Chad Rogers On the New Season of Million Dollar Listing and Being Called a 'Rectal Swab'

When Bravo revamped Million Dollar Listing last year, the elaborately primped and blow-dried Chad Rogers became its breakout star. His obsessive-compulsive organizational skills fostered close relationships with clients (like NBA star Cuttino Mobley) but provoked a sometimes-visceral reaction from viewers, including The Soup host Joel McHale. Now, as the real estate reality show returns tonight, Rogers talked to Movieline about his reputation, growing up lonely, the weirdest recognition he's ever received, and hanging out with 95-year-old Jack LaLanne.

How will your second season on Million Dollar Listing differ from your first?

I have a daughter. And I don't want to give away too much, but she's the cutest thing you've ever seen in your life.

You had a kid?

Well, no, I didn't say a "child," I said I have a "daughter." She's very cute and very furry.

That's unfortunate if it's a real child. Does your pet affect business for you? She runs into a house, secures you a deal, and you run out with the papers?

I think you're onto something. Well, in the real estate market that's going down, down, down, you need to use everything you can to bring in clients and listings. So my daughter opens up the doors and I close them.

Tell me about your relationship with the other agents on the show, Josh Flagg and Madison Hildebrand. You must have some sort of fondness for one another, since you have to interact for Bravo promotional stuff.

The key word there is "have to." Let's put it this way, I'm respectful. I'm respectful of everyone, and we need to keep it professional. Honestly, with those guys, I don't really know them. I began to know them after the show, but it's just... you know, it's personalities, and the business is very competitive, and that definitely comes into play. But I'm a positive person, so I keep it real. You'll have to watch the show to see how real I keep it. I keep everything balanced, and you'll know what that means when you delve into the series.

Does being recognized from television help or hurt you in the real estate game?

I haven't achieved any recognition! I have people coming up to me, and they want to touch my hair. That's how much recognition I get. Last night I was at Jack LaLanne's birthday party, and bless his soul, he's 95. A lady came up to me and she said, "You know what's going on with the two houses on Sunset and Beverly Hills?" I'm like, "The ones on Alpine and Sunset?" If you know those, they're monstrosities. She said, "Yeah, I live right on Rexford and Sunset.'" I was like, "I'd be more than happy to back you on it," and she said, "I figured Chad Rogers was the best person to ask." Now, I didn't even know this woman, so... the show is the best advertising I could ever imagine.

This begs an important question: What were you doing at Jack LaLanne's birthday party?

He's definitely a personality, and he's an expert with all of his informercials, and weight-lifting and everything. So I thought that it'd be nice to meet him and say hi. He's definitely a very interesting person. Obviously you've seen his informercials at 2 a.m.

What's the wildest thing you've had to do for a client?

I'll really do anything that's legal. But the wildest thing? It has to do with laser. And that's all I'll say. Just remember the word "laser." I like having people use their imagination, because you'll definitely get a kick out of it when you see it.

Who is the better real estate agent: Madison or Josh?

Are either of them on my show? [Laughs.] Definitely, hands down, Madison. He's the best of the two. Madison, like myself, definitely uses a business approach to real estate. He has an office. He has an assistant. He just takes everything very seriously, to another level.

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