On joining Summer House, forming real friendships, and contributing to one of the season’s most meaningful conversations 

Mia Calabrese is a bit of a modern-day Swiss Army knife: equal parts polished, curious, and unexpectedly multifaceted. She’s studied government and politics, worked nights catering to millionaires at a downtown burlesque club, built a career as a Manhattan realtor, and now, as of this season, can add reality star to an already wide-ranging résumé. 

As one of the newest cast members on Summer House (now in its tenth season and still a runaway success) Calabrese has stepped into a world where headlines are constant and fan engagement is immediate.  

And yet, amid the chaos, themed parties, and inevitable relationship drama, Calabrese has quickly emerged as a fan favourite. Her relaxed confidence and easy charisma are matched by a clear loyalty to her close friend and longtime cast member Ciara Miller. 

While much of the season’s attention has centred on breakups and shifting dynamics, one of its most impactful moments came during a candid conversation about race between Calabrese, Miller, and fellow castmate KJ. It’s the kind of discussion that can be difficult even among close friends, let alone in a house full of new acquaintances with cameras rolling. 

The moment struck a chord with viewers, offering something deeper beneath the surface. It was a reminder that Summer House can pivot playing spin the bottle (yes, literally) to meaningful, vulnerable conversations about identity and lived experience. 

I’m so happy to be talking to you today. I’m such a huge fan of Summer House, but I’m also such a huge fan of you on the show. I’m sure you’re hearing that a lot. Before we get into Summer House, I always love starting with a quick snapshot of your backstory. You grew up in Chicago, so I’m wondering, what was young Mia like? 

“Great question, Caitlin. I was the girl that, at report card pickup, my teacher would say, “She’d be a star if she just stopped talking.” I don’t know how to stop. I was very social. I talked to everyone, wanted to get to know everyone. I never wanted anyone to feel excluded. If I saw anyone being bullied, I’d be like, “You’re weird. Leave them alone.” That’s how I was.”

Deeply relatable, and also probably why you’re so well suited to reality TV. You moved to New York to study government and politics. Do I have that right? 

 “You do. And I loved it. I always joke with my friends, like, should we go back to school and get our masters? I loved college. I actually wasn’t very social in college because everyone in my major was going to law school. Everyone was very serious. So I spent a lot of time in the library. 

We were writing legal briefs. It was such a different time in my life, but I loved it. And I love to talk politics. I know I probably shouldn’t right now, but I love it. Let’s talk about history and politics and how it all correlates.”

So brains and beauty, check and check. And while you’re studying government and politics, is this when you begin working at the iconic New York burlesque club, The Box? Were you a student at the time? 

 “I was like Hannah Montana.”

Yeah. So what was that time in your life like in New York? 

“Oh my gosh, it was truly so much fun. My biggest regret is that I took everything so seriously. I was like, I have to be the best at everything. I wish I had even more fun. I would wake up at 7 a.m. for class and sometimes be at school until 4 p.m. 

I’d take the train back to Manhattan, sleep for an hour and a half, then start working at 10 p.m. and go until 4 a.m. I did that for a few years toward the end of college.”

That is a lot. 

 “It was. I was so young, and it was the perfect time to do it. It was so cool to have these very intellectual conversations during the day about history and politics, and then go watch burlesque shows at night and serve millionaires. It was the craziest time of my life. I had so much fun.”

It also feels very New York – like a very New York existence. 

 “We didn’t come from money, so I was like, if I’m going to be in New York and want nice things, I can’t ask my parents. I have to work.”

And at what point did you meet Ciara, and how did that friendship lead to joining Summer House? 

“That was a few years later. I met Ciara through a mutual friend who said we’d get along. And I’m like, absolutely, the more the merrier. We met over dinner and she was like, “I like you.” Ciara can be a little standoffish, and I’m the opposite. 

I was at a dinner last night with 50 people and I knew everyone’s name. So we’re very different in that way, but we became super close. I love her like a sister. My family loves her. We’re very close.”

I feel like everyone who watches the show adores Ciara. And it’s been really nice to see that real friendship on screen. It doesn’t always happen with new cast members. 

 “Thank you. I talk to Ciara every day. We live in the same building. Sometimes I watch her cat when she’s away. We’ll spend entire days together just watching movies. She’s one of my best friends.” 

It really feels like family. And I think that’s why you fit so seamlessly into the cast. What has it been like having cameras around 24/7, especially in more intimate settings like your bedroom?  

“At first I was like, whoa, okay. Then I just got used to it. A few glasses of wine and I’ll talk about anything. I forgot the cameras were there in my room though. I’d be dancing all day, changing, and Ciara would be like, “Stop, there are cameras.” I’m like, “oh my god, you’re righ. They’re never going to use that though?” She’s like, “you don’t know what they’re going to use.” 

So you fall into the category of forgetting the cameras, which is ideal. One of the most talked-about moments this season was that conversation about race. It felt really powerful and was eye-opening for a lot of viewers. What was it like having that conversation on camera? 

“I was so grateful we had the opportunity. That’s a conversation that happens all the time in Black households. And this is what I was saying to KJ. I’ve had to have that conversation. My brother, my cousin, we all had to have that conversation. Every black kid that I know, every black person I know had that conversation. When you step outside of this house, no one loves you out there like we love you. You need to conduct yourself in a certain way or else you’re going to be seen as a threat. 

And I think most white people have not even heard that conversation before. Their parents aren’t telling them, don’t wear a hoodie when you go outside. Don’t slouch your pants when you go outside. When you speak to the police, this is how you have to speak to the police. Most white kids aren’t being told that. They’re just saying, go out there and be fabulous and people are gonnalove you.  

People don’t automatically love us. They have to feel safe around us in a way. They have to know us before they can feel safe. And that’s really scary and it’s sad and it’s unfortunate and it’s not fair, but that is the world we live in.  

And I’m so grateful that we were able to have that conversation and that the cast was so open and they did the best thing they could have done, which is just be quiet and listen and be receptive to what we’re saying and not try and interject and make us feel crazy and say “Well, that’s not true” and become defensive. They were not that at all. And I’ve had those conversations in the pastwhere people have told me that I’m crazy and that’s not true. And people don’t look at you like that Mia, that’s not true. I’m like, okay, yeah, sure. Tell me what my lived experience being a black woman in America is. And that happens. And I’m just so grateful that they didn’t do that.”

I really appreciate you having that conversation. It was incredibly impactful. And thank you for being such a great addition to the show. I can’t wait to see more of you. 

“Thank you, I appreciate you.”

New Season 10 Episodes of Summer House are available to stream on Hayu every Tuesday at 9pm ET.  

FEATURE PHOTO COURTESY OF NBC.