EXCLUSIVE: Kristen Taekman on Being 'Too Normal' for 'Real Housewives' and Getting Her Privacy Back

Kristen Taekman is out of the reality TV trenches.

“That is a really good way to put it,” the star tells ET. “I am out of the trenches. All my Army gear's off. I put the helmet down, I took off my military jacket.”

Kristen exited The Real Housewives of New York after two seasons last year. We recently caught up with the 39-year-old model at YouTube Space NY, where she joked that she was just “too normal” for reality TV.

“I loved every minute of it,” Kristen admits. “I just don't think I really fit in! And I think that's OK … You only want so much normal. Two years of normal, people can take, but then they're like, where's the crazy, you know? She needs to drink more!”

WATCH: Heather Thomson Explains Why She Left RHONY

Kristen made the choice to step away from the Bravo hit after her friend, Heather Thomson, announced she was leaving the show following its season seven finale. Kristen’s exit also came as she and her husband of 10 years, Josh, were dealing with the Ashley Madison hack. Josh’s name appeared in the data leak last fall. He has since issued a public apology.

Kristen says she and Josh have moved on from that scandal, adding that it only made them “100 percent” stronger as a couple.

“I just feel like, you know, looking back, I know my truth, and our truth, and our relationship,” she notes. “I just feel like I'm not on a reality TV show anymore, and I don't have to explain it to anybody. So, that's kind of how I'm leaving it.”

Kristen Taekman Plays 'Explain the 'Gram' With Her Semi-Nude Beach Pics

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But just because Kristen’s done being a “real housewife,” that doesn't mean she’s not still a fan of the franchise. The star confesses she’s watching the new season of New York.

“I just, I left off with them, so I kind of wanted to see where they picked up,” Kristen says. “I felt like I was still sort of part of it, kind of … You still feel part of it, but you're removed and it's, like, fun to see what all the girls are doing, but without the drama.”

“Josh and I were watching it, and there was a moment where I was like, ‘Oh my gosh!’” Kristen continues. “He was like, 'Oh my god, that's crazy! I can't wait to get through this commercial.’ But at the same time, I said to him, that's her life! That's real.”

WATCH: Ramona Singer Opens Up About Kristen and Josh Taekman’s Recent Vow Renewal

While she doesn’t long for the real-life drama, there are parts of the show Kristen cops to missing.

“It was sort of like a sorority,” she shares. “You have this group of girlfriends, and you see each other all the time ... it was a cool moment … we were always getting together all the time and doing really fun things.”

“It was kind of nice to get together with girlfriends five to six times a week for five months,” Kristen adds. “Like, when else do you get to do that? Dressing up, having fun, doing fun makeup, cool hair. It was great.”

The mom of two is still having fun with dressing up, and playing with hair and makeup, though. She documents all things fashion and beauty on her blog, Last Night’s Look, and recently expanded her Pop of Color nail polish line to include lip colors -- available in select retailers and online.

Keep up with Kristen on Twitter and Instagram, and check out the current drama of The Real Housewives of New York every Wednesday night on Bravo at 9 p.m. ET. Check out the video below to find out why we think season eight might be the series’ best yet.

'RHONY' Post-Mortem: 6 Reasons This Is Going to Be the Best Season Ever

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