Marissa Hermer – Ladies of London

By starrymag | January 17, 2017

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) How did you become involved with “Ladies of London?”

A) Noelle Reno, who I’ve known for over a decade, had been speaking to the producers and she gave them my telephone number. I actually initially declined as I had never been on television and was more interested in working in the restaurant world than in television. I told the producers that they were welcome to film in Bumpkin and Eclipse, but that I didn’t want to be in front of the camera…Needless to say, the producers are fairly convincing and they changed my mind! While I was initially hesitant, my husband thought I should do it and was supportive from the start. He told me I should do it and that, “If it is a complete disaster, then it is just something crazy you did, but if it works out, then who knows what…” Having Matt’s support made me think I might as well try it.

 

Q) What was it about the premise that really made you want to be a part of the series?

A) I love adventures and trying new things. I had never been on television before so the entire experience was new and exciting and an adventure. I also am a huge anglophile so filming a show about what it is like to live in London as an ex-Pat was exciting to me.

 

Q) After having seen other shows on Bravo, were you nervous at all about being a part of “Ladies of London?”

A) Of course I was nervous. I didn’t know what it would be like to open up my private family life to the public and what that would mean when everyone would have an opinion about what I did, what I said or what I wore! Opening my life up to potential drama was fairly nerve-wracking.

 

Q) How familiar were you with the other ladies before joining the show?

A) When we started filming Season One, Noelle Reno was an old dear friend and Juliet Angus was a new friend. I had met Caprice [Bourret] socially a few times and my husband knew Cem and Caroline Stanbury. Sophie Stanbury has been a dear friend for years and I actually was a guest at her wedding eight years ago – I adore her.  I’ve known Caroline Fleming for years too as I’m good friends with her sister and her family in Denmark.

 

Q) Were there certain parts of your life that you deemed off limits to the camera?

A) Not really. Tthis season I’ve been very open about a lot of the difficulties I was having physically and emotionally with my pregnancy and also postnatally. Thankfully, I don’t have many skeletons (that I can think of) so there isn’t a lot off limits.

 

Q) This season we are watching you struggle with the birth of your daughter. How is she doing these days?

A) Sadie is doing so well! She is in the 99% of nine-month year olds – she has hit all her milestones and is happy, giggly and SO easy! We feel so lucky to have her as the finale to our little family. She really is a dream come true.

 

Q) Last season we saw you expanding your restaurants. Do you have any plans to open a new business in the near future?

A) Of course. We always have exciting plans on the horizon for new openings. Watch this space!

 

Q) We saw your husband mention a desire to move to California. What makes you hesitant to move home? 

A) I had been through such emotional and physical trauma with the pregnancy and after the birth I didn’t even want to leave the bedroom. The idea of emigrating was just too much for me to handle.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. What kind of fan feedback have you received from being a part of the show?

A) I receive incredibly supportive messages daily from fans who are thankful that we’ve shared our baby journey and rollercoaster – it has given a lot of women strength who are going through similar difficult pregnancies. Because I also have shared my own motherhood decisions, I (of course) get criticism as well – everyone has an opinion how someone should mother – so I get that, too.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) My most memorable moment so far that fans have seen was ping-pong with Sophie. Anytime I’m with Sophie, I have a ball. She and I had way too many martinis and were dancing on the bar and just having a girlie good time. We both needed to let our hair down and it felt great! I also loved getting to know Adela King. We have so many dear mutual friends, but had never met. Through filming this season, I have a new dear friend. There are a few great moments coming up!

 

Q) Is there anything you want to be sure fans know about you and this season of Ladies of London?

A) This was the most emotionally and physically challenging year of my life – of my family’s life. Bizarrely, filming actually felt good as it was the only thing that Matt and I were familiar with because everything else we were going through was so unfamiliar. I feel lucky that we were able to share a difficulty time and also that we got through it. I’m feeling great, Sadie is wonderful and our family is now thriving. Just shows that you can get through some really tough times and come out on the other side.

 

Q) What do you think it is about “Ladies of London” that has made it a fan favorite show?  

A) London is such a fun fabulous city. Now in LA, I realize even more what an amazing fairytale place it is – the perfect set for a crazy beautiful cast of characters…Who wouldn’t want to watch!? xx

 

 

Ladies of London airs Tuesday’s at 10/9C on Bravo