I’ve loved the Real Housewives franchise since 2006. These women could no wrong in my book, and I instantly became a loyal Bravo fan. But some women stood out amongst the rest as they were our OGs. Think King Author’s Knights of the Round Table, except with a reality TV twist.
The Real Housewives of Orange County: Vicki Gunvalson
Undoubtedly, at the top of my list had to be the woman who started it all, Vicki Gunvalson. It’s hard to forget some of her most memorable moments (not that she’d let us). Some feel Vicki is an icon, a trailblazer for Real Housewives everywhere. With a 15-year career on the flagship series, it is easy to see why Queen Victoria reigns supreme. She always tried to elevate the Real Housewives of Orange County even when she was the one sinking to new lows. But through the good, the bad, and the ugly, Vicki made a lasting impression and possibly gave rise to the multiple spinoffs.
The Real Housewives of Potomac: Gizelle Bryant
From day one, I have liked Gizelle Bryant. To be honest, she reminded me of Vanessa Williams. Some Real Housewives of Potomac fans might find her foul, but I think she was the perfect mix of shady and relatable. Fans learned early on that Gizelle was a single mother who was never afraid to ask the tough questions. Over the years, Gizelle has kept things exciting and has become a stunt queen if it means good ratings.
When it comes to Gizelle, it also helps that she gets under Karen Huger’s skin. These frenemies rarely seem to find solid ground. But perhaps one of her best storylines has been with her three daughters. Her children never miss an opportunity to roast their mother, which only adds to her success in the beloved franchise.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Teresa Giudice
The table flip heard worldwide could have only come from Teresa Giudice. Tre and only Tre could get away with man-handling Andy Cohen and live to tell about it. Over the years, Teresa has given us storyline after storyline. Between birthing her fourth daughter, going to jail, getting a divorce, and finding love again, Teresa’s storyline has always smacked. She is the Madonna of the Real Housewives world since it feels like she keeps reinventing herself. The fact is that viewers continue to tune in to Real Housewives of New Jersey, which is mostly for Tre.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta: Kandi Burriss
Kandi-Yams, aka Kandi Burruss really showed her transformation from single mother to working woman during her time on the Real Housewives of Atlanta. I know, she’s not an official OG, but this woman paid her dues on RHOA so we are giving her OG status. Kandi was considered a fan favorite during her entire time on the series, mainly due to her ability to fly above the drama. Her down-to-earth personality was easy to relate to, and her work ethic was something viewers wanted to strive for. In my opinion, some of Kandi’s best storylines were about the other people in her life, i.e., Mama Joyce, Carmen, and Todd Tucker. Kandi had a spark that kept me tuning into RHOA for years, and I will miss her in the next season.
The Real Housewives of Miami: Alexia Nepola
Alexia Nepola never had it easy on the Real Housewives of Miami. Dubbed the Cuban Barbie, Alexia’s story really resonated with fans since day one. Even though, at times, she might be a pot stirrer, Alexia has faced many obstacles. Between a divorce, having a husband come out as gay, and almost losing a child, fans have been rooting for her to have a win. Even though she will be getting a divorce when the next season airs, Alexia and Todd Nepola had some cute moments together. As an OG, Alexia has made sure to keep Miami hot, and I expect nothing less from her in the upcoming season.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City: Heather Gay
One thing about Heather Gay is that she is as quick as a whip. The Bad Mormon author takes no prisoners but is still a fan favorite among the snowflakes. It doesn’t matter if she is rocking a scene with her fashion choice or holding one of her friends accountable for their actions; Heather is the glue that holds the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City together. I feel so confident in Heather that I’ll double down and say she’s one of my top 5 favorite housewives. Heather is hilarious, smart, successful, gorgeous, and strong. Honestly, I would love to hang out with her!
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Kyle Richards
Since the debut of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Kyle Richards has not dropped her diamond once. Many have come and gone, but Kyle still reigns supreme in 90210. Looking back on her long Bravo career the moments Kyle has created contribute to why she has remained a concrete member. I like Kyle for the same reason a lot of people choose to dislike her. She has this uncanny ability to start the drama and then step away. She allows it to unfold and very rarely gets caught in the flames. Honestly, it is an art!
The Real Housewives of New York: Sonja Morgan
Now, before you go to the comments to complain, I am aware Sonja Morgan is not an OG. But she is damn close, so I’m going to allow it. When it comes to the Real Housewives of New York, even when you don’t like a particular housewife, you can’t deny that they all bring something special, unique, and entertaining in their own way.
Sonja was this character for me. She never took herself too seriously. She also taught viewers a valuable lesson: “No one touches the Morgan letters!” and you can wash your panties in a bidet. But perhaps what made Sonja the best was how she showed viewers that even high society people can be crass and do weird stuff. Sonaj brought a human element to the series when she allowed cameras to catch her acting like a hot mess because, let’s face it, she made her train wreck antics look good.
TELL US – WHO DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST REAL HOUSEWIVES OGS?
