“I think its going to be iconic TV.”
And she’s kind of right.
There’s nothing quite like seeing a group of middle-aged white women chanting “Rose!
(l-r) Eva Marcille, Jill Zarin, Taylor Armstrong, Vicki Gunvalson, Phaedra Parks, Dorinda Medley, Tamra Judge, and Brandi Glanville on ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club’.Zack DeZon/Peacock
It’s no TurksorCaicos, but these aren’t your ordinary Housewives, either.
Like Medley, these women are no longer on any of their franchises.
Dangerous, unknown, martini-soaked territory.
Dorinda Medley.Zack DeZon/Peacock
Nothing’s off the table and the only thing on it are empty wine glasses.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So, Dorinda, I feel like we got a season here.
DORINDA MEDLEY:You know what it feels like, too?
Dorinda Medley on ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club’.Zack DeZon/Peacock
It feels very old school.
Isn’t this what you want in theHousewives?
Antics, camaraderie, shenanigans, a little fighting, some crying.
Dorinda Medley and Vicki Gunvalson on ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club’.Zack DeZon/Peacock
I mean, that’s called a bachelorette weekend.
What was your experience filming with these ladies for eight days?
You know, listen, it was a lot at first.
Jill Zarin, Phaedra Parks, and Dorinda Medley on ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club’.Zack DeZon/Peacock
And then it would kinda be like the first trip when they got to stay in a hotel.
So it was like a responsibility that I took on with a lot of vigor.
It was very interesting, some people really leaned into it, and really made the best of it.
Jill Zarin and Dorinda Medley on ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club’.Zack DeZon/Peacock
I don’t think it was so great and easy for them, either.
Eva’s the same, Tamra said she’s never been up in this area.
Everybody kind of took a risk to come up here and do this.
‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club’.Zack DeZon/Peacock
I think it’s going to be iconic TV.
I really do, and I think people miss Blue Stone Manor.
It plays its own character in a weird way.
‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club’.Zack DeZon/Peacock
I wasn’t obviously thrilled that Vicky didn’t give it the love that I think it deserved.
If you look at the opening scene, I’m very enthusiastic about her coming, very welcoming.
I don’t think she was happy to be arriving.
Eva Marcille, Dorinda Medley, and Jill Zarin on ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club’.Zack DeZon/Peacock
I don’t know.
And that’s always heartbreaking in anything you do.
Especially on a vacation, when you want everyone to have a good time.
Dorinda Medley on ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club’.Zack DeZon/Peacock
Like, we’re all in it together.
As my mother said, “If you’re not enjoying the party, go home.”
It’s very simple.
‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club’.Zack DeZon/Peacock
So who did you hit if off with the most?
We just had a bond.
That’s what it is.
I could really knock on her door and have her give me some love.
With that comes exhaustion.
You don’t always get it right.
Conversely, who didn’t you get along with?
Or didn’t get along with as well as youhopedyou would?
Who do you think?
I wanna say Vicki … am I right?
You know it’s funny, it’s kind of multilayered.
I always knew we were different and were maybe going to have different attitudes about stuff.
I knew that going into it.
The one that I was surprised I had conflict with was Jill, but we worked it out.
She had some feelings about me that I hadn’t realized.
And I hadn’t taken in.
And it really took us a minute to get back on track.Thatsurprised me.
What were her feelings about you?
You know, I think it was a little bit of resentment.
And I didn’t go on the show until three years after she wasn’t on.
And I think she felt I hadn’t acknowledged or appreciated that fact.
To tell you the truth, I hadn’t even thought about it.
I really went on becauseRamona [Singer]said, “Finally, will you come on?”
Remember, I knew all these girls for a hundred years.
So we had to work through that.
And also, I had never really filmed with her.
People have different filming techniques.
The filming person is different than the person in real life because you’re breaking down the proscenium wall.
One of my favorite parts ofUltimate Girls Tripis that breaking of the fourth wall.
With the first season, you really got into how these women feel about filming and sharing their stories.
Did that happen a lot in this season as well?
Yes, I haven’t seen a lot of it, but we definitely talk about our experience.
We talk about me being put on pause, and Brandi’s like, “You got fired!”
[Laughs] We all had this experience called reality TV that is a life-changer.
What were some of the experiences that the other women shared that you remember the most?
Or that you identified with?
How did Phaedra feel about staying in the Fish Room?
She totally got it.
Like a fish to water, how about that?
[Laughs]
Ah, there you go.
Were there any iconic catchphrases to come out of these eight days?
Who’d you say that to?
[Laughs]
Oh, yes … well … yes.With eight days, was there ever a dull moment?
We used every moment to our advantage.
[Laughs] We wenthard.
Who went the hardest?
Probably me, Brandi … Phaedra’s hysterically funny … She was very strong.
Very strong on this show.
That’s good to hear.
Her storyline was so depressing, and so tragic.
You’re not going to feel that way about her at all when you leave this.
You’re not going to feel that way about Taylor at all.
She’s got her finger on like five, 50, 2,000 pots.
And do it beautifully.
Yeah, men aren’t that great.
Were there any big blow-ups on the trip?
[widens eyes several times]
I’m seeing some eyes!
Yes, it was a pressure cooker.
I will say I was engaged in some of them, how could I not be?
You know me with a good blow-up.
That’s like a moth to a light.
Who did you have blow-ups with?
A little bit with Brandi.
I think a little bit with each of them by the time I was done.
The only ones I didn’t have a blow-up with were Phaedra and Eva.
Little bit with Tamra, but it was more superficial.
And not really with Taylor.
Taylor dubbed me as the Dornado.
I actually took it as a compliment.
It is like that with me.
And then I just disappear.
[Laughs] The Dornado is on the horizon!
Run to your houses!
Batten down your martinis!
[Laughs]
What was your favorite part of this whole thing?
Phaedra did a beautiful last night dinner, she brought these gospel singers and this incredible bishop.
We all stay on a group text.
It’s an experience I’ll never forget.
And also, being able to see Blue Stone Manor expansively, I’m very proud of myself.
And I think the viewers are going to be happy.
Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trippremieres on Peacock June 23.
