By Wonderwall.com Editors
4:19pm PDT, Aug 17, 2020
It's not easy to land a gig as one of the "Real Housewives," and it's even harder to keep it! Since "The Real Housewives of Orange County" first debuted back in March 2006, other cities have been sprouting their own shows, and if a cast member can't keep up with the drama, she usually gets the boot. But what happens after "Real Housewives"? Wonderwall.com is checking up on some of the shows' former favorites to find out what they're up to today, starting with Aug. 21st birthday girl Carole Radziwill! She first joined the ladies on "The Real Housewives of New York City" in 2012 for season 5 and continued to hang with her friends and frenemies until season 10. So where's Carole today? Keep reading to find out…
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Carole Radziwill announced that she'd be departing "The Real Housewives of New York City" in 2018 after six seasons on the show. Her exit followed a rocky season with former BFF Bethenny Frankel; she'd also voiced a desire to get back to journalism. Carole is currently serving as a managing editor for beauty website Violet Grey and staying active on social media. As far as keeping touching with her former co-stars, in July 2020, Carole shared a picture of herself spending time in a pool in the Berkshires with Dorinda Medley… and ex Adam Kenworthy tagged along. Despite the cameo, it appears the exes are still separated though remain close friends.
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Since Heather Dubrow left "The Real Housewives of Orange County" in 2016, the former actress spent time guiding the design and construction of her family's new 22,000-square-foot home, which they've dubbed the Dubrow Chateau. Aside from doing all the interior decorating herself, Heather wrote "The Dubrow Diet" with her plastic surgeon hubby, "Botched" star Terry Dubrow. The wildly successful diet book is based on the couple's interval eating plan. Next up for the duo? A new show for E! with the tentative title "The Seven Year Stitch," which plans to showcase couples hoping to get their marriages back on track via plastic surgery, working out and counseling.
Alex McCord was an original member of the "The Real Housewives of New York City" cast but was not asked back by Bravo after the fourth season.
Bye-bye, Brooklyn! Alex McCord and her eccentric husband, Simon van Kempen, announced in September 2014 that they were moving to his native Australia. That year, she spoke to Bravo about making the decision for her sons, Johan and Francois: "Our children have never had the opportunity to live within walking distance of grandparents and cousins, and with our two boys aged 8 and 10, it's the perfect time for the extended family to enjoy each other." She has said she sees her family staying away from the Big Apple and remaining in Australia until the boys finish college. (Meanwhile, her husband went to law school Down Under and graduated from Southern Cross University in 2017!) Of her "RHONY" days, in 2016 she told the New York Post, "I think being on the show definitely became frowned upon. Season 1, we had a huge editorial spread in Harper's Bazaar. That would not happen today." She explained that nowadays, she believes the show centers around "cattiness and drunken faux pas."
Gretchen Rossi joined the cast of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" during season 4 and remained until season 8.
Don't worry! Gretchen Rossi is still happily engaged to Slade Smiley, who made a name for himself for dating other "The Real Housewives of Orange County" ladies including Jo De La Rosa and Lauri Peterson. He told RealMr.Housewife.com that he and Gretchen are in no rush to get down the aisle. "It's not our focus at this point because we have so many other things going on," he said. In the meantime, Gretchen spent time focusing on her Gretchen Christine Collection featuring cosmetics, makeup and more and occasionally making appearances on "Housewives" to stir up trouble. After a long road involving IVF, she welcomed her first child, daughter Skylar, with Slade in July 2019.
Danielle Staub might be the biggest drama-causing housewife in history. In just two short seasons on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," she was the center of numerous turbulent feuds and was called out for her dark past, including an arrest.
Soon after her 2010 exit from Bravo, Danielle Staub released her autobiography, "The Naked Truth," in which she attempted to explain her criminal past. After reportedly seeking professional help for emotional issues in 2011 and filing for bankruptcy in 2012, she's now in a much better place. Danielle announced her engagement to Navy SEAL Joe Masalta in August 2015, but they ended their romance by December 2015. Danielle — who made a triumphant return to "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" in 2017 — married her 20th fiancé, Marty Caffrey, in May 2018, but three months later, the relationship hit a rough patch. Marty served Danielle with divorce papers that September. Her divorce was finalized in February 2019, and that same month, she announced that she was engaged for the 21st time to businessman Oliver Maier. It was over by September. These days, Danielle is busy working on her YouTube channel, and despite making waves with appearances as a friend on 2019's season 10 of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" (that hair-pulling catfight, anyone?), she vowed to never return to the show in the future.
It wasn't easy to watch Taylor Armstrong's story unfold on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." She left the series following ex-husband Russell Armstrong's suicide in 2011 shortly after filing for divorce and revealing he'd physically abused her.
Fortunately, Taylor Armstrong has moved on from her dark times. She found love again, marrying attorney John Bluher in 2014. He even adopted her daughter, Kennedy, from her marriage to Russell Armstrong. A few years back, she also released a book called "Hiding from Reality: My Story of Love, Loss, and Finding the Courage Within," which helped raise awareness about domestic violence.
Wig-wearing Kim Zolciak-Biermann has come a long way since her days dating the elusive and wealthy "Big Papa" during nearly five seasons of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." Plus, who could forget her on-off friendship with NeNe Leakes, which often turned ugly?
Kim Zolciak-Biermann has calmed down considerably since marrying NFL player Kroy Biermann in 2012. The same year, the couple scored their own Bravo spinoff series, "Don't Be Tardy," which chronicles their family life. Kim, who already had two older daughters from previous relationships, has had four more babies — and some major plastic surgery — since her nuptials. She's been open about the changes she makes to her body, telling E! News, "I will always nip and tuck if I feel the need to do so." She made a return to her roots, stopping by "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" during the show's 10th season — which inevitably caused a scandal that resulted in Kim being called racist. Next up for the star? The eighth season of "Don't Be Tardy" is set to debut in October 2020.
Jo De La Rosa left "The Real Housewives of Orange County" in 2007 to move to Los Angeles and pursue her dream of becoming a singer after her relationship with fiancé Slade Smiley fizzled.
Jo De La Rosa didn't end up making it in the music biz, but she does seem happy in her current career as a consultant and executive at various marketing, media and advertising companies. After trading her French maid outfit for a traditional 9-to-5 gig, Jo also worked on Champagne & Milk, a fashion, beauty and lifestyle site. And she currently hosts a podcast called "Popcandy," which tackles former Housewives on its "Life After Housewives" segment.
Adrienne Maloof left "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" in 2013 around the same time she and plastic surgeon Paul Nassif decided to get a divorce.
Since her divorce, Adrienne Maloof has dated a slew of younger men including Sean Stewart and Jacob Busch, from whom she split in 2015. She continues to raise her three sons and help run her family businesses, along with her own Adrienne Maloof by Charles Jourdan shoe line. She also occasionally makes guest appearances on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," most recently popping up during Kyle's black and white party on season 10. Though she's been linked to Jacob Busch — who's nearly 20 years her junior — off and on for years, she's currently single.
Larsa Pippen appeared on "The Real Housewives of Miami" during its debut season in 2011.
Larsa Pippen and her retired NBA player hubby, Scottie Pippen — the father of her four kids — split in 2016 but reconciled in 2017. But in 2018, the couple finally called it quits for good, filing for divorce that November. Larsa also continued to make appearances on pal Kim Kardashian West's reality show, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," though in the summer of 2020, there was speculation that the she and the reality TV family had a falling out.
Jill Zarin ruled the roost as one of the original cast members on "The Real Housewives of New York City" — until she was let go by Bravo after her fourth season in 2011.
Jill Zarin's fight with former BFF Bethenny Frankel was a focal point on "The Real Housewives of New York City," but in May 2015, Jill told Wendy Feldman that all was well: "There is no feud between myself and Bethenny." The Zarin family was dealt a tragic blow in early 2018 when Jill's husband, Bobby, passed away after a long cancer battle. She told Page Six in March 2018 that she was struggling to cope with life as a widow. Asked how she was doing, she replied, "not good" and explained that though she's grateful for the support of her friends, it "doesn't fill the hole." In 2015, Jill told Page Six she wasn't eager to return to reality television — "There are some things about it I miss, there are a lot of things I can't personally handle. It's not healthy for me," she said. She eventually did return to the small screen — popping up on Seasons 11 and 12 as a friend of the cast. She's also found love again with boyfriend Gary Brody, whom she started dating in late 2018.
Former Miss Universe Puerto Rico Joyce Giraud joined the cast of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" in 2013 for the series' fourth season. Unfortunately for Joyce, she got fired. Apparently going head to head with Brandi Glanville didn't guarantee her a ticket back on the show. But what is she doing now?
You're still not allowed to call her Jacqueline! Joyce Giraud is still married to Michael Ohoven. The two even renewed their vows in August 2017. Professionally, Joyce has opted to go the route of many other "Housewives" stars — skincare! The former reality TV personality created the Joyce Miracle Elixir Collection, which features oils for skin and hair.
Caroline Manzo was an original "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" cast member but left the show after five seasons in 2013.
Caroline Manzo's family is still as "thick as thieves" — she and hubby Albert Manzo scored the Bravo spinoff "Manzo'd with Children" in 2014, which followed her tight-knight brood and ran for three seasons until 2016. Daughter Lauren Manzo married Vito Scalia in July 2015 (and made Caroline a grandma in 2017!). Her sons, Albie Manzo and Chris Manzo, worked on their BLK water business and now Albie's working on a bottled alkaline water called H2Bro, among other ventures. After leaving the Bravo airwaves, Caroline launched her homemade Friendly Monkey Soap line, which is sold on Etsy. She's also currently busy with her YouTube cooking channel — WatchWhatsCooking.
Jeana Keough's marriage fell apart during her time on "The Real Housewives of Orange County," on which she appeared until 2010. And there was that one time Tamra Judge threw red wine in her face at a party…
Jeana Keough looks better than ever! The down-to-earth former reality star is still a real estate agent in Orange County and is still keeping things very real off-screen — she opened up about getting a facelift in 2017. Jeana became a grandma in January 2016 when daughter Kara welcomed daughter Decker Bosworth. She's also reunited with former co-star Jo De La Rosa to do an episode of her "Popcandy" podcast.
Like castmate Joyce Giraud, Carlton Gebbia only lasted one season on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." The controversial Wiccan butted heads with Kyle Richards and wasn't asked back for season 5.
Carlton Gebbia has not had it easy since cutting ties with Bravo. She separated from husband David Gebbia in 2015 and he filed for divorce in November 2017 after nearly two decades of marriage. A month later in December 2017, a former housekeeper sued Carlton, claiming the former reality TV star attacked her and repeatedly abused her over the course of six years of employment. Carlton denied the claims. Carlton and David's divorce was finalized in September 2018.
Kelly Killoren Bensimon spent two seasons on "The Real Housewives of New York City," which she left in 2011 following a major breakdown while on vacation with the girls in the Virgin Islands.
Kelly Killoren Bensimon spends her days working on her writing and spending time with her two daughters from her marriage to famed photographer Gilles Bensimon. The model-turned-author released her fourth book, "I Can Make You Hot! The Supermodel Diet," in 2012, followed by "A Dangerous Age" in 2016. She launched an HSN jewelry line in May 2016 called Kelly Killoren by Kelly Killoren Bensimon and has continued her relationship with Bravo: The former reality star has made appearances on the network's scripted show "Odd Mom Out." Her most recent business venture? Becoming a real estate agent! Kelly is currently working as an agent for Warburg Realty. She also runs her own blog, #kkbloves.
Lynne Curtin left the "The Real Housewives of Orange County" in 2010 after her marriage started to crumble and her family's financial problems came to the forefront. Her daughters even received an eviction notice on camera.
Don't worry, Lynne is still selling fashion cuffs and running her jewelry business! She's also found love again: After her 2012 divorce from Frank Curtin, Lynne told Bravo in September 2017 that she had a new man in her life. But not everything has come up roses in the Curtin family. Daughter Raquel — who made Lynne a grandmother with the birth of son Carter — reportedly worked as an adult model, while daughter Alexa made adult films for a few years and has battled legal issues in recent years, including allegations of drinking in public, drug use, assault, battery and petty theft. Alexa also made headlines when she filed a lawsuit alleging she was sexually assaulted by a police officer in 2014, which led her to win a $2.25 million judgement for past and future "physical, mental and emotional pain and suffering." Unfortunately, the legal trouble didn't end there for Alexa. She was most recently arrested in July 2019.
Sheree Whitfield left "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" in 2012 after serving up tons of drama. Do you remember when she almost pulled off Kim Zolciak-Biermann's wig mid-argument? We sure do.
Sheree Whitfield is no longer a former "Housewives" star — she's back! The reality TV personality officially rejoined the cast of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" for its ninth and 10th seasons after taking four seasons off. She left ahead of season 11 after reportedly being offered a less than acceptable salary. Since leaving the show, she's romanced jail inmate Tyrone Gilliams, but that didn't last. More recently, Sheree made headlines in 2020 when she opened up about her experience with COVID-19.
Camille Grammer found out that then-husband Kelsey Grammer was having an affair during her two seasons on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." She wasn't asked back soon after she filed for divorce in 2011.
Camille Grammer has been in remission since being diagnosed with endometrial cancer and undergoing a radical hysterectomy in 2013. The reality star, who revealed she'd had surgery for a second cancer diagnosis — squamous cell carcinoma — in December 2017, has made many appearances on the last few seasons of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," where we've learned she continues to focus on her two kids and has found love again. She accepted a marriage proposal from Malibu lawyer David C. Meyer in October 2017, and the two wed in Hawaii in October 2018. Despite that happy occasion, Camille suffered a devastating loss the following month when her Malibu home burned down in the Woolsey wildfire.
