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.
This one-season Housewife brought nothing to the Orange County table.
Utah's newest season two Housewife went out with a bang (and not in a good way). In January 2022, Jennie was fired after "offensive" and racially insensitive old Facebook posts resurfaced online. Jennie later apologized but the damage was done.
Her defining trait was "cougar."
The Orange County doctor was never a source of drama during season 16 and her brief marriage troubles with eternally shirtless husband Ryne (or Ryan?) were less than riveting. However, we will never forget Dr. Jen getting absolutely wasted on wine during the Dubrows' insanely awkward—yet wildly entertaining—dinner party.
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?
Noella spun through season 16 like a tornado of frantic energy. While her personal struggles were somewhat compelling (her husband James up and left the country and asked for a divorce right before filming started), it was her constant drama with queen bee Heather Dubrow that helped her not land completely at the bottom of the list. Maybe with more time and another season, we'll warm up to Mrs. Bergener.
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.
Larsa didn't make a big impression on season one before leaving the series. When Peacock revived RHOM for season four in 2021, her whole storyline was about being the ex-BFF of Kim Kardashian. (and selling sexy feet pics on OnlyFans...)
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.
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.
All three season four newbies on RHOM are basically tied in our book, so we placed them all together. Dr. Nicole was smart and feisty and not afraid to go head-to-head with Miami O.G.s Larsa Pippen or Marysol Patton. We'd love to see her bring even more fire if/when Peacock returns with season five.
The first LGBT Housewife ever cast on a Housewives series, Julia is truly fascinating. From being married to tennis legend Martina Navratilova and raising dozens of animals on a Miami farm, to her epic Hamptons hangover, Julia has everything a good Housewife needs. She also didn't shy away from opening up about the death of her baby son, pulling on our heartstrings and making us feel even closer to her. We love us some Julia.
Party planner Guerdy was a hurricane of energy and shined bright on season four. Plus, she's fierce as hell. We're betting on her return for a sophomore season.
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.
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.)