All 9 Real Housewives fired from their respective Bravo series

Drama, luxury, and outsized characters come together in The Real Housewives franchise to captivate fans around the world. Audiences tune in to see the ultra-rich and their extravagant homes, wardrobes, and parties. It’s a fun way to daydream and pretend for a while that one lives a life of luxury. However, the series is at its best when it features high levels of interpersonal tension. 

Confrontations and feuds between the housewives draw in viewers and keep them tuning in season after season. The unique backgrounds of the housewives add depth to the show and make the characters more approachable. Through digging into family dynamics, romantic relationships, career aspirations, and personal obstacles, the series humanizes these women and makes them relatable. 

Over the years, numerous personalities have come and gone from the show, but the dismissal of these nine fan-favorite housewives has shocked viewers more than anything else. 

Vicki Gunvalson – The O.G. of the O.C.

In the realm of reality television, Vicki Gunvalson is a household name thanks to her appearances on The Real Housewives of Orange County. Vicki’s contributions as one of the series’ initial cast members were essential in making the franchise what it is today. Her character, known as the “O.G. of the O.C.,” was one of the show’s most dynamic and divisive characters due to her over-the-top lifestyle and unwavering work ethic. Her catchphrase, “Woo-hoo!,” became shorthand for her vivacious, outsized personality. Vicki was a central figure in many of the show’s storylines and conflicts throughout her time. 

Conflicts between her and the other Housewives regularly kept viewers on edge. Vicki’s uncensored opinion and willingness to speak her thoughts without hesitation made her a lightning rod for controversy. Still, Vicki showed vulnerability and genuineness despite her hilarious antics. However, after fourteen seasons, Vicki Gunvalson’s journey on The Real Housewives of Orange County ended abruptly when she was fired. Vicki’s departure elicited mixed reactions from fans who had gotten accustomed to her presence. Fans speculated that her involvement in controversies on and off camera was the reason for her removal, despite neither Bravo nor the show’s producers giving an official explanation. 

Tamra Judge – The Cut Fitness Guru

Like Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge was a regular on The Real Housewives of Orange County. The third season was when Tamra first appeared on the show, and she quickly gained a reputation for speaking her mind. Her direct manner and razor-sharp wit frequently resulted in dramatic showdowns and hilarious one-liners that captivated audiences. Tamra never held back from voicing her opinions or criticizing her co-stars. With some of the housewives, Tamra became close friends, while with others, she began feuds that lasted for seasons. 

She and castmate Vicki Gunvalson had a rocky relationship that was often the show’s focus due to the dramatic swings in their chemistry and the intensity of their disputes. Tamra’s personal life, including her marriage, divorce, and challenges as a co-parent, was also prominently covered. While Tamra Judge had a long and successful run on The Real Housewives of Orange County, she was let go after season 12. Many viewers of RHOC assumed that producers fired Tamra and Vicki because they wanted to bring in younger cast members. However, according to US Weekly, in a talk with Andy Cohen on Instagram Live in 2020, Tamra revealed the financial motivation for her dismissal, saying:

“I’m not cheap Andy, and that’s why I got fired!”

Nene Leakes – The Atlanta Diva

When The Real Housewives of Atlanta premiered in 2008, Nene Leakes was among the first cast members to sign on. She made an immediate impression with her bold style choices, cutting humor, and magnetic personality. Nene became one of the most recognizable faces in the show’s history thanks to her knack for witty comebacks and fiery arguments. She was the de facto head of the Atlanta Housewives thanks to her magnetic charm and strong presence. Nene was notorious for her acerbic wit and deft handling of high-pressure situations, frequently leading to dramatic escalation and contentious debates. 

Her rivalries with the other cast members, especially Kim Zolciak-Biermann, became legendary. In the end, Nene Leakes’ firing proved that no housewife is safe from the fluid dynamics of reality television. Still, Nene’s vivacious nature didn’t end with the show; she also tried her hand at acting and starting her own business. In addition to The Real Housewives, her engagement in other entertainment endeavors and guest appearances on other series have made her a household name.

Dorinda Medley – The Unfiltered New Yorker

Although her tenure on The Real Housewives of New York City was short, Dorinda Medley’s colorful and outspoken attitude had a lasting impression on the show. With her catchy one-liners like “I made it nice!” Dorinda became an instant hit with viewers and integral to the show’s popularity. Dorinda’s stint on the program was defined by her complicated relationship with castmate Sonja Morgan and her clever banter with fellow housewife Luann de Lesseps. 

Dorinda also disclosed intimate details of her life, including her marriage to the late Richard Medley and her subsequent battles with depression and alcoholism. Dorinda Medley’s run on The Real Housewives of New York City lasted six seasons before the producers let her go. Dorinda’s termination may have resulted from her actions and interactions with the other cast members. Her sharp tongue and witty comebacks made for entertaining TV, but sometimes, her aggressive manner crossed the line. Many viewers and her fellow Housewives took issue with her fiery interactions and outbursts during the show’s twelfth season. 

Teddi Mellencamp – The Accountability Coach

As a health and wellness enthusiast and daughter of music legend John Mellencamp, Teddi’s character centered around her commitment to fitness and personal growth. Having Teddi Mellencamp on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills at first helped to ground and even out the group. Teddi’s role as an accountability coach meant she frequently led group workouts and pushed her fellow housewives to make healthy lifestyle changes. Her refreshing honesty and dedication to taking responsibility for her actions made her a welcome addition to the show.

Teddi’s role in the show’s dramatic stories was relatively minor throughout her time on screen. She frequently found herself as a peacemaker or counselor among the housewives. Some viewers found her more approachable and low-key amid the typically opulent and ostentatious Beverly Hills surroundings, which won them over. Teddi Mellencamp’s time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills lasted three seasons before she was let go. Teddi’s relatively lowkey presence and lack of big confrontations or dramatic moments on the show may have influenced the decision. Furthermore, while Teddi had her supporters, other viewers felt her presence on the show to be boring or lacking in entertainment value. 

Denise Richards – The Hollywood Starlet

The ninth season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills saw the addition of celebrity glamour with Denise Richards’s casting. Famous for her parts in films like Wild Things and Starship Troopers, Denise’s fame and acting experience piqued the interest of viewers curious to glimpse the star’s private life. Denise first came across as a friendly and approachable person who freely shared personal anecdotes and seemed to take life as it came.

After that, she was at the center of a scandalous plotline about her supposed affair with fellow housewife Brandi Glanville. The incident quickly became the season’s main plot, resulting in several arguments, differing versions of events, and a continuing struggle between Denise and the rest of the group. Tension and friction arose as her efforts to protect her privacy, steer the conversation, and silence some of her castmates raised questions about the show’s authenticity and its promise to reflect the lives of its participants. The network and producers of the show decided to dismiss Denise Richards in the end. 

Kelly Dodd – The Orange County Wildcard

Fan reaction to Kelly Dodd’s exit from The Real Housewives of Orange County was mixed due to the controversial character she portrayed on the show. Some viewers, tired of her disputes, were relieved to see her go. On the other hand, other audiences were sad to see her go since they found pleasure in her antics and the fights she got into with the other housewives. 

Kelly’s tendency to make provocative statements on social media and in interviews fueled the fire and made her a more interesting yet divisive figure. Kelly Dodd’s run on The Real Housewives of Orange County lasted five seasons. Kelly’s departure could have resulted from a conflict between her provocative words and behavior on and off the show and the network’s standards or viewers’ expectations.

Braunwyn Windham-Burke – The Trailblazer 

As the first openly gay housewife, Braunwyn Windham-Burke added a new dimension of diversity and representation to The Real Housewives franchise when she joined The Real Housewives of Orange County in its fourteenth season. Braunwyn’s journey of self-discovery, hardships, and achievements as an openly gay woman and mother of seven children struck a chord with many viewers, who admired her for her bravery and honesty.

Braunwyn’s storylines focused on her development and challenges in forging her identity and establishing healthy relationships. Her openness about her sobriety issues, changing marriage, and sexuality discovery made her an intriguing and sympathetic figure. Braunwyn’s openness to tackle complex subjects and openly discuss her experiences drew both praise and criticism. Braunwyn Windham-Burke’s time on The Real Housewives of Orange County lasted two seasons before she was let go. Bravo and the show’s producers did not elaborate on the specifics of her leaving.

Phaedra Parks – The Southern Belle with a Twist

Phaedra Parks, a prominent figure on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, captivated viewers with her own brand of Southern hospitality, wit, dynamic personality, and successful legal profession. Fans of the show came to love Phaedra for her sharp tongue, catchy one-liners, and commanding on-screen persona. Phaedra was the definition of a “Southern Belle with a Twist,” thanks to her ability to emanate refined grace and a strong, self-assured personality. 

Catchphrases like “Fix it, Jesus!” and “Everybody knows Phaedra loves a good donkey booty” became instant classics among viewers. Her romantic relationship and eventual marriage to Apollo Nida, who later faced legal troubles, were central to her narrative. Phaedra’s career as an attorney and involvement in various entrepreneurial ventures also added depth to her character. However, Phaedra Parks’ journey on The Real Housewives of Atlanta ended after seven seasons. It is believed that a specific incident involving a rumor she spread about her fellow housewife, Kandi Burruss, played a significant role in her dismissal.