Ro-Mina Ustayev Understands Why Viewers Are Calling ‘Members Only: Palm Beach’ “MAGA Housewives” — But Says “That’s Not What This Show Is About”

Ro-Mina Ustayev is the new girl in town in Netflix’s latest hit, Members Only: Palm Beach. The eight-episode reality series follows a group of high-society Palm Beachers as they attend galas, argue over who knows President Donald Trump and Elon Musk better, and attempt to show Ustayev the ins and outs of their posh little community.

Ustayev—a fashion designer and singer/songwriter who moved to the United States from Uzbekistan as a child—quickly pushed her way front and center of this soapy series, looking to longtime Palm Beach royalty like Rosalyn Yellin, Gale Brophy, and Hilary Musser to guide her through the Florida town’s prominent social scene.

Part of that, of course, was Yellin’s in at Mar-a-Lago, owned by Trump (and allegedly once bid on by Brophy). The many discussions about the POTUS and his “Winter White House” had viewers dubbing Members Only: Palm Beach the “MAGA Housewives,” which, according to Ustayev, was “probably” an accurate description given how often they spoke about it. Still, she says their politics is “not what the show is about.”

“The show is about members-only clubs. It just so happens that Mar-a-Lago is the main one in Palm Beach,” Ustayev told DECIDER. “It’s the biggest one that is there.”

Ustayev—oftentimes the recipient of the group’s harsh criticisms over her fashion, her loudness, and her parties—has also faced some heat from viewers over a comment she made in the show about the COVID-19 pandemic being a “blessing” for some people. According to Ustayev, she is the “kind of person that looks at everything in a more positive way” — and, for her, the pandemic brought some “good things” to her life.

“I moved to Florida because of it. I spent time with my kids that I otherwise wouldn’t have spent because of that,” she said. “Obviously, I know that it was sad and we lost a lot of people. I lost people too, but I’m just a half-full kind of human, and that’s what I meant.”

When Ustayev stopped by DECIDER’s studio to talk about Members Only: Palm Beach, she also spoke about that awkward etiquette lunch, her musical background, and whether she’d ever be open to joining The Real Housewives of Miami. Check out the full interview below.

---

DECIDER: I have to say, it felt like they were setting Hilary up to be the main character, but you were in every scene, so I think it was you. How does this newfound fame feel?

RO-MINA USTAYEV: It’s so exciting because I’ve been doing this for a really long time. Not this, but in general, being in the entertainment industry with music and fashion. Actually getting some recognition finally is definitely super nice. Everyone that has recognized me has just been so sweet and so supportive. So obviously I’m on cloud nine. 

You are somewhat of the new girl in town. Did you ever think that moving to Palm Beach would come with this many rules and regulations? 

I did know a little bit because at one point my brother wanted to move down, and he chose Naples over Palm Beach because he was told that Palm Beach doesn’t really accept new people. But I know that I can break any wall and any door down. So I was like, “I’m going to be fine.”

You referred to yourself as the “Palm Beach Kim Kardashian.” I am curious: have you heard from Kim K. since saying that? 

I have not yet. But for so many years people would see me and be like, “Oh, my God, you look like Kim Kardashian.” Also, I have two cousins and people would always refer to us as the Kardashians. It was like that in Philly. Then we all moved to Florida together and it was like that in Florida. We just kind of kept up with the Kardashian look.

One of the most savage moments of the season was when you sent Gale your contact for better wigs. Has she taken that advice?

I don’t think she has, but she recently left a comment – I think it was actually this morning that I read it – and she was like, “By the way, I wanted to say thank you for suggesting I get a better wig, because I understand now.” They didn’t show it, but I actually said it to her when she fell and the wig fell off. I was just like, “Oh, my God, I hope you’re okay.” And I was like, “Gale, you need a better wig.” Like, come on, woman. You’re supposed to be the queen of everything. You need a better wig. 

I think you were looking out for her.

I was looking out for her, and she got really offended. I didn’t mean to offend her at all, but, you know, some people will take things the way they take things. 

I really want to talk about that painfully awkward etiquette class and the way Gale spoke to you and treated you. A lot of people have been calling out the racism and ignorance shown by Gale. What was it like for you to watch that back?

It was definitely upsetting a little bit because I didn’t actually hear her, when I was at the table, saying, “She should go back to one of her countries.” I didn’t hear that part because I was talking to the teacher at that moment. When I saw that, I was like, “Oh, damn.” But I kind of almost feel bad for her because it’s like, “Don’t you know, you’re being filmed internationally? This is a big deal. You don’t say things like that to people.” It was upsetting. But, also, usually when I introduce myself and I tell someone I’m from Uzbekistan, the first answer is always, “Pakistan?” So it wasn’t anything new. Most people just don’t know where Uzbekistan is. But she just kept doing it over and over. It was really stressful. You saw, I got up and cried.

I think that’s what’s really shocking. A lot of people are watching this and saying, “Doesn’t she know this is going to be on TV and that’s not going to land well?”

I don’t know, but I guess that is Palm Beach. It’s funny that all they’re teaching me is Palm Beach etiquette. And yet, I feel like this is obviously very rude. I don’t think that that’s good etiquette. But maybe in Season 2, I’ll teach them something. 

Do you wish Rosalyn had defended you more?

I do. We have talked since then, and she’s watched the show, and she always says, “I really tried to say something, but Gale has a tendency to just speak over people, and it’s really hard to have a conversation.” Rosalyn is like, “Look at my face. I look mad.” I get it. A lot of people are also contacting her and saying that she’s racist. She feels really bad about that, obviously. I told her, “You should have stuck up for me.” Maybe next time she will.

We had Taja in earlier and she said that you might’ve gone to the wrong mentors, that maybe things would’ve been different if you went to her first.

I would not have Tasha as my mentor. 

Why not?

I just don’t think that she would be an appropriate mentor for me. 

There is a lot of Mar-a-lago name-dropping.  I know you said a couple of times that you enjoy being in rooms with Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Do you think that people calling this show the “MAGA Housewives” is an accurate description?

I think that [with] the way that we spoke about it all the time, probably, yes. But that’s not what the show is about. The show is about members only clubs. It just so happens that Mar-a-Lago is the main one in Palm Beach. It’s the biggest one that is there. But the show is really to explain and depict how it is to be accepted into this lifestyle of members only. When you move to Florida, one of the first questions that you get asked is, “What club are you a member at?” It just so happened that that’s the one that was the biggest one in the area. 

We have to touch on your birthday party, and how you asked people who planned on bringing birthday gifts to just bring cash. Do you still stand by that request? Would you do it again?

I grew up around all Russian friends in Philadelphia. We don’t have to write [to bring cash] on an invitation, because everyone just knows. That’s why I called my cousin. She had no idea she was being filmed. I was like, “What do you bring to a birthday?” And that’s what you bring. It’s just our culture. It’s just what we know. But a lot of my friends were messaging my cousins and they were like, “What should we bring her? What should we bring her?” Even though they told them cash a few times, they didn’t feel comfortable because they’re not used to this. So I was like, “You know what? I’m going to just go and make this mass text message to my friends, like, ‘You really don’t need to bring a gift, but if you want to just make it cash.’” I don’t want plants. I don’t want clothes. I don’t want anything, you know? So if you’re going to bring it, just make it cash. And it just blew out of proportion. I get it. It’s not Palm Beach etiquette, but it was my birthday. It wasn’t just a Palm Beach like charity event. By the way, charity events are not free. You have to pay for the ticket. 

What’s funny is about a month later, it was Rosalyn’s birthday. Gale wrote a message to all of us, all of her friends, saying, “Hey, let’s chip in for Rosalyn’s present, like, $200.” I was like, “Oh, so this is okay to ask someone to bring a present?” Meanwhile, I said, “You don’t have to bring a gift, but if you want to, make it cash.” I don’t see the difference. I think there’s a lot of hypocrisy. 

Switching gears a bit. You and Maria did friendship therapy. Was that necessary? Do you think it helped? How are you and Maria these days? Are you still walking on eggshells?

We’re definitely much better now. I do think it helped. Maria is the kind of person that needs therapy to understand and to move on. She’s been in therapy for a long time. She really believes in it. But there’s different types of people. I haven’t had much therapy. I actually did recently, with her therapist as well, with my husband, and we did film some of it, but they didn’t show it. But I did feel like it helped and I feel like it was nice. And she’s right. Why don’t more friends do therapy? It’s the best way to be able to communicate when you’re not on the same page.

Palm Beach fashion was a big topic on this show. But it seems like a lot of the people who were trying to give you fashion advice are now getting torn to shreds on the internet for their own fashion choices. How does that feel for you?

Very good. How I dress works. I think that Palm Beach is evolving and it’s okay to evolve. But these people that are a little bit older, it’s harder to make them budge and see that it’s okay if I dress a little bit more open. I’m young and it’s okay to showcase my goods while I have them. 

I think a question a lot of fans have been asking is: why does Ro-Mina still want to be friends with these women when they treat her this way? So I want to ask you: why is their approval so important?

Because I live in the area and these are the social circles that you need to be a part of. I’m a very social person, I need friends, I need events to go to. I need somewhere to dress up to go to. They are the main part of it. If it wasn’t for Rosalyn, I would have never gone to one of these members’ charity events that are gorgeous. You’re literally inside of a castle. It’s like you’re a princess in a ballroom. Who wouldn’t want that? I understand [that] maybe it’s not for everyone, but it is my path. Even though it wasn’t easy, I’m still enjoying myself.

They’re all such successful people, and there’s so much to learn from this society. I really believe in continuing and getting farther in life and success. And even though I’ve already had a lot of success, I don’t think there’s ever like a limit and there’s always more to go. I’m a very driven person, and I have a lot of dreams and I want to make them come true. 

There’s a lot of name-dropping. Sue Belle said she kissed Reagan. Gale said she called up Clinton to help with her son’s near kidnapping. Are there any stories you think are completely made up? If so, which ones?

I don’t know, because I don’t know if these things actually happened. There’s no proof. It’s not like I’ve seen photos. So, maybe they’re telling the truth. I would hope so. But I’m sure that there is definitely some phony action in this city.

We also got to see you sing! Can you talk a bit about your musical background? And what made you want to highlight that on the show?

Singing is a huge part of my life. I’ve been working on music for over 10 years and I have a lot in my collection. I’m everywhere. Digital music. Spotify, Apple Music anywhere, YouTube. I have a lot of music videos. I’ve invested a lot of time and a lot of money into this career. It was definitely something I wanted to showcase, and it’s just what I always do at all of my birthday parties. I sing, and at the last few birthday parties, I’ve also combined my singing with a fashion show. I’ve been showcasing my clothing line at my parties. Unfortunately, they cut most of the fashion part out of the episode, but they used my music in the episode. I had like three or four of my songs that are playing in that episode, whether it was me singing or just in the background, which is so cool. I’ve had songs on Temptation Island, too, and few other movies and different shows. It’s definitely super cool to finally get to do it in a bigger way.

I’ve seen people saying they want to see you on The Real Housewives of Miami. What are your thoughts on that? 

You want my real, real thoughts? Depends on who’s going to pay me more. I can fit in anywhere I go. 

Are there any misconceptions about you or the other women that you’d like to clear up?

One of the things that I said that I’m getting  a tiny bit of backlash for was my COVID comment, about COVID being a blessing. I’m just the kind of person that looks at everything in a more positive way. And COVID was a blessing for some people. I moved to Florida because of it. I spent time with my kids that I otherwise wouldn’t have spent because of that. I got to spend time with my family, my cousins, my husband. He got to stay home from work. There are good things. Obviously, I know that it was sad and we lost a lot of people. I lost people too, but I’m just a half-full kind of human, and that’s what I meant. A lot of people are like, “How could you have said that?” People built businesses, too. Social media influencers got so much bigger, and they built their businesses because of it, because they had time. So there are positives. And that’s what I meant. Just to clear things up. 

If you get picked up for Season 2, what’s something you hope to showcase?

I want to showcase more of my family and more of my business, the fact that I’m juggling so many different things on top of this very difficult social circle. I’m happy with the coverage that I got, which was obviously a lot. I’m ready to go in and deal with whatever issues are thrown my way. Hopefully, we’ll get to see more of my fashion line and more of a fashion show. I am coming out with a Palm Beach line. There is not going to be leather. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Members Only: Palm Beach is currently streaming on Netflix.