Alex Hall doesn't care if you think she's a villain. The real estate agent, who stars in Netflix's Selling the OC , is known for speaking his mind regardless of the consequences. While this candor has made her one of the most powerful women on Variety's reality show, it hasn't always won over viewers.
Premiering in 2022, the show is a spin-off of Selling Sunset About the Orange County office of The Oppenheim Group. Almost immediately, the cast became as controversial as the original cast.
"What I learned from season one is that you really can't prepare for it," Hall told Bustle over Zoom from Jason Oppenheim's Los Angeles penthouse, where the cast was doing press. "You never know what the audience is going to think, or how they're going to take something. You're damned if you do it, you're damned if you don't."
Season three, which will air on May 3, begins with her and Taylor Stanerland's controversial journey from friendship to romance following their divorce from Brittney Snow. Hall also got into trouble for calling one of her colleagues "crazy" on a podcast - She believes the drama may have been "staged" by her co-stars.
"If it's such an easy podcast to listen to, why would they ask me who it's about if it's so easy to figure out who it's about?" she said. "It doesn't make any sense unless they're trying to put me in a situation where I'm not going to be in the loveliest light."
Below, she opens up about season three, her relationships, and the recent departures of some cast members.
After the Season 2 finale, you and Taylor had some communication breakdowns. Why do you think it didn't turn into something more?
Our relationship never quite developed into what we thought it would. We would rev our engines and hope for the best, but we were never really consistent. There's always something wrong. When I look back on this season, I think, "Oh my gosh, would 'Will They, Won't They' last this long?" But time flies when we're in it.
How did you find out he was leaving Oppenheim Group?
A news article.
Have you stayed in touch and been able to repair the relationship?
No.
This season you move on and start dating a guy on TikTok. What can you tell us about him?
He is a very private person, but we are no longer dating. He pursues his career and dreams in London. As a working single mom, my top priority is here. So, unfortunately, this becomes unrealistic.
What do you think of Sean Palmieri and Austin Victoria's heated confrontation on The Office?
I was surprised that it wasn't Sean who would go deep, but Austin. I've never really seen that side of Austin, and he has every right to defend his honor, his family's honor, his truth, and his reputation. Honestly, if the reality show wasn't filmed in an office, it could have ended a lot worse under other circumstances.
You know all the statements Sean made before putting them on camera? Do you think what they say is true?
I didn't know about these claims until Polly [Brindle] told me during filming. But Sean has a track record of doing similar things with other cast members - not being outspoken on the show itself. He had a relationship with Polly, and I was a spectator, so I saw it first hand. I've heard her side of the story and Sean's unsolicited version of the story, but things just don't add up. It's really hard to hide the truth when you have cameras following you around.
What cutscenes would you like to see played out?
How much time do we have? It was just one of those things that we only had a certain amount of time to shoot and it had to be consolidated and condensed for a great viewing experience. Of course, I wish there were more real estate scenes this season because that's my career. But I also wanted the podcast to have more highlights that I felt would give viewers a better understanding of where I'm coming from.
After watching this season, how did you feel about the podcast interviews you did?
I do a lot of podcasts. At that moment, I really didn’t think it was about Kayla (Cardona). I actually thought it was about Brandi [Marshall]. There were some scenes that were cut, which we explore in more depth. But I won't avoid the question. I told the public how I felt. I didn't write it in my diary. If I had remembered at the time, I would have said it was about Keira. I did not invoke my Fifth Amendment rights on this issue, but stated what I believed to be true.
Have you ever felt like you were unfairly edited?
Maybe sometimes. But that's not to say I don't understand. No one is forcing me to do or say things, or putting a gun to my head to do it. I'm signing up for a reality show. It would be unfortunate if they took it out of context or didn't show something that would make me understand better.
News just broke that Alexandra Jarvis is leaving the Oppenheim Group. How did you feel when you discovered this?
From a reality TV perspective, I don't think Jarvis really adds much value. She was always just trying to stir things up and stay relevant. I haven't shed a tear since she left. Her only ally was the last Sean, and Sean was gone.
Given that she, Sean, and Taylor are all gone, where do you think the show will go if it's renewed for a fourth season?
People are dropping like flies on the O team, man. From an acting standpoint, I think it's difficult. But I think everyone is replaceable. So if they feel like the show isn't for them, then give it up.
Do you welcome new agents to the show?
Absolutely. fresh blood.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
