Summer House shook things up for Season 10 with the addition of several newbies. And one of them is Mia Calabrese. She told us in our exclusive sit-down that her bestie, Ciara Miller, gave her some advice on how to handle this crew … to which she promptly ignored.
Mia dished, “Ciara told me as we were driving up, ‘Mia, don’t go in there and start telling everyone you like them. Do not do that. Get to know these people first’ … So I was like, okay. You have to be kind of like, I’m trying to be like a little colder, a little bit more standoffish, but that only lasted about forty-five minutes. Unfortunately.”
However, Mia’s approach worked. Not only did she hit it off with everyone, she wowed them with a home-cooked meal her first night. But that got derailed when Kyle Cooke crashed out on Amanda Batula.
So, what did Mia think of that moment? Mia gave us the tea on how she felt about their relationship dynamic, as well as all things Ciara and West Wilson; why her being a “naturally nosy person” was a perfect fit for this group; and so much more…
Mia explains we are “witnessing the tail end” of Kyle and Amanda’s relationship
Let’s face it. Kyle and Amanda have been at odds for years now. But things have been particularly bad for them in Season 10. And Mia got a taste of it right away during her first night at the house.
As everyone sat down to enjoy the meal she had made, Kyle got upset when Amanda didn’t take his apology seriously. This led to a major crash out with him storming away from the table. At the time, Mia was shook.
She shared, “I was a little shocked at first. But here’s what I’ll say about Kyle and Amanda. I think we all adore both of them. Like, love Amanda, love Kyle. Kyle Cooke has a very special place in my heart.”
Mia added that everyone is understanding of what was going on between them. She said, “Now, I think we all care about them, and we can understand we’re witnessing the tail end of someone’s relationship, and you can ask anyone who’s gone through a breakup or a separation. The tail end is probably the stickiest and hardest part.”
She continued, “So, I think we were all just giving them grace and understanding that they’re going through something. And as friends, we just need to support them and not judge them.”
Mia dished that Ben and Bailey fighting was “very awkward”
Tensions ran hot between Ben Waddell and Bailey Taylor when Bailey accused Ben of wanting to sleep with Amanda. When Ben confronted Bailey about it, that’s when Mia got to work. While they were fighting, Mia had her ear to the door getting all the tea. That is her role in the group, after all!
Mia said, “So I’m a naturally nosy person. It’s in my DNA. I have to know what’s going on. I’m like, I need the tea at all times. So if I hear something happening, I’m gonna run over and see what’s happening. I’m like, my ears are to the streets at all times, you understand?”
She continued, “So I, that felt very natural, and it felt important because I had to bring back the information to the group. You know, that’s my role.” And that’s exactly what she did. Afterwards, she immediately ran to her besties, KJ Dillard and Ciara, to spill it all.
But what was the vibe like while she was listening in on Ben and Bailey? According to Mia, it was “awkward” to say the least. Mia explained, “It was so awkward. I did feel bad for Bailey in that moment because it was, it was very intense. And it was very awkward. But I’m happy that they made up. That is what I’ll say.”
An important conversation about race and racial bias
During Season 10, Episode 7, Ciara broke down when West apologized to her at dinner in front of the group. She had shared the pressure she felt from the all the blowback she received from dating white guys. KJ then opened up that he felt pressure being the first Black man on the cast and having to think about how he would be perceived.
Mia also shared a story about her brother and how he received the same conversation that he had to conduct himself in a certain manner. It was a moving scene and an open and honest conversation about race and racial bias within the group.
Mia told us how she felt during that moment. She shared, “It’s interesting; when we were having that conversation, I wasn’t even thinking about the cameras, and I wasn’t really thinking about the viewers. I was just talking. And after I finished talking, I thought, okay, I hope this is gonna be received well. I really do, and I hope people will hear what we’re saying and have an open heart and not become defensive and take it as a learning experience.”
She added, “I think it’s important; it’s important to just learn from people that don’t look like you … Like, I wanna hear your experience in this world. And I was just hoping and praying that specifically the white people that watched Summer House were gonna be receptive to hearing what we’re gonna say.”
Mia noted, “I think for Black viewers, it was a moment for them to be seen. Like, yes, someone is saying this on a big platform, like someone’s talking about this, and I was doing it for us.”
Does Mia think Ciara and West will get back together?
If anyone knows what will happen between Ciara and West, it’s Mia. Last season it seemed like all bets were off with Ciara and West going for round two. But Season 10 has shown the two getting quite flirty, but neither making a move forward just yet. So, does Mia think they are up for giving it another shot?
Mia dished, “So Ciara is like a sister to me. I love her and I’m very, very protective of her … I also love West … He’s deep down a really good person, and he was raised well … I think if people are meant to be together, they will always find their way back. That’s what I’ll say.”
And speaking of giving things another shot, I asked if Mia she was up for returning to Summer House for another season. Thankfully, she was down for coming back.
Mia stated, “I had so much fun this summer, like, a ball, and I would love to come back. Like, if they ask me, if they call, I’m answering. I’ll be there. I loved it.”
Summer House Season 10 is currently streaming on Hayu.
TELL US – DO YOU ENJOY WATCHING MIA SPILL THE TEA TO THE GROUP ON THE SHOW? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MIA RETURN NEXT SEASON?
