Julia Lemigova
When The Real Housewives of Miami returned to Peacock last year for a fourth season, fans were eager to see not just who the returning Housewives would be, but what new women could possibly be joining the mix. Julia Lemigova joined the show and brought a quiet sensibility, a litany of animals, and a very famous wife along with her.
Becoming the first out lesbian housewife was a lofty responsibility, but Lemigova (and wife and tennis icon Martina Navratilova) are showcasing a whole new perspective for fans worldwide. I chatted with Julia about what fans can expect on the new season and what Martina is loving about being married to a global reality show star.
Michael Cook: The fans are thrilled that The Real Housewives of Miami returned last year and even more thrilled that it has returned for a fifth season on Peacock (the first four episodes dropped on Peacock December 8). How did you initially get involved with this group of women?
Julia Lemigova: Well, thank you Adriana (de Moura) (laughs)! She called me one morning and said “girl listen, the show is coming back and I cannot think of anyone else that I would want to be my friend on the show, would you want to be with me”? I remember thinking that we already have a crazy life, we always have fun, there is always something going on with Adriana…okay, we’ll just add a camera; not much will change!
MC: Was it hard for you to convince your wife, Martina Navratilova, to do the show? She has certainly had her own share of publicity already in her life as a world renowned tennis champion.
JL: I kind of jumped through the door and she was still in bed—Adriana had called me in the morning. I was like “Martina, guess what”! She looked at me like “what”? I think with my facial expressions; she was like “Julia, who could say no to you”? My eyes were talking louder than my words. She said, “go for it girl” and she said it right away (laughs).
MC: As the first officially out lesbian Housewife, you are offering a fresh and much-needed perspective to the franchise—is that fair to say?
JL: It’s a responsibility, definitely. I don’t want to imagine that I have a lot of weight on my shoulders, because then you get nervous and stressed and you start overthinking it. I went into my second season with an open heart, and I am 100 percent convinced that this is the best thing that ever happened to me. I love doing it.
I know that besides having a lot of fun with the show, I feel the changes I have helped make with other people’s lives is the biggest reward. I have gotten so many messages from amazing people who are connecting with me and sharing their lives, problems, and stories. Sometimes they will write back after I reply. They will say “thank you” because whatever I told them helped them overcome the difficulties that they were having. That is my biggest reward. I feel responsible; I am trying to live my best life and trying not to disappoint people. (I don’t like to disappoint people). I am grateful that I could help and will hopefully help others.
MC: You have definitely fit seamlessly into the Real Housewives lexicon and definitely seem to jell and get along better with some cast members more than others…
JL: Wait, you are going to see more; you have seen nothing yet!
MC: Any hints you want to give us about the new season? You and Larsa (Pippen) look like you’re still a little bit prickly, and I have a feeling that relationship might get worse before it gets better….
JL: Yes, you’re right. Larsa and I are like Tom & Jerry, that is how I describe our relationship now. You never know who is who; she is watching out, I am watching out…. But we have fun with each other; we tease each other. It almost reminds me of an English sense of humor. It’s not what you see, it’s shady; not necessarily bad shady, but fun shady. It’s witty and I like that about her. As much as I might get mad at her, I like her and we are in this kind of British relationship—witty, naughty, be careful, I’ll catch you if I can, you’ll catch me if you can.
MC: While your friendship with Adriana led you to the show, were you friends with any of the women or previous cast iterations before joining Season 4?
JL: I’d never watched the show in my life. I’d never watched reality TV before, can you imagine? Now I’m addicted; I even had Martina put a TV in the kitchen so sometimes we have dinner at the kitchen counter and not at the table. Last night, we watched Below Deck. It never would have happened with me two years ago, but now let’s watch…. We were watching Southern Charm; I was watching Bravo yesterday and enjoying it. I had never watched a single show, but when Adriana invited me to join the show I speed-watched every single season. It was like a season per day—three days, three seasons!
MC: The dynamic between you and Martina has probably shifted when you are out publicly. Before, fans may approach simply to speak to their favorite tennis icon, but now their favorite Housewife is in the mix also.
JL: (Laughs) Martina is having a blast. She was like “Finally” (laughs)! Martina has this thing where if we are out to dinner and someone taps her on the shoulder while she is eating her pasta, she doesn’t like that. So it has happened that people have come to me and talked to me and then they would see her and say “we love you on the show, but YOU Julia.…” She is having a blast, sitting and enjoying it; she just says, “I love it”!
MC: Now with an empty nest, you are dipping your toe into a previous career this season. What has that been like for you?
JL: I am kind of a daredevil, so it takes me time to make a decision, but once I go there, I go in 100 percent. Going back into modeling wasn’t easy. We always doubt ourselves; it’s human nature. We always find something wrong with ourselves. Then I started thinking that if I can push myself to do it and overcome my fears, maybe it will help some other people overcome their fears—not necessarily in a modeling career, but at anything.
I wasn’t feeling comfortable in the beginning at the idea—at my age—of going back to fashion. I know fashion, I love fashion, but I was 18 years old (when I started). I did it for 15 years and I stopped at a certain age and never in a million years would have imagined that I would go back. Life is full of surprises and now with diversity, there are no taboos anymore. You don’t have to be that skinny or that young anymore; you just have to be you. Now I am so incredibly happy to join that movement.
MC: South Florida is known to have an absolutely vibrant and spectacular LGBTQ community. Have you noticed a sudden interest from the boys in Miami or Wilton Manors who might be showing you the kind of love you never noticed from the public before?
JL: (laughs) To be honest I haven’t noticed anything. I would say that generally, all people all around give me the same kind of compliments. They say they are happy that I represent the gay community and I am so proud of that myself as well. Like if I went to gay bar tonight, which I would love because it is so much fun and fabulous, maybe that would happen. I have just been keeping quiet and private, but I am going to do that!
MC: If you took a walk on Ocean Drive or on Wilton Drive, I suspect that you’d get a great deal of attention once fans noticed you. If you’re looking for a dance floor to hit, Hunters on Wilton Drive has a Sunday Disco Tea Dance that is absolutely epic!
JL: I love Wilton Manors! All right, I’m going to have to do that…. ▼
The Real Housewives of Miami is streaming now on Peacock. Follow Julia Lemigova on Instagram.
Michael Cook has been a part-time resident of Rehoboth Beach for over a decade. He is currently a contributor to Instinct Magazine, World of Wonder’s WOW Report, and South Florida Gay News.
Photos: Bravo/NBC Universal/Peacock