One of Bravo’s most profitable series of shows, The Real Housewives franchise, has spawned some of the most unlikely stars in reality television. The housewives have become part of pop culture through their actions, styles and real-life drama.
Many of the more popular housewives such as Teresa Giudice and NeNe Leakes are regular fixtures in the tabloids as well as on television shows such as Fashion Police. But what has the life after reality TV held for some of the departed and most controversial housewives of New Jersey, Atlanta, Orange County, Washington and New York franchises? Find out what they’re up to below.
Alexis Bellino, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Alexis Bellino was one of the more popular housewives from The Real Housewives of Orange County franchise, with the questionable nickname of “Jesus Jugs.” Alexis joined the OC women in season 5 and exited the series in season 8. She has stayed out of the public eye since her departure from the show, but continues to keep her fans updated on her family life through her official Instagram. Since leaving the series, she and her husband Jim renewed their vows on David Tutera’s CELEBrations series. Alexis and her husband currently own and run a franchise of the popular trampoline park Sky Zone in Anaheim, California. She is mother to sons James and Cruz and daughters Mackenna and Melania.
Yolanda Hadid, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Yolanda Hadid is perhaps one of the most well-known Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Her children Bella and Gigi are world-famous supermodels, following in the footsteps of their mother, who became a model at the age of 16. She married Mohammed Hadid and became a mother to her two daughters, as well as a son named Anwar. After divorcing Hadid, Yolanda married David Foster on 11-11-11. The two recently divorced. Yolanda departed RHOBH in 2016 after an explosive season 6 where the castmates, specifically Lisa Rinna and Lisa Vanderpump, wondered if Yolanda’s battle with Lyme disease was all in her mind. Her new book, “Believe Me: My Battle With The Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease,” is set to hit bookstores in September 2017.
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Jill Zarin, The Real Housewives of New York City
Jill Zarin lasted four seasons on The Real Housewives of New York City before a huge fight with onetime pal Bethenny Frankel forced her to leave the series. She has since been bit by the acting bug, starring in the Syfy thriller Night of the Wild. She also appeared on the television series Celebrity Wife Swap, switching places with the family of actress Jenna von Oy. Jill is still together with husband Bobby, her partner in the company Zarin Fabrics. She recently gave an interview to OK Magazine where she revealed, “I’ll always be grateful to Andy [Cohen], to Bethenny [Frankel], to Ramona [Singer], to LuAnn [de Lesseps] and to Alex [McCord] for the incredible chemistry that we had that created a show that has lasted 10 years and will continue to last for years and years. We will always be connected.”
Caroline Manzo, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Caroline Manzo was one of the most even-keeled cast members from The Real Housewives of New Jersey, a firecracker bunch of women in desperate need of a mother figure. Caroline fit the bill, but also knew how to keep the other women in line when needed as well. She later landed a spin-off series titled Manzo’d with Children. Caroline has also written a lifestyle book titled, “Let Me Tell You Something: Life as a Real Housewife, Tough-Love Mother and Street-Smart Businesswoman.” She also hosts a podcast which can be found on her official website where she discusses everything from family matters to pop culture and politics alongside her husband Albert, friend Jared Max and others.
Alex McCord, The Real Housewives of New York City
In 2011, Alex McCord left The Real Housewives of New York City to focus on her family life and the textile company she began with her husband Simon Van Kempen called Aluxe Home. The two began a terrific professional partnership until the couple decided to pack up their belongings and their two children, Francois and Johan, to move to Australia, Simon’s home country. Said Alex in an official statement issued by Bravo of her big move, “Over the last few years, all of Simon’s family have reconvened from as far as Europe to all live within 20 minutes of each other on a collection of beautiful beaches on the north coast of New South Wales. We are the last of the family to move back, and it’s time. Our children have never had the opportunity to live within walking distance of grandparents and cousins, and with our two boys aged 8 and 10 it’s the perfect time for the extended family to enjoy each other.”
Kim Zolciak, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Kim Zolciak managed to make a lot more enemies than friends when she starred on The Real Housewives of Atlanta until departing the show in season 5. Single while on the series, Kim later married Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kroy Biermann. Together their family, which includes six children, star on the Bravo series Don’t Be Tardy, chronicling their day-to-day lives. Kim is reportedly set to return to the Atlanta franchise, alongside NeNe Leakes. Reportedly, the other Atlanta stars, which include Kandi Burruss, Phaedra Parks, Porsha Williams, Cynthia Bailey, Sheree Whitfield and Kenya Moore, are none too keen on the duo’s return, according to a story published by TMZ.
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Michaele Salahi, The Real Housewives of D.C.
Michaele Salahi found herself in hot water after one year as a star of The Real Housewives of D.C. after making headlines alongside her then-husband Tareq when they crashed a White House state dinner. After attempting to launch a singing career after her tenure on the D.C. series, Michaele was embroiled in yet another scandal when she disappeared from her life in D.C. and was later found on tour with Journey guitarist Neal Schon. Michaele and Neal were later married during a pay-per-view special in 2013.
Danielle Staub, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Danielle Staub inadvertently created one of the most cringe-worthy and meme-worthy moments in reality television when during a confrontation with RHONJ castmate Teresa Guidice, the latter flipped a table in a fit of rage. It was revealed during the show’s initial season that the one-time pal of NJ housewife Jacqueline Laurita was once a stripper and had pled guilty to extortion. After the explosive event, Danielle left the series, citing the need to protect her daughters after they were bullied due to their mother’s actions on the show. Danielle is reportedly returning to the series that made her infamous with the help of none other than Teresa Giudice, with whom she has buried the hatchet.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 7 airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo. Want more news? Like our RHOBH Facebook page.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 9 airs Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo. Want more news? Like our RHOA Facebook page.
(Images courtesy of Bravo)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
Lucille has over 30 years of experience as a writer and editor for various entertainment entities, including print and digital publications such as The Inquisitr, Monsters & Critics, Entertainment Daily, She Knows, BuddyTV, Starpulse, and Fashion & Style.
