Soon there will be "Real Housewives" all across America (for better or worse), as Bravo expands its successful franchise into Beverly Hills. Cameras follow affluent women (some regulars, others who recur) as they enjoy the lavish lifestyle only Beverly Hills can offer. The ladies change through the seasons and over time the cast has included former child actresses Kim and Kyle Richards, heiress Adrienne Maloof, restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump, philanthropist and business owner Taylor Armstrong and the one-time Mrs. Kelsey Grammer, Camille Donatacci (who alternates between a regular member of the cast and a recurring role during her time on the show).
The "Real Housewives" franchise continues to expand across America, with this edition landing in Potomac, Md., a community of rolling hills and gated mansions just up the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. As is standard for the franchise, the reality show follows several well-to-do women who are part of the exclusive society. The featured women include former Miss District of Columbia Pageant winner Ashley Darby, who became a stepmother to a 21-year-old and a 24-year old after getting married at the age of 22; socialite Charrisse Jackson Jordan, who is married to NBA player Eddie Jordan; model Katie Rost, who is ready to give matrimony another shot with her current beau following a short-lived marriage to her college sweetheart; and philanthropist Gizelle Bryant, a single mother of three who is getting ready to launch a makeup line geared toward women of color.
Dallas is the setting for the first "Real Housewives" show that calls Texas home. People who live in the Lone Star State are full of Texas pride, and these housewives are no different. People warn others not to mess with Texas, and that is especially true when dealing with the state's socialites featured on the show. Connecticut native Cary Deuber is a certified nurse who has led a number of medical missions worldwide; "girl next door" Stephanie Hollman is actively involved in charities and is unafraid to speak her mind; former beauty queen LeeAnne Locken has made a career out of charity work but is also known for ruffling feathers; and former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Brandi Redmond, a full-time mother who sometimes rubs the other ladies the wrong way.
Bravo heads to the Garden State for this installment of the "Housewives" franchise, focusing on affluent Jersey girls who are more than just friends: The cast has changed through the seasons but the featured housewives through the years have included Caroline Manzo, a devoted wife and mother of three adult children; former Las Vegas cosmetologist Jacqueline Laurita, who is now a full-time housewife; and Teresa Giudice, a mother of four who runs her household without help from a nanny or personal assistant.
The Atlanta housewives continue to live their fabulous lives in Georgia's capital city in this incarnation of the popular reality TV franchise. Relationships, a staple of the "Real Housewives" shows, take center stage as usual as the ladies' love lives experience ups and downs. The sassy women's entrepreneurial spirits are also in full bloom as they juggle their personal and professional lives, along with their busy personal calendars.
They may live in the lap of luxury, but life isn't always perfect for the women who reside in one of the wealthiest enclaves of the U.S. They continue to focus on living large; plastic surgery, working out, shopping, drinking, dancing, and dining out top their agendas. Ladies come and go through the show's run, with entrepreneur Vicki Gunvalson having been a series regular for each season. Other ladies who have been featured for multiple seasons include Tamra Judge -- previously known as Tamra Barney -- and Heather Dubrow.
Bravo heads to the Big Apple for this entry in its hit reality-TV franchise "The Real Housewives of (insert location here)." This New York edition features several confident women, who change throughout the seasons as the women leave, with some returning later on. The featured ladies over time have included entrepreneur and one-time talk-show host Bethenny Frankel, part-time socialite and full-time mother Aviva Drescher (who is a cousin, by marriage, of actress Fran Drescher), best-selling author and journalist Carole Radziwill, savvy businesswoman Heather Thomson, entrepreneur Ramona Singer, sassy single mother Sonja Morgan and model Kristen Taekman.
The "Real Housewives..." franchise has been a staple of Bravo since 2006 with versions in diverse U.S. cities. Now it heads to another hemisphere to import the Melbourne version, spotlighting several socialites in Australia. Whether they enjoy being single or married, their social lives include glamorous cocktail parties and weekend getaways to resorts. The featured gals include high-end caterer Chyka Keebaugh, single mom/barrister Gina Liano, recent Melbourne transplant/psychic Jackie Gillies, newly single property developer Janet Roach, and recently married philanthropist Lydia Schiavello.
Kim Zolciak made a name for herself as a member of the cast of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," which was how she met Atlanta Falcons defensive end Kroy Biermann, to whom she became engaged and eventually married in November 2011. This reality series follows Kim for the two months leading to the wedding as she prepares for the big day. To help her plan the event at her multimillion-dollar home, Kim hires celebrity event planner Colin Cowie. As the date approaches, problems quickly mount, including Kim's mother refusing to attend the wedding.
