Ross Mathews defends 'The View' hosts, dishes on celeb encounters in new book, 'Name Drop'

Ross Mathews has met and befriended many a celebrity over his nearly two decades in television, from "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" to "RuPaul's Drag Race" – and now he's cluing in readers on his most coveted superstar interactions in his new book, "Name Drop: The Really Good Celebrity Stories I Usually Only Tell at Happy Hour," (Atria Books, 224 pp.) out Tuesday.

"It’s weird that I live in a world where I know that Lady Gaga knows my name," an ever-bubbly and energetic Mathews told USA TODAY over the phone. "I’ll never get over that."

While his book highlights fun celebrity interactions, including Lady Gaga, Rosie O'Donnell and others, it doesn't shy away from trying moments either, like the time he accidentally called Elizabeth Taylor "Dame Edna" or when he said Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc were rude to him on-air. Mathews also invites readers into a difficult time in his family life.

We chatted with Mathews ahead of the book's release to get the scoop.

On all 'The View' hate: 'Chill out'

Mathews dished about all things "The View," including how he once co-hosted about 10 times in a three-week period and that he was close to getting offered a (literal) seat at the table before a staffing shake-up – hosts Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy getting the boot –ruined his chances.

He's friends with some of the current crew, including Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and Meghan McCain. He said it's a blessing in disguise he wasn't cast and that he doesn't understand why people online get so upset about the series' divisive nature.

"If you don’t want to hear views, don’t watch it," Mathews says. "Chill out."

The Omarosa of it all

He competed with Omarosa Manigault Newman on the first season of CBS' "Celebrity Big Brother," which aired in February 2018 (Marissa Jaret Winokur won, and Mathews placed second). He says she's the best of the best when it comes to reality television (something that helped her fit in well when she worked for former "The Apprentice" star himself, President Donald Trump).

Mathews remembers an intense moment in the "Big Brother" kitchen where he stood up to her. There was a pause as they stared in each other’s eyes. "Oh God, that was such great TV," she said, then smiled and walked away.

"I think Omarosa knows exactly what she’s doing at all times," he said.

What's ahead on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'

Mathews still can't believe he gets to sit next to celebrities as a judge on "RuPaul's Drag Race" – he's appeared on 10 seasons so far. And the new season he'll judge (season 12) is set to premiere on Feb. 28, in addition to a new upcoming season of the show's "All Stars." .

"It feels like the culture kind of caught up to what our show is," Mathews said of the Emmy-winning reality series, noting the new seasons are his favorite yet. He cheered the fact that queens have grown up with their show for more than a decade – imbuing them with creativity since they were young.

"Imagine what they can do without having ever wasted any time thinking 'is there a place that I fit in?'" Mathews said.

'I think life brings balances'

His book isn't all celebrity-focused though: There's a section devoted to the night he was working on live TV for New Year's Eve in 2003, and how he kept working even after finding out his father only had a few weeks to live.

"It was important for me to show it’s not all sunshines and cotton candy and French kisses," Mathews said of the more harrowing material.

Right now, his mother is battling cancer – something he reflected on while reading back the chapter about his father, realizing he'd have to again summon strength as he embarks on a book tour across the country beginning Tuesday in New York.

He was coming out of a breakup and dealing with his mom's illness while writing the book.

"I think life brings balances," he said. "There are extraordinary blessings in my life, but there’s also such great pain."

As for stories that didn't make the book? He has one about Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, that he "can't believe" he forgot to add. If you want to hear it, he said you'll have to buy the first one so he can write a sequel.

In case you want more 'The View': 'The View': Jameela Jamil talks cancel culture, privilege and Whoopi Goldberg obsession

There's always a cast shake-up: Abby Huntsman addresses 'The View' exit: 'This has been a dream come true'

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The View,' Omarosa topics in new Ross Mathews book, 'Name Drop'