Not all Real Housewives give up their diamonds — or peaches/apples — for good. Bethenny Frankel, NeNe LeakesAnd Dina ManzoAmong them are the ladies who quit their franchises and returned years later.
While Bethenny and NeNe returned to full-time roles, Dina, Bethenny, and Dina, were also back. Camille GrammerAnd Danielle StaubThey made their second mark on The Real HousewivesFranchise in a friend role
Other ladies have opted — or been offered — to make guest appearances on their old shows. After her season 4 departure,Jill Zarin joined Luann de LessepsPlay tennis in season 11 The Real Housewives of New York CityThese aired on May 2019.
Brandi Glanville,Who left? RHOBHAfter season 5, 2015, the Housewife made a brief appearance in the next season. Season 9 of the franchise saw the controversial Housewife make an appearance in 2019.
While Kim Richards, the sister of Kyle Richards,Pops in and Out of RHOBHAfter her departure from the fifth season, she has not returned to full-time. The former child star ran into other women while they were out to dinner in Beverly Hills. Kyle embraced her sister, Lisa RinnaShe avoided any interaction with her former costar.
Executive producer Andy Cohen has been open about when it’s time to say goodbye to a Housewife, noting at the Tribeca TV Festival in 2018 that it’s “usually a conversation” between him and the star.
“At the end of every season, we talk to the women about what they have coming up and whether they want to come back. They share their visions for the future. Then we also look at the show and say, ‘How do we want to change the show?’” he said. “I think part of the reason the entire franchise is successful is it’s an ensemble show. It’s all about what’s best for the group. What’s best for the ensemble? How’s it going to be different? Do you want to continue the conversation? Do we want to pivot into a new conversation?”
In recent seasons, one of the most popular returning players is Heather DubrowWho left? RHOCAfter starring in seasons 7 through 11, she was back in a full-time role for season 16. In 2021, news broke that she would return to a full-time position for season 16.
“It just is a testament to kind of everything at the right time,” Andy said on the “Heather Dubrow’s World” podcast in June 2021. “I think the viewers want it, the show is at a crossroads right now, we have some rebuilding to do. … I think when you left the show you were at a place where you were really over it. You just weren’t into it. It just goes to show that you could, years later, just have the perspective to be like, ‘You know what? Maybe I can handle this in a different way.’ … I love your attitude about coming back.”
Tell Us Weekly: Who else should make a return to their respective series? Scroll down for a complete list. Real Housewives who returned full-time or in a “friend” role:
