Overview of Not Skinny But Not Fat with Mia Calabrese
In this episode, Amanda Hirsch catches up with Summer House breakout Mia Calabrese about her whirlwind rise in reality TV, life after season one, and what she’s learned about herself along the way. The conversation is wide-ranging and personal: Mia talks about her ADHD diagnosis, freezing her eggs, grieving her mom, dating, and navigating fame with a grounded, authentic approach. She also shares career updates, her love for the Bravo universe, and why she’s determined to keep showing up as herself.
Main Topics Discussed
Reality TV fame and staying authentic
- Mia says the positive response to her first season of Summer House still feels surreal.
- She was warned that public opinion can shift quickly, but she’s committed to being herself rather than creating a “reality TV version” of herself.
- Her mindset: be kind, respectful, and honest, and let people react however they will.
Joining Summer House last minute
- Mia revealed her casting happened very quickly, only a couple of weeks before filming.
- She first knew the show through her friendship with Ciara and had visited the house as a guest before ever considering joining.
- She says filming was intense but also genuinely fun, especially with the themed parties and house dynamic.
Her background before TV
- Before real estate and Bravo fame, Mia worked at the nightclub “The Box” in New York.
- She started as a hostess, then became a waitress, and described that period as both wild and lucrative.
- Working there forced her to become more assertive and develop an “alter ego” to handle the environment.
- She later transitioned into real estate because the late-night schedule was no longer sustainable.
ADHD and how it affects her life
- Mia shared that she was diagnosed with severe ADHD only two years ago.
- Medication was life-changing for her because it helped her finish tasks and feel more focused.
- She described common ADHD patterns in her life:
- starting one task and getting pulled into many others
- getting overwhelmed by messy spaces
- needing structure or “body doubling” to get things done
- She’s more open about it now and no longer embarrassed by the diagnosis.
Freezing her eggs and fertility planning
- Mia explained that she froze her eggs after a breakup and because she wants children someday, but not right now.
- The process was physically and emotionally difficult:
- hormone injections
- bloating and discomfort
- frequent bloodwork
- going through it without her mom, which made it especially painful
- She said she felt resentful at times because past relationships felt like they had wasted her time.
- She only got five viable eggs in her first cycle, so she plans to do another round to increase her chances of having two or three children.
- Despite the difficulty, she feels strongly that freezing her eggs gave her a sense of security.
Grief, her mom, and spiritual reassurance
- Mia spoke about how painful it was to go through fertility treatment without her mother, who has passed away.
- She said her mom was her best friend and remains a guiding presence in her life.
- She also shared that she had a meaningful medium reading on the show, which helped reassure her that her mom is okay and still with her in spirit.
Dating and what she wants in a partner
- Mia ended a two-year relationship with Scott because she outgrew the relationship and wanted more stability and presence.
- She wants a partner who is emotionally available, consistent, and family-oriented.
- She is not interested in dating someone else in entertainment; she’d rather not compete for attention.
- She briefly confirmed she is dating someone now, but she’s keeping it private for the moment.
Career momentum and recent wins
- Mia is still doing real estate, but she’s also enjoying a major entertainment moment.
- She mentioned attending:
- the VMAs
- the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
- Las Culturistas live, where she won “Best Vibe, Hands Down”
- She says she’s handling the attention with gratitude and excitement, not pressure.
Race, Bravo, and representation
- Mia discussed being a Black woman on Bravo and how meaningful it was to be part of that conversation publicly.
- She praised how open the cast was when race came up on the show.
- She also appreciated the Marie Claire feature highlighting Black women on Bravo and said she hopes people see cast members as human beings, not just reality TV characters.
- She highlighted how important it is to be heard without being judged through a TV-edit lens.
Relationship Dynamics on Summer House
Friendships in the house
- Mia says she’s especially close with Ciara and Lindsay.
- She was happy to see Lindsay in a better place socially, since earlier seasons were reportedly rough for her.
- She also spoke warmly about Danielle, Daria, and Kory/KJ, describing KJ as like a little brother.
The Lindsay/Ciara drama
- She didn’t want to dive deeply into the scandal, but it was clear she was protective of Ciara.
- Since she and Ciara were close before the season, Mia said the dynamic in the house naturally affected her too.
Notable Quotes and Takeaways
- “The worst thing is not being yourself and trying to be a reality TV version of yourself.”
- “What do I want to feel?” — Mia’s guiding question for relationships and life decisions.
- “I want to feel safe. I want stability.”
- “I’m booked and busy, but I’m navigating it with gratitude.”
- Her approach to dating and life is refreshingly direct: she values honesty over polish.
Bottom Line
This episode shows Mia Calabrese as more than just a fan-favorite reality star: she’s self-aware, emotionally honest, and very clear about what she wants. From ADHD and fertility to grief, dating, and success on Summer House, Mia comes across as someone who’s learning to protect her peace while embracing a fast-moving career.