Fans of the Real Housewives franchise love watching the shows for the genuine friendships that form between the women, but sometimes events turn the ladies into foes instead. Being on a popular reality show puts a lot of strain into relationships - sometimes even on marriages. Since starring on the Real Housewives, many couples have split up, including Ramona and Mario Singer, Vicki and Donn Gunvalson, and recently Erika Jayne and Tom Girardi. However, the pressure of being a Housewives cast member and creating drama for TV can end a close friendship as well.
Many times, the Real Housewives bring their friends onto the show. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rinna introduced her friend and famous actress Denise Richards to the show. Denise was on for only two seasons before she and Lisa had a disagreement that ended their friendship. Denise got so sick of being caught in the middle of Housewives drama that she quit the show. In other cases, the cast members often meet for the first time while filming and develop fast friendships like The Real Housewives of Atlanta stars Cynthia Bailey and Kenya Moore. While filming The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, though, the two butted heads, and Cynthia and Kenya's friendship has become strained since then.
Bethenny Frankel & Carole Radziwill
Bethenny Frankel and Carole Radziwill were two friends who met on The Real Housewives of New York. Bethenny seemed to gravitate towards Carole’s cool, laid-back demeanor, while Carole enjoyed Bethenny’s quick wit. Alas, things took a turn when Bethenny asked Carole’s then-boyfriend Adam Kenworthy to document the efforts of her relief aid for hurricane victims. In turn, he allegedly turned it down because he wouldn’t be paid for it, which Bethenny claimed was tacky. Even though they made up, their friendship took another hit when Carole felt Bethenny was using her for her contacts so that Bethenny could land her own reality show. Carole left the show after RHONY season 10 and has since stated that while there are women she still has genuine friendships with, she would not return to the series.
Lisa Vanderpump & Kyle Richards
Lisa Vanderpump and Kyle Richards’ friendship was something fans loved watching on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. They seemed to have a genuine friendship and often had a great time together. Even though Kyle was fiercely loyal to Lisa, she felt like Lisa didn’t always stick up for her during most Real Housewives squabbles. In season 9, Kyle could no longer blindly defend Lisa during the infamous "puppygate" scandal. Rumors swirled around that Lisa leaked the drama to the press, and when the other Housewives asked Kyle if she thinks Lisa did so, Kyle couldn’t lie and admitted that she did. This situation ultimately cemented the end of their friendship. As a result, RHOBH season 9 turned out to be Lisa’s last appearance on the show.
Candiace Dillard & Monique Samuels
Candiace Dillard looked up to Monique Samuels on The Real Housewives of Potomac, and the two costars considered each other “sisters.” Over the seasons, though, a few little issues arose and culminated into an all-out brawl on RHOP season 4. While the Housewives cast members were at a bar, Candiace and Monique’s resentments came to a head and they faced off. Monique ended up dragging Candiace by the hair, all while wine glasses were being thrown everywhere. Producers had to intervene and hold off Monique, who wasn’t willing to let the fight go. Candiace ended up pressing charges against Monique, who countered by filing a complaint against her former BFF. In the end, both charges were dismissed. Monique ended up leaving the Real Housewives franchise after that season and her friendship with Candiace has never recovered after that incident.