Chasing Sunsets: Mary + Romain Bonnet

Real estate power couple Mary and Romain Bonnet open up about their success, their love story, and what sets them apart in the cutthroat world of luxury real estate.

Mary and Romain Bonnet are known for their impeccable style, sharp negotiating skills, and unwavering dedication to delivering unparalleled service to their clients. As key cast members on Netflix's popular show "Selling Sunset," Mary and Romain have captivated audiences with their dynamic personalities and ambitious drive. With Mary's keen eye for design and Romain's business acumen, they have become formidable forces in the competitive world of luxury real estate. Their commitment to excellence and their ability to close high-stakes deals have solidified their status as fan favorites on the show.

Can you share with our readers how your experience on "Selling Sunset" has impacted your real estate career and personal life?

MARY: Selling Sunset has been a whirlwind and a blessing in so many ways.

On a professional level, the opportunities, collaborations, brand recognition, etc. is unparalleled. There was a learning curve for sure from all the new attention we gained, but I learned how to pivot where needed. For example, a very basic tactic of gaining new clients and converting real estate sales is to conduct open houses. With the taping schedule, my schedule became way more limited, so I had to find a way to gain clients without these.

Luckily, the show’s massive success helped with marketing tremendously, so while it was a change, it was one for the better! Another example: traditionally, an imperative part of the job is having a phone number accessible for clients to call.

This is no longer the norm. We’ve removed our phone numbers from the website and real estate platforms, which makes the types of clients who approach us and how accessible we are, different than before. But we have adapted! Lastly, the reach is vaster– we’re on a global status now due to the show, which is so cool.

On a personal level, we’ve been catapulted into the public eye, which has taken some getting used to for sure, but I’ve settled into it and would like to believe I am doing a good job of using my platform for good. While life has changed quite a lot, I feel blessed for the opportunity.

ROMAIN: Mary said it best when it comes to how it affected our personal life. Professionally, it impacted me quite a bit as well. We got so much exposure for our businesses and got the chance to showcase our work. White Glove Estates has benefited greatly from the business the show has generated through The Oppenheim Group. I’m super grateful for that.

What are some of the most memorable moments and challenges you have faced while filming the show?

MARY & ROMAIN: Our most memorable moment for sure was our wedding on Season 2. It was so beautiful and memorable, but also stressful (as weddings can typically be). Our previous venue fell through, and we essentially had to re-plan a wedding in less than 6 weeks to coordinate to the new venue style, while simultaneously dealing with interoffice conflict, production/venue/client terms, and guest list drama. But at the end of the day, we wouldn’t change any of it for the world. It is a moment that we will always remember and be proud of because we married the love of our life.

How has your relationship evolved throughout the seasons, and what can viewers expect in the upcoming episodes?

MARY & ROMAIN: Like all relationships, we have faced ups and downs throughout our 7 years together (we just celebrated our anniversary).

We’ve learned to not take things personally when one of us brings home the stresses of the day. o matter how frustrating a day (or each other) can be, we’ve learned to accept that we are both human, we are going to make mistakes and act out on occasions, but the key is remembering that we are taking on more than a normal couple could ever imagine, so at the end of the day we should be proud of ourselves. We are proud of our resilience and continued loyalty for each other.

What are some fun anecdotes that fans might not know about you both?

MARY: I love art, I’ve made most of my artwork in my home and am currently learning pottery.

ROMAIN: I’ve always had a dream of being an Air force pilot in France. I also have a passion for motorcycles and was involved in racing them when residing in France.

What advice do you have for aspiring professionals looking to make it in this competitive industry?

MARY & ROMAIN: It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, and like anything else, there are ups and downs: not only in real estate, but also in the entertainment industry, and with fame. But when you are passionate about something, success will always follow.

How do you help each other stay grounded, despite having such a public lifestyle?

MARY & ROMAIN: Family!! We both prioritize our families, and I think they help keep us both grounded and true to who we are.

What’s next for you?

MARY: I am so passionate about empowering other women and am working on paving my career towards that through doing public speaking opportunities and public appearances supporting the causes that are close to my heart. I am in the works of some fun upcoming projects that will allow me to share some very sensitive moments in my life that I’ve never disclosed, in hopes to help other women who can relate, this year!

Romain and I are still unsure what the future holds for us regarding children, as my fertility struggles continue to be an issue. I will continue to be open about this.

I have a new role on the board of directors for the Foundation of AAGL, which is an international women's health foundation that helps educate women and provide resources to them on all things women's health. We also help raise money to fund initiatives to provide medical care to women worldwide in impoverished areas. Additionally we help fund young OBGYN doctors in their early stages of their career to advance research and global outreach for women's health issues, etc. I've been posting and started a YouTube channel with my good friend Dr. Ido Sirota who is an OBGYN to help get answers out there to women, who may be too embarrassed, scared, or just didn't know what to ask their Dr. about symptoms and conditions that they are experiencing. My fertility struggles and recent diagnosis that was only recently discovered has made this foundation very near and dear to my heart.

We are looking forward to the future and the endless opportunities that life brings, and will continue to enjoy our time with our 2 pups (Zelda and Thor) and I can’t leave out Niko, who still lives on in our hearts.

We love to travel, and will take every opportunity to do so together, whenever our schedules allow.

It’s safe to say that this will be a big year for me and am so excited to share what I have in the works!

ROMAIN: I’m still working on my GC license. We would love to continue building our portfolio and start flipping houses. The dream is to get our own spinoff once Selling Sunset is over. I’m also in the process of putting together an ebook or an app about fitness as it is something that I really love and enjoy.

Interview + Creative Direction by Vanessa Coppes

Photography by Emily Sandifer

Assistant Photography by TJ Dalrymple

Makeup by Luis Casco

Hair by Sienna Watson

Styling by The Style Duo

Assistance by Jennifer MacLellan

Shot at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood