Reza Farahan is starring in the third season of his Bravo hit reality series Shahs of Sunset. Cameras chronicle the antics of Farahan and friends living in Beverly Hills as Iranian Americans.
He is not only a real-estate mogul; he cements the whole group together, and is openly gay. Windy City Times rang the stallion with a 'stache before the debut of the current season.
Windy City Times: Hi, Reza. I haven't talked to you since the first season of Shahs.
Reza Farahan: I know. Why didn't you call me last year?
WCT: Why didn't you come visit me in Chicago?
Reza Farahan: [Laughs] I totally will. I promise...
WCT: I am going to have to pay now to book you here. I saw you have a booking fee!
Reza Farahan: There you go.
WCT: So how has life been now that you are a Bravo celebrity?
Reza Farahan: That's a weird concept because I live in L.A. and I'm a real-estate agent, and I am on television. I don't walk around acting like a celebrity. I am blessed that I have access to a lot more people. Other than having a lot more followers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram my life isn't really that much different.
WCT: You are very lovable on the show.
Reza Farahan: Thank you.
WCT: What can you tell readers about this new season?
Reza Farahan: "Season" always sounds so weird because it is my life. This summer was really amazing. I turned 40. I am still seeing Adam. I feel like I ended my thirties with a bang and started my forties in a rock solid place, with my family, with Adam and my friends. It might sound weird to say but I am proud of myself and where I am at in my life in this stage.
WCT: I think things get better after 40. I am 43 years old myself.
Reza Farahan: Heyyy.
WCT: On this season it looks like there is a trip to Turkey.
Reza Farahan: There is a trip to Turkey. For most people it would seem like just a trip there but going to a place like Turkey is odd and strange. When you are walking around people look more like me than they do back home. Where I stand, whether I am called exotic, or Middle Eastern here, over there everyone looks like my ugly cousin! It's weird.
WCT: There is also a moment on the preview where you go back to Iranor attempt to.
Reza Farahan: We didn't actually go back to Iran but we made a pilgrimage of our own.
WCT: It looked really emotional.
Reza Farahan: It really was. There were a lot of emotions that I had held onto all of these years. It really all came out when we were there.
WCT: Looks like more gay issues are coming up.
Reza Farahan: [Laughs] Definitely some gay issues come up this season. I was shocked when this gay issue came out of left field. I have never been confronted by it before. I had to deal with something in a very real and raw way. The audience is going to hate me for it in the beginning but then hopefully understand and be a little sympathetic in the end.
WCT: I noticed you did some GLAAD work recently to fight bullying.
Reza Farahan: Yes, I like to support anything being gay and lesbian especially when it comes to bullying. I grew up with it. Nowadays it is so much more intense then in my time. Back then you would get bullied while in school or on the telephone but now it is constant 24 hours seven days a week. It never stops. I can't imagine what it would be like to be Reza of eight or nine years old with all of the technology that exists today.
If I have a chance to support any causes with GLAAD or about bullying I am all for it.
WCT: Was it your idea to make this "Like a Persian" music video on the Bravo website?
Reza Farahan: Absolutely not. I wanted to do a song that was a little more current than that song. There were people working on the video that weren't hip to the "Like a Virgin" version of the song, which really freaked me out. It made me very aware of the fact that I am 40.
WCT: The entire cast is back for the show. There is even the "Persian Barbie."
Reza Farahan: The cast is the same. "Persian Barbie" is back. I was definitely closer to certain people in season two and by season three it is shifting to the opposite direction. You might be surprised by what you end up seeing in the first few episodes.
WCT: There is plenty of nudity in the preview!
Reza Farahan: There is a lot of nudity. Mike has a tendency to get naked, as does MJ. They both cranked it up this season. I don't know if it was because we were in a lot of hot climates or if there was something going on internally with their temperatures. There were a lot of clothes on the floor and less on the body!
WCT: How has Asa Soltan's product, Diamond Water, been selling?
Reza Farahan: I was at Asa's house on Sunday to have a bite to eat and catch up. They are being very picky about how they want it to look. They have not perfected the cap. It is shaped like a diamond. There is a seam in it and they want it to be seamless.
This is a dream of 20-plus years for her so she wants it to be perfect. It is not officially out in the market place yet but I have seen it. I drank it.
WCT: How does it taste?
Reza Farahan: It is very smooth. It is kind of like Fiji [water]. It is different than regular water. If you believe in alkaline diets or if you take Prilosec or if you get heartburn you should buy cases of Diamond Water because it changes your balance plus it is in a really cool bottle.
WCT: Do you think the show has gone to anyone's head since it premiered?
Reza Farahan: I definitely think that some of my friends enjoy the fame more than others. The funniest thing I like to say about that is whenever we are doing a photo shoot or press and makeup is involved the last person on earth you would think would light up like a Christmas tree lights up like a Christmas tree! Mike loves wearing makeup. Not like drag-queen stuff but like the bags under his eyes being touched upjust a little eyeliner or foundation to even out his complexion. He lights up and loves it.
WCT: I know he has some gay fans out there even though he is straight.
Reza Farahan: He has a lot of fans and some with a gay element to them.
WCT: Would you ever shave off the Chevron?
Reza Farahan: That's a great question and I'm impressed that you used the word "Chevron." A lot of people don't know what a chevron pattern is. I like that about you. I would totally shave it off for charity. It would have to be a good reason. I wouldn't just shave it off on a regular Thursday. I have really grown attached to it. I think I would feel naked and sad if it was gone because I am not ready to get rid of it yet.
WCT: How do you go about grooming it?
Reza Farahan: It is a process. Today I was noticing when I was driving that it was tickling my lip. I thought I had the hair all nice and even but one curled up a little when I was trimming. Obviously I need to tweak it when I get home tonight.
I will admit I cut it. I comb it. I touch it up when a white hair shows up. It has a lot of maintenance.
WCT: Do the Shahs go on tour now?
Reza Farahan: They don't, but I do. I have done my fair share of comedy shows. I went to Portland and Seattle. I would love to do more of it if my real-estate schedule permitted. I love doing stand-up comedy!
WCT: Would you ever do a crossover with the Million Dollar Listing fellas?
Reza Farahan: If it was real and organically happened I wouldn't be opposed to it. I don't sit at home and think what can I concoct a scenario where I can get myself on things to cross-promote. I don't think so.
WCT: Are you appearing again on Watch What Happens Live?
Reza Farahan: I am not sure what I can say but I have been there for premiere night every season, so hopefully again this time!
Watch the Shahs after sunset on Tuesdays on Bravo. For details and other fun stuff like the "Like a Persian" video, visit www.bravotv.com .