Session 89: Countess Luann

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Therapuss with Jake Shane"

Episode: Session 89: Countess Luann
Date: August 15, 2025
Guest: Countess Luann de Lesseps (Real Housewives of New York City)

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Main Theme

This episode takes a deep, hilarious, and heartfelt dive into Countess Luann de Lesseps' life on and off Bravo's Real Housewives of New York City. Jake Shane, in his signature tongue-in-cheek “therapist” role, invites Luann to reflect on her reality TV legacy, cabaret stardom, reinvention, and advice for handling drama—both on screen and in life. The session is equal parts nostalgia, tea-spilling, and introspective life lessons.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Luann’s Life After Housewives, Cabaret & “Love Hotel”

• Luann is currently touring her Countess Cabaret: Greatest Hits show, which includes new music and stories.
  “Every cabaret is different... Greatest hits, new stories. Of course, I’m going to talk a bit about the love Hotel, right?” (01:50)
• “Love Hotel” was a refreshing change from Housewives. Rather than “taking each other down,” it focused on mutual support:
  • “We were each other's wingmen, right? And that was refreshing for me.” (03:54)

2. Luann’s Spiritual Journey

• Found spirituality after her divorce; credits Deepak Chopra for a turning point:
  • “I realized, oh my God, there’s an actual being in here... it’s always been about, right, the face. I discovered there’s much more to me that lurks underneath.” (03:13)

3. Behind the Scenes: Housewives Nostalgia & Dynamics

• Bethenny Feud & “Be Cool” Legends:
  • Admits Bethenny was probably most jealous of her Countess title and opulent life:
    “I’ve got everything that she wants... Who wanted to take me down the most? It was she for sure.” (07:57)
  • Confirms little contact with Bethenny today.
• Production Boundaries:
  • Maintained strong personal boundaries with production, keeping family out of the fray:
    "You see that door? That's my master bedroom. Don't go near it." (09:19)
• Scary Island Reflection:
  • Did not attend the infamous trip and believes Kelly Ben Simone was bullied:
    “I would have been there for Kelly… they bullied her to the point where she went, you know [off the deep end].” (09:56)

4. Original Cast, Rivalries, and Jealousies

• Jealousy of “The Countess” Title:
  • Explains her ex-husband’s family’s genuine aristocracy, dispelling others’ snark.
    • “The title does not come from a Cracker Jacks box. It’s real.” (06:50)
• OG Friendships:
  • Met Jill Zarin at a movie premiere; Jill pulled her into the founding Housewives cast. (21:14–22:54)
• Simon (Alex’s Husband):
  • Found it odd that he always tagged along:
    “He’s always trying to get in on the scene... like having an extra housewife along you didn’t invite.” (13:07)

5. Reflections on the Show, Fame, and Adaptation

• Early seasons paid just $10,000 total; no one predicted its phenomenon.
• The new RHONY cast “isn’t us” and lack the natural friendships and shared history of the OGs:
  • “They’re successful, beautiful women, but they’re just not us... friendships are so important.” (15:07)
• Thick Skin Required:
  • “It takes time to get a thick skin...[at first] we weren’t prepared for the onslaught of Bravo fans.” (29:25)

6. Advice & Philosophy on Class and Reinvention

• Etiquette remains central—“Money can’t buy you class”—but wishes she could add a chapter on dating today (24:58–25:14).
  • “Etiquette really is about respect for others... The most important thing is being comfortable in your own skin.” (25:47)
• On reinvention and resilience:
  • “We only have today, right? There’s no yesterday and no guarantee of tomorrow... Go out there and get it.” (34:48)

7. Favorite and Iconic Moments

• Favorite Trip: Marrakesh—“iconic” for memorable scenes, mishaps, and fashion (11:56).
• Most Heated Fight: Berkshire’s house—Bethenny “in my face” about her love life and the fashion show incident (37:58).
• Cabaret Highlights:
  • Loves creative freedom and storytelling, with London (Tilda Swinton intro!), as her top venue (38:51).
• Most Surreal Moment:
  • Tilda Swinton surprising her & introducing her cabaret performance in London (38:52).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Genuine Aristocracy

• “The title does not come from a Cracker Jacks box. It’s real.” — Luann (06:50)

On OG Housewives Jealousy

• “Who wanted to take me down the most? It was she [Bethenny], for sure.” — Luann (08:05)

On Learning Spirituality After Divorce

• “After I divorced the Count, it was a rough spot... I realized, oh my God, there’s an actual being in here.” — Luann (03:13)

On “Money Can't Buy You Class”

• “Money can’t buy you class.” — Luann (25:26)

On Producing Good TV

• “The camera doesn’t lie... I think the most important thing to make a good housewife is being forthright and honest.” — Luann (30:38–31:19)

On New Roni Cast

• “They’re not us. ... They don’t know where the skeletons are buried.” — Luann (15:07)

On Never Explaining Drama

• “Never complain and never explain, darling. Rules to live by.” — Luann (41:29–41:34)

On Living in the Moment

• “We only have today, right? There’s no yesterday and no guarantee of tomorrow. ... I just care about having a good time.” — Luann (34:48–35:20)

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Audience Advice Segment (Q&A Highlights)

(Timestamps 40:38–46:48)

• Friend Pocketing Group Meal Money:

  • “That's stealing.” (40:56)
  • “Never complain and never explain, darling. Rules to live by.” (41:29)

• Gay/Bisexual Flirting Dilemma:

  • “He's gay? No. Or bisexual, sure.” (42:00)

• Broken Girl Code:

  • “That's a broken girl code right there. That's what that song's all about.” (42:14)

• Flirtatious Best Friend:

  • “Get rid of her. ... One or the other. Somebody's got to go.” (43:27)

• Boyfriend Peed the Bed—White Lie OK?:

  • “Sometimes white lies are okay in order not to either offend somebody, hurt somebody, or make them think less of you.” (44:11–44:17)

On Optimism:

• “There’s an optimistic and a pessimist mosquito... The optimist says, 'When I arrived, everyone started clapping.'” (46:48)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cabaret Tour & “Love Hotel”: 01:50–03:13
• Bethenny Feud & Jealousy: 06:29–08:09
• Scary Island Bullying Reflection: 09:47–10:43, 32:44–33:40
• Original Cast, Production Boundaries, and Fame: 09:19–14:27
• Etiquette & Class, Advice on Reinvention: 24:46–25:47, 34:37–35:20
• Audience Submissions (Advice Section): 40:38–46:48
• Cabaret & Tilda Swinton Story: 38:51–39:55

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Closing & Takeaways

• Luann emphasizes that elegance and class stem from inner confidence and respect for others:
  • “Elegance really does come from within, and it comes from how comfortable you are in your own skin. ... You cannot make other people comfortable if you yourself are not comfortable.” (50:33–50:48)
• Reinvention, authenticity, boundaries, and community define Luann’s story on RHONY and beyond.
• Jake Shane keeps it light and cheeky, but the Countess’ wisdom shines through, from etiquette to navigating public life, to living in the present.

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Listeners leave with warmth, laughter, and—of course—a reminder that "money can't buy you class."

Transcript

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You say you'll never join the Navy, that you'd never track storms brewing in the Atlantic, and skydiving could never be part of your commute. You'd never climb Mount Fuji on a port visit or fly so fast you break the sound barrier. Joining the Navy sounds crazy. Saying never actually is. Start your [e-mail] America's Navy, forged by the sea.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Surprise, pussies. Happy Friday. Even Louis Vuitton makes mistakes sometimes. And that is exactly what our guest today is here to teach us. I present to you Countess Luann from the Real Housewives of New York City. She's one of the greatest housewives of all time. On the original Real Housewives of New York. She is exactly who you would think she is. Just as charismatic, just as funny, just as incredible. Happy Friday. Enjoy the episode. I love you, pussies. To submit tell me what's wrongs, go to passthatpost.com and click Tell me what's wrong. Leave a name and number if you're feeling fancy. Love you, pussies. Hi, pussies. And welcome back to therapists and reminder. Never count out the Countess. And today we have the one and only Countess Luann de La here with us.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Hi. Hi, darling. I love the way it just rolled off your tongue. People have a hard time with della steps, right? But it's like della steps, let it roll up. It's like dural, you know, all the time. All the time.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Well, welcome to therapist. I'm so elated to have you here.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Thank you.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Are you. How long have you been. Are you on this tour? You're on Countess Cabaret.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Countess Cabaret. This is my kind of greatest hits tour, right? Last year I did Mary F. Kill and. And had a great time. And so, you know, every cabaret is different. You know, like, I played L. A Last year. Now I'm back at the wheel turn. But this is greatest hits. It's new music and new stories. And, you know, of course, I'm going to talk a bit about the love Hotel, right?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

How. How was filming the love Hotel?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, it was great. I had so much fun. They called me up and they're like, hey, Lou, we're going to send you on vacation for three weeks. We're going to pay you, of course, and we're going to find you guys. I'm like, yeah, hobby me. I. And so because I've been single for quite a while now, so I feel like. I feel like right now I. I know exactly what I'm looking for. So the timing was absolutely perfect for Me?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

What do you. What are you looking for?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, tall, handsome, funny, classy. Rich.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah, as always.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Exactly.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I have been so excited. Kind and kind.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Kind is, you know, kind is really first on the list, you know?

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

A man who's got not. Not afraid to be vulnerable and. And show his real feelings. I like people who are in touch with themselves. I'm big on spirituality and, you know, and people that are connected to, you know, their inner child.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Have you always been connected to spirituality?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, I found spirituality, really. After I divorced the Count, I was. It was a rough spot for me, and so I went to Deepak Chopra and I realized, oh, my God, there's an actual being in here.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

It's just, you know, because we all wear our masks, right? Like, I was a TV personality, you know, back in the day when I lived in Milan, I was working for Italian television. You know, I was a model before that. So it's always been about, right, the face, right? So. So I discovered, you know, there's much more to me that lurks underneath the face.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

100%. When you were doing Love Hotel, did it remind you of your days on Real Housewives of New York, or was it a different experience?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, totally different. You in the Housewives, it's all about, let's take her down. You know what I mean? Let's find a way to get under her skin. And, you know, Love Hotel was really. We were each other's wingmen, right? And that was refreshing for me. And I, you know, I wouldn't, you know, for me, Housewives, you know, unless we're going on an Ultimate Girls trip, you know, I did for 13 years, and God knows, you know, I had to deal with Bethany. Good luck with that. I mean, it's like walking on eggshells. And so it was really a refreshing show for me to do because, you know, we were there for each other. We were there to give each other advice, support each other, and really, the drama lies with the guys.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Do you. So you don't talk to Bethany anymore, or do you.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

No, not really.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Not really.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

That. We were quoting that earlier today.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I love that moment. Which is, I think, better than even. Be cool. Don't be like, all in. Cool is the. Would you care if there was a naked guy in the bed next to you? I'm like, not really. I'd be taking selfies by now.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, look, there's a naked guy. Here I am.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

That felt so, to me, unfair of Heather to get mad at everybody during that. It just Felt like she was looking for her.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, you know what people miss is that Ramona pulls the sheets over her head and goes, go and talk to Lou.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah, yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So she punts the ball to me, right. And it's actually her guy that's upstairs, not mine, because my guy left at 3 o' clock in the morning because I said, you have to go because I have to film tomorrow.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So you gotta go. And he figured out how to get home.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, Ramona's guy, he wasn't that clever.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So, you know, he. Ramona probably said, just go and see. Because Bethany left the night before.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And that situation was that Heather and Carol had a room next to Bethany and it shared a bathroom. So when they went to the bathroom, they saw a naked man's ass staring at them.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I mean, so. And it wasn't even my guy's ass.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

It was Ramona's guy's ass.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Do you still talk to Ramona?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Of course, yes. You know, Ramona's doing great. She. She has a boyfriend now.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, amazing.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And so she's very happy and she's living her best life over in Palm Be.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Do you still call her the singer Stinger?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, no. Our relationship has changed so much. I mean, you know, I. I actually play a scene during my shows, which is the moment she tried to blackmail me. And we're in Central Park. I don't know if you remember that. She's like, look at my nails. Aren't my nails fabulous? And I'm looking at her like, are you crazy? You're blackmailing me? You want me to look at your nails?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, so, you know, but she's changed. She's, you know, she's happy now.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

She's not, you know, because I think a lot of the problems were that there was a certain amount of trying to take down the Countess.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And, you know, and I talk about this also in my show, which is, you know, they always gave me a hard time about that. What they didn't know is that the de Lesseps, you know, were responsible for the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal, and actually gave the Statue of Liberty to the United States of America for the French.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Did they really?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yes, they did.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, my goodness.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Liberty. It's Ferdinand de Lesseps.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Oh, wow.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Presented it for the French. That's how important he was. So the title does not come from a Cracker Jacks box. It's real. So you know what I mean?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And what I'm very proud of, you know, My children are born from this family. And my husband's father was the ambassador of Monaco for 40 years with Prince Rainier, you know, and this was my life.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And they were always not happy about that.

[Co-host or guest participant]

No.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

They didn't like that I had this aristocratic background. I'm just a girl from Connecticut, of course, who ended up marrying into French aristocracy. Now we married two weeks later.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So when he said I'm account, I go like Count Dracula. I mean, so, you know, whoopsie became a countess Titty.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I say, like I say in the.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Show, who do you think, out of all the Roni girls, were the most jealous of your countess title?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Bethany.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Really?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah, probably. Well, let's think back when Bethany started the show. Yes. I'm married to a French aristocrat. I have two gorgeous children. I've got the house in the Hamptons with a swimming pool, but not like Alex and Simon with the blow up pool.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And I've got everything that she wants.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Isn't it?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So who wanted to take me down the most? It was she for sure.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

It was her.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Was it ever hard? Did you. Were you ever able to separate your relationships with the girls on screen versus off screen? Or was it all just very real and very in it?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, it's also. It was very real and, and I was in it, but, you know, like, Jill would get an episode and go, oh, let's watch it. And I'm like, I want to sleep well tonight. Okay, I'll watch it in the morning. But I'm not gonna sleep see it before I go to bed because, you know, there's always something you wish you said or you wish you didn't say because, you know you're flying by the seat of your pants.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So you better be fast. Right? So. And I think that's what makes a good housewife. You know, it's like. And for me, I separated my family from the show. You know, you won't see my kids a lot on the show. You won't see the Count a lot on the show because, you know, it's really was our decision as a family to do the show. But you go ahead and you do you right. My kids are artists. They're not fame seekers or fame mongers, otherwise you would know more about them, of course. But they are, you know, successful artists in their own right. And I respect that and they respect me for what I do. But yeah, no, I, I always tried to keep my family separate. Like when we started filming, I mean, I literally Said to production, you see that door? That's my master bedroom. Don't go near it.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah. And did they. Did production ever?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

No, they never.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

They respected you and all that. Amazing.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, people think that they show up with cameras. No, it's produced and edited show. Right. With the schedule.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So I would say, you know, no, you can't come at 10, you come at 11. And so. But we used to get away with a lot more of that than, like, for example, Scary Island. I didn't go on that trip. Right. So it was Victoria's birthday. So I said to them, I'm sorry, it's my daughter's birthday. I am not going on that trip. And I didn't. And you know what? It's better I didn't, because if I was there, Scary island would not be the same.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

But because I would have been there for. For Kelly.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, you would.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

When they were all bullied her to the point where she went, you know.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Off the deep end, Is that. That's what you think happened? That they.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

100%.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Okay, got it, got it. And do you still talk to Kelly?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yes, I do. She finally brought me to a Rangers game.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, amazing. Do you think that when they. Did you understand the severity of Scary island once they all got back, or was it only until it aired?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

No, I think it got picked up in the press before that.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, really?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah, because, you know, she traveled back earlier. You know, she had to leave because they were scared for her mental. Rightly so. Because, you know, so. Yeah, I heard, of course, about it. And, you know, Jill wasn't there either. So Jill and I. So I said to Kelly, don't go.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Because I knew she wouldn't be able to handle them, you know, but, you know, but she gave us Scary island, so we will forever be grateful to you, Kelly.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yes. Thank you, Kelly, Ben, Simone, Jill and Bethany's fallout. Do you have any. Like, who did you. Do you think both of them were wrong, or did you think one side was leaning more correct?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I don't even remember what the feud was about, to tell you the truth. Do you.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Bethany was, I think, gaining more traction and not calling Jill enough. And you'll be very upset.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah, yeah. So, you know, Bethany was there to build herself up, obviously, Right. She, you know, Jill also, you know, she had Bobby. You know, Jill's got money. You know, Bethany had nothing. Right. So she's climbing up that ladder, isn't she? And she doesn't care how many stairs she breaks on the ladder, does she? So you Know, Jill is kind hearted and a good girl, girl's girl. And, you know, I think Bethany came in and took what she could and, you know, and it behooved her to get rid of Jill.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Do you have a favorite memory from the show or a favorite trip you ever went on?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, I have to say Marrakesh, because iconic. You know, that was really my trip.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, they were like third world country. I'm like, are you kidding me? This is Marrakesh. It's North Africa. Of course. Hell. Anyway, so, you know, that trip, you know, between. This is not the Plaza Hotel, Ramona. Okay, Right. Almost getting killed on a camel and seeing Jill in a fanny pack in the souk is just.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I will never go out of my. Out of my memory. And. And of course, you know, that's where, you know, the Herman Munster shoes came.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Along and buffalo coming down.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Even Louis Toll makes mistakes. It was so many, so many good things happening on that trip, including her interrupting our henna session.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yes, yes. And do you don't talk to Alex anymore, do you?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, she lives down under, so.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

We don't get a chance. No, no, no. But I don't have anything against, you know, Alex.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

You know, what was it like, though, filming with Simon? Because he always wanted to be involved with the girls, right?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah, he did. He was just another housewife. Simon, you know, he's actually an interesting guy in many ways. A little too into, you know, the show.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And, you know, he's not my type, you know, kind of in terms of guys, to be quite honest. And. But, you know, it was always odd because it's like one, you stay home, right. It's like, right. I don't bring my husband everywhere. No, you stay home and let your wife do her thing. So he's always, you know, trying to get in on the scene. And so, you know, it's like having, you know, an extra housewife along that you didn't quite invite.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

So you agreed with Ramona when she was like, I don't want him here.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Right, yeah. This is girl talk. You know, you can't really, you know, talk about certain things when your husband's hanging around.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Were you guys as, like a cast expecting the show to kind of blow up the way it did, or were you all pleasantly surprised?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You? We were, you know, we. First of all, the first season, we got paid $10,000 for the entire season.

[Co-host or guest participant]

No.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah, because it's a pilot, right? It's a pilot. Well, 18 episodes later.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So no, we were not expecting it to blow up the way it did. And, you know, I think it was. The timing was right. You know, Sex in the City was over. Desperate Housewives is over. So we kind of filled the void, you know, in that. In that space, which. Which was kind of like Sex in the City.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And by the way, Candace Bushel is one of my best friends. I love Candace.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, wow.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah. Love her.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Do you. Were there. Was there ever a moment during. Because you were. You were on the show that entire run. Was there ever a moment where you were like, I can't do this anymore. I have. I'm done every season, really.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Am I going to do this again?

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

But, you know, listen, there's a lot of drama going on. There's a lot of, you know, positioning and all that stuff, but we really had a great time. You know, you get to go on vacation with your girlfriends and get paid. Right. So the benefits outweighed the negative.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Of course, for me. And do you feel as though the new Roni cast is doing it justice at all, or.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

They're not us, let's just put it that way, you know, And I think a more diverse cast. Yeah. Maybe a little younger, but, you know, they're successful, they're beautiful women, you know, but they're just not us. It's not the same. Same story. Because, you know, friendships are so important. You know, we were really friends. And I think that that is the problem that new casts have is, like, they're kind of thrown together and they don't have, you know, the. Let's say they don't know where the skeletons are buried. And, like, we know where all the skeletons.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And, you know, it's like, you better watch it, because I got, you know. Yeah, I remember, you know, we used to dig stuff up on each other, like, oh, I'm gonna put this in my back pocket. I'm gonna use that for later. You know what I mean? We were very, you know, we go way back.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Like, so, you know, I. We just go way back. And so I think that's. It's really hard to duplicate that kind of relationship.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Who do you feel was the one in the group that was the most out of place during your filming? Like, the one that, like, wasn't really of the friend group and didn't really fit in?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Carol. I mean, Carol. Carol. You know, I know because of her association with the Kennedys. I mean, but Carol's not a housewife. Carol's, you know, single, living in a small flat Downtown. Right. So.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So there was always, you know, but Carol, you know, Bethany embraced her until she didn't embrace her.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Why do you think she stopped embracing her?

[Co-host or guest participant]

Because.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, I think that I don't want to get into it, but Aviva was not wrong.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Got it. Understood.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So we don't like. You know, I don't like people that are not honest.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, okay. Do you. Was there anybody in the cast that would leak stuff to the press a lot?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Bethany.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Really?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, yeah.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And how did you guys find out?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, when my name is on Page Six, I know it's Bethany who called.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Wow. And was it Sonya, too?

[Co-host or guest participant]

Really?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, Sonia. Rita.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Would she own it?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Love my son. You, Rita. But Sonia, she's friends with everybody at Page Six.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Would she own it, though? Would she be like, yeah, I did that?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Probably not.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Okay.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Or would Bethany.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And who. When Aviva threw her leg.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Did you see me? I'm cracking up.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know why? Because the woman's leg is on the table, and I'm like, her dirty shoe is next to my silverware. That's what I'm thinking. And I'm laughing about myself. Really? How ridiculous the whole situation is. What about her leg on the table?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Like, was that. Was everyone like, well, oh, my God.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

That scene is just epic. I actually use that scene when I talk about the housewives in the show. And my reaction, you know, the audience is laughing their asses off because I am, like, sitting there with my turquoise necklace on, like, giggling, feeling like. Yeah, I think, you know, it was just once you throw your leg on the table, what's left?

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Who is the worst. Who is the worst person to film with? And who was your favorite to film with on the flip side? So both.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Okay, well, I love filming with Sonia, Rita, because, you know those scenes where I'm staying in her townhouse in between boys, in between homes. Um, and so, yeah, Sonya, Rita, and gosh, the worst. I, you know, I don't have a worst. Really.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I, you know, I enjoy all the girls for their. Their personalities. You know? I mean, Tinsley, I had fun with. I had fun with all the girls, really. You know, I was always the one trying to navigate the negative energy come my way. Like, where are the truffle fries? I'm, like, admiring my poster in Miami.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And they want truffle fries, and they're mad because I went swimming. Really.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know what I mean? So I'm always trying to defend myself. Most of the time, I'm. I'm not the. The gaslighter of the group.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah. You were never really the instigator. No. You were always. You were trying to defend myself. Yes, exactly. Do you think in that scene where Bethany didn't call you the Countess before you guys entered the car, do you think she did that on purpose?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

No, no, no, it wasn't. It was Mrs. Della SAPS. It wasn't Countess. It was because, listen, I lived in Europe for a long time, right? Right. So I was not used to first name basis with any. You know what I mean? Somebody. I don't know. Right. So it was just a kind of a carryover from the lifestyle that I lived.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So, yeah, I'm Mrs. Della Saps. Hey, hey, hey. And Joe, this is Lou. I mean. No, yeah, I'm sorry. I know it looked like, you know. Oh, God, she's such a snob. But that's not. That's not who I am. I mean, in Europe, I'm Countess Dilla saps.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Not Mrs. Della Steps. I'm Countess Elsa. So, you know what I mean? I was not used to this familiarity just coming back to the States, you know, which is basically what happened.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And you spoke about obviously not including your family in the show, but was the Count and your children, like, were they so supportive of all of everything you were doing?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

They were. They were. I mean, you know, Noel did his little break dance number.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yes, of course.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Which he still regrets today. You know, we got Aston, our dog, on the show, you know, so, yeah, the kids have always been, you know, they played along.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

But I didn't put them in harm's way, of course. And the Count was like, if you showed up, it's like a miracle.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Right?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So. And, you know, I didn't want. I didn't want them to be on the show, really, because, you know, it was really about our relationships, you know, with the women.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And who.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So my relationship with the women, I should say.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Of course. And so you guys. You guys were all a friend group before filming started or did. Was any of them added? Like, how did that. Dynamics.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So. So how the show started is that I was at a party, actually. It was the movie premiere of Sicko with Michael Moore's movie. And I was with Tommy Hilfiger, who's a friend of mine, because he married a girlfriend of mine who's from Monaco, and D. And so anyway, so I'm with D. And. And then I see a guy buying shots, and I brought my niece with me. She's like 23 at the time. He's buying a shot for my niece. So I go, I go over there. I go, you buy a shot for her? You have to buy one for me then.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So. And his name was Bobby Zarin. And then he said, then I see a redhead coming my way. Hi, I'm Jill Sarin. And that's where I meet Jill.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Right. And so Jill and I hung out, like, the whole. I was fascinated by her because I'd never met anybody like that in my life.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

First of all, she's not just Jill. She's Jill Zarin from Long Island. And I just. I was like, whoa, she's incredible. And I just loved her personality. She's bubbly, full of life. She doesn't stop talking. And so not me, but I like people that are authentic, and Jill is authentic. Right. So she. Then I. You know, after we part, I had a card because I was, like, working on. Trying to build my television career in the States.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I was doing some specials for, like, CBS Morning shows and things like that. I did the Royal Windows at Bernie's with Simon Doonan. And so I did some spots for cbs. And I was trying to get my way back into television because I used to work for Italian television years ago. And. And so I give her my card, and Joe reaches out and she says, I've got a TV show I think you're going to be perfect for with. Come, come. So I meet the producers, and that's how I got on the Housewives.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, wow.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So it came to me, really, you know, just happened.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

So. So Jill kind of had her hand in forming the OG cast.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah. And then I, you know, but I knew Ramona kind of socially a little bit. I would see her here and there.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Uhhuh.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Bethany was brought in by Jill.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Got it.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Okay. She found a way in. Bethany, Alex and Simon, I think they. True. That is true.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Kind of your wannabe couple.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Right. And. And then they rented that shitty house in the Hamptons. Remember?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yes. And do you remember? Of course. You remember when they. When they were doing.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Trying to keep up with the Joneses? Well, it didn't work out so great.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Do you remember that?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Remember? And then they go into the opera or whatever they go to, and they're waiting for the photographers, and nobody's there, nobody cares. It's just too funny. And who else am I thinking? Who else are we missing?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I think. I think it was Sonia.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Sonya. Took three years for her to get right. She was terrified.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, she would. But she was asked initially.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

No. Oh, no. Sonya. Well, Maybe she was asked, but she didn't want to come on because she was scared and she saw how well it was going for us, and she jumped in in season three.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

That's where Sonya, Rita came along.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And do you remember Alex and Simon's house that was under construction and they kept having people over and it was like a literal construction hazard zone.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Right. It's like, this is why we go to restaurants in New York, you know.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

What'S your favorite restaurant in New York?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, it's really around the corner for me because I love. I love Italian food because I used to live in Milan and it's like the closest thing to Italy. It's called Bella Blue. I love Avra, like Bill Bouquet. There's, you know, got my little circle of restaurants that I love.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Of course. Okay. You wrote a book on etiquette in 2009. If you had to rewrite that book again today, what would be different and what would be the same?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I think everything would be the same. I would add a chapter for dating at this point in my life.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Okay. Amazing.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Right? So. And I'm working on an audiobook. Can you believe there's no audiobook For a class with the Countess?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

No.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

It's shameful. Yeah, we're working on it.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Are you excited?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I'm excited about that. And I'm going to add a little chapter which is about dating. At this point in life, do you.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Feel like all the rules still hold up?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Absolutely.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Which one do you think is the most important?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Money can't buy you class.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Cheers to that.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Cheers. Cheers. Eyes. You know, he knows when you toast, you have to look someone.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yes. What. What if you. If I said teach me how to be. How to have proper etiquette, what would be the first thing you would teach me?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, you know, etiquette really is about respect for others.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And I think the most important thing is, is being comfortable in your own skin. Right. Because if you're not comfortable, other people are going to feel your uncomfortable.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know what I'm saying? And that's, you know, when you walk into the room, you know, have a smile on your face and be comfortable with who you are.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

100.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I think it really starts with you. Right. And being comfortable. And so other people are comfortable. Right, Right. When you get to somebody's house, they're not, you know, everything's everywhere. They're not prepared the. You know what I'm saying?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

They're discombobulated and whatever. So, you know, that's not comfortable. Right. So a good host, they're ready for you to give you time, respect your time. Right. Which is to have a glass of champagne in your hands and, you know, and the music going. Because music sets the whole tone of my life.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

That's for me. I love music. It makes me happy.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Did you always know that you wanted to go into music, or did it just come to you?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, I've always been like. I recorded some cover songs years ago when I was even in Switzerland, married to the count and kids were young, so I was always, like, recording music, wanted to do stuff with music. In fact, when I did Money Camp by you class, I went to producer I was introduced to, and he goes, what do you want to sing about? I said, I don't know, but I just wrote a book. He goes, can I see it? So I hand him the book. And if you know my book, there's takeout lines everywhere.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Elegance is learned. You know, money can't buy. So he starts taking out these lines, and that's how money can't buy you classes made.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Is that. What is that one of your favorite songs you've ever written?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah, that and Giovanni.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, Giovanni. That's. That's his favorite.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And chic. And, you know, I love Viva la Diva. That's all about the Statue of Liberty. It's not really. I'm not the diva in it.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, Viva Diva is about the Statue of Liberty.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah. Because who's the biggest diva of them all?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

The Statue of Liberty.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Correct.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, my God. That's amazing.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Darling. I could. We could. I could teach you so many things.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Please. What else do you have to teach?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, I wish I had more. More, you know. You know, I wish I knew more back then that, you know, that I know now from, you know, years of experience. Right. Of people and television and, you know, knowing who to trust and not to trust and knowing, you know, who you want to have around you. Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

What do you. What is the one thing you really did wish you learned starting out when you were on TV on the first season of Housewives to now? Like, what is the one thing? If you could go back and be like, I wish I knew this back then.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

It's a good question. I wish I knew. Well, I don't know. That's a good question. I have to think about that one. Let's circle back.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Okay, we'll circle back.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Let's circle back on that question.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I have another question for you. Who do you think had the worst etiquette on the show? And who do you think had the best besides you.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I don't. You know, I'm gonna plead the fifth.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Okay, okay, okay.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I don't like to. You know what I mean? You see, there's, that's, that's what I'm talking about. That's why I've been around for so long.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Pleading the theft.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, that's what, you know, nobody likes to hear that they're not classy.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And, you know, and then I wrote chic.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

To follow up on classy.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

To follow up on money. Let's put it that way. You know, if you don't think you're great, nobody else will. Circling back to, you know, the housewives, the beginning.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, being in the position of whatever they say is their problem, not mine.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So, you know, maybe being affected by what others think of me. No, I'm not as effect as. You know, it takes time to get a thick skin.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And was it hard to get adjusted to that at first when you like, were you guys weren't prepared, right. For the onslaught of like, Bravo fans to come in, right. With like every opinion under the sun?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah, exactly. You know, we used to blog back then. We used to write blogs.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I remember it was like a big thing and people were like writing blogs and writing back at us and you know, it was like a whole, whole thing. We never expected. I, you know, we. How could you be prepared for that? It's like, it's like somebody having a child. You can't tell them how to prepare. You really can. It's very hard to, to, to, to school somebody on something that they've never experienced. Right. Same thing with housewives. You know, we learned as we went along, we had no idea that this was going to take off into a high speed train. Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

What do you think are like some of the key elements that makes a good housewife?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Someone who doesn't have fear. Right. If you have anxiety and fear, it's not a place for you.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, you have to listen. I've been, I've been at it for a long time and, you know, not being afraid to speak up, not being afraid to be who you actually are, you know, because. And I think a lot of housewives are like that. They're calculated and they're not going to show this part, not going to show that part. You know, I think being honest is the most important thing. Right. Within reason. Meaning protecting yourself and your family. But I think the camera doesn't lie. And I think a lot of People come on trying to be this person when they're really kind of that person. Do you know what I'm saying? So I think the most important thing to make a good housewife is really being forthright and honest.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Was there an arc or a housewife, you remember, that came on a certain type of way, and you knew that they weren't like that, and you were just waiting for the cameras to show who they really were. Do you ever remember a moment in.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Housewife history that I think Kelly, you know, I think Kelly. I don't think Kelly understood how to manage Bethany. For sure, not.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Because then we don't say, I'm here and you're there.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

To somebody who's trying to get there.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So, you know, I think that Kelly, you know, it took her a while. That's why I wanted to bring her back on Ultimate Girls Trip. You know, I. I blew her up. And he said, you know, wow, she's really doing great now. And, you know, she got her real estate license, she went back to school, very proud of what she's accomplished since the show. And so I wanted for. For fans to get another. I wanted to give Kelly another chance to redeem herself.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Were you upset when she initially left the show?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Was I upset? Well, I. You know, I. I think it was. It would have been better to keep her on.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

But I guess they, you know, maybe we're worried about how she would, you know, move forward.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, of course.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Of course. And so you.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And that was like 10 years. I mean, that was 10 years ago. I mean, she left after a couple seasons, right?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah, I think she left after Scary island, right? Yeah. I mean, that was the breaking point of it all. Of all. And you. And you really do feel like they bullied her on that trip, right?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

What. What makes you say that they bullied her?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, I don't think anybody really had her back.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So that, you know, when you have five girls are going, you know, it's. It's tough. We don't have one who's going like, hey, you know, she had nobody to talk to.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Right. So she had nobody to. To help her through it, navigate. And so I think it's very hard, you know, when you have five kids coming after you. Right?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And kids can be cruel.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And do any of them acknowledge now that what had happened was cruel? Like.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

No, I don't think so. I think that. I think that they. They're. They're used to each other's banter. You know, Kelly. Kelly was Just unprepared, you know, and. And who is prepared, right, for that kind of, you know, for. Jelly beans?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah. Oh, my God.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Jelly beans. Marshmallows. I don't know. What did you say? Jelly beans and whatever.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I think it was jelly beans, right?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Jelly beans.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah. Okay. Well, Mrs. Telesaps, I am so excited.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You can call me Luanda.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Okay. Or you.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Or, you know, most people like to call me Countess.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Okay. Countess.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

They just like throwing the title out there, right? Which is, you know, so you can call me Luann. Account is up to you.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Countess. What is it that you are therapist about today?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I'm looking at all your wards over there.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, well, they're all fake. They're all fake.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Is that Puss University? What?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yes, that's Puss University. So this is. This is.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, oh, that's where the little octopus comes in.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yes. This is Pasandra. That's Patrick.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, hello, Patrick.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yes. That's a queripus behind you. Oh, yes.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, and there's another one.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah, you can name. You can name them. I don't think they have a name.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, okay.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

You've reinvented yourself so many times. What is your advice for someone that is wanting to reinvent themselves or go down a different lane in life?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, we only have today, right? There's no yesterday and there's no guarantee of tomorrow. Right? So go out there and get it, whatever it is, you know, you got to grab life. Sorry, you have to take life, you know, by the horns, right? And just, you know, I like, I. I say that because, you know, I like to live life one moment at a time. And, you know, I. I don't really care about time. I just care about having a good time.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Well, yeah.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And what has been your favorite project that you've ever done? Whether it be Cabaret or the book or Housewives. Cabaret.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know what I love about cabaret? I get to do anything I want, meaning creatively, right? So I can sing whenever I want. I can say whatever I want. And I love that part because I pick music that I love. And then I go, okay, how am I going to get into that song? With a story. Because cabaret is about your story. It's a personal story. Life is a cabaret. Say that because we write our own story. Nobody writes it for you. It's you who writes it. So. So I pick a song that I love, and then I write the story that gets into the song that brings you in. And then I pick the perfect Giovanni dress to go along with it.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Of course.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Like when I sing Tina Turner. So I sing Tina what's Love Got to Do Got to Do With It. So I pick a dress, of course, that's fringy and really short and all legs. Right. So. So I have the most fun I have is creating my cabaret shows.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Amazing. And what was it like bringing that cabaret to the house, to the girls on the show? Like, did you feel as though they were welcoming to it or.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Hell, but that's how I got Giovanni.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Giovanni. Giovanni. Thank you, Dorinda.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Do you still talk to Dorinda?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Of course. Dee and I are very close. I love Dee.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Amazing. Amazing. Was she.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I'm due for a visit to the Berserk shirts.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, my God.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Without cameras.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I mean, that house was just the scene of so many.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, my God. Yeah, yeah. I mean, that scene where I end up sleeping with Bethany and Sonia in the same room.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I'm like, water. We had crazy water. We had such a crazy night. We were, like, dancing on the pool table. I mean, we had such a crazy night. And, you know, d always trying to make it nice.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Those were epic trips.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah, those. Those. Those were. Those were the trips.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Aside from Morocco, which was your trip, what was your favorite?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Probably, you know, even though I fell into the bushes, I don't care. It was Mexico, you know?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

That Mexico trip was great.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

So have you thought about what your therapist about?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

No. Should I have? Nobody gave me that note.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Well, you don't have to. Is there anything you're angry about today?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I'm therapist that I don't have a name for this cutie pie over here.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Oh, right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So we're gonna think of one.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

We'll think of one thing.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Of one.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

We'll think of one. Before John, my final question about housewives, just for you, was, what is the moment in the show that you remember being the most angry at the situation or being the most heated and in the moment during a fight?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, I mean, I love the scene in the Berkshire is where, you know, Bethany comes in with the same haircut, and then she's like in my face telling me how many guys that I slept with, which is so untrue. And I go, you need to get laid. And then I. I say, am I the Kim Cattrall, the family, or what? So that was one of my finest moments. And I think the fight we got into at a fashion show was probably one of the most heated.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

That I've had. And, you know, and everyone going, life is not a cabaret. Not everybody. Bethany in particular, you know, that was a terrible moment for me because they were all against me, right? And you know what? I just sat there and I said nothing, right? Then I just let her go off. And she looks crazy, right? And guess where I am. Living my best life. Doing cabaret all over the world.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

A hundred percent. What is your favorite place you've ever performed?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

London.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

London.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, my God. London. Tilda Swinton introduced me to the stage. That was like, you know what? I could fall down and die. I mean, I was dead. First of all, Tilda Swinton I met last year at Mighty Hoopla, which is a festival that I do. And she invited me to go to Scotland, which I did, and we became close friends. And then she sent me flowers. I was playing the Adelphi Theater in London, which is the home of Sunset Boulevard and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The most epic theater you can play. You know, that's like. That's Broadway, right? And so she sent me flowers saying, I'm gutted, darling, that I can't come tonight. I get to my dressing room and there she is with her entire family to surprise me. I was like a cat on a hot tin roof, you know, I was like this. I was like. And what a surprise, because nobody's ever surprised me like that.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I loved it. And you know, and then she would go on to introduce me to the stage. Tilda Swinton in London, introducing me. I mean, that was epic.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

That's incredible. That is. That's a pinch me moment for sure.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

That. That end singing with Natalie Cole, you know, on the Housewives. The same with Natalie Cole, you know. And, you know, that's where I really started Cabaret after that. And she passed away now. But I was very fortunate that I got to know her.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah. Wow.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Rest in peace, Natalie.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Congratulations on just everything.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

This is so fun.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

We're almost. We're not done yet.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, yet.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

So my favorite part of this show is the pussies. The people watching, they write in.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Is that money?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

They tell us what's wrong in their lives and we give them advice.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, gotcha.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And I think you would just do a fabulous job at it.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Okay. All right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

We just found out that one of our best friends was using her parents credit card to pay for group meals and was pocketing everybody's money for years.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

That is not cool. That's like all uncle. I mean, that's, you know, that's stealing.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

You think that's stealing?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, yeah.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Okay.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Right. I'm taking. I'm taking. Stealing from her parents, really?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

No, no, no. So I think what they're saying is she. Her parents would give her the card to pay for dinner.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, God.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And then she'd have all her friends pay her back, but just keep the money instead of giving it to her parents.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, yeah, that's stealing. That's what I call stealing.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So that's especially because the parents are like, treat your friends. And now she's putting the money in her pocket. That's. You know.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Do you think she should say, like, no, keep your money. Like, you don't need to pay me. Like, my parents are paying.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, I don't think she has to say anything.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Never complain and never explain, darling.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Oh.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Period.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Rules to live by.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Never complain and never explain.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Nobody wants to hear it.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Okay. A guy friend came to visit a girlfriend of mine, but spent the whole night flirting with me instead of called my eyes ethereal and said, I changed his life. For context, I'm also a guy. What does this mean?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

He's gay? No.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Or bisexual.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Or bisexual, sure. Okay.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I told a few close friends. I told a few close friends about a guy I really liked. A little bit later, one of them is now secretly dating him.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

That's. That's a broken girl code right there.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

That's what that song's all about.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Right. You broke the girl code. Right. That's about Heather.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

It's about Heather.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

It's about Heather and calling me out for having a guy.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Breaking the girl code.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah. I hated that she did that. It gave us a great moment, but I didn't think it was fair. Especially also when she's looking around and she's like, well, have you checked your watch?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

They were on a manhunt. You see them running around the house like maniacs because we had dudes over. Over. I'm like, really?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Was it that serious?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

No. I mean, there was a naked ass staring at them from the bathroom, but like I said, I would have been taking selfies myself.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right, right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Who? So do. Do you think Heather had the worst girl code on the show?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, I mean, I wrote that song based on that situation.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Which is, hey, girls, you know you're married. That's your problem, not mine.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah. My best friend says she hates my boyfriend, but flirts with him when I'm not around. I don't want to ruin our friendship, but I need her to stop. What is my course of action?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So her girlfriend is flirting with her guy.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah. But says she hates him too.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Says she hates him.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, that's just this up situation.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Get rid of her.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

You do you think just cut her off?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, it's one or the other. Somebody's got to go. Yeah, either it's the guy. Well, you know, if the guy's starting with your bestie, then that's not. That's a red, red flag.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

100. So a cut off maybe for one of them.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Somebody needs a timeout.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

My boyfriend peed the bed twice and lied about it, insisting.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I would like to.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Insisting it was just sweat. The second time I found out from his brother, not him. He says he's just embarrassed. But is that a reason to lie? It feels to me like a harmless lie.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah, it's. It's a white lie. Like. Like the pirate story, Right? White lie.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And white lies are okay.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Sometimes white lies are okay in order not to either offend somebody.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Hurt somebody or make them think less of you.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Sometimes lies are a defense mechanism.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Absolutely.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So I wouldn't want anybody to know. Right, right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

That I peed the bed.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Of course. Right. I mean, like Sonia, she wore diapers because she didn't want anybody to know that she shared her pants. After the Cartagena trip, we all got diarrhea was terrible. That Cartagena trip nobody knows about. And I talk about that in my show too, because that we almost got killed on that book. But, you know, I feel like people don't know that episode from Cartagena. You know what I mean? That scene where we're all, you know, we get almost killed on a boat and then we all have diarrhea. Ramona on the floor, so he's wearing diapers. You know, half of us, our beds. I mean, it was terrible. It's terrible. That trip. We got food poisoning on the island as well. Not only got killed on the boat, we got food poisoning. I mean, what a trip from hell.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, my God. I had a two day worldwind vacation romance with a guy that I truly vibed with. We met each other's families. Then 30 minutes before I left, he told me he had a girlfriend, but that he's still down to text. I kind of want to, but would that be his fault or mine?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, God, what was this story again?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

She fell in love with. She fell in love with a guy.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And then after they were on vacation with their family.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

It was a two day world.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Mutual families on vacation with a guy she's dating.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And then he told her at the end of the two days, oh, I, by the way, I have a girlfriend. And she's like, but I don't want to stop texting him. So would that be my fault or his?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

He says, she says he. He doesn't want to stop texting her. She says both.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

It goes both ways.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

It goes with it.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

But he has a girlfriend.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Well, either you're down that the dude has a girlfriend, or you're not.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

So I would say maybe she shouldn't and tell him, like, you need to break up with her in order.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah. I feel like, you know, when you're. When you're done with her, then send me a text.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah. Great advice.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Right?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

That's what I think, too.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

My friend keeps telling me she's in a manipulative relationship, but when she tells me her problems, it kind of sounds like she's the manipulator. Should I keep it real with her? Yeah, I also think so.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Yeah. I mean, you got to call people out if you're friends.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And if you don't give a. Then you don't call people out, because who cares? But if it's somebody you care about and you notice that they keep doing this, you know, it's like people with negative energy. You know, you're. You have optimists, you have pessimists, you know?

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I have a story. So there's an optimistic and a pessimist. Pessimistic and an optimistic mosquito. They both go to the same party.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Okay.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And the pessimist says, the mosquito goes, oh, that party was terrible. The food was awful. In fact, when I arrived, people were trying to kill me. And the optimist says, I went to that same party. I thought the food was delicious. In fact, when I arrived, everybody started clapping. Right. So there's two ways of looking at life. Right?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And. Yeah. I don't know where we're going with that. I forgot.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

It's a beautiful story.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

It's a beautiful story.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So be optimistic. And. Yeah.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Go. Yeah. Do you feel as though the show taught the housewives, taught people how to confront their issues instead of hiding it or.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

I think that. Yeah. I think a certain way because, you know, you get called out, and then. Right.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

It calls you out or. Or somehow you call yourself out. Right. So I think it's a. It's a way. You know, listen, I feel like the housewives. It's a living photo album of my life. Right. I see my children grow up. I see, you know, Aston getting older. I see myself getting divorced. I see my old house, which I don't own anymore. I have a new house in the Hamptons, and, you know, so I just feel like there's so many. I feel like that I get to learn from watching myself, like, I can't believe I said that or I can't believe I didn't say that.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You know, I should have chimed in, you know, but there's no shoulda, woulda, coulda. Right, right. So. But it's, you know, you learn from watching yourself after all these years, like how to be better at it, which is how to be a better human, how to be a better friend, how to be a better, you know, wingman.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And that's what you get to do on your new show, Love Hotel.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Love Hotel, exactly. And, and I, I love that show because it's so different from the Housewives. We're there to be each other's wingmen, we're there to support each other and, you know, have a lot of fun along the way. And, you know, and this is why I love cabaret is because, you know, I get to talk about all my experience. I get to share stories that people don't know. Like you. I'm sure you learned a lot about me today.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I did, absolutely did.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And so, and that's what happens at my cabaret. You know, people are like, like, oh, because you never get to see my cabaret on the show. It's always the drama surrounding my cabaret. So you don't. And of course music rights. So they're not going to pay for me to sing. You know, I sing Tears for Fears now. I sing a lot of different music aside from my, you know, my classics. And so you never really get to see my cabaret show. So when people come to my show, they're like, omg, this is an amazing show because I work really hard at cabaret and, and I work with the best people in the business. You know, Richard J. Alexander is my director. He works, he works, worked with Kristen Chenoweth, Barbra Streisand and you know, Bette Midler to name a few. So I get to work with people who are really talented. My musical director, Brian Nash, my drummers, they've been around since 2018, since I started Cabaret.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Right.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

So now it's really, it's a well oiled machine and I love it because I just keep on changing it up because I'm, I'm not gonna do the same show. No. Right. So next season or next season, next iteration will be more about love in the Love Hotel. But I want the fans to see the show first and then when I go out back on tour in 2026, it'll be more about what happened in that show.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Is there anything you're nervous about people seeing in that show, or are you just excited?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

No, I'm not. You know, I. I had a great time, so I had a lot of fun. I. I really. I feel like I was myself, and. And it turns out great.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I'm so excited to watch it.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Thank you, darling.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Before I let you go. Yes, Countess, what did we learn today?

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

What did you learn today?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I learned that elegance really does come from within, and it comes from how comfortable you are in your own skin. You can't make other people. And elegance is all about making other people comfortable.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Exactly.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And you cannot make other people comfortable if you yourself are not comfortable.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Exactly.

[Co-host or guest participant]

Yeah.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

And if you don't think you're hot, nobody else will.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

A hundred percent. Well, Countess luann De Lesseps, thank you, Jay. Thank you so much for coming on there.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, we never named. We never named them.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, yes. I'm gonna call her Diva Lou.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Deva Lou. All right, well, do you want.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

You're the Statue of Liberty. You just don't know it yet, but sure.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Divaloo, do you want to give a little bye.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Oh, bye. Oh, I'm in the wrong camera.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh, that one right there.

[Countess Luann de Lesseps]

Just this. Oh, bye. Cat. Cats. Cats. No. Bye. Yeah, keep on serving.