Jeana Keough

Jeana Keough, co-star of "The Real Housewives of Orange County", dishes on life, fame and telling it like it is. Heartbreak. Secrets. Sex. Money. "The Real Housewives of Orange County" have it all going on in Bravo's hit docu-drama.

After three seasons of living the life in one of America's most exclusive communities, co-star Jeana Keough clearly emerged as a huge fan favourite. From financing her lavish lifestyle with staggering real estate commissions to handling her three kids, her weight issues and her marital problems with her absentee, major league baseball-playing husband, Keough's straight-up take on life captivated the world. Despite appearances this former actress, Playboy centerfold and model in ZZ Top Videos has suffered setbacks in life, just like anyone. But as Keough tells MODWOMEN, when you keep learning and stay in charge of your life anything is possible.

MODW: "Welcome to MODWOMEN Jeana. We're happy to have you here."

Jeana: "Thanks very much."

MODW: "So many people think of you as such a great role model after watching you on "The Real Wives of Orange County". How as that huge level of recognition changed your life?"

Jeana: "Well, recognition is the word because this show certainly gave me a lot of it. Lots of people have watched my struggles on the show and told me 'I've changed my career because of you' or 'I finally lost weight' after watching you transform yourself. It's quite a responsibility to be considered a role model, but it's been a very rewarding experience for me."

MODW: "You've had a lot of struggles in your life; much like the ones most women have to deal with - the job, the marriage, the kids, the weight, etc. What's the one thing you'd like to tell women out there about having it all?"

Jeana: "First of all, I do believe women can have it all. But you have to work really, really hard for it. You also have to be smart enough to delegate along the way. My dad worked three part-time jobs when I was a kid. One of them was as a part-time paramedic. That's why my kids and I still can't hear a siren without thinking of him. But the point is you have to work. Those days of women sitting at home are over. And frankly, if you do get married and lead that kind of life most men will leave you at 40. So you've got to be able to take care of yourself."

MODW: "What's your best advice to women on taking care of business?"

Jeana: "Save money and keep learning."

MODW: "Do you think women aren't as inclined to keep learning at a certain point in life?"

Jeana: "Well, it gets back to that stay and home and get married scenario. Women really do hold themselves back by stopping their education. For example, the real estate market is slow at the moment. So I'm taking courses. I'm updating my skills. When business picks up I'll be back and ready to work harder and smarter. But there's another part to this entire education thing that bugs me."

MODW: "What's that?"

Jeana: "Well I can remember at 20 hearing friends of mine say 'My next boyfriend is going to buy me a better car' or 'I want him to buy me a big house.' I never liked that kind of attitude. My advice to women who feel this way is get educated, get a job, and buy your own car.

MODW: "Preparation for life is your key to success then?"

Jeana: "Absolutely. But there are other things I think that also are important on the way up, like helping people along the way and keeping your word. That's the most important thing you've got so when you commit to something or someone you better be prepared to fulfill that obligation."

MODW: "'The Real Housewives of Orange County' has been described by the media as a modern-day Peyton Place, where women duke it out with other women for the limelight. Have your views on how women help, or hurt, one another changed since you signed on to the show?"

Jeana: "The truth is women do compete with other women. But what I've learned after all these years is that your only competition is you. Keep that in your head and you'll be fine."

MODW: "What about change Jeana? Is that something you embrace easily?"

Jeana: "I love change. It might take me a while to get on it, like losing weight. I watched "The Biggest Loser" and saw people losing 100 lbs in three months. There I was bitching about losing 5 lbs. I wish I'd put change into action sooner and dropped the weight earlier on in my life. But any change, no matter when it comes into your life, is good."

MODW: "Fans think of you as a very straight-up person. How honest are you when it comes to giving fans advice?"

Jeana: I am honest to a fault. I don't mind being in your face about things. If you ask me 'Does this dress make me look fat?!' I'll tell you. If it makes you looks like cheesy, I'll tell you. Sometimes people might think I'm crazy. But I've had people come up to me years after I've dished out my advice and told me I was right. It's tough love I guess. But telling the truth is always the best way to go."

Interview by Constance  
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