Paul Wesley: Stefan, Stefussy & The Salvatore Brotherhood

What is up, Daddy gang? It is your. founding father, Alex Cooper with Call. Her Daddy. >> Paul Wesley, welcome to Caller Daddy. >> Thank you so much for having me. >> Okay. Actor, advocate, director, bourbon. connoisseur, father of Greg, best friend. of Ian Summerholder. I mean, it is such. an honor and a pleasure to be sitting. down with you today, Paul. >> Oh, you're so sweet. Thank you.

>> Obviously, you were on one of the most. iconic shows of all time in my opinion, The Vampire Diaries. And I've always. been obsessed. I remember when I started. watching it. I've rewatched it. I've. told you and Nina that I am a fan me. multiple times. You're like, "Alex, we. get it." And so, it feels really full. circle because now Yum, and Nina are. going to be doing a television show. together, which is very exciting. >> How awesome. You deserve to know the. fact that you and Nina are going to be.

back on screen together. It feels like. we're healing something within the. world. How long has it been since you. guys have worked together? >> Oh my goodness. Well, I mean I Gosh. Um, let's see if my math skills are any. good. So, I guess the show ended in. 2017. Nah left two years prior to that. Um, but she came back for the finale. So. I guess theoretically 2017, we're in. 2026. So it's been 9 years since we've. actually been on. So almost a decade. >> By the time our show comes out, it will.

literally decade. >> By the time by the time we're filming. and by the time it comes out, maybe. Yeah. a decade. Over a decade. >> Okay. I don't like that because that. makes me feel old, but also I like it. because be everyone rewatches Vampire. Diaries every 5 seconds. So what feels. nice is it feels like we haven't missed. you guys too much. >> It's such a strange thing, isn't it? It's like it's the weirdest thing. because like I you know once a show goes. off the air typically you're like okay. you like it fizzles out and like you. know whatever and it's so funny because. there are you know Ian and I will do.

like you know conventions right and I'll. have someone show up with their teenage. daughter and they'll show up and make me. feel old and I grew up watching you and. now my daughter's watching you and it's. like the weirdest like it's this. generational thing because of streaming. you know and it never ends. It's It's. like a vampire. It's eternal. >> Paul, it's like we're still in Mystic. Fall. >> We're still in Mystic. We [laughter]. never left. I' I've never left. I feel. like I've never It'll never leave me.

>> Well, I love that so much. Also, I was. thinking about it. You leave the show. obviously and your life did eventually. move on, but like did you and Nah know. that you wanted to work together. immediately after the show or did it. take a little second to get the itch to. be like, should we do something? Look, so it's like it's very public that Nah. and I had this very fun kind of back and. forth relationship in the sense that. what I mean by that is in the beginning. we didn't get along and that's and. that's highly you know you publicize.

that's something she's spoken about I've. spoken about it so it's not like it's. breaking news. >> you know and now we're like I we're such. good friends and I absolutely adore her. and it's one of these things that like. it's not like the show ended and we're. like let's do something together it's. just sort of like we would see each. other we'd stay in much. And then enough. time went on where I was like, you know, I don't know whose idea it was, but we. kept saying we should do something, you. know, and and let's make it special, like, let's really make it great. And so. we, you know, we were trying to find. something for years. And then we would.

not talk about it for 2 years and then. another we, oh, we should do this. And. then until finally, um, you deserve to. know came about and we're like, I think, yeah, let's this is it. Let's do this. >> Is he in jealous? Do we need to write. him in? We need to maybe we need to like. call a friend and ask him if he's. jealous right now. >> Do you want us to write you in? There's. still time. He's like. >> He'll pretend no, but deep down inside, you know, he wants to be written in. >> Also, I love Didn't you guys you and. Nina were Didn't you do Courtzside. together at one of the Knicks games?

>> Yes. Yes. >> Like just seeing it, I think the Vampire. Diaries. Every time you guys give any of. those fans a little something, we get. excited. I because you know Nina just. moved to New York City full-time and I'm. a New York I grew up in Jersey but I. consider myself a New Yorker because. that's like a lot cooler. I always say. New York and then people like really. where and I'm like Jersey they're like. uh um but um no but I you know I'm. actually I've been going to Knicks games. for years and I'm friends with Jaylen. Brunson. He's a good buddy of mine and I. called Nina. I said Nina you got to go. to a Knicks game with me and I know they.

would love to have you and Jaylen I'm. going to call him out. I don't care. He's my homie. I love him. He's a huge. Vampire Diaries fan. His him Him and his. wife are huge Vampire Diaries fans. And. so I was like, I gotta bring Nah to a. Nick's game because Jaylen is gonna love. this. And so. >> not him being a Vampire, like everyone's. like a huge fan of his and he's like, "Elena, step it.". >> So I texted him right before the game. I. was like, "Hey, just so you know, I'm. bringing Elena to the to the to the. game." And he's like, "No way." And it's.

so funny cuz that game was like a. blowout. They blew away. I forget who. they were playing, but I think they won. by like 50 points, which is like unheard. of. And I was like, Jaylen's doing this. for Elena, isn't he? [laughter] I know. he is. >> That's actually amazing to know. >> Yeah. >> Okay. In the new show that we're doing, Nah's husband is murdered. And you are. the top suspect. >> That is giving very different vibes from. Stellena. Like very different. What are. you most excited about with this new.

dynamic? Like, you're not in a romantic. relationship. You're more. >> friends on a show. >> Yeah. I mean, you know, I you were there. when we were developing it, obviously, executive producing it, but you know, I. mean, obviously, uh, Aaron Kaplan, one. of the EPs, he said, "Do you guys want. to play, you know, Romantic Partners?". And I, Nina and I talked about it, and. we kind of like we feel like there's. some like there's just like this whole. like the Stefan and Elena thing is so. iconic and so perfect and in a weird. way, we don't want to like.

like I not ruin it, but like have a. comparison, you know? But we don't want. to we don't like if we were playing. husband and wife or boyfriend and. girlfriend like people would compare. that to Stephan and Elena. So we wanted. to create a new dynamic so that we. offered something new to the fans where. we're still interacting on screen but. it's in a different capacity. You know. what? I really respected that because. just for everyone watching, trust me, we. sat there and we're like, "So, you're. sure that you don't want to be married?".

And you guys were like, "Alex, but I. really respect that you guys have so. much respect for the craft of like what. you built on Vampire Diaries." And I do. agree with you in a way that like it. would almost be hard to see you two in a. couple and not be like Stefan and Elena. Oh, wait, no, this is a different show. So, I I think we did it right. >> Exact. I think so as well. >> But don't worry, everyone I asked. >> Since the show is called You Deserve to. Know, I'm going to ask you, okay, some. stories that we deserve to know, Paul.

>> The public deserves it. >> Yes, we deserve it. And you are going to. tell us these stories. >> Here we go. Tell us about your first. kiss. >> Okay. So, Uhhuh. My first like kiss was. kind of like I remember I was in the I. used to live in this like um community. in New Jersey where it was like town. houses but there would be like a public. swimming pool and I was in the public. swimming pool and this girl I don't even. know who she was. She dared me to kiss. her underwater and I was like let's do.

this. I had my goggles on. I don't know, maybe I was like 10 or something and I. went down there and we kissed underwater. and I still remember her like freckled. face kissing me underwater and none of. her parents knew about it. It was really. sweet. >> Not your first kiss being underwater. >> It was underwater with goggles and maybe. even floaty. I may have taken off my. floaties. Yeah. Otherwise, >> that's so romantic. >> It was romantic. >> And then eventually you did it on land, but first. >> eventually on land. And I remember my. first on land as well, which was like my.

first girlfriend ever. Her name's. Karolina. Shout out. Um, and I remember. my somebody dared us to French kiss, right? Well, that's a bigger deal, right? Like, whoa, big deal. Oh my god. They go French kiss behind the, you. know, after the school bus drops you. off. And I was like, >> and I was like, okay, I can do this. And. I just remember like, you know, you. would think I would be like very. excited. I was just like, I cannot. believe people like this. How do people. like exchanging saliva? I was still too. young to like fully appreciate it. And.

uh poor Carolina because I did not I. wasn't like I wasn't hyped about it. >> Yeah, you're just like putting tongue. out and closing your eyes and hoping for. dear life to get through it. >> I was like let's get through it. >> Okay, cute. What is a time when you. completely misread the vibe but still. shot your shot? >> Like with a girl? >> Yeah. >> Oh man, twice. Um yeah, I was twice. twice. Twice that I could think of. I. remember like the the most the most. simplistic one is like I remember being.

on a date with someone who would go. unnamed because she's actually an. actress. And this was like obviously way. back in the day. Um uh I was, you know, very single pre Vampire Diaries. And um. and I just remember like I thought the. date went really well and I was like I'm. just gonna like I'm gonna go in for a. kiss, like a good night, you know, like. a good good night kiss. And and I just remember she just like I. went in for the kiss and she was just. like. >> no. >> And it was like yeah like the turn and. then I had to pretend that it wasn't a.

kiss and then it was like just a hug and. I was like it was the most awkward. It. was so awkward. I haven't seen her. since. Thank god. >> No, literally since that moment. >> since that moment never saw her again. Thank God. >> Did you reach out after or you didn't. reach out? You both didn't know. >> It was like the worst. Oh my god. It was. the most embarrassing thing ever. Yeah. >> Paul. >> Yeah. I was like traumatized that and. then I remember one time I was in New. York. I just remember um I was on like a. fire escape in New York City and I was. having this conversation with this girl. I was like at a party I think and I was.

just like and I and never do this again. Paul and if like there's any guys. listening don't do this. I was just like. I looked at her I was like can I kiss. you and she just goes no. I was. [laughter]. >> I was like, "Oh, okay." Those are like. the two times I can think of. >> What do you do though to recover from. that? Did you stay on the fire escape or. are we like. >> I don't recall. It was so long ago, but. I remember being like, "What a dumbass. I cannot believe I just asked her when.

she clearly has no interest in me.". >> That's actually completely amazing. Okay. What is a night out that you can. remember that gave you the worst Sunday. scaries? >> Oh god, I've had so many of those. Um, you mean like is that what you mean by. that is like. >> you made some bad decisions the night. before you woke up really bad hangover. like what did I do? Like Paul, what did. we do last night? >> I mean I was a bit of a troublemaker.

when I was a kid. Um, and my friends and. I got fake IDs like you know at the age. of 15 and we we would you know these. horrible fake IDs but somehow they. worked in New York City and we would. take the we would take the train up to. the city at like 15 16 and and go to. these clubs and stay out till like 7 8. in the morning and like that was like it. was the worst. I can't even imagine. doing that. >> Kids living near New York City when. they're younger in New York City you're.

like you lived a different life. Yeah. >> Like, what do you mean you're at a club. at 15? >> No, it was crazy. And I just remember. like sneaking out of my house and like, you know, doing the the traditional like. stuffing my bed with something that. looked like a human and then like losing. track of time and then like my phone of. course like I didn't even have a phone. I don't this was like pre- cellphone and. I was had like a beeper and I just. remember like 7 in the morning would hit. on a Sunday and I would get like a beep. The beeper would go off. My mom would be. like, " 911, 911. Call me right now,

Paul." And I'd be like, "Oh my god, how. am I going to explain this?". >> Wow. But also like 15-year-old boy being. in the club. >> Oh my god. >> Like not having much um success, I would. assume. >> None. [laughter]. >> None. About as much success as I had on. the fire escape. >> You're not You're not buying bottles. >> No, I'm not doing anything. I'm standing. in the corner doing god knows what. >> You're lucky to like get in. The. bouncer's like, "Get out of here. 100%. And they all knew it was a fake idea, but they're somehow letting you in. It. was like New York in that time was like.

a totally different. >> Fair. Okay. A time when you did. something petty to get back at someone. >> Oh [sighs] gosh. Um I I mean I'm not I. would not consider myself a petty. person. However, however, um you know, like in high school, um I. went to three different high schools. I. wasn't like a cool kid at all. And um. and even in middle school and it was. like you know the the the there was.

definitely like t times where I was like. you know the the town bully or like the. cool kids who were older that didn't. want to invite you to the parties or. like you know kind of making you feel. like you know you're not part of the in. crowd and all that. And I remember you. know the the the I got on this big TV. show. I was 26 and all of a sudden out. of the woodworks come all these guys. that wanted nothing to do with me in. high school that like all you know the.

girls that wouldn't give me the time a. day and all of a sudden they're like hey. man like oh my gosh my girlfriend you. know my girlfriend or my sister whatever. like let's hang out or hey can you know. can you can you can I can you call my. sister or something just to say hi she. and I would just be like you know what. like as petty as this is No, like. [laughter] like no, you know what I. mean? It just felt like now you want to. be friends. You know what I mean? >> I appreciate though when people do that.

cuz you're like I remember. Okay. And I. don't think that's fully being petty. That's you being like, "Oh, I clocked. exactly what's happening right now. You. don't get me now that I'm all good.". >> Yeah. And I, you know, and my philosophy. these days is always like kill him with. kindness. Like I'm always the kind of. guy who's like if to always just be nice. to like kind of like that's my. technique. Like I don't I don't want to. be petty. But I do remember when I was. in my mid20s and the show came out. I. was like, you know what? I'm going to be. petty. I'm going to be a little bit.

pett. I'm going to You know what I mean? >> I think we're all backing you on that. one. >> What is something you did unexpectedly. that went viral on the internet? I mean, I can think of very one very big thing. that um became viral on Tik Tok um which. was when a fan asked me if um I liked. Madison beer and I thought it was I. thought that was a type of beer and I. said I've never had that kind of beer. before and I was like I don't I've never. had Madison [laughter] beer. >> So that was that was special.

>> And then as it like kind of spiraled and. then [clears throat] like how did you. handle that moment? >> I mean at that point I was like, do I. then apologize to Madison [laughter]. here? Do I need to like make a public. apology? Because she obviously is very. famous. She's, you know, but I'm just. like an idiot. I don't know. And you. know, >> like you're in your own world, Paul. >> I don't know what's going And so I was. like, you know, it was it was very funny. because it was it became this whole. thing like I remember I forget there was. some publication that like they I get,

you know, frankly it was during co too. me was less less stuff going on, but it. was like top 50 pop culture moments of. 20 whatever 2019, whatever the heck it. was. And I remember was like Paul Wesley. thinks Madison Beer is a beer and I was. like that makes the top 50. >> Do you get anxiety when something like. that you did is trending or do you not. care? >> I think it's funny. I don't care. >> You don't care. You don't care. >> Call Her Daddies brought to you by Hogen. Daddy Gang. I think we all deserve a.

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It's my go-to treat at the end of a long. workday. So, take your sweet time. That's Do available at retailers. nationwide. >> When I was preparing for this interview, I discovered something new about you. >> I didn't know that your name isn't Paul. Wesley, >> right? >> I'm going to try to pronounce it and. then you're going to Okay, hold on. >> Your first name is Pave. >> almost. >> Okay. And your last name is Vashi.

Vashilski. >> Whoa. >> Whoa. >> Do you have some like Eastern European. descendant? >> No, I actually put the pronunciation. down for myself. Vashilski. >> That's perfect. >> So, okay. Wait. You say it. Say your. full name. >> Pavo. Vashilski. >> Pavo. >> Pavo. >> Pavo. >> Pav. >> O. >> Oh. Wait. Wait. That sounds too Philly. Hold on. Let me try that again. Say it. again. >> Pavo. >> Pavo. >> Vashilvki. >> Vashilvski. >> Amazing. Oh, >> look at you. >> Okay. What? What? >> Do you want to play an Eastern European.

on You deserve to know. Like, do you. want to play a Polish like murder. suspect? Like, cuz I think you could do. this. >> Honestly, maybe. How did we get here? How did you get from that to Paul. Wesley? >> So, my my mom So, my parents were both. from Warsaw and they immigrated to this. country. My older sister was born there, uh, from Warsaw, Poland. And, um, I was. the first of the family to be born in in. the United States. And um growing up we. didn't speak any English or sorry my. parents didn't speak English well and we.

spoke Polish at home primarily. So my. mom always called me Pavo and Vashilvki. is my name but in in school it was Paul. Wazalooki cuz that's how the Americans. would pronounce it which you know what. phonetically I guess that's like or. whatever if you read it that's so it was. like my whole life it was Paul Wazalooki. and I'm like it's really like Wazalooki. doesn't like speak to me. Do you know. what I mean? like that's not who I am. So I tried to like correct people and be. like no it's Vashilvki and be like no no. no and I started acting and then and.

then I start I got my first few TV shows. and it was like always this huge drama. to pronounce my name and I just said you. know what if they're going to call me. Paul Wazalooki I might as well just. change it. You know what I mean? So I. didn't change it legally. I remember. thinking I wanted to I want my last name. to start with a W and I want it to end. with an E sound because like my real. name Wazalooki Vashilvi. So I was. started like I just literally started. writing down random like. like last names that could work and I.

somehow stumbled upon Wesley and I was. like I like the ring of I like the sound. of that and I just came up with it. It. was as simple as that. It's like totally. arbitrary. >> Wait, what did your parents think about. you changing your name? my like I. remember asking my grandfather who's. that who on my mom's side so technically. that's not it wasn't his name it's but I. remember being like do and he's like go. for it absolutely change it like duh of. course you should change it my dad was a. little bit like I'm not so sure but then.

they kind of like came around to it and. I didn't change it legally yeah legally. I'm still yeah. >> oh. >> fashilki yeah. >> okay so your parents can be really happy. about that okay that's good. >> it's just my stage name. >> from New Jersey. Yes. >> Not New York. Good to clarify. Um, your. parents immigrating from Poland. >> Can you paint the picture of what your. house was like growing up? Like, put us. right in there, Paul. What are we. experiencing in this home? >> Um, I had a great childhood. You know, my parents are um they're wonderful and.

and they, you know, I what's great is I. grew up in the proximity 45 minutes. south of Manhattan. And so it was always. like Manhattan was this kind of like oh. my gosh this like this this is like the. place, right? Like you always like I I. was so enamored like I I really wanted. to end up somehow in Manhattan. And I. remember I was playing ice hockey my. whole life and my parents were they're. pretty smart people like my dad went to. Columbia. He's a computer engineer. My. mom's a has a masters in psychology. My.

sister's a lawyer. They're all pretty. like highly educated and so and I just. never fit into that mold. I always. wanted to do something different and I. started doing theater and all this and. my parents were so great because they. put me in acting classes and they were. like, you know, um they wanted me to. like just be happy. And so I started. doing these acting classes in Manhattan. and um somehow an agent saw me and was. like, "Hey, do you want to audition for. stuff?" And I was like, "Sure." And. that's how I ended up in Manhattan. I.

got a TV show at 16. I started making my. own money and I got my own apartment in. the city. But so they I I I guess in. answering your question like I credit. them with giving me the kind of like. flexibility and like allowing me to. pursue my dreams and being really like. they they wanted me to be happy. They. weren't like you have to go to you know. they wanted me to get good grades but. they weren't they want they were like. more important is for you to be. passionate about what you do. And so I. feel like I was able to do what I love.

to do and to have this career in in in. film and television because they were. supportive. >> Well, that's incredible because I feel. like so many people don't have that. experience. So it feels like you have to. rebel, but to have actually supportive. parents, it must have felt so safe for. you to explore your passions. >> Absolutely. >> Being close to New York though, >> obviously there's so many different. cultures that come in and out of New. York in a beautiful way, but like. >> you were in New Jersey. Yeah. So was and. and close Jersey Shore, right? >> Yeah. Is 20 minutes. >> You're like, "Please come on. Come on.

now. >> Calm down, Alex.". >> But if but if I showed you some photos. of me, you'd be like, "For sure that guy. could have been on the Jersey Shore.". You remember the Jersey Shore, obviously, right? Paul. >> Yeah. >> Oh my god. >> So, so, so, so I've never seen the. Jersey Shore. So, but I have a funny. story to tell you. So, I um so I used to. do the whole Jersey Shore thing. I had a. house in Belmar and my friends and I. used to like lift weights and you know. like it was like you know gym tan. laundry and all the kind of like. literally wax our eyebrows and like you.

know walk around like this in our tank. tops. Anyway, it was like so pathetic. Um and I remember like I was in my 20s. and I was doing like a something for the. Vampire Diaries and somehow they were. like, "Oh, the cast of the Jersey Shore. is here." And I was like, "Oh, cool. I. don't know. I've never seen it." And um. and um the guy who plays the situation. >> I love how you say the guy who plays the. situation. >> Is he the situation? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Mike the situation. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

>> Okay. So that guy comes up to me. He's. like, "Hey, Paul." And I was like, "Hey." And he's like, "We used to hang. out in the Jersey Shore." And I was. like, "We did?" And he's like, "Yeah, we" and and I asked a few friends about. like, "Yeah, he used to hang out with. us. We used to like go out with the the. Jersey Shore. I didn't even know. I was. part of the Jersey Shore, you know, fist. bumping. >> You had the situation right under your. fingertips. Yeah. And you didn't even. know. >> I had no idea. >> You may have been out with Snookie and. you didn't even know. >> For all I know, I could have been. Yeah.

>> Paul, why do I feel like that's your. life where you're like, I didn't know. Madison Beer wasn't a beer. I didn't. know I was friends with the situation. I. didn't know any of this. Like life just. keeps happening. And Paul's like. oblivious, man. >> Dude, that's crazy. Yeah. >> Okay. So, did you ever get a spray tan? >> Of course I got a spray tan. >> You were genting. Actually, >> I did. I did a spray tan when I was my. friends. I'm telling you. I mean, it's. like I shouldn't be admitting this, but. like I'm telling you when I was like 17. and we used to like literally like it. was all about like how big our muscles.

are. I was like 40 lbs heavier. It was. all about muscles and being tan and then. like making sure you have no chest hair. and like walking around the Jersey Shore. like this and like honestly fighting. We. would get into like fist fights all the. time and like it oh my god it was like. you have no idea. >> When you were saying that you were. getting jacked and you were doing all. that. You know what it made me think of? >> What? >> Donnie. >> Donnie from the OC. >> Paul. >> Donnie from the OC.

>> One of my favorite shows. How were you. on one episode? I was only on one. episode. >> Okay. You made such an impression. To. remember that you were on the OC and to. only be in one episode, that's pretty. incredible. >> You'd be surprised how many people come. up to me and go, "Donnie, it it is the. craziest thing." Like just one episode. and I remember cuz I read for um the. main guy who's Ryan who's Ben McKenzie. is a good friend of mine. I adore him by.

the way. So is Adam Brody and I just met. them on on when I was doing Donnie when. I was playing Donnie doing when I was. doing Donnie. Um no and I uh No, I. remember I read for Ryan. I didn't get. it. I was very devastated and they. called me like how about Donnie? You're. more of a Donnie. And I was like sure. I'll play Donnie. And then I just played. myself basically. Yeah. >> Oh, it came. So, cuz that was like you. were in Chino with Ryan or something and. you guys like or like whatever you you.

were there. You were like the scary guy. >> Oh, yeah. I shot somebody. I shot the. the blonde guy. I was like, "Yeah, >> You shot Luke. >> You shot I shot Luke. Thank you. >> You fully shot Luke. I shot Luke. >> You came into the party. You had the. gun. I had a gun. >> Oh my god. Cut the clip with good old. Paul. Roll the clip with Donnie. Bring. it back." I remember. I think you had. like a thick armband. >> Oh yeah. Armband and Oh my god. >> Oh, you were so Donnie. >> I was so Jersey. >> Light. It felt organic.

>> 100%. Didn't have to study for that role. at all. >> So, you eventually get into acting, >> right? >> And in the early days, you end up living. with your childhood friend Ricky. >> and his Pomeranian. in a studio apartment. >> in the West Village. >> In the West Village. Did you have two. beds? >> We had two beds. >> Oh, that's weird. >> The Pomeranian and him on one, me and. the other. Two twins, you know. >> Oh, two twins. >> Two twins. Two twins. >> We're right there next to each other.

Yeah. >> Oh, like a little nightstand in between. >> And by the way, this is like Yeah, exactly. Literally. And this is back. when like we were like wearing tank tops. and like, you know, and and still. feeling yourself. >> Oh, yeah. Still feeling ourselves. So, everyone was like, "Welcome to the. neighborhood.". >> In West Village. >> What were you three getting up to around. that time? Um, God knows. By the way, I love that you. said you three, including the. Pomeranian. Yeah. Like, like the. Pomeranian was clubbing with us. No, it. was like I was on a soap opera with.

Britney Snow, >> who like Yeah. Who's I think she did she. did the show. I adore her. She's one of. my dear friends. I adore her. She's the. best. So, Britney and I played boyfriend. and girlfriend on a show called The. Guiding Light. I was like 16 years old. making a bunch of cash. I was like, Ricky, I'm going to get an apartment in. the West Village. And he's like, "Great." Is that how you would talk? Yeah. Yeah, pretty much. Okay. [laughter]. Something like that. >> There was a little accent there. It was. given a little New York. >> I was given a little like Sopranos. Yeah. Yeah. No, I used to have a thick. Jersey accent. But anyway, um and then I.

was just like, "Let's just like get the". And it was just like the best time of my. life, you know? It was like fake IDs and. just partying and, you know, doing this. soap opera. Like frankly, like that's. where I like kind of learned how to, you. know, I remember when I first got on the. soap opera, I was so uncomfortable and. like the soap opera taught me how to. like work with the camera and like, you. know, be more relaxed and like it was an. amazing training ground and so many. great actors came from from that. But. like Britney, Britney's amazing. Want to. hear something funny? I'm going to call.

out Britney. She she said this story so. it doesn't really matter. Give it to us. It's really funny. Uh Britney's I wonder. if Britney She said the story so it's. fine. So I um we were on set and like. you know I'm like 16 17 so like you know. whatever. Uh uh I had like you know done. a bunch I've I had kissed I had. girlfriend. I had kissed women girls. before and um and Britney and I had our. first kiss scene and I was like cool no. big deal like whatever because we were. playing boyfriend girlfriend and Britney. was younger than I was. Um, and we did.

the kiss scene and I'm like, "Okay, like. that was fine." Like that went well. And. I remember afterwards her mom comes up. to me. He goes, "Just so you know, that. was her first kiss ever." And I was. like, "What? I didn't know that." And. like to this day, >> so cute. >> Yeah. It's so sweet. Like to this day, like Britney's first kiss is the kiss on. camera with me. It was really sweet. >> Oh, you're a good guy. I feel like that. you probably made it just like so sweet. and like chill for her. >> Wait, that's cute. >> So it was really sweet. Now we're really.

good friends. Yeah, it was really fun. >> And to see just how both like successful. you've been in your own rights and to. think about you like little youngans and. like imagining Britney also being. probably so nervous. >> Oh my god. I can imagine. Yeah. >> Oh my god. It's actually probably good. that you didn't know until after. >> Yeah. Exactly. Exactly. >> That's really sweet. >> Okay. So, what would you and Ricky do. though. >> if you both if you had like a girl that. you wanted to bring back and we got the. twin beds, Paul? Like, what are we. doing? >> Oh my gosh. Like what happened?

>> What did happen? [laughter]. >> You're like Ricky. >> Yeah. Um No, it was um. [laughter] let me get Let me get back to. you on that one. I don't remember. I. plead the fifth. [laughter] No, I don't. know. I think we probably figured out. like Ricky, you know, go take a walk. Uh. get out of here. >> You can leave the Pomeranian. >> Yeah, leave the Pomeranian doesn't care. >> Okay, fair. So, you and Ricky had your. stint. You did your thing. >> Yeah. Then there's been another romance. in your life. >> Uhhuh.

>> With none other than your Vampire. Diaries co-star, >> Smolder Holder. >> Ian Summerholder. Smolder. >> Is that what we call him? >> I call him the smolder holder. >> Like when you call him every day or is. that what you're saying? >> Just Smoldy. I call him Smoldy Pants. >> Smoldy. >> I I for years I called him Smoldy Pants. I. >> like that. >> I think deep down inside he likes it. >> What do What does he call you? >> Um. face probably. Yeah. [laughter] Am. I allowed to curse? No. I mean, we we're. we're so funny. We call each other like. Ian and I are like we're like in this.

like domestic partner. No, not a. domestic partner. We don't live. together. It's like this like we're in. like a marriage, you know? It's like we. started off as like colleagues working. together. Then we're like best friends. Then we're like, okay, we see each other. every day for eight years. I love you, but also like then we're like brothers. Then now we have this business together. It's like we are so it is like such a. complic it's like my longest. relationship I've ever had in my life. We've been I feel like we've been. together for 20 years and we know I know.

what he's going to say before he's even. going to say it and he knows what I'm. going to say and we're yin and yang. >> Do you bicker like a married couple? >> Oh my god. We bicker. We we hug it out. We like I mean it is like it is. >> How do Nikki and Natalie feel about it. like when you guys are all together? They're like the calm energies and like. we're the Tasmanian Devils. Like they're. like By the way, thank God for Nikki and. Natalie. Like Natalie is like calms me. down so much. And I feel like Nikki. calms him down so much because him and I. are are a little. >> No, Natalie's energy. When we got.

drinks, I was like she is so good. She's. go so good. She is so steady, calm, sophisticated, lovely. I'm so happy for you. But now. knowing the two of you are like that, I'm like even more now. That makes. sense. >> Yeah. And like Yeah. Nikki and now and. Nikki as well is like much more like Ian. is like Ian is like moves a,000 miles a. minute, you know? And like have you met. Ian? >> No. >> He's like I mean the guy will literally. he can talk to anyone for like 2 hours.

Like he will literally just corner you. and talk to you and lose track of time. Like he is like this he's the most. personable person that you'll ever meet. Like you would love him. Everyone just. looks into his blue eyes and just like. melts. It's like it I mean it doesn't. work on me anymore. I'm like get the. hell out of here. Yeah. But it worked. initially, you know. >> Wow. Okay. Almost 20 years in this. partnership in this marriage. >> Yeah. >> Go back. Think about what was your first.

first impression of him [laughter]. >> and like when did you first meet him? I. my first the first time I met him was in. Burbank, California after we both got. cast on the show. We knew we'd be. playing brothers and they're like, "You. need to go to this dental office because. you need to get a fang fitting. We need. to you need to get your fangs fitted for. this for the show cuz they have to mold. them." So, I remember I was like pulled. up to this dentist and he's like leaving. and I'm like, "Hey, hey." And [laughter].

I'm like, "I guess we're going to play. brothers." He's like, "Yeah, yeah." He's. like, "I just got my fangs fitted." I'm. like, "Yeah, I'm going to get my fangs. fitted as well." I was like, "I'll see. you on the plane tomorrow." And then I. remember like being like, "Okay, cool.". And then I remember we sat, we decided. to sit next to next to each other on the. plane on the way to Vancouver because we. shot pilot in Vancouver. And I'm sitting. there, we're chatting and and this is a. perfect um example of how me and Ian are. total polar opposites. I'm glass half. empty. I think everything is doomed. He's glass half full. And we're usually.

somewhere the the truth is usually. somewhere in the middle. This time he. was right. I look at him and I go, "So, we're doing this pilot, huh?" He's like, "Yeah." I'm like, "I don't know, man.". I'm like, "Vampire Diaries." [laughter]. I was like, "Do I was like, you know, you think we're going to get picked up?". He's like, "Yeah, I think we're going to. get I'm" I'm like, "I don't know. You. think it's going to be a hit? I don't. think it's going to like be a thing.". And he just looks at me and I still. remember to this day. He just goes, "Oh, Contrerf. It's gonna be a big deal. Mark my words.

And I was like, oh, contr. I [laughter] was like, who speaks like. that? But anyway, he was right. >> He was right. He He was right. He was. dead on. >> Oh my god. That's actually kind of crazy. though because knowing cuz you guys. ended up shooting all the time in. Atlanta. Yes. >> But going for that pilot, I've I've. obviously interviewed actors before that. it is crazy to know like most of the. time that first episode is not filmed. where it's going to be filmed and you. have no idea if you're going to get. picked up. No idea. >> When was the moment do you think you.

were like, >> "Oh, I like I think I really like this. guy." Like, so first you're kind of like. dipping your toe in the water. You're. like, "Oh, country refresh." You're. like, "Okay, this guy's like kind of. kooky and I like him and he's. uplifting." But when were you like, "Oh, we're friends.". >> Well, so we So the show got picked up. and then I was like, "Okay." I was like, "Well," and then I was like, "I'm going. to take this really seriously.". Like this is a big deal. This is a huge. cuz I had done like eight pilots and. they all failed. And like I mean some. got picked up but none of them lasted. And I had this feeling after the show. got picked up. I was like and it tested.

really well. They tell you about like. whether it tests well with the audience. Like they're like something special with. this one. I was like we have to do a. good job. So I was like Ian we need to. like we're playing brothers. We need to. like bond and we need to like really. study to together. He's like you're. right. He's like I have an idea. He's. like let's fly to Atlanta and let's get. apartments next to each other so we can. just live next to each other. And I was. like good idea. So, I remember and to. this day I remember we literally get to. the airport and I pull up. I'm wearing.

these light blue jeans, a a black. leather belt, a white Hannes shirt, a. black Ray-B bands, and cowboy boots. These like Fry boots. And I look over at. him and he's wearing the exact same. thing. We literally looked at each other. and we're like, >> we look like the Blues Brothers. We got. off the plane and we were like decided. to go apartment hunting and got. apartments next to each other so that we. can be close to each other so that we.

can practice and study lines together. And it was just like the funniest thing. pulling into Atlanta wearing the exact. same Oh, we had the same back color. backpack as well. >> Oh, >> and I remember we w we stayed at like. the W Hotel for the first night. We. walked in and everybody just looked at. us like, "Who are these guys?" Like it. was really funny. >> He's basically your soulmate. Yeah. So, he was like my brother the. minute we landed in Atlanta. >> Okay. But then I'm like I can't help but. be like why do I feel like I can see Ian. and you living next to each other was a.

good idea at first and then you're. literally like coming home after a long. day on set. Then you're going into your. rooms and Ian's like knocking and door. like Paul come out and play. >> Yeah. Yeah. I was like leave me alone. >> He's like knocking on the wall. No, but. it, you know, truthfully, like, you. know, jokes aside, like we really like. we didn't mess around. Like the first. two seasons, we were like, "Oh my god.". And then like by the third season, we're. like, "We're good. Let's this is doesn't. need to be fake bourbon on set anymore.". Like, let's go ahead and maybe switch. that out with some Woodford Reserve. And.

by the way, yeah, sorry, Warner. Brothers, >> cuz you guys did drink so much. We were. just constantly, by the way, it's not. like we were shitfaced on set, but like, you know, towards the end of the day, you know, you're like, I'm I've drank. enough of this like unsweetened iced. tea, which is supposed to be bourbon. I. think I can like, you know, >> the amount of scenes that like Ian had. to do like dancing like in the mansion. alone. Like, give that man a little. something. >> Give Give that man Yeah. Get him some. bourbon. Some. >> bourbon. Um, speaking of bourbon, look. at that transition. You guys started.

Brothers Bon Bourbon inspired kind of by. these like Vampire Diary days that you. had together. >> Yes. >> How many drunk nights did you guys have. trying to develop this and get it right? >> So, you know, co so CO hit, right? So, we always talked about doing a bourbon. and I remember COVID hit and it was like. I couldn't leave like I was sort of a. nomad. I was shooting these TV shows. I. was like up until COVID and then I was. stuck. we were all stuck. We couldn't.

leave. And I remember being in um in in. uh we lived in the same little community. at the time in um we had houses in in. Topanga. And I remember um Ian called me. up one day. He's like, "Hey man, we're. not doing We can't leave our. houses. We can't do anything." He's. like, "Do you want to just come over and. like blend some bourbon and like let's. figure out how to blend some bourbon and. like let's launch a bourbon?" And I was. like, "Yeah, I'm not doing anything. else." So we I just would go to his. house and we would just like drink uh.

create these blends for like and in his. kitchen we'd go by the fire pit outside. and we would just like try like he I. would come to his house and he would. have all these like graduated measuring. cylinders. He looked like a mad like you. know like uh in Back to the Future. What's his name? Doc. What was that? He. kind of looked like that. His hair was. every was mad. He had his he had a. beard. He was like had all this bourbon. He looked like a chemist. And I remember. we were just like we just like spent. like months just like creating these.

blends that we liked and then we finally. found something we loved and then like. we sent it into this lab essentially to. analyze the mash bill and they were like. this is your mash bill. I was like great. that's brothers bond and then we like. did a small friends and family uh round. and raised a little bit of money and. launched the bourbon and boom. >> Congrats that it's like so crazy to see. and it's such a great idea. Obviously, you guys have such a strong brand. already in the two of you, but then to. launch that that felt very organic for. you guys to do together.

>> and we like genuinely like and this is. not like a plug like we genuinely love. bourbon and like that's all we drank in. Atlanta, you know, when we would film. finish filming and be like, "God, like. we just shot 14 14 15 16 hours. Let's go. to the bar." And we would always drink. bourbon. That was like our thing. And so. like the brothers bond obviously it's. like a nod to me and on screen we have a. bond as brothers but also like offscreen. that was like our brother's bond you. know what I mean? So but it was very. funny because when we started the. company we didn't have a name and we.

were like pitching Walmart and and and. our CEO is like we need a name and. they're like calls in an hour we can't. just like pitch a brand that doesn't. have a name and Ian's like okay I got it. I got it I got it. I was like okay what. is it? He's like brother Supreme. And I. was like brother Supreme. I was like, "Dude, that is the worst name for a. bourbon brand ever." I was like, "We are. not brothers supreme." He's like, "I. think it should be Brother Supreme." I. was like, "All right, give me a minute.". And I sat there. I was like, "Brother?". And I started like texting all these. And I was like, "Brothers Bond." I was.

like, "Brothers Bond." He's like, "Great, done." And then like 15 minutes, 15 minutes before our pitch to Walmart. We had the name Brothers Bond. >> Well, I also love it because it's so you. and Ian. Like he basically came up with. the first word and then you're like, "No, no, no, no, no. Adjust, adjust, adjust, adjust, adjust." Second word is. this. Boom. Go. Okay. Stefan obviously. had doppelgangers, >> but do you have any alter egos when. you're drinking, >> Paul? >> I'm like, you know, I'm like a pretty. good drinker. >> Do you know what I mean? Which is. probably not a good thing.

>> Are you like happy or are you quiet? >> I'm just No, I'm just like happy and. like funny and like you know, you know, sometimes I do these Q& A's online. >> Oh, we're getting there. >> Okay. Like half the time I'm like. drinking. Okay. So like, you know. Yeah. >> Well, that's how maybe more than half. the time. >> No, I love it so much. That's how I know. like that is some people's worst. nightmare is like I don't want to do. anything online unless I am what know. exactly what I'm posting. You're like, "Oh, no. >> Oh, I'm drank. Give me a drink. No, no,

give me a drink." I'll tell you what I. like what I don't react well to is like. some people are like, "Oh, I'm going to. smoke a joint." And then I'm relaxed. That's like my worst nightmare. If I. smoke a joint, which I don't I don't. react well to marijuana. I will be the. most awkward, insecure, like I will have. a total mental breakdown. Like I'll have. a panic attack. But if you give me like. a bourbon or what? I'm like chilling. I'm I'm my real self. >> Okay, let's talk about those Q& A's. >> Yeah,

>> you have really you've really cornered. the market. I [laughter]. unintentionally. for the record this was not a master. plan. >> Paul. >> another byproduct of co. >> okay a lot of good things came for you. okay. >> I guess so. >> so you started posting this like close. friends Q&A thing basically and talk to. me about the criteria for you know close. friends [laughter]. >> okay so this is how it this is the. genesis okay so um a girl a girl that.

works with us named Remy who's awesome. She does all the Brothers Bond. Like she. does our social media. She does a lot of. our marketing. She does whatever. Long. story short, Remy was like, "Hey, there's this app that allows you to have. close friends um uh that subscribe to. your like cuz I didn't have a close. friends like on my own Instagram and. there she's like it allows your fans to. be close friends. It's this app thing. I. forget the name of it." And I was like, she's like, "Should I sign you up?" I'm. like, "Sure. What the hell else am I. doing? It's co." And so she's like,

"Great. do whatever you want. I'm like, well, I'm not gonna like it's not only. fans. I'm not gonna like post shirtless. selfies, but I'm like, so what can I do? What can I do to like make people feel? So, I'm like, how can I interact with. people? So, I just started doing these. random like ask me a question and like, let's just shoot the you know? and. that and then suddenly this was I didn't. realize that you could then take take. those Q&As's screen record them and then. suddenly they ended up on Tik Tok.

>> and I by the way unbeknownst to me so. suddenly I'm all over Tik Tok with these. Q&As's. >> and that is how this whole thing. happens. It is like the through line of. this is Paul Wesley has no idea. >> I have no idea what [laughter] the. was going on. >> This whole interview you're like by the. way and then somehow this thing called. Tik Tok. >> I know it sounds like it's this. premeditated I promise you it's all just. like. >> you know I believe you. You could tell. Okay. So we're going to make Daddy Gang. feel like close friends of yours today.

>> All right let's do it. >> We're going to do a little Q&A. >> Okay. >> And you're going to get in the head. space of like your phone's in front of. you. You had a little bourbon and you're. just going to answer from the heart. whatever comes to mind. >> Okay. >> What is something that really pissed you. off lately? >> What is something that really pissed me. off lately? Oh my gosh, so many things. pissed me off all the time. Um, >> well, I haven't spoken to Ian in a week, so I've been pretty calm. Um, Zen more. than us. No, I mean, listen, I love Ian,

but he will drive me crazy. because he is um he's too positive for. he's too he's too glass half full and I. need some negativity in my life. So, I. would say like Ian, the answer is Ian. >> Why haven't you spoken to him in a week? >> I just I don't I've been busy. Yeah, >> I got to call. Should we call him? >> Please call him. >> We'll call him. >> Yeah, we'll call him. Call him now. >> Should we call him? >> Yeah. Just say just tell him to say hi.

>> Okay. >> Come on, Ian. >> All right, let's see if he picks. By the. way, he never picks up the phone. Let's. just see. Maybe. Do I even have him? I. don't even have him in my favorites. That just goes to show you. >> I think in my phone. >> No, I have him in my phone. >> Do you have him in his Ian Summerholder? >> Yeah, I have Oh my god, you're going to. laugh. I have him. I make fun of Ian's. fedoras. His giant hats. >> I have a giant uh exaggerated fedora as. his profile photo. He won't pick up. This is going to piss me off. You ask me. what pissed me off. This is what's going. to piss me off. >> Like I'm in the middle. never picks up. >> I feel like he would pick up. I feel.

like that's his personality. >> Come on. Pick up the phone. >> I feel like you're the one that wouldn't. pick up. >> I'm the one I definitely would. >> Your call has been forwarded to. voicemail. >> Are you kidding me? This is what pisses. me off. >> Ian. >> Oh, wow. Okay. So, he doesn't answer. your calls often? >> No, he does. He's just You know what? Ian's the kind of guy that like he's. like literally will like put his phone. down and corner someone for like three. hours and then you no one can get a hold. of him and we're all just like Yeah. >> He's in one of those. >> He's very focused on what he's doing, which is probably a good thing. He's not.

a multitasker. >> Got it. Okay, good. >> Call Her Daddy is brought to you by. Uncrustables. Daddy gang, let me set the. scene for you. It is 6:00. You just got. home after a really long day from work. You are exhausted. You are starving. And. the absolute last thing that you want to. do is cook. All you want is something. easy, delicious, satisfying, like an. Uncrustables sandwich. There's just one. problem. Oh no, it's frozen. Now you're. standing in your kitchen negotiating.

with a sandwich. Do I wait? Do I. microwave it? Absolutely not. Do I sit. on it for a few minutes? I've thought. that before. Okay, maybe. Listen, we. have all made questionable decisions. when we are hungry. But daddy gang, we. don't have to live like this anymore. You can now keep Uncrustables sandwiches. in your fridge so they're ready to eat. the second the craving hits. My mom. always kept Uncrustables in our house. growing up. And I remember every day. after school, after soccer practice, I.

would just grab one. They were my go-to. snack then. And still they are honestly. today still my go-to snack. So, next. time you're staring into the fridge. wondering, "What should I eat?" Make. sure there's an uncrustable sandwich. waiting there for you, find them in the. freezer aisle today. Okay. What is something that gives your. fiance Natalie the ick about you? >> Oh. Um, I.

refuse to go to bed unless I have a. humidifier and a sound machine. >> Oh, wow. >> So, I have to travel with a humidifier. and sound machine. You're high. maintenance. >> I like good sleep. Sleep's important to. me. Sleep's important to me. >> Do you do the mouth tape? >> No mouth tape. >> Okay. Eye eye cover. >> Eye cover. >> Earplugs. >> sometimes. >> Oh, you're strapped in. >> I'm strapped in. Natalie's like, "I'm. not feeling turned on right now." She's. like [laughter] She's like, "I look over. at you. You have a mouthguard, a sleep.

mask, a white noise machine, and a. humidifier blowing in our faces." She's. like, "Paul, can we just like can you. chill? >> Just tone it down. >> Can you just like relax?". >> Okay. This is This is a good visual to. have. >> Yeah. Or not. >> Yeah. No. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. [laughter]. >> Okay. What is the craziest thing a fan. has sent you? >> I mean, I have a crazy story. I don't. know if this is something that they've. sent me, but one time I came home. I was. living at the time in the Hollywood. Hills and I came home from a um this is.

kind of a weird This is actually kind of. creepy. I came home from something and. it was like the middle of the night and. I remember like at 11:00 p.m. I pull up. and I'm in I don't live in this house. anymore so it's okay. But I pull up to. the driveway and all of a sudden I see. like like nine suitcases in my driveway. Okay. And like you know those like it. was the weirdest thing. You know like. back in the day when women would go to. the hair stylist and they had those. bowls. What do they call them for like a. per like a. >> Yeah, like a perm bowl. >> Like a perm bowl. It was a perm bowl. I. was like in your driveway. In my. driveway. I was like why is there a perm.

bowl in my driveway? I was like, "What. is going on?" And there was a fan there. and she goes, "Hey." And I was like, "Uh, can I help you?" And she's like, "I. we've been emailing. You told me I can. move in.". >> I, by the way, I swear to God. And I was. like, "What are you talking about?". She's been She was emailing with someone. who thought she was she was pretending. to me and said that I she could move. into my home and she brought the perm.

I was going to say I don't know what's. weirder that she was ready to move in. Not weird at all. The she [laughter]. >> the perm bowl was the thing that weirded. me out. The the luggage I was like. whatever it's fine. We can deal with. this. The perm bowl. I was like why does. that have to come with it? >> Most of them were coming in a perm bowl. or whatever dryer that is when you're. getting a [laughter]. >> Well, so what did you do? >> I just I said look. it's not me. I haven't been email. First. of all, I was like, "How do you know.

where I live?" And she's like, "What do. you mean everyone knows?" I was like, "Everyone knows." I was like, "What are. you talking about?". >> So, that was Yeah. >> Yeah. That's weird. >> That was weird. >> I also heard someone sent you a big uh. box of sausages. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Someone did send me a. big box of s Thanks for reminding me. Um. but yeah, no, I did I did get sausages. >> And what what did you take from that? >> I didn't eat the sausages. Yeah. [laughter] I don't I don't know if it. was innuendo, if it was just Maybe it's. cuz I'm Polish. >> Yeah, we'll go. >> kybasa. >> It will make you feel better if that was.

it. >> It was because of the. >> Kybasa. Yeah. Yeah. >> Maybe they were meant for Ian. Um. >> so for. >> they were so they were like get this to. Ian. I was [laughter] like no no. worries. I'll get that over to him. Um. >> Love Island. Have you watched? >> I've never seen Love Island. >> So do you not know what the clam slam? >> I have no idea what the hell you're. talking about. That is the weirdest. thing I've ever heard in my life. If you. had to think about like, all right, a. clam slam. >> I I What? I don't even know where to. >> start. >> Okay.

>> Okay. >> Walk me through this. [laughter]. >> This is your new Madison beer. >> Okay. >> So, everyone in the world is talking. about like the clam slam. >> Clearly, not everyone in the world, [laughter]. >> but you know nothing. >> Okay. Okay. True. >> It's the clam slam that was heard around. the world basically. >> Okay. >> So, there is this woman, Kenzie, and on. Love Island. >> Yeah. She could just be mid-con. conversation with you and then she just. drops to the ground [laughter] and she. does a split. I can't. I'm seeing your face. Oh my god, I'm.

laughing so hard. Pull. >> Oh my god. >> It's just a quick little one two. Boom. To the grounded. >> Um what I mean this is so out of left. field. I don't even know. >> But I just didn't know. Maybe you Jersey. I don't know. Like do you know what? Are you What are you asking me? >> I guess I was wondering like has. >> Have I seen a clam slam in the Jersey. Shore? What? >> Have you ever seen a clam slam in real.

life? It's like. >> I [laughter] have never I didn't even. know. I don't even know where I don't. even know what to say. I I met first. time in my life life. I'm at a loss for. words. >> I have not laughed this hard in an. interview in so long. >> Yeah. No. [laughter]. [gasps]. >> Okay. You've never witnessed a clam. slam? >> No. >> Just in my mind now. >> No, this is good. This is good cuz the. Love Island fans are going to love that. >> We're moving on. Um, >> please. [laughter]. >> Kenzie's going to love that one.

>> Okay. >> Okay. Are you and Justin Bieber in any. way related? >> I don't think so. [laughter] I don't. Not to my knowledge. >> You see people say you guys look like. >> Yeah. Not when when I was younger. It is. true. Yeah. I've seen some photos of the. fans have taken photos of the two of us. and they put them and Yes. No. >> Have you ever met him? >> I don't think so. >> Okay. We got to get that together. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Someone who also looked like you. There was a uh Halloween costume. situation.

>> Oh, yeah. >> And. >> Yeah. >> I I'm going to have to find the pictures. and put them up because when I was. looking at them, it is so. >> insane. It's unbelievable. Can you talk. tell the story to everyone watching of. like what happened Paul? >> Right. Well, I just I don't even know. how they came to my like how did I how I. learned about them but effectively like. I just started getting word of these. that I was people were like, "Hey man, like I didn't know you were doing. Halloween costumes now." And I was like,

"What? Like what are you talking about?". like, "Yeah, yeah, my sister just saw. you in the Halloween store." And like, "Yeah, man. Like, you're. hard on cash. Like, what's going on?" I. was like, "What is h?" So, I was like, "Somebody find me these Halloween. costumes." And I suddenly fans started. sending them to me. People online were. like, "Hey, Paul, I just saw you at this. Halloween store." And they would send me. photos. And so I got wind of these. Halloween costumes that are so. unbelievable um because they're so awful.

where they just literally took my face. and they would put them on various it's. almost like a comedy. They would put me. in like various positions like um you. know like Luigi but then like the the. mustache was upside down and then they'd. be like uh warrior warrior uh you know. zen warrior master and it was like me in. a robe and I called my lawyer and I'm. like what can I do about this? Like. there's Halloween costumes with my I was. like one there's one with me with a. sombrero. It was like unbelievable. And.

I was like where did they come up with. these ideas? Anyway, I had a few people. bring them to me. Like, I actually have. them physically have them. So, anyway, my lawyer uh found out the company that. was making the Halloween costumes and. she was like, "Hey, cease and desist. Like, what are you doing? Like, you. cannot use my client's face." And they. were like, "We have no idea what you're. talking about." They're like, "This is. not This is someone that looks like Paul. Wesley. This is not Paul Wesley. Like, this is uh" and and it's literally my. face. [laughter] And my I'm like, "What.

do we do?" She's like, "We don't. It's a. company out of like the company's based. in China. Like, we don't know how to get. to. We don't know what to do." So, to my. knowledge, they're still producing these. Halloween costumes. >> Wesley's still out there. >> He's out there like and I'm It's like. G.I. Joe. And there's always a new one. There's like doctor. And then it's like. But then it's like my like my hands are. huge, but then I have these like short. legs. It's like the weirdest. [laughter]. It's like they're like the worst. Halloween costumes ever. I So you just. keep seeing like every Halloween.

>> there's like a new I'm I'm playing it's. like it's like cosplay like I'm playing. a new character. >> Oh my god. And so you have no. compensation for this. >> No comp. By the way, I should be getting. tons of compensation through the roof. >> Through the roof. Okay. >> That's really weird. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Can you This is This is a really big. question. >> Yeah. >> So I need you to lock in. >> Okay. >> Can you. >> I'm still thrown off from the clam slam, [laughter] but I'm still recovering by. the way. Like I'm frazzled, >> Paul. I started sweating. I was laughing. so hard.

>> Yeah, me too. I snorted. I don't snort. >> The clam slam. >> Yeah. >> Will go down. You know what? The clam. slam is the perfect literally. Um. [laughter]. >> this is this is a good transition from. the clam slam because. >> it's kind of same caliber. >> Okay. What? >> Lock in. >> Okay. >> Can you define. Stephussy? I got to lock in.

>> Yep. That's what I I said. Take your. time. >> I got to take my time with this. >> You need a water break. Whatever you got. to do. >> It's a bit It's a bit uh It's a bit of. an enigma. It It really is. I was doing the Q&A. >> Mhm. >> Uh as you know, the infamous Q&A. And um. and one of the questions someone called. me a step fussy. and I was like. I am going to answer that question. They. say I think they said are you a step. fussy [laughter] god.

>> or something like that. and I was like I'm going to answer. because I could choose the questions you. know so I willingly chose that question. >> I was like I think this is a good idea. this is a good one to answer. And I uh. and I was like uh and I don't remember I. somehow was like yeah I guess I am a. StephO and somehow this became the. greatest like now when I walk down the. street I swear to God people aren't like. hey Paul or like hey you know Stefan.

from the Vampire Diaries or whatever any. other thing they're just like what's up. Stephy. So now for the rest of my life I. am a stuff because I someone asked. me if I was a Stephussie on my Q&A. >> Paul. >> so. >> Paul. >> if you want you tell me what a stepy is. >> I have no idea. Nor. >> do I. >> I can't even. >> like we kind of maybe understand what it. Yeah. >> It's almost better to not define it. >> It's almost better to not define it.

because it could be whatever it is for. anyone. Exactly. We can't put it in a. box. Yeah. >> Wow. >> Yeah. And by the way, I keep waiting for. it to fade. I'm like, surely in time I. will no longer be. >> Steph. You're on caller daddy. >> Stephy question. >> Oh, no. No. It's been years. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> It will not leave me. >> But you did it to yourself. >> I did it to myself. >> You almost wonder. who who was that person. >> who and and are they pissed that they.

are not getting the credit? >> The credit. Come forward. And how do you. prove? How do you prove it? >> How do you prove? >> Who came up with Stephie? >> Some genius. Some genius. Who knows? Who knows? >> We're going to circle back to that. >> We will. >> I have a question. >> Yes. >> Even though obviously you touched on. this way earlier, but I still have to. ask. When you and Nah started Vampire. Diaries and you were like, "We hate each. other." How did you. when you look back, how did you two come.

together and make it look so good on. camera? [laughter] Because I'm like. just, you know, just for the record, it's not that it was like we immediately. were like, I hate you. It wasn't like. that. We were like actually great and. then it was just like we would have. these like it slowly, you know, it was. like first of all, we were all in our. 20s. I was I will take a lot of. responsibility because I was a bit of a. kerogen. I was like a bit of a grumpy. pain in the ass. I was like I'm taking.

my acting seriously. >> Yeah, I heard you were a little intense. >> No phones on set. Like I was a little. bit int I was a little bit intense. I. was a little bit intense and then you. know everyone else was like a little bit. more chill and so I think I'm going to. take a lot of responsibility for being a. bit of a pain in the ass. Okay. All. right. So that's that's that's number. one. And. so but we were both professional and we. both knew and the work mattered to us.

So regardless, so we would we would like. butt heads on set, but then the minute. the cameras rolled, it was like we knew. we wanted to make it magical. And like. some actors just. you can be like have two really good. actors and the chemistry isn't there. For whatever reason, Nina and I had this. chemistry. And I remember when I was. auditioning for The Vampire Diaries, um, screen testing for it. It was like me. and nine other guys. And I remember like. all these guys were like, you know, kind.

of kissing her ass, trying to like, you. know, whatever. And I remember I just. was like, I'm not going to look at her. I'm not going to look at her. I'm not. even going to acknowledge her cuz I want. to meet her in the audition. I want to. meet her for the first time in the. audition. And that cuz our scene was us. meeting for the first time. And I just. remember being in the audition at Warner. Brothers like in front of all the. executives and just like we looked at. each other and it was just like this. immediate. >> chemistry and we were these two. characters and it just was magical. And. so regardless of us not like getting.

along, it somehow clicked. I don't know. I guess I didn't really answer your. question. >> No. Like when did you guys start to be. like, "Okay, like maybe we can be. friends." Like was it like season one we. were like, >> "You know what? No, it was like season I. It was like season. So her last season. was season six. >> Okay. You're like remember Yeah. her the. And then five minutes before she left. No. Um No. And I just remember like in. during season six I remember we like we. all kind of grew up and I chilled out. and I was like less of a pain in the ass.

and I just remember looking at her and I. was like, "You know what, Nina?" She's. still I was like, "You're gonna miss me. one day." I said that to her. I was. like, "You're going to miss me one day.". And she's like, "Maybe, maybe." And I. remember like then like she and then. like years like two years went by and we. kind of kept in touch and then she came. back to do the finale and I like and we. we like hadn't worked together in two. years and I like we like looked at each. other and I was like I was like I missed. you. You know what I mean? Like I missed.

her. like I missed having her around and. then and then like it was like just and. then to this day she's always like I. remember you said to me uh you're going. to you're going to miss me one day and. you know what you were right like you. were right and it was like it's just. like this thing that just like slowly. happens. >> Well, you know what's also cool about. that and. >> cuz I remember talking to Nene about it. It's like the amount of episodes that. you guys were doing. TV shows don't. really do it like that anymore. Like how. many were in a season? >> 22. Sometimes we would do 23. I wish we. could go back to those days so I could. just binge it all. But now there's like.

eight. But like that amount, you guys. were together so much. And so sometimes. you almost like don't recognize what you. have until it's gone kind of thing. >> Absolutely. And I also think like it's. different environments like you're. you're there was a lot of stress, you. know, and you're young and like there. was this whole like, you know, this was. like very pop culture, you know, like we. were like at the forefront. It was very. different from like having like a. success in like a prestige show where. it's like yeah people know you but you. don't have like screaming you know uh.

fans and we had this like a lot of. pressure and it kind of like we just. didn't know I I'm going to speak for. myself. I didn't know how to handle it. in a way that was like like really. mature. Yeah, I was I was going to ask. like the becoming so famous and having. such a fandom like. >> how how did you feel about it in the. beginning and how did you like navigate. that? >> I was really very deeply uncomfortable. Um truthfully and I'm not just saying. that's like oh humility like I genuinely.

like was deeply uncomfortable and I kind. of like turned into like a bit of a. recluse like I didn't go out that much. didn't do that much and thank god we. were in a in a way thank god we were in. Atlanta because we were kind of like. separated from the Hollywood and all the. parties and all the nonsense and so but. I definitely like sort of like tried to. hide under a rock a little bit you know. um and I didn't like luxuriates in that. moment because it's such a special time. you know acting is such a difficult. career and like to have something that's.

successful that people love and people. like look forward to is such a privilege. you know and I didn't take it for it's. not that I didn't I I I didn't take it. for granted, but I definitely the things. that came with it, I didn't enjoy them. Whereas now, I'd be like, "This is. awesome." You know, but at the time, I. just didn't I wasn't equipped. Yeah. >> Did you guys in Atlanta like would you. guys hang out and like go to bars all. together? Cuz you're together 24/7. >> Totally. Absolutely. >> Were you able to go out? >> Yeah. Yeah. It was We had like our one.

bar that was like our stomping ground. That was like our bar and it was it. doesn't exist anymore but it was called. Crag Bar and it was this tiny little. bar. It was like a wine bar and we took. it over every Friday night, every. Saturday night. It was like our thing. The all the whole cast would go, the. crew would go and that was like and. nobody else would and like nobody else. really went and that was like our thing. and we didn't really go anywhere else. >> Oh my god, that makes us that makes me. really happy. Call Her Daddy is brought. to you by Ashley. If you went through my.

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Okay. Stefan, rock in. >> If Stefan had told Elena in season 1. that he stalked her because she looked. like Catherine, do you think their. relationship would have survived? Uh, probably. It's kind of creepy. Kind of. weird. No, I don't think it would have. >> Okay. Did Stephan and Caroline's. relationship feel like a natural. evolution to you? >> Not really. >> I agree. >> Yeah, >> I I I didn't need that. >> Yeah. >> Do you think he should have ended up. with Caroline or Elena? >> I think the brothers should have died. together and he should have ended up. with no one.

>> Oh my god. >> Morbid. Ian feels the same. >> Wow. Have you guys talked about that a lot? >> Oh yeah. Ian's like, "I wish I died with. you." He's like so upset. >> So, you guys, >> oh my god, he's so upset. Yeah. >> Oh, wow. Yeah. >> Okay. I'm glad you guys agree, though. >> Yeah. >> Um, did you ever take anything from set? >> Yes. I took the daylight ring. and then I lost it. >> Paul, >> can you believe it? Ian still has.

>> Paul. >> I took a pair of jeans. They still have. Stefan on them. >> They had them engraved. His stuff. [laughter]. >> No, just so they wouldn't get mixed up. with Damon's. Oh, like on the back. >> Yeah, on the No, in the inside they put. Steen. >> You lost your ring. >> I lost my ring. >> So you guys can't like go to events and. wear your rings together. You need to. get. >> Not that we would do that anyway. Come. on. Go to events and wear my ring. >> Me literally going, "Oh, but but you. have them." And Ian theoretically puts. his on. No. >> Oh, Ian's like, "I have my ring on just.

to give him a taste of Damon." I was. like, "You're a loser, dude." [laughter]. >> But you're also secretly like, "I wish I. had mine." But I secretly am jealous. >> We need to He needs to get you one made. for your birthday. >> Yes, >> I'll work on that. >> Um, okay. Who do you identify most with. in real life? Stefan, Silus, or Tom. Avery? [laughter]. >> Uh, Silus. >> That is such a good segue to the next. one. >> Okay. >> Where do you stand with Matt Donovan.

today? I. firstly love a Zack Rorig who played. Matt Donovan. I have a um my whole gag. with Matt Donovan. The whole reason I. always giving Matt Donovan is. because Matt Donovan was the only human. He's the only mortal. Okay. And he's the. only one that like didn't die. >> How did he not die? >> And I'm like, how did Stefan die like. nine times? And then like how did Elena. he also there's this one scene where.

like Stephan I don't know if you. remember this like Elena's drowning in a. car with Matt Donovan and Stephan's like. this immortal vampire and I'm like I'm. going to go save the love of my life and. he dives down there and he's like trying. to get her out and she's like no no no. don't save me save Matt Donovan and Matt. and and Stephan's like okay and then he. just takes Matt Donovan and she drowns. So, like I have this like, you know, I'm. like, "What is going on?" Okay. >> Wait, I forgot that it was Matt Donovan. in the car.

>> That's my whole beef. That's my beef. >> Wait, that was so unbelievable. But it. was cuz like Elena felt bad for Matt. Donovan. Everyone always felt bad. >> Whatever. Imagine. Are you kidding me? Like, what? No, >> we don't care about Matt. >> We don't We don't We do not I mean, we. love We love Matt. Look, Matt was an. instrumental character and we love Matt. Donovan, but we will the love of my life. here. Come on. And I'm going to say I'm. not going to save the sheriff. >> And you saved the sheriff. >> And I saved the sheriff and let her. drown. Okay. So to this day, it's a big. problem for me.

>> As it should be. >> Thank you. >> What story line could you just not get. behind? Still. Still. >> Um. Oh god. There was so many story. lines because we did like 170 episodes. It's like it's like my brain is like. it's all just like this mishmash. Yeah. I mean, there was a couple. >> What? There was like these What? What. what what did they have these these um. >> Gosh, you know the show better than me. I haven't even seen the show. They had. these um I've never seen it. I've I've. seen I've seen the first couple of.

episodes and then I directed a few. episodes. I I watched the episodes I. directed. I've never seen the show. otherwise. >> So I actually don't remember. They had. >> Well, we got to do like a. >> Should we wear daylight rings and. >> you know uh you want to make some bank? >> Yeah. You and Ian rewatch podcast. Vampire Diaries. >> I that that would probably do well. >> Call me. >> I'll call you. Can we like do a. >> Yeah, we'll do a whole thing. Unwell. >> Yeah, I got a whole I got a whole studio. for you. We'll make it look like Mystic.

Falls. >> Okay, let's discuss. We'll talk. >> We're going to do a whole thing. We'll. talk. >> We're going to get everyone too excited. So now you actually have to do it. >> That is true. >> You can't fall through. Let's talk about. your love life. >> Okay. Hm. [clears throat]. >> God. >> You got engaged last summer. >> Yes. >> Last summer. Congratulations. You guys. met in the wild, which is like so few. people meet in the wild now. So, can you. indulge us like how did you guys meet? >> You know what's funny? Uh Ian was there. >> Of course, he was there. >> Ian was there. I So, it was there was we.

were promoting Brothers Bond. Okay. >> And my buddy owned a bar. The bar. doesn't exist anymore sadly in the East. Village. and he said, "Hey, pop into our. bar and like we'll we'll get you guys a. Brothers Bond cocktail and we'll you. know, you know, whatever. Shoot a few. photos for us, like get us some press. for the bar and like we'll we'll support. Brothers Bond." And he's a good friend. of mine. I was like, "Yeah, of course. Let's do it." So, we were like, Ian and. I were in New York and um I was like, "Let's pop into this bar." So, we went. to the bar in the East Village and um we. were shooting some content and stuff and.

I had a couple other friends meet me. there and um and I just see this. beautiful. woman sitting there and I was like, "Who's this like hot girl?" I was like I. I and I looked at her and I was like, "Okay, I don't want to be creepy. I'm. not going to look." And but then I saw. her look at me and I was like, "Aha.". It's like, "Okay, so clearly there's. like some something's going on." So, I. was like, "I'm just going to go." And I. never like I like I like don't hit on. girls. It's like not my thing. I'm. terrible at it and I whatever. So I was.

like I'm just going to go there and I'm. just going to like say hi. And thank God. my friend who owns the bar happened to. be there and I walk over and he's like. hey and he's like hey by the way have. you met Natalie? And she was right. there. So thank god he introduced us cuz. it probably would have been a disaster. if I just like cold you know whatever. >> Yeah. >> And I said hey nice to meet you. We. started talking and um found out she was. from Europe as well. She spoke five. languages. I'm I speak two langu and we. started talking and then just like um. just really hit it off and that was it.

That was kind of like you know and then. just like I left the next day actually. We just like exchanged numbers and I. left I left for Europe. I went on a. guy's trip to Europe to Italy funnily. enough. And then um we just were texting. and I would send her some pics from. Italy and then I got back to New York. and she was still there. And then I. asked her out on a date when I got back. because we had been texting for like a. few weeks. >> And then fast forward, you're now. engaged. >> And now we're engaged. >> How how was the proposal? Were you. stressed? Did you put a lot of thought.

behind it? Like. >> I I I put some thought behind it because. um so I had to go to um once we started. dating, we hadn't been dating for very. long and I had to go to Italy for um I. was doing a uh there's a there's a. magazine called um Icon. It's an Italian. whatever. It's a cool fashion mag and I. did the cover and we were doing a launch. party in Rome and um they were like you. can bring a guest if you want and we. kind of like we'd only been seeing each. other for a little bit and I said hey do. you want to come with me to this to Rome. and she's like sure. So um it was in.

October all the hotels were closing. I. was like, "Let's rent a car and drive. down um to the Amalfi Coast." Like, let's just go see. Like, I didn't book. anything. And there's a hotel down. there, Belmont uh Caruso it's called. And it was the final day before the. closing for the season, the final two. days. So, we and I booked a room and I. was like, we had the hotel for. ourselves. >> And we had this like magical time there. and really kind of like fell in love. And um so I thought so I thought, why.

don't I contact the hotel? This is years. later when I went to propose and tell. them the story that and and tell them I. want to propose there. And so I. contacted the Belma. I said, "Hey, this. was like our first trip together and I. want to make it special." And they were. so awesome. This this girl um actually. her name's Elena, funnily enough, who. works uh uh at the Belmont, now she. works for a different company, but at. the time she worked for Belmont. She's. like, "Of course, I'm going to make it. really special." So, she set up this um. we we sort of talked about it on our.

last night there. I took her to the. Belmont and our last night there, there's this like private olive grove. and she set up this long table with. candles and a private chef and I and I. tricked Natalie. I was like, "Hey, you. know, the Belmont wants to do like a. goodbye like a goodbye dinner for us. because it's our last night here." And. she's like, "Oh, that's so nice." I was. like, "Dress Yeah, dress nicely." like, you know, I was like, I was like, and I. kind of like made it um, you know, like. it was them, like the Belmont did this. and not me.

>> And then we got there and she was kind. of suspect. And then, of course, that's. when she realized um, and then I pop a. question and that's when she realized. like, oh, this was a setup. Paul set. this whole thing up. >> Paul, that is so romantic. >> Yeah, it was it was really sweet. >> Wow. It's also so sweet to like connect. it to an early core memory that you guys. had together and then bring it back. Wow. Oh my god. I'm so happy for you. Well, you have a lot to look forward to. You are starring in season 4 of Star. Trek Strange New Worlds.

>> Can you give fans anything like what can. we expect? >> Um, so I love this show so much. Um, and. I I play a young James Kirk, which you. know is one of the most iconic. characters like in the history of. television. So obviously it was like a. huge honor for me to be um given this. role. Um and you know what I love about. our show is that it it pays homage to. the original toos from the 1960s which.

is such a important um iconic piece of. television history and so important to. so many people. While we also pay homage. homage to that but we also kind of. create our own spin our modernized spin. and we sort of like we tell the story. pre-enterprise. So, this is Kirk. Um, James Kirk before he was captain. He's. Lieutenant Kirk. He's not as like he's. not it's like the genesis of who he is, but it's really about like the the the. crew that was on the Enterprise prior to. James Kirk taking the helm as captain.

And this show is like it's this. beautifully imaginative, adventurous. um cinematic uh series that has humor. and heart and um we explore all. different genres. And if you watch, sorry if I'm blabbing. I just I love I. love this show so I can like go on about. it. Um. >> what I love about the original series. about Star Trek is that it is so. optimistic. It is so filled with. imagination. And our show is exactly.

that. It's like this. Every episode is. like kind of like individual. You can. enjoy them like individually because. they all have their own like sort of. like story of the week, but there's this. beautiful throughine with all the. relationships and all the characters and. I don't know. We're just really proud of. it. We we we want people to tune in. >> No, of course, as you should be proud of. it. Also, it's so cool like being a part. of such a huge franchise. Obviously I. and now obviously knowing you and. knowing how much you take your craft.

really seriously. It's so cool to hear. you also talk about like recognizing. what was so well done before and still. having the respect for that and also. leaning into a new version and finding a. way to bring that to life while still. it's really cool. >> Yeah, I'm I'm proud. It's a lot of. pressure obviously because like William. Shatner it's like I'm not you know it's. like. >> no pressure. >> He Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Um, Kirk's look. is quite, you know, the switch up from. Stefins. Like, >> talk to me about that costume.

>> Well, I mean, it's the Starfleet. uniform. It's like it's it's very um. everyone's kind of wearing the [snorts]. same thing. Although, I will say when. he's um when he's not on the ship, you. do see him in some civilian clothing, but like um you know, it's definitely a. switch up. Like it's definitely and I. sort of lean into this sort of um you. know Kirk can be interpreted in so many. different ways and my interpretation of. Kirk is like a little bit more less of. the kind of you know machismo kind of.

like ladies man that sort of like is in. pop culture and he's more of like kind. of this I wouldn't say like bookish but. he's definitely like a little bit more. of the sort of. not nerdy Kirk but like like still. coming of age, Kirk, like still trying. to find out how to be like a captain, you know what I mean? >> That's what I love so much about like. obviously everything you've done so far. like this is so different from Stefan. and then even this I feel like is so.

different from what you're about to do. on the show that we're making because. the character on You deserve to know. like. >> your character is pretty sus. >> Yeah. And like you know when you're when. you're when you're get cast in a show or. when you're um when you're starring in a. show that has become so popular it is so. difficult to break away from that image. right like that's such a thing like it's. like a CW thing too I feel like or even. like friends or whatever. And so like my. whole goal ever since I ended um my work.

on the vampire dies has been like what. can I do that's the opposite of Stefan? Like how can I possibly how can I. differentiate myself because I don't. want to be you know I mean now I am now. I am Steph. >> You were forever step and at least. I have that going for me. >> No no no no that is like in the hall of. fame like Stephan Salvatore is kind of. yet to the wayside. >> It's sort of like in the shadows right. it's not a big deal anymore. >> It's fussy through and through but. that's not even like a television. character now. So now you can focus on.

Kirk. you can focus on, you know, our. new show. Stefan's over there, but it is. Stephy's kind of like the top coe and. then we have all these little. >> It's like unwell, right? And then it's. like we have Yeah, there's a bunch of. different and it's like that fussy and. then within that is, you know, >> that needs to be on your trailer. I'm. going to make sure that's on your. trailer, please. >> Do you have anything weird on your. rider? Like, should I know about. anything? Not that I'm going to be. filling your rider. >> No, no. Yeah, like you know. >> Oh, you mean like we we just we want. this very rider?

>> No. Should I start being that guy? >> I don't know. >> I feel like Ian would have good in. his ride. I feel like he would have like. hair mirrors and hair product and a. cowboy fedoras. >> You don't ask for anything? >> I don't ask for any I I'm going to. start. >> What should I ask for? >> You need to put a rider together and. we're going to make. >> What do you ask for? >> I asked for like sour patch and like. >> iced tea. >> You can do that. >> Oh my god. Yeah. Before I was pregnant, I'd have like Kasamigos's reposado in. there if I need a little hit. >> Brothers Bond. >> Brothers Bond. I told you when you gave. me that bottle. >> by the way, you loved it.

>> Matt and I drank it. We were like, "Oh.". And then it was so nice because like it. was really good and I was like, "Okay, now I'm looking them in the eyes and. like [laughter] no you don't have to you. don't have to present delicious." Okay, so we'll work on your writer. >> Yeah, please. >> Um Paul, this has been so fun. >> Such a pleasure. I am so like I love. getting to talk to people who have such. a good personality and you are one of. those people where I could talk to you. for forever but the range in this. episode from Jersey Shore from Donnie. then we had the step.

>> clam slam we got. >> how is this episode not called Stephussy. and the clam slam. >> it has to be. >> your publicist spin-off yeah they're. going to Stephussy and the clam slam. >> they're like what is. What have you done? Yeah, >> Paul, this was we were going on here. with a vision and you went completely. >> and now we're just Yeah, we went off on. a tangent. >> No, it was so so fun getting to sit with. you and talk with you and I, you know, I'm a big fan and all the things. Thank.

you for your time. >> Thank you so much. Thanks for having me. [music]. >> [music].