So what do you think?
They look great, I reply. Mary Zilba glances at me a bit skeptically.
Really?
Yeah, you look great, I say. She looks beautiful, but Im trying desperately to balance that sometimes blurry line of creepiness and honesty. Umm, yeah. Thats a nice lookI like the white.
I look awkwardly at Marys Yorkshire terrier, George whos obliviously and happily gnawing away on a bone.
We are sitting in Zilbas living room, more than 30 storeys above False Creek, looking at some recent promo shots for her cosmetics line, BUFF Beauty. In the photos, shes wearing nothing more than a white sheet.
Of course hes going to say that youre sitting right next to him, says Laura Yake, operations manager of BUFF Beauty and a close friend of Zilbas, who was working on her laptop across the room.
Before joining , Zilba was known as pop singer, having several top-40 hits since the late 90s. And, when she has the time, Zilbas still releasing music she has a covers album, Hero, coming out and performing live, which shell be doing at Motown Meltdown March 23 at the Commodore.
I love R&B and the whole Motown sound, says Zilba, who will be covering Al Greens Lets Stay Together at the show. She grew up in Toledo, about an hour away from the birthplace of Motown Detroit, Michigan. A lot of people have done that song Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, the list just goes on but its one of my favourites and Ive always loved it. When I was Miss Ohio, I sang it.
But despite a presence in music, Zilba is probably more known for her role on the Real Housewives of Vancouver. While she admits the fighting and drama on the reality show has taken an emotional toll, she also credits it for being a stepping stone back into music.
Its something, I knew, that would give me opportunities to do things that Im passionate about, she says.
Zilbas list of passions also includes helping a number of charitable causes. This was a big influencer when deciding to perform at the , which is contributing its proceeds to the Shooting Stars Foundation, a group dedicated to helping front-line AIDs agencies.
I saw who the event was supporting and felt like I had to do it at that point, she says, looking into her tumbler glass of white wine. My father always used to say, If you do something for someone and more than two people know about it, then you did it for the wrong reason. Yes, what my father said was true but, on the other hand, when you have a public platform, you can raise awareness at a level you werent able to do without some celebrity.
Another charity she works very hard for is the anti-bullying cause of Pink Shirt Day. Her support is rooted in the pain of one of her sons being bullied but its clear, as she talks more, that she has had very personal and recent experiences with it as well.
Yeah Ive been bullied on the show, but that is not why its important to me its about helping the youth for me, she says. She shakes her head. But it is a shame, a downright, crying shame that adults are bullies it is absolutely pathetic.
I know my kids dont like it when they see it on the show, she continues, still wincing at the sting of those memories. And what kind of example is that to called somebody fat and a loser and chipmunk cheeks its horrible when you pick on the physical traits of somebody.
So whats more difficult? Reality TV or the music industry?
Reality TV, she says without a pause. Its tough. I mean I went into this show thinking they were going to have a field day trying to set it up to get us to argue. I went in there being totally authentic and totally true to who I am and you can see me in the show being genuinely hurt. Thats real. Our shows not scripted and people think that but Im like, Its not scripted who would take that role of Jody? Youd have to pay me millions to take that role.
But despite the drama, despite the incredibly hectic schedule of being a mother, a singer, a reality show personality and whatever else she is that week, Zilba says shes ready to settle down with a guy.
Im a great girlfriend, she says matter-of-factly. Zilbas last serious relationship ended just before she started the show. Im not really interested in dating. I just want to find a partner. I dont know, Im a better girlfriend than a date. Like, how great is it to lay on the couch and watch a movie together, have some wine and pass out.
At that point I see our wine glasses, side by side on the coffee table, with a rom-com like When Harry Met Sally glowing on the flat screen in front us. My mind wanders...
So anything else? she asks, yanking me out of my revery.
Sorry?
Any more questions? I think I talked your ear off, she says with a laugh.
No, not at all youve been great, I say.
