EXCLUSIVE: Sonja Morgan Interview “I Came on This Season Questioning My Friendships”

I had the pleasure of interviewing the vivacious “Real Housewives of New York,” star, Sonja Morgan. Sonja took time away from her busy schedule and planning the RHONY premier party to chat with me over the weekend. The party will be another “Sonja In The City” production of course!

​1) ​Congrats on your cover of ‘Latino Show’ magazine and being named the “Ultimate Fashion Woman”

“Thanks. I’m so proud of that. That was another “Sonja In The City” party. That was a huge coup for me. That’s a huge international luxury magazine with a massive Latino following which I have as well. Basically the  Latins represent luxury and over-the-top glamour. I have a taste for luxury and luxury has a taste for me! [laughs]”

2) That’s fantastic news. Tell me about your line, ‘Sonja Morgan New York?’

“The line is an extension of myself and my lifestyle. I like quality pieces that have linings, intricate details, great trims, everything is silk, linen and Italian crepe but the pieces are affordable. My designs are better built, it’s  not couture but definitely a niche I’m filling. There’s a whole in the market. If you want to buy a well constructed garment, there’s nothing in the $300-$800 range that I’m delivering. They’re investment pieces, they are  classics. They are very Sonja…very you…very me. Sexy with cutouts and intricate details.”

Pieces from ‘Sonja Morgan New York’ fashion line

3) That’s terrific! When can we expect the first round to come out?

“The first round we just had a sample showing for Fashion Week New York. That was a total success. I had great front row and a lot of press. Currently we are photographing the e-commerce and that will go online as soon  as my investors are ready and my manufacturers. I’m working on that with the designers. I don’t want anything to come out too soon that doesn’t have the fit or quality there. I don’t want to rush. I want to make sure I  deliver quality pieces.”

Jewelry from ‘Sonja Morgan New York’ Collection

​4) ​What can fans expect from you this new season?

“I came on this season really questioning my friendships. I didn’t feel they [her co-stars] were understanding my plight. They were VERY critical and judgemental ….not downloading the information I sent them regarding  my fashion lifestyle brand. That hurt my feelings so when I came back this season I really wanted to feel who was getting me! I had to question if there was  jealously or just they’re too busy to really care or was I not  putting enough into the friendships to warrant any kind of support. That’s how I went into this season. You’ll have to see how it  unfolds. I think you’ll be surprised!”

5) On her rocky friendship with Ramona Singer

“Ramona is my BFF but she NEVER seems to be there for me. You watch the show. There’s historical proof of that. She never sticks up for me when the girls are coming at me and I’m always  there for her. Always!  Whether she’s right or wrong. Whether she’s throwing glasses in people’s face or saying something off-the-cuff that’s very painful. I’ve always defended her and understood her point of view but we’ve never seen Ramona  stand up for me. I said to her last season, ‘You couldn’t live a day in my life Singer.’ Now she’s going through some  similar issues with her divorce so it’s going to be interesting to see that this season.”

6) Did you know the new ‘Housewife’ Dorinda Medley prior to her joining the cast?  Did you two hit it off?

“Dorinda, the new girl, I know her Internationally and we have the same friends Internationally so of all the girls, she knows more of my friends than the other girls. She just gave an interview  saying, ‘She hit it off with me  right off the bat even though she knew Luann and Ramona much more.’ We had some great times together. You’re going to LOVE Dorinda! She’s a character.”

7) How has Bethenny Frankel’s return impact the new season?

“Well, I like that Bethenny is back because she’s a reality TV star…she’s another character. There’s just no other way to explain her. Her personality is just a JOLT to the show…REALLY shook things up. And it was  interesting to see how that was going to unfold. How was she going to get along with the new girls. Was she going to stick to the old-school which is me, Ramona and Luann. I came on season three when Bethenny was  leaving (she was leaving for her spin-off) so we had some really nice times together and then boom the rug was pulled from under me. I was very happy to have her come back.”

8) From looking at the previews, it seems like Heather goes after Bethenny this season?

“Yes, you’ll see some tension in the previews between them. That’s going to be an interesting dichotomy right there because you have two people who know-it-all. Heather was labeled “bossy” last season and  Bethenny definitely holds her own against ‘bossy.'”

9) You are considered the femme fatale socialite of the RHONY, will we see more of the irrepressible vivacious side of Sonja this season?

“My new boyfriend is 24, his name is Dominik Persy. I don’t look for it. They just find me. The interesting thing for me right now is, I’m ready for a relationship. I have my businesses started, my daughter is 14 and I’m  ready for a real relationship. No more boy toys so it’s nice to have a worldly and steady man in my life.”

Sonja Morgan & Dominik Persy celebrating her cover of Latino Show magazine

10) Are you still living in your townhouse?

“Yes, I’m still living in my house.”

11) How would you sum up season 7?

“The cast was totally solidified and entwined this season which makes it much more interesting when the viewers know the characters. We all knew each other really well. I would say that onion was peeled. Then just to  have Bethenny back for me was exciting.” So no catfights? “I wouldn’t say there wasn’t any catfights!”

 

“The Real Housewives of New York” season 7 premiers tonight on Bravo at 9|8c. Don’t miss it.

Check out Sonja’s new podcast here and follow Facebook and Twitter