Exclusive Interview: Chelsea Autumn Talks About Her Scandalous Split from Patti Stanger and Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker plus the Launch of Queen of Hearts
When it was officially announced that Chelsea Autumn left Patti Stanger and Bravo’s “Millionaire Matchmaker,” the news resonated as one of the biggest breakups on reality TV this year. I was able to sit down and discuss the public parting in detail with the lovely Chelsea Autumn and her boyfriend and business partner Wesley Ryan as they move forward with their own matchmaking firm called “Queen of Hearts,” where they are currently seeking mates for Traci Bingham, Pamela Anderson and other VIPs.
When asked about not being on the show this season, Autumn responds, “I don’t miss it too much. However, I would love to have gone to New York with the show. There was just no room for me to move forward with Patti. So, it was just time for me to spread my wings and fly.”
Originally from the Chicago area, the magnetic Chelsea Autumn is full of warmth and kindness. Her path to matchmaker success has been written in the stars but also unplanned.
“When I was in 3rd grade, I introduced my mom to my best friend’s dad. They eventually were married and my best friend is now my sister! That was my first matchmaking experience,” states Autumn. “I also heavily match made in college too, but I had no idea that this would become a career for me.”
Autumn moved to Los Angeles after obtaining her bachelor's degree in psychology from Western Illinois University. In 2002, Autumn posted her resume on Craigslist and the next day Patti Stanger gave her a call. The two met and Autumn went to work in Stanger’s home as her assistant. After about a year, Autumn was promoted and set up in an autonomous vice president sales and matchmaking role, where she brought in and serviced her own clients under the "Millionaire Matchmaker" umbrella; working solely on commission, from her own home and without any benefits. Meanwhile, Stanger went to work on pitching her business, life and story to TV executives.
“It was just her and I for so many years. Dustin and Rachel just came on for the reality show, along with an office primarily used for TV filming,” admits Autumn. “There were so many times Patti handed her clients off to me because she was so focused on the show.”
A former yacht captain, with plenty of experience working with multimillionaires, Wesley Ryan adds, “Chelsea was doing all the work and it was time for her to leave and start her own business. Patti should have taken care of her star player. 'Millionaire Matchmaker' is in shambles now because Patti can’t handle it without Chelsea and she can’t find a replacement. A former client of Patti’s recently told us that ‘Millionaire Matchmaker’ is in complete chaos now!”
Follow Technorati