The Hot Seat
The enemies-turned-friends areThe Real Housewives of Dubais secret weapons.
Her co-star had watched a movie at Bryant Park instead and gotten a good nights sleep.
Ayan, 46, emerged as the shows breakout star when it debuted in 2021.
British-born Stanbury was her dry-witted foil.
Now I can be myself, Ayan explains.
Even if sometimes Im like, Youre a fcking btch today.
Now she understands that the meaner I am, it means I like you.
Stanbury:I stand by it.
Ayan:I was not rude at all.
She told me to wear white.
Stanbury:But she had her veil too.
And you came in a blond wig.
Ayan:Ive always worn blond, but that day was to piss you off.
Stanbury:I know.
She wanted a reaction; she got one.
Ayan:I shouldve walked the aisle beside you.
That wouldve been even more fun.
Stanbury, what is your favorite Ayan look?
Stanbury:I couldnt wear one thing Ayan wears.
Ilove the red onewhere she looks like Bill and Ben,the Flowerpot Men.
It looks like shes got one of those very old 80-year-old womens flower swimming caps.
Ayan:That was couture made from scratch.
This is why she doesnt know fashion.
Did you see that these girls this year really stepped up?
Theyre all wearing couture.
Stanbury:Shes going to a rich dead husbands funeral.
Ayan, when did Stanbury beat you in the fashion department?
Ayan:I liked the green jacket she wore when I gave her the pineapple.
I also liked her blue dress atMichael [Davis] kick-out party.
Stanbury:Oh, my boobs came out.
Ayan:That was great.
Ayan:Its classicHousewivesstuff.
In Bali, you see Lesa going The voice note that I sent you before anybody said anything.
Stanbury:It could have been a voice note from anyone, so she knew what she was doing.
I was like, Oh, my God.
What the hell is going on?
She was like, I dont trust you.
I was confused by it, so thats why I left the dinner table.
Should I have played the voice note?
Stanbury:Of course, it was great fun for me.
Ayan:For her, not for me.
There was no reason for this reaction.
I saw a different side of her.
Did I f*ck up?
But it shouldnt be enough for us not to be in a better place.
Stanbury:If that breaks such a close friendship, then thats weird in itself.
Is there a moment that was cut from the show that you wish had made it?
I dont know why that wasnt there.
My fight with Stanbury in Bali was a big deal, and 90% was removed.
Ayan:What do you mean?
Michael pays your bills.
Stanbury:Thats my point.
Ayan:Its not true, by the way.
Stanbury:Having done a show before, I understand that this isnt a race, its a marathon.
Each season, more of our lives come out.
Were so emotionally attached to our stories.
Thats something you and I talk about a lot.
Ayan:I feel like Im watching a show that most of my stuff is not in.
It pisses me off.
Stanbury:Its just a long game.
Shes going to be on it for years, and theyre going to see her family more.
Ayan:Yeah, because Im too fabulous.
I need people to see my life.
Stanbury:But itsHousewives, about six women fighting, so its not like that.
Which Housewife would you never want to go up against in an argument?
Did you see howshe silenced Lesalike a baby [at BravoCon], You little girl there?
Yeah, Im not [facing] Karen, Kenya Moore, or NeNe Leakes.
You dont want to go against me.
Stanbury:You come across hard, but youve got a soft shell.
Erika Jayne could probably take me in an argument.
I wouldnt want to be on the wrong side of Teresa [Giudice].
Shed rip me a new one.
But actually, I get on with them both.
Ayan, how would you describe your experience onThe Traitors?
All I can say is I made really good friends.
I became friends with Zac Efrons brother [Dylan], who is so hot, right?
I kept looking at him all night.
One time I thought I was going to die.
Im not lying, I literally showed my boobs to him and some others.
Stanbury:No one wants that.
Ayan:Oh, they did.
I became very good friends with Robyn [Dixon] fromPotomac,who gave me the best compliment.
She goes, Ive watched your season.
I thought youre all performative.
How are you the exact same person on TV?
I liked Chrishell [Stause].
I became friends with Gabby [Windey] fromThe Bachelorette.
Stanbury, have you ever consideredTraitors?
Ayan:I think Stanbury would be a great traitor.
It should have been me.
Ayan:She can lie, and shes got a really good poker face.
You would never know.
Stanbury:Im saying this having never seen the show.
Ayan:[Its like] what you do onHousewives.
Stanbury:OK, I can do it.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
