Check out our interview with reality TV and pop culture connoisseur and creative face of the”Behind the Velvet Rope” podcast David Yontef.
His popular podcast is an inside look into his hobnobbing with the stars behind our screens and rise from superfan to “super friend.” The show has grown massively since its creation in January of this year, appearing in the top 10 on Apple Podcasts, and has attracted guests like Patti Stanger of The Millionaire Matchmaker, Tamra Judge of Real Housewives of Orange County, Perez Hilton, Dr. Imani Walker of Married to Medicine, Heather & Terry Dubrow of ‘RHOC’ and Botched, and Scheana Shay of Vanderpump Rules, just to name a few. David’s approachable and chatty demeanor welcomes his guests to open up and share the juicy tidbits that go on in their lives both on-screen and off.
Follow David at @behindvelvetrope
Hi David, please tell us a little about you?
David Yontef is a self-made entrepreneur, Reality TV Insider and Host of the Award Winning Podcast ‘Behind The Velvet Rope’. David has reinvented himself many times over since graduating Law School and practicing Corporate Tax Law for a short period of time. He has run his own Staffing Agency and dabbled in Real Estate before starting his own Podcast Behind The Velvet Rope. Behind The Velvet Rope is a Podcast based on David’s own experiences in going from Fan to Friend with many Reality TV Stars, Housewives and Bravolebrities plus candid interviews with TVs top talent. In addition, David is putting the finishing touches on his first book about his experiences ‘Behind The Velvet Rope’ in the Reality world. In it, he reveals all of his secrets and tips on how he went from super fan to super friend of the biggest Reality TV Talent and how he subsequently transformed these friendships into a revenue generating business as the host of one of the fastest growing Reality TV and Pop Culture podcasts to emerge in the past 12 months.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Driven, Precise, Fun
Who is your biggest supporter?
Myself
How did you get started in the industry?
My story is that from Fan to Friend of Reality TV’s top talent and Pop Culture Gurus. Growing up, I have always been a Pop Culture fanatic and Reality TV Junkie. Right from the early days, I loved The Hills, The Simple Life, Big Brother and so on. When Bravo created a show called The Real Housewives of Orange Country – which was a reality mix of the TV Classics Desperate Housewives and The OC, it was love at first sight. I personally never understood obsessive fans who sat around and talked about their famous subjects for hours on end. I decided I would rather write myself into the story and become part of that world rather than sitting on the sidelines. Hence, I sought out and because friends with many of the Reality TV talent that I admired as an initial fan. Hence, from Fan to Friend. Eventually, once I accomplished these goals I was determined to turn this new found existence into a profitable business. I figured a Podcast where I talk about my stories of hanging out with Reality Stars and interview the would be the best format of a profitable business. As a result, Behind The Velvet Rope, the Podcast, was born.
What is the best and worst part of being in the entertainment business?
The best part about being in the entertainment business is the creative people I get t meet. I am a people person plain and simple. I love hearing a person’s story and getting to know them. I find the Reality Stars I interview all day to be fascinating people. They all have such interesting life stories. The worst part is probably the hours. I work all the time.
Best advice ever given?
Don’t take anything in the entertainment business personally. Ever. Just move on when things don’t your way.
What projects you have been part of?
My Podcast is regularly featured on the iTunes Top TV/Film Charts each week. It has also been featured on The Real Housewives of New York City and I have personally guest hosted on other Reality TV Talent’s Podcasts.
Tell us about your award-winning podcast “Behind the Velvet Rope?”
Behind The Velvet Rope is mostly an interview show where I interview top Reality TV talent. Think Real Housewives. If someone has been on or is currently on a Reality show and has ‘had a moment”, chances are I have sat and interviewed with them. I have a relaxed casual interview style. It is like talking to your best friend. I bring guests on, relax them, and then ask them the questions that all their fans want asked, questions others may be to afraid to bring up. It’s a fun time but often I need to get to the bottom of something that has just happened on TV or in the past.
What is different from your podcast to other podcasts?
In addition to all the Reality TV interviews, I tell my stories about what happens when I am hanging out, off camera, with these Reality Stars. Since I am friends with a lot of them, I spend time with them and craziness almost always ensues. Of course if something is really very confidential, I won’t talk about it on air, but I don’t need to. Enough fun insane stuff happens when the cameras aren’t rolling that I can talk about and listeners love that. It is literally bringing the listeners “Behind The Velvet Rope” to hear what their favorites on Reality TV are really like in real life. Who is nice, who is not nice, who likes to have one drink too many and so on.
How often do you release new content?
Five days a week Monday through Friday and that is basically unheard of for 99% of the podcasts out there. I can’t keep up. There is a wait list to get on “Behind The Velvet Rope”. I don’t like to say no so if a big name in Reality TV or Pop Culture wants to come on, I always say yes and figure out how to make the time after.
What do you think is the secret to have a successful podcast?
First and foremost, I think the key is to have a Unique show, content, or subject matter. The Podcast world is so saturated right now. Everyone and their mother has one. No one is doing what I do and talking about actually hanging out with these Reality TV Stars. It is almost like I am a spy or a mole but both of those have such negative connotations as words. I also think the key is consistency in terms of how often a show is put out, the time it “drops”, the format of the show. Consistency is ket to build any brand but especially in the Podcast world. Finally, hard work. There is no way around it. You gotta work hard and like much else in the entertainment business, you are only as good as your last show, so you gotta keep on working.
Can you name some of the celebrities that have been on your podcast? And which one is still on your bucket list?
Past Guests have included Melissa Rivers, Tamra Judge, Scheana Shay, Jill Zarin, Perez Hilton, Sutton Stracke, Heather & Terry Dubrow, Marlo Hampton, Patti Stanger, Vicki Gunvalson, Jenni Pulos, Peter Madrigal, Jai Rodriguez, Karen Gravano, Randall Emmett and so on.
My bucket list is always changing because I have been lucky enough to check a lot of names off. That said, Ramona Singer is definitely at the top of my list of guests I would love to interview. If she could sit still long enough for my show, it would be epic.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
My forthcoming book which will hopefully be out in the first half of 2021. It not only provides a How To Method to go from Fan to Fran with the Reality Star of your choice but talks about how to start a successful business, my theories on how to run a successful business and some of the pitfalls to avoid.
Who is your favorite Actor/Actress? And why?
Madonna because she came, she saw, she conquered. It is her world, we all just live in it.
What is next for David Yontef in 2020?
To keep putting out great shows 5 days a week on the Behind The Velvet Rope Podcast. We just joined Patreon so now there are even 2 bonus shows a month and we have merch now too. Can I interest you in a T shirt? All joking aside, it would be great to find a hot second to maybe take a day off.
Something people don’t know about you?
I am avid adventurous traveler. I have been in 55 counties and all 7 continents. Hopefully international travel is something that will resume in 2021
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
Well I never like to go back somewhere more than once. There are so many countries and there is so much to see in the world so it would definitely have to be somewhere I haven’t been and I would want to go with a few good friends.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Madonna because she came, she saw, she conquered. It is her world, we all just live in it.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Raw tuna.
And your favorite cheat food?
Chicken Parm Pizza
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
A pouring rainy day where I can just stay in bed, nap and catch up on Reality TV
Do you support any charity?
Housing works is a great charity. It helps fight the crises of both Aids and Honelessness
Any exiting news you want to share with us?
I wrote a book. When they say writing a book is like giving birth to a baby, it is. It’s a How To Guide of how you too can go from Fan to Friend with any Reality Star you want if you follow the rules of the book. It is also a business guide as to how to start a successful podcast and really how to be successful in any business. Fingers crossed, it will be out early 2021.
How would you explain your fashion style?
A mix of high end low end. I am obsessed with Watches and Bags and have way too many of both. They are both really expensive hobbies, one more than the other. That said, I like to mix an expensive watch and bag with whatever jeans, pants, a cool T shirt. High end, low end.
How important is Social Media for you?
E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G
Where we can follow you?
The best places to find me are on Instagram @behindvelvetrope or On Apple Podcasts at Behind The Velvet Rope
Quote: Live every day like it’s your last because it truly may be.
Actor/Actress: Shannen Doherty
City: New York all day everyday
Movie: The Breakfast Club
Sport Team: Whats sports?
Song: I Love New York, Madonna
