Andy Cohen is going behind the scenes on The Real Housewives . The Bravo guru discussed the reality series in a new profile with The Hollywood Reporter and admitted that he wasn't initially enthusiastic about Lisa Rinna joining the Beverly Hills version of the show.
"I actually have mixed feelings about having stars on the show," he revealed. "When Lisa Rinna auditioned for the first season of Beverly Hills , I was so against the idea. Like, she's already a celebrity!"
Rinna eventually joined the cast in season five, something Cohen corrected ("But then she came along and it totally made sense"). She stayed on the show for eight seasons, providing memorable moments, including Battle of Amsterdam, before leaving the show in 2023.
"This is the longest job I have held in my 35-year career, and I am grateful to everyone at Bravo and everyone involved with the series," Rinna said in a statement. “It’s been a fun eight years and I’m excited for what’s to come!”
Speaking on her SiriusXM radio show in April, Cohen had nothing but praise for her and praised her recent move into fashion. "What wasn't on my bingo card was that Lisa Rinna would not only be a model but also be in a fashion advertising campaign," he said. "I was really touched. I had to give it all to her."
Although Cohen eventually moved on to her, Rinna wasn't interested in returning to RHOBH anytime soon. "No. Never. No, I won't," she said on "The Jennifer Hudson Show" when asked if she would return. "I'm grateful for that show. I'm the person I am today because of it, but I'll never go back."
Andy's 'Superstar' Housewife
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter , Cohen also spoke about the legacy of "Real Housewives ," praising it for celebrating "strong women" of all ages. "I think the women on our show are superstars," he said. "I think it's really a feminist show because it can be about women finding their voice, finding their power or discovering their sexuality."
The long-running series premiered in 2006 with The Real Housewives of Orange County and has inspired nine other versions across the U.S. to date, including New York , Atlanta and Beverly Hills .
