Kyle Cooke Discusses Bravo and Loverboy on 'Trading Secrets' Podcast

Kyle Cooke Answers Burning Questions About Bravo: Does He Force ‘Summer House’ Cast to Drink Loverboy?

Kyle Cooke Noam Galai/BRAVO

Kyle Cooke from Summer House openly talked about Bravo and his alcohol brand, Loverboy, on the "Trading Secrets" podcast. In 2018, Cooke, along with his now-wife Amanda Batula and friend Carl Radke, started Loverboy.

Loverboy has appeared on Summer House multiple times, but Cooke clarified that he does not pressure his costars to drink the beverage on the Bravo series. During an episode of the podcast with host Jason Tartick on Monday, June 3, Cooke stated, "I’ve never pushed this on anybody. Yeah, do I hope that they wouldn’t bring my competitor’s products into the house? Sure."

Cooke has been a cast member on the Bravo series since it first aired in 2017. He also appeared on the spinoff series Winter House, which debuted in October 2021.

Check out more juicy details from Cooke’s “Trading Secrets” interview below:

Kyle Cooke Answers Burning Questions About Bravo: Does He Force ‘Summer House’ Cast to Drink Loverboy?

Bryan Bedder/Bravo

Is Bravo Connected to Loverboy?

Bravo is not connected to Loverboy. According to Cooke, they are not working together. He mentioned that technically, they may benefit from his success if there is an acquisition and he is still on air.

Cooke mentioned that the network is cautious about any perception of collaboration.

He shared, "They actually advise me to tone it down. They'll say, 'Kyle, please don't wear the Loverboy shirt.' But that's my thing. I wear my own merchandise that my wife designed." Additionally, they might request, "Could you please pour those drinks into cups?" The network aims to avoid appearing like an infomercial to prevent any suspicion of a partnership. In fact, their intention is quite the opposite.

Is Kyle Cooke Forcing the ‘Summer House’ Cast to Drink Loverboy?

Cooke explained that Bravo avoids partnering exclusively with one major brand to allow other advertisers the opportunity to promote their products. He mentioned that this approach is especially important for alcohol brands, as they are one of the largest spenders on Bravo advertisements.

While Cooke mentioned that he never pressures his friends to drink Loverboy, he did express that he would be happy if they decided to enjoy the beverage.

He shared, "I like it when my friends choose to have a Loverboy because they genuinely want it. Many times this season, even when I wasn't around, my friends would come over and opt for a Loverboy."

Kyle Cooke Answers Burning Questions About Bravo: Does He Force ‘Summer House’ Cast to Drink Loverboy?

Clifton Prescod/Bravo

Does the Cast of ‘Summer House’ Pay for Their Alcohol?

Cooke shared that he and his other cast members pay for all of their groceries — including alcohol.

Over the years, I have spent around $100,000 on alcohol for the house. This is for us, our friends, and for parties. It's important to mention that the show doesn't provide any financial compensation.

When the group is shown going to a restaurant on the show, they usually have a budget of about $50 per person. This is because the restaurant is inviting them for dinner or some other event.

Did Amanda Batula Put Up the Money to Start Loverboy?

Cooke debunked the rumor that his wife had put up the money to start Loverboy.

"I believe there was a misunderstanding between Amanda and Paige [DeSorbo]," Cooke mentioned. "Paige went on air and mentioned that she not only covered the bills when I was starting out because I didn't have a source of income, but she also contributed her own money for the initial pre-friends and family capital needed to kickstart the business."

Cooke also mentioned that Batula generously dedicated her time to assist him in perfecting the branding.

"I've always had multiple streams of income. I funded the first $100,000 myself while also taking care of our expenses," he shared. "But Amanda played a crucial role in this success. She was heavily involved in the initial branding and her influence can still be seen today."

Kyle Cooke Answers Burning Questions About Bravo: Does He Force ‘Summer House’ Cast to Drink Loverboy?

Eugene Gologursky/Bravo

Does Kyle Cooke Help With Casting or Story Direction in ‘Summer House’?

Cooke laughed when asked if he had a role in the show besides being a cast member. He mentioned that some people still believe he was involved in getting Hannah Berner fired. However, he clarified that he actually supported filming with her and had no influence on casting decisions.

Cooke played a role in casting for the first season of Summer House. He expressed pride in the show, mentioning the extensive effort he put in to ensure season 1 came together. Despite the challenges, he dedicated countless hours to making it happen.

He mentioned that, aside from Stephen [McGee], he was involved in bringing in all the cast members for season 1.

Summer House’s two-part reunion special begins on Bravo Thursday, June 6, at 9 p.m. ET. The second episode airs on Thursday, June 13, at 9 p.m. ET.

Editor's P/S:

Kyle Cooke's recent interview on the "Trading Secrets" podcast sheds light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of "Summer House" and his alcohol brand, Loverboy. Cooke emphasizes that Bravo does not have any financial stake in Loverboy, dispelling rumors of a direct partnership. Despite being a cast member, Cooke has no involvement in casting or story direction, contrary to popular belief. He also clarifies that the cast pays for their own alcohol and groceries, with Cooke contributing a significant amount over the years.

Cooke's comments highlight the complexities of integrating personal ventures into reality television. While Bravo may advise him to tone down the promotion of Loverboy, Cooke expresses his desire for his co-stars to choose his beverage genuinely. He also debunks the rumor that his wife, Amanda Batula, provided the initial funding for Loverboy, emphasizing his own financial contributions and her vital role in branding. Overall, the interview provides a glimpse into the business savvy and professional boundaries maintained by Kyle Cooke while navigating the intersection of reality television and entrepreneurship.