What does it take to become a Real Housewives legend?
Expert shade delivery? The ability to manufacture and deliver the tea? A biting wit? Just being real? Bravo's reality juggernaut has gifted viewers with more than 100 Real Housewives stars across cities all over America, and, well, some are just better at being a Bravolebrity than others.
For every long-running Housewife, like Kyle Richards, there's a Carlton Gebbia, a one-and-done Real Housewives cast member. But each Housewife has left viewers a little something from their journey, whether it's an iconic line, a beloved reaction GIF or a lesson on what not to do.
In honor of the season 10 finale of RHOBH on Wednesday, Aug. 26, we're bringing back our of every full-timer from Real Housewives of Orange County, Beverly Hills, New York City, New Jersey, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, Potomac and, yes, even D.C. to find out where newbie Garcelle Beauvais ranks after her first full season clutching that diamond. (Sorry, Sutton Stracke, but no "Friends of" allowed. Better luck next time!)
Garcelle isn't the only Housewives newcomer making her debut in our ranking, either. We've officially added Braunwyn Windham-Burke of RHOC, Kary Brittingham of RHOD, Leah McSweeney of RHONY and Wendy Osefo of RHOP to the mix, as well.
And before the Dr. Wendy stans panic about her ranking, just breathe. It's still very early in her run. Check back at the end of RHOP's current season for an update.
Now, without further ado, the ranking!
Bravo's ill-fated attempt at highlighting our nation's capital brought together four women so forgettable you'd be forgiven for erasing them from your memory—though their names are Mary Amons, Lynda Erkiletian, Cat Ommanney and Stacie Scott Turner—and one so desperate for fame that she gate-crashed a party at the White House. More on her later.
Who?
Vaguely familiar, but...
Once upon a time, DeShawn starred on the same TV show as NeNe Leakes. Surprising, we know.
Her defining trait was "cougar."
The self-professed queen of Sundance was sometimes overshadowed by the bigger and more likable personalities of her Salt Lake City co-stars in season one.
Katie loved to talk about her charity work, but...didn't do much else on screen. She was one and done, only to come back and not contribute much as a friend. Leaving the cast trip early? A Housewives no-no.
Her marriage problems were on full display the two seasons she was a full-time Housewife...that and her champagne room are the two memorable things about Charrisse.
A one-and-done Housewife, Shamari was at least fun?
In her first season, Gina was just kind of there. Her second, the 14th season of RHOC, followed Gina as she opened up about her marriage problems, was arrested, fought with quite a few ladies and dyed her hair. And yet, she's still kind of just there.
The America's Next Top Model veteran picked up a peach for seasons 11 and 12, but never really made an impression in the world of RHOA, aside from being pregnant for what felt like her entire tenure. Points for that epic read of Marlo Hampton while in Tokyo, though.
From peacekeeper in her first season to unrelenting complaints about a thrown cake and unfounded claims of anti-Semitism in her second (and last) season, we're not sure we've ever seen a quicker Real Housewives fall from grace than this one.
While it was nice to see some diversity in the lily-white O.C., Peggy ultimately proved to be a frustrating presence in season 12. The fights she chose to pick were bizarre, and often involving someone using a word she simply didn't understand, and her decision to simply hide out in her room for an entire day during the trip to Iceland proved that she wasn't really cut out for this Real Housewives life.
All we remember about Karent is that she was a dentist and none of her co-stars seemed to like her at all. Next!
This was a real person with a show on Bravo. We promise.
As one of RHONY's more recent one-and-dones, Jules' tenure was too brief to rank any higher. However, she sure did deliver her fair share of drama.
If only we knew then that she was Kim Kardashian's BFF (at the time)...
Ana followed up her one season as a Bravolebrity by competing on season 12 of Next Food Network Star in 2016. She didn't make it there, either.
Unfortunately, she was nothing more than a punching bag for Brandi Glanville. Plus, her tagline celebrating the icky notion that you can never be too skinny was gross.
Cindy was supposed to be the new Bethenny Frankel. Cindy was no Bethenny Frankel.
While Meredith's marriage troubles with husband Seth were compelling, her real gift to fans in season one was her snarky son Brooks Marks. Oh, and her puzzling season finale bejeweled face mask was both iconic and clairvoyant (now we're all wearing them, but not for fun).
Everything Amber and her husband Jim did seemed to reek of desperation. Plus, he was involved in more of the drama than she was. Not a good look.
So unnecessary they couldn't even get individual taglines.
Tiffany never really had a storyline of her own in the first season of Dallas. Unless trying to convince her Keith Urban-lite husband that living in Texas was a good idea is your idea of riveting television. Still, it was nice to see her whenever she showed up for LeeAnne.
Another one of RHOC's one-and-done Housewives. However, she has continued to pop up...but not necessarily contribute anything.
Cary proved herself willing to stand up to the loudest of voices—ahem, LeeAnne Locken—and then, confusingly, befriend her.
Mary married her step-grandfather. And if that isn't enough to pique your interest, her quirky personality, bold fashion choices and job as the First Lady of a Pentecostal church all make for a pretty fascinating Housewives case study (not to mention her ongoign feud with co-star Jen Shah).
Her willingness to call one-time BFF LeeAnne on her BS, as well as the introduction to her delightful mother Mama Dee, are why D'Andra is ranked as high as she is.
Lydia's biggest storyline her first time around was trying to get her mom to stop smoking weed. Buzzkill! And her return to the franchise four seasons later did nothing to change our opinion of her, though her willingness to go toe-to-toe with Shannon Beador was admirable.
Claudia dared to take on NeNe and lived to tell the tale. Unfortunately, she couldn't tell it on camera because she was given the boot after just one season.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' season finale airs Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 9 p.m., while The Real Housewives of New York continues Thursdays at 9 p.m. and The Real Housewives of Potomac airs Sundays at 9 p.m., only on Bravo.
And be sure to binge past seasons of your favorite city when they land on Peacock on Sept. 20!
(E!, Bravo and Peacock are all part of the NBCUniversal family.)
(Originally published on Nov. 12, 2019 at 2 p.m. PST.)