Gizelle Bryant and Porsha Williams are opening up about how The Real Housewives has changed when it comes to political and social conversations.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter celebrating 20 years of The Real Housewives, Vicki Gunvalson, Kyle Richards, Luann de Lesseps, Teresa Giudice, Gizelle Bryant and Porsha Williams reflected on how the franchise has handled topics like race, politics, #MeToo and sexual orientation over the years.
Vicki admitted that in the early days of the franchise, certain topics were simply not discussed.
“Back in the day we never talked about race, religion, who we’re voting for,” Vicki said.
Vicki said the show has had to evolve with the culture, but the women still have to be careful.
“You want to be where the conversation is,” Vicki explained. “But we still have to be very careful not to offend anybody.”
Luann de Lesseps agreed, adding, “You can be canceled so easily.”
Kyle Richards said she has always taken a more private approach when it comes to politics because of how she was raised.
“My mom always raised me not to talk about politics in public, so I take that to the cameras too,” Kyle said. “It’s the safest way.”
Vicki added, “I’m going to say this: I just want what’s right for America. It doesn’t matter.”
Porsha then reflected on how The Real Housewives of Atlanta could not avoid political and racial conversations during the Black Lives Matter movement.
“We couldn’t hide from politics during Black Lives Matter,” Porsha said.
Porsha, who was arrested twice while protesting, said she made it clear before filming that the topic needed to be handled carefully.
“I had been arrested twice while I was protesting, and before we filmed I told them that the subject had to be handled responsibly, not in the usual Housewife way,” Porsha shared.
Porsha also said she was bothered by viewers who responded to Black Lives Matter conversations with “All Lives Matter.”
“There were viewers who kept saying ‘All Lives Matter,’” Porsha said. “It bothered me.”
Because of that, Porsha felt a real conversation needed to happen on the show.
“I thought a real conversation was necessary,” she explained. “But we tried to do it with tender loving care.”
Gizelle Bryant also explained that The Real Housewives of Potomac has always had a different relationship with politics because of its location.
“Potomac is right outside of D.C., so we’ve taken the cameras into the White House,” Gizelle said. “Politics is a part of our show.”
Gizelle added that RHOP has continued to include political moments, including her recent trip to Congress.
“I recently went to Congress, and we took the camera there, too,” Gizelle revealed.
However, Gizelle said each Housewives city has its own boundaries.
“Every franchise has their own unwritten rules and code of ethics,” Gizelle explained. “For instance, on Potomac, we don’t talk about other people’s children, and we don’t get into religion.”
Teresa Giudice said RHONJ has similar boundaries when it comes to certain topics.
“That doesn’t happen on my show, either,” Teresa said. “No politics or religion. Or kids. But OK with everything else!”
Kyle said Beverly Hills also does not go after children.
“In Beverly Hills, we would never say anything about someone’s child, ever,” Kyle said.
The conversation shows just how much The Real Housewives has evolved over the last 20 years.