The Most Memorable Friends in Real Housewives History
Over the past two decades of “The Real Housewives,” the women who entered the Bravo franchise in the role of “friends of” have served in various roles: high-level antagonists, comedic sidekicks, fashion experts, bone collectors, genuinely nice people who probably don’t belong in this environment, etc.
“Friends of” have always played a vital role in the show, but have sometimes been overlooked for their contributions to its popularity.
Some of that has to do with the role of “friend of” being perceived as something minor, thanks to the shadow of housewives and full-time fans, depending on which corner of the Internet you are in.
Still, in recent years, those stinking attitudes have slightly changed thanks to the equal treatment between housewives and “friends of” in the reboot of “The Real Housewives of Miami.” Additionally, some veterans, like “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Cynthia Bailey, have not only returned to the show as “friends with,” but have also boasted that it’s a chance to be seen, get paid and be less involved in the mess. More recently, it was reported that Carole Radziwill, who was on “The Real Housewives of New York City” from Season 5 to Season 10, would be rejoining the show in the “friend” role for Season 16.
In this economy, everyone needs a job they can find, especially in the entertainment industry, so to celebrate 20 years of “The Real Housewives,” I want to shine a light on some of the most memorable “friends of” in the show’s history.
Some are more memorable for better reasons than others, obviously.
Marlo Hampton – ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’
Bravo via Getty Images
Hampton first appeared on season 4 of “RHOA” and became the longest-serving “friend of” to get a promotion. In season 14, she finally “earned her peach” and became a full-time housewife. Unfortunately, she only kept that role for two seasons and finally exited at the end of season 15, but in her defense, the show was a disaster and that wasn’t up to her.
Marlo may not have been for everyone, but she brought high fashion to the series on a level that no Housewife on either coast could compete with. She could make her co-workers scream like fools in South Africa and enrage a member of the R&B group Xscape to the point of wanting to fight her on national television. Her mugshots and friend status were used against her, but Marlo is the best friend ever, and if they had made her a Housewife years before season 14, she would have fared better.
Adriana De Moura – ‘The Real Housewives of Miami’
Bravo via Getty Images
De Moura, the show’s original Housewife, returned in season 4 in the role of “friend of” and, although technically a demotion, she has been in the spotlight whenever she has seen fit. Despite all the shenanigans that happened on the final season of “RHOM,” all anyone can remember from the reunion is De Moura’s complaint about his co-star cheating on his wife with a Haitian mortician.
Kathy Hilton – ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’
Bravo via Getty Images
Hilton, Kyle Richards’ sister and the longest-running Housewife on “RHOBH,” is basically giving us a gimmick where she’s a quirky, rich woman who lives in her own world, but she’s fun to watch when she’s on set. You either love it or you don’t. I know from Paris Hilton’s documentary and reality show that Big Kathy has another side, but on “RHOBH” she is a necessary comedic tool.
Jennifer Tilly – ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’
Bravo via Getty Images
He has money, taste, and a fascinating career and life story. We don’t know much, but even glimpses of her life are enough, and what I like most about Tilly is that she’s an admitted fan and took her addition to the show seriously. It shows.
Kiki Barth – ‘The Real Housewives of Miami’
Bravo via Getty Images
The Haitian model has brought quick wit, unfiltered commentary, and an increasingly interesting personal story to the show, and while I hate her breakup with Guerdy Abraira, if there’s anyone on “RHOM” who deserves a mojito, it’s Kiki.
Tanya Sam – ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’
Bravo via Getty Images
I don’t know if I’m just overly sentimental about educated Canadians as a result of our corrosive political environment in the United States, but Tanya was a joy on the show. I hated how mean Kenya Moore was to her towards the end of her career. Not everyone needs to be shady or talk like they’re in the middle of a dance or getting a BBL, and that made Tanya, who really just wanted to twerk at Carnival and talk about finances in a non-fraudulent way, a breath of fresh air.
Jennifer Fessler – ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’
Bravo via Getty Images
No one knows when “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” will return, but for those who stood out in the most recent miserable seasons, I hope we can all agree that Fessler was a light in dark times.
Shamea Morton – ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’
Bravo via Getty Images
I don’t know what happened near the end of Shamea’s first season as a full-time housewife, but while we wait for her performance on the impending 17th, I want to point out that when she was an official “friend” several years ago, she did her job and she did it well. She wasn’t afraid of Phaedra Parks, Kenya Moore or any other full-timer, and even if she was portrayed as Porsha Williams’ shadow, she always seemed more interesting than some of her haters let on. That’s why I’m still glad they finally gave him his own peach.
Luann de Lesseps – ‘The Real Housewives of New York’
via News
What I love about de Lesseps, aka “The Countess,” is that when she was demoted for season 6, she didn’t pout; she accepted her position, acted like the diva she is, and clearly performed well enough to return to the cast full-time next season.
Camille Grammer – ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’
Paul Archuleta via Getty Images
I always felt that Camille was never treated fairly on the show because, at the beginning, her then-husband was cheating on her and preparing for a divorce without her knowing. Upon her return as a “friend of,” the housewives treated her quite badly. However, Camille has never been boring and deserves more praise for what she brought to the table as a housewife and “friend of.”
Dana Wilkey – ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’
Paul Archuleta via Getty Images
This is more of an honorable mention, but Wilkey, who appeared on Season 2 of “RHOBH,” was never the right person for the group. However, her insistence on pointing out that the sunglasses she was wearing when viewers first met her cost $25,000 will live in my mind forever.
Britani Bateman – ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’
Bravo via Getty Images
The thirstiest Mormon to ever appear on the show. While I question his liking for Osmonds, among other things, I won’t deny that on “RHOSLC,” the “friend of” leaves a lasting impression.
Charrisse Jackson-Jordan – ‘The Real Housewives of Potomac’
Mindy Small via Getty Images
I chose Charrisse solely because a lot of you need to stop being mean to her! She practically chose the program. Let her in more so she can stir the pot.