Talk That Talk to ME: Episode 4, Is Olivia a Bitch, or a Beach?!
Today’s podcast features Olivia J. Blake — a VERY well-known figure and a bit of an enigma in the roleplay community. A bodacious creator, cast member, and someone who has become famous for asking the questions that make people think, cry, laugh, freak out. I know I’ve done them all with him. Some might call him deliberate, others might say misunderstood. I’m here to find out.
Kirby’s Intro: Hello everyone. It’s I, Kirby J Lime and you are on the official fourth episode of my podcast, TALK THAT TALK TO ME! I have Olivia J Blake today and HONEY, WE GET INTO IT. In the best way though.
Before we dive in, I just want to say a few things… I even brought you a confessional back for this moment *laughs*
Kirby: It’s been a wild couple of weeks for me. As some of you may know, my new show, Ladies of the City, hit a major setback when a certain cast member decided to punish us all for no good reason by deactivating.
It’s nothing new, unfortunately — we’ve seen this before, most recently on Ladies of Twitter this past season. It hurts the show, it hurts the cast, and it definitely hurts a strong season we’ve worked so hard on. But I won’t let it affect my new project, a show that’s filled with so many incredible people.
When the issue arose, I was already three episodes into the seven-episode season. And despite what haters, doubters, or just plain idiots might say — I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. We all deserve breaks, we all have REAL lives, we all have things in our lives that must take priority, and we all need time to recharge when we’re leading something that we own.
I just want to say this — I don’t want to be part of a community or platform that’s all about bringing each other down. The stupid comments, the negativity — it’s not something I’ll tolerate. If that’s the vibe, don’t involve me, don’t bring it to me. I won’t stand for injustice or bullying. This is meant to be fun, remember that.
Kirby: It’s easy to give your opinion, but it doesn’t mean it’s right, or even something anyone wants to hear. Some of you might think I made a mistake giving someone a second chance, that’s up to you to feel thar way.
I refuse to release a show that requires me to edit around someone who was integral to the season and to the brand new show we’ve created.
We’re set to reshoot Ladies of the City beginning next week — fingers crossed, all being well — and I’m beyond grateful for my amazing cast. I also want to give a huge shoutout to those of you who reached out, because even though this may seem small to some, it really upset me.
I’ll share more details on this on another platform, but just not here. I want this space to remain light and easy, as it should be.
Back to the show…
Kirby: As you know, I am here to remind us all that it’s important to have some fun, laugh a lot, expose some secrets, reveal some truths and maybe throw a little shade too, but mostly, this podcast is for you, the viewer. Thank you for being here.
Okay, so, go grab a snack, get a cup of tea and settle in. We have a lot to talk about!
Kirby: Welcome to the show, Olivia!
Olivia: Thank you for having me!
Kirby: Do you think people are shocked you’re on here today?
Olivia: Oh definitely! *laughs* I’ve definitely heard some commentary about me being on.
Kirby: So. Olivia. Troublemaker *laughs* Tell me how you got into Roleplay?
Olivia: So I initially was scrolling through Instagram in 2019 and came across Real Housewives of Wildwood. Courtney Porter was playing someone on that show and I liked some of her posts and she sent me a DM. I ended up getting brought in to that show as Robyn Kensington.
That show is where I met Courtney, Christina, and Jocelyn. I became quick friends with Christina and remember encouraging her to go for Ladies of Twitter. I eventually crossed over to Twitter for Married to Medicine: Twitter where I played Dr. Dominique Samuels, which led to my role on season 1 of Real Housewives of Beverly Beach where I’ve been for the past 10 seasons!
Kirby: What drives you on this platform? In this community…
Olivia: My drive in roleplay is creating interesting storylines, using my creativity to have fun and create good content that people enjoy. It makes me feel good to know that I can create something that people do enjoy — regardless if my character is popular or a hero or villain, I find joy knowing I’m creating something that is causing conversation and is being enjoyed by someone else.
Kirby: What do you like the most? And the least?
Olivia: What I like most is telling compelling stories whether through personal scenes, which I love doing, or through a personal storyline woven into the fabric of the group. I’m not someone who does roleplay just to fight every scene — I like to see complex characters with fully fleshed out backgrounds and stories. I like most being able to create that content through my own personal stories but also through group storytelling.
Continued… I think for the thing I like the least about roleplaying, is that sometimes some cast members prefer to blindside you with storylines that you aren’t comfortable with for your character. I think this sometimes causes issues as you want to then go tit for tat and things escalate and all hell breaks loose. Being able to work together to create compelling stories is really important.
Kirby: What do you love most about your show? What does BB have that you think, other shows don’t?
Olivia: The thing I love the most about Real Housewives of Beverly Beach is that Petra is a great producer. She spends extra time setting up fantastic scene guides for us to keep us on track with the stories that we are telling. I’ve been on shows where it’s been a free for all and people just fight to fight and it’s just not my cup of tea.
Thankfully, Petra creates beautiful guides for each scenes that keep us on track to hit our goals of each scenes while also still letting us have some creative flexibility.
Kirby: You’re being very positive today Ms Olivia, I love it. What do you have to say to the people who have said you often look for problems with people, for fun, or to have a moment maybe. On your show, and also within the community?
Olivia: I think on a roleplay show, having a banter with someone or “coming for someone” is key to making compelling story. We all watch reality television and are entertained by the mess, so let’s create some of that magic on the show. I think sometimes lines get blurred when you don’t talk about the stories behind the scenes. Feelings get hurt on both sides, and then mess ensues. Off camera, I can be a little bit of a troll and like to make jokes and throw fun shade. Does it always land? No. Does it sometimes go a way in which I wasn’t intending it to go? Yes. Am I grown enough to own up to the bullshit I do, apologize, and try my best to do better? Yes. I’m a human and want us all to have fun but also have a sense of camaraderie off camera too.
Kirby: I think for me, where i find issues at times with you, I’ll be honest, and with some others, is the fact that so much of doing all of this is by reading a message. It’s not visual, there’s no audio. Someone might be making a joke, but you might read it in a different way. Someone might be being sassy or a bitch, but you misinterpret it.
Continued… I do think with you, and I have experience this, you often like to say something and then immedietley go on the defensive when you get called out. You poked me recently, and I answered you *laughs*
Yes you say sorry, but you also can be quite forceful and relentless. Do you always want to make sure you are heard, and when it comes to your shows, do you think it effects the people you are with or working with?
Olivia: *nods* Absolutely, and I think depending on where we are, what moods we are in, what is impacting us in our daily lives as people — reactions may differ. What I think was fun shade may be a stabbing blow to someone else. I think it’s important to keep some fun shade in our community since it’s built on Housewives, but I do think we need to be more mindful that we are all humans with genuine feelings.
Continued… I think that conversation is the solvent to all issues. Conflict management requires a conversation — I’m always open to putting my side on the table and talking it through. Does that make me unrelenting, forceful, or sometimes make me appear as if I’m a victim? We all have our perspectives but in my world — I’m just telling my side of the story with my feelings at the forefront.
Continued again lol…While putting my feelings at the forefront of my thoughts that I share in these crucial conversations; I’m showing up to the table with my own feelings but that doesn’t mean that I’m turning a blind eye to the person that I’m conversing with. I want to hear their side as well and don’t want to have to put a defensive wall up like you mentioned.
Kirby: See, I don’t think that always lands though, to be honest with you, why is that do you think?
Olivia: I think where things go wrong in these conversations is because we do not know each other outside of these personas, so it’s hard to trust each other’s words. We all have a mutual purpose here; a commonality in that we enjoy roleplaying. I think that’s should be the mutually shared root that grounds us and helps us address issues so that the greater community can continue to thrive.
Kirby: Do you think you’re misunderstood?
Olivia: I think I’m polarizing for some. I’m someone who stands strong with my beliefs and morals and can be stubborn. On the same token, I can be incredibly compassionate and caring and I’ve always been an empathetic person who can move on from issues quickly as long as a conversation can be had and the root of the issue can be resolved. It can be exhausting when you think you’ve resolved something with someone, and then two days later comments are being made that has you feeling like you let your guard down with them for nothing. I’ve found myself there a couple times in this community.
Kirby: What is the message you want to put out there from this podcast?
Olivia: Love me, hate me, the point is I make you feel and that’s why I keep a job on roleplay. *flips hair* No, I’m hoping that everyone knows I truly do support all the shows, I read them, retweet them, and do want everyone to have fun here. I think my only regrets are always being involved in some bullshit. I get tired, but I always want to stand up and speak up. It’s part of who I am. This is all for fun!
Kirby: Give me your Legends Season 2 cast…
Olivia: Okay so I would say myself obviously, I know some of the girlies are bitter and didn’t want to include me on their list but I’d definitely be there. Myself, You, Valentina, Teairra, Imani, Calista, Elle, and Yvonne.
Kirby: Thank you for being here Olivia, you were long winded, but great *laughs*
Olivia: Thank you for having me, babe!
Olivia can be seen on the new season of The Real Housewives of Beverley Beach, Season 10…
Next Time… Erica!
