It has been a bumpy ride for some of the ladies on the Real Housewives franchise, considering all the casting changes of 2015. Some of them have decided to leave all the drama behind while several former housewives decided to embrace it once more. Check out the biggest returns and departures this year:
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Who Came Back?
Sheree Whitfield, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Three years after her last appearance on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Sheree resurfaced in season 8. Her return to the Bravo series has been rumored for quite some time as she was expected to fill the void left by NeNe Leakes, who announced her exit earlier this year. Instead of returning to her original role as full-time housewife, however, she returned in a “supporting capacity” most likely because “Chateau Sheree” is still incomplete, leaving her with very little screen time beyond her appearances with her full-time costars.
Taylor Armstrong, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
After hinting that she will be around on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Taylor was seen in the season 6 trailer and is expected to resurface this season in an episode or two. She made her debut on the Bravo series in 2010. During her time on the show, her financial struggles with husband Russell Armstrong came into light, as well as claims of spousal abuse. In 2011, Russell took his own life. Taylor maintained her status as a series regular on the Bravo series until the third season and had been demoted to a guest star for seasons 4 and 5.
Bethanny Frankel, The Real Housewives of New York City
BBethanny joining season 7 of The Real Housewives of New York City is probably the biggest comeback of them all. She was an original cast member for the first three seasons of the show and even starred in her own spinoff series called Bethenny Ever After, as well as her own daytime talk show Bethanny. Arguably the most successful housewife from the franchise, the Skinnygirl founder went back for more drama on the Bravo series while shedding light on her divorce. Her return to reality TV also paved the way for a much anticipated crossover to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for season 6.
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Who Left?
Amber Marchese, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Amber announced this year that she and her husband Jim both made the decision not to return to the Bravo series for season 7. According to the reality star, who is dealing with her second battle with cancer, she was not pleased by how she was projected on RHONJ. She’s now focusing on family and working with an agency for anchoring and advocate speaking for breast cancer.
Kristen Taekman, The Real Housewives of New York City
Two months after Kristen’s husband Josh finally admitted to having an Ashley Madison account (after denying ever signing up for the cheating website), she announced that she’s leaving The Real Housewives of New York City. Kristen joined the Bravo series in season 6 , where she got into a water fight with Ramona Singer. The following season was less chaotic for Kristen despite clashing with Bethenny Frankel and Dorinda Medley. However, her personal life was far from drama free.
Heather Thomson, The Real Housewives of New York City
Heather decided to quit The Real Housewives of New York City after three seasons. The fashion designer, who joined the Bravo series in season 5, felt that it was time to move on and focus on her family and business. Though Heather is officially leaving the drama behind, she’s not closing her door for a possible future appearance on the Bravo series.
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Who Left But Will Most Likely Return?
Claudia Jordan, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Claudia, who just joined the Bravo reality series last season, is no longer a series regular for season 8. In June, it was reported that she was unexpectedly given given the ax by producers though there are news outlets claiming that the 42-year-old reality star will resurface this season.
Brandi Glanville, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Brandi confirmed her long-rumored departure on Instagram, as well as on her podcast in June. She even dissed some of her costars. Four months after announcing her exit on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Brandi was spotted filming scenes and was even part of the season 6 trailer. However, she will not be back as a full-time cast member.
Kim Richards, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Considering everything Kim has been through this year (a drunken meltdown at the Beverly Hills hotel, charges of public intoxication, resisting arrest and battery of a cop, shoplifting case and a stint in rehab), many fans are no longer expecting the 50-year-old reality star to return on the Bravo series. However, as the season 6 trailer suggests, she will be back though no longer as a series regular.
NeNe Leakes, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
After seven seasons, NeNe announced in June that she will not be returning on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, adding that she will be focusing on new projects. Her decision to quit was shocking especially to most devoted RHOA fans but not completely unexpected. NeNe, who previously hinted that she wasn’t sure whether she would return for season 8, has already branched out beyond the borders of the Bravo series. She co-wrote the book Never Make The Same Mistake Twice, and transitioned into scripted TV as she was cast on NBC’s The New Normal, playing the character Rocky Roades, and on the FOX series Glee as coach Roz Washington. She later joined season 11 of The Celebrity Apprentice and competed in the season 18 of Dancing with the Stars. In 2013, she was given her own spin-off series I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding, which revolved around the preparations for her remarriage to husband Gregg Leakes. However, all the noise surrounding NeNe’s departure was all for nothing. Four months after she announced her exit, she worked out her problems with the people behind the show and it was announced that she would be returning for season 8.
What Real Housewife are you hoping returns? Anyone you hope to see go?
(Images courtesy of Bravo)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
