Last night we watched the first episode of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20s. Ever since BravoCon last year, we were teased, reminded and poked with the notion that 2026 was going to be a huge year for Bravo.
Any anniversary is a special celebration but specifically 20 years of these crazy, wonderful women on our screens is outrageous. I don’t think anyone thought we would get here, but Bravo has become a beast and we owe it all to these women and to Daddy Andy for steering the ship.
Over the next few months I’d like to do a series where I discuss my thoughts on certain Housewives moments, cast members, franchises in celebration of this special occasion. But first, we’re kicking it off with my top 20 favorite Housewives ever.
Now, this is not a list of Housewives who I think are iconic, who make up the best of the best. This is NOT who I think the best Housewife is, who has bled the most for the show, who has given us the most iconic moments… these are my PERSONAL favorite Wives for various reasons. Maybe I personally connect with them, maybe I think they have contributed exceptionally to the franchise, and some I just like to watch.
I have my favorite franchises, and that might be reflected in how many times they appear on this list
Teresa Giudice
I mean, she has to be here, right? She irritates me, she is a felon, she is not the brightest bulb in the chandelier but my God, does she make for fantastic television. She has given everything to this franchise and is probably the only Housewife who’s franchise doesn’t work without her.
Dolores Catania
Dolo has her faults (I try to not think of her defending Tommy Manzo) but she is fantastic. She has such a warmth to her that it makes me wish I could just hug her once in my life. She is strong, takes no shit, and is a great person to have in the middle of a group.
Bethenny Frankel
At one point in time, Bethenny was my all time favorite Housewife. I was obsessed with her but now, she has lost me. However, that doesn’t negate how much I enjoyed her on RHONY. She was the best part of the show, in my opinion, and set the standard for businesses on Bravo. There will never be another like her.
Brynn Whitfield
I told you it was going to get controversial. When Brynn popped up on my screen, I was immediately taken with her. I loved her! I wanted to be her friend. I saw myself in her for some odd reason. She has so much potential and I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt when it came to her sophomore season but obviously, that didn’t work out too well. We’ll always have season 14.
Aviva Dresser
And another one… This might be the most random one on the list but when I recently rewatched RHONY, I was confused as to why so many people hated her. I thought she was real, a little annoying, had the Harry Dubin connection and gave us one of the most iconic moments ever with the leg toss. I was disappointed she wasn’t on more seasons.
You might be wondering…where is the Countess and Sonja Morgan? And to that I say, I love them very much but I’ve soured on them recently. I love seeing the Countess on my screen but she can be a little overrated sometimes. Sonja used to be my favorite but I’ve grown tired of her act and it’s changed how I viewed her. You could say that it’s unfair since I put Bethenny on this list, but her impact was just too large and I loved her too much to not include.
Candiace Dillard Bassett
No one shades like Candi girl. She goes low, she has a temper but my goodness, she is hilarious and fantastic television. I quote ‘not today neck, not today ankles’ at least once a week. I miss her.
Stacey Rusch
I have no words to describe how much Stacey Rusch means to me. She is so delusional, so unintentionally funny and the women hate her with a passion. She riles them up like no one’s business and it is pure beauty to watch. God bless, I can’t wait for her to be back on my screen!
Porsha Williams
I find Porsha Williams to be incredibly charming. She has an energy about her that pops through the screen like no one else on Bravo. She is stunning, hilarious, and so excellent at her job — she is essential to this cast and is doing fantastically leading the ladies again!
Phaedra Parks
You can’t have frick without frack. While she was fired from Bravo with very good reason almost 10 years ago, she returned with a vengeance and is back in her rightful spot. There are few people who read down like Phaedra, who have given us more hilarious moments and I’m just thrilled whenever she is on my screen.
Drew Sidora
I’ve been a Drew lover since her first season, through the Ralph of it all and beyond. She is so beautiful, I think she’s hilarious and she is the perfect amount of delusion. I think she is currently having her best season yet and I love how she gets in the mix, stands her ground and kind of always ends up on the other side.
Heather Gay
I don’t care what anyone says about Heather Gay. She is the one Housewife I will defend, no matter what they do. I don’t know what it is — I don’t know if it’s because she was heavier during her first few seasons, or because she is a very talented writer, but I related to her very much, and I still do. She has her faults, but at the end of the day, I don’t think we’d have the Salt Lake City we do without her.
Lisa Barlow
I love to hate Lisa Barlow. I cannot stand her. She makes my skin itch but my God, is she fantastic television. She is essential to the cast and no matter how much I dislike her, I never want her off my screen. She is everything.
Mary Cosby
If you would’ve told me 6 years ago that Mary Cosby would be on this list, I would’ve said you were lying. But, ever since she came back to show a few years ago, she has consistently been at the top of my list. There is no one like her; she is effortlessly herself, truly hilarious, and when she loves you, she really loves you. I know this upcoming season is going to be difficult for her after losing Robert Jr. but she truly did a beautiful job at being his mother.
Crystal Kung Minkoff
Yes, you heard that right. Crystal is a severely underrated housewife and deserved more than what she got. She is beautiful, down to earth, has real personal storyline and pretty much defines what it means to be a ‘Real Housewife’ in present day. She is loaded, her husband is very Hollywood connected and so is she. I don’t think just because she wasn’t the most vocal means she was a bad Housewife.
Brandi Glanville
This is specifically Season 2-5 Brandi — not now. I recently rewatched RHOBH and has a completely different view of Brandi. She was a victim of the women being threatened by a hot, young divorcee coming in and shaking things up in a way they weren’t before. She called it like it was, she didn’t take anyone’s bullshit and she kind of raised the stakes early on in Beverly Hills.
Dr. Nicole Martin
I would’ve loved more of Dr. Nicola on RHOM because once again, she was a real one. She called out the bullshit, she was RICH, and gorgeous. She wasn’t afraid to get messy but she was also a reliable narrator who wasn’t being overly performative. I miss her, and I’ll miss Miami.
Gina Kirschenheiter
You’re never going to find me hating Gina and Emily, but Gina is definitely my favorite on RHOC. She is so real, has been through so much and has really come out on the other side of things. Maybe it’s because I feel kinship with her as a New Yorker, specifically Long Island (since I live so close) but there is something so refreshing about her. I’m so proud of Gina Casita!
Shannon Storms Beador
I truly believe that Shannon has bled for the franchise like very few people. She has never shied away from her issues — from cheating, to divorce, to her weight, her businesses & money issues and her DUI. Some might say that her physical ‘woe is me’ clumsy shticks are for show and worn out, but I laugh every time.
Jo-Ellen Tiberi
She is new but she is fierce. I love my little Rhode Island firecracker! If anyone was made for TV, it was Jo-Ellen, and she does it in a way that feels so authentic to herself; I never once felt like she was performing for the cameras. She is funny, down to earth and seems like a reliable, audience narrator. I pray she doesn’t fall victim to the sophomore slump!
Alicia Carmody
The queen of Rhode Island. The breakout star! She wormed her way into our hearts one cracker at a time. There is no one like her on Housewives right now and I miss her dearly already. Once again, I hope she does not fall victim to the sophomore slump.
I told you…this list was not for the faint of heart. Of course, there are other Housewives I love, and very few that I really dislike (Vicki, Ramona and Tamra being the three I wish I never saw on my TV ever again) but these are the ladies that are near and dear to my heart.
You will notice the absence of a lot of the ‘OG Greats’ and that wasn’t necessarily intentional…it’s just that aside from Teresa and Bethenny, none of them are really my favorites, and honestly? I find a lot of them to be overrated.
That doesn’t mean Kyle Richards and Nene Leaks weren’t essential to the forming of these franchises and Bravo as a whole, it just means they are not at the top of my personal list of women who I love to watch or will go to bat for.
Now, who would be on your top 20? Who do you think is my most unhinged on the list?
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