Emily Simpson, a prominent figure from *The Real Housewives of Orange County*, is set to make her mark on *Wife Swap: Real Housewives Edition*. In this new reality series, she exchanges lives with Caley Svensson, a New Jersey mother who manages a bustling household with limited assistance from her husband. Despite her initial expectations of switching lives with another *Real Housewives* star, Simpson discovered just days before filming that she would be adapting to a completely different family dynamic in Park Ridge, New Jersey.
In an interview with Decider, Simpson expressed her surprise at the lack of clarity surrounding her participation in the show. “I think I thought that up until probably two days before I started filming,” she said. Initially, she imagined a swap with a well-known Housewife, such as Melissa Gorga. The reality, however, involved her stepping into a new environment without prior knowledge of who she would be living with or what to expect.
Despite the unexpected circumstances, Simpson embraced the change. The reality star, who grew up in rural Ohio surrounded by animals, felt at home in the Svensson family’s eclectic farmhouse, which included a pet pig. She humorously noted that while sharing space with animals was familiar, the family’s fondness for Crocs was a bit unsettling: “Crocs? Yes, that bothers me. That is offensive,” she remarked.
Simpson’s experience on *Wife Swap* comes on the heels of *The Real Housewives of Orange County* Season 19 finale, which aired recently and featured revelations about Tamra Judge allegedly leaking production information to bloggers. Simpson commented on the situation, stating, “I felt like that was pretty clear and convincing evidence,” referring to the detailed knowledge the blogger had about the season prior to its airing.
As Simpson reflected on her time in New Jersey, she discussed the challenges faced by Svensson, who juggles parenting three children with minimal help from her spouse. Simpson, who enjoys robust support from her husband, Shane, felt empathy for Svensson’s situation. “I can understand Caley and why she was frustrated with him,” she said, highlighting the significant responsibilities involved in managing a household and raising children.
While discussing her family dynamics, she expressed concerns about how Shane, known for his sarcastic humor, would interact with another wife in the house. “I do worry about that sometimes,” she admitted, noting that it took time for audiences to warm up to Shane’s personality. Ultimately, she was relieved that he and Svensson connected well.
Beyond her reality television endeavors, Simpson has also been busy with her podcast, *Legally Brunette*, which she co-hosts with Shane. She emphasized their synergy on the show, which combines legal analysis with humor. The couple’s dynamic shines through, making for engaging content that resonates with listeners.
Simpson also mentioned her desire to strengthen her family connections following her time on *Wife Swap*. “We really do make more of an effort to do things as a family,” she explained, acknowledging the difficulties of balancing the varying needs of her children, ages 10 and 12.
Moreover, Simpson has maintained communication with Svensson since filming, sharing messages and sending gifts between their families. She expressed a desire to visit New Jersey again, particularly to celebrate the premiere of *Wife Swap* with the Svensson family.
As the interview concluded, Simpson reflected on her hopes for viewers’ perceptions. She aims for audiences to see a more nuanced side of her as a mother and wife, rather than just a character embroiled in drama. “I just hope that they see more of a full view of me as a mom and a wife,” she stated.
*Wife Swap: Real Housewives Edition* airs Tuesdays at 21:00 ET/PT on Bravo, with new episodes available for streaming on Peacock the following day.
