Photo Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Abrams Image
When Christine Quinn — the polarizing but undeniably beating heart of Netflix’s Selling Sunset — set out to write her first book, she didn’t want it to be a “vanity project” or just another boring celebrity memory. (Incidentally, her co-star Chrishell Stause published a celebrity memoir in February).
Instead, Quinn, whose brutal honesty and unwavering commitment to drama have made her a breakout star, wanted to create something that would help anyone who walks into a bookstore, whether they’re a fan, a troll, or a stranger. “I went into the show wanting to be myself, to show my personality and to be the most organic, real version of me, an uncompromising slut. I thought people would ask me for beauty secrets or fashion tips, but the #1 DM I received was about confidence: how to talk to people, how to set boundaries, how to say yes, how to say no. Quinn tells me over the phone while washing off her makeup in her New York hotel room. “I wasn’t born with confidence. I earned it through years and years of nos and trials and tribulations and found myself.”
How to Be a Boss B*tch is her self-help memoir hybrid that “reclaims” the word bitch as empowering as it walks you through snippets of Quinn’s life, from dropping out of high school to drinking cathedral flutes with one to- sugar daddy control. Peppered with financial advice, a few digs from colleagues, and Quinn’s trademark sharp (too sharp?!) humor, the book is also an attempt to bring you closer to the real Christine — a woman who says she’s more three-dimensional than she is shit-touching -villain edit.
Why reclaim bitch?
I think for far too long there has been a negative connotation around the word. Why is a woman who is outspoken—who has an opinion, who can set boundaries, who can say yes and no—is labeled a bitch? I felt like it was time for me to reclaim that word. If you’re called a slut, you’re doing something right, because quiet, approachable women never make history. This is Eleanor Roosevelt, by the way. Don’t quote me on that.
You wrote the book after the third season of Selling Sunset wrapped – there was a lot of drama in the last two seasons. How about the book coming out now?
I started on a show where I had no control over the narrative, so telling my story was important to me. If I don’t do it, someone else will. So yes, a lot has changed, and a lot of time has passed, and I couldn’t talk about current events from the show because we had already written everything. That was difficult. I’m not in control of the editing room, but I am in control of the book and what I say. We didn’t know when the book would be published, so it actually happened quite by accident.
You write about living your full truth these days and how long you’ve “lived in the void of the Christine the show’s writers and producers wanted me to be.” You say that’s where your disappointment with the show took root – the producers didn’t show you as a full person, and people would come up to you thinking the Selling Sunset Christine was the real Christine. can you tell more about it
The main takeaway is that you need to understand that we are three dimensional creatures, as humans and individuals, and the producers pigeonholed me in a very one dimensional way. Therein lies my frustration, because you only see one side of me. I have a heart, I laugh, I cry, I’m vulnerable. People’s personalities have so many different facets and you haven’t seen that. That was in the editorial office. That was in the trash can.
How do you approach writing about your relationships with coworkers (there were a few mentions of Chrishell, for example) and sugar daddies? Have you ever been nervous about what they would think when they read it?
no God no! The process for me was just telling my story. In every chapter there is a call to action and there is a reason I tell every story; I’m not just filling the space. It was all very intentional. Writing about my relationships formed the basis for writing about the freedom that has come to me through financial independence and job security. I realized that’s what I valued most, so writing about the relationships that got me there was necessary to tell the story as a whole.
I was interested in the character of Svetlana, the alter ego you assume at work. How is the real Christine different from Svetlana?
Svetlana: Yes, we love them. We love Svetlana. She’s just the definition of an absolute boss. She never falters. She never trembles. She never thinks twice. She is an assassin in the trust realm and she is what I have channeled. She is what I have become. I feel like I’ve gotten to the point where I’m comfortable with my own self, and that’s where I encourage everyone to be in the novel – where you don’t have to fake it, where you made it. I’m right there. I have stepped into my power and no longer need it, but I have used it as a tool when I needed it. My dad and mom were the ones who gave me the advice, “Fake it until you make it.” In my way, I just want everyone to get to the point where they don’t have to fake it anymore; they did it. It’s really a journey of manifestation all around.
How did you choose her name?
Something about it felt really strong, I don’t know. When I was growing up, I had a Siamese cat named Samantha. It was a match against Samantha from Sex and the City. I said well it has to be international right? She must be well traveled and cosmopolitan. This is how Svetlana was born.
Will we see you on Selling Sunset next season?
Absolutely. I don’t go anywhere when it comes to TV, that’s for sure. Will I sponsor another company? Absolutely not. Will I advertise my own business? Absolutely. It is up to the production companies to “get creative” with storylines, which is what they do for a living. So I just have to do what’s best for my business and me, but I’m not going anywhere. It’s in the hands of the network gods right now.
This interview has been edited and shortened for clarity.
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