Page 19 - Scottish Woman Issue 77 2021

Amid a show where drama seems to be the going currency – as well as
a spare $20 million – peace-loving Vanessa Villela is a breath of fresh air. Cheryl Caira chats the reality TV addiction of the year with Selling Sunset’s newest agent
“Is it real?” My opening gambit to one of Selling Sunset’s latest cast members is the question most asked by, well, everyone I’ve told about this interview. It’s also garnered the biggest shrieks of “WHAAAT?” for any interview I’ve done in my career – shrieks to rival the Selling Sunset girls themselves – because there’s no escaping
how bingeworthy a hit this series has been.
According to Vanessa Villela, who hails from Mexico City and joined Sunset Strip brokerage The Oppenheim Group earlier in 2021, it’s all 100% legit.
“As crazy as it all might seem,” she says with a cracker of a cackle, “It is real.” So there’s no guidance at all as to what the cast members should talk about? Good telly needs a gripping plot after all. Chrishell Stause, who’s been a realtor on the series since season one (and the focal point
of much drama) had previously alluded to a bit of direction, saying: “They can sometimes nudge us to address things, but what we say is all us.”
“My experience on series four and five has been that there’s been no guidance,” says Villela. “Obviously they tell you today we’re going to film at the
office or today we’re doing
the baby shower. And then...” Suitably dramatic pause. “Things happen.”
SELLING
SUNSHINE
SCOTTISH WOMAN MAGAZINE 19
Image: Tom Fraud