Bachelor Nation star Justin Glaze gushes over working with Whitney Leavitt in fun VRT chat

Tough to see everything that she's been going through. I think she's been handling it like a rock star. I'm so glad that she's found somebody. Jeff seems like a super supportive, amazing guy. So yeah, I'm super happy for her in that aspect and really commend how she's been navigating everything. Virtual reality. Justin Glaze, welcome to Virtual Reality. Dani and I are so excited to spend some time with you while we're in Los Angeles. And there's so much fun stuff to talk about. You're in a movie. You got your own beverage line now. And we are also Bachelorette Nation fans. So we're excited to get into it. Yeah, let's get into it. Well, you said, because LA wasn't your first move after Bachelor Life. It was. It was? I thought you, oh, okay. No, so I'm born and raised in Baltimore. Stayed in Baltimore for a couple of years after the show. And then finally picked up and moved here in 2023. What made you feel like that was the time that you're like, okay, I think I'm ready for a change? Honestly, I love my city so much. And it was hard, but I feel like I kind of reached my glass ceiling there, you know, where it's like a lot of people, it's one of those cities where, you know, you know everyone, it's like you're born there, you grow up there and you kind of move to the suburbs and like live the life, you know? And I just feel like I wasn't really being challenged creatively, you know? And I feel like I kind of just like reached my cap. And I was like, you know what? While I'm young, have nothing tying me down here. Like obviously my family's there, which was hard to move away from, but it's like now's the time to do it. So I knew it was either between New York or LA. And I used to go to New York all the time when I was living on the East Coast. I was like, let me try the far one. So I moved out here, did like a little three month temporary lease to try it out. I was like, I love it here. So then I found my spot and the rest is history. Did you come here with acting aspirations or is this movie kind of like an unexpected date? Oh, really? No, oh my God, literally no. Like I had always had like friends and family, oh, you should get into acting, but it was never like I'm going to move to LA and live the dream and like try to be an actor, you know? I came here and I really, I didn't have a plan. I was like, I just need to go out here because I was still working in finance at the time. And so I was starting to dabble more into like the social media, the creative avenue. And I was like, you know, like, let me move to LA, give myself the chance and see what happens. So I started my business and then the acting kind of came as like a by-product of the social media, I guess. So through the social media, started doing a couple of commercials and did a commercial with Lifetime and it was so much fun. And then one of the directors was like, hey, would you ever want to be in a Christmas movie? And I was like, yeah. So she was like, I'll send you the script and like, let me know if you're down. I was like, honestly, the script could say whatever. I'm going to be down. So she sends it, I think like 10 minutes later, I was like, yeah, I reviewed it and I'm, I think I'm in. I'm like, we can do this. Yeah. That is really exciting. Was there any part of you that was like afraid to tackle it or were you just so ready? Oh, I was definitely a little afraid. I had, I had never landed anything. Aside from the commercials, I had, I was working with like a small boutique acting agency at the time who scouted me from social media stuff and reached out. I was like, hey, would you ever want to get into script? And I was like, yeah. Like I didn't come out here trying, but if the opportunity comes, like I would love to dive into it. So I read for a lot of like great shows and never landed anything. So I had a little bit of like a dip my toe, like my little pinky toe in it, in the water. But I was like, I was nervous. I was like, I've never really, I kind of felt like an imposter. I was like, I've never done this, you know? And so I was like, let's just dive in. Some of the shows that you auditioned for, like what did you, because even getting an audition is a big deal. It's big. Yeah, no, there were like some, there were some CBS shows. There were some Netflix, Hulu shows, a variety of roles. And like my coach at the time was great. You know, it was such a different art form. You know, like when I do my stuff on social media, you know, like I kind of create the character, right? And like I have control over all of that. But it's like, you know, you're seeing a script for the first time. I developed kind of like my methods of like, okay, how am I going to memorize these things? Like, I'm very like, hey, oh my God, I got to highlight color code stuff. Like read, you know what I mean? Like I had my own little situation going on for like practicing and how to retain the lines. But then it was like such a new art form of like, okay, I, and she was really good about, I would be like, hey, how do you think this character should be? And she's like, well, I want to see how you do it first. And then like, I'll give you some notes maybe. So you're reading through the script and you're trying to like feed off of the other characters in the scene. I'm like, okay, based on their demeanor and their lines, like how do I think that, you know what I mean? So you're kind of like developing what you think the character should be, but you're like stepping into somebody else's world and trying to embody that. So there were so many little unique like tips and tricks that I just like was not privy to. It was very eyeopening and like tough, but I gained like a very vast appreciation for it. It was really cool. And do you feel like having your business as, I don't know if you want to call it your main passion or your main focus, do you feel that made your approach to acting a little bit more like easier or less stressful? Because you're like, I don't, not everything's riding on your acting. A hundred percent. And it was like, I always refer, it was like a nice to have, right? It's like, I have my pillars here of like the socials, my drink business and all of that. Like I didn't come out here trying to be an actor, but like if the opportunity started to come and I will take this serious and I'll pursue it for sure. But like you said, like it took a lot of the pressure off. I'm like, this is fun. And if I land something great, but it's not like I've got my whole life riding on, like I gotta land something. This is what I came out here for, you know? I also love that the stigma around reality, TV talent and doing big acting projects, I feel like it's almost disappearing because you're starring in this movie, this Christmas movie, All for Love with Whitney Levitt from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. And she has been killing it in the acting space, Broadway, now this film. What was it like working with her? Yeah, she was great. I mean, she's super kind, super talented. But to your point, I think it is really cool because even talking to some of the directors, it's like, you know, the stigma has definitely changed because I think once upon a time, it was like, oh, look at this reality TV person that's trying to get into acting, right? But now I think a lot of shows and movies are kind of leveraging the fan base or platform and audience that these people from reality TV or social media in general have. You know, like there's the girl Veronica is cool on Instagram, who's like on SNL now. And like, you see all these other social media personalities that are getting into acting because, you know, the way they put it, it's like we could find, like a lot of these people have the personality and the talent to do it. You don't have to have like an acting background and go to acting school. Like all those things definitely help, but it's like we, it's almost more beneficial in certain circumstances for them to find someone that has the talent and the platform and the audience and put them on a show, right? And it's like, you know, you're kind of getting a two for one there versus somebody who's like came here wanting to be an actor. And, you know, I don't know. So the stigma has definitely changed, which is great. Were you a fan of MormonWise before you met Whitney or? Yeah, I'm into it. Oh my God, okay, you're into it. Cause we always laugh that she was like the villain on the show when we're like, she's kind of like just the normal cool girl. No, the rebrand is crazy. Yeah. The rebrand is insane. I don't know how she like figured it out. I don't. She did it so. Seamlessly. Seamlessly, like I don't know if she had like a meticulous plan behind the scenes, but like I didn't catch it. I was just, all of a sudden she became the hero. I think it was like the perfect storm of like whatever she was doing, but then also other personalities on the show started to like become more, you know what I mean? Taylor Frankie Paul. Yeah, yeah. It was kind of like the perfect storm. She was like, let me sneak onto the good side now and let y'all have the heat. As someone who came from Bachelor Nation, thoughts on Taylor Frankie Paul's Bachelorette season, getting scrapped, all that kind of drama. Cause there was. Maybe not scrapped, but I think it's still scrapped. Cause some people were saying like, maybe it'll air now. It's not. You know, I had heard, you know, so it went from scrapped to then I heard it was supposed to air in the summer. Now the summer's kind of over. Now it's like, you know, I think it's sad. I feel for a lot of the guys. I've met a couple of the guys on her season. I really feel for them. I think, you know, who am I? But my unsolicited advice, because I think it was like, they want to air it, but it's like, every time you turn around, there's something. There's something new. Yeah. So. What is the overarching thought from the guys that you've met that were going to be on her season? Like, are they angry, disappointed, sad, or? Yeah, I think kind of all of the above. I think they're just like super bummed, you know, when you kind of put your life on hold and you go through the experience, right? It's like, you want to get something out of it, right? Like you want to, even if it's just like being able to watch back with your friends and family, right? Like you spent the time, you built the relationships and it's such a unique experience, right? You want to feel the gratification of like having that unfold and, you know, aired and all that. So it kind of just feels like a waste of time. Well, also, yeah, I was gonna say, cause they already put themselves out there. So now they're not really getting to. Right, like for what? Yeah, yeah. The lead on your season, season 17, Katie Thurston, totally different individual than Taylor, Frankie Paul. She is going through a lot right now with her cancer battle. Do you keep in touch with her? Have you reached out to her? Well, like it's been a while, but like loosely through social media, like every once in a blue moon, but you know, I don't have like a relationship with her, but we're definitely like on great terms. And like, it's been a while, but I've seen her at events and like, hey, how are you doing? Like, great to see you. So like, we're on really good terms. Yeah, tough to see everything that she's been going through. I think she's been handling it like a rockstar. So glad that she's found somebody. Jeff seems like a super supportive, amazing guy. So yeah, I'm super happy for her in that aspect and really commend how she's been navigating everything. She's a tough one. Yeah, she's definitely a fighter, for sure. And also, cause we were mentioning too, how you do feel very, you feel a little more secure in pursuing acting because of your drink business. Can you talk us, like what inspired you to get into that lane? The drink business? Yeah. Oh my gosh, yeah. So I'll try to make a long story relatively short, but I am such an overthinker and like, okay, what's my five, 10, 15, 30 year plan? Oh, a 30 year plan. You know what I mean? That's like, that's a whole mortgage. No, I know. I drive myself crazy. And so when I was still in Baltimore working in finance and I was starting to feel the pressure from my job, I was like, hey, like I can't juggle both of these and do them both to the degree that I would want to, right? I had a decision to make. I'm like either gonna put all this stuff aside and just go back to my career and full steam ahead, or I'm gonna take the chance and see what I can make happen with this. But it's like, you know what, the brand deals are great, but what am I gonna be doing when I'm 35, 40, right? Like slinging, you know, laundry detergent. So I was like, okay, well, I wanna like have something that I can call my own. And so I've always loved espresso martinis and I travel all the time. So I had already started this series where I would travel from state to state and kind of be like, hey guys, like I'm in Philly, New York, whatever, what's the best espresso martini? People would write in like, you gotta go to this bar, you gotta go to this restaurant. And I would go, I would try it, I would rate it, it came up with this whole system and it was like a thing, right? So every day like I get tagged in an espresso martini, so which is great. So it just became a part of my brand. And so I was like, okay, what's something that I could build that would feel organic to me, but I'd be passionate about and it could have some longevity, right? That I'd be really proud of. And I naively was like, let me put an espresso martini in a can. I had no experience whatsoever. I didn't know what I was doing. I just started cold calling distilleries and was like, hey, I have this idea. Like, can you guys help? And a lot of people were like, nah, we're good. But all it took was one. And they were like, yeah, no, I was like, okay, like next. And all it took was one. They're like, sounds cool. Like we're outside of Philly, drive up and let's get started. And I was like, okay, cool. So they've been great partners. So I drove up there, we got started on the formula, but everything from like the branding, packaging, logistics, like I knew nothing and I've just had to figure, it's just me. Like, I don't have anybody like me. That's impressive. So it's been a lot. And I think like, it's probably a good thing that I didn't know then what I know now. Cause I would not have done that. But it's been the most rewarding. It's been the most challenging thing that I've ever done, but the most rewarding as well. To be able to like, literally the sketches of like the notes I had from different names and like design and stuff like that from 2022 when I first started to now seeing it in BevMo and Total Wine, it's like crazy. And Love Potion is such a cute name. Thank you. Wait, what were some like almost names? Oh my God. Were some of them bad now in hindsight? What was the short list? Yeah. It's crazy. Cause one of them, okay. So I always had the vision of like, okay, it's not going to just be an espresso martini company. Right? Like I'm working on my second stew now. And so I'm thinking of like a line of cocktails. I was like, okay, what if I kind of played on my name? And it was like, just, you know, like just like just espresso martini, just whatever the next thing is. I was like, could be cool. You know what I mean? Kind of cute. And then one of them was like, cause I always, I always had like my pinky. I was like, what about like Pinky's Up or something like that? And it's crazy. I know a guy now, his wine brand is called Pinky's. Oh, okay. I was going to get Pinky's Up. But it was some, yeah, there was some interest. Those were like two contenders. I like, but the name. Love Potion's perfect. Yeah. It'll make someone stop in their tracks. Yeah. And it also kind of like, is embedded in like your history on like a reality dating show. So I wanted to find something where it's like, this isn't just solely predicated on like my bachelor world stuff, but it's like, it's got a little, it pays a little homage to that, but also like the name was derived in the late, early sixties, late fifties. There was a song called Love Potion number nine. Basically tells a story of this guy struggling to fall in love, seeks the help of this gypsy chemist, create this concoction. When you consume it, you become irresistible to those around you, right? So it's that idea of forming an intimate connection with friends, family, loved ones, whatever, over a cocktail. Yeah. And especially martinis, like they are the drink du jour. And I feel like they have longevity. Like I can't imagine them going out of style. Like people just love them. It's never a bad time for an espresso martini. What's the key to like the perfect espresso martini? And how did that factor into the formulation of your specific question? It was so, it's so hard because I wanted to create something that was going to be as close to that behind the bar experience as you can get, right? And so testing a lot of the competitors and getting into the weeds, it's like a lot of them were using coffee flavoring. They weren't using like real spirits. It was like orange wine based. And I was like, I don't want, it's like tastes phony and chemical. I wanted something real, right? Yeah. And it presented a whole set of challenges, but you know, for a legitimate espresso martini, like you got to have real espresso, first of all. My top two coffee liqueurs are Mr. Black or Kahlua, depending on the flavor profile that you want. And then, you know, vodka is like the base, but I like rub asado tequila. So I need a lot of ice, a nice heavy, like vigorous shake to get that foam. I get really nerdy about this stuff. You can then strain it and do a dry shake. But anyway, three beans on top. You need them. Good luck. Yes. It's disrespectful if you don't have three beans. I am personally trying to define it. Do you eat the beans for good luck, right? I don't go that far. Okay. You're like, I am my luck. I'm like, okay, thank you for wishing me luck, but we'll leave it at the bottom of the coop. Yeah, I'm gonna let you have the bar, give the bar a lock. Yeah. Do you like it creamy? Cause I know some people are. I think putting any creamer in there is a bit sacrilegious. Oh, okay. Like I'm really, like I took a masterclass from the daughter of the creator of the espresso martini. What? How did you figure that? Now where is she? So she's in the UK. Well, you really like put in the time. Oh yeah. Yeah. No, like I'm, I'm in it. Wow. Like she, she explained like how, how her dad came up with the drink, like, like the three beans, such like everything. When was it invented? In fact, check me. It's either 1974, 76. Okay. Wow. Yeah. But she started to pop off like just recently. I feel like. Yeah. Oh my God. Wait, that's very cool. I wait. And also cause you were teasing, you're already thinking of expanding. Do you have a short list of what other drink you would want to add to the. I do. We, the formulation is, is almost actually complete for it. I'm doing some, a couple of little focus groups right now. Okay. Getting some. That's probably a fun focus group. Yeah, exactly. Come over and drink it. Let's have fun. Just tell me what you think about it. So yeah, it's the, it's the fun part of, you know, refining the formula and, and getting to the place where you're proud of, you know, something. And so I'm excited to have like a second skew out there and. How soon do we think out there will be? You know, I would love, there's like so many dominoes that have to fall and just like, like I would love, I would love sometime in Q4. Oh shoot. Okay. Yeah. No, like. Right around the corner. This is like, the formulation is the toughest part. And then once you get that, like I'm wrapping up the, the branding and packaging for that. But then once you get that, it's just lining up production from like the boxes, the cans, filling them, getting them out. It's like, that's the part that takes the longest. Or is the trickiest, I guess. But if you're at a bar or a restaurant and there's not an espresso martini on the menu, what are you ordering? I'm out of there. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Thank you for your service. No, I'm a tequila guy. Okay. It's actually crazy. When I, when I don't order an espresso martini, my friends are like, are you okay? I'm like, I drink other things as well. You know what I mean? They're literally like, are you doing okay? I'm like, sometimes I'm not. I'm like, you know what, you're right. Thank you for asking. Let's end the loneliness epidemic. Seriously. But if it's not an espresso martini, I'm like, I'm a tequila. I actually, I don't want to sound like an alcoholic. I'll drink whatever. All right. I'll drink whatever. I'm easy. When it comes to cocktails, literally sometimes I'll just be like, hey, like what are your top three cocktails? And like if the bartender, I love running into like a knowledgeable, like if they're, like I love seeing the passion from bartenders, you know? Yeah. And if they recommend something, I'm like, let's run it. Let's do it. Oh, I love that. And I also love the idea that maybe by Q4, we could have not only a new movie from you, but a new drink from you. That'd be crazy. Right? That's a good way to end 2027. Adjusting glaze Q4. And that'll glaze us right into 2027. Ooh, right. Yes. I like that. Right? There we go. Well, please, it is all yours because we are obsessed with you. I appreciate you. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate you guys. Oh my God, please cheers. I just have regular espresso than that cop. It's less fun. So you don't have to choose.