Bravo Initiates Meghan King Edmonds as the Newest Member to the ‘Housewives Club’
Written By: Genesis Gonzalez Meghan King Edmonds Leaves her Midwest Roots to Join The Real Housewives of Orange County
Photography By: Adam Gentry
Orange County has it all! From the beautiful beaches of Laguna to the luxurious St. Regis Monarch Beach, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect place. But the OC would not be as fabulous or entertaining if it weren’t for the talented, stylish and fierce ladies of “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” It was in the heart of the OC that audiences fell in love with a unique group of ladies who would lead one of the most successful franchises on television. Now in its 10th season, “The Real Housewives of Orange County” welcomes the beautiful, adventurous, and opinionated, Meghan King Edmonds.
Splitting her time between St. Louis and her new home in Orange County, Meghan, along with her husband, former professional baseball player Jim Edmonds, have jumped on board this exciting reality show. From juggling family, to new friendships, to a world class trip to Moorea, an exciting adventure has just begun for this new housewife inductee.
As a newlywed, a new stepmom and entrepreneur, life in front of the cameras may seem challenging. However, Meghan takes it all one day at a time, and when she can, doing so in yoga wear. This season, Meghan will launch her new sweat-proof makeup line, Sweat Cosmetics, which is perfect for the active woman. Though she may call St. Louis home because she is originally from the Midwest, Meghan is staying true to herself as she makes a mark in none other than beautiful Orange County.
Catch Meghan and the rest of the housewives on “The Real Housewives of Orange County” Monday nights at 9 PM ET/PT on Bravo.
Q: When the franchise first approached you to come on the show, what was your initial reaction?
Meghan King Edmonds: My husband and I are friends with the Dubrows, so it was a seamless transition for us. I thought it would be a great way to get to know Orange County better and make friends!
Q: Had you been a fan of the series before?
MKE: I would watch reruns if they were on TV. But when I found out I was going to be a housewife, I immediately purchased Season 9 on iTunes and did some recon work.
Q: As a recent newlywed, was there any hesitation to join, or did you feel this was a fun opportunity to share an exciting time in your life with the audience?
MKE: Of course I had some hesitation to join! My husband and I had a lot of talks about the what-ifs of joining the show. Being a newlywed is exciting, but we are defined by much more than that. Also, to say that Jim and I are in an exciting time in our life is an understatement! Maybe hectic, unique or crazy would be better adjectives!
Q: In filming the series, do you feel you have grown in many ways, specifically as a new wife and even in your professional career?
MKE: Jim and I have definitely grown in our marriage. It’s really hard only to be with my husband half of the time — much harder than I initially thought. I am launching a sweat proof makeup line in Los Angeles called Sweat Cosmetics too. We went from both of us not working and being together 24/7 to only seeing each other 50 percent of the time, living in California and St. Louis and both of us working in different cities. It was and still is a huge adjustment. It isn’t ideal by any stretch of the imagination.
Q: “The Real Housewives of Orange County” was the original in this ever-growing franchise. To be a part of it now in Season 10, are there nerves, high expectations and maybe some great excitement?
MKE: I am honored to be a part of “the housewives club.” These women have a lot to offer, and apparently someone thought I did too! I am so excited to see myself on TV. I think that everyone has a certain opinion of themselves, and since perception is reality, most people truly believe they are what they think. I have the opportunity to see myself as others see me by watching my reality on television, and I think it will be uncomfortable at times but overall humbling. I also hope that my personality, as I see it, will shine through on TV!
Q: Does it ever get easier, or comfortable to have cameras filming your day-to-day?
MKE: From the beginning the cameras never bothered me, I always acted the same in front of and behind the cameras. I just might not have had as many fake eyelashes behind the camera!
Q: How would you describe your personality?
MKE: Resilient, opinionated, informed, adventurous and self-deprecating.
Q: Do you find you are adapting well to the other ladies and are forming new friendships?
MKE: Yes, absolutely. Obviously Heather is my good friend, but when I met Tamra, I immediately clicked with her. You’ll see me go through some major friendship evolutions — some of which I could never predict or believe if you told me!
Q: How has your family reacted to the idea that you are now a part of The Real Housewives of Orange County?
MKE: My husband is supportive and my stepkids think it’s cool; especially Hayley, my 17-year-old stepdaughter who lives with me. We have a great relationship and you’ll see that play out this season. However, my parents and siblings are very apprehensive about me doing the show!
Q: Because you grew up in the Midwest, do you find yourself still applying some of the traditions you were raised with while adjusting to the Orange County lifestyle?
MKE: Well, let’s see, I haven’t kept the Midwest tradition of terrible and slow driving alive in SoCal, but I have kept the Midwest tradition of not having extremely large breasts. I also keep the Midwest tradition of having a bit more modesty in the way I dress. Based on how some people dress, I sometimes wonder if I’m at an OC restaurant having a cocktail at happy hour or if I’m in a club in Miami looking at cocktail waitresses at 2 a.m.!
Q: Are there any surprises or exciting moments we can look forward to in the new season?
MKE: After we finally get to our over-the-water bungalows in Moorea, I am checking out my beautiful room and I hear, “Meghan! Meghan! Meghannnnnn!!!!” I look from my back deck and see Tamra next door completely topless! Then she jumps in the water and wants me to strip down and join her!
Q: When audiences first meet you this season, what do you hope they take away when it comes to who you are as a wife, a mother and as a person all around?
MKE: I hope the audience can see the love and loyalty I have for my family. I also hope they see the challenges that I’ve overcome as a stepmom.
Q: What has been the biggest challenge when it comes to filming a reality TV show?
MKE: Keeping things secret!
Q: How is juggling a little bit of everything in addition to the show?
MKE: Juggling my many different roles keeps life interesting. I am in the midst of launching Sweat, I constantly travel to and from St. Louis and we just bought a new house in Newport Beach that I’m decorating. Oh, and we are talking about having a baby.
Q: When the cameras are gone, what do you enjoy doing most on your days off?
MKE: I love hanging out in yoga clothes with no makeup on and going to Rose’s Bakery Cafe in Corona Del Mar with my husband. A day off typically means that I’m catching up in some way. For instance, today I have a day off, but my husband isn’t here (surprise). So I plan on updating my website, going through my house and purging items I don’t want to move. I also have to book a flight for my assistant to come to OC and buy some mattresses and furniture.
Native Knowledge: Meghan was a jumper and a sprinter on her high school’s track team. She went to Nerinx Hall, an all-girls high school, where she still holds many records! She also was active in the diversity team and went to leadership camp each year in Michigan.
Top 5 Favorite Places to Visit in Orange County:
Main Beach in Laguna
El Moro Canyon
The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove
My father-in-law’s back porch at the harbor in Seal Beach
John Wayne Airport (It’s true! I do love going to my house in St. Louis but I also love landing back in the OC.)
Top 5 Favorite Reality TV Shows:
Shark Tank
Rich Kids of Beverly Hills
Intervention
A Haunting
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Meghan King Edmonds
www.twitter.com/meghankedmonds
