"You're the mean one": When Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary revealed the story behind his "signature look"

Shark Tank mentor Kevin O'Leary appeared on Erika Kullberg's podcast on August 22, 2023. During their discussion, they covered topics such as how to make your first million dollars, Kevin O'Leary's advice for all the CEOs, and more.

One of the segments on the podcast was about how a black suit became the Shark Tank mentor's "signature look." When the female host asked Mr Wonderful about it, he revealed:

"There was a wardrobe person at Shark Tank set in year four, and they said, look. I think you're you're the mean one. Why don't we just get you in black? You know? I said, okay. That's fine."

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When Shark Tank mentor Kevin O'Leary recalled how a black suit became his "signature look" on the ABC reality series

Mr Wonderful, while in talks with Erika Kullberg on her podcast episode Lessons from the Shark: Kevin O'Leary's Top Tips for Business Success, recalled an incident. It was about his signature look on the reality show. He mentioned the fourth year of the show when someone from the costumes referred to him as "the mean one."

After they suggested he dress up in "black", Kevin agreed; it became his signature look. Also, he wore his blue suit and a yellow tie during his Good Morning America segment promotional filming with fellow Shark, Barbara Corcoran. He thought it was "very striking" and that he looked "terrific."

However, Barbara thought otherwise, as she told him:

"And she said, wait a minute. What's that? I said, well, it's what I'm wearing today. She said, no. You're not. There's something called a q score that exists in television. People don't like it when they're expecting one thing and they get another."

He added:

"She said, go back to the hotel and put on your Shark Tank uniform. I said, you gotta be kidding. She said, no. I'm not. I don't wanna see something that no one's seen before. I wanna see you in your Shark Tank outfit."

Later on, it was the same year when Kevin O'Leary wore a wristwatch with a "gold band" on it. But he was asked to wear the one with a "red band" on it. All the watches he had worn for the past three years had had red bands.

Sharing more about the red wristwatches, he stated that he was supposed to wear a red band and a black suit along with a white shirt, black tie, and tie pin for editing purposes. He also stated how later on, in the watch community, it became "pretty legendary." Hence, Kevin hadn't bought watches on which he couldn't put red bands.

Further, the podcast discussed how much of his Shark Tank "character" is the persona versus his "real" self.

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Fans can follow Kevin O'Leary via his socials and learn more about his latest ventures, business tips, and wristwatch collection with red bands.