Sonja Morgan, the gorgeous, glamorous and forever-entertaining Real House Wife of New York, brims with the moxie required to have created a very successful career. Not only is she stunning, but she also a savvy entrepreneur, a generous supporter of charity and an exceptional Mom among many other talents.
The Global Townhall is excited to discover some of Sonja’s important tips on beauty, business and life in our exclusive interview.
Gabrielle Reilly: Your skin is gorgeous! What do you do daily, weekly and monthly for your skin care regiment?
Sonja Morgan: I get weekly peels with either fruit or lactic acid by Satoko when I'm in town, I do travel a lot so that's not 52 weeks out of the year and you will see that on season six when I film with my new costar Kristen Taekman. Kristen is younger than me but I cannot stress how important it is to start young to prevent aging and to work against gravity. Also, monthly I go to see Dr. Sadick's to see Luz for a deep action facial. She is Gisele Bundchen’s facialist, need I say more?
Gabrielle Reilly: What are your best makeup tips?
Sonja Morgan: It's the same tried-and-true, if you do a heavy a smoky eye then you do a nude lip. If you do a strong lip, you go light on the eye. Always start with good skin and to have that you need your rest. You have to feel good inside because everything you feel inside shows on the outside.
Gabrielle Reilly: Do you have any cosmetic surgery or injection favorites?
Sonja Morgan: I am open to anything and everything. Recently I went to Dr. Kassiron 74th and Park and tried a nonsurgical nose job, that was interesting. He also gave me some Botox which I do once a year to prevent creasing from repetitive facial action. Some people think Botox is a filler but it isn't, it paralyzes the muscle. My best advice is you don't go to one doctor for everything, each surgeon specializes in different areas. For example, eyes verses liposuction.
Gabrielle Reilly: What does your diet look like?
Sonja Morgan: I eat dinner at 6 PM every night with my daughter. The earlier the better to keep yourself slim and trim! Stick to veggies and protein. Once in a while I let myself go crazy and have pizza or pasta as a side dish. I lived between the US and Italy for six years so I love Italian food and I know how to cook it well!
Gabrielle Reilly: How do you stay in shape?
Sonja Morgan: I have a very active lifestyle so running up and down the stairs at my house is enough to keep me in shape but I also enjoy yoga, spin class, bicycling, ice skating and skiing.
Gabrielle Reilly: What is your fashion style?
Sonja Morgan: My fashion style is classic timeless, season-less with a touch of sex appeal. I love a backless dress or short skirt with a tailored jacket.
Gabrielle Reilly: Who are your favorite designers?
Sonja Morgan: My favorite designers are Hermes, Chanel, Vera Wang, and Valentino. And I can't live without Roberto Cavalli!
Gabrielle Reilly: How do you organize your schedule?
Sonja Morgan: I use iCloud, my schedule is interfaced with my daughter's and I can't say my life doesn't revolve around my household pets as well because it does. When it is one of the 5 months out of the year that I spend filming I have to organize it around my regular business appointments plus my licensing and branding meetings, then the rest of the year I am traveling to make personal and press appearances.
Gabrielle Reilly: Everyone in the public eye gets criticized, how do you handle it?
Sonja Morgan: When I signed up to do the Real Housewives of New York City I realized that the show is tailored to make people feel better about themselves, so if I can make self-deprecating jokes and be the funny girl why not?
Gabrielle Reilly: What tips do you have for working in front of the camera?
Sonja Morgan: Be yourself because the viewers will know if you are holding back. Trust the edit Gods!
Gabrielle Reilly: How did you become a Luxury Brand Consultant?
Sonja Morgan: Since I was 14 years old I have had knack for working with what I have and making it look new. I became a recognized name when I was a young socialite model called to walk the runway at department stores with girls much taller than myself. I was known by my first name in a few cities around the world so I knew I was building a brand built on taste and could consult. I was more than a mannequin.
Gabrielle Reilly: Do you have some good tips on getting a luxury lifestyle at a reasonable price?
Sonja Morgan: Samples sales, outlet shopping, online discounts with free shipping during certain times of the year.
Gabrielle Reilly: What are your hopes for the future?
Sonja Morgan: To take my international fashion lifestyle brand global with an investor who knows the business inside and out and I will be the face, the marketing and vision of the brand.
Tips For Our Teen Readers – with Maddie Wheat
Maddie Wheat: What advice can you gives us teens on dating, love and boyfriends?
Sonja Morgan: Always marry for love. Marry your best friend because you can't live on sex alone but I can tell you no marriage will survive on love alone you have to have money as well. Most marriages end over money issues. Every woman has to go into a marriage understanding that, if you have children you're the one that will be most likely responsible for them financially.
Maddie Wheat: How about career advice?
Sonja Morgan: Do what you love and the money will come after.
Maddie Wheat: How did you get your break?
Sonja Morgan: A great way to get a break is to choose a mentor and replicate what you admire in them.
Maddie Wheat: How did you succeed in your industry?
Sonja Morgan: I manage to surf the ups and downs in the world of reality television by always remembering that it's a business and not taking anything too personally.
Maddie Wheat: How old were you when you knew what you wanted to do?
Sonja Morgan: I've always been the class clown and enjoyed making other people feel good. I remember in high school wanting to make over the shy girl in class. Fashion has been in my blood since I can remember, as young as 5 or 6 years old. I was the first person in school to coordinate the school fashion shows and I had a starring role in my 6th grade play to raise money for the school charity. That led to beauty pageants, modeling and travel which is where I developed a taste for a luxurious lifestyle without losing my Berkshire values. Which means I'm frugal!
Maddie Wheat: How do you handle rejection that comes with part of your industry and life?
Sonja Morgan: Being in the pageant business early on, then modeling and acting I learned to deal with rejection right away. I know some children don't experience rejection until their first job application in high school or even as late as when they start receiving college acceptance letters. But the entertainment industry is brutal, especially with today's social media.
