Summer House: Martha's Vineyard is Bravo's newest kid on the block - and as one of the spinoff's stars, Bria Fleming can't wait for fans to see everything the show has to offer.
We sat down with Bria to hear more about the highlights and challenges of shooting the show, and what she's most excited for viewers to see.
Plus, she shares the one thing she's nervous about, ahead of the season's debut.
Let's Just Say, This Is Bria's Dream Show
Sitting down with TheThings just days ahead of the Summer House: Martha's Vineyard Season 1 premiere, Bria's excitement is palpable.
"It's a euphoric feeling, you know?" she beams.
We asked if she could pinpoint one thing she's most looking forward to fans seeing - though, it's immediately evident that a better question would be what she isn't excited about.
"I like the freshness and newness of it, being an OG of this new show. The history that I've learned, and that the viewers will be learning, throughout this whole series, the activities we do, and just getting to know us, as a cast ... I can't wait for viewers to see it all!"
Summing it up, she chuckles, "If Summer House in the Hamptons and Real Housewives had a baby ... it would be us."
That's a major drawcard for Bria, to say the least.
In fact, further proving that Summer House: Martha's Vineyard is her ideal show, Bria hints that she might just have manifested the opportunity.
"I did a survival reality show, a long, long time ago, and I was like ... this is not my type of show. If I ever do reality TV again, I'm not doing it like this," she laughs.
"I wanted to be on more of a lifestyle show, with friends, a nice pool, and some cocktails. So, I waited for this to come. Even after being pitched dating and activity shows, I was like, 'I want the Kardashians, but for me.'"
It only makes sense, then, that when her friend and now co-star, Shanice Henderson suggested Summer House: Martha's Vineyard, Bria was all in.
"I was like, 'For sure!' Can I take my dog? Can I take my man?'"
As seen in the trailer, the answer was yes - to both.
Bria Reveals Her Highlight Of The Experience
"It was great to be able to show my everyday life with the world, and hang out with my friends, too," Bria muses, thinking back on the experience of shooting the show.
To be clear, though, there's hanging out ... and then there's living in close quarters.
Luckily, Bria considers the latter a highlight.
"I got a little closer to everyone than I normally would be. We're friends, but we've never spent that long of a time under one roof. That really tested our friendships - with all the different personalities, dietary restrictions and daily routines, you get to see everyone's true colors."
Understandably, seeing everyone's true colors didn't always make for a drama-free setup.
Far from it, Bria chuckles, while exploring her existing friendships was a highlight, it was also the biggest challenge she faced.
"I always try to stay positive and respectful, but there were some times where inner issues weren't talked about or clarified, and that made things a little awkward."
But, what might make for awkward in-person exchanges also makes for great TV - and Bria knows it.
"We're going through every single emotion, and viewers will go through all that, with us."
It Took A Beat To Get Used To Having The Cameras Around
Naturally, having each emotion captured required a full filming crew present - so how did Bria et al. get used to it?
"It can get a little intrusive sometimes, because you don't get time to calm down. We're not acting, so our feelings are real, and that means dealing with emotions, checking it and moving on, or addressing it right then and there."
Added to that, Bria points out that she struggled, at first, being on camera without direction.
"You're like, 'Where do I look? Who do I talk to? What am I doing?'" she laughs.
"There were no producers telling us what to do, so I'm thinking, 'Crap, what do I do? Do I go upstairs? Ah, ah, ah? I felt very robotic - like I was glitching!"
That was short-lived, however.
"After the first day, I just got used to it," she shrugs.
So, What's She Most Nervous About?
It's safe to say, filming Summer House: Martha's Vineyard was exciting for Bria - and she's even more thrilled to see the end product.
However, she giggles that there are also some nerves, ahead of the premiere.
"We all got very drunk and wild. If you've seen the trailer, you'll know I was one of the girls skinny dipping. So it's kind of, like ... do I want my parents to watch that episode?"
"They're going to see a side of me they've never seen before, and that's very, very scary!" she laughs.
Time will tell how that particular episode goes down.
In the meantime, one thing Bria knows beyond a shadow of a doubt is that viewers are about to take a wild ride.
"I don't think anyone will be getting bored, watching this," she promises.
We're at the edge of our seats, already.
