In perhaps the most bizarre celebrity crossover Hollywood has ever seen, Hugh Grant has addressed claims that he once made out with a star of The Real Housewives of New York.

Luann de Lesseps — who was a castmate on the reality TV series for thirteen seasons — recalled an alleged romantic interaction she had with the British heartthrob in a recent interview with Too Fab. According to de Lesseps, known simply as ‘The Countess’ among fans, the meet-cute occurred when, years ago, she decided to dine at a Hamptons restaurant called Pierre’s, after hearing from a friend that Grant was there. 

“I called [the restaurant] and said, ‘Get the table right next to Hugh Grant,’” de Lesseps recalled, “I said, ‘Let’s go.'” Once at the restaurant, de Lesseps initiated what she called a “flirting 101” ploy that involved her ‘accidently’ bumping into Grant while pushing out her chair (you know, classic romcom stuff). Feigning regret, de Lesseps said she then apologized to the Notting Hill star and offered to buy him a shot as compensation. 

“I go, ‘I’m so sorry, can I buy you a shot? I feel terrible,'” the reality star claimed. “He goes, ‘Okay, but I’ll come have a shot with you if you do one with me.'” By de Lesseps’ , the manufactured meet-cute actually worked, and the night progressed to the point where the pair were “taking shots and making out … heavily at the table,” she claimed. Just hours after airing the details of the supposed story, Grant responded… though he recalls the tale a little differently. 

In a post shared on X, the Heretic actor itted that he does “ meeting a charming RHNY in a restaurant,” but took time to stress that the encounter “was about 15 years ago.” Since it happened so long ago, Grant’s memory of the interaction is understandably hazy, but he did say that he does not “recall shots or kissing.” While that dashes our hopes of a strange new power couple, Grant did leave the door somewhat open in of the validity of de Lesseps’ , saying “her memory might be better than mine.” 

Grant choosing not to outright deny the interaction gives us hope that perhaps something titillating happened between the pair, but Grant isn’t the only A-lister that de Lesseps’ sought to get frisky with. In the same Too Fab interview, the RHONY castmate revealed that she was once hell-bent on having a romantic encounter with Gerard Butler, and almost had the chance when the pair shared an elevator many years ago. However, as de Lesseps recalled, Butler was in a relationship at the time, so her mission could not be completed (there’s still time, girl!). 

Interestingly, the broader Housewives and Bravo universe is filled with castmates who have likewise claimed to be involved with major A-listers. Vanderpump Rules’ Jax Taylor previously claimed he’d slept with Lindsay Lohan (though she shot down the rumor), while Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Brandi Glanville once dated both Butler and Ben Stiller. Elsewhere, Teddi Mellencamp, also of RHOBH, said she slept with Matt Damon, and de Lesseps’ RHONY co-star Carole Radziwill was once linked to George Clooney.

The reality TV stan in me hopes that one day all those names will make cameos on The Real Housewives franchise, and sit in awe like the rest of us as they inevitably throw wine glasses at each other. Talk about an Oscar-worthy performance!

For almost two decades, The Real Housewives franchise has graced our airwaves with a never-ending onslaught of petty feuds, high-stakes melodrama and luxurious, eye-watering escapism.

The crown jewel of the Bravo network, The Real Housewives has sustained its loud-mouthed run by offering an insight into the lives of ladies who lunch from regions all across the country, be it the glitz and glamor of Beverly Hills or the frosty mountains of Salt Lake City. 

Spawning countless catchphrases that have seeped into the pop culture vocabulary and creating a universe on par with (or even better than) Marvel’s, The Real Housewives is a touchstone of reality television and society writ large.

In celebration of this beloved franchise (can you tell I’m a fan?), we’re sorting through all the staple iterations of The Real Housewives, ranked from worst to best. 

9. The Real Housewives of Dubai

Given that it is the most recently-launched iteration, RHOD needs some time to establish itself before it can reach the heights of its peers. The first season was entertaining enough, and heralded a bonafide star in the form of castmate Chanel Ayan, but we need to let the friendships develop before anything truly jaw-dropping can occur.  

8. The Real Housewives of Potomac

In its heyday, RHOP certainly would’ve been higher on this list. Seasons one to five are top-tier, and established the ladies of Potomac as somewhat novel given the relative obscurity of their hometown. However, even the most diehard of fans will it that the last few seasons of this once-beloved show have been lacklustre, thanks in large part to an assortment of women who simply refuse to move past their issues (ahem, Gizelle). Bravo’s recent cast shake-up might help this fan favorite franchise rise the ranks once more. 

7. The Real Housewives of New Jersey

I’ll it that having RHNJ so far down the list is bound to ruffle a few feathers, especially given that this iteration is home perhaps the most iconic moment across the entire franchise (Theresa Guidice’s table-flip). But, like RHOP before it, the ladies of New Jersey are suffering from a stalemate that has slowed the momentum of the show, forcing tired storylines to continue without resolution. We hope the most recent season’s lack of a reunion isn’t the final nail in the coffin. 

6. The Real Housewives of Orange County

It’s the franchise that started it all, but it’s also the franchise that suffers from a lack of consistency. RHOC has certainly had its golden years (who can forget the Cancer-gate scandal that rocked the reality TV universe?), but it languished during the pandemic, and its rotating door of castmates in recent years (good riddance, Kelly Dodd) has left it feeling untethered. The return of staples like Heather Dubrow and Tamra Judge, however, has made it feel as though things are looking up.

5. The Real Housewives of Atlanta

This is again a case of the near-perfect earlier seasons making up for the more recent dull ones. RHOA is undoubtedly the funniest of all Housewives franchises, and is home to quotable moments that are surprisingly applicable in everyday life (“gone with the wind fabulous”), but the departure of Bravo icons like NeNe Leakes, Kenya Moore, and Kandi Burruss has left RHOA struggling to rediscover its footing.   

4. The Real Housewives of New York City

Seasons one to ten of RHONY should be studied and hung in the Louvre, but even that isn’t enough of a tribute to the sheer brilliance of this show from 2008 to 2018. Every single Housewife was perfectly cast, delivered hilarious antics, and kept the drama consistently engaging. It also boasted the franchise’s best backdrop in the Big Apple, and created household names like Bethenney Frankel. 

Unfortunately, the declining quality of this unanimously adored franchise saw Bravo’s biggest fall from grace, resulting in a recent reboot with an entirely new cast. While they have Herman Munster-sized shoes to fill, the new ladies of NYC show lots of promise, so here’s hoping those glory days return soon enough.

3. The Real Housewives of Miami

RHOM came back from a years-long hiatus firing on all cylinders. Since its return to screens in 2021, the show has not faltered, somehow outdoing itself with consistently captivating seasons. The cast is pitch-perfect, the drama is enticing, and the Miami lifestyle is fabulously enviable. It’s an underrated iteration, but it deserves all the flowers and then some. 

2. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Housewives fans should stop and take stock, because we are currently in the midst of RHOSLC’s glory days and we need to savour every minute. Despite entering the Housewives universe somewhat recently, the ladies of Salt Lake City have not yet put a foot wrong. It is undoubtedly the most outlandish franchise — with a cast that feels like a parody or caricature of what it means to be a Housewife — but that’s what makes it so fun. 

Oh, it’s also home to the franchise’s most juicy storylines. Jail time for federal crimes, alleged religious cults, and running troll social media s are all just par for the course in Salt Lake City.

1. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

I will concede that RHOB might not be the most jaw-droppingly dramatic Housewives franchise, but something about it is consistently engaging, to the point where each new season maintains, or sometimes supersedes, the quality of its predecessor.

It gets points for having the starriest and richest cast, from child actors to Bond girls and restaurateurs, as well as for boasting the franchise’s best ratings. When someone wants to start the Herculean task of watching Housewives for the first time, you probably suggest RHOB — and for good reason. 

The Real Housewives series has been a Bravo institution since it first began airing in 2006 and though it has gone through several iterations over the years, the franchise remains our guilty pleasure to this day. If we’re being honest, we do have favorite housewives and so does longtime executive producer Andy Cohen, who finally shared which housewives he likes the most.

In Nov. 2023, Cohen sat down with Alex Cooper on her Call Her Daddy podcast for an interview in front of a live audience. The television personality mostly made headlines for his candor in discussing his intimate life — apparently, he’s a “daddy” in the bedroom so the podcast appearance is apt — but he also got candid about his favorite housewives.

This isn’t the first time someone asked Cohen, who also hosts the show’s reunions, which housewives he likes best; it is, however, the first time he’s answered.

Which housewives does Andy Cohen like the best?

The resident king of Bravo shared his favorite housewives of all time are “the ones [he has] the longest history with.” He could’ve left it there but Cohen chose this moment to finally stop being coy and named “Vicki, Tamra, Teresa, Luann” as his favorite housewives.

Those who’ve kept up with the Real Housewives over the years will recognize these woman as Vicki Gunvalson (Real Housewives of Orange County), Tamra Judge (Real Housewives of Orange County), Teresa Giudice (Real Housewives of New Jersey), and Luann de Lesseps (Real Housewives of New York).

I can’t fault Cohen for having favorites, especially when he’s known these women as long as he has. Though, I must confess I’m a bit disappointed he didn’t include NeNe Leakes or musical icon Erika Jayne on his list.

You can keep up with Cohen by watching his Bravo talk show Watch What Happens Live! with Andy Cohen.

The 14th season of The Real Housewives of New York City has concluded on Bravo, and it was quite the whirlwind. The confident women brought all of the drama to the table, leaving fans captivated and ready for more. The show was made better by the fact that it returned with its rebooted cast of six new , which includes the outspoken single socialite Brynn Whitfield.

While the hyped cast of the reality show continues to generate interest, it is Whitfield who is attracting a big chunk of the attention. This has caused many to wonder what is the age of RHONY’s newbie. 

How old is RHONY’s Brynn Whitfield?

A communications professional with a ion for yoga and throwing dinner parties, Whitfield was born on Feb. 8, 1987, which makes her 36 years old (as per The Real Housewives wiki page). At 36, Whitfield, along with Erin Dana Lichy, is the youngest member of season 14 of The Real Housewives of New York City.

Apart from recognizing herself as a “trophy wife in training,” Whitfield has also shared with People the possibility of being seen as the new season’s “villain” as sometimes she takes her jokes a “little too far.” 

“I’m gonna hide my tail. I wouldn’t say ‘villain,’ I think I’m just fun. Maybe a little bit. I’m fun. Like, you know, everyone don’t be so serious. Be chill.”

Where to watch RHONY

After the canceled season 13 — which was a by-product of a multitude of controversies — it was decided to purge the former cast and add new faces to RHONY, beginning its journey from scratch.

The newly-minted season has faced backlash for dumping its original theme set in place in 2008 in favor of enticing a younger audience. Despite this, the reboot has become successful and is now available to stream in its entirety on Peacock.

Fans of The Real Housewives Of New York braced for impact when the original cast of the beloved show was announced to be coming back together for The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy!

While waiting for the show’s premiere, there was plenty of time to look at all of these beloved stars and everything they got up to before making this special comeback. This made it impossible to ignore how Kristen Taekman’s wife Josh was embroiled in controversy, and stands accused of cheating on her. So whatever happened with Josh, and are the couple still together?

Everything we know about Josh Taekman

According to his own LinkedIn page, Josh is “an early innovator in the natural supplement and wellness space” as well as “active in the investor community” which is how he made his money. He is the CEO of EBOOST, a company that makes energy drinks, pre- and post-workout products, and other energy- boosting consumables. He’s also a big part of the music scene: having co-founded Bad Boy Entertainment, which released albums from artists like Notorious B.I.G.. And because hey, who doesn’t need to have three jobs at the same time, Josh also sits on the board of directors for the Playing For Change Foundation.

Josh married Kristen in 2005, and the couple have since eelcomed two children. Cassius Taekman was born in 2010, and Kingsley Taekman was born in 2013. Just two years after Kingsley’s birth, a scandal hit the internet that could have shattered this marriage apart.

Did Josh Taekman cheat on his wife Kristen?

In 2015 a group known as The Impact Team claimed they had stolen data from Ashley Madison, a website designed to help extramarital affairs. They leaked pieces of the information threatening to put the rest online if the website didn’t shut down. When those demands weren’t met, they released over 60 gigabytes of data online, including the names and addresses of many customers. One of those names was Josh Taekman’s.

To be fair, simply ing the site does not necessarily mean that Josh was actually adulterous, it’s just undeniably scummy and concerning. At the time, Josh released this statement to People:

“I signed up for the site foolishly and ignorantly with a group of friends and I deeply apologize for any embarrassment or pain I have brought to my wife and family. We both look forward to moving past this and getting on with our lives.”

The full details of the Ashley Madison scandal were detailed in the documentary The Ashley Madison Affair, though it didn’t go into the specific details on every celebrity couple suddenly unmasked by the leak.

Did Josh Taekman and Kristen Taekman stay together?

In the end, the Ashley Madison scandal wasn’t enough to tear their marriage apart. Kristen would leave The Real Housewives Of New York to focus on her family, which seems to have turned out well for her. As she told The Daily Dish, “My relationship is stronger than ever and I think it’s good. I think that every relationship for sure has its ups and downs whether it’s marriage, dating, friendships. I’ve had my ups and downs with friendships too. Yeah, I think it’s good and it does make you stronger.”

Josh seems to have kept himself dedicated to his marriage as well, posting on Instagram, “Happy Anniversary to the most amazing wife, mother and partner 16 years until eternity.”

Bravo fans have by now acclimated to the all-new cast on the current reboot season of The Real Housewives of New York City, but how will they fare when the franchise’s former faces reunite for the imminent spinoff of Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy?

It’s a question that has plagued the fandom ever since RHONY’s old cast was uniformly given the boot in 2020, making way for a new swathe of new Housewives like Brynn Whitfield and Jenna Lyons. Now, as that reboot season reaches its reunion, attention has turned to Ultimate Girls Trip for a long-awaited serving of familiar former RHONY castmates Ramona Singer, Kelly Bensimon and Sonja Morgan, among others.

So, when does The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy premiere, and who has ed the cast for the fourth instalment of the beloved spinoff?

When does The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy premiere?

While an official premiere date for RHONY Legacy has yet to be announced, we do know that the series will be available to start streaming on Peacock in December, 2023. This release window was a replacement for Ex-Wives Club 2, a separate Ultimate Girls Trip series originally set for release this year but later pushed back to 2024.

Ahead of the premiere date, Peacock has released the first teaser trailer for RHONY Legacy, taking viewers to the shores of St. Barts, where the season was filmed. The teaser makes mention of each Housewife who will star in Legacy, including Singer, Bensimon, Morgan, Luann de Lesseps, Kristen Taekman and Dorinda Medley.

Each of these Housewives formed part of the cast of the original RHONY, which ran for 13 seasons before undergoing a complete reboot for the current 14th instalment. While details around what exactly went down on the Legacy trip remain under wraps, we do know from previous Ultimate Girls Trip seasons that the formula will likely include arguing, tanning, and drama around which Housewife gets the best room in their five-star villa.

For their part, Singer and de Lesseps starred in all seasons of the original RHONY before its reboot, while Morgan ed the franchise in season 3. Bensimon and Taekman were both new New York Housewives for two seasons, while Medley enjoyed a six-season run on the Bravo series.

RHONY Legacy marks the fourth instalment of the Ultimate Girls Trip spinoff, which brings together housewives from diverse cities and franchises in what can only be compared to Avengers for Bravo fans. Season 1 of Girls Trip was home to housewives who’d been on their respective franchises from the very beginning, and season 2 featured a cast of fired housewives.

When the new cast of The Real Housewives of New York City was announced, excitement was abound. The reboot felt like a fresh start, with a more diverse ensemble of ladies than we’d ever seen in all the years the show was on. As it turns out, though, not all the cast made it onto the screen.

Lizzy Savetsky is now known as the housewife who never was, having left RHONY after filming began. As a result, her face never got to appear on the show, although true fans are all very aware of her casting. Following the ever-developing events of reality TV can be tiring, but it’s undoubtedly necessary to satisfy folks’ curiosity.

While most know Savetsky’s name by now, they may not know much about her personal life, or exactly why she quit the show. Situations like this can be tricky, but luckily, Savetsky has made it a point to speak out on the subject and give her version of events. That said, first things first.

Who is Lizzy Savetsky?

While becoming a RHONY cast member would certainly have skyrocketed Lizzy Savetsky’s popularity, that doesn’t mean she’s not doing well for herself. Born in Texas, this would-be housewife is a digital influencer (when are they not?), with a website that she uses to “advocate for causes that are close to her heart.”

Savetsky is also known for using her social media platforms to share lifestyle content, especially regarding fashion and motherhood. The influencer has three children and is currently married to Ira Savetsky, a plastic surgeon. If you followed her on social media, you’d already know that, as she often posts videos and photos with her family.

Why did Lizzy Savetsky leave The Real Housewives of New York City?

The news about Savetsky’s departure from RHONY came as a shock to many, especially when we dive into the reasoning behind the situation. As she explained in a statement, Savetsky was allegedly being a victim of antisemitism and because of that, she opted to quit the show. The influencer didn’t specify who those attacks were coming from, but it’s safe to assume that they happened online.

On top of that, Page Six indicates that Savetsky left after a disagreement with her fellow cast mate, Brynn Whitfield, that involved a discussion about racial slurs. In a statement given to People, Bravo had much less to say about her departure, claiming it was the result of an agreement between both parties.

By now, The Real Housewives of New York City fans have become familiar with the all-new cast of the franchise’s reboot 14th season. Now, at episode eight, we’ve acclimated to new locales, fresh faces, and frustratingly unnamed restaurants, as well as all the petty dramas that ensue whenever someone serves shakshuka at the totally gauche time of 8am.

The onset of a reboot season has brought with it a rollercoaster ride in of ratings and viewership. As with any long-running franchise, there’s a need for changes to the formula to ensure its continued success, but the case for RHONY is particularly tricky given the all-star status of its former cast.

After all, it’s not every day you come across outlandish characters like Soja Morgan or (Countess) Luann de Lesseps. So, how is the current season of RHONY faring in of ratings?

How is this season of ‘RHONY’ doing in the ratings?

The premiere episode of RHONY season 14 drew in 672,000 live viewers (according to TV Deets). The total rose to 1.7 million viewers when ing for digital platforms and Peacock views.

When combined with the audience who later sat down for Sonja and Luann: Welcome to Crappie Lake, the RHONY premiere made for Bravo’s second-highest Sunday night viewership of 2023, a respectable feat for a cast of as-yet amateur housewives.

The premiere remains RHONY’s season-high episode, but the ratings begin to dwindle somewhat from there. Episodes two, six, and seven drew in a live audience of 500,000 or more, with episode six amassing the most viewers within that period (558,000).

The remaining installments (episodes three, four, and five) are among the season’s lowest-rated, each drawing in around 475,000 live views or less. Episode five’s haul of 439,000 was not only the season’s worst-performing but also the lowest-rated episode in RHONY‘s 15-year run.

How do the ratings compare to the former RHONY?

It remains to be seen whether RHONY’s reboot season can ever reach the lofty heights of its predecessor, which averaged over 800,000 live views even in a lackluster final season without a reunion.

In fact, much of the cast of the former RHONY contributed to seasons that are among Bravo’s most successful across all franchises, with its debut season averaging 916,000 live views per episode.

While introducing an all-new cast has been divisive among RHONY fans — with some lamenting the loss of former icons and others welcoming fresh faces — it takes time before a completely rebooted show finds its footing.

We’ll see whether the reboot cast can sur their Housewife foremothers as episodes continue to air every Sunday at 9pm on Bravo.

Residents of the Bravo-verse have enjoyed a fresh serving of drama as the 14th season of The Real Housewives of New York City continues to unfold, with petty arguments and about as many faux mink coats as there are actual minks in the wild.

The surprising new centre of the drama — which has come to include shakshuka-gate and the name of a particular NYC restaurant — is newbie Housewife Jenna Lyons, who caught flak in the eighth episode after jetting off to the group trip a few days early to get a tan before her fellow castmates arrived.

So how, exactly, did Lyons’ early arrival to Aguilla ruffle the feathers (or mink furs) of her fellow Housewives? And how did her Incontinentia Pigmenti diagnosis play into all the drama?

What is Jenna Lyons’ disease?

Jenna Lyons was diagnosed with Incontinentia Pigmenti when she was just several months old. The rare genetic disorder, which affects around two in every 100,000 people worldwide, impacts the development of the skin, teeth, hair and nails, as well the central nervous system.

Lyons has been open about how the disease impacts her hair, teeth and skin, both during her time on RHONY and in separate interviews. In the most recent episode, Lyons revealed that the condition has left her with bald spots and hyperpigmentation in certain areas of her skin, and has resulted in the need for 14 oral surgeries.

On top of the rashes and lesions common on the skin of those with Incontinentia Pigmenti, Lyons was told that most of her teeth would fall out, so opted for an implant process that’s taken six years for the top row of teeth alone. The former president of J. Crew retailers has also taken cosmetic steps — like wearing wigs and false lashes — to combat hair loss.

“Listen, I’m more comfortable with myself than I used to be,” Lyons told Oprah Daily of the self-image issues attached to her condition. “But I am just as insecure as the next person, and there are a lot of things I still hide.”

How does Jenna Lyons’ disease play out on RHONY?

Fans’ earliest insight into Lyons’ struggle with Incontinentia Pigmenti arrived in episode two, when she declined to model gifted lingerie while visiting Erin Lechy’s Sag Harbour home. “This will not be happening in front of anybody,” Lyons told her castmates. “You will see behind closed doors why I cannot.”

Lyons’ disorder took more of a front row seat in the drama on the most recent episode, as it was (partly) the motive for her arriving at the group trip to Aguilla earlier than the other Housewives. By getting in an early tan to lessen her hyperpigmentation, Lyons could feel more confident prancing around the beach, with the earlier business class plane ticket being an added bonus.

Naturally, choosing to forgo the commute with the other Housewives subjected Lyons to ‘diva’ accusations, which fans will see the fallout of as the remaining episodes of RHONY unfold. The Real Housewives of New York City airs every Sunday at 9pm on Bravo.

One of the six new faces who ed The Real Housewives of New York City season 14 lineup after the lackluster curtain call of season 13 was Brynn Whitfield, who has now charmed everyone with her allure just seven episodes in. The internet is in a full-blown Brynn frenzy, hanging on to every move of the 36-year-old NYC socialite. But Brynn Whitfield has a whole trove of surprises beyond her surface-level charm.

Whitfield doesn’t just sit around the house. She catapulted herself to success early in life with her unwavering work ethic. She is currently dominating her career, traveling the world, and riding solo like her fellow newcomers Ubah Hassan and Jenna Lyons from this season. But how much is she worth and where does her income come from?

Since Whitfield’s fame currently revolves around her Bravo persona, there is little information available about her exact wealth. However, the Indiana native has an estimated net worth of around $3 million (via Distractify), allowing her to live her high life in NYC and fuel her ion for fashion. Although Whitfield playfully refers to herself as a “trophy wife in training,” her educational achievements and impressive track record prove that she’s actually far from needing such a role.

How does Brynn Whitfield make money?

Whitfield was a prosperous marketing and communications professional leading an opulent lifestyle in the city of dreams prior to her rise to stardom on RHONY season 14. She was raised by her grandmother Darlene, in the Midwest, and graduated from Indiana’s Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, and advertising in 2008. Whitfield also has a minor in political science and enrolled at George Washington University to study political management after graduation.

According to Whitfield’s LinkedIn page, she has since held a dozen roles in her field including senior s executive at Edelman, director at Murphy O’Brien Public Relations, PR lead at Assembly, and many more. The multitude of her talents also includes yoga, having become an instructor in the discipline after completing a 200-hour yoga diploma course in 2019.

She eventually went freelance in Sept. 2022 and has since been traveling the world and influencing everyone with her fashion and lifestyle. A huge chunk of her money also comes from her social media, now that she has a huge following across those avenues. Whitfield currently has an impressive 217K followers count on Instagram, where she mentions “Corporate Comms & Marketing Consultant” as her profession in the bio.

Though Whitfield herself has not spoken much about her assets and wealth, she frequently gives insights into her personal life including her family history, biracial identity, upbringing, and more on the set of RHONY. Catch her in new episodes every Sunday!

The Real Housewives franchise is extremely popular within the LGBTQ+ community due to its depiction of strong female personalities and the iconic, camp humor that results from the series’ dramatic storylines. Despite the diversity of its core fandom, the Real Housewives cast tends to be synonymous with ideas of heterosexuality and gender norms.

There is some truth to this, as the majority of “housewives” on the show are married to men and fit the stereotype of a heterosexual woman. However, many of the housewives have been open about their same-sex attraction and identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, despite the heteronormativity of the format. Here are eight current and former housewives who fit the bill.

Taylor Armstrong (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills / Orange County)

Taylor Armstrong is one of the OG of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, with the first two seasons depicting the breakdown of her marriage to then-husband Russell Armstrong. The second season famously showcased Taylor’s divorce from Russell due to verbal and physical abuse, which Russell itted to prior to his death in August 2011.

Taylor eventually crossed over into a new series and became a cast member on The Real Housewives of Orange County in the summer of 2023. Taylor began the series with a fresh start, coming out as bisexual and opening up to the housewives about a five-year relationship with a woman. As she explained, “Most people are surprised to find out that I’m bisexual probably just because of stereotypes, I mean, it’s not something I broadcast, but I’m open to all people who have great souls that you can love”.

Noella Bergener (The Real Housewives of Orange County)

Noella Bergener had one of the briefest stints on the franchise, only serving as a main cast member on The Real Housewives of Orange County season 16. While her time on the series may have been short, she certainly had an impact on the diversity and dynamic of the show. Her casting itself was a landmark moment for RHOC, which is also the first Housewives series.

Noella was the first black housewife on RHOC and the first to be openly bisexual. In a promotional video teasing her entry into the series, Noella said “Orange County… they’ve not seen somebody like me before, I am a biracial, liberal, bisexual, bilingual woman who’s very proud and very outspoken”. Since then, other RHOC cast belonging to the LGBTQ+ community have either ed the show or have come out publicly, such as Taylor Armstrong and Braunwyn Windham.

Kandi Burruss (The Real Housewives of Atlanta)

Kandi Burruss has been on The Real Housewives of Atlanta since its second season all the way back in 2009, making her one of the longest-serving housewives and one of the most recognizable faces in the franchise. Kandi’s popularity in the series has led to multiple spin-offs, notably Kandy’s Wedding, alongside now-husband Todd Tucker, a former producer of the series. Her partner in the first series, A.J. Jewell, died in a freak accident after being punched in the head outside of a nightclub in 2009.

In season 9 of RHOA, when asked by her fellow housewives about a rumor they heard about the musician, Kandi confirmed she was attracted to both men and women. While she did not describe herself with a specific label, it is clear she identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. In a 2021 Instagram post, Kandi donned a rainbow outfit for Pride, with the photo caption “Live your life to the fullest! #HappyPrideMonth“.

Brandi Glanville (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)

Brandi Glanville quickly gained a reputation as one of the most candid cast on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and was always unashamed when discussing sexuality with her fellow housewives — even if they were a little more conservative. Similarly, Brandi has been very honest about her experiences with men and women and had a rather modern approach to her own sexual identity.

Similarly to Kandi, Brandi doesn’t go with a specific label. “I’m not a lesbian and I’m not straight,” she told HuffPost. “I don’t swing both ways, I’ve been with women and usually there’s a man involved, I have a couple times been with women where it was just us…I love beautiful people and if you’re a man you’re a man, if you’re a woman you’re a woman.” Brandi has also claimed she “fooled around” with co-star Carlton Gebbia.

Julia Lemigova (The Real Housewives of Miami)

The Real Housewives of Miami‘s Julia Lemigova made history alongside her wife, tennis legend Martina Navratilova, by becoming the first same-sex couple in the franchise. “I am thrilled [about] creating this relationship with my fans, and with people in general, and shine the light on our life, how we live — again, love has no gender,” Julia told NBC News.

The former model and Miss USSR previously identified as bisexual, and had relationships with men prior to her marriage to Navratilova. Later, she re-identified as a lesbian, also making her the first openly lesbian housewife to the franchise.

Jenna Lyons (The Real Housewives of New York City)

Fashion designer Jenna Lyons is a recent entry to The Real Housewives franchise, ing The Real Housewives of New York City in 2023. Unlike many housewives, Jenna’s sexuality was known openly in her first venture into reality television, Stylish With Jenna Lyons. The HBO series gave an insight into the life of one of the New York fashion scene’s most prominent figures.

Jenna is commonly cited as the first lesbian housewife, but that title goes to the aforementioned Julia Lemigova, who entered the franchise two years prior in 2021. In her short time on the show, Jenna has been open about coming to with her sexuality and being outed by the press after her high-publicized divorce from her husband over a decade ago. As of August 2023, she is in a relationship with photographer Cass Bird.

Denise Richards (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)

Arguably the most famous housewife prior to their time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, movie star Denise Richards had a highly-publicized marriage to fellow actor Charlie Sheen between 2002 and 2006. Previously known for her roles in the James Bond franchise, Starship Troopers, and Friends, her entrance into The Real Housewives universe in 2019 transformed her public perception.

Denise has spoken about her relationships with women prior to RHOBH, and in 2001 revealed in an interview with Howard Stern that she had a romantic relationship with an unnamed fellow actress. She has not, however, specifically identified with a certain label. Much of Denise’s time on RHOBH has centered around an alleged affair with fellow housewife Brandi Glanville. Denise has denied ever being romantically involved with her co-star, who has also been open about her relationships with women, but Brandi has continued to allege the two were in some form of relationship together.

Braunwyn Windham-Burke (The Real Housewives of Orange County)

The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Braunwyn Windham-Burke shocked her fellow housewives when she openly spoke of her romantic relationships with women as part of a series of threesomes she had with her husband. At the time, she did not label herself as part of the LGBTQ+ spectrum, referring to the threesomes as a “gift” to her husband.

Later, Braunwyn identified as a lesbian prior to her exit from the show but was still married to her then-husband. After the couple divorced, Braunwyn began dating Jennifer Spinner, and the couple became engaged in July 2023. As she exited RHOC and ended her marriage, Braunwyn began a sobriety journey, which she credits with helping her discover her sexuality. “When I stopped drinking, I felt an evolution, and a change in myself while it seemed everyone around me stayed the same,’ Braunwyn told The Daily Mail.

In a show like The Real Housewives of New York City, it’s impossible to fully enjoy the viewing experience without knowing who everyone is. No, I’m not talking about just getting to know the main cast, that’s way too obvious. I’m talking about getting up to speed on everyone else who comes and goes into the lives of these housewives. Naturally, simply enjoying the drama as it unfolds on the screen can be enough for some people, but if you want an optimal experience, you have to dive deeper.

Those who have been gathering the most attention, alongside the stars of the show, have been their other halves, of course. Names such as Abraham Lichy, David Craig, and Cass Bird have been turning heads since the premiere of season 14, and the latest to the party is Pavit Randhawa. By now, most RHONY fans are surely aware that he’s Jessel Taank’s husband, but what else is there to know about him?

Who is Pavit Randhawa?

As tends to happen with the family of reality stars, there’s not as much information to be found online about Pavit Singh Randhawa as there is of his wife. Their lives are pretty much intertwined at this point, so we know far more about their path as a couple than about this hubby’s life prior.

What we do know, however, is that Randhawa is a financier based in Los Angeles, U.S. According to his LinkedIn profile, Randhawa graduated from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business with a Master of Business istration degree, and from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

The businessman met Jessel Taank through a mutual friend, who introduced the two at a bar, and for some years, they maintained a long-distance connection. It wasn’t until Randhawa decided to move to the Big Apple that things got serious, though, as the pair became roommates mostly out of convenience, Taank revealed in a 2016 interview with Vogue.

Randhawa and Taank became engaged after three years of dating, and eventually tied the knot in Mexico. Now, the couple has two twin sons, but the journey to get here was not an easy one for the couple. According to Taank, the pair had a lot of difficulties conceiving, a process that took almost four years and took a great emotional toll on both, but especially her. Luckily, everything turned out fine for Taank and Randhawa, as the two are currently still married, and with the family they have always wished for.

To follow their lives even more closely, make sure not to miss any new episodes of The Real Housewives of New York City on Bravo.