Vicki Gunvalson, Kyle Richards, Luann de Lesseps, Teresa Giudice, Gizelle Bryant and Lisa Barlow attend as the cast of "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th" appear on SiriusXM's Andy Cohen Live at SiriusXM Studios on August 05, 2026 in New York City.
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‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip’ Stars Reveal How Bravo Changed Their Lives

The cast of “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th,” including Porsha Williams, Kyle Richards, Gizelle Bryant, and Luann de Lesseps, have opened up about how appearing on Bravo changed their lives.

Joining “The Real Housewives” franchises allowed these women to build brands, expand their careers, launch businesses, and achieve personal goals.

Speaking to Bravo Insider, various cast members broke down the highs and lows of appearing on the international pop culture phenomenon.

How Making ‘Real Housewives’ Is a Full-Time Commitment

Andy Cohen interviews the cast of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th during a SiriusXM appearance in New York City.Getty
Andy Cohen speaks with the cast of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th during a SiriusXM appearance on August 5, 2026, in New York City. Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Being a Housewife may look like easy work, but the reality TV stars commit a lot of time, energy, and clothing to the Bravo show.

Cynthia Bailey, who is currently a friend on “RHOA” Season 17, admitted that appearing on the series is a “full-time commitment” no matter what capacity you appear in.

“And I will say, as someone who was a Housewife for over a decade, I love that the space of being a friend has been something that I think I’m killing for Season 17.”

Kyle Richards, who starred in 15 consecutive seasons of “RHOBH” claimed that the most annoying thing about making the show is not what the cameras capture but what isn’t shown.

“I mean, we are shooting nonstop, and then you watch the show and you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, wait a minute — I wasted an outfit,” she joked to Bravo Insider. “I mean, there’s so many moments that aren’t captured that I think people would really be surprised by.”

Porsha Williams of “RHOA” fame admits she still gets “nervous film” despite being on screen for over a decade. “You get used to them. But there are definitely times where it’s like, ‘OK, this is a big deal.'”

How Being A “Real Housewives” Star Impacted Their Professional Lives

Luann de Lesseps performs onstage during her Countess Cabaret Tour at El Rey Theatre on June 24, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

While many stars of the “Real Housewives” were already successful, the show helped them pursue new professional avenues and broaden their audience.

Porsha Williams praised her appearance on “RHOA” for helping her develop her brand. “I definitely have built a brand from being on the show. And it’s great for keeping you relevant for different things that you’re doing.”

She praised about the positives of appearing on the Bravo series: “And I have been able to over the years, although I have been a “Housewives” reality star, I’ve been able to also branch out and do a lot of other things. So it’s a lot of positives along with the drama.”

“RHOP” star Gizelle Bryant seconded her praise for the franchise, explaining how the reality show gave her a huge career. boost.

“It’s given me a platform to do so many things that I’ve wanted to do and that I’ve been interested in,” she explained. “Like, I wrote a book. I had a makeup line. I’m now on a huge podcast, “Reasonably Shady.”

Gizelle also praised the show for giving her a platform to do “other cool things,” thanks in part to the boost in her public image. “It definitely will change the fact that everybody knows who you are.”

Kyle Richards says that while it’s difficult to be “scrutinized and analyzed and dissected and picked apart” the show opens doors for her to do things she loves.

“Creating and producing television and making TV shows,” the actress explained, adding that the positives outweigh the negatives of being a Housewife.

“I started my production company, House of 18, and I have four shows in development there, and it really helped doing the “Housewives” and being able to open the doors to talk about things that I love,” she added

Luann de Lesseps concluded that “RHONY” has changed her life really in “the best possible way, because I found my love affair with cabaret.” The Countess has been touring the world with her cabaret tour since appearing on the reality show.

Being A Housewife Changed These Women’s View Of Themselves and Life

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Kristen Taekman, Sonja Morgan, Ramona Singer, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Luann de Lesseps and Dorinda Medley

Being a household name around the world can be a tricky thing for a Housewife, especially when it comes with intense scrutiny.

Teresa Giudice, who has been a housewife since the start of “RHONJ,” admits that she is known around the world. “I’m noticed wherever I go. I mean, I was just in Florence, and they’re like, ‘Teresa!’ Like, I take pictures wherever I go.”

Luckily, she doesn’t mind the attention; in fact, she appreciates it. “If it wasn’t for the fans, we wouldn’t be here. So I’m never mean. I never act like I’m too good to take a picture,” Teresa admitted. “I know how excited they get when they see me, so I’m always nice and always take a picture with them.”

RHOSLC” icon Lisa Barlow said the changes “Housewives” made to her life were more personal and less business-focused.

“I think you get a different view of yourself, [one] that you either saw before and it’s magnified, or you just see different things. And it’s really cool to see yourself from an outsider’s perspective,” she explained.

Luann felt that appearing on “RHONY” helped her embrace life and better gain perspective.

“It has taught me to have a sense of humor. And not to take it too seriously — just, like, life. ‘Cause life gives you your ups and downs,” she stated. “And it’s how you roll with it and how you roll with the punches. And God knows for me, I’ve had a lot of punches.”

New episodes of “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th” air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo and stream the next day on Peacock.

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