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Comedy writer Bonnie Datt once bought a chainmail vest "for clubbing"—a purchase she later came to lament, once she realized that chainmail isn't particularly slimming. Inspired by this, she now spends her spare time asking famous people to dish about purchases which they initially loved—but ended up regretting, for Buyer's Remorse.
We confess, one of our guilty pleasures—er, make that addictions, is the long running CBS reality show, Big Brother. So, in honor of Season 13's kickoff, this week's Buyer's Remorse features the show's host (as well as the moderator of the daily talk show, The Talk), Julie Chen.
The always charming Chen, who off-camera, is just as obsessive a Big Brother fan as we are, shares a tale with us that involves her sister-in-law. We found this to be a particularly interesting detail, as Chen's husband is CBS President and CEO, Les Moonves.
Racked: Julie, can you tell us your story of Buyer's Remorse?
Julie Chen: It was an outfit that I wore on Big Brother—it might have been Big Brother Five. It was this vintage Japanese jacket that was black and it had baby pink and baby blue little pom-poms—like a bolero jacket. And I thought it was so cool and unique. And then I realized it was so wrong, when my sister-in-law, who's the sweetest person in the world, and always has compliments for me, said, "Julie I normally love your clothes, but what were you thinking with that weird number that looked like pom-poms from a bathroom?" And then I knew it was a disaster. So I donated it. Gave it away, right away!
Racked: Do you pick your own clothes for the show?
Julie Chen: Yes and no. I work with a stylist who is great, but ultimately I will tell her "yes" or "no." There have been times when I've said "Um, I don't know..." and she's like, "No, you have to!" And then I'll get so many compliments, that I now just trust her. Sometimes we'll fight a little bit, back and forth—and this always works: I'll say, "But I don't feel good in it," and she'll say, "Then take it off."
· All Buyer's Remorse Posts [Racked]
· Big Brother [Official Site]