What happens when the world knows your face—but not your story?

For years, Joanna Krupa has been recognized as a model, television personality, entrepreneur, and passionate animal advocate. But behind the glamour is a woman who has navigated love, heartbreak, public scrutiny, motherhood, reinvention, and the pressure of living so much of her life in the spotlight.

In this candid Season 2 premiere of The Iconic Midlife, Joanna opens up about what it's really like to age in the public eye, the misconceptions people have about reality television, dating after divorce, motherhood, beauty standards, confidence, loneliness, and why animal rescue has become one of the most meaningful parts of her life.

This is a conversation about rediscovering yourself, letting go of outside expectations, and embracing the woman you've become.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The truth about beauty, attention, and public perception

• Dating, divorce, and relationships in midlife

• Why reality TV doesn't always tell the whole story

• Motherhood and how it changed her perspective

• Aging with confidence in an image-driven industry

• The emotional impact of animal rescue and advocacy

• Reinvention after life's biggest chapters

• What women finally stop tolerating in midlife

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Who cares? You're 50, 60. Who cares? It's just a number. You can still do your thing. A woman is a true superhero.

Superhero.

It's like your whole life having that damn period every month when somebody gets a facelift and everybody's like, oh my gosh, she looks so good. Amazing. I'm like, yeah, no shit. She got a facelift. Imagine in like five or ten years from now what's gonna be available. Yes.

There was a time that we lived through in the 90s that was the Pamela Anderson, like it was all about the bleach hair, the thin eyebrows. Right.

Who's going to take care of you when you're like at that old, old age, you know, like that kind of scares me. And the health, obviously.

I mean, self care is big.

It's a thing, you know, it is a full time job. Yeah, it is.

Welcome back to the Iconic Midlife, the podcast where we unapologetically redefine what this chapter of life can look like. Today's guest is someone the world has watched for years, from magazine covers and runways to reality television and red carpets.

But there's so much more to her story than beauty, fame or headlines.

Joanna Krupa is a model, television personality, entrepreneur, mother, and passionate animal rescue advocate whose life has evolved in very public view.

But behind the glamour is a woman who's navigated reinvention, relationships, public scrutiny, motherhood, identity, and the pressure women face to remain desirable while also trying to be taken seriously.

In this episode, we talk about dating and divorce, aging in the public eye, loneliness, confidence, reality TV misconceptions, beauty standards, motherhood, rescue work, and what women finally stop tolerating in midlife. And honestly, Joanna was even more open, self aware, funny and emotionally honest than I expected.

So pour yourself something fabulous, settle in and let's get iconic with Joanna Krupa.

And if you're loving the iconic midlife, make sure to follow the show, leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it. Well, welcome to the iconic Midlife. Joanna, how are you today?

Good for having me. I'm good, thank you.

So excited to have you. I know we're talking about like the root touch ups and hair getting older.

Oh my God.

Have you had like any hair issues as you've gotten older?

Hair issues? No, not even when I was pregnant, I didn't have issues. Cause I know some moms, when they're pregnant, the hair falls out.

But I do have Hashimoto's which a lot of Times with Hashimoto's, you have hair loss. But thankfully, I've been okay with that. My hair has never been thick. Okay? I ruined my hair when I was 18.

Cause naturally, I'm like a dark blonde, kind of like my roots show. And at 18, you know, it was like the whole phase of, like, Pamela Anderson.

Everybody wanted to look like, like Pamela Anderson, the bleach blonde hair and, like, the really, really thin eyebrows. So I made an appointment to go get my hair done to, like, bleach it. And I remember, like, if it was yesterday. And my mother's like, do not do it.

You're gonna ruin your hair. So I go, there. She. The lady started taking out the foils. And like, I am not joking. My hair was just coming out in clumps. Oh, no. Yes. So at 18.

Cause I had decent hair. And ever since then, my hair never grew back the same. So now you have to use, you know, extensions. I did clip ins for a long time. Now I do tape ins.

So whatever. No secret. I'm not gonna lie. I have beautiful natural hair. But, yeah, don't dye your hair when you're super young.

And go to a place that's very reputable. Cause, oh, boy.

Oh, I know our moms were right.

And my mom was right. And that's the worst part of it. I'm like. And I was so scared to tell her. I was hiding. I was like, putting my hair in clips.

And then I got, like, half wig. I was clipping in, like. So I don't know if she ever, like, really noticed notice. But I'm like, I'm just not gonna let her know.

Yeah.

And be like, I told you so. Totally. It was a nightmare. Right?

The more. And, like, the older I get, the more times I'm like, God, she was right. You know, listen, with parenting and everything, it's so crazy.

But I always tell the kids, too. I'm like, guys, there was a time that we lived through in the 90s that was the Pamela Anderson.

Like, it was all about the bleach hair, the thin eyebrows. Right. The, like, super, like, the lined lips.

Like, when I look at photos, I'm like, disgusting. I'm like, I definitely did not look like Pamela. I'm like, that looked horrible. I love it.

I highly doubt that because you're beautiful, but. I know. But the thing is, the kids now, like, my daughter's 11, and she is seeing these 90s, like, it's so big for them now.

They want to replicate, like, the 90s trends. And the 90s clothes and it's like coming back. Yes. Like that is officially how old, like I feel like I am now, you know. How do you feel about that?

Is your daughter into like all the things?

Well, you know, she's six. So now. Yeah, now she's into all those, you know, all those popular shows and what's that Netflix show? Just totally golden. What is that group name?

They want all the.

Oh, yes.

Oh my gosh. I know.

I can listen.

Yeah, she's like obsessed with that band and that movie and like for Halloween,.

I love Demon Hunters.

Demon Hunters. Oh my God. I'm like, my daughter be like, mommy, shame on you. So she's obsessed with that. For Halloween, she was dressed up as the purple one.

Was that Zoe or one. So she's more in like the trends of what's going on with the kids and all the little cartoons or the animated series.

So not yet, but there's times where she goes into my shoe closet and starts putting on my shoes. I'm like, I don't think a six inch heel is safe for you right now. Little six year old. But sometimes she'll try to like lip gloss or something.

But when it comes to like the 90s. Not yet. I'm sure that will come, you know.

Yeah. So you've got a few more years.

Yes. She's like going back to like, you know, mama days where I was growing up and you know, doing all the weird dressing up. Yes. The trends then.

All the trends.

All the trends. And when I go, when I look back at photos, I'm like, what was I thinking? Seriously, at that time I thought, I look so hot, I'm so cool, you know?

And then I'm just like, ooh, I don't know where those photos. I burnt them somewhere. If anybody asks, I'm like, I don't have photos. I don't know what happened. I don't know what happened.

And it's funny cause they start asking you, the kids, they're like, can I see old pictures of you? I want to see you at this age and that age. And it's like, oh, I don't know where those are.

Like, never show you.

No, never. So kids, dogs, you know, you and I are both like such big animal people.

And that's what I just absolutely love about you, Joanna, because you really put your money where your mouth is, you know, like, you really support these causes. So I wanted to know from you, like, what was the trajectory of that?

Like, was there something that happened or was it like you just always loved Animals, like, why put yourself in this, like, advocacy right now?

Well, since I was little, I loved animals. We've always rescued, like, you know, even if I saw like a little lizard or whatever it was. Always loved animals.

My mom always raise us to love animals. Obviously, you know, have empathy when it comes to people and animals. We've always had dogs. We also had cats.

But when I started feeling that I have some kind of voice in the entertainment business, when I started feeling a little bit of success, I felt a little bit like there was something missing. And I decided that I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless, for the animals, because I was okay. People actually do interviews with me.

I actually, you know, they care what I have to say, my opinions. So, you know, that's when I started working with PETA and did all those campaigns with PETA, like, I'd rather go naked than wear fur.

Or Angels for Animals, where, you know, I was an angel with wings and a bunch of dogs around me. So it started at a young age, but until I started feeling that I do have a voice and I could be a voice for those that don't have one.

That's when I decided to help.

And over the years, I did a lot of fostering, worked with other organization and a friend of mine, which also did a lot of the stuff I did where we took out dogs from the shelters and found foster homes or we fostered them. We're like, why don't we just do our own organization?

So we started Angels for Animal Rescue and then I got involved a lot of events for other rescues or to raise money. I also do, aside from everyday work, it's like I donate a lot to help those. I have two shelters in Venezuela that I help out that are totally broke.

Like, I mean, the abuse that goes on there, it's just disgusting. I mean, it's like every day it's something I'm like, my goodness. And like, these people would be able to do nothing if it wasn't for my help.

And sometimes I feel like, my gosh, you can't only rely on me because there are others in need too. So. But it's just unbelievable. It's not just in America, it's not just in la, this problem. It's like all over the world.

And it's like, it's so sad that so many people don't have empathy when it comes to animals. Like, oh, it's just a thing, you know, like, so many people take advantage in the store.

Like, even I went to a nursery to buy Some plants for my garden the other day. And my daughter's friend that's a year older, she's like, oh, they sell ladybugs here. I'm like, what do you mean they sell ladybugs?

Oh yeah, they're right there in the fridge. And I'm like, what do you mean they're in the fridge? So I didn't even know that a nursery sells ladybugs.

And they put them in the fridge so they can sleep there.

And then when people buy them, they can let them out for their plants, which is to me, like, I feel like people take advantage of, you know, I know it's a ladybug maybe, but for me, like the smallest thing I like so much, like, I feel bad for them, you know, I'm like, these poor things are stuck in this little looking cup. So like, imagine the bigger animals were, you know, and like, that's why I'm so against like the SeaWorld and the Zoos circus.

It's just amazing how little empathy people have.

And they take advantage of those that don't have a voice because animals can't speak up for themselves, just like little kids can speak up for themselves. And like, those are like two areas where I get so sensitive and it makes me so angry that we still have a huge problem and it's not just in America.

It's all over the world.

It's all over the world and it almost seems so, like, overwhelming just to tackle. Right.

You know what I will tell you, sometimes I'm just like, I'm so grateful for my daughter. I'm so grateful for what I've done with my life.

But I'm just, sometimes I'm like, I'm not that happy of a person because I know everything else that goes on, like being a person that's in the animal activism world, like I see on a regular daily basis of the abuse that goes on, the neglect, the animals in need. And it makes me so sad. It makes me so sad.

I'm just like, sometimes I feel guilty if I'm happy because I'm like, there's just so much sadness in the world, you know, and it's. Of course there's a lot of sadness when it comes to, you know, to people too.

But it's like with the animals, I get so, so sensitive because I feel like a human being has a voice. There's always a way for somebody to ask for help. And an animal, it just can't ask for help.

Yeah, you're a true empath because it's Too much.

And sometimes I'm just like, I wish I wasn't because it really kills me and I feel like I can't save them all. It makes me angry at times because I'm like, how could people be so cruel? How can people be so, you know, cold and heartless?

Because all it takes is just little. Like if you see a stray dog or cat on the.

How can you just like go buy it or if you see somebody kicking it or abusing it, or if you see it starving, like it's skin and bones, right? How do you not help it?

How do you not help it? You know, on my honeymoon with my husband, we went to the Tahitian Islands.

And it's such a beautiful, stunning place, but there are so many stray dogs running around just, you know, not being cared for properly.

And at each island I made him rent a moped for us and we got bags of dog food and we just went around feeding as many stray dogs as we could, you know, and giving them water.

I just got goosebumps because I did the same thing when we were in Bora Bora for our honeymoon and the same thing. We went to get dog food and fed all the dogs on the island and there was a few that looked malnourished.

So I went to the local vet and I asked if they can help. And there was actually an organization locally there. So I was in touch with them for a little bit and I donated some money there too.

But yeah, it's, you know, we go, it's this amazing five star resort and then literally down, not far away, there's these poor stray animals that are just dying or being abused or neglected.

It's terrible. We have it in our backyard here in LA too. I mean, you've been down the skid row before, right? It's pretty horrifying.

It's horrifying what's happening right now. It's absolutely horrifying.

It's like the abuse that goes on, like the breeding with the animals and selling them for drugs, testing the drugs on the animals, the dogs. Like, I was there like two weeks ago and there's this beautiful black pit bull with a homeless guy. And the homeless guy seemed okay.

I mean, obviously I talked to him a little bit. He did say he's been on the street since he was 18, so about like 20 years. And he got into meth.

But he seemed like, you know, like, I feel like some people, you can clean them up and maybe they have a future. But there was another guy that was just came in, like, looking for the guy I was talking to, like, kicked his dog. I'm just like.

And of course, me being there with, like, two other friends, I'm like, I can't really say anything. Cause he'll prob end up killing me, Right? So then there was another guy coming, like, where's my food? And I want water.

And I'm just like, okay, I can go get you water at the market. You know, he's like, yeah, right. All, like, angry. So you know that he's, like, on drugs.

And like, literally two minutes later, you see him shooting up, shooting up drugs. I'm just like, this is horrible. And this is Los Angeles. This is like, one of what is the fourth biggest economy, California, the state.

I'm just like, how is this happening?

How is this happening? It's the City of Angels, and yet.

It's like, City of Hell. That's what it is right now. City of Hell. And it's like. And it's people that, you know, also lost everything, that are homeless, are not drug addicts.

It's very unsafe for them because then they have the drug addicts that are. That could hurt them or their animals or steal their animals, you know, their dogs or cats. So it's a huge, huge problem.

It's a huge problem. And it's like, you know, I always tell people, I'm like, it's baby steps. Like, what can you do in your world to help an animal?

You know, it's like, if that means, you know, maybe fostering a dog or maybe sharing a dog on social media.

Exactly.

Because I think people want to help, but they don't know how.

They don't know how.

Right, exactly. And it's like giving them those outreach tools. Because I think it is such a huge problem. But if we maybe all band together, you know, we can try to.

Yeah, I mean, definitely. The more we talk about it, the more it's in their faces, you know, don't get me wrong. There are people with no empathy. They can care less.

They, you know, they're all, like, stuck in their little bubbles. As long as everything's going on good in their life, they don't care. You know, but there are people that really do care, and they love animals.

I get so many messages like, how can I help? How can I donate? I can't have a dog or a cat in my house, but how can I help?

You know, or go to the shelter, donate food, donate blankets, see what the shelter needs.

You know, talk to an organization, or if, you know, somebody wants to give up their pet and give it to the shelter, educate them that they have probably a 99% chance that dog or cat is gonna get killed.

Yes, yes.

Because the shelters are overpopulated. They're, you know, puppies and young dogs and cats are getting killed on a regular basis. And I think it's all about education.

It's all about letting people understand. Like, one great thing about social media is that we are so much more aware of what is going on in the world because of social media.

So they can't, as we know, they try to brainwash in the media.

But with social media, you can't really be that brainwashed because everything is out there in the open and the truth will always come out because the media controls what they want you to see or what they don't want you to see. But at least the one good thing with social media is you do find out a lot of things. And if you want to help, you could help.

Yes, 100%. Because you're so passionate about it. Is this like a rule breaker when you're dating men?

Because I know for myself, I dated this guy and he, it must have been in my 20s, and he was like, no dogs are meant to be outside. They don't live inside the house. And I was like, peace, that's good. Bye. So is that like a rule breaker for you when you're dating somebody?

Like, if they're not animal people?

Definitely, definitely. Or if they're maybe not animal people, but they are open to learning why I'm so passionate about it.

But to me, it's really hard, hard to understand how somebody can't be an animal person. Like, it's one thing if you don't have a pet, it's because you're so busy, you travel, you don't want to have that responsibility. I get it.

But just like, for somebody not to understand why someone can have so much love for a pet or even for an animal, like, something's not right with that person. I feel like they have a screw loose because it's like, if you have a heart, you're a good person. How can you not love an animal?

How can you not? I mean, it's such a peanut butter.

And jelly, you know, like, yeah, they're so sweet, you know, and it's like even any type of animal, you know, like, just as I said with like the SeaWorld and the circuses, I'm just like, how can you be okay to see these poor animals in these little tiny cages, like this horrible environment, like they should be out and free, just.

Like good men out there.

Exactly.

You, wild and free and wild and free.

Exactly.

You know, you know, it's funny because, you know, when looking at you, I mean from the outside, you're beautiful, you're successful, you know, you have fame. Like you've got all these great things. So it would seem like it's super easy for you to date and have relationships.

Is that the truth or does it ever get lonely?

Oh, absolutely not.

Like, there's nobody that I've met in the recent, like, because I've been, I haven't been with my ex for almost what is like over two and a half years. I literally maybe went on five dinners with like different guys and it never really led anything to more than that.

I really feel like the good men are taken and are in relationships and you know, and the good men that are single, they're just, I haven't met them yet, basically.

And some of them that you do meet that came from relationships, you know, they've had the wife, they have the kids, they want to have their fun now, so they're dating the 20 year olds. You know, they want to get it out of their system. So. And to be honest with you, with my daughter and my work, I'm just like, I'm content.

I don't know if I really, you know, like a lot of times like to make plans with my girlfriends to go out to dinner. That's like a process. I'm like, do you really want, do I feel like going or rather stay home with my daughter or my dogs?

Like, I became such a homebody. So for somebody to take me out of the house has to be somebody really special because I'm just like, I'm fine, I'm fine.

I don't need a man to take care of me. I'm fine.

I'm very grateful that I was able to be independent, follow my dream, not rely on a man, you know, 20 years and like give up my career and now have to be crying, oh my gosh, you know, he left me and now what do I do? So I'm grateful in that sense. I mean, of course there are times where I look at friends and, you know, they're in happy marriages.

I'm like, you know, know it's sad that, you know, I. We don't have a family where we can go to dinners or vacation, but is this something I'm yearning where I'm just like, get lonely? No, no.

You know, I feel the same way, especially in midlife. I'M like, when plans cancel or I don't have to go out somewhere, it feels like I'm just, like, excited.

Me too.

Right? Aren't you excited?

It's crazy because, like, in your 20s, you're like, okay, where are we going now? What are we doing now? Like, what, what outfit? I want to look hot and this and that. Now I'm just like, ugh. It's like a process.

Yeah, exactly.

It's like, it's work. Yes.

To put it all together, to get together, to get the babysitter. Like, there's just so many factors, so many elements. So what would it take for a guy to get you out? Like, who is this guy?

Like, is there like a kind a type? Is there like.

Honestly, there is no type.

You know, because over the years I've dated guys that are really, you know, like my ex husband, my daughter's dad is totally opposite of Roman, my first husband. So it's like, I don't think I have a type.

I think it's just somebody that, you know, probably just meet casually and just, like, hit it off, you know? I would probably just want somebody like, more like a friend type, where it's like, hey, let's go get coffee or, let's go see a movie.

Not like, it all has to be, like, planned as romantic dinner, you know, or stuff like that. Like something just easy. Just meet somebody and like, oh, hey, I love this conversation, you know? Yeah. I don't know.

I can't tell you because I haven't met him yet, so it's really hard to tell. Like, you know, I gotta have butterflies in my stomach and I. And I haven't.

And like, to feel like I need to, I don't know, go out of my element to really push myself to go and meet with somebody. I'm just like, is it really worth it? No.

Right. And also more zero fucks in midlife.

Right? Like, it's like, zero fucks.

Like, I don't care as much to, like, be out and about and, like, doing that thing, you know, like in the 20s and 30s where we were like, running around and, like, you know, had to be at every. Every party.

Oh, my gosh. Yes. If you're cool, you got invited to every party. And if you did it, you're like, wait, what's wrong with me?

Yeah.

And like, the outfit, like, planning your outfit ahead of time. Oh, my God, Totally.

And everything had to be perfect.

Perfect, right.

Like from top to bottom. And now it's like, I literally go to carpool for My child looking like a homeless person.

Oh, my gosh. I. It's so funny because I laugh. I tell my daughter this even though she's only six year old. I'm like, you have two moms.

You have like the morning mom that drops you off looks like a total like, you know, basically somebody maybe homeless, like, and then a totally different person later when I pick you up, you know, after I shower and get dressed and do my makeup. So it's funny, but it's, you know, for a guy, it just has to be something easy.

Like, you know, I've been through so much, and especially after my last relationship, I know what I don't want. So, yeah, somebody that just adores me, Somebody that just lets me be me, lets me, you know, enjoy life, loves the animals.

Somebody that's gonna be a partner, you know, somebody's gonna help me evolve and be better and than I am right now.

Right. And not be like an energy suck, you know?

Yes. Because my ex, very much an energy sucker.

Yeah. Is that kind of like what his vibe was like? Kind of the energy?

Everything was problem. Everything was a big deal. Everything was drama. Everything was just like. So. Yeah.

Do you get to like a good co parenting place at some point? Like, is that.

Because I feel like I see that, you know, I see like where people might have had a contentious relationship or a contentious divorce, and then somehow they managed to kind of come back together and co parent. Is that sort of.

You know what? We both love our daughter more than life itself. Like, she's our priority. So when we were, you know, separating, we. We had a mediator.

We didn't want to fight in courts. We didn't want it to get vicious and nasty. So there are things that I agree to just to keep the peace.

Co parenting, trust me, is very hard, you know, but I definitely try my best for her sakes, to make it easy.

So if she wants to do something together, I definitely, you know, we both try to agree and do things together, like have dinner, but it's definitely not easy. But we try our best to keep her away from any drama.

That's good. You're putting her first.

Which is putting her first because. Yeah.

When I see people going through this horrible divorce in the public eye and, you know, saying the most horrible things about each other, it makes me sad for the child because you're not hurting the other person. You're hurting your child.

Yeah. Because those words live on forever on the Internet. I mean, that's not gonna go anywhere. So that's good. That's really good that you.

So whatever, you know, you go through, it's like your kid is your priority. Yeah, yeah. You want to protect them.

Protect them at all costs. At all costs. So, you know, when we look back on your career, I love looking at, like, the different decades and like, oh,.

My gosh, people change in age, but.

You always look amazing. You always, you're always so beautiful. Like, and I almost wonder because, you know, when you are somebody that is.

That is really like, part of your commodity, you know, the way you look and like, the beauty aspect, was there ever a point when it became sort of like a cage and not as empowering as maybe it was like, did it ever hinder you in any way?

Because sometimes I hear really beautiful women say things like that, you know, they say that, you know, it's wonderful to be beautiful, of course, but then sometimes maybe people don't take you seriously or they think this way or that way. Was it ever like that for you?

Yeah, I mean, definitely be, you know, being blonde and polish and also, you know, know, good looking. Like, you had, like, I had to prove myself that I'm not just, you know, your typical don blonde. I do have a brain.

I can speak, I can, you know, socialize. I can have a conversation. So I definitely had to go through, you know, some.

Sometimes it's like you have to prove yourself even more because of the way you look, which is a shame.

But I think it also definitely, you know, like, my ex husband would say, like, you're so vain, which it did make me vain, you know, because the business is so judgmental.

It's like always, oh, you know, you might have a day where you're bloated and, you know, you wear a dress where your belly's out a little bit, like, oh, my God, is she pregnant? Does she gain weight?

So it's like, you know, like the media and the press and the entertainment business puts you in a spot where sometimes you're just like, you're scared to go out without looking good because God forbid, the, you know, paparazzi gets you and you're looking like your worst, which has happened to me. But I always have learned never to leave the house without my sunglasses on. If I have no makeup on, I have the sunglasses.

So they can't get the no makeup shot unless I want it and put a little bit of foundation on.

Right.

But yeah, I mean, they got me, you know, with my sweats on and, like, you know, two unmatching shoes and stuff. I go to dog park and Stuff, but it definitely makes you more aware, like, oh, okay, like, people actually judge you.

People actually, you know, if, like, one day you're not feeling well and your eyes might be a little puffy or you're a little, you know, not feeling good, and you look like you're not feeling that great, like, you know, they. They judge you. And instead of trying to find out if you're not feeling well, what's wrong.

So, yeah, over the years, definitely, I think that made me more vain, where I just won't go out in public unless I have my sunglasses on or have makeup on, you know, so it's sad in a way, but, yeah, I think the business really makes you that way.

Yeah, it does.

And, I mean, it's interesting now because when I look at, like, especially reality tv, like, I see Bravo, it seems like there's a bit of a pushback, like, as far as, you know, like, even, like, Real Housewives, where before, you know, it was all about getting in the fights and, like, the drama and everything. And I feel like people are sort of pushing back against that now almost, because it's like, you know, what is the point of that, right?

Like, it's horrible. And it's especially, you know, a group of women doing everything to fight with each other and go below the belt and bring out their secrets.

It's like, so you really can't call those people your friends, Because I don't remember having any girlfriends in my life where I would be, like, at a dinner. Well, I'll be like, well, you know what? Well, you cheated on your husband.

Or, like, you know, bring out their secret in a group of, you know, other girls and having dinner, like, friends don't do that. So to me, it's just like. I don't know. I think it's more now maybe about, like. I mean, obviously, drama does sell.

People love to watch that, but I think it's. It's. It's gonna eventually die down because I'm just like, we already have enough drama in our everyday life and in the world and what's happening.

And I feel like there should be more empowering shows. Like, women empowering each other.

Like, yes, you can show the glitz, the glamour, the beautiful homes, the beautiful jewelry, the beautiful, you know, cars, whatever it is, to show that very luxurious life. But it's just like, too. And what's sad is, like, if you.

If you have the young kids watching those kind of shows, for them to think that that's friendship. Right? That's very sad.

Yeah.

Like, I Don't want my daughter to see a show like that and be like, okay, well, I can treat my friend like that. She'll tell me a secret, and one day she'll piss me off. I'll go and tell everybody, you know, so it's sad. It's like, it's.

That's why I, you know, I kind of regret doing the show back in the day, but I'm glad I'm no longer part of it because that's not me, that's not my life. And I feel like that show kind of brought out a side of me I didn't like.

And, you know, being surrounded by women that constantly want to bash you, constantly want to be in the spotlight. If they created more drama, so the producers will be there, their friend more. They'll put that, give them more air time, you know.

So it's just like, it was like an everyday competition, like a vicious competition, really vicious. And it's just like, especially having my daughter, I'm like, life just changes and your priorities change and things like that don't matter.

I'm like, I don't need fame at that. At that price.

No, it's not worth your soul.

Embarrassing.

It's embarrassing, like, you know, your dirty laundry being, like up in the public about, you know, you spending all this money or you're not paying your mortgage or, you know, all this, like, stuff, or you slept with his. Whatever. I'm just like, like, is money and fame really worth it? Right when it comes to that, that kind of fame?

Because to me, like, that was never my dream to. To become famous. Because I feel like people in those kind of shows, they just wanna be famous and that's it.

They don't care which way they become famous. They just wanna be that everybody knows their name.

No, there's no.

It's like, what are you famous for? Oh, you know, being a bitch to my friend and just, you know, going below the belt. Like, that's what I'm famous for. It's like.

And people actually are fans of that. And it really kinda sad because it shows what kind of quality our society is. This is like, you know, like, we know. Yeah.

It's like we love to see others. Other people's pain. It's sad.

It's really sad.

It's very sad.

Do you think that they got like the edit right when you were on that, you know, that time? Was it like that they. Or do you think that it created things that were not true?

You know, what the.

The whole drama and just being Feeling like you always have to perform, you always have to do drama, like, make drama happen, and knowing that all these women are against you. So, like, I literally. I think every day we shot, I had some drinks.

Like, I had to drink some alcohol in order to be able to be put in a room with those women. And because of that, it made me be a person I didn't like once the show aired.

So, yeah, of course, I'm sure there were editing moments where you said something at a different moment or was a different conversation, but it edited well better with a different conversation. So that definitely happened. And, you know, sometimes you feel tricked.

Sometimes you feel like the producers are your friend, but they're really not your friend. It's all about ratings. It's all about getting that drama out there, you know?

And it's like, looking back, I'm like, I don't think it brought anything good in my life. It really didn't. Maybe more people knew about me, but otherwise, I'm just like. But that's not the fame I want, you know?

Like, I was so proud of doing Dancing with the Stars before and doing other shows and doing all the PETA campaigns and, you know, just. Just being, like, never having a reputation where I was a drama queen or, you know, like, going below the belt.

So it's definitely not something I'm proud of. It's definitely not something. When my daughter's older, I'm gonna have to explain to her, like, why Mommy, you know, acted certain ways.

And, you know, and I feel bad for Roman the most because I think he got the shit stick of that whole, you know, show because everybody's kind of bullying him, you know, and. And so, like, I regret that he was even on there. Like, if it was, if we went back in time, I would have told him, hell, no, don't do it.

You're not getting paid, right? It's like, why should you pay him at all?

No, no, no.

It's like, why? You know, he did it for me, but it's just like he should have never done it.

Do you still keep in contact with him?

I do. Yeah. I do. We're good friends, and, you know, we have no animosity towards each other.

It's like, people break up sometimes, and they're still close friends, and they just know, you know, the road wasn't meant to be, you know, like, the marriage wasn't meant to be, but you could still be friends, you know? And so I'm very grateful for that friendship, for sure.

Do you think it was the timing or just hit's not the right person in general?

I don't know if it was about that. I'm sure the show didn't help.

You know, I'm sure the show didn't help because it brought out a lot of stress, a lot of, you know, arguments that we probably would have not had. But I think it was just. Yeah, it was just about timing. If it didn't happen, then it would have eventually happened.

Is he still in Miami, like doing the whole nightclub scene and everything?

He's not doing the nightclub scene in Miami anymore. He sold mint. But he has a place called Main Row here, which is where Beso used to be. I don't know. Yes. Yeah, sure. So it's a great place.

It kind of brings that Miami vibe here. So you have dinner and then at 10 o' clock it turns into Miami vibe. So it's so much fun.

Like, if you want to dance your butt off with some good music, it's definitely a place I recommend. So I do like going there. But yeah, he's still doing his thing.

That's great. No, you know what, that's really valuable because in LA we don't have a lot of places where you can go.

Dance and have fun and great music and a good energy and good vibe and delicious food. So I do recommend it. It's really a great, A great place.

But I, you know, like, the more that I go out with my girlfriends lately, like to dinners and stuff, and I'm like, LA is dead.

Yeah, it is.

LA is not what it used to be. I'm just like, my goodness, if things don't change, like, people are getting the hell out of here.

I know where to.

Or they can't afford it because everything is so expensive. So they rather stay home and just not go out. Yeah. Scroll or whatever, you know. Exactly.

It's becoming so much less social, you.

Know, it really is. And social media too, because everybody's so busy scrolling.

Yes.

And you know, or even like you go to dinners and like, I try to be social with my friends. I try to not look at my phone when I'm like at dinner.

But then you see the other tables and you know, they're hanging out and everybody's like scrolling on their phone. I'm just like, oh, I know.

It's like nobody talks anymore, you know, Put the freaking phone down. You know. Well, and I think it's, it's a affecting the younger generation too. Like, I'm kind of worried about our daughter's generation.

Very much so. You know, very much so.

They're like so used to growing up with all this technology. Like, are they gonna be social when they get to be of age like that?

I hope so. I mean, I really don't want my daughter having a cell phone till she's way older, you know, I don't want her on TikTok.

I don't want her on social media, you know, and it's like she has this one friend in Poland because we go there six weeks out of the year in the summertime. Sweet little Ukrainian girl. She's eight years old, but she already has a TikTok.

Does she really?

She knows what or I think it's her brother lets her look at it. But I'm just like, how? And I'm just like, my goodness, you're just a kid, you shouldn't be doing that stuff.

But you know, some parents are like, here, have a phone, here's your social media. Have fun with it. I'm just like, what are you creating? Yes, you're creating a kid that's not gonna want to go to school, not gonna want to go to work.

They're gonna want to be influencer. Everybody thinks they could be an influencer. It's just like, it drives me nuts.

Easy. No, it's crazy. Everybody wants to be insta famous.

You know, it's like, and the work it actually takes to be successful at a level it's hard to understand.

It's a full time job.

It is, it is. It's not just as simple as throwing a photo or a video up.

I mean, some people get, you know, they get lucky with some stupid, you know, 15 second video that goes viral and you're just like, are you for real? Like, are you for real? This is what it takes to become insta famous. Wow.

Yeah. Is it, do you ever find it?

Because it is such a big part of our business and entertainment, is it like the bane of your existence when it comes to like what you have to do on a daily basis?

Oh my God. It's like, I hate it. I literally, I'm like, what has this been? Like what I dreamt of over 20 years ago is not what I dream of now.

I'm like, entertainment has been was, you know, you go to your castings, you go to your photo shoots and it's like, you really have to prove yourself now. You have to do these stupid videos, you know, because clients need like they to get hired now.

They want you to have followers, they want you to be on social media and it's like with my show in Poland that I do the Top Models, like it's like we tell the contestants how important is to work on your social media. Social media. And every time I say it, it just drives me nuts. So I'm like, my goodness, social media has ruined the entertainment business.

It really did. But then on the other side it really helped when it comes to the awareness.

So you know, with the animal abuse or just like everyday topics, we are more aware of it. So it has its negative and then it has its positive. So it's like it's a double edged sword. It really is. Yeah.

You're like, I could use it for good. But it could also be exactly like.

If it, if it was erased tomorrow for the entertainment business, I would be thrilled. I would be thrilled. No more planning stupid videos. Totally awesome.

You're like a real audition where you go into the room with people, you.

Know, you actually get to talk to the person. They actually get to know your personality, not how many followers you have. Totally.

Oh, and speaking of Top Model, did you watch the documentary with Tyra and everything? What did you think of it?

Well, it was pretty insane. And one of my friends was on I think the first season of it and she's like, yup, that's Tyra.

Like anybody that I've met, I've never met Tyra before, but anybody that I've met, they're like, yeah, she's definitely not the friendliest, you know. And I feel bad for these girls. Cause a lot of these girls, like they basically were taken advantage of on the show for ratings for a hit show.

Never really had a career afterwards, didn't really have guidance of what to do. And that's the difference with our show Top Model. Every season there's, there's contestants that do amazing, you know, and they have a career after.

But it just, I think they were like, you know, they were abused, their stories were abused. And you know, there's one girl where she cheated on her husband, on her boyfriend and she was so drunk. Yes.

And for them to really promote the show with that was horrific. It was really bad.

Like that's the problem with, you know, sometimes where people worry more and care more about ratings than about somebody's life because you could really hurt somebody's life and you can hurt their self esteem, put them into depression. And you know, it's especially if it's a show Top Model, right. It's like supposed to be a show where you are launching somebody's career.

Why are you showing somebody cheating on her Boyfriend, like, how does that related. So it's like it was more kind of a reality show. Basically. It wasn't really helping the contestants because none of them, I don't think. I don't.

Maybe there was one that really did anything afterwards, you know.

And yeah, it seemed like the contracts were never like fulfilled. Like what they were promised was never came to fruition, you know. So I think that they kind of got dropped after it seemed like.

It seemed like it. None of them had anything really good to say.

No. And they all looked very sad.

Very sad. It makes me, you know, it hurts me because knowing the show that I do, it's the license of Top Model here and I'm like, it's totally different.

We actually care about these contestants. We actually promote them. We involve them into events that we do. And if we have clients that are booking for a campaign, it's like we push our models.

We want to help them. It's not like, okay, we're done with this season. That's it. We want nothing to do with you.

And it's like they do become like little celebrities, you know, and we, we help them, we promote them and we get so excited when they actually do more above and beyond the show.

Yeah, had. They had like true success stories.

They have. Yeah. You know, we've had some that have traveled the world, did international campaigns.

We, we had ones that did, you know, went from modeling to TV hosting, you know, huge shows in Poland. Others, you know, social media do really well as influencers.

Others, you know, we took them out of a little tiny, you know, country town into the big world and they met the love of their life. You know, they built confidence and self esteem. So it's like the show helps them in every, every type of way.

You know, like those that are kind of taken out of their everyday life that would be, you know, stuck in a rural area, were probably never the chance to go to a big, big city and just, you know, meet the right people. So it's like I feel like we help them in every kind of different angle. So it's not even maybe the entertainment business.

It's just like in their everyday life or like, you know, even some of them that decided to take a different route, they leave the show with confidence and their self worth, the love for themselves and kind of learn, you know, business sense and also learn to have thick skin to fight for themselves, which is great because that's what you need in life, especially nowadays. It's like you have to constantly fight for yourself.

Yes, it's like, with social media, being in the entertainment business, I mean, you're constantly having.

Constantly prove yourself. You're constantly proving yourself.

Do you still find that even because you had decades in this business, do you still find yourself trying to prove yourself?

Oh, yeah, I think it's always. Yeah, you're always gonna be put into that spot where you always have to prove yourself or you're getting older. There's younger people, people.

There's, you know, successful people on social media and this. So there's like. But, you know, I just came to a point. Just like, I'm not gonna let it affect me.

It's like, you know, what if it's meant for me and if it's somebody that appreciates me, loves what I stand for and this, you know, the work ethic that I have that it's like, I'm not gonna worry about it. You know, I'm not 20 years old where I'm like, oh, my God, I hope I get that casting. I hope I get that casting.

You know, now it's just like, I know who I am. I know what I've accomplished. I know the talent I have. I know my worth ethic.

It's amazing because a lot of times I get complimented and that I'm always on time. I'm like, how is that even a problem?

This is a true story. You are on time today.

I'm like, how is that even an issue?

I know.

It's like, understand if you have an emergency or once in a while, something happens. But it's like some of these celebrities, they think they're hotter than shit. And, you know, for them, it's like, oh, sorry I'm late.

It's like, everybody's waiting for you. There's money being paid hourly here. So.

Yeah. That's one of the girls on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Dorit.

Dorit. Yeah.

Notoriously late. Right? Like, she's like, hours and hours and hours late, which I'm surprised the production wasn't just like, what are you doing?

They probably like it because they know it's gonna build drama. That's what it is. Yeah. Point.

Yeah.

You know, everything's about the drama. The producers will deal with anything as long as it will create drama later. So they probably loved it. And maybe they even told her to come late.

Oh, that's.

Maybe they gave her a wrong call time.

Oh, yeah. They're tricky like that, huh?

They're like producers. Yeah. Oh. They will do whatever they need to do to create drama. Yeah. Because, I mean, after so many seasons, like, how do you continue doing.

Having so much drama, and how do you continue these people wanting to film with each other, knowing something bad's gonna come out, you know? So. Yeah.

Okay, so tell me if you feel this as we've gotten older, do you feel like it's more liberating? Because I do. For a lot of reasons. You know, I don't care as much about what people think.

No, exactly.

And all. You know, there's so many different things, but a lot of women still have a fear of aging. So what do you say about that?

Is it more, like, liberating to you? Are you having, like, a fear of getting older?

You know what scares me about getting older is just who's gonna take care of you when you're, like, at that old. Old age, you know? Like, that kind of scares me. And the health, obviously. Cause it can change overnight.

But when it comes to, like, aging, of course you complain. Like, oh, God, here's like, my skin's a little looser here. I'm, like, doing. I'm like, I don't want a facelift.

So, like, what do I do to, like, try to keep it firm, try to prevent. So it's like, you know, a lot of it is prevention and kind of understanding it's gonna happen.

It's not something that you can run away from unless you get a facelift. Of course. What makes me laugh is when somebody gets a facelift and everybody's like, oh, my gosh, she looks so good. Amazing. I'm like, yes, no shit.

She got a facelift. Like, what is the compliment here? Right? Anybody can do it.

Yeah.

Like, it's not about taking care of yourself, not about being healthy. It's not about, like, the prevention. It's about. It's a facelift. Like, duh. Yeah, okay. She looks great. Why are you being so, like, oh, my gosh.

Like, it's so shocking that she looks good. She got a facelift, which is great. Good for her.

Yeah.

But it just makes me laugh when people are just like, oh, my gosh, it looks great for her age. It's like she's got a little nip and tug. You got a nip and tug. So let's move on.

Like, you can't compare somebody that had a facelift and who didn't at the same, you know, that are the same age.

So let me ask you this. Did you make it a point to just be like, I don't want a facelift for, like, a certain reason, or.

I just would rather Not. But obviously if I get to the point where it's just driving me nuts, of course I will. But I would prefer to do anything I can.

Like, when it comes to, like, prf, PRP massages, icing face in the morning, getting enough sleep. Like, I rather try to do that because I think it's like an ego thing. Like, I will not need a facelift.

Well, I mean, you're skin doesn't look like.

I think it's like an ego. You know, ego thing.

But you don't even look like you had gravity hit yet.

Yeah, like a little bit here. Like, if I can just. Like there's a doctor, maybe I'll. Dr. Armstrong. She's actually a housewife of Orange County. I did see on her Instagram. I did ask.

Actually, I will admit to this. I did have a consultation with her telemedicine.

Cause she does this thing called skin tacking, where I guess it's a radio frequency, which I hate radio frequency. Cause they're like Morpheus literally dissolved my fat. Did it really? Yes. Morpheus is the worst thing on the planet.

Any woman should stay away from that.

Oh, shit, Joanna. I just did it like, not too long ago. How long ago? I did it like three months ago.

But if you don't see a bad. Like, it didn't dissolve your fat. So maybe they.

Because I guess after talking to Dr. Armstrong, because I mentioned it to her, she said if you do the right settings, it could be fine.

Okay.

But a lot of times they do it too much, then it'll dissolve your skin. Like, I had hollow under eyes. And I will say PR F. Okay, easy. Gel saved my life because I was like, my face looks, like, sunken in. It looked awful.

Like, the amorphous. I would never, ever recommend to anybody, but if you went to a good person and they did it the right way, the. Then you should be fine.

Because I don't see. I'm sure you don't see any.

Tell me if you do.

I'm like. But three months, you would have noticed.

Okay, so just like the effect would have just shown up.

It would have shown. Yeah, you would have seen, like, hollowness and stuff. So anyway, so what she does is skin tacking.

So I guess it is like a different type of frequency where basically it's like a needle that goes in and tacks. Oh, it like tacks your. I mean, I'm gonna explain this wrong, but it attacks, so it kind of lifts your skin.

Okay.

So I kind of talked to her. I'm like, okay. Like, if I Just want the lower face. So it's basically not a surgery. It's just a laser.

Oh, it's a laser. So it's not a thread or anything like that?

No, no. Yeah. So it's called skin tacking. That she does. So that I might consider doing.

I mean, I might have to go with you on that.

We'll make a day of it. Perfect. Let's go. It's Orange County. Make a nice trip. Orange County's beautiful. We can go have dinner afterwards.

Yes, we'll go to Javier's, have a little Mexican food.

Margarita sounds good to me. I'm in.

I'm in.

I know.

It's fun.

I think, like, we're so lucky, too, I feel like, to be now, in this time in midlife, because we have so many options that we can, you know, if you want to do something, you can. You know, if you don't want to do something, you don't have to.

Exactly.

It's so open. So I love that women can have the opportunity. Their opportunity is, like, wide open.

Exactly. And everybody can do whatever they want. And, you know, it's just.

The one thing that makes me sad is, like, for people, you know, maybe somebody that can't afford a facelift or can't take care of themselves as much as they could, you know, because they're. They're. They're working a lot, they don't have the money to take care of themselves.

So that makes me kind of sad, you know, because it is like lasers or, like, even easy gel. It's all expensive. Yeah, it's all very expensive. But, you know, but I think it's all about women empowerment and just enjoying every age.

Basically, it's like eight, you know, eight should just be a number. And it's, I think, mostly how you feel inside because, you know, yeah, you could do all the facelifts. You could look, you know, 10, 20 years younger.

But if you're not happy inside as a person, that's not gonna change anything. But, yeah, we are very lucky. And, like, imagine in like, five or ten years from now, what's gonna be available. Yes.

Especially in the longevity space, too. Right. With all the biohacking and, like, we can really, from the inside out, like, heal ourselves.

Yeah. There's a doctor in Beverly Hills. He does, like, living liquid.

It's called liquid facelift, where he takes your fat and I guess he lifts your face that way. I'm like, maybe I'll go meet this doctor, see what this is about.

Can you take it from my tummy? And put it right here, please. Exactly.

Take it from there.

I'm like, half the time I'm like, is it the perimenopause belly or is it like post pregnancy?

For me it's been post pregnancy.

Like literally my lower belly has never been flat after I had my amazing daughter, which I'm not complaining but I'm like, I can't wear like literally I feel self conscious if I wear a tight dress or something cuz I'm like, people are going to think I'm pregnant.

Yeah, I know. That's like the first.

It's. It sucks. It really, really sucks. And then of course, older you get, then your hormones, you're going to like, have you gone it's hard being a girl?

It is really hard being a girl.

Yes. Have you gone down the HRT like hole? Are you starting, Are you thinking about it?

I have, I have. And like after I had my daughter I did do some, some IVF tries. So I've been like on hormones for that.

So I feel like my body's still trying to recover from all that stuff. So I probably eventually will, you know, do that.

Okay.

But like really the last, you know, couple years, like I haven't had an imbalance of hormones.

I'm like, how is it, how am I not imbalanced When I feel like I'm bloated, my cellulite comes more than the normal, like around my, you know, monthly. What is it called? Red. What do you call it? Red.

The Red Sea or.

No, wait, how do you call it? My sister has a funny way of saying your monthly friend that comes.

Oh, Aunt Flo from the Red Sea.

Something. Yeah. So when that friend comes, I feel like gross, you know?

Yes, but well, and you look different too. Like if you look. It's really interesting.

Yes.

Face is puffy and it's interesting.

I was looking at this thing and it's like part of biology because apparently when you have your period, you're supposed to be not as attractive as when you're ovulating.

Oh, interesting.

Because it's a biological thing because you're supposed to be able to attract, I guess if you're straight, you know, attract men to procreate. So it's like this biological reason why your face looks, you know, fuller and maybe like more hydrated and you just.

So it's supposed to be more attractive. Like for me I'm so. I feel gross.

More attractive when you're ovulating.

When you're ovulating to attract, to attract the men. I Thought you meant for period.

Isn't that interesting? It like, goes back to our biology, which our bodies are, like, fascinating, you know?

I mean, like a woman is a true superhero.

Superhero.

It's like, you know, your whole life having that damn period every month. Then you're pregnant for nine months, then you gotta deliver the child. Then whoever breastfeeds as a breast breastfeed.

And he's like, we're, you know, we're tough. We're tough.

Really tough. Wait, so you're thinking about. You're doing IVF now?

No, I've done it, like, in the past, like with my ex husband when I was still with him and stuff. So it's like, over the years, I feel like my body was even more screwed up. Because of the hormones.

Yes. Yeah. Because you are. You're pumping yourself full hormones.

You're constant. Exactly.

Yeah. So you do have to take time to, like, equalize from that.

Exactly.

So, okay, a big birthday is coming up for you in a few years. In a few years.

The 50 we're talking about 50. Oh, God.

Okay, so are you excited about this milestone or is it like something where you're like, trepidatious? Like, how are you feeling about it?

You know, I just got to a point. I'm just like, eh, whatever. It is what it is, it's gonna come.

So maybe do like a huge blowout party at 50 and just like, celebrate it and just enjoy it and be appreciative of everything, you know, that happened over the last 50 years. So we'll see. But, you know, I just got to a point. I'm just like, okay, it's just a number. It is what it is. It's gonna come.

Nothing I can do to stop it and. And just gotta live life and kind of like, I'm gonna, like, in a place where I'm just like, okay, I'll prove. Who cares? You're 50, 60. Who cares?

It's just a number. You can still, you know, do your thing and it's just a number.

Oh, fuck. Yeah. I love when I see, like, especially a midlife woman posting, like, pictures and she's. She doesn't have to have the perfect body.

She can have any shape, color, whatever.

Yeah.

But she's confident and she's like, look at me. Like, I fucking feel good about myself. Like, I love that. Why shouldn't we?

I agree.

Right?

I agree. Yeah. And I think. I think things have changed where. When I was in my 20s and when I thought of somebody being in their 40s, I'm like, ooh, old.

But now it's just like, you know what, no big deal. 40S, 50s. It's like, you don't look at that, you don't think of that person. Oh, they're old. Like, like mentality about age has changed. Very much.

So Very much.

I mean, look at like us now. Like, I turned 51.

That's amazing. Thank you.

Thank you. But like, you know, when you look back, like you're saying 20, 30 years, 50 didn't look like this, you know? No, like we're cheap.

And you probably really take care of yourself, you know, because there's still 50 that doesn't look like you.

Oh, you know, very sweet.

So it's, it's true. It's all about how you take care of yourself also, you know, just what stress you go through.

It's like everyday life, life could really have a big effect on aging and stuff. So it's like you just got to take care of yourself. Love yourself. I think that's, that's the most important.

Yes, it's true. You have to love yourself. And like you're saying, take care of the stress. Stress will kill you, you know. So what do you do when you're stressed?

Like, what is the remedy for that?

For you? Have some red wine.

Love it. I'll bring my tequila.

Yeah, exactly, exactly. Tequila's healthier. So probably I should and you know, just go do something with my daughter.

Just relax or go to the beach, you know, or watch some stupid, stupid show that's gonna get you distracted.

Yeah, it's true. Just having your own time right away.

From all the mess, the craziness. Yeah, I know.

We don't take enough time for ourselves, you know, I mean, self care is big.

It's a thing, you know, it is a full time job.

Yeah, it totally is.

I'm like, oh my God.

I'm like, hair, skin. Yeah. Nails.

It's like biohacking. Yeah. It's everything working out.

Oh my God, the pro protein. I'm like, how much protein? Like, how do you get all the protein?

Water. Like, I'm speaking of water. I'm so bad at drinking water and like, you know, I don't, I don't eat meat. So for the protein. It's hard for me.

Like a lot of protein shake, plant based protein shakes because yeah, I don't really.

Are you eating like beans and stuff like that too? Is it more like legumes as well?

Not really. But I will say, even though I don't eat meat, I do buy Local eggs.

Like, I just make sure it's from a local farm where the dogs, where the rumors start, where the. Where the chickens live a good life and they run free. Because I do have two raw eggs a day.

Oh, you do? Do you just drink them straight up?

Yeah.

Wow.

Yeah. Dr. In Poland mentioned it to my mom that it's like the healthiest thing you could do. I'm not a doctor, so don't do this at home.

You know, I'm not gonna be responsible. But yeah, he says it's like that everything you basically need is in those yolks. And it's yolks. Oh, egg yolks.

So it's not the whites because everyone's.

Like, oh, the whites are actually the non healthy stuff. Yeah.

Oh, so it's get the yolks.

Get the yolks. Yeah. Okay, so I do two. Some people do more like he does. I think five a day. So it just depends. But yeah, my mom does. I think three a day.

Oh, my gosh. That's a good tip.

Yeah. I mean, you know, hopefully we'll see. We'll see what my blood work comes out, you know, if it's perfect or not.

But yeah, that's what I've been doing, so.

Okay. Okay, this is good to know. What about with your daughter? Is she gonna also be veg vegan or is she eating meat or.

You know what? She doesn't eat any meat. She basically. It's hard to get anything in her. Like, she loves her fruits, obviously. She loves her carbs, which is.

They love carbs. Pastas and everything.

Pastas, yeah. Mac and cheese, bagel, all that croissant. But with her, the good thing is that she drinks a plant based protein drink at night time.

So ever since she was a baby, she drank it. She does not want to eat meat. She's like, anytime. Like, I'm like, here, honey. It's like, oh, is that. Is that an animal? Is that. Is that real?

So she asks. Yeah, she's at the point she asks and she does not want to eat meat.

Yeah, she becomes conscious of it, right?

Yeah. Especially, you know, meet mama. Being a big animal lover.

So I kind of, you know, send it, I guess send the energy towards her and just, you know, if she asks, I tell her the truth. I don't lie to her. I don't sugarcoat anything.

Yeah. That's important, I think, to be honest with your cat.

Exactly. When she's older and she decides, you know, I mean, obviously, I'm not gonna lie.

There were times Where I just let her try something and if she liked it, then right away she's like, is that meat? I don't want meat, Mommy, stop. I don't want to try any meat. So I'm just like, okay, baby, I'm not going to give you meat to try.

But you know, when she gets older, if she wants to, that's her decision.

Absolutely, absolutely. So what advice would you give your 25 year old self?

25 Year old, I would be like, don't put love first. Forget the men. Forget the men. Forget relationships. Follow your dreams. Because I do feel I would have accomplished a lot more being single.

I remember my manager at the time, she's like, joanna, why?

Why?

I could do so much more with you if you were single. Because, you know, when you're in a relationship, you think twice right before you want to do something.

If you take on a job, if you're going to travel for work, also if you're not single, you know, at that time, it wasn't as cool to hire, you know. And you know, there were opportunities where you didn't take.

Like, I remember Adam Levine asked me out, called my manager to take me out, and I said no because he wasn't my type.

And then a few months later, his manager called again wanting to hire me for the music video where anv ended up doing it and they ended up being together. And I said, no, I'm not gonna. I was with Roman at the time and I got that offer. And it wasn't because of Roman, actually, that I took.

I said no to the music video. I said, hey, I'm not here to sell. I'm not gonna be rolling around in bed naked with a guy that I don't wanna go date with.

So I took it as like, this is his way of meeting me after I said no to dinner. But yeah, I mean, I definitely would not put love as a priority, you know, because looking back, I'm just like, what did love get me?

A lot of heartaches, you know, a lot of maybe missed opportunities. So for me, I probably would have been more about just like work, work, work, work.

And then maybe my life journey when with love would have taken a different course, you know?

Yeah, yeah, no, we can. But we all learn from our experiences.

We all live and learn. Sometimes you're just like, ugh, if only I knew back then what I know now. Totally. Yeah, it's true.

Well, thank you so much. Thank you, Joanna. You're amazing.

You're amazing.

I love it. I'm serious. We're going down to Orange county and getting it.

Let's go. Let's do it.

I'm in. So, Joanna, can you tell everybody where to find you? I mean, I'm sure they know what your social media is, but just in case. I get it.

Yeah. Just on my social media.

Joanna Krupa, you know my Instagram or you know, also my Instagram, there's my email, not my personal email, but you know, my work email. So they need to get a hold of me.

Nice. Anything exciting coming up?

Well, I'm starting to travel again for Poland. We're doing our 15th years, 15th season of Poland's Next Top Model. So I'm very excited for that.

You know, just keep adding to my perfume line in Poland. I do have something special coming out which is more for the US market, but can't talk about it just yet.

So maybe I'll be back for that to talk about it. So, yeah, just like, you know, just enjoying life and working away and just raising an amazing six year old and saving the dogs.

Saving the dogs, right? Always. Yes, always. And hoping for the best in this next mayor election.

I know, I know. Fingers crossed.

Fingers crossed.

Amazing. Thank you, Joanna. Joanna Krupa, thank you so much for being here and for being so open, honest, glamorous, hilarious and real.

I think so many women are going to see pieces of themselves in this conversation, whether it's navigating, reinvention, relationships, motherhood, confidence, heartbreak, public pressure, or simply figuring out who you are beyond how the world sees you. And honestly, I love that this conversation reminded us that midlife isn't about disappearing quietly into the background.

It's about evolving, owning yourself more fully, protecting your peace, caring a little less about outside validation, and maybe becoming even more interesting in the process.

If you love this episode, make sure you follow the iconic midlife, leave a rating and review and send this episode to a friend who would absolutely have opinions during our hot or unhinged game game. And don't forget to come back on Thursday for the game episode with Joanna because trust me, it gets very, very funny very fast.

Until next time, stay bold, stay curious and stay iconic.