When the camera cuts, the interview isn’t over. With “Cut for Time,” TODAY.com asks the burning questions our anchors couldn’t get to on-air.
Any fan of “Real Housewives” can identify the moment they watched that made them a true believer. It’s a scene that imprints so deeply, all a person can do is clutch their chest, whisper a silent prayer of gratitude and recognize oneself as changed for the better.
A lot of these moments are universally beloved, like Teresa Giudice’s table flip, or Bethenny Frankel’s “it’s about Tom,” or NeNe Leakes’ dismay over a white refrigerator, or Vicki Gunvalson and the little family van. A lot of these moments, too, are largely defined by the original “Housewives.”
In the Bravoverse, those who have been with their respective series from inception are women of legends. They are pioneers of their craft. The OGs, as they’re called. Our founding mothers.
And make no mistake, they are aware of their contributions and the trail they’ve blazed. How do we know that? Well, we at TODAY.com were able to ask some of them what they believe defines a “Real Housewife.”
“It’s a full-time occupation,” Luann said. “It really is, and one that has changed the idea of what a housewife really is.”
Luann, of “The Real Housewives of New York City,” was among six OGs who came to TODAY this week to celebrate 20 years since the original “Housewives” set in Orange County premiered in 2006. Bravo is celebrating in a big way, too, as OGs headline the fifth season of “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip,” dubbed “Roaring 20th” and premiering Aug. 9 on Bravo. The season will also feature cameos from 82 (!!) other “Housewives.”
“(It’s) the greatest trip down memory line for, what I think is, the greatest docu-soap opera in TV history,” “Real Housewives” executive producer Andy Cohen said Aug 5 on TODAY.
Below, we gave the mic to six OGs: Luann, as well as Teresa of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” Vicki from “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” Kyle Richards from “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” Gizelle Bryant from “The Real Housewives of Potomac” and Lisa Barlow from “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.” Here’s what they say about what makes a housewife, well, one of the “Real Housewives.”
This interview was edited for clarity.
Luann: What makes a ‘Real Housewife’ today? A woman who can juggle it all — career, family, husbands —
Vicki: — boyfriends, dating —
Luann: — travel, friendships. It’s a full-time occupation. It really is, and one that has changed the idea of what a housewife really is.
Gizelle: I think definitely a woman that can be comfortable in her own skin, knows who she is, confident, secure, and is OK to be vulnerable.
Lisa Barlow: Someone that’s completely authentic, that’s comfortable with themselves, that has a strong identity, and someone that’s bold.
Teresa: To me, a “Real Housewife” means being real, being true to yourself. Obviously we live in this world of, like, everything’s on the internet — being out there, you can’t let anyone bother you that’s writing things about you. You have to be really strong and just keep it moving.
Kyle: A “Real Housewife” on Bravo is somebody that can really juggle being a mom, being a wife, going through separation, having a career, being a good friend, being true to themselves, even if it’s not the popular thing to say or do at the time, and not be afraid of what other people think of you.
Vicki: A “Housewife” to me is authentic, not trying to create a storyline — they are the storyline. We see sometimes the new girls coming in and faking their reality — and I can’t stand that. Again, being a businesswoman — I think we all are, we can say that we are — being authentic. Going through the divorces on TV has been difficult for me. And then dating, difficult again. And so it’s a whole thing of real life. It’s not just being at home, cooking dinner and taking the kids to sports.
Luann: And for future “Housewives” out there — just be your authentic self.
Gizelle: Totally. Because we know when you’re not.
Vicki: And we might call you out on it.