Latest news with #RealHousewivesofRhodeIsland
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local enthusiasm played role luring 'Real Housewives' to RI. What we know about the show.
PROVIDENCE – The buzz started a couple of days after Christmas last year when a shadowy Instagram account began touting a Rhode Island edition of the "Real Housewives" franchise that runs on Bravo TV. On Wednesday, May 7, the dreams of fans of that idea came true when Bravo posted on X the news that "Real Housewives of Rhode Island" would be, well, a reality. But that headline, along with a vague plot tease was all that Bravo had to say, along with a vague plot tease: "Set against the shores of the Ocean State, 'The Real Housewives' franchise expands into the world of a tight-knit circle of Rhode Islanders who have deep community roots and families that go back generations. With aspirational lives, thriving businesses and tangled family dynamics, these decade-long friendships prove that in a state this small, there's no escaping your past … or each other." So, will Bravo talk about when will it be on, who will be in the cast, where it will take place? A publicist for the show told The Providence Journal that all that will be announced when the show's premiere gets closer. So, when's that? No amount of reporter sweet-talking could get that out of the network. But, social media sites offer some clues, even if they are highly unofficial, maybe even unreliable. Last year, just after Christmas, the hype began building when someone – it's still not clear whether they were officially affiliated with Bravo – posted an Instagram site touting a Rhode Island version of "Real Housewives." The site showed six women, along with their husbands or fiancés, who presumably were being considered for the cast: Elizabeth and Gerald. Rosie and Rich. Monique and Patrick. Rulla and Brian. Joellen and Gary. Alicia and fiancé Bill. It also shows photos of seven houses, along with the purchase prices. Is this where the "Real Housewives of Rhode Island live? A Cranston house that sold for $750,000. Another Cranston house, for $350,000. A Lincoln residence, the priciest of the group at $1.29 million. Yet another Cranston place, $755,000. The southernmost, in North Kingstown, $689,000. Affordable housing in North Providence, $264,000. A cozy spot on the East Side of Providence, $735,000. Though no one has officially owned up to creating the Instagram site hyping the "Real Housewives of Rhode Island" back in December, it played a critical role, according to Steven Feinberg, executive director of the Rhode Island Film & TV Office. The vague possibility that the series was coming to Rhode Island consumed the social media world around Christmas. TV and newspaper reporters tried to confirm the story, but the only official word was from Feinberg, who called it "speculative at best." Turns out that's all it was. But Rhode Island's feverish reaction to the rumor convinced producers to give Rhode Island a second look. "The buzz around Christmas time showed our enthusiasm," Feinberg told The Journal on May 7. At that point, producers were considering several states as the location for the next "Real Housewives" series. But Rhode Islanders reacted so positively that it made Little Rhody a big contender. "That buzz helped propel us," Feinberg said. Then, a month or two ago, the decision was made that the show would come to Rhode Island. The first widespread confirmation of the series Wednesday came from Feinberg in a Facebook post. "One of the most popular reality-shows ever to grace television, 'The Real Housewives' franchise sparked an avalanche of enthusiasm when word spread that this entertaining series just might land in the Ocean State," Feinberg said. "Well, good news, folks. 'The Real Housewives of Rhode Island' is ready to roll and take the world by storm! Action!" Gov. Dan KcKee joined the buzz, welcoming the show to the Ocean State with a post on X saying, 'You can find me where the chowder's clear, the coffee's milk, and the Housewives are Real.' In a more formal news release from Feinberg's office, Gov. Dan McKee said, 'We're excited to welcome 'The Real Housewives' and their millions of viewers to Rhode Island. Our state is home to vibrant communities, amazing food, rich history, and stunning coastal beauty – perfect for the spotlight. This is a great opportunity to support our local economy and bring national attention to all Rhode Island has to offer.' 'The filming of 'The Real Housewives of Rhode Island' is a great way to showcase some of the Ocean State's world-class dining and hospitality,' said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. 'I am pleased to welcome Bravo's 'Real Housewives' franchise to Rhode Island, and I am excited for the show's millions of fans to get a glimpse into our state's rich history, culture, and natural beauty," said Valarie J. Lawson, president of the state Senate. The show is produced by Evolution Media, with Lucilla D'Agostino, Joseph Ferraro, Jen McClure-Metz and Andy Cohen as executive producers. "Real Housewive of Rhode Island" will join established series set in Orange County, New York City, Atlanta, Beverly Hills, New Jersey, Potomac, Salt Lake City and Miami. Three other locations have also hosted "Real Housewives" shows: Dubai, Dallas and Washington, DC. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Real Housewives of Rhode Island: What to know about the new Bravo show
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who are the 'Real Housewives of Rhode Island'? Instagram offers speculative cast list.
While the official announcement that Bravo ordered the new show "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island" came on May 7, for months, a social media account has been speculating – or planting clues – about who might be cast. A spokesperson for Bravo declined to formally confirm cast members of The Providence Journal, but an Instagram account with the handle "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island" has been teasing information about potential cast members since December. The posts have included pictures of the homes of some of the speculative cast members. A typical "Real Housewives" show has five to nine cast members. So far, the Instagram account has teased six couples and seven houses for the show. Based on those teasers, here's who could be on the show. A separate Instagram and Twitter account known for posting reality television news also posted a potential cast list, that matched "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island" account with some additional names. Real Housewives of Rhode Island Local enthusiasm played role luring 'Real Housewives' to RI. What we know about the show. The Instagram account posted this about a North Kingstown home: "Seven minute drive from Mount View Beach lies an adorable three car garage. One bedroom, one bathroom and one amazing walk-in closet! Home to a fabulous housewife who is serenaded by her husband, a professional Frank Sinatra impersonator" Later, a post named Rosie and her husband, Rich, from North Kingstown. Rosie Woods DiMare is married to professional Frank Sinatra impersonator Rich Dimare. She's a former television news reporter and anchor, as well as DJ and emcee. She posted in November 2024 about buying a house that looks just like the one the account teased. In one of the house teases, the Instagram site dropped the clues that housewife "is expected to stand by her husband, a former professional athlete, while he faces charges for allegedly assaulting an 82 year old man at Planet Fitness." And later the account named Monique and Patrick, who are most likely Monique and Patrick Pass. Patrick Pass, who lives in North Providence, was arrested in September 2024 for allegations of shoving an 82-year-old man to the floor at Planet Fitness. He played seven seasons with the New England Patriots, winning three Super Bowl titles. That case is still traveling through the courts. Another speculative cast member of "Real Housewives of Rhode Island" is Elizabeth McGraw. The Instagram account teased a Cranston house with the clues "This waterfront dream house is what we call the golden tuna! Married to a cannabis king and sports fisherman, this SMOKEshow is one hell of a catch." Later, they introduced the couple Elizabeth and Gerard. Elizabeth McGraw is married to Gerald McGraw, the president of Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center, a medical and recreation cannabis business in Rhode Island. He also runs a sport fishing business out of Newport and Florida. Next up on the speculative list: Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, a financial planner married to podiatrist Brian F. Pontarelli. The account posted "Rulla from Lincoln" and her husband, Brian, in January. In sharing the Lincoln house, the Instagram account teased "Here lives the Queen Bee Boss Lady! Her husband is a Podiatric Surgeon and waits on her hand and FOOT." When posting about the Cranston house, the Instagram account said the potential housewife who lives there "is a cool and sculpted beauty! Her husband is a HIGH performing mortgage lender who is top four on his team." Later, they posted "Say hi to Joellen from Cranston" as well as her husband, Gary. Gary Tiberi is a mortgage loan officer with Mortgage Movement, out of Providence, married to Jo-Ellen Tiberi. Another couple the account posted was Alicia and Bill from Providence. In post about the Providence house, the clue was "this ranch built in 1960 is located on the East Side of Providence, the city's most prestigious neighborhood! It is home to Rhode Island's first Housewife! She is the fiancé to a highly educated Democratic small business owner." Carmody is engaged to Bill Kitsilis, who owns Angelo's Palace Pizza in Cumberland, and Antonio's Pizza by the Slice in Pawtucket in addition to recently opening Pizza Mamma in Cranston. A list posted by the reality television blogger account Dorinda Deadly, that describes itself as "the ultimate fusion of US and UK Reality TV and Pop Culture," has eight names of Rhode Islanders it expects to be in the cast. They are include the five mentioned above as well as Brianna LaTorre, Stephania Costa and Kelsey Swanson. Swanson in particular is heavily speculated to be on the show as one of the house teasers included a reference to a former Miss Rhode Island, a title she held in 2017. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Real Housewives of Rhode Island cast: Meet possible cast members
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'The Real Housewives' franchise is coming to RI. But not everyone is real thrilled.
Will "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island" encourage the rest of the country to come visit our beaches and try our restaurants? Or will the show – not exactly known for showcasing decorum, taste, and restraint – become a source of embarrassment for the Ocean State? "I am cautiously optimistic about 'The Real Housewives of Rhode Island,'" said Kristin Adamo, president and CEO of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau. "I'm hoping they show the beauty of the state and the accomplishments of these women, but I have seen episodes of the other shows and it doesn't always go that way." "I think once we see a few episodes, we will know the tone and decide if it will be useful in tourism marketing," she added. When Bravo announced its plans for the show on May 8, top state leaders, including Gov. Dan McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson, all applauded the move, describing it as an opportunity to showcase the state's history, culture, food and hospitality. But on social media, some critics questioned whether it would really show Rhode Island in a positive light. "Has anyone currently residing in the state of Rhode Island ever seen this show?!?" asked Dominique Baker on the social media site Bluesky. "Whew, this will be a rude awakening for the tourism bureau." Steve Feinberg, the executive director of Rhode Island Film and Television Office, told WPRO's Tara Granahan that "Real Housewives" won't receive any tax credits for filming in Rhode Island, and will cost the state nothing. "It's great promotion to a worldwide audience," he said, suggesting that tourists will want to visit the bars and restaurants that cast members frequent on the show, and that it could make West Coast residents curious about visiting the East Coast. "It will absolutely attract more tourists to Rhode Island, there's no question," he said. However, some residents fear that the show will only bring more publicity to areas of the state that are already crowded with tourists. "It's always great when Rhode Island can show off to the whole nation," said Mel Rainsberger of Providence. "We have superb food, activities, and many amazing destinations. But I'm a little afraid it'll only feature the already-oversaturated Newport area and not give attention to our other amazing towns." "From what knowledgeable industry folks are telling me, the production doesn't use union labor and most of the crew will be brought from out of state," Rainsberger added. "We have talented homegrown creatives that would love to work on a big production like this, and it's disappointing they won't be included." Bravo did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether the show would use union labor or local crews. The cast of "Real Housewives of Rhode Island" hasn't been announced yet, making it hard to know exactly how the show will portray Rhode Island to a national audience. However, executive producer Andy Cohen told the New York Post's Page Six on May 7 that the cast is "very Italian." "Rhode Island is such a small state, and they all kind of know each other and overlap, and it's an incredible group of women who have really interesting connections," he said. "I think it's going to really surprise people.' Cohen told Page Six that RHORI would differ from Real Housewives of New Jersey because "[i]t's coastal" and the cast is 'more Italian' with 'deep families." However, it "does kind of remind you of early 'Jersey' in a weird way," he said. Speaking to WPRO, Feinberg said that filming will take place in spring, summer and early fall. Rhode Island hasn't always welcomed reality TV. In 2003, when MTV sought to film The Real World/Road Rules Challenge in Newport, neighbors objected and pointed out that having 28 cast members live in a Bellevue Avenue estate would violate local ordinances that prohibit more than five unrelated people to occupy a residential property. "I don't think that's the image Newport needs to portray and I especially don't think it's the image Newport needs to portray on Bellevue Avenue," attorney Turner Scott, who represented the Bellevue-Ochre Point Neighborhood Association, said at the time. The show also got a hostile reception on Middletown's Indian Avenue, and ultimately decided to go elsewhere. The new show won't be the franchise's first foray to the Ocean State. For Season 12, episode 9 of 'The Real Housewives of New York City,' the group traveled to the "shi shi" city of Newport, describing it as a "miniature Southampton." They even stayed at the Castle Hill Inn though, in typical 'Real Housewives' style, there were plenty of moments of messiness and the episode was aptly named 'Hurricane Leah.' Reporter Rin Velasco contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Will 'The Real Housewives of Rhode Island' show the best of RI?
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Huge reality show taken off air 20 years after debut with no plans for return
A huge reality TV series from the United States is set for a spell off air almost 20 years after it first launched, with no plans said to be in place for its return A huge stateside reality television show is getting ready to bow out and not return. One of Bravo's flagship shows is reportedly being removed from the small screen almost 20 years on from its premiere. According to reports, The Real Housewives of New York City has no firm plans to return, despite its popularity. Since launching in 2008, the show has consistently been one of the most popular series in the reality TV schedule across the pond. Many famous faces have launched their career on the back of appearing in the show, including the likes of Bethenny Frankel, Luann de Lesseps, Sonja Morgan, Jill Zarin and Kelly Bensimon. Now, according to Page Six, the network is taking RHONY off air and hopes to reconfigure it. However, there's said to be no great expectation for it to return in a hurry. The series first went on hiatus in 2021 before returning with a brand new cast in 2023. Now, a source told the publication: "We're trying to figure that show out. We want to figure it out. We think there's still life in it.' But they failed to set a return date, stating no plan had yet been put in place. The news will upset fans of the franchise, and some will fear its lengthy absence will rival that of The Real Housewives of Miami. The Miami version was initially cancelled in 2013. It waited years before making a comeback in 2021. The insider stated that while the show should make a comeback one day, it is likely it won't be with all of its current cast. The publication stated however, that the New York offering was stumbling due to cast members distancing themselves from the production. A source said: "At this point they seen peoples marriages ruined, their kids lives ruined, their businesses ruined. It's just not a very desirable thing to sign up for." A Bravo spokesperson told the publication: 'Nothing is official. The show hasn't been canceled.' Several Housewives franchise shows have hit the pause button recently. In May 2023, The Real Housewives of New Jerse was paused due to feuding co-stars Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga. Eventually, filming continued, but it had to be put on ice while execs worked on a plan for a reboot. Real Housewives of Rhode Island has been announced as a new instalment in the franchise, however. New seasons of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Beverly Hills, Potomac and Orange County have also been confirmed.
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Bravo announces 'Real Housewives of Rhode Island' is coming to cable network
Bravo announces 'Real Housewives of Rhode Island' is coming to cable network Show Caption Hide Caption Bodycam video shows Karen Huger's arrest following drunk driving Newly released bodycam footage showed "The Real Housewives of Potomac" star Karen Huger's interactions with police during her arrest. The country's smallest geographic state received big news May 7: Rhode Island is getting a "Real Housewives" franchise. Bravo announced the news Wednesday after teasing four new shows in a cheeky X post. "IT'S. ALL. HAPPENING," read an Instagram caption from the NBCUniversal-owned cable network. "Set against the shores of the Ocean State, 'The Real Housewives' franchise expands into the world of a tight-knit circle of Rhode Islanders who have deep community roots and families that go back generations," the official description said. The statement continued: "With aspirational lives, thriving businesses and tangled family dynamics, these decade-long friendships prove that in a state this small, there's no escaping your past… or each other." 'Real Housewives' star Teddi Mellencamp has stage 4 melanoma. What's next? The franchise follows the drama filled, table flipped lives of wealthy women's lowbrow fights in upper crust cities across America. The franchise boasts shows in Atlanta, Potomac, Orange County, Beverly Hills, Salt Lake City and Miami. The New Jersey, New York City and Dubai editions are in flux. Dallas and Washington, D.C. are no longer airing. Since 2005, the "Real Housewives" franchise has explored deeper themes that go beyond glitz and glam, including financial instability, divorce, domestic violence, DUIs and the aftermath of home invasions. Two cast members from the franchise have been sentenced to federal prison for fraud charges. The "Real Housewives of Rhode Island" hails from production company Evolution Media and is slated to be executive produced by Bravo star and "Real Housewives" franchise figurehead Andy Cohen as well as Lucilla D'Agostino, Joseph Ferraro and Jen McClure-Metz. Rhode Island Film & TV Office executive director Steven Feinberg praised the news in a Facebook post confirming the upcoming program, which has garnered rumors in recent months. "One of the most popular reality-shows ever to grace television, 'The Real Housewives' franchise sparked an avalanche of enthusiasm when word spread that this entertaining series just might land in the Ocean State," Feinberg said. Ocean State political leaders praise 'Real Housewives of Rhode Island' Rhode Island politicians also applauded the upcoming "Rhode Island" show in respective statements after the news was made public. Gov. Dan McKee, a Democrat, praised the decision to bring the "Real Housewives" to the state. "We're excited to welcome 'The Real Housewives' and their millions of viewers to Rhode Island," McKee said in a news release. "Our state is home to vibrant communities, amazing food, rich history, and stunning coastal beauty – perfect for the spotlight. This is a great opportunity to support our local economy and bring national attention to all Rhode Island has to offer." 'Real Housewives' star Dorit Kemsley files to divorce PK after Shana Wall spotting The state's legislative House speaker, K. Joseph Shekarchi, said, "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island" filming is a "great way to showcase some of the Ocean State's world-class dining and hospitality." The Rhode Island state Senate president, Valarie J. Lawson, agreed, adding that she is pleased to welcome Bravo's "Real Housewives" franchise to Rhode Island, "and I am excited for the show's millions of fans to get a glimpse into our state's rich history, culture, and natural beauty."
