The Biggest Scandals In Real Housewives History
It is safe to say that many of us would have struggled to make it through this pandemic if it weren't for the plethora of Bravo shows to binge, especially the "Real Housewives" franchises.
Whether you were re-watching seasons you could quote by heart, or are just starting the dramatic journey with some of the wealthiest zip codes, these women have undoubtedly brought a little more much-desired drama into our lives. Since first hitting the airwaves back in 2006 with "The Real Housewives of Orange County," fans have flocked to each franchise like bees to honey. With the exception of "The Real Housewives of D.C." – we all can just agree to forget that sad excuse for a franchise, even though it did have a mega scandal, (per Distractify). Don't worry, we will get to that one later!
So which scandal rocked viewers the most? Keep scrolling after the jump for the ridiculous incidents that ha fans talking.
Melissa was accused of being an exotic dancer
Personally, this writer's pick for most dramatic scandal would have to be from "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" franchise.
The women of the Garden State are loud, opinionated, and know what they want. Teresa Giudice is often at the center of this melting pot and brings a whole new meaning to "flipping out."
For example, back in 2012, during Season 4, it all came to a head when Giudice and Melissa Gorga faced off about stripper-gate. The two sister-in-laws had been at each other's throats all season, and Giudice decided to set her family member up with the help of her former castmate, Kim DePaola, (via Us Weekly).
Eventually, Gorga learned that it was Giudice who had plotted the whole rumor about Gorga lying about being a stripper in her younger years. The lie caused a strain on their relationship for seasons. The truth? Gorga had only ever worked as a beach bartender so it was a major stretch on Giudice's part.
Brooks lies about having stage 3 cancer
The OG of the OC, Vicki Gunvalson, had a hard time keeping her love tank full back in 2010 on "The Real Housewives of Orange County," as she covered up a huge lie that her boyfriend at the time, Brooks Ayers made up, which eventually became known as cancer-gate.
Fans and housewives alike did not trust Ayers as he came across as a snake oil salesman, and they were right to feel this way. During Season 7, Ayers revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, (via People). As fans later learned, he lied to everyone but not before Shannon Beador and Tamra Judge did their due diligence.
Eventually, the City of Hope hospital revealed that Ayers had never been a cancer patient there, forcing the cancer-scammer to come clean and admit he forged his medical documents. Gunvalson always denied ever being a part of the lie with fans and fellow co-stars just left stunned.
The Salahi's compromised national security
"The Real Housewives of D.C." did not last long, and for a good reason. As fans may recall, one couple posed a national security risk to the President of the United States of America during their season, (via ABC News). Fans watched as Tareq Salahi and Michaele Salahi strolled right past the Secret Service – not once but twice during the season.
The couple crashed former President Barack Obama's first state dinner and snapped numerous pictures with the VIP guests like Vice President at the time, Joe Biden, and Katie Couric.
This was not the first White House event where the couple made an appearance; the Salahi's also attended the Congressional Black Caucus dinner, (via NY Daily News). As fans watched the episode, they learned that the duo were not invited and had snuck into the event through the kitchen. Security did catch them until halfway through the dinner and was asked to leave the party. The pair was all about the parties, but not about the etiquette.
No good deed goes unpunished
The saddest scandal by far was when Bravo fans watched Lisa Rinna cry over a returned baby gift in 2017. A blue, stuffed bunny – which was meant to be an olive branch of peace – turned out to reignite a "90210" war.
During the Season 7 reunion, viewers watched stunned as Kim Richards returned the gift for her grandson in the most dramatic of fashions. The entire issue started with Rinna questioning Richards' sobriety during a girls' trip to Amsterdam, where the child actress then hinted at infidelity within Rinna's marriage, (per Refinery29). The two women were thought to be back on solid ground until the infamous bunny-gate.
"I brought the bunny because I never gave it to my grandson," Richards said as she pulled the plastic-wrapped stuffed animal from behind the sofa. "It didn't feel like it had good energy. Sorry. So I think what I should do is give it you and when are you in a better place, maybe you can give it back to me. Because right now, I don't feel it was given to me with the right energy." Rinna simply said, "okay" as she held back tears.