I think there a lot of people out there that believe Philip and Steph are an item. There‘s times I question it, but I tend to sit more in the “they watch Netflix in bed together, drink wine, and fall asleep“ camp, it seems like they’re more playing it up for the camera. Their relationship is a tricky one to analyze. Her and Petherdick played up this ”flirty” image for the camera, one that would appeal to the masses and appeal to his audience, probably made of mostly older women and lot of them bought those two as an item. People see what they want. Although many of us knew, or had a hunch Michael was gay from the get go, he didn’t refute the comments about himself and Steph. It was helping his brand, so why deny it. He was probably worried about losing his more conservative fans and the money they were sending him. In reality, if he’d just been open from the start, he would have found most people really don’t care that much about his sexuality, as that’s not what drew them to the channel to begin with, and it probably would have brought in more money from his LGBTQ fans. Who can say? It’s just how I see it.
On to Philip and Steph and their odd dynamic. Here’s what I see… A 49 year old woman with the mental capacity of a 15 year old, a 24 year old man with the mental capacity of a 15 year old. They live like they are constantly on a shopping spree with Daddy’s credit card. They enjoy sleepovers, makeovers, shopping montages in teenage flicks, being the center of attention, and partying because Mom and Dad are away on a perma-vacation. I get a protective vibe from Philip, like Steph is his responsibility. Steph enjoys his company because he’s non-threatening and loves all the stuff she loves. They bond over ridiculous outfits, Napoleanic furniture, porcelain, linens, silverware and are kindred spirits. I don’t get a sexual vibe from either one of them, in fact they both seem like they’d be quite frigid in bed. Steph tries to be sexy, but always misses the mark, like an actor who lacks any acting skills, “Note to self, research ’how to flirt’”, “Hey Siri, what do sexy people wear?”. She very ‘I’m taking tips from my mom’s Cosmopolitan magazine’. Philip is the same way but in an ill fitted suit and taking tips from ‘Redbook’ and ’Martha Stewart Magazine’. The funny thing is, I don’t think he’s 100% gay, I get the feeling that he morphed into this vision of what Steph wants him to be, like a ‘Talented Mr. Ripley’ situation. She wants a BFF to galavant around Europe with, pretending to be actors in some high society film from the ’40s and ‘50s, just playing make-believe day in and day out. Again, just how I see it.
Now, MPK and Philip being together
. Nope, it’s clear they can’t stand each other! That Cadeaux when they filmed together was awkward AF! I was waiting for Philip to strangle Michael. Then when they had to play nice for the camera, making garlic bread, again super uncomfortable to watch. As I said, Philip is protective over Steph, I imagine he saw through Michael’s phony persona and saw the actual habitual manipulator. Besides, Michael clearly likes his boys butch and bronzed.