The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills finale aired last week, and fans are still processing aftershocks stemming from what many believe is the end of the show’s “Fox Force Five” alliance. Composed of Erika Jayne, Lisa Rinna, Kyle Richards, Dorit Kemsley, and former housewife Teddi Mellencamp, the unspoken clique has managed to stay unified against the larger group since forming in season 9. However, season 12 brought a whole new level of drama to the table, finally unraveling the notorious FFF.
The tight-knit RHOBH group originated on a cast trip to Provence, France in 2019, which former housewives Lisa Vanderpump, Denise Richards, and Camille Grammer couldn't attend. Dorit told Watch What Happens Live, as per Bravo TV, that the remaining five housewives developed an unbreakable bond during their time in France, which was cemented after Rinna captioned an Instagram photo with the group's three-word nickname. Even after Teddi’s season 10 departure, the Fox Force Five endured, despite ups, downs, and intense blowouts. However, the recent finale may have shown RHOBH fans that it's the end of an era.
The Beginning Of The RHOBH Fox Force Five's End
When rumors emerged about Denise Richards’ alleged affair with former housewife Brandi Glanville, what used to be an entertaining “mean girl” trope took a dark turn. Things got worse amid Erika’s ongoing legal battles. Ultimately, though, season 12’s feud between Kathy Hilton and Lisa Rinna in Aspen was a nail in the clique's coffin. After it was revealed that Erika’s publicist may have been in cahoots with Rinna, to spread disparaging rumors about Kathy’s behavior in Aspen, Kyle finally splintered from the three remaining members. She was holding them accountable, in defense of her sister. Reddit user galaxystars1 called it, “The moment the Fox Force Five crumbled before our very eyes.”
Did The RHOBH Clique Focus On Drama?
The Aspen trip was a culmination of the FFF ganging up on their RHOBH co-stars, in order to advance each other’s false narratives. The domino effect of this repeated cycle exposed the vicious and unhinged sides of the FFF’s remaining members, along with their unrelenting support for one another’s misconduct. Viewers have also complained that RHOBH's Fox Force Five’s focus on drama has made the show boring in recent years, leading to predictable conflicts, and repetitive storylines.
Are RHOBH's Erika & Lisa R. To Blame For The Group's Problems?
Of the five women, Erika and Rinna are mostly to blame for spearheading the FFF’s inevitable downfall. Their low blows made viewers uncomfortable over the past few seasons, and by the end of season 12, they couldn't seem to separate their roles on the show from real life. This was especially true for Rinna during the Kathy feud, as explained by Reddit user, BrightDay85. “Reality shows aren’t necessarily real, but audiences want some level of authenticity. She’s tanking longtime friendships for the show. She’s like a caricature of what she thinks a Real Housewife is.”
While most fans are totally over the FFF, and hope to see it dismantled after this season, others argue that the clique does its duty by stirring the pot, which leaves viewers wanting more. In other words, some argue that low blows are better than dull moments. So, there are those who believe that the Fox Force Five members are simply doing their jobs. Time will tell where the women stand, as The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion airs over the next several weeks.
Sources: Bravo TV, galaxystars1/Reddit, BrightDay85/Reddit