New Zealands's The Real Housewives of Auckland finally kicked off this week with a two-night premiere full of glamour and drama. During the first episode, drama kicked off between Angela Stone and Gilda Kirkpatrick, which the drama continued between the two in Episode 2.
Recently, RHOAKL cast members Angela Stone, Julia Sloane and Louise Wallace sat down with The Herald NZ to dish on the upcoming drama and what fans can expect from the series.
Then, the ladies were asked if they were happy with their onscreen portrayal. All confirmed they were. In fact, they were surprised the episodes weren't more explosive.
"I thought we would be quite tame compared to the overseas shows," Wallace, tells Herald NZ. "But I don't think we're any more tame, at all. In fact, we may be even more feisty."
"I think when I first went into this project, I was probably a little naive," says Stone. "I just didn't realize that the knives would come out like they have. I do feel that I've been personally attacked. It's just been nasty really. I guess this does make for good TV. It's only going to get more intense as it goes on."
With a background in television and acting, Wallace actively encouraged her co-stars to dial up the drama and make "good television".
"I was saying, if somebody pisses you off, tell them and tell them why. Argue back. Say what you really think. In a normal social situation, obviously you wouldn't. But in this, we're allowed to."
But not everyone agrees with Wallace.
"It's very emotionally draining, to be honest," says Sloane. "You do show a side of yourself that is almost your alter-ego. You're saying things that normally you would hold back. You end up in situations that are just a lot more drama than you would have in real life."
Wallace says the six women were "sick of each other" by the time filming ending and needed "a bit of a break".
"We've had an experience and we've got a camaraderie that no one else has in New Zealand. Okay, there may have been a bit of backstabbing and would-be fisticuffs but really we have this bond."
That bond will no doubt be strengthened as the group faces an inevitable backlash on social media. It's something all are aware of and braced for, particularly as people take aim at their extravagant lifestyles.
"We'll be slammed for conspicuous consumption when people are struggling. There will be a lot of haters for that reason," says Wallace.
She adds: "What I always go back to is the fact that we're contributors to society because we employ people, we pay taxes and we've had successful careers. But also, we are purely entertainment. And people who are not as lucky and as fortunate as us will hopefully get pleasure out of watching us."
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