It’s amazing when a Real Housewives franchise chooses to add fresh blood to the group of women. Nothing gives me more joy than watching a rookie trying to navigate her way through the maze that is Bravo. The best rookies often riled up the veterans, never taking no for an answer. A promising rookie also knows how to stay out of the crossfire. This list of women below has seriously impressed us and may even force a rewatch of each season for old-time’s sake.
Nneka Ihim
Season 8 of Real Housewives of Potomac introduced the lawyer, Nneka Ihim. Now, the group of women was already pretty strong, but adding Nneka was the cherry on top. Instead of bonding over being Nigerian sisters, Nneka and Wendy Osefo came in hot as both were at one another’s throats. Who knew we needed the storyline revolving around a shrine and voodoo to keep us glued to the screen?
Nneka comes across as pretty cool as she is trying her best to bond with the other women. The newbie entered the mix as a rational, even-keeled, and credible woman. Without a doubt, Nneka is the cast member you can sit down and have a great conversation with, but don’t be mistaken she will make it known if she has an issue with you.
Monica Garcia
I’m going to say it: Monica Garcia had an incredible newbie run. The mother of four is hot-tempered, outspoken, and ready for a fight at any moment. Monica has a scandalous past, complete with an affair with her brother-in-law, conflict with her mother, and a hectic and ‘no holds barred’ kind of attitude. It is hard to deny that Monica has breathed new life into the franchise, especially after the departure of Jen Shah.
Erika Jayne
The Pretty Mess debuted on Season 6 for her rookie year and was an instant hit thanks to her pop-star persona. Erika Jayne was an enigma wrapped in a cold shell wrapped in a deep Southern drawl. Erika was extremely likable, even in her avant-garde outfits. Even though she might have put on an act for her first season, including a cute voice, she was considered one of the most favorite housewives. It also helped that she had her own chapel to pray for guidance in.
Meghan King
Meghan King sprang onto the scene during the Real Housewives of Orange County Season 10. While most newbies would be quaking in their red bottom pumps, Meghan took a different approach and threatened almost all of the queen bees of the OC. The mother of three went head to head with Vicki Gunvalson, making it her job to Nancy Drew the Brooks Ayers cancer cold case. She went as far as to call the neurology group that Brooks claimed to be treated in. Not bad at all for a rookie. Honestly, Meghan’s introductory season was the perfect storm.
Claudia Jordan
Anyone who can step up to NeNe Leakes is okay in my book. Claudia joined the Real Housewives of Atlanta for Season 7 as a friend of Kenya Moore. But the host made sure to make herself known, especially when it came to her epic read-off with Porsha Williams and NeNe, noting she never had to “dance on a pole.” Perhaps the best line came when she told NeNe to “Spell bridesmaids. The S is not silent. When you were my age, you had edges!” As Kandi Burruss said, Claudia read the girls like “Hooked on Phonics.”
TELL US – WHO DO YOU FEEL WAS THE BEST ROOKIE ON THE REAL HOUSEWIVES?
