The Viall Files – Reality Recap:

Monét X Change & Daria Berenato Talk Traitors, The Valley: Persian Style, RHOBH & Blake/Taylor Texts

Episode Date: January 27, 2026

Main Theme & Episode Overview

This “Reality Recap” from The Viall Files, hosted by Nick Viall and the extended ‘Household,’ is a jam-packed episode navigating pop culture, reality TV breakdowns, and candid personal updates. The main features are two special guests: Daria Berenato (formerly WWE's Sonya Deville) and Monét X Change (RuPaul’s Drag Race & The Traitors), both offering insider commentary on the latest season of Peacock’s The Traitors—including game strategy, behind-the-scenes drama, and the ripple effects of online bullying. The crew also debriefs the fallout from leaked Blake Lively/Taylor Swift texts, recaps The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, explores the ongoing drama with The Valley: Persian Style, and keeps listeners updated on Bravo and Bachelor Nation headlines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Life & Updates (01:06–07:00)

• Nick’s Hotel Podcasting: Nick shares a snowstorm-related family power outage; he records from a hotel, highlighting “the show must go on” vibe.
• Household Banter: Warm, chaotic check-in with co-hosts Sierra, Leah, Justin, and Mary—improv shows, supportiveness (or lack thereof), and potty training toddlers.

2. The Blake Lively & Taylor Swift Text Leak (15:05–19:53)

• Overview: The crew discusses “surprisingly endearing” texts between Blake and Taylor, which touched on their friendship rifts and Justin Baldoni-related drama.
• Online Narrative: Nick points out: “It’s just so scary that…people can create inorganic smear campaigns against regular people or against their competitors.” (17:53)
• Takeaway: The texts showed emotional maturity and mutual empathy; the Household stresses the relatability of friends addressing disconnects.

Notable Quote:

“If it is wrong to text your girl and call a man a bitch, arrest me, because I’m doing much worse than that.” –Mary (17:01)

• Retaliation & Trolls: They address how PR teams manipulate narratives, often triggering online bullying and fan wars.

3. Daria Berenato Interview: Wrestling, Stalking, and The Traitors (23:30–53:17)

WWE to TNA: Career Moves

• Daria reflects on unexpectedly leaving WWE for TNA: “At the ninth hour…I was as surprised as anybody else was. But…everything happens for a reason.” (28:13)
• She shares new flexibility and TV opportunities with TNA (29:17).

Navigating Fame & Fandom

• Discusses the “heel” persona: “It’s so much more fun to be hated…than to attempt to be liked…like, that sounds horrifying.” (25:13)
• On fan interaction: split between those who embrace the act and those who direct real hate.

Harrowing Stalker Story (30:03–38:14)

• Trigger Warning: Details a home invasion by a long-term stalker—discovered due to a lucky sequence of events and quick thinking.
• He received a 15-year sentence after a chilling, premeditated attempt (“Get a dog and get a gun...I'm kidding. But not really.” 30:27).
• Insights into legal loopholes that often make it hard for stalking victims to get protection.

“So many women and people in general get stalked for years…It’s very hard to prosecute a stalker until they cross that threshold.” (37:06–38:14)

• Daria stays vigilant but insists she doesn’t hold it against all fans.

Cyberbullying & The Traitors Discourse (39:20–53:17)

• Daria analyzes this season of The Traitors, celebrating Lisa Rinna’s self-aware camp and noting the necessity of polarizing personalities (“You need the babyfaces and you need the heels…” 42:22).
• Daria and the cohosts discuss gameplay, voter reluctance at the roundtable, and how social dynamics mimic high school.
• Commentary on how online trolling and cyberbullying have bled from the show to real life; mental health and fan boundaries are major concerns.

4. The Traitors: Strategic Deep Dive with Monét X Change (71:06–81:41)

Monét’s “Housewife Curse” & Exit (71:47–73:27)

• On her early elimination: “The problem was that I trusted a fucking housewife...I will never trust a housewife...They will cut you, slit your throat, stab you in the back, and get you eliminated.” (71:52, 81:07)
• Breaks down loyal/fickle alliances, why Candace outmaneuvered her, and the need to spread suspicions strategically.

What Would She Change?

• “Maybe saying [someone’s name] to more than one person...” (73:38)
• Owns the fatal flaw of trusting the wrong player.

Judging Fellow Contestants

• Names Portia Williams as best potential Drag Race guest; Stephen Colletti as possible “worst” for confusion factor (78:41).

Game Theory

• Monét praises Natalie (Survivor) for subtle, effective Faithful gameplay (77:40).
• On Colton’s aggressive style: “Aggressive gameplay…can be tricky, but I think Colton’s doing a good job.” (76:52)
• Gives her fun take on which drag queens would be least suited as Faithful or Traitor, citing “bully” energy or being too sweet-hearted (79:39–80:18).

5. Reality TV Headlines & Bravo News (61:35–71:05)

• Updates on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives S4, the spinoff/overlapping drama with Vanderpump Villa, and rumored cast changes (esp. Latea from Bachelor).
• Discussion on how time-jumping formats and overlapping storylines make these shows uniquely addictive.
• Ultimate Road Trip filming brings out heavy hitters from Housewives past (Faye, Nene, Marlo, etc.) and features “iconic” crossover parties (69:39).

6. Housewives & Bravo Recaps (81:47–91:34)

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (81:52–88:43)

• Rapid Recap: Money debates (“Money isn’t real”), Dorit’s book and “ghostwriter” drama, Amanda’s brashness and sense of being an “outsider.”
• Nick and the team dissect why Amanda isn’t embraced—debating whether it’s due to “one-upmanship,” insecurity, or cast member clique dynamics.

“I’m more impressed with what she’s done rather than picking apart the fact that she’s proud” – Nick (87:27)

The Valley: Persian Style (91:44–99:19)

• Recaps focus on “epic” cast fights, the presence of psychics/mediums at events, and the evolving relationship and tension between Reza, MJ, and Sky.
• Discussion of Tommy’s refusal to attend events for MJ, with Nick labeling it self-centered: “He’s putting her in difficult situations…You just got to support your partner and make life easier for them. All Tommy’s doing is making life more difficult for MJ while protecting his fragile ego.” (95:02)
• Praise for the genuine friendship among the new Valley cast compared to other Bravo spinoffs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Public Restrooms: “I'm not dumb enough to be like, how do I put this thing on a toilet seat?” – Nick, on skip toilet seat covers (11:50)
• On Reality TV Fandoms: "People can create inorganic smear campaigns against regular people...The fact that companies specialize in doing this should scare all of us." – Nick (17:53)
• On The Traitors Game Play: “You need the babyfaces and you need the heels...That’s reality TV gold.” – Daria (42:17)
• On Early Exit from The Traitors: “I will never trust a housewife…They will cut you, slit your throat, stab you in the back, and get you eliminated.” – Monét X Change (81:07)
• On Partner Loyalty: “You just got to support your partner and make life easier for them. All Tommy's doing is making life more difficult for MJ while protecting his fragile ego.” – Nick (95:02)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening & Life Updates: 01:06
• Blake/Taylor Texts & Online Bullying: 15:05–19:53
• Daria Berenato Interview: 23:30–53:17
  • Stalker Story: 30:03–38:14
  • Traitors Breakdown & Online Bullying Discourse: 39:20–53:17
• Monét X Change Interview: 71:06–81:41
• Bravo/Bachelor/Reality TV Headlines: 61:35–71:05
• RHOBH Recap: 81:52–88:43
• The Valley: Persian Style Recap: 91:44–99:19

Tone and Style

The episode is trademark Viall Files—irreverent, effusive, occasionally chaotic, and self-aware. Nick’s hosting is upbeat and direct, with the ‘Household’ offering banters, candid opinions, and plenty of hot takes. Both Daria and Monét bring humor and a “been-there, clawed-that” industry perspective to their segments, balancing levity with hard-earned wisdom about fan culture and reality television’s dark side.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is a must-listen for those obsessed with reality TV mechanics, camaraderie, and the ways online life blurs with televised drama. Daria and Monét’s insider views make sense of The Traitors' strategy and culture wars, while the Viall Files crew’s playful, honest recaps give plenty of context, spoilers, and genuinely funny moments—no live-tweeting required.