability, and maintaining one's authenticity despite external pressures.
Denise Richards [59:50]: "This too shall pass."
Her advice extends to a wellness-focused lifestyle, advocating for healthy habits and self-care as fundamental to enduring the demands of fame.
Denise Richards [60:32]: "I've always been healthy. Drinking 2 liters of water a day, working out, making fresh juices."
Denise Richards' heartfelt and candid discussion on The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast offers listeners an unfiltered glimpse into the complexities of balancing fame, personal struggles, and family life. Her insights on perseverance, authenticity, and prioritizing relationships resonate deeply, providing tangible takeaways for anyone navigating the public eye or striving for personal growth.
Denise Richards [63:21]: "It's organized chaos, always. That's how I always look at it."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
Lauryn Bosstick [00:25]: "She's lovely. She's down to earth. She's warm and she's cool. I got to tell you, I really like Denise."
Denise Richards [02:52]: "I started modeling after I graduated high school. And I knew that acting was something that I really wanted to do."
Denise Richards [07:12]: "If this is your passion, keep going. And all the rejection... It takes one job to change your career."
Denise Richards [27:08]: "We really have to have time together, because without this, that can fall to shit sometimes."
Denise Richards [30:02]: "I always wanted more kids, and I always wanted to adopt, too."
Denise Richards [63:21]: "It's organized chaos, always. That's how I always look at it."
Denise Richards [59:50]: "This too shall pass."
Key Takeaways:
Persistence is Crucial: Denise's journey underscores the importance of relentless pursuit of one's dreams despite numerous rejections and setbacks.
Authenticity Matters: Embracing her true self on reality TV helped Denise navigate public scrutiny and maintain her integrity.
Family First: Balancing a demanding career with family life requires dedication, communication, and prioritizing relationships.
Adaptability: Transitioning between different facets of the entertainment industry showcases the value of being versatile and open to new opportunities.
Resilience Through Adversity: Personal challenges, such as Denise's public divorce, highlight the significance of resilience and support systems in overcoming hardships.
Conclusion:
Denise Richards' episode on The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast offers a compelling narrative of her rise in Hollywood, the trials of fame, and the unwavering commitment to her family. Her stories and reflections serve as both inspiration and guidance for listeners navigating similar paths in their personal and professional lives.