Kyle Richards “Dodged a Bullet” Due to No ‘Real Housewives’ Reunion, Says Star

Kyle Richards, a seasoned member of ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’, recently shared her thoughts on ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’ skipping a reunion this year. In an exclusive interview at the Posse Pride Party in Hollywood, Richards expressed her view that not having a reunion could be seen as taking the easy way out and a way to avoid facing difficult discussions and confrontations.

Being an original cast member of RHOBH, Richards has participated in 13 consecutive reunions, including one particularly emotional sit down during season 12 with her sister Kathy Hilton, which left Richards visibly moved and contemplating her involvement in the show. 

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When asked if she would opt to skip a reunion if given the choice, Richards humorously admitted that while she would prefer to skip it, she acknowledged the significance of the reunion as a pinnacle event in the reality TV realm, likening it to the Super Bowl of their profession.

The decision not to have a traditional reunion for RHONJ’s current season 14 stems from ongoing tensions within the cast, which includes prominent figures like Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, Dolores Catania, Margaret Josephs, Jennifer Aydin, and others. This rift has also manifested in split panels at BravoCon over the past two years, highlighting the deep-seated issues among the cast members.

Giudice, another original cast member in her franchise, expressed disappointment about the lack of a reunion on ‘Watch What Happens Live’ with Andy Cohen, stating that viewers will miss out on hearing her side of things this season. It’s worth noting that the decision to forgo a reunion is a rare occurrence in the Real Housewives universe, as reunions have been a staple in every season across various franchises, even during the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The exception was seen in season 13 of ‘The Real Housewives of New York City,’ which faced criticism and low ratings, leading to a decision by producers to skip the reunion and overhaul the cast entirely for the following season. This highlights the importance and impact of reunion episodes in offering closure, resolution, and insights into the drama and dynamics that unfold throughout each season.

-Sushmita Sarkar