Exclusive Interview: Bravo’s ‘My Fab 40th’ Stars Francine Sanchez and Julie Marcus-Downs
Want a glimpse into how the other half parties for their 40th birthday? Bravo’s newest show “My Fab 40th” is said to “make a Sweet 16 literally look child’s play.” Beginning Tuesday night, watch as different men and women, all beautiful people, throw themselves extravagant parties. And at this level things usually go awry. They encounter ups and downs, laughter and tears, endings and beginnings, as they contemplate growing older.
Former sorority sisters Francine Sanchez and Julie Marcus-Downs, will be the first to debut the new series at their fierce and fabulous joint 40th birthday party, airing Tuesday, Aug. 25 on Bravo. I had the pleasure of getting the inside scoop from the lovely ladies themselves. Check out our interview below:
What made you decide to celebrate your 40th in such fierce and fabulous style?
Julie: After a decade of ups and downs, we wanted to ring in this turning point in our lives. It needed to be representative of us: fierce and fabulous. And for the record, we don’t do anything half-as#!d.
What moved you to hold joint parties?
Francine: Jules had missed her real 40th birthday due to her impending divorce and I was actually turning the big 4-0. We both wanted to have a party for the other and seized this amazing opportunity when it presented itself. Moreover, the opportunity to spread national awareness for Congenital Heart Disease was unable to pass up!
Was it difficult to decide on a joint theme? And how did you settle on “Forty, Fierce, and Fabulous?”
Julie: Frannie wanted a “white party” and I vetoed it…LOL! That was so “last year!” So I won on that one, and when the party planner met us, she immediately came up with the “FFF” (forty, fierce & fabulous) theme.
How was your experience working with eccentric party planner, Sarina?
Francine: You said it. “Eccentric…”
Did she meet/exceed your expectations?
Julie: You’ve GOTTA tune in to find this one out!!!
Any party crashers or drunken guests to report?
Francine: There were so many incredible liquor options! Drinks were flowing from aerial bartenders at arrival and we had “Frannie” and “Julie” signature cocktails!
What was your most memorable party moment without giving away too much?
Julie: Walking the purple carpet/entrance…hands down! When the announcement was made that we raised $85k for the Children’s Heart Foundation!
If you could do it all over again, would you change anything or leave it the same?
Both: There are a couple things we may change…but we’d do it all over again!
Don’t miss, “My Fab 40th” airing on Tuesdays on Bravo with the premiere episode debuting Aug 25 at 10|9c
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Nancy Zhāng is an Entertainment Blogger for All About The Tea. Nancy covers hot topics, recaps and celeb news. She loves to multi-task as a writer and a private chef. She received a B.S. in Mass Communications from LSU. Nancy’s married and the proud mom of 2 German Shepherds.