Roxanne 
Imagine being on one of the most watched reality shows in America — cameras capturing your every move, your every facial expression, your every outfit. Now imagine footing the bill for every blowout, every beat face, every glittery designer look that fans dissect on Instagram within minutes of airtime. Welcome to Lisa Rinna’s world.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum recently opened up on the Still the Place podcast and didn’t hold back: she thinks Bravo should be picking up the tab for all the glitz and glam we see on screen.
“They want your real life,” Rinna explained. “Their take on [glam] is: You should look how you look, because this is your life. So they want that. But I didn’t love that part of it because I spent all my money on hair and makeup and wardrobe, you know what I mean? You just spend it all.”
She went on to call Bravo “cheap,” arguing that wardrobe, hair, and makeup should absolutely be covered. After all, isn’t a big part of the Housewives brand the over-the-top fashion and flawless glam? (Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by Erika Jayne’s $40,000 glam budget.)
But here’s the plot twist: No one’s making these women shell out thousands on glam. The Housewives are allowed — even encouraged — to show up in their natural state. And while a barefaced confessional might be very real, it might not be very “Housewives.”
So where’s the line? If glam isn’t required, but the culture and fan expectations demand it, should the network step in and cover the costs? Or is this part of the unspoken deal — you bring the drama, the storyline, and the Swarovski-encrusted eyeshadow?
Rinna’s comments raise an interesting point about the hidden costs of fame. Reality TV may be “real,” but it’s also performance — and maintaining that illusion comes with a steep price tag, one that not every cast member is comfortable paying out of pocket.
What do you think? Should Bravo pony up for the glam — or is fabulousness just part of the job description?
