The Real Housewives franchise started in 2006 with The Real Housewives of Orange County. The original series led to the creation of Housewives across the USA before heading to other countries, including UAE, the UK, and Australia.
The show made stars of its cast members, who have gone on to make successful TV shows, publish books that became New York Times bestsellers, have hit music careers, and start successful companies.
But not everyone who is asked to become one of the Real Housewives takes up the offer. It’s not usually about the money; it’s often the idea of appearing in a cut-throat show with other women and how it will affect their personal image, which stops them from signing up.
In the following, we take a closer look at why some women refuse to join the Real Housewives and which celebrities have turned down Bravo’s offer. We also reveal how much the Real Housewives get paid.
Why Potential Housewives Turn Down Bravo’s Offer To Join Real Housewives Franchise
Every potential “Real Housewife” has a reason for turning down an appearance on the hit reality show. The main reason women turn down joining the famous franchise is the environment they would be entering into. A housewife has to open up her personal life to the reality TV show, letting cameras into her home and marriage. Other women understand that they do not have a fiery enough temper and are not suitable for the environment.
“That’s one thing I know for sure I would never do just because, no offense to anybody that does it, it’s just not me.” Jennie Garth admitted on the Behind the Velvet Rope With David Yontef podcast. She had been asked to join RHOBH in 2017 but turned it down.
“It’s not, I’m not comfortable in that environment. And why would I put myself in that environment?”
Claudine Keane, English footballer Robbie Keane’s wife, was asked to join RHOBH al ongside her friend Dorit Kemsley. She revealed she thinks she’d be “too upset” to enjoy the experience, even if it did offer an exciting career opportunity. “But it wouldn’t be for me. I would be really upset about the fights. I wouldn’t like all that.”
Bling Empire star Christine Chiu confirmed in an interview that she turned down an offer to join season 5 of RHOBH due to the recent death of family members and her in-laws’ opposition to reality TV.
Celebrities Who Have Turned Down Real Housewives
Julia Fox revealed that she was once approached by a producer to appear on Real Housewives of New York City. The Uncut Gems star admitted the timing of her appearance on the show wasn’t right, but she would be interested in appearing with the new cast in the reboot.
While the timing wasn’t right back then, Julia says she’s open to appearing on the show in the future once she gets to know the new cast.
“It’s a tough question because I don’t know what the new girls are giving. So I’d kind of have to just feel it out a little bit and if I think we can vibe than yeah, totally, why not? Never say never!” Julia told Watch What Happens Live.
Tamar Braxton also turned down an appearance on Real Housewives Of Atlanta. The singer said she turned down an opportunity to join the show because there’s “just no way I’m going to sit and get a wig put on and get my face beat to argue with a bunch of bit**es about nothing.”
“Let me tell you something, all money ain’t good money. It’s just not.”
The Braxton Family Values star opened up, saying the money wasn’t worth the drama.
“What’s for me won’t miss me. It’s not worth my mental to sit up here and get into an argument with another Black beautiful women about nothing so ‘other people’ can think this is what we’re about. At some point you have to have responsibility in what you put on the TV screen.”
Actress Christina Applegate, who is a reality TV fan, was also asked to appear in the franchise. The Married… With Children felt she would have been too boring to appear on the show. “I wouldn’t have shown up to any dinners, I would’ve been in my sweatpants, and I’d be laying in bed,” Applegate confirmed. “What fun is that? No, none of that. No. I would be the worst housewife anyway.”
How Much Real Housewives Are Paid
The Real Housewives franchise attracts millions of viewers, so it makes sense that its popular stars are paid accordingly. However, not all housewives are paid the same, with some earning thousands and others earning millions. The high-earning housewives bring drama, create storylines, and keep audiences coming back for more.
Nene Leakes has earned the accolade for being the most popular cast members in Real Housewives history as well as the highest paid. Towards the end of her time on the show, the Real Housewives of Atlanta star was earning $2.8 million per season.