Mikel Simmons:Let’s dive into it.
What has your journey been like since that episode aired?
Simmons:Very emotional.
It was like, “You’re on TV now.
You came out to the whole world as gay.
Your brother knows you’re gay.”
I’ve been figuring it out.
I’m like, “Why are you watching the show?
Don’t watch the show.
What are you doing?”
They’re like, “I love you unconditionally.”
I’m like, “Oh my gosh, stop watching the show.
Stop watching it.”
My story, my journey, is breaking this stigma of the LGBTQ community within the South.
My biggest supporters are the church and the most cis white men, and it’s been crazy …
I’m like, “Is this really happening to me?
Am I not being attacked?
What’s going on?”
It’s been interesting, overly emotional, but a great experience.
I’m so glad to hear that you’re receiving support that’s huge.
Congratulations.It’s great that you have such a supportive community around you as well.
Simmons:Thank you.
Simmons:Middle school, so that’d probably be like 11, 12, maybe sixth grade.
What has it been like to see each of your lives transform how they have?
Have you seen each other grow in any specific ways?
Grace Lilly:We’ve both definitely grown, especially Mikel overall.
Out of everyone in the cast, he grew the most.
I’ve definitely grown from this experience, and even watching it has been pretty humbling for me.
That was not my intention and how I meant to say it.
It’s not how I felt, but my feelings are still there."
[I’m] seeing that humbleness of her being like, “Well, I’m sorry.
That’s not what I meant.”
It’s cool to see that growth.
I’ve seen you.
I’m glad to hear that you have both seen that in each other.
You have worked at Republic the longest, but you have talked about considering yourselves outcasts.
What has it been like working your way back into Leva’s good graces?
Lilly:It’s been a little challenging.
I’m very adamant about that.
The thing is, Leva brought both of us back because she knows our worth.
Why won’t you let us do our job?"
Grace, would you agree with that?
I don’t see why what I do outside of work should matter to them.
This is my life, and I’ve worked with the company for three and a half years.
I have every right to take time off and enjoy myself and enjoy the fruits of my labor."
Simmons:That’s the part people don’t understand.
It’s like when we go out, I could be in Timbuktu.
My problem is I’m still under the table doing social media, so it never stops.
You’ll see that next episode.
You will see that.
Lilly:You even saw it last episode.
All you need is the right people.
The fear of not having people show up is the anxiety that I get from events and stuff.
Do you see a real reconciliation or truce happening in your future?
That’s great to hear.
Simmons:Not really, no.
I think Maddi gets overwhelmed [and] over-pressured sometimes with things.
Maddi’s written me up before about stuff.
Maddi’s my girl.
I’m a person where when we’re at work, we’re at work.
It’s like, “You’re not my best friend right now, you’re my boss.
Between 9:00 and 2:00, you’re my boss.
After 2:00 a.m., you’re my friend.”
It depends on the people.
I loved watching you go shoe shopping that was so cute.
Simmons:That was so much fun.
Hopefully, we’ll get to see some traveling group dynamics happening.
Sounds like you guys love to travel and hang out.
Simmons:We love to travel.
You’ll have to see.
Has it been challenging or more grounding?
Lilly:The most challenging thing about it is coming back to Charleston, not living with my parents.
I love living with my parents.
It’s not the Lilly Pulitzer anymore.
We’re evolving here, thank God.
Lilly:I hope to do more.
I’m manifesting it, so fingers crossed.
Mikel, this season, you opened up about how getting the job at Republic was life-changing for you.
How are you feeling now that some opportunities are available to you and some opportunities aren’t?
Simmons:That was probably the hardest couple months of my entire life financially.
It’s good to be back making some money.
Are there any other major talents that your fans should know about?
Lilly:I want to first say that everyone’s a star you just have to believe it.
When I say that, I don’t think I’m better than anyone.
That’s not my intention when I say that.
We all have a special gift, and I want to show that.
Hula hooping, modeling …
I sew; I’m working on my fashion brand right now.
I’m hoping to drop my website soon.
I’m great at writing.
But [with] the hula hooping, the fashion, the modeling …
I feel like there’s more.
I have a song out too.
It’s like house music, so it’s like a dance party.
That’s one thing that people don’t know.
It’s where Wavy Baby came from.
There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging that you’re talented with confidence.
Do either of you perceive your coworkers as a bit too judgmental sometimes?
Simmons:It comes from the kettle calling the pot black or something like that …
They judge us for things that they have done themselves, so it’s that.
I’m like, “If we’re going to go, we can.”
But [we’re] definitely judged, and that’s why I defend her so much.
I come to work to let my hair down if I had a wig on and breathe."
If I had the wig I would let it down, but I don’t have a wig.
They wanted nothing to do with me.
I came back [and] felt so unwelcome.
Simmons:Well, I am looking for love.
I’m looking for love in all the wrong places, in all the right places and stuff.
But I’m hoping that people tune in.
Let the other kids argue now.
Let the other kids get through all the crap and stuff," ‘cause I’m tired.
I’ve been doing it four episodes now and I’m tired my back’s hurting right now.
I’m tired, tired, tired.
The lips are here for perking and kissing.
Simmons:I’m manifesting love.
Come on, I need a six-figure person.
Six figures is all I need.
I can’t give any names or anything else.
Simmons:But there are some hookups and a little cheating scandal.
There’s some things coming.
The team is very divided.
You will know sides very, very clearly.
I think I know which relationship you might be talking about.
Simmons:Oh, I don’t know.
I plead the fifth.
Lilly:I’m going to second that.
Catch “Southern Hospitality” at 9:00 p.m.
ET on Bravo and streaming the next day on Peacock.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
