The Twot Seat: KATIE GINELLA (RHOC)

Summary

Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge

Episode: The Twot Seat: Katie Ginella (RHOC)

Date: September 4, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode features Teddi Mellencamp interviewing Katie Ginella, the divisive and often-discussed cast member from The Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC). The conversation dives deep into Katie’s experiences as both a “rookie” and a source of controversy, her relationships with fellow Housewives, her navigation of on- and off-camera drama, and personal challenges she’s faced—especially as a mother and woman of color joining a long-tenured ensemble cast.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Coping with Hate, Embracing the Chaos (03:49–04:13)

• Teddi shares her own history of being unpopular as a Housewife and encourages Katie to “embrace it and enjoy it.”
• Katie admits she’s not quite at the point of enjoying the role of “villain,” but is learning to lean into it.

“If anyone knows rough, I can tell you I was probably the most hated human there actually was as a housewife... I embraced it.”
—Teddi Mellencamp (03:53)

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Casting, Friend Dynamics & Bringing in Allies (04:18–05:13)

• Katie talks about wanting to bring her real-life friend Noreen on the show if asked back, noting how having actual allies changes everything.
• Discusses the role of friendship on the show, mentioning feisty real-life friends and how alliances can impact your experience.

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Jen: Friend or Foe? (05:13–06:44)

• Katie opens up about feeling hurt by Jen, who she thought was a friend but repeatedly failed to support her both on and off camera.
• Teddi comments on Jen’s "pretend amnesia" and her self-preservation, suggesting Jen avoided the “second season curse” by throwing Katie under the bus.

“Every single time you ask her for backup, she's never there.”
—Teddi Mellencamp (05:56)

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Anticipating Audience & Cast Reactions (06:44–07:13)

• Katie reveals she approached the season expecting negativity, only to be surprised by fan support.
• Shares how herself and her partner Matt even joked about going into hiding due to feared backlash.

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The Heather Dubrow Paparazzi Incident Revisited (07:13–08:15)

• Teddi and Katie dissect the infamous “Heather Paparazzi” drama.
• Katie admits regret—not over what was said, but the timing, and tracks how she was encouraged (even pressured) by cast members like Gina to bring things up.

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Maneuvering Manipulation & “Coaching” (08:18–09:14)

• Katie recalls initially bonding with Gina, only to realize Gina was “coaching” her for her own agenda. Matt, Katie’s husband, saw through this; Katie admits her own people-pleasing tendencies made her vulnerable.

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Personal Struggles: Divorce, Domestic Violence, and Motherhood (09:46–11:23)

• Sensitive segment where Katie discusses her difficult divorce, surviving domestic violence, temporarily losing custody, and the pain of being painted as a “bad mother” at the reunion.
• She describes homelessness, seeking help from friends and shelters, and her desperate attempt to survive and keep her family together.

“I was literally homeless. I was seeking help of a shelter in Atlanta... The fact that it came out like, ‘you're a bad person’—that hurt.”
—Katie Ginella (10:08)

• Katie’s daughter faced severe online hate, including death threats, after controversial storylines aired (12:20–12:53).

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Housewife Rookie Mistakes & The Challenge of Group Dynamics (11:23–11:43)

• Katie acknowledges making “rookie mistakes” and never acting with malicious intent—much of her trouble came from being overwhelmed when “six vs. one” (11:41).

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The “Bravo Babe” Call Controversy (13:10–14:09)

• Katie explains her botched attempts to prove she hadn’t called “Bravo Babe” — ultimately realizing she did, but it was via Instagram audio, not phone, a lapse she owned up to.

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The Art of Conflict & Resolution in Reality TV (14:09–15:00)

• Teddi underscores what makes compelling reality TV: not endless conflict, but the trajectory from conflict to resolution.

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The Shannon Voice Memo Scandal (20:03–22:06)

• Katie admits to recording a voice memo of Shannon screaming (meant to share privately with her husband, not to weaponize). Clarifies she never showed it to Alexis; only discussed its existence.
• Teddi pushes Katie to stand firmer for herself, instead of seeming evasive, which “makes it seem like it’s a lie.”

“Sometimes things are moving so fast... It's like watching a tennis match a lot of times.”
—Katie Ginella (22:23)

• Katie describes the pressure from both production and cast to “make amends” and “move forward” even when it wasn’t genuine, leading her to over-apologize and lose her footing (23:09–23:48).

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The Gretchen, Slade, Sheena & Kiki Rumor Web (24:28–28:55)

• Teddi asks about complicated rumors involving dinner parties, gossip, and shifting blame over incendiary remarks (the “naked wasted”/roofie storyline).
• Katie confirms details: Gretchen was talking about Tamra at a dinner, stories were swirling, but at no point was she told not to repeat something—yet she became collateral damage.
• Katie reveals suspicion around Gretchen and Sheena’s possible orchestration of information leaks and emphasizes the difficulty of keeping stories straight as alliances swirl.

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Lie Detector Party: Setup or Just Drama? (43:51–44:26)

• Teddi and Katie both agree the infamous lie detector test was a “setup,” designed to target Katie.
• Katie discusses how real polygraph tests are not as presented on TV (“not in Emily’s closet”), and that the administrators were not certified in California.

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Navigating Identity & Representation (40:42–43:36)

• Katie addresses criticism that she didn’t “claim” her Asian heritage enough on the show. She explains she purposely highlighted Asian brands in her looks but wasn’t interested in tokenizing her identity for the cameras or looking for approval, especially from castmates like Gina.

“I am not looking to Gina for advice on how to be Asian or how Asian I need to be.”
—Katie Ginella (41:03)

• Katie’s stylists even made a TikTok defending her approach, highlighting Asian designers behind many of her best looks.

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What’s Next: Returns, Apologies, and the Reunion (45:29–47:32)

• Katie expresses her hurt over being “used” and “set up,” feeling owed apologies, and not sure if she’ll return next season.
• Puts the onus on the reunion for any real resolution, and both hosts poke fun at Housewives’ cliché phrases: “my truth.” (46:14)

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Cast Dynamics, Possible Returns, and Public Personas (47:04–52:15)

• Gina has stated she wouldn’t return if Katie does; Katie downplays the threat (“I don’t think I’m that scary”).
• Teddi comments that Katie just needs a “real friend” on the show.
• They each admit to judging others based on TV personas, only to find people different in person.

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Closing Thoughts & Advice (53:16–54:14)

• Teddi encourages Katie to “fight for yourself” more at the reunion and gives her permission to “channel Nene Leakes” if needed.
• Katie shares how her professional background (golf, a conservative field) made her cautious, but she promises to be more assertive moving forward.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I was probably the most hated human there actually was as a housewife...I embraced it.”
  —Teddi Mellencamp (03:53)
• “If you had her [Noreen], and then she bonded with somebody else...Jen’s no friend to you. Do you think she is?”
  —Teddi Mellencamp (05:13)
• “I want people to like me... I am a people pleaser, thousand percent.”
  —Katie Ginella (09:36)
• “[About the voice memo] I didn’t want to do that... but it was very erratic. It was screaming. Her glam team had been waiting for her for over an hour...”
  —Katie Ginella (21:35)
• “You need to go into the reunion and be like, Jen, there isn’t a glimmer of hope that I forgot that you heard this conversation!”
  —Teddi Mellencamp (35:15)
• “Don’t say ‘my truth’ because that sounds like it’s a lie.”
  —Katie Ginella (46:33)
• “I really think that on one side...it would probably be me, Heather and Tamra, and the other side, everyone else.”
  —Katie Ginella, on reunion seating (49:41)
• “I do need to fight more for myself, but I also feel like I need time to show who I am... they actually don’t know anything about me.”
  —Katie Ginella (50:54)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:49–05:13: Navigating “villain” status and forming alliances
• 05:13–06:44: Jen’s loyalty and failings as a friend
• 06:44–07:13: Katie’s expectations vs. reality of audience reception
• 07:13–08:15: The Heather Dubrow storyline revisited
• 09:46–11:23: Personal struggles—divorce, domestic violence, mothering through adversity
• 13:10–14:09: The Bravo Babe call controversy
• 20:03–22:06: Shannon’s voice memo controversy dissected
• 24:28–28:55: The “Gretchen, Slade, Sheena, Kiki” web and naked wasted rumor origins
• 43:51–44:26: Lie detector test house party “setup” revealed
• 40:42–43:36: The Asian identity and brand representation conversation
• 49:41–50:54: Reunion seating speculation and the need for a true friend

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Tone & Style

This episode balanced sharp Housewives analysis, supportive guidance (“fight for yourself more!”), raw vulnerability (personal trauma, online abuse), and playful shade typical of RHOC culture. The vibe felt confessional and direct, with Teddi often giving tough love and Katie alternating between candor and self-doubt—but both showing humor and self-awareness throughout.

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Takeaways for Listeners

• Katie Ginella is learning to own her place on RHOC, despite setbacks, betrayals, and moments of regret.
• The world of Housewives is fraught with shifting alliances, off-camera strategizing, and pressure to both entertain and resolve.
• Personal histories and off-screen realities profoundly impact what audiences see—but not always in obvious ways.
• To survive and thrive as a Housewife, fighting for oneself and seeking real-life friendships, not just show alliances, is essential.

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Transcript

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[Teddi Mellencamp]

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[Katie Janella]

Teddi Mellencamp and Tamara Judge.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Hi, guys. Welcome to another episode of 2 teasing pod with myself, Patty Mellencamp and Katie Janilla. I am so excited to have you here.

[Katie Janella]

Thanks for inviting me, really.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Thanks for coming on in.

[Katie Janella]

Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I know it's been rough for you.

[Katie Janella]

Yes.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

If anyone knows rough, I can. I can tell you I was. I was probably the most hated human there actually was as a house. It's actually okay. I embraced it.

[Katie Janella]

Okay. I. I need your advice.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Embrace it.

[Katie Janella]

Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And enjoy it. It becomes fun.

[Katie Janella]

It's enjoyable.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yes. Okay.

[Katie Janella]

Well, I'm waiting for that. I.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

We just. We just need you. A couple good friends on the show, and then it won't matter.

[Katie Janella]

Well, I mean, I put in my stories the other day. It's so funny. If I'm asked back and if I can bring someone on, my friend Noreen is literally perfect for this show. She's been.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Noreen Dewarf. Yes, I know her.

[Katie Janella]

How do you know her?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I know her because back in the day, I used to work at CAA or UTA in the mail room. And she was a client.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yes.

[Katie Janella]

She's an actual actress. She did 100 episodes of anger Management with Charlie Sheen. She's been in movies. She's. She's incredible.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And she's feisty.

[Katie Janella]

So feisty. That girl could read anyone down.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

That's what I'm saying.

[Katie Janella]

And she's a dear friend of mine. Her husband and Matt are dear friends. Her husband was in the NHL for 19 years.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. Is this her second husband or first husband?

[Katie Janella]

Second, but I was gonna say I.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Think I knew her first.

[Katie Janella]

Yeah, her first. They were married very briefly.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

But she lives down the street from my first husband. I want to think mine was brief, but it wasn't. But she's amazing and a real friend. An actual one.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So if you had her and then she bonded with somebody else.

[Katie Janella]

And Jen know each other well?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Jen's no friend to you. Do you think she is.

[Katie Janella]

I think she thought she was, but I'm very, very, very hurt.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I mean, I said to Erica, I'm like, she has the worst case of pretend amnesia I've ever seen.

[Katie Janella]

Well, I remember, like, looking back now, I don't know if you remember this, but towards the beginning of the season, on the way down to the Golden Door.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

I said, I heard you called me a con artist. Did you call me that? And she was like, well, I don't know, but if I did, I'm sorry. And I was like, no, Jen, did you, like, just say, I didn't call you that? Like, did it doesn't sound like anything you would say, you know, and that. I was kind of like, well, that's weird. Like, if you didn't say it, why wouldn't you just say, I didn't say it?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You know, the other thing is, if you didn't say it, why not say it? But every single time you ask her for backup, she's never there.

[Katie Janella]

And I do. Yes. And I do remember last year, I went in for her a little bit. You know, every interview I was talking about how people need to leave her and Ryan alone because they were getting blasted with things from last year.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But I think she went into this season. She had a good fan reaction last year.

[Katie Janella]

She did. She's very lovable.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She's very lovable. So then I think she went in and she was like, I'm not messing that up. I'm not doing it in the second season curse. I'm giving it to Katie. I did get it.

[Katie Janella]

I got it. I do think she didn't want to go down with the. This sinking ship.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah, she didn't want to go down with this ship. All right, so going into the season, did you anticipate the fan reaction that you got or.

[Katie Janella]

No, Teddy, I was. I literally told Matt. I said this yesterday in press. We need to go in hiding. Like, I think we should move to Ireland. No, we'll go into the middle of nowhere in Matt's, like, where his grandfather's land is. Great grandfather. We'll just live there in that little shack. Like, let's just go into hiding. I think people are going to hate me. People think I was like, oh, I can't wait, and the fans are gonna love me. I thought the opposite. I am actually shocked by the love I'm getting.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah, well, I. I think that, you know something, I want to kind of take it back a little bit.

[Katie Janella]

Okay.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I don't want to start with exactly what's happening right now. But let's take it back a season. We go back when you brought up the Heather paparazzi stuff.

[Katie Janella]

Yes.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Do you regret that?

[Katie Janella]

Yes and no. Yes. Because I think the timing wasn't good. It was very fresh and new in the season, and maybe I should have waited on that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

But I was being told to bring it up. And if you notice, if you look back, I actually only talk about it one time. Everyone else talks about it. Gina was encouraging me in text and calls. Bring it up, bring it up. And I did. And she was like, you should tell her. I'm gonna tell her. So I did. And then she's like, I told you not to say anything. And I was like, wait, what? You literally told me to say it. And I. Again, I thought it was a silly, funny thing.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

Like, who cares if you did, you did. You were going through bad realization.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Was a Heather Dubrow thing.

[Katie Janella]

I don't know Heather Dubrow.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Right.

[Katie Janella]

I really don't know her. So I didn't realize it was going to be.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Would you still say that you still don't know her?

[Katie Janella]

I still don't know her.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

No. I don't know. I don't know most of the cast.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Who would you say? I mean, because we can't say Jen, but who would you say you feel like a true connection with in the group?

[Katie Janella]

Well, it varies. In the beginning, it was Gina. I thought she was being genuine. She met my two best friends before we started filming. And my two best friends were like, she's great. She's. She's a fun girl. She's very outgoing. She's very witty and quick. And my friends are like, you're in good hands. We're not worried. You're gonna do great. And then towards the middle, they were like, what the fuck?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You didn't realize she was coaching you?

[Katie Janella]

I did not.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

At what point did you realize she was coaching you?

[Katie Janella]

Well, I got. Okay, so the night before that golf party that I had.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

She was on speakerphone. We were talking about what I was going to say to Heather, because I was going to bring it up to Heather. Okay. She was like, okay, this is what I think you should say. And I hung up with her. And Matt goes, she's using you. Yeah, she. She's using you, Katie. And I was like, matt, you don't know what you're talking about. I'm with this woman now five days a week. I don't think she's like that. And he was like, katie, I'm telling you right now, stop talking to me.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So Matt can read people and you can't.

[Katie Janella]

We do that for each other.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I think.

[Katie Janella]

I think we do that for each other. When people are harsh with him, I'm like, f that guy. You know, I think we do that for each other. But, no, he always tells me, katie, you can't save every animal. You know, I am trying. I think it goes back to, like, being adopted and wanting to be included. I think I try to. Oh, you're in trouble.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You want people to like you and you want.

[Katie Janella]

I am a people pleaser. You're a people thousand percent. And it. It's. That's why I stayed married to my first husband so long.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

How long were you married to him?

[Katie Janella]

Legally?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

Ten years, I think.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Because this brings us back to your feud with Emily. Got a little dark at the reunion when she brought up your previous domestic violence incident and how that affected the custody with your kids. Matt said on a podcast that you had to be picked up off the floor after. So can you give me a little more insight on that?

[Katie Janella]

Yeah, I. I don't want to talk.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

About it, really, but I can see you getting emotional now.

[Katie Janella]

I know. I just. I hate talking about. I. I hate that it makes me look like a bad mother, but really, it was just a really horrible time of life, and I was just trying to survive. And so I. I was literally homeless. I was seeking help of a shelter in Atlanta. Now, I can say that. I know I can say that outside facility. And they were very great. I didn't have help from my family. I had a couple of girlfriends that helped me. But the fact that it came out like, you're a bad person, that hurt.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

Because then I got them back, you know, and.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And clearly they love you. Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

I mean, we're going through stuff right now with my son Max, who's in Atlanta, so you'll have to see, I guess, what happens with that. But that hurt. I don't think that that was necessary.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Right.

[Katie Janella]

You know, but also, they didn't really know the context because they never asked.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

In the season because so often people ask questions just in hopes for having. Being able to have a good response instead of actually listening to what you had to say.

[Katie Janella]

Right. And that was my qualm the whole time. Like when I. I, like my boards were jumbled inviting people to buy this season. But I was really wanting to say, let's get to know each other. I think that if you actually knew who I was, you wouldn't hate me so much.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

You know, I made a Lot of rookie mistakes. I'm not denying that I did.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

And I wish I could go back and change a lot of things, but I didn't mean it. There was no crazy, malicious intent.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah, I don't feel like you're malicious. I feel like sometimes you look scared or like a deer in headlights.

[Katie Janella]

Yeah, well, when it's six verse one.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

That's not something I've ever dealt with.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah, no, I get it. I get it. When you began filming this season, did you expect Emily was gonna apologize to you?

[Katie Janella]

I know. I was hoping she would, that we could move forward because we did have good moments last season. Um, and my daughter loved her kids, by the way.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

Loved her kids. So I was hoping we can move forward. Maybe Kylie never babysit again, but us be friendly. But no, I didn't think she was. And I. I really hope she does, though.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

How was your daughter affected by all this?

[Katie Janella]

Now? She didn't really want to film this season. You don't see her. Yeah, well, she was in Korea for a while, but also she didn't really want to because when all that came out last year, she got death threats.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

Big time ones. And. And she's an influencer. Before any of this housewife stuff, she was an influencer. She has hundreds of thousands of followers. She makes more money than I do on partnership, way more money than I do. And she is hustling. She's fantastic. She's smart. She's in college. She helps me with Bandon. Like, she's an amazing human being. And she was getting online. It's crazy.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It's crazy how it happens.

[Katie Janella]

I know.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And then once it happens and then there's just a pile on and it just gets worse and it feels like it doesn't go away. That I completely get. So then we get to this season. We come into this season, and you and Tamara are arguing on whether or not you called the Bravo babe.

[Katie Janella]

Correct.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And you're not showing a receipt. You don't have reception.

[Katie Janella]

Okay, can I just say something about this?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yes.

[Katie Janella]

When Tamara said, did you call her? My immediate thought was, and I don't think they showed this in the episode, was, I don't have that girl's number. What are you talking about? I don't know her. What's her. I don't even know her name. And so after coming home from the Golden Door, yes, I was texting and driving, but I was looking in my AT and T app and I was, like, looking at the date that all that happened with the Bravo Babe. And I was like, look, if I can go back to my cell phone records and show who I called, you know, the three days before, the three days after, the day of, I can prove I never called this girl. Right?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Right.

[Katie Janella]

So I went back to her and my DMs, and I looked at the date and then I saw the audio.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh.

[Katie Janella]

And I was like, fuck. I did call her on Instagram. I completely spaced. It was like, oh, no. So I went home. The next morning, I had a scene with Shannon. I told the producers, I gotta talk to Tamara. I need to tell her. I need to, like, be like, hey, I figured it out. And luckily, she was very kind about it. Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And that. And that's exactly what we want when we watch a housewife show is conflict and resolution. We don't want this, like, drawn out situation, which I think is happening.

[Katie Janella]

I think you should make a TED Talk about that to my cast mate, maybe.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. I mean, I think that we're going to get there. I think we're going to get somewhere today. I know that there's concern whenever anybody does a podcast, like, oh, no, this is just going to draw more hate. But I think there's parts that just haven't been talked about. And I think I haven't heard it as a viewer. Now I'm a viewer and a podcaster and, like, I watch more housewives than probably anybody at this point. Here's the thing about being a great gift giver. When you find something truly perfect for everyone on your list, you almost don't want to give it away.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Teddi Mellencamp]

Quince pretty much has your whole list covered. Mongolian cashmere sweaters for $50 when you'd normally pay $200 or more. The kind you'll wear on repeat.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Teddi Mellencamp]

The Italian wool coats, absolute top of my list. They look designer and are made with premium materials. But like everything at Quint's, the price won't make you panic. We're talking way less than other brands charge.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Teddi Mellencamp]

I can't tell you how much I'M loving my new cashmere sweater. I will be wearing it a lot this holiday season and getting one for my daughter. Slate Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince.

[Commercial Announcer]

Go to Quince.com Tamra for free shipping on your orders and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com Tamara to get free shipping and 365 day returns.

[Commercial Announcer]

Quince.com Tamra sandals and beaches Resorts offer their best all inclusive value in the Caribbean through their all in one pricing. Located across the Caribbean's most stunning islands, Sandals Adults Only Resorts offers immersive experiences, gourmet dining, plus both land and water activities including paddy certified scuba diving, golf and pickleball. Families love beaches resorts where kids enjoy water parks and parents unwind at the Red Lane SPA. And coming March 2026, beaches Turks and Caicos is set to unveil their latest village, Treasure Beach. There's no better place to experience the Caribbean than at resorts founded by a family from the Caribbean. Visit sandals do or beaches.com for the best all inclusive resorts and offers.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

If there's anything as perfectly dramatic and totally engrossing as reality tv, it might be the procedural shows on primetime TV right now.

[Commercial Announcer]

Specifically all of the shows from the One Chicago Universe.

If you're a fan of one of.

Their shows, then there's a new podcast you'll want to check out called the One Chicago Podcast from USG Audio and Wolf Entertainment. When it comes to tv, there's something.

So satisfying about knowing how the sausage gets made.

From cheeky production choices to plot lines and the reactions of the fan base, the One Chicago Podcast is all that and more. It's the official behind the scenes look at the iconic shows from the One Chicago Universe, Chicago pd, Chicago Med, and of course, Chicago Fire.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

In each episode joins host and former Chicago Cop turned Chicago PD producer Brian Lucci. And he is joined by the actors, producers and writers behind the epic One Chicago Universe to listen to the One.

[Commercial Announcer]

Chicago Podcast, Search for One Chicago Podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. That's One Chicago Podcast.

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Before all the algorithm fed blah and the endless sea of dupes, shopping used to feel more, well, fun. But here's a confession, Dirty Rush listeners. You can find that fun feeling again on ebay. It's not mindless scrolling. It's a fashion pursuit. I love using filters for condition and price saving searches and spotting verified listings. It makes shopping feel smart and exciting again. And when you score that rare Adidas collab or that Dior saddlebag you've been manifesting, it's a rush. Ebay has millions of pre loved finds from hundreds of brands backed by ebay's authenticity guarantee. EBay. Things people love.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Let's dig into some additional questions. Okay, you again. Then denied filming Shannon before admitting recording her. Why'd you deny? Just fear or.

[Katie Janella]

Let me think back to that. I don't remember denying I did it. I denied that I played it for Alexis.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Right.

[Katie Janella]

It wasn't a video. It was a voice memo to my husband. Okay. And I sent it to Matt right then.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But then you also showed Alexis.

[Katie Janella]

No, I did not. You did not? No, we talked about it at lunch.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So you told her about it?

[Katie Janella]

I told her about it 100% I did. And Jen was at that lunch. I've never had lunch with Alexis alone. I'd never been alone with Alexis.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So you told her about a voice what in the first place? I mean, we all know that Shannon gets a bad rap for some of her behavior to production and whatnot. On the way she behaves. Do you think she gets a pass for some of her dramatic outbursts?

[Katie Janella]

I think so. I think we all get passes for certain things.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

Well, maybe not me, but I was.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Gonna say, what are yours?

[Katie Janella]

I feel like I'm pretty nice to production. You know, I may have met someone recently that worked with her on a show in Cabo and kind of backed me up on this. Yeah, it was never to, like, expose her. There's 11, I think, years of her exposing herself. Yeah, I don't need to. There doesn't need to be a 30 second voice memo.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

What was she saying? That she Even gave you the thing of, like, I need to record this.

[Katie Janella]

I don't want to say because I don't want to. I don't want to do that. But it was very erratic. It was screaming, literally screaming. Her glam team had been waiting for her for over an hour. She was late maybe even two hours. And it was just the most outrageous thing.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It was just. You were more gossiping with Matt.

[Katie Janella]

Correct. And I mentioned this recently, and I found out that I'm not the only one that recorded her in that room because it was so outrageous.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. So how come you didn't just say, yeah, I recorded you?

[Katie Janella]

What did I say?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You kind of beat her on the bush a little bit. Like, that's. It's kind of. That's the part that gets me. Because I. I mean, right? I love you. I think that honestly, watching this back, I'm like, fight for yourself a little bit.

[Katie Janella]

No, you're totally right, Teddy. And I think sometimes things are moving so fast in these scenes that I'm like, wait, what? It's like watching a tennis match a lot of times. And even with the, like, Alexis hearing aid, it's a video. And I was like, wait, what? What? What? Like. And the Bravo babe stuff, I kind of space out.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay.

[Katie Janella]

And I think some. Like, at the Golden Door, I had taken my anxiety medicine and it made me a stump.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

I sat there like this, like, glare. No glare. Like I was nothing. And I was like, okay, maybe I shouldn't take that anymore. Or no food.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

That's the thing.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like, sometimes I think, like, I'm like, you have the right. Okay, so you have the right to fight for yourself a little bit. And sometimes I feel like you just sit there and you take it and.

[Katie Janella]

You'Re like, okay, okay. But I was.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But then that makes it seem like It's a lie.

[Katie Janella]

100%. I can see that. I can see how you think that. I was being told at the beginning of the season by some production people that are very kind and also the women, you need to make amends. You need to say you're sorry. You need to make this right. You can't just have Jen. So my thinking going into all this is okay. I just need to apologize so we can move forward. I need you to admit I'm wrong so we can move forward. So that's what I was doing. So I'm in my head, like, do I say the thing that I'm thinking, or do I do what I'm being told to make amends? Because this show is about conflict and resolution. Right. And if they're thinking that, I'm at the.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So you didn't really believe some of the amends that you were making and you were. No.

[Katie Janella]

I do feel bad for hurting people, even if it's indirectly.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Right.

[Katie Janella]

Like if I said something about you and it hurt you and you said like, katie, that was shitty, I'd be like, I'm sorry that I hurt you. Like that. I do mean that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Right.

[Katie Janella]

I'm owed.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Right. But I'm sorry that I hurt you. Just pro tip for the. For the reunion. I'm sorry that I hurt you for saying it like that.

[Katie Janella]

Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Doesn't really feel like an apology.

[Katie Janella]

You're right.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But if you just say, hey, I'm really sorry. I care about you. I messed up.

[Katie Janella]

I said that to Shannon multiple times. You did.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay. Okay, so now we gotta get into the rest of it. So I'm gonna first start out with a rumor that I heard.

[Katie Janella]

Oh God. Okay.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay. Because we're gonna get into the Kiki Monique of it all. So I heard a rumor. So there isn't one part of me, and correct. Correct me anywhere that I'm wrong. There isn't a part of me that doesn't believe that you went out to dinner with Jen Ryan, Gretchen Slade, and all this was talked about.

[Katie Janella]

It was.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It was. So we'll get into the gin of it all in a minute. But what I was told. Who knows if this is true, But I was told that Gretchen and Sheena are very tight.

[Katie Janella]

Yes.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And that Sheena told Kiki.

[Katie Janella]

I have heard that from multiple people too.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay. So I'm glad that we got that figured out. So, you know, I heard that they are very tight. So there's multiple sources that could have told Kiki.

[Katie Janella]

There is an account that was created just for this. I was sent.

[Commercial Announcer]

What?

[Katie Janella]

Uh huh. I'll send it to you if you would like me to. And actually they sent it to Matt and Matt sent it to me and he was like, this is how it makes sense. And it was Sheena. There's clips of Sheena calling Gretchen with Kiki on their podcast together saying, how do we get you back on the show? How do we do this? And. And it's also. It's this. This stream of like 20 slides of how it makes sense that it. Yeah, allegedly was them.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Because I heard that you said on Vial files. You what? What did you say? I'll die on.

[Katie Janella]

I'll die on that. I didn't tell Kiki.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You didn't tell Kiki? But you do gossip with Kiki.

[Katie Janella]

Yeah, about myself. I was sitting at that lunch, and she knew about the episodes that I hadn't even seen.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay.

[Katie Janella]

She had seen screeners that I hadn't even been given. And I was. It was before we filmed the reunion last year, and I was like, oh, my God, I feel this way. I feel that way. We were talking about being a woman of color, the only woman of color, and kind of commisera in that a little bit. And that's when I told her there are some things that I've seen with these women that make me feel a little weird. And that's when I brought up the Gina thing. Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So we can talk about. We'll talk about the Gina thing in a bit, but I have to first get into this a little bit more. So the reason the naked waisted situation became such a big deal was because, I mean, from what I was told was that Slade. I think things are getting a little bit confused. I think, because if you are told, if you say something or Matt says something, or Slade something says something, or Gretchen says something, it's. They're not being tied together. I didn't say it, but if Slade says it, Gretchen says it. If Matt says it, you said it. I mean, you're all at dinner together.

[Katie Janella]

Correct. And somebody. I think it was that up and atom guy just said, I have a theory. And my theory is that it wasn't Gretchen that said it. It was actually Slade. And that's why it's semantics. No, she said it.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She said it.

[Katie Janella]

It came from her mouth.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

How is there any stretch of the imagination that Jen couldn't remember that she said it?

[Katie Janella]

She was sitting right next to her.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Was she blackout drunk?

[Katie Janella]

No. I think we were on our first drink.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So can I just.

[Katie Janella]

Can I paint the picture for you?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yes.

[Katie Janella]

There was a. It was a rectangular table.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay.

[Katie Janella]

It was me, Matt, Ryan on one side. Directly across from me was Jen, Gretchen, Slade. So the guys had one end and we had one end.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

Gretchen and Jen are talking, talking, talking. I'm basically quiet because they're talking about their hatred of Tamara. So I'm just kind of sitting there listening. I have a Coke in one hand and a martini in the other because they're my two favorite drinks. So I'm just like, sipping, sipping, sipping. Right. So then I'm listening, and then she tells the story. And I like, elbow Matt. And I'm like, listen to this. They told a lot of stories of things that Tamara had allegedly done to them, not Jen and Ryan. Gretchen Slade. And this is our first dinner with Gretchen and Slate. Yeah, I don't know her. Okay. I've had one lunch with her. I've seen her at a Balmond party.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She was cast on the show.

[Katie Janella]

This was end of September, long before she even knew about casting. She knew about casting in December. So they're, they're. I don't, I don't know. Maybe they did know and they were setting me up. I don't know, whatever. But I'm going in like, okay, I'm just meeting these people and they're screaming this from the rooftops in the middle of a crowded restaurant. And you're just meeting me. Yeah. And people are saying, oh. She said, oh. I told her in confidence, a friend. I told her, you know, something that was supposed to be sacred or whatever words she used. She never said, hey, I'm going to share this with you.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Keep it a secret.

[Katie Janella]

Don't tell anybody. This is, this is bad. Bravo is involved. Don't tell anybody. None of that was said.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

What's all this 911 call me 911 thing that happened when you were in New Orleans?

[Katie Janella]

So, okay, it had come out. Tamara had said something to her. Hey, Katie's going around saying I roofied you. Number one. I'd like to point out I never used that word because she didn't use that word. She used the word drugged.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Drugged.

[Katie Janella]

So I never used that word. So I got a call from Matt. Katie, what is going on? Slade just called me. He said, you have to back up Gretchen, tell people. She never said it. He sent me a 911 text. He's called me repeatedly. I mean that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Why is he so involved?

[Katie Janella]

Well, I mean, this is all he's ever known. This is, you know, my. It's funny.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. Because what, he can't get a job for the last 10 years because of. He's blaming Tamara for it. Yes, but why?

[Katie Janella]

I have no idea. He has a daughter and I think he needs to work. Yeah, don't know, it's funny, my sister in law's don't watch the show. Well, now they do because of me, but they don't, they don't do reality tv. One's a professor and. Well, actually they're both professors and they were in Northern California on a walk in a park, a random park. They ran into Slade's mom randomly. They sent Matt this text and it was like a photo of them with his mom and they're like, we ran into Slade's mom and she was like, he's A narcissist. He's on his fourth Orange county wife. Housewife from the show.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And why am I missing one?

[Katie Janella]

I know that's what I said.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I'm missing one. Oh, he dated Lori.

[Katie Janella]

Correct.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, so it is for.

[Katie Janella]

And she. His mother called him a narcissist. His mother. So I'm like. So I didn't even respond. But Matt responded like, we know.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. Okay. So you think this is where. It's just driving me so bananas. I'm gonna just. I feel like I'm beating a dead horse. But, like, as your friend, have you had. As, like, a friend of yours, have you said to Jen off camera, why are you pretending you've heard nothing?

[Katie Janella]

So, yeah, sort of. After New Orleans, we talked a little bit, but not really. I was pretty drained from that trip. You saw me kind of reach out to her at that lie detector party. I was like, jen, you know, I meet with her and I try to tell her, like, you've probably seen the clip. The clip is online of us meeting for coffee. And I was like, I'm kind of hurt that you never reached out to me last night after the lie detector party. And she was like, well, I was mad. And I was like, what? We've talked on the phone about it. We've had exchanges about it. I called her when Gretchen got cast, and I said, do you remember this happened? And she was like, here, talk to Slade. Cause they were in Palm Springs and there were some fans around them. Then I text Gretchen, I will never bring this up.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay.

[Katie Janella]

I have that receipt. I will never bring this up.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So you text gretchen, I'll never bring this up. So you don't?

[Katie Janella]

I don't.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You don't. But then when it. When it is brought up, that's where you kind of went into your shell.

[Katie Janella]

Correct. So I went to that dinner in New Orleans, like, okay, I gotta protect my friend, or she's gonna be in trouble, and I'm gonna be in trouble.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I also heard that Gretchen wasn't great TV on that episode on that season of that we never saw.

[Katie Janella]

Oh, I think I thought you meant the no tears part of my episode. Was that bitchy?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Sorry, no. How did she just have her wisdom teeth removed when you were in New Orleans, like, what happened?

[Katie Janella]

I think that was the microphone.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Something was going on. There was something to do when you guys were on the boat not knowing what river you were on.

[Katie Janella]

Okay, I think it was the microphone because you noticed the scene with Tamara when she's telling her, when she, like, outing me for Whatever I allegedly did. Tamara's microphone was like that, too.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, it was.

[Katie Janella]

I think it was the microphone.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay. Because I was like, what is.

[Katie Janella]

I heard it too.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I was like, cotton balls in your mouth is going on here.

[Katie Janella]

Maybe if she did and she was under amnesia, we'd get the truth.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yes. Oh, my Jen needs some cotton balls.

[Katie Janella]

Instead of a lie detector test, we have an amnesia party. Oh, let's have an amnesia where we all get, like, drugs and then we come out of it and they ask us questions.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Speaking of amnesia, how does Gretchen forget that she's done a lie detector test.

[Katie Janella]

Before with the same guy?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

With the same guy. And you know how I feel about that guy.

[Katie Janella]

Well, everyone feels the way you feel about that guy.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So just to give you guys that don't 100% know, Gretchen went on with him on marriage Boot Camp. She did a lie detector test with him. So when she says she's never taken a lie detector test before, she has been on marriage Boot Camp.

[Katie Janella]

But can I tell you something funny? Not funny in.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Funny. But not funny.

[Katie Janella]

But not funny in that scene. Okay. They didn't show this, but in that scene, she was pacing. We were all a little bit nervous. I was this physically sick before.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

What was making you physically sick? When you heard lie detector testing?

[Katie Janella]

No, I got there and I was sick. This was before they even announced. People are like, oh, she's sick. She's a liar. No, it's because I got into that room of a bunch of people that don't like me.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

Walking into a house of a woman that hates me, that doesn't feel that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Great and soon to be kicked out.

[Katie Janella]

Correct. She was pacing back and forth and she goes, you know, I think they've had a lie detector on another housewife show. She said that. And I was like, they did. And then some. Someone else, and I honestly can't name who it was. I don't remember, said, oh, yeah, they did on Beverly Hill. And I was like, oh, that's weird. You know, And I'm sitting there like, oh, my God. And I'm just sipping water. And they show that in the teaser because it makes me guilty. But I had just barfed three times.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And so you were sick prior to arriving? It was. It was prior to finding out. That was like.

[Katie Janella]

It wasn't a stomach bug. I was literally so anxious about just being there.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Just being there around people that you didn't feel comfortable with.

[Katie Janella]

Well, yeah. I was in the car service on the way down, and I was like, forgot to take my anxiety Medicine. I should have turned around and got it. And also, I'm leaving my kids for this.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

You know, like, that doesn't. You know this.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I know, but also, we can't say. Here's the thing. I'm gonna give you another thing. What? I'm leaving my kids for this. We all leave our kids for our jobs. Yeah, it happens. I know, but you have to also say, like, I. I signed up to do this.

[Katie Janella]

I'm here to do this, and that's why I went.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And. But this is where you got to fight for yourself a little bit. When people are doing you wrong, you have to stand up for yourself. Like, not to. Jen. Jen, did.

[Commercial Announcer]

Did you hear that?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, it's. I want you to go into the reunion and be like, Jen, there isn't a glimmer of hope that I forgot that you heard this conversation.

[Katie Janella]

Correct.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like, you need to hold her feet to the fire.

[Katie Janella]

Well, now, looking back, when I did call her in Palm Springs and she hot potatoed the phone to Ryan.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

I think she was like, oh, shit.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Does he do all her dirty work?

[Katie Janella]

I don't know the answer to that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You don't know that. You're good at. You're good at avoiding the question.

[Katie Janella]

What are you talking about?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

This is my first day on the job here, Detective.

[Katie Janella]

I think Slade does for a fact. I know that for a fact, but I don't know. I truly. I don't know about Ryan. No, he's been. Oh, he's always been really nice to me. But I don't know why both of them aren't like. You know what? They kind of did slip up and say that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

You know.

[Commercial Announcer]

Sandals and Beaches resorts offer their best all inclusive value in the Caribbean through their all in one pricing. Located across the Caribbean's most stunning islands, Sandals Adults Only Resorts offers immersive experiences, gourmet dining, plus both land and water activities including paddy certified scuba diving, golf and pickleball. Families love beaches resorts where kids enjoy water parks and parents unwind at the Red Lane SPA. And coming March 2026, beaches Turks and Caicos is set to unveil their latest village, Treasure Beach. There's no better place to experience the Caribbean than at resorts founded by a family from the Caribbean. Visit sandals.com or beaches.com for the best all inclusive resorts and offers.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

If there's anything as perfectly dramatic and totally engrossing as reality tv, it might be the procedural shows on primetime TV right now.

[Commercial Announcer]

Specifically all of the shows from the one Chicago universe. If you're a fan of one of their shows. Then there's a new podcast you'll want to check out called the One Chicago Podcast from USG Audio and Wolf Entertainment. When it comes to tv, there's something.

So satisfying about knowing how the sausage gets made. From cheeky production choices to plot lines.

And the reactions of the fan base.

The One Chicago Podcast is all that and more.

It's the official behind the scenes look at the iconic shows from the One Chicago Universe, Chicago pd, Chicago Med, and of course, Chicago Fire.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Each episode joins host and former Chicago cop turned Chicago PD producer Brian Lucci, and he's joined by the actors, producers and writers behind the epic One Chicago Universe.

[Commercial Announcer]

To listen to the One Chicago Podcast, search for One Chicago Podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. That's One Chicago Podcast if you're looking.

For a wine that's not just delicious, but also a total crowd pleaser, let me introduce you to Josh Sellars. This California wine brand has over a dozen award winning wines. From crisp Sauvignon Blancs to velvety Merlots. Josh Sellars has the perfect wine for every occasion. Serving up a juicy steak at your next barbecue. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect pairing. Unwinding with friends after a long week. You can't go wrong with their Pinot Grigio. With so many delicious wines to choose from, Josh Cellars has something for everyone. Josh Cellars is a proud sponsor of two teas in a pod. Visit www.joshua josh sellars.com teapod t a p O D and join the wine club to get 20% off. Please drink responsibly.

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[Teddi Mellencamp]

Kiki also brought up Gina asking, if you were wearing Asian designers, why did you not make it a bigger deal last season or this season? Like, you kind of. We only see you kind of mentioning it to Jen.

[Katie Janella]

Correct.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Off the side while you guys are on the bikes.

[Katie Janella]

Correct. That was last season.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, that was last season.

[Katie Janella]

Again, I was in the frame of mind. I need to repair my relationships. And if I were to address that with Gina when she already hates me because of Emily, you think that that would have repaired a relationship that would have just brought us way backwards? So I didn't bring it up. It was very hurtful. Again, I said this yesterday. I am not looking to Gina for advice on how to be Asian or how Asian I need to be. So I'm gonna do that on my own.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

That's probably good. I could give you your roses there. That's probably a good idea.

[Katie Janella]

Okay, so I'm just gonna. I'm gonna do that on my own.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. Yeah. Or how to dress or how to make TikToks. Right.

[Katie Janella]

And I.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Look, should you ask her or Gretchen and Jen how to make TikToks?

[Katie Janella]

Well, they just copy me, so. No, I literally. I literally just wanted to highlight Asian brands. I said that to my stylist. I said that to Matt. I said that to all my friends because I'm the first Asian on Orange County. Why wouldn't I do that? I never said it's going to be exclusive. You know, I do wear Zara and stuff. Like, it's not Asian, but I. I.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Feel like you said Balenciaga. Like, they pan to that. Like, I'm like, yeah, of course. That's what. And the difference between first season and second season is very different.

[Katie Janella]

Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I mean, my first season, I remember having a pair of wedges on, like, super high and, like, booty shorts and, like, going into Kyle's store. It's probably hot. It was. It's what got me the job, that Booty, your stylist, did a TikTok to defend you.

[Katie Janella]

They Did.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Can you go into this a little bit?

[Katie Janella]

Yeah. So they were really offended because Gina said these two fucking stylists and they were like, she doesn't realize that more than half of my looks are either an Asian designer or an Asian creative director. And if you look, a lot of my jewelry are Korean owned brands. I just don't say it. Hi. This is Korean. My necklace. Do you want to see it? No, I don't. I don't, you know.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, you just want to promote it.

[Katie Janella]

You. It's correct. Yeah, I don't. They did a TikTok showing some of the looks that are some of our favorites from last season and a few from this season proving that Herve Leger creative director is Michelle Ox, which is also at Ox, which was my gallery shoot. Silver dress. She's Filipino. Like, we, We. We have to get past this. Oh, it's not called, you know, Katie youe. And it's, you know, like. So I don't know what to tell you, but it's literally an Asian creative director. I'm. I am highlighting divisions in the industry and.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And you're well versed and you're passionate and you're doing what you love.

[Katie Janella]

Yeah.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But I also don't want to be, you know, sitting here trying to kiss your butt and all the things.

[Katie Janella]

I don't mind.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I know.

[Katie Janella]

Keep going.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Do you think the lie detest detector party was a setup?

[Katie Janella]

100%. I felt that way when I was there and when I was leaving, I was very upset, but I didn't know. I can't prove it. And then watching it back when they were like, oh, we have a plan and we got Katie. Don't worry about. We got her.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And nobody seemed to care what everybody else was lying about.

[Katie Janella]

No, it was all about me. That's how it kind of shows you in the moment. I couldn't have put two and two together. I was like, you know, it was all happening fast. But looking back 30,000ft and now watching. Wow.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

It was a setup.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It was a setup. Yeah. And I can say from personal memory, a lie detector test isn't actually valid unless it's skin to skin, I think. Will you Google this?

[Katie Janella]

A lot of people have said that to me. Also, lie detector tests take like four to six hours per person in a controlled environment. Not in Emily's closet, you know, Is.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

That not a controlled environment?

[Katie Janella]

And also, the lie detector administrator needs to be certified within California to legally do it. And allegedly those two people are not certified. Yeah, they have no certification.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

They're they're paid actors.

[Katie Janella]

On their website.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Allegedly.

[Katie Janella]

Allegedly. On their website, it says, like, a, B and C, A, A menu list of what you can get for money. And one of the options is full acting.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I made this fight before, and I. I got nowhere with it.

[Katie Janella]

Well, I'm backing you up. You are vindicated.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Thank you.

[Katie Janella]

You're vindicated.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay, then we gotta talk about the big cast trip. Were you put on pause or why weren't you there?

[Katie Janella]

I mean, I. I think you just have to watch and see. But I did want to go on that trip.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You did want. I would have gone. Yes, you would have gone. Okay, that's good to know. If you return, what's the first conversation that has to happen?

[Katie Janella]

Well, I think all those conversations are gonna happen at the reunion.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

Right. I think I'm owed some apologies. I was really hurt. I felt used. I feel like that was a setup. Yeah. I don't know. I need to see how the reunion goes.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Can we promise to never say your truth again?

[Katie Janella]

I didn't choose that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I know you didn't choose it, but you have said, like. Well, that is my truth.

[Katie Janella]

I have never said that is my truth that Jen Perjanti said that.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, that.

[Katie Janella]

I have never said that. Okay, well, I'm not gonna say never. Never say never. Never say never. Never say never.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Speak an absolute. Hello. I. Housewives 101.

[Katie Janella]

Don't say my truth because that sounds like it's a lie.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah, it does. It I.

[Katie Janella]

It is my tagline.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

It is your tagline. My tagline is, was I'll never do your dirty work. Meanwhile, I was doing everyone's dirty work. So I'm not a professional of tagline. I know there's like five or six taglines, and then you kind of say the ones that you're comfortable saying.

[Katie Janella]

And then I wanted to write some fun ones, but I don't. I didn't get to write any of them.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But you didn't get picked. Did any of them get picked?

[Katie Janella]

No, I didn't get to write any.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, I wrote some, but none of them were ever used. Well, Bratz, what are your thoughts on the fact that Gina said in an interview that if you come back, she won't.

[Katie Janella]

I think it's very sad, and I don't think I'm that scary. I think.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Do you think it's true? Let's. Let's be blunt. You think that's the truth?

[Katie Janella]

No.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, me neither.

[Katie Janella]

I don't think it's the truth.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So don't speak in absolutes. Gina.

[Katie Janella]

I know. I honestly, I've seen them say, like, I'm the Monica Garcia moment of the season. What?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No.

[Katie Janella]

What? There was no. There was none of that. I don't think I'm that scared, scary or horrible to be around. I really don't.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I think you just need a. A friend.

[Katie Janella]

A real friend.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You need a real friend. And all this showed me was that Jen and Gina both are easily ply. Is it pliable? Is that the word?

[Katie Janella]

But, but, Teddy, don't you think that the housewife. I'm not going to say game, but game is deflection.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Like, of course it's deflection.

[Katie Janella]

Okay, but.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But then if you, in these moments, if you're getting. If you're getting hammered and there is a percentage of a chance that's where you could have said, like, yeah, I do gossip with Kiki Monique all the time.

[Katie Janella]

What was one time.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Okay, all right, one time, fine. I gossiped with Kiki Monique once.

[Katie Janella]

Yeah, I did gossip.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I did.

[Katie Janella]

But I did say never. Denied, we went to lunch. Right.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But. End of sentence. Okay? And then people can take that with. With what they want. Okay? And then you. Then you're able to move on. But if you're. If you're swearing on your life, if you're doing this, you're doing all these things, then people don't believe you.

[Katie Janella]

Okay.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

But, yeah, of course. Yeah, I love Kiki Monique. She's hilarious. And yeah, I've. I saw her at a couple parties and we went out to lunch once and gossiped.

[Katie Janella]

We did.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. The end. Are you lying there? No, no, I'm not a lie detector. But, like, there's nothing.

[Katie Janella]

You are good, actually. Lie detector. We need you instead.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Anyways, that should be my new job. Add to my resume.

[Katie Janella]

There you go.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

So in our final question, if you were to guess what the seating arrangement would be at the reunion, what do you think it would be?

[Katie Janella]

Probably me and then everyone else. Quite literally.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I mean, maybe Tamara, sit next to me. Who's on one side of the couch? Couch.

[Katie Janella]

Everybody but me.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, you can't. You have to. This is. We have to do logistics. Okay, okay, okay, let's break it down.

[Katie Janella]

I really think that it. On one side. I'm not saying this is no particular order. I think on one side, it would probably be me, Heather and Tamara.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

And the other side, everyone else. That's what I think. I mean, Tamara. I mean, Heather doesn't like me, but she is dear friends with Tamara.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. You know, but I think Heather could like you. I Think that. Because I think you're likable in person.

[Katie Janella]

What are you trying to say? Was that a dig?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

A little bit of a dig.

[Katie Janella]

That was not very nice.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I know, but I met you in person, so I already liked you.

[Katie Janella]

Okay, that's good. I will say I really appreciate when I did see you at that same US Weekly party.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. For Kyle. The one that Kyle was on the COVID Yes.

[Katie Janella]

You were very kind. You knew that the reunion was really difficult for me and I do appreciate that. I think you made me cry because that was. I just. I was on the heels of filming that and I was very emotional and you made me feel really good.

[Commercial Announcer]

I think that's the thing.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

No, but like, I met you and I was like, this is a likable person. I think the problem is if there's too many cooks in the kitchen.

[Katie Janella]

I agree.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Then it's hard. And I think that because you are new, you're not fighting for yourself.

[Katie Janella]

I do need to fight more for myself, but I. And I also feel like I need time to show who I am.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

I don't think anyone. Everyone just thinks I'm a shit stir. They actually don't know anything about me. People have messaged me, like, I want to see more of your home life. I want to see more of you and your daughter.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. Like, I want to understand you a little bit more so then I can judge you better.

[Katie Janella]

Make digs. You want to make more digs, Teddy? Golly.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. Right. This is what it is. There's been rumblings that Shannon isn't going to be asked back as a full time housewife.

[Katie Janella]

I don't know, but she did tell me once and recently said in an interview, I think that her daughters are in New York City and she wants to be near her daughters. Oh, so maybe that's it. I don't know.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Maybe that's it. Okay.

[Katie Janella]

I mean, if my kids moved across country, I would go.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Katie Janella]

I would stalk them and follow them.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Well, I really appreciate you coming on the twats.

[Katie Janella]

Thank you.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You can see we're nice and twaty, but, you know.

[Katie Janella]

And maybe you can change Erica's mind because I saw the clip. She said she didn't want to know me.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She. She said she didn't want to be your friend.

[Katie Janella]

I know that that was a talk about a dagger.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

You know what? She didn't want to be my friend for two years and now she's one of my best friends. So, you know, there's change, there's hope.

[Katie Janella]

Oh, my God. She's my muse of, like, fashion. I look at her and I'm like, can I be Erica Jane one day?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

She's lovely. You would love her. And once you meet in person, you will.

[Katie Janella]

Okay.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I. I think it's hard to judge people solely off what you see on television.

[Katie Janella]

Yeah, I agree.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And I did.

[Katie Janella]

I can I just say really quick, I first met you last year filming that Traders party, and I was a little scared of you. You were to meet you because you. You are a very strong personality. And what I remembered of you being on Beverly Hills, I was like, oh, she's gonna hate me. I cannot meet her. And then I met you, and I was like, first of all, you're stunning in person. I think I told you. I was like, teddy, why are you so hot? And then I was like, she's so nice.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Oh, thank you.

[Katie Janella]

You were so normal and nice. And I was like, okay, there's nothing to be scared of. She's actually really great.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I think that's in that what ends up happening a lot of the time, you. It's like people thinking, you know, oh.

[Commercial Announcer]

People always be, oh, you're so.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I bet you're tall. And I'm like, I'm not.

[Katie Janella]

I did think you were taller.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

People always think I'm tall, and then they meet me and they're like, oh.

[Katie Janella]

And you are shrimp. I know.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Yeah. So it's. I'm like, you're towering over me. So. But yeah, you guys. Thank you guys for tuning in for another episode of Two Teas in a Pod. I hope that you listen to this podcast and that you listen with open ears. Actually listen to it.

[Katie Janella]

Listen to the facts.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

And so that way we can go into the reunion and have some fun. Fun. You got to make it fun.

[Katie Janella]

What part of it is fun?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Listen, you need. It's not being read those bitches.

[Katie Janella]

I am from Atlanta. It's not that I don't know how. Okay. Because what goes on up here.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I know. I can see you processing and then not saying what you're actually thinking. I'm scared. I did the same thing, and I regret it. I'm telling you.

[Katie Janella]

But okay, we recording this. Think about what my history, my work history is. I work in golf. You think we're like, yeah, cut a in golf. No, we're very much like, I, great to meet you. Right? So it's like I am switching gears up here. Do you know what I mean?

[Teddi Mellencamp]

I know, but just that first gear that kicks in, that's the one I want you to go with. At the the reunion I will channel. Can you make a deal?

[Katie Janella]

Nene Leaks. Deal.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Got it.

[Katie Janella]

Deal.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

Deal.

[Katie Janella]

I'm going to say it in my mind. This is for Teddy.

[Teddi Mellencamp]

All right, thanks guys. Bye.

[Commercial Announcer]

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If you're looking for a wine that's not just delicious but also a total crowd pleaser, let me introduce you to Josh Sellars. This California wine brand has over a dozen award winning wines, from crisp Sauvignon Blancs to velvety Merlot's. Josh Sellers has the perfect wine for every occasion, serving up a juicy steak at your next barbecue. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect pairing. Unwinding with friends after a long week, you can't go wrong with their Pinot Grigio. With so many delicious wines to choose from, Josh Cellars has something for everyone. Josh Cellars is a proud sponsor of two teas in a podcast. Visit www.joshsellers.com teapot t e a P O D and join the wine club to get 20% off. Please drink responsibly.

Did you know Microsoft has officially ended Support for Windows 10? Upgrade to Windows 11 with an LG Gram laptop, voted PCMag's reader's choice. Top laptop brand for 2025. Thin and ultra lightweight, the LG Gram keeps you productive anywhere, and Windows 11 gives you access to free security updates and ongoing feature upgrades. Visit lgusa.com iheart for great seasonal savings on LG Gram laptops with Windows 11. PCMag reader's choice used with permission. All rights reserved.

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From Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jewels. Sunday mornings I've got my game day ritual, coffee, lucky socks, and now New Morning Uncrustable Sandwiches. It's all about that 12 gram protein boost with the new Uncrustables Bright Eyed Berry or Up and Apple flavors. Bright Eye Berries got a feisty receiver energy up an apple. Your classic Do it all tight end, soft, pillowy, packed with protein and easy enough for Gronk to grab from the freezer. Whether you're on the couch, driving to the tailgate or heading to the locker room, new Morning Uncrustable Sandwiches are the MVP of snacks. Your new Sunday kickoff ritual starts here with New Morning Uncrustable sandwiches. Packed with 12 grams of protein.

[Katie Janella]

This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.