Lisa Rinna initially auditioned for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 1. While she didn't make it onto the first season, Lisa later joined the series for season 5. Lisa, along with fellow soap star and good friend Eileen Davidson, became cast members of the Bravo series at the same time. Lisa was well-liked by her castmates during her first season; however, that quickly changed the following year. The actress brought to light a rumor that fellow castmate Yolanda Hadid possibly did not have Lyme Disease and maybe was suffering from Munchhausen's syndrome.
Even though Lisa, who confessed she was cruel to Denise, received quite a bit of backlash, she returned for season 7 and continued to attack her castmates. She accused the newbie, at the time, Dorit Kemsley, of allowing her dinner guests to do drugs in her bathroom. After that scandal, Lisa pulled back on the drama until season 10, when she didn't support Denise Richards while the other women were accusing her of having an affair with Brandi Glanville. It seems Lisa may have joined RHOBH at the perfect time.
In the new tell-all book, Not All Diamonds and Rosé, written by People contributor Dave Quinn, the 54-year-old opened up about auditioning for RHOBH season 1. "I went in and made a tape, and they came to the house and filmed a little sizzle reel," she said. "Usually, when you get to that point, you're on the shortlist." Lisa, who tried liking Scott Disick, seemed like the perfect fit at the time, as producers were looking for wealthy women whose lives would be envious to the fans watching. RHOBH executive producer Alex Baskin explained that Lisa "was an interesting choice" because she is quintessential Hollywood, an actress who is still working and has a famous husband. Ultimately, it was Andy Cohen who decided not to cast her the first time around.
"Lisa Rinna had been on so many reality shows, it just seemed like a parody to me," Andy said in the book. "For me, it needed to be about real women. I didn't think we should have an actress." This idea clearly didn't last long as RHOBH went on to cast several actresses such as Denise, Eileen, and Garcelle Beauvais, who revealed her stance with Rinna. Since hiring Lisa was such as success, producers of the franchise decided to branch out to Hollywood. Casting director Dawn Stroupe auditioned Kristy Swanson, the originally Buffy the Vampire Slayer, however, she ultimately was not cast. Some other Hollywood types they vetted were Lipstick actress Mariel Hemingway and even Vanessa Bryant, the late Kobe Bryant's wife, for The Real Housewives of Orange County.
Even though Lisa wasn't hired for RHOBH season 1, she eventually made it onto the show. Not only is she one of the most polarizing characters in Housewives history, but she's been at the center of the most dramatic moments of the series. While she's not an OG, Lisa, who is still friends with Erika, has always been a RHOBH favorite, whether she's liked or not.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Bravo.
Source: People