As the co-hosts of Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea,” we’ve spent years dissecting Bravo drama for a living — so when “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” invited us to bartend on a night featuring “Real Housewives of Miami” star Julia Lemigova and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, we obviously said yes, darling.
But nothing could have prepared us for just how fun and fabulous the experience would be.
First of all, let’s talk drinks. The “WWHL” producers do not play. Upon stepping into the Bravo Clubhouse, we were immediately handed our beverages of choice — a sugar-free Red Bull for Evan and a Diet Coke for Danny, thank you very much — and were encouraged to sip, relax and soak it all in. (And film tons of content for the @virtualrealitea social pages in the green room, of course.)
We mingled with Andy, Julia and Isaac backstage — as well as “The McBee Dynasty” star Galyna Saltkovska, who was in town to support her “Housewife” pal, a fellow native of Russia. After chit-chatting for a bit, it was time to hit the stage with our drinks in hand and massive smiles on our faces.
Surrounded by cameras and an energized live studio audience, this felt like a dream come true.
Also dreamy? Not actually having to make drinks and getting refills every commercial break. During the show, we opted for sparkling water — but if any future bartenders want theirs spiked or favor a heavy pour of Gizelle Bryant’s beloved Casa Azul, that is totally doable.
We felt like absolute stars and, honestly, it was like being on a “Housewives” cast trip — minus the screaming and plus better lighting.
Speaking of glam, Andy’s makeup artist, the iconic Caroline Blanchard, was on touch-up duty and touched us up, honey. We weren’t just bartenders — we were broadcast-ready bartenders.
A fun surprise of the night was a moment between Evan and Andy. Toward the top of the show, Andy turned to Evan and asked with genuine curiosity about the pronunciation of his last name: Real.
“Evan I always want to say … is it Ree-Ahl?” Andy presed. And Evan, channeling his inner Dorit Kemsley, let him know: it’s “just Real” — like the juggernaut TV franchise that the charismatic host presides over.
When we weren’t being touched up by Caroline or thanking producers for bringing us fresh sparkling waters during commercial breaks, Andy casually strolled over to the bar to gab with us like we’d been doing this for years.
We chatted, we laughed and he posed for a photo with us that will definitely be framed in our apartments until the end of time.
A post shared by Virtual Reali-Tea by Page Six (@virtualrealitea)
During the “After Show” (yes, there’s always more tea after the tea), we got the chance to ask Julia the question every “RHOM” fan wants answered: what’s the status of her fractured friendship with Adriana de Moura? Spoiler alert — they’re not speaking. You could feel the tension, even through Julia’s chic composure.
Backstage, there was an unexpectedly adorable moment with Isaac Mizrahi. Isaac had long admired Danny from afar (and from Instagram), and apparently, the feeling was mutual. It was giving the kind of energy that made our gay little Bravo-loving hearts explode.
The whole shoot took about 35 minutes — though it felt like five, because time flies when you’re sipping drinks in front of Andy, Julia and Isaac … and trying not to fangirl.
After the cameras stopped rolling, we headed to the step-and-repeat for photos with Julia and Isaac (who, yes, still looked impossibly good even after the bright lights and Bravo bravado).
For two Bravo junkies who’ve spent hours breaking down “Housewives” feuds and reunion seating charts, bartending on “WWHL” wasn’t just a career moment — it was a surreal explosion of glam, gossip and glorious chaos.
And we, of course, have to shout-out Andy once more for plugging “Virtual Reali-Tea’s” first-ever awards show, the VRT Awards, taking place Sept. 17 at City Winery in New York City with special guests including Alexia Nepola, Marysol Patton, Melissa Gorga and Candiace Dillard Bassett.
Voting is open and tickets are available to purchase now!
And if you want more pop culture updates from us, tune in to Page Six Radio on SiriusXM, every weekday from 8-10am ET on Stars Channel 109, which we co-host with Page Six editor Ian Mohr.
“Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” airs Sunday through Thursday on Bravo with new episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.
The post What it’s really like to bartend on ‘WWHL’: All the behind-the-scenes secrets from Page Six’s ‘Virtual Reali-Tea’ hosts appeared first on Page Six.
