Cynthia Bailey Unfiltered: Fame, Friendship & Reinventing Herself at Every Age
Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey and Dana Hill-Robinson join us today, diving deep into the art of reinvention and the beauty of midlife. The heart of our conversation revolves around the power of self-acceptance, as both ladies reflect on their journeys through friendship, business, and the challenges of aging in the public eye. We discuss everything from the importance of maintaining personal peace in a chaotic industry to how they've navigated their careers while staying true to themselves. With candid stories about their pasts, including some unforgettable New York nights, they remind us that midlife isn’t about slowing down but rather about blossoming into our most authentic selves. So grab your headphones and join us as we explore the vibrant and unapologetic journey of these two iconic women!
Takeaways:
- The journey of reinvention is crucial, especially for women in midlife, as it empowers us to embrace new opportunities while shedding societal expectations.
- Maintaining authentic friendships requires mutual respect, understanding, and the ability to give each other space without guilt, especially as life becomes busier.
- Navigating aging can be daunting, but with the right mindset and self-care practices, we can embrace our beauty and worth at every stage of life.
- Social media has transformed the way we document our lives, but sometimes it's a blessing to have lived before it, allowing for more genuine, unfiltered memories.
- Finding balance in life often means prioritizing our own well-being over the demands of others; learning to say 'no' is a powerful tool for self-care.
- Humor and vulnerability can coexist beautifully, as sharing our most awkward or emotional moments with friends helps to foster deeper connections.
Transcript
I did kind of miss it, but, you know, I got the housewife T shirt. Already been there, done that.
Roxy:I still have friends in my 50s that sleep with their makeup on. I think it's the craziest thing.
Cynthia Bailey:It is the craziest thing. My favorite thing to do is take my makeup off, and my second is to take the wig off. Makeup, wig, and bra. And I'm a happy woman.
Roxy:I think back to those New York nights. You don't even know where you end up by the end of the night.
Dana Hill-Robinson:I had nights where I woke up and didn't know where I was right here.
Cynthia Bailey:I definitely had a couple of those nights as well. Like, who are you? You just kind of have to let people do what they want to do. Like, it's not a hostage situation. You start reinventing.
I am queen of reinvention.
Dana Hill-Robinson:I came across what's called the four hour body.
Roxy:What's that?
Dana Hill-Robinson:So that.
Roxy:Tell me more.
Cynthia Bailey:I've been traveling for 30 years, and that hot guy has never sat his ass next to me, like, not even in the session.
Roxy:Okay.
Cynthia Bailey:Because I'm willing to move around if I need to.
Roxy:Do you wish that you had social media back then? Are you glad?
Cynthia Bailey:No. So glad. Glad?
Dana Hill-Robinson:No.
Roxy:What do you think the show has to do to remain iconic? The Real Housewives of Atlanta?
Cynthia Bailey:I think the show has to elevate. It has to change. I think it's all about putting the right mixture of new people and some of the OGs together.
Roxy:She's walked the runways of Paris, ruled reality TV and stilettos, and built businesses that redefine what it means to glow in midl. Cynthia Bailey is back, and this time she's bringing the brilliance with her business partner, Dana Hill Robinson.
Together, they're proving that reinvention isn't just possible, it's powerful.
Today on the iconic midlife, we're diving into friendship, legacy, and what it really takes to build something beautiful, not just on camera, but in real life. Cynthia opens up about returning to the Real Housewives of Atlanta. And what's different this time.
Dana reveals the business moves behind their beauty brand gloicima. And together, they share how they thrive in the spotlight and protect their peace.
If you love real talk, bold women, and stories that remind you midlife is just the beginning. Make sure you're following the iconic midlife wherever you listen.
Rate the show, leave a quick review and share this episode with your most iconic friend, because trust me, this one's a masterclass in reinvention. Hey, ladies. Welcome to the iconic midlife today. How are you doing?
Cynthia Bailey:Amazing. Hi.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Hi. I'm Dean. Thank you, thank you for having us today. We're super excited to be here with you.
Cynthia Bailey:Yes, we are.
Roxy:I'm so excited to talk to you ladies. It's, it's so amazing what you guys are doing with this great new beauty brand you have called Gloisima. Want to dive into that.
But first I want to get your guys origin story. I want to know know how you guys became friends. Like I know it was several decades ago. Is that right? About 30 years ago.
Cynthia Bailey:Long time ago. Yes, yes, yes, yes. A full grown adult again. Absolutely.
Roxy:All right, I know. Gosh, now I'm old enough to have a full grown adult that age. So that even hits home more.
Cynthia Bailey:I know, I know. Dana and I actually met in New York City years and years and years ago when I first started modeling. She was working for Vogue.
I was trying to work for Vogue. We actually ended up meeting at a, a hair salon called. Salon.
Yeah, hair salon called Warren Tricomi, which is still is probably quite popular in the city.
Roxy:Yes, I know it very well.
Cynthia Bailey:And I was with one of my good friends, Beverly Peele, who is one of the most beautiful supermodels you will ever see. And she knew Dana and we just all connected and Dana and I were like fast friends after that.
We worked together a lot after that and just became the dynamic duo that you see in front of you today.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Cynthia was casted. I used to work for a clothing company called Fat Farm and we were an urban clothing line. And we had our first fashion show on seventh on six.
And Cynthia was one of the stars in the show. And you know, it was an iconic moment.
And a lot of people are reliving that show on social media and showing the video of Cynthia making her way down the Runway looking iconic.
Roxy:Yeah, I'm sure, as always, it's so.
Cynthia Bailey:Amazing like how we were just living our lives back then and now those moments, a lot of those moments in our lives are like iconic like that. It's like if we had any idea that people would still be talking about us from what we did from back in the day, I would have been more intentional.
I would have been like, let me really milk this because this is going to be a big thing later.
Roxy:You know, it's funny, I talk to my friends because my close group of girlfriends are my college girlfriends. We met about the same time as well.
And we always say to ourselves, we're like, thank goodness we didn't have social media back then because the things that we got into those days, which I would not want to see again. You know, I mean. Right. Are you guys. Do you wish that you had social media back then? Are you glad that it's not.
Cynthia Bailey:No. So glad.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Glad. No. You don't want to have those recorded. Yeah.
Cynthia Bailey:You had to make real life memories, and, you know, nothing was really documented, so you actually have to remember, like, some of the things that. Some of the things that you went through in your life back in the day before social media. Because I actually forget.
And then someone will send me some old. Like, I don't even know how they have, like, a video or whatever. I'm like, oh, my God, that's right. I forgot about that. So it's kind of good.
Like, one. One of the good things about social media is you do have this journal that. That captures all your memories on the website.
It's kind of good to just not have everything. A photo and a video of everything. So.
Roxy:Yes, absolutely. And I mean, just even think about those. I used to live in New York as well.
And I think back to those New York nights, which you start, you know one place, and you end up. You don't even know where you end up by the end of the night. Those are so fun, though.
Cynthia Bailey:Oh, yeah.
Roxy:Because you're living in the moment, you know? So did you guys have those kinds of nights in New York?
Dana Hill-Robinson:I had nights where I woke up and didn't know where I was right here.
Cynthia Bailey:Definitely had a couple of those nights as well. Like, who are you? Who is this person?
Dana Hill-Robinson:Cynthia.
Cynthia Bailey:Like, that happened. Yeah, I know. I knew who they were.
Dana Hill-Robinson:It's just that I was so out of it. I was just. And just, like, woke up in this stupor, like, you know, where am I? Who are you? But I. It took a minute for me to kind of realize.
Roxy:Oh, my goodness. No, it's so funny because. Because, yeah, you know, you have those nights, and you just kind of live it and you do it.
And the best part is sitting with your girlfriends the next day at brunch, recounting the night before, you know, and just going through everything that happens.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Yeah.
Roxy:So it's really amazing that you guys have remained friends and, you know, close friends. Dana, what makes Cynthia a great friend? Why is she still in your life?
Dana Hill-Robinson:She's just easy. There's no drama. I know that when I call Cynthia, I mean, I tell you, she picks up the phone. The ring can barely even finish.
Cynthia Bailey:She picks up the phone.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Oh, my God, Cynthia, what are you doing?
Roxy:It's like she's telepathic.
Cynthia Bailey:Because usually if you. If you're calling me, you want. You know, it's like, for a reason.
It's usually something about, like, business or even if it's personal, like, when you call. Because we don't, you know, we have this closeness, and we've been friends for so long, but we don't talk every day.
Like, sometimes we go weeks without talking. And so what she does call is like, Dana's calling, and I'll answer to say, I can't talk right now, but I just want to pick up. Is everything okay?
Dana Hill-Robinson:Like, literally, like, the phone, barely. That first ring, barely, is finished. And Cynthia's like, hey, what's up? I think that, you know, there's just.
There's a level of respect and trust between each other and just that love. And, you know, we're just. It's an easy. Like, we don't have to talk to each other. We tell this people all the time.
We don't have to talk to each other every day. You know, we. We accept when someone is busy or, you know, just living their life. And you're just. It's just no drama. We've never had any drama.
And it's just, you know, she's someone I can confide in, know that, you know, whatever I tell her isn't going anywhere else.
And, you know, there have been times when, you know, I'm on the low, you know, in the Valley, and she has been there for me to help me pick up the pieces and just. I just. I just love her.
Cynthia Bailey:Oh, thank you.
Roxy:Oh, that's so sweet. That's really nice.
Dana Hill-Robinson:She's just fun, and she's just so much. Her energy, like, her energy and just, like, I just admire her. There's. I could just. There's a whole list of things. Just a whole whole list of things.
And just, you know, the way she loves her family, the way she loves her daughter and her mom and her sister. She's just an amazing person. She is.
Cynthia Bailey:Thank you, friend. Thank you so much for that. I will say to give Dana her flowers back.
The reason why I think we've been friends for so long and are able to do business together as friends, because that's a big thing. You know, being friends is one thing, but being able to work together is a whole nother situation.
I think it's because I feel very comfortable with Dana. She's always created a safe space for me. We don't argue about dumb stuff. I don't even think we ever had a real argument about Anything.
We are both communicators. If she's, you know, has something to say, she'll just tell me. If I have something to say, I'll just tell her.
We are able to be very transparent with each other, but also very respectful of each other as well. And to Dana's point, she's not a needy friend. This is very easy. It doesn't feel like, you know, a second job for me to have her in my life.
It's like we kind of get in where we fit in. And when we do spend time together, we are incredibly present.
But, you know, when we are not able to see each other, we just still, you know, keep in touch. Even if it's social media. Like, when I see her posted, I'm like, okay, she's doing good. She's posting this, that, the other. So we stay connected.
But it's not in a needy, like, oh, my God, I can't believe you didn't call me back. I called you, like, 20 minutes ago, and I didn't hear back from you. Like, I've outgrown those type of friendships.
Roxy:Yeah, no, it's. You know, I think it's so important, too, at this time in our lives is to meet each other where we are, you know, as friends.
Cynthia Bailey:Hello.
Roxy:Right. Because everybody. Everybody is so busy. We've all got, like, a million things going on.
And I think that that's when friendships fail, especially at this stage, is when they fall apart, is when, like, you're saying it's, like, too needy or you're. You're not giving people grace, you know? And I think that that's kind of what sets sets real friendships apart.
Cynthia Bailey:Absolutely. I'm so happy you said that. You just kind of have to let people do what they want to do. Like, it's not a hostage situation. You're my friend.
If you don't feel like meeting me for lunch, just say it, girl. We don't have to meet for lunch today. We'll do it in a couple weeks. You know what I mean? Just simple stuff.
Like, I don't really do things that I don't want to do at this point in my life. I understand the power of no. And I understand the power of I don't feel like it.
And I understand the power of I'm tired, and I would just rather be sitting on my couch decompressing right now than go meet you for a drink. I just don't feel like doing it.
And then having my friend be able to completely get it without me, even have to Having to explain, like, I'm the kind of friend, if you call me and be like, girl, I know we have plans. I'm gonna have to cancel. I don't care if it's two minutes before.
I will turn my car around so quick and go back home and relax and be completely fine with it. Like, I just pick and choose, and I just don't really entertain drama that doesn't have to happen, especially with my good friends.
Dana Hill-Robinson:You know, there are some people that, you know, they get joy from tearing people down and. Or. And just, you know, knitting and talking about people, and Cynthia is just not that type of person.
And, you know, I have had some people that I've had to, you know, weed out. Yeah. Who? Energy. And so I think that's also very important part of our friendship.
It's all about just being uplifting and positive and all things that, you know, just not. No negativity. Just no negativity.
Cynthia Bailey:No, no, I can't. I can't deal with that. Yeah.
Roxy:No, not at all. And I think, you know, the power of no is so important because no is a complete sentence, and no is not. It doesn't have to be negative. It's just.
Dana Hill-Robinson:It's.
Roxy:It's an answer to a question, you know, And I feel like. I think that, you know, so many women, and myself included, you know, sometimes feel like, oh, my God, I can't say no.
You know, I've got to do this because I've already committed to something or not. But what was it that kind of turned the tides that made it more comfortable for you to say no? Or has it always been like that?
Dana Hill-Robinson:For me, I've always been that way, and I. And about protecting your peace and honoring yourself and knowing, you know, what you are, what.
What are capable of doing in order to be a full and just whole person. And what makes you happy, you know, and what makes you happy and just having that confidence to be able to honor yourself.
And I think that does come with age. And also, I'm a Capricorn, so I'm just very, like, always been, you know, just very upfront, you know, but also in time, not.
I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, but again, it's just about honoring yourself and protecting your peace.
Roxy:And how about you, Cynthia? Like, coming around to being able to say no? I mean, is it something you've always been able to do?
Cynthia Bailey:No, absolutely not. I used to be a people pleaser for most of my life. I always wanted to be liked.
I wanted to help People I wanted to, you know, champion people, like, I just wanted, I just wanted everybody to be happy. And once I realized that a. There was no reciprocity in that, for sure they weren't worried about me being happy. So. Right.
So once I realized that, I was like, this thing is a little one sided over here. Why am I going this hard when I'm not getting it back on the back end? And I'm not saying I have to get it back, but it's nice.
I cook for you, you cook next dinner for me. You know what I'm saying? I do an act of kindness to show you love and then you do an act of kindness to show me love.
Like it's nice when it's reciprocal. It just is because you don't want to be in a one sided relationship, even if it's a friendship.
So with that said, I think as I've gotten older, I feel like I've earned the right to just do whatever would do what I want to do. Like I don't remember my grandmother, my aunts, as they got into their 50s, explaining anything to me, did whatever they wanted.
It was what it was and it is what it is. I said what I said and that's it. And nothing came with an explanation. It didn't matter. These people live the lives that they wanted to live.
And I feel like at this point in my life, you know, God willing, 25 more summers left for me. I am doing what I want to, with who I want to, when I want to, and I don't have to explain anything to anyone.
I am living my life unapologetically for me at this point, for once in my life, I am doing Cynthia and it feels amazing.
Roxy:Amen and hallelujah to that. We should be living that way because we give so much of ourself to everybody else.
You know, it's like, oh yeah, we take the scraps and it's like, why are we doing that?
So I'm so happy you said that because I think like especially crossing over the 50 line, the 50 yard line, age 50, you know, it really does put it in perspective and your mortality comes into play a bit, you know, like, like you're saying 25 more summers and that kind of takes me back a minute. It's like, yeah, that's true. You know, I mean, if we're lucky.
Cynthia Bailey:If we're lucky, yeah.
Roxy:So how. I mean, yeah. Do you guys think about that? Do you think about mortality and, you know, the future in that way?
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah, well, I think about it A lot, actually. I'm always, you know, health has become a huge priority for me.
I try to stay on top of my health even more so than I did when I was younger, you know, business wise. I've, you know, gotten my affairs in order in terms of trust and wills and all that stuff.
I still need to figure out a, A plot, whatever, or how I want to go. I know it's, I know I want to be cremated. I do know that. And then what to do with it and all of that. I haven't decided.
Maybe I'll just have them throw them out here at Lake Bailey. I don't know. Yeah. But, yeah. And I, I, I spend. For some reason, I always think about brain aneurysms. I don't know why.
Like, I always think, like, yeah, yeah. I don't know. Like, I just hear about them way too often. I can't stand them because they come out of nowhere, people are completely fine.
And then you have this brain aneurysm. I'm like, oh, my God.
So I'm always, you know, trying to take measures to make sure the blood is flowing and not clotting because I spent a lot of time flying as well.
So I actually did, actually did the prenuvo scan last year and I want to do it again where they take you through this machine and they see every single thing, even blood clots. So that's something that I highly recommend just for peace of mind. And I feel like I should do it every year.
Roxy:Right.
Cynthia Bailey:So, yeah, the only thing they found, everything was good. Thank God. I had a really, a clean bill of health. But they did find a hernia that I knew that I had already. So I'm gonna probably.
Well, I'm not gonna probably. I'm gonna try to take care of that sooner than later because I just haven't taken the time to do it.
It's one of those things like, oh, well, while I'm down there, maybe I can get, you know, some other stuff done. Totally. I know a little bloated stomach area. Maybe they can take some stuff out as well.
Roxy:Right. Why not? A twofer.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah. I'm sorry, Sorry, that's. Hold on one sec. Noelle. Oh, my God. Okay, I'll call you back. I'll call you back.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Bye.
Cynthia Bailey:She was texting me. It was, she's texted some guy that she met on Raya. Apparently he has responded.
So she was giving me the response because, you know, we have to get them out together.
Roxy:So wait, is, is Gen Z, then? Are they also doing all the dat they're doing all dating apps, too. They don't go to the bar and, like, meet people like we did. Right?
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah, not. Not so much. They. They definitely do the apps. I did when I was single. I'm in a relationship now. I was doing the apps as well.
I was doing Raya, and it was okay. I mean, I'm just so busy. Like, I. You would think, like in the movies, you're like, you know, boarding a flight.
You sit down, some hot guy sitting next to you, and he's like, you know, this. This immediate chemistry. Literally. I've been traveling for 30 years, and that hot guy has never sat his ass next to me. Okay.
Like, not even in the section. Okay. Because I'm willing to move. Move around if I need to. It just doesn't happen.
Roxy:I know.
Cynthia Bailey:It never.
Roxy:It's never the hot guy. That's true. Never.
Cynthia Bailey:Never, never, never. I.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Once I. I was flying. I think. I think. I think I was flying from LA to New York. And, you know, you put your blanket on and this guy was sitting next to me.
I had no interest in. Interest in him. He was trying to, you know, talk and flirt with me. I'm trying to, like, you know, ignore him later, you know, eat our meal.
I put my blanket on, trying to go to sleep. I wake up, he has the blanket over both of us.
Roxy:Were there. Were there hands involved? Was he.
Dana Hill-Robinson:No, I don't.
Cynthia Bailey:I mean, I don't think.
Dana Hill-Robinson:I mean, I was. When I tell you I was. When I get on the plane, I'm sleep so fast. I didn't. I don't think so.
But he had somehow maneuvered the whole situation so that we tucked in.
Cynthia Bailey:Hilarious. I love that I have awakened to being, like, sleeping on someone's shoulder, like, in, you know, next to me, like.
Roxy:Where I'm like, was he a hot guy?
Cynthia Bailey:No, he was not a high guy, but he had a nice, soft, strong shoulder. So I ended up, you know, like, oh, my God, I'm sorry. You know. Yeah.
Roxy:Makes a great pillow.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Yes.
Roxy:You know, I definitely want to chat with you guys, too, about this notion of aging. Because, you know, being public facing and, you know, Cynthia with you with the show and Dana, you with the brand and just being really out there.
What are your thoughts on aging? Like, in front of. Front of the camera? Like, is it. Are you okay with it? Is it something that you think about? Is it something that bothers you?
Is it something that doesn't bother you? I mean, there's so many ways to kind of go about it. What Are your thoughts on that?
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah, I. I think about it.
It doesn't bother me, but I do think about it because as a public person, like, we get a lot of criticism, and for me, like, I feel like I'm aging very gracefully. However, you know, I got to get my tweaks, the Botox, the fillers, and all that stuff. I try not to overdo it.
I'm actually due right now, to be honest, but I try not to overdo it. But I feel like I want to look as good as I can look. You know what I'm saying?
So I feel like the Lord has given me these beautiful cheekbones I already have. He gave me a great starter kit. So it's just the maintenance of keeping it together. It's just the maintenance.
I. I think I look better now than I was when I was younger. So beauty is not an age thing for me. I. I couldn't have. I. I feel more beautiful in my 50s than I ever did in my 20s and 30s.
And I look back at those pictures, and I thought I was killing it. I'm like, no, this. It's. It's now.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Yeah, I definitely feel the same way. I mean, I'll be 60 in December, in two months time.
And I. I mean, I definitely, you know, we talk about, you know, approaching, you know, your 50s, 60s. Turning 60 has definitely hit me in a different way. You know, we. In the past, when you think 60, you think, okay, that's old.
You know, I don't feel that. You know, I often get told there's no way that you can. You don't look 60 anywhere.
Like, where I say, in my knees, when I try to bend, I have my new face and my LED red light and all of those. And of course, my Gloucester. Because when I tell you, you know, it really.
It's like Botox in the bottle, and everybody that uses it just comments on it. And also, it works quickly, you know, it really works.
Cynthia Bailey:It really does. Yeah.
Roxy:I'd love to know, what are your guys, three beauty tips that you swear by? Hmm.
Cynthia Bailey:Okay. I'll go first while you're looking, Dana, number one, I would say daily exfoliation, like, whatever one you want to use every day.
When I cleanse my skin in the shower, I do a quick exfoliation. Just getting rid of dead skin every day because it comes back even overnight, and it just keeps you having that fresh.
Like, I just got a facial look, so that's number one. And it could be as gentle or as strong as you need. Okay. But for daily, I Would recommend something a little gentle. All right.
Number two would be I over moisturize and I do it a few times throughout the day. I don't wear makeup when I don't have to. So I'm either glammed up or just fresh faced.
And when I'm fresh faced face, I probably apply my moisturizer a couple times a day. If I feel like it's leaving, then I I re moisturize.
But I will say with the glowy summer, when you use our moisturizer and you seal it in with the oil, it literally lasts all day and night.
Roxy:Until you wash it. Right. Until you wash it off.
Cynthia Bailey:Until you wash it off. Absolutely. Absolutely. So over moisturizing, exfoliating. I think last but not least is I think a good tip is to take, definitely take makeup breaks.
Like I know everyone, you know, for my industry we wear makeup a lot. So again, just not just letting your skin breathe and just, you know, or even better facials.
I try to get some kind of facial if I can, in a perfect world, once a month. If in a real perfect world, twice a month, I would do it, but I would say a facial at least once every two months for sure.
Roxy:Do you have a favorite facial, like a specific kind of facial?
Cynthia Bailey:I like something that includes some collagen plumping, you know, to wake all of that up. So something that definitely is. I love a nice peel, chemical peel I know people like.
But like, you know, when you get it done right, it's, it's a good thing. It just, just kind of lifts layer and kind of brightens you up and makes you look radiant.
And anything with college inducing or plumping that's added to it, whether it's those, I don't know what's called with the little needle things that go in there all over, they kind of hurt a little bit. But they put the numb cream which never really works.
Dana Hill-Robinson:But for me I would say some of the things are not products. But making sure that you stay hydrated and you're drinking enough water, that's really key because you also hydrate your skin internally.
Wearing sunscreen, gotta wear, put on your sunscreen daily. And then I would say, I think since it's removing, making sure you remove your makeup and washing your face every night.
Roxy:I still have friends in my 50s that sleep with their makeup on. I think it's the craziest thing.
Cynthia Bailey:It is the craziest thing. I know people that I do that too. Like if you want to torture me, tell me to sleep with my lashes and Makeup. Oh, like, it is my.
My favorite thing to do is take my makeup off, and my second is to take the wig off. But makeup is always first, and then the third is to take my bra. Oh, makeup, wig, and bra. And I'm a happy woman.
Roxy:What is that one that we do Not Care club? We're, like, taking everything off. Oh, it's the best.
Dana Hill-Robinson:I wanna. I just wanna read this one review because it's so amazing. So I'm gonna read it.
Cynthia Bailey:Hold on.
Dana Hill-Robinson:She says, OMG. I'm 75 years old. I started using your product about three days ago, and I can already see and feel the difference.
I've always had sensitive, sensitive skin, but as I age, I've begun to have breakouts. Everything that I've tried caused my skin to become red and irritated, itchy and burning.
I've tried so many products and spent so much money, but I think I finally hit the jackpot with this one. I thank you both from the bottom of my heart.
Cynthia Bailey:You're welcome. Yay.
Roxy:Oh, that's so nice.
Dana Hill-Robinson:I get goosebumps.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah.
Roxy:To really know that, because I feel like a lot of women, especially in midlife, we lose our self confidence. You know, when all of these body issues start arising, it's like the skin changes, the body changes.
So to have products that can give you your confidence back, that must feel amazing to you guys to hear those reviews.
Cynthia Bailey:Oh, it does. Especially for me. I'm on the other side of menopause, so my body was literally hijacked for the past six years. Like, I didn't know.
It was like, no matter what was happening, I was gaining weight. My skin was like, all over the place. I was exhausted all the time. My sleep pattern was a mess. I was hot, I was cold. I was like all the things.
So, yeah, after being on the other side of. Of that, you. You feel like a little bit of out of control. Like, I feel like I couldn't control anything. I was.
I just had to go through this, the menopausal process, and I didn't even recognize myself some of the days, to be honest. But I will say self care using to incorporate things into your routine and your ritual that make you feel good and ultimately look good is.
Is one of my favorite things to do is to just, you know, take care of myself. Yeah.
Roxy:And were there certain other solutions that you had during that time during, like, you know, perimenopause and menopause that really helped you? Whether it be like, hrts or different supplements or things like that?
Cynthia Bailey:I would Say I did get my hormonal panels checked and my estrogen was good, but my testosterone was low. So I did look into that. And right now I'm currently, I have a partnership with Weight Watchers and I'm on their testosterone patch now.
Roxy:Okay.
Cynthia Bailey:To just kind of help. Yeah, help me with that. Yes. So other than that, that, that's been helpful. I've been trying to, you know, lose a little weight. Nothing too crazy.
At first I was like, oh, I want to lose 50 pounds. And then that was like I lost like 20. And then nothing happened for a while.
And so now I've been, I've just been consistently just trying to stay consistent with some kind of working out, which is, I have to be honest, not that easy for me because I have so much going on all the time, but definitely managing my food situation. So I've been able to stay afloat with just that part of it and the testosterone.
And then also Weight Watchers, when you get to a point where what happens is once you lose a certain amount of weight, you start to like plateau a little bit, especially when, you know, the metabolism is not just slow, it's like barely moving at this point. So now I've incorporated the patch and they have neon semiglutide as well.
And yeah, I started out with a very low dosage and to be honest, I didn't really feel anything.
So I just went a little bit more and now I can feel, you know, the food conversations quiet and quieting down in my mind a little bit to just kind of, you know, shut some of that off.
Roxy:Okay. Oh, that's interesting. I didn't know they did GLPs and things like that.
Cynthia Bailey:Yes.
Roxy:Okay, that's great. It's like a one stop shop now.
Cynthia Bailey:It is, it is. Well, I think, you know, Weight Watchers is like been around for a long time, but they've had to modify and elevate with the times.
You know, we live in a world where, you know, you can do whatever you want to do. And then like a lot of people that are on the shot, like, that's all they do and they've just been able to like lose and keep all this weight off.
For me, I wanted, I wanted to be able to maintain a certain weight by really incorporating the exercise piece and the food piece and not just being completely dependent on the semi glutide.
I think it's a nice other tool to add into all those things to just kind of, like I said, quieten down the food noise, but for me personally, I Need everything working for me. Need all of the above. Same.
Roxy:I'm like, a little bit here, a little bit there, a little bit here.
Cynthia Bailey:All hands on deck, okay? Yes, totally.
Roxy:You can't get too lopsided one way or another because then you feel like you have to eat, you know, so strict. And then you're not working.
Cynthia Bailey:It's just.
Roxy:It's a little bit of everything, you know?
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah.
Roxy:That's one of the challenges I found right now is the weight gain, which has been hard for me because it's like.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Yeah.
Roxy:All of a sudden you get the 5 to 10 to 15 pounds on and it's. He didn't do anything different, you know?
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah. Yeah. And I don't mind being, you know, I've been skinny most of my life, you know, as a model.
Like, I just always was a certain weight until I got older. And I don't have a desire to be skinny again. I actually like being a little curvier.
I just want it to not all go to my midsection, to my stomach and my waist.
Roxy:Correct. Right here.
Cynthia Bailey:Leave that sex alone. I will take all the pounds. Okay. Just don't go to that area. And that's the first area.
At this age, they go to, like, all the fat goes to your midsection and your freaking stomach. And it's the craziest thing. It's the crazy thing.
Roxy:I'm like, I'll take it in my boobs and my butt all day long. But Leaf, can you leave the stomach out?
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah, sure. Totally.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Well, I have some tips.
Roxy:Oh, you do?
Dana Hill-Robinson:Yes. I'm actually. I'm coming out with an ebook soon. So. One is intermittent fasting.
Roxy:Intermittent fasting in the morning or at night?
Cynthia Bailey:I do it in the morning.
Dana Hill-Robinson:So it depends. I mean, there are different ways to do it. What I do is I typically don't have my first meal until 12, 12 or 1 o', clock, and then I'll have my.
My last meal maybe around, you know, seven, eight o', clock, you know, so I do that. And that alone will. You'll start to see your stomach flatten out and you'll start to.
Because a lot of times that puffy stomach is coming from inflammation too.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah.
Dana Hill-Robinson:And that help with that. Turmeric. Take turmeric. Also, Ashwagandha is really good. And all these things are really good too for menopause and perimenopause symptoms as well.
So the. And then the other thing is, when I. When I was preparing for my wedding, I wanted to drop pounds and, you know, do it Quickly.
And I came across what's called the four hour body.
Roxy:What's that?
Dana Hill-Robinson:So that.
Cynthia Bailey:Tell me more so what it is.
Dana Hill-Robinson:So. So during the six days a week, you basically, you're. You're no carbs, no bread, no dairy, no sugar.
So you're doing veggies, protein, and then legumes.
Cynthia Bailey:So meat. Okay.
Dana Hill-Robinson:And what that would look like for me, my breakfast was always like eggs with lentils and vegetable. That was my breakfast. And maybe add some avocado.
Cynthia Bailey:Okay.
Dana Hill-Robinson:And then lunch and dinner. It's like a protein and vegetable. Protein and vegetable.
So you do that six days a week and then you have that one day of the week where you can eat whatever you want. Oh, whatever you want.
Roxy:Pizza, carbs, anything. Anything at all.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Literally when I first started doing it, my day, I would have like four big slices of pizza, chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, the whole nine.
Cynthia Bailey:Everything.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Wait for that day to come.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah.
Dana Hill-Robinson:And. And it worked. It really, it really worked. So now I do kind of a modification where I typically, you know, during the week I'll stick to.
I still do my, you know, breakfast with eggs and lentils and, you know, the veggies. I'll do spinach or an arugula. And I also do a collagen powder, a protein collagen product.
Because you have to make sure you're getting enough protein. Because one thing, as you get older too, you have to actually eat more protein than you did when you were younger. So that's super important as well.
So it's. I.
Cynthia Bailey:There's a whole, There's a whole.
Dana Hill-Robinson:I have a whole regimen. And, and also, Cynthia.
And two, you might want to look into doing, I think I told you this before, how Pilates just really helps tighten up your core.
Cynthia Bailey:It does. I have to do it.
Roxy:I know.
Dana Hill-Robinson:And you don't even really feel like you're exercising. So it's, it's, it's just, it's. It's very therapeutic and almost meditative for me. And I don't like, you know, the typical working out per se.
But that for me is more of like a spiritual workout. And I just. And there's, I mean, there's different levels you can take.
I don't even take like, I've been doing it for so long, but I'll still take the mid level class. I'm not trying to like stress. Stress myself out.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah.
Dana Hill-Robinson:You know, Right. You know, so those are a few tips. And also, every morning, start your day with warm water and lemon juice.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah, that is a good one.
Roxy:It gets the digestion going, right? Yeah, yeah.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Gets your digestion going. You know, making sure you get proper elimination, all of those things. And it also helps to speed up your metabolism.
And also what's good for it is green tea.
Roxy:Oh, okay.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Green tea is just good to drink. I actually drink. I don't even drink caffeinated drink green tea. I drink decaf green tea.
And, you know, there are certain properties with that that helps to speed up your metabolism as well.
Roxy:Oh, wow.
Cynthia Bailey:Those are a few things that are.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Coming in my book. Okay.
Cynthia Bailey:Those are good ones.
Roxy:See, it's more. More things that we need to add to the list to do.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah, well, you know, it's all about prevention. You know, a lot of. A lot of the people that follow me on social media, I don't really host for younger women, to be honest.
I'm very focused on, you know, the representation of my age range. Like, I love the. The 50s girl and up.
And I will say quite a few younger people follow me and I think it's because they're trying to figure out what they need to do before they need it, which means they're smart. As opposed to waiting until you get there and then like, oh, I need to, like, you know, check my hormones, you know what, or whatever.
They're getting all that good information. So I'm assuming that's why they're following me. I mean, I love my young people too. However, I'm very intentional about representing my. My village.
Dana Hill-Robinson:You're an icon.
Roxy:Of course they're gonna follow. You're like a gorgeous supermodel.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Hello.
Cynthia Bailey:Well, thank you. I received my flowers. Thank you for reminding me. Because sometimes I'm like, oh, yeah, okay. That's right.
That is a reason why they may want to follow me.
Roxy:Yes, that's good. See, good, positive girlfriends in your life. Right?
Dana Hill-Robinson:That's.
Roxy:That's the key to life right now, especially.
Cynthia Bailey:Yes.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Remind them who they are.
Roxy:So, Cynthia, I know you're back on the set.
I know you've been busy because you've been back on the set of the Real Housewives of Atlanta filming and you take a little break, which I totally get. I probably, if I was in your shoes, would do the same thing just to get a little breather. How does it.
I know you were back last season as well, but how does it feel kind of, you know, being a feature? Is it featured friend, right?
Cynthia Bailey:Is that. Yeah. Official friend.
Roxy:Official friend, yeah. How does it feel being in that role as opposed to like, like a full time cast member?
Cynthia Bailey:Full time housewife yes. It feels amazing. It feels amazing being in the friend space. And it feels amazing because I don't have to.
I'm not obligated to bring my life to the camera like I did when I was a housewife. You know, I share what I want to share. I don't share what I don't feel comfortable sharing. I don't necessarily. My daughter filming with me.
My guy Prince has filmed with me a cute a few times, but just in very casual, not in a real like, let's focus on in her relationship kind of way.
It's, it's not that like just him supporting me throughout some things that we do this season where, you know, people had their mates with them so he was able to support me. Yeah, it feels good. You know, acting is still my number one priority right now. That's the chapter that I'm super focused on.
And in order for me to, to be able to fully commit to my acting career, being a friend of just gave me more leeway to still be able to pursue auditions and shows if I booked them even during the season. So, you know, the network has been incredibly gracious in terms of that. I love still being connected to the cast and to the show.
It's been my life for so long, for well over a decade that I, you know, I kind of missed it. I did kind of miss it, but only in a way where, you know, I got the housewife T shirt. Already been there, done that.
I'm really having a great time as a friend of because I feel like one of the things that I needed when I was a full time housewife was a friend. And I really try to be that for the ladies and not pick a side, which has been a little challenging this season.
I think I've said too many in too many interviews that I don't pick a side. So I'm not like, we're gonna make this side now. So. So yeah, now it's like I think they're on to me. I think they're on demanding.
They're like, you know, trying to pull me to one side or the other, but I'm trying to stay neutral. I'm really, really trying, but it's becoming more and more difficult.
We, we only have a few more weeks left, so hopefully I'll make it to the finish line with just kind of being a little bit in the middle and for always, you know, and always the voice of reason during this.
Roxy:Season as you've been filming, has it been because you're seeing it sort of in this different light and different way.
Have you been able to kind of step away and protect your piece a bit now more than, like, in past seasons where you kind of had to be in it so much and, you know, it just kind of. You take it as it comes, I would imagine, you know, but it must be nice to be able to kind of step away.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah. You know what? It was. I think when I did it was just the right time to just pivot for a bit. And I really, you know, it's like one of those things.
You don't realize how tired you are until you actually leave the situation and you're like, oh, my God, how in the world did I do this for 11 years straight? Like, how did I do this? But at the same time, I mean, it's been incredible.
Like, there's so many memories I've created on the show, like, things I would never do. Like. Like when I tell you I've done some crazy stuff on Housewives I would never do. So it definitely takes me out of my comfort zone.
So I really enjoy the entertainment part of it.
I love the relationships that these ladies that I've had, even the ones like, you know, there's been ups and downs and all the things, but, you know, it's still a sisterhood. It just is a sisterhood, whole housewife thing.
It's a very, you know, it could be a very toxic sisterhood, but it is sisterhood at the end of the day. And, you know, I love the ladies. I love making good tv.
Being a part of Housewives for so many years, you know, going back and talking about certain seasons is like, wow, season six. I hadn't thought about season six in so long, and that was one of our most popular seasons. It's good. And you kind of can't, you know, un.
Become a housewife, so it's like, all right, I've been in this thing for so long. You know, the reruns run on and on and on. I'm never not going to be Cynthia Bailey from the Real Housewives of Atlanta at this point.
So I've just been enjoying being able to stay connected to the cast, to the ladies, and to the fans.
Roxy:It's a great platform for you to also launch all these other businesses and great things that you're doing. You know, is it true, like, even, you know, off season or what have you?
I mean, it looks like there's a lot that goes on during the season, but do you guys really, truly remain friends even when you're not filming?
Cynthia Bailey:Oh, yeah. Definitely. I mean, the people you connect with, you know, you connect.
I'm not saying again, I'm not the kind of friend that wants to see, you know, my friends on or off the show every day. So it just is what it is.
Roxy:I hear you.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah, yeah. But like, if, you know, one of my girls calls Raspice, like, hey, let's, let's grab a drink later if I have time. I'm there.
I'm like, pre order me that margarita. Let's go, let's go.
Roxy:Have the chips and salsa and margarita waiting on the table.
Cynthia Bailey:Go ahead and put the order in. Absolutely.
Dana Hill-Robinson:And we love to eat. Cynthia and I, we. That's like one of our things.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah, we're both foodies.
Roxy:Okay, so what do you like to eat? What's like your favorite meal together?
Cynthia Bailey:Oh, well, I'm a sushi girl, so I love all things sushi. I love it, I love it, I love it. I probably way too much of it, but it's my happy place.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Oh, I do indulge her by going to the sushi spots, but I'll have the teriyaki or the cook sushi. I'm not a raw sushi person at all.
Cynthia Bailey:Like literally go bring it to me fresh out of the ocean.
Roxy:Yes, the best. So I would imagine when you come here to Los Angeles, you probably get stocked up on sushi while you're out here.
Cynthia Bailey:Oh yeah, yeah. That's one of the things that I love about being bicoastal between LA and Atlanta.
I love, I feel like in LA like you're just kind of in the routine of being healthy even if you're not even trying. Like you're just going to be like, oh, I have the avocado toast for breakfast. I'll have this, that and the other.
It just feels like a healthier lifestyle. Whereas here in the south it's like give me the sweet potato waffles with extra butter, extra syrup things. It's true.
Roxy:It's one of the things I miss visiting. I'm from Dallas originally and I miss that good old barbecue and all the tasty, you know, the Mexican food and oh my God. So good, right?
Cynthia Bailey:It is, it is.
Roxy:Okay, ladies, so what advice would you give your 25 year old son selves?
Dana Hill-Robinson:I would say to practice discernment.
Practice discernment around what you surround yourself with, who you surround yourself with and also be careful with your words, with your thoughts because those things do manifest. And, and also to be sure to surround yourself with like minded people who are on the same Level as yourself.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah.
Dana Hill-Robinson:And know how to say no.
Cynthia Bailey:No. How to say no. Yes.
Roxy:Amen. I'm still learning that one.
Cynthia Bailey:I would say I would tell my 25 year old self to trust the process. You know, it is a process and as long as you're doing the work and as long as you're focused, then it usually works out. So trust it.
I would also say to give yourself grace. I am super ambitious. I am a workaholic. I'm a control freak. I am like all the things that come with being an entrepreneur and I forget my graces.
I've grace sometimes because I really over. I put a lot of pressure on myself and I can not do that so much. I feel like the world's not gonna end the next day if I don't get something done.
So giving myself grace, you know, this time like there's nothing fun about like over doing it and then just like, you know, life can't be just all work. You have to have some balance. And so I'm learning that, I'm learning that. And then I would also tell my 25 year old self to choose yourself.
I learned it later in life to just to choose you.
Because I think, you know, whether you're a mom or a daughter or friend, whatever you are to people, you have to take care of yourself first and foremost. Like only you're going to do that. No one is coming to take care of you. You have to do it yourself. So choose yourself. Choose yourself.
And I think when you show up better, you are a bigger asset to people that are, that love you and that are depending on you because you're in the space of where you are replenished.
Like you're pouring, you're pouring into yourself and you feel good and you feel strong and you're able to show up better for, for yourself and, and for the people that you care about, that you care about.
Roxy:Have you guys ever felt stuck before?
And if you have, what was the thing that kind of made you go forward or pushed you forward or made you take that first step into an uncomfortable place even?
Dana Hill-Robinson:I mean I've. There's been many, many, many moments, you know, where I feel stuck with.
If I'm you know, starting something new, is that kind of fear and that discomfort. But you know that those two things are needed in order to create something new and to have, just to have that trust in yourself.
So I think for me it's about having faith, my faith in God. And that's what pulls me through.
And also just realizing that Sometimes things are not going to happen on your time, but it's on God's time, you know, and to feel comfort in that, you know, and just really, again, listening to yourself, you know, am I. Am I taking the right steps? Am I doing the right things and listening to that, listening to your. Your. Your instinct and your gut.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah. I think when I think about being stuck, I think I kind of felt stuck at the end of both of my marriages. Just like, what am I doing?
Am I doing the right thing? You know, just trying to figure out how to start all over and all of those things as a single woman again, all of those things.
I think the biggest thing for me, to feel unstuck or to just figure it out if I do feel stuck, is to not operate from a place of fear. Like, you just gotta believe that you're gonna be okay. Like, you just gotta believe it. That's like part one.
Like, you just gotta mentally put it in your mind into the universe. I'm gonna be okay. I'm gonna figure this out.
And that's all that positive affirmation and manifesting and praying and all the things, just mentally positioning yourself to be okay, to be unstuck. And then from there, you know, baby steps, you just start rebuilding.
You know, you just start rebuilding and you start rethinking this new life that does not involve anyone else. Now you start repositioning, you start reinventing. I am queen of reinvention. I'm always.
Probably every 10 years, I reinvent and decide, oh, you know what? I did the modeling. Time to do reality tv. Did that. Time to go into acting. Did that. Time to write a book. Time to start a podcast.
Time to start my own skincare line. Like, I'm always constantly elevating and doing, accomplishing the goals that I've set for myself. So it doesn't actually leave a lot.
I don't have, like, a lot of time to be stuck. Right.
Roxy:To be honest, I gotta cross those things off the list.
Cynthia Bailey:I'm too busy to be stuck. Okay? So if I'm stuck, I'm not gonna be stuck for long, I can tell you that. I got 24 hours to be stuck, and then I gotta figure it out. That's good.
Roxy:That's good.
I was actually listening to another podcast, and the lady, the guest that was on said that every three or four days she takes a break and goes downstairs, locks herself in a bathroom and. And just cries. Just. Just gets it out, just lets it flow through her, just a clear space. And I thought that was so interesting.
I'm like, a good cry really can be cathartic.
Cynthia Bailey:It's a release.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Yes.
Cynthia Bailey:Like, it really is a release. And I mean, I can say I don't cry enough. Like, I'm not like a cry girl.
Like, even when I, even if I'm upset and I want to cry sometimes it's just hard to cry. And then when I do cry. Oh, talking about cry me a river. Like, I cry for everyone.
When I finally cry, I can't stop crying because I finally do it right.
Roxy:It's like your body just needs to let go sometimes, you know?
Dana Hill-Robinson:Yeah.
Cynthia Bailey:Let it out.
Roxy:We just keep it so bottled in. And I just, I thought that was so interesting. I'm like, we just all have to have those breaks, you know, I'm a.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Crier over here, so.
Cynthia Bailey:No, you're very emotional.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Yeah.
Cynthia Bailey:Dana's very.
Roxy:Do you, Are you the person that cries at the commercial of like, you know, they, you know, the kid comes, comes home after, you know, being away and, and the parents are crying.
Dana Hill-Robinson:And this is how much I, how, how much I'm a, A crybaby. So I went to dinner with like a new group of friends, Cynthia, you know, the other Saturday night.
And so we're all talking, getting to know each other. And it was just really, really nice. Just a really group, great group of women.
And so at the end, one of the ladies ordered a cake and we were sharing it. It was so good. I said, you know what, let me order. I'm going to order this and bring it home to my husband.
And so the, I was, the waitress came and young lady said, oh no, just put it on my. I'll, I'll get it for you. And like literally that little thing.
Cynthia Bailey:That's so sweet.
Dana Hill-Robinson:I was just like, really? I'm like, I.
Cynthia Bailey:It made me cry.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Yeah, I was like, I was. That's so sweet.
Cynthia Bailey:That is really sweet.
Dana Hill-Robinson:And I just literally teared up because she did not have to do that. We just met and it was just. And I was just telling Cynthia before how hard it's been just meeting friends down here. And it was just that whole.
It just, I just got a super emotional and like, literally was crying.
Cynthia Bailey:Oh my God.
Roxy:That's the sweetest thing. No, it is really hard, especially now to meet new like minded women. I mean, it's an effort. You really have to put yourself out there.
Cynthia Bailey:No, like, seriously, I'm actually in a really nice friend group of women who are also bosses and all the things we call ourselves boss babes. And I Just introduced Dana to those ladies. They're always. We're always supporting each other, and. Yeah, yeah, it's good. It's good.
Like, my schedule is always pretty crazy. I don't get to see the ladies as much as I would like to, but it's. It's good to know they're there, you know?
Roxy:Yeah, you need those touch points, you know, of, like, just girls night and talking it out. Can be casual, whatever it is, you know? Absolutely.
Cynthia Bailey:Yeah.
Roxy:So how are you two lovely ladies living iconically right now?
Cynthia Bailey:Oh, how are we living iconically?
Well, for me, I guess I'm saying the course with, you know, doing the things that have put me in the icon lane, I guess, continuing to be a part of the show. Continuing to be. I just recently did the cover of L'Officiel. Continue my modeling. Continuing my modeling journey.
I feel like, you know, I talk a lot about representation. I. I love that I've pretty much come full circle with my modeling, and now I'm finally at an age now.
I hadn't thought about modeling in years, but I feel like I might want to get back out there. I think the. This 50s woman that this new curvy body needs to be. There's somebody out there that I need to represent for.
hing that I'm entertaining in:Just my career, my life, you know, the Cynthia Bailey life of it all has, in some crazy way, by the grace of God, has has me living quite an iconic little life over here. Like, a lot of people pay attention to the things that I have going on.
So I don't know what makes an icon, but I feel like I'm definitely a part of a group, especially with the show that, you know, we've made incredible memories for people and for ourselves, and, you know, we've helped move the culture, the black culture forward in so many ways with, you know, different things that the show has contributed that I've contributed as an actor, as model, like, all the things. So, yeah, I'm just staying the course. I'm just trying to run this thing out to the end here and.
Dana Hill-Robinson:To.
Cynthia Bailey:Continue to do it and to continue to do it with style and love and grace.
Roxy:That's amazing. What do you think that the show needs to do to remain iconic?
Because there's been a lot of changes that have happened, you know, over the course of that. I mean, you were really one of the ones to shape it and make it iconic. So what do you think the show has to do to remain iconic?
The real Housewives of Atlanta.
Cynthia Bailey:Well, I. I think the show has to elevate. It has to change. Like, we've. You know, we've seen it for so many years. I think it definitely has to elevate. I think it's the right.
I think it's all about putting the right mixture of new people and some of the OGs together and seeing what that looks like. I think it's. When it's, like, all, like, a new cast, everything, it's too extreme. Like, we don't know these people. We're not invested in them yet.
We got.
You gotta, like, slowly introduce us to new people, you know, so that we can start to become invested in their kids and their lives and all that stuff. But we did it for so long.
The people that's a part of my cast that, you know, they watched our children grow up on tv, so they're still super invested. So I think the right balance of both. Young. I'm not young. I think the balance of the old meets some of the new, the new meets the old.
I think that's one of the ways, in my opinion, to keep the show iconic.
Roxy:Do you think that you'll stay with it for the foreseeable future? You're having a good time?
Cynthia Bailey:I am having a good time. I am having a good time. I love the space that I'm in with the show, and I could. I could ride this. This wave a little longer. For sure. For sure.
I'm having. I'm having a good time.
Roxy:Okay, good, good, good. Well, we're excited to see this next season. Dana, how are you living iconically?
Dana Hill-Robinson:Well, I think, for one thing, you know, I just embrace the woman that I am now. You know, all my flaws and just everything, you know, I'm not trying to be who I was in my 20s or my 30s.
It's really about, you know, honoring who I am now. This place that exists, experience and, you know, wisdom and. And just being authentic.
And it's just really liberating, like I said, just to be able to say no. You know, it's not. It's not about, you know, chasing youth or, you know, just trying to. To relive the past.
It's about, you know, honoring who I am now and just feeling comfortable in my skin.
Roxy:Absolutely. Absolutely. That's a good one, right? We got to feel comfortable in our skin.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Warn us.
Cynthia Bailey:Absolutely.
Dana Hill-Robinson:It's not a Beyonce song or a lie.
Roxy:I feel like.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Well, in life.
Roxy:Definitely. Definitely. I love it. Ladies. So please tell everybody, where can we find Gloisima? First of all, can we buy it online?
Where's the best place to to purchase it?
Dana Hill-Robinson:You can find Louisa@Louisama.com and also on Amazon.com and soon to be on TikTok Shop.
Roxy:Ooh, that's great. And tell everybody also where they can find you. I know the Real Housewives of Atlanta is the new season, will be premiering next year, correct?
Cynthia Bailey:Yes. Sometime next year. I'm not sure of the official date, but please look out for season 17. Please look out for season 17 of Real Housewives of Atlanta.
oming to you, the top part of:So make sure you guys, we can't.
Roxy:Have it without you, so you have to be on, you know.
Cynthia Bailey:Oh, yes. Yes.
Roxy:One word to describe this season.
Cynthia Bailey:Complicated. Oh. Every. Nothing was simple like everything was. I've never been more confused in a lot of ways, but it's unpredictable.
Roxy:Okay.
Cynthia Bailey:Because we got some people, some new energy, got some new blood. So, you know, getting to know the new ladies, reacquainting myself with the old ladies that have been around, catching up with all of them.
It's a lot of moving parts. It's a lot of moving parts. So you won't know what to expect, which to me means it's going to be a good season for sure. Expect the unexpected.
And you guys can find me by the way. You guys can find me on Instagram and all the things the ab.
Dana Hill-Robinson:And I'm at Dana Hill Robinson on Instagram if anybody wants. Yes.
Roxy:We love following you guys, so keeps us entertained and having fun. So we're excited to. To hear more about everything that's coming up and watching the show next year and having more glowy. Simon.
I've got mine right here.
Cynthia Bailey:Yes.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Yes.
Roxy:I love it. I just apply it when I'm feeling dry.
Cynthia Bailey:I'm like, oh, yes. And you can bring it down to your neck, you know, little leftover hands. Like, don't waste it now. Make sure you take it all in.
Roxy:I even like to put it all over my makeup sometimes just for a little refresh.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Yeah.
Cynthia Bailey:Yep.
Roxy:Right? It works. It's good stuff. It's good stuff.
Cynthia Bailey:It is good stuff, you guys.
Roxy:Absolutely. Thank you so much, ladies. I wish best of luck and I can't wait to chat next time, hopefully very soon.
Cynthia Bailey:Yes. I look forward to it.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Looking forward. Thank you for having us.
Cynthia Bailey:All right, everyone.
Dana Hill-Robinson:Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Roxy:Cynthia Bailey. And Dana Hill Robinson, two women who embody what the iconic midlife is all about growth, grace, and a glow that can't be filtered.
From building brands to building boundaries, this conversation was a reminder that reinvention is always possible and peace is the ultimate flex. If this episode inspired you, tap follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a drop.
Leave us a five star rating and share it with your best midlife confidant and come hang out with us on social media heconicmidlife for behind the scenes clips and bold conversations you won't find anywhere else. And remember, we're not doing midlife quietly, we're doing it on our terms. Until next time, stay bold, stay curious, and always stay iconic.
