On the subject of the Actual Housewives, Miami is Bravo’s hidden gem.
After kicking off its first season in 2011, the present was dropped at a halt in 2013, till the collection was efficiently rebooted in 2021. Eight years off the air, Peacock gave The Actual Housewives of Miami a brand new life with a long-overdue fourth season.
After two years working on the NBCUniversal streamer, RHOM returned to Bravo in late 2023, the place season seven is at the moment airing on Bravo weekly. Miami has every thing viewers might ask for out of a Actual Housewives franchise, however there’s a notable lack of presence and admiration for the franchise in comparison with its sister collection’.
In season seven, Alexia Nepola is grappling together with her third divorce. Lisa Hochstein is reeling from the lack of her father. Julia Lemigova not too long ago adopted twins together with her spouse, Martina Navratilova. Lara Pippin is navigating a messy breakup with Michael Jordan’s son. Stephanie Shojaee is a first-time housewife. Guerdy Abraira is studying how one can reside life after battling and beating most cancers.
There’s no scarcity of drama from the primary solid, and that doesn’t even embody the “mates of” the housewives (girls showcased in lesser, non “full-time” roles on the present), together with Kiki Barth and OGs Adriana de Moura and Marysol Patton.
By way of the primary six episodes of season seven, rankings are up 14 p.c on a comparable foundation to season six. Nonetheless, the present is extensively thought of “underrated,” a sentiment followers have introduced up that government producer Matt Anderson understands.
“I believe that the fan engagement with this present specifically, as a result of I believe they really feel in a method accountable for bringing it again, [fans] wish to make certain every thing is being accomplished for it,” Anderson tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I just like the dialog, as a result of when individuals begin speaking about it, there’s extra consciousness concerning the present.”
It’s laborious to pinpoint what has led to Miami‘s “underrated” standing, particularly the place the collection is undeniably entertaining. Under, in separate edited conversations, Anderson (EP and founding father of Purveyors of Pop) and Kathleen French (senior vp of NBCUniversal Leisure’s unscripted present manufacturing) deal with the present’s “underdog” fame, season seven’s bodily altercation between Abraira and Lemigova and which Latin pop star ought to be part of the solid.
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When RHOM initially bought rebooted 4 years in the past, did you ever anticipate that it could get such a fantastic reception from followers and efficiently keep on air as a as soon as “paused” Bravo present?
FRENCH Completely. We’ve accomplished BravoCon [since] 2019, and anytime in any BravoCon [that] Actual Housewives of Miami was talked about, the viewers would go nuts. There was such a fan fever for this present and it by no means died. The query I used to be requested on a regular basis was, “When are you going to reboot Miami?” We knew there was an urge for food for the viewers to see this present once more.
ANDERSON I imply, we did it. Now, there are extra episodes of the reboot than there are [of] the unique. As soon as we crossed that threshold, it was like, Wow, we’re on the opposite aspect of that equation, which is fairly superb, as a result of rebooting is a tough factor to do. We’ve seen it tried time and time once more. I might say we all the time knew the viewers wished it, as a result of there was a really loud contingency through the interim interval of followers continually tweeting, asking, questioning the place Miami is.
Miami is the pioneer of this new Bravo development the place reveals are rebooting half or most of a solid, and sticking with a couple of OG gamers. Why do you suppose that this development has actually caught wind within the Bravosphere?
ANDERSON Having that baseline from legacy characters based mostly right into a reboot is a crucial piece to the equation, since you wish to give [fans] one thing that’s acquainted to them. As a result of we have been off the air for seven years, a lot had occurred within the lives of our OGs. They’ve skilled divorce, loss of life, marriages, I imply actually huge life-changing issues. That was a extremely key piece within the profitable reboot of it. After which bringing within the new characters can also be a chance to say, what does a brand new 2.0 Housewives imply? What might that be? And once we have been these unbelievable girls, like Dr. Nicole Martin, she felt like a really 2.0 housewife. She was a physician, she had her personal profession. She was coming to the desk with an attention-grabbing husband and wealth and a lovely home, however she had her personal factor going. Identical factor with Guerdy. She was an occasion planner, she had her personal profitable profession previous to being on the present. After which once we introduced Julia on, as an LGBTQ firm — we’re truly the one LGBTQ firm doing Housewives — for us, we’re like, “What may very well be the totally different factor that we’re doing?” And bringing within the first married lesbian housewife felt important and felt vital, as a result of we’ve seen some bisexual girls, however we hadn’t seen a married couple, in order that felt actually vital to us. In bringing in new individuals, all of them needed to signify what may very well be totally different about Housewives going into the longer term.
One other distinctive component about Miami is that this ongoing use of “mates of” the housewives. Marysol, Adriana and Kiki are so integral to this group, which is totally different from different franchises, who typically swap out “mates” yearly. Why do you suppose this trio matches so effectively on the present within the “buddy of” standing?
FRENCH We’ve mates on Beverly Hills as effectively which are core to the present. It depends upon what the solid member themselves is comfy with. In some instances, they might have kids in the home that they don’t need on the present, or their very own private life. Like Jennifer Tilly, her boyfriend, Phil [Laak], just isn’t taken with being on the present. When you’ve gotten conditions like that, it may possibly decide how and once you shoot with a solid member. Nevertheless it doesn’t imply they’re not as important and vital. It simply depends upon how [and] what they’re comfy with, and the way we observe their lead.
ANDERSON We name them “tremendous mates,” as a result of they’re. They do interviews, they go on each journey, they’re virtually at each solid occasion. I believe that’s a little bit little bit of our secret to the present, is their inherent integration and the dedication from the viewers concerning the mates. I like it, as a result of there’s a number of discuss of, like, “Give her her mojito! Give Marysol her mojito! Give Kiki her mojito! They’re doing a lot, they need to be full time.” And what’s humorous to me is it doesn’t actually have an effect on their viewing expertise, as a result of it’s the identical proportion that they really feel this dedication to them. There are different good mates [in other franchises]. I believe Kathy Hilton is a superb “buddy of,” I believe Jennifer Tilly is a superb “buddy of,” however they’re utilized a little bit in another way than we do on Miami.
Larsa Pippen and Adriana De Moura on ‘RHOM’ season seven.
Jeff Daly/Bravo
Miami is arguably one of the dynamic, drama-filled fashionable Actual Housewives that Bravo has, however there are nonetheless followers that suppose that the present is underrated. Why do you suppose that Miami has this fame of being underrated in comparison with different Actual Housewives franchises?
ANDERSON It’s query. I believe that the fan engagement with this present specifically, as a result of I believe they really feel in a method accountable for bringing it again, [fans] wish to make certain every thing is being accomplished for it. And so the quantity of engagement, whether or not it’s [fans saying] we should always have all these promos and every thing, Bravo is doing the identical quantity of promo for our present. However I just like the dialog round it, as a result of when there’s the dialog round it, individuals begin speaking about it and there’s extra consciousness concerning the present, to be sincere with you. So, I don’t thoughts it. And there’s something about being the underdog that provides you an opportunity to exceed these expectations, which I really feel like this season does. And so when individuals speak about it, they’re like, “Oh my god, the wit or the humor, the quantity of luxurious,” there’s a number of dialogue about that on-line, and I’m actually proud about that.
From the surface trying in, it seems just like the advertising and marketing rollout varies by franchise. There’s been this dialog amongst followers {that a} Miami housewife wasn’t featured on Watch What Occurs Stay through the premiere, and it feels just like the advertising and marketing technique for Miami may be missing in comparison with different franchises, like Beverly Hills or the brand new New York. Why do you suppose that’s and do you agree with that?
FRENCH The explanation why there wasn’t a housewife on Watch What Occurs Stay is that it was on hiatus through the premiere week. Andy did a throw to it from [the] Watch What Occurs Stay sofa the week earlier than, [saying], “Make certain and tune in subsequent week to Miami‘s premiere.” So it wasn’t a method, it was a actuality. It was simply not accessible. After which when the present got here again for episode two, Alexia and Marysol have been on collectively. So we’re all the time selling the present. All of them get equal love. We love all our housewives.
Do you agree with this sentiment that has been raised by followers that Miami is underrated?
FRENCH Properly, I believe we have now to construct momentum. I believe the present is again, we’ve had longer hiatus instances between seasons, it’s now stepping into an everyday [schedule] of seeing a brand new season yearly now, [and] I believe that’s vital for fan viewership. However although we’ve had the present on the air [for] a couple of years, there nonetheless was a reasonably lengthy hiatus interval, so it’s virtually as if we’re rebooting a brand new collection. And the momentum each season is constructing on itself. It’s been a powerful, regular construct, however I virtually have a look at it like we’re constructing on a brand new franchise.
One of many key items of season seven’s story is that this breakdown of Julia and Guerdy’s friendship. We had one other fairly uncomfortable second this season the place Julia threw a drink on Guerdy. When a bodily altercation like this happens on The Actual Housewives, how does manufacturing navigate when to step in?
FRENCH We’ve a powerful code of respect within the office right here. We respect it right here at Bravo, we anticipate all our manufacturing firms to and in addition our solid members. There have been sturdy conversations with Julia afterwards. Should you noticed Watch What Occurs Stay [on July 30], she stated overtly and truthfully that there isn’t a day that goes by that she doesn’t remorse having made that alternative. She has apologized to Guerdy, she’s apologized to the manufacturing firm. I imagine her when she says she regrets having accomplished that, so we take it very severely. We undoubtedly have conversations with our solid members. We don’t wish to see that happen once more sooner or later, and we anticipate them to do the fitting factor and take accountability and apologize.
ANDERSON As quickly as one thing like that occurs, we gotta step in, as a result of we don’t help any type of bodily altercations on the present. It’s simply not a spot that the present must go. We don’t want it. These are dynamic, clever, very witty girls that may use their phrases in arguments. We cease it instantly. As quickly because it occurred, my producer known as me, and the very first thing I stated is, “If Guerdy doesn’t wish to be there anymore, launch her for the night.” The very first thing is to strive to ensure individuals really feel protected in a state of affairs. And the following day, we had a number of conversations. I personally known as Julia, I known as Guerdy to kind of determine, from their views, what occurred, [and] what’s the finest path to maneuver ahead. Since you wish to guarantee that everybody feels okay about persevering with to shoot the present, as a result of the present is barely nearly as good because the solid involvement. We are able to’t make individuals present as much as a spot that they don’t wish to present as much as, finally, and also you need them to point out as much as a spot that they wish to be, in order that they provide one of the best variations of themselves.
Lisa Hochstein, Guerdy Abraira, Julia Lemigova on ‘RHOM’ season seven.
Jose Haro/Bravo
Had been you shocked that many of the solid was extra upset about Guerdy sharing her textual content messages with Julia, versus Julia throwing a drink on Guerdy?
FRENCH I’m undecided that I noticed it fairly that method. I assumed they have been a little bit extra surprised within the second when the drink throwing occurred, and I believe that it was a unique set of circumstances with Guerdy. I imply, she was on a stage making a presentation, so I believe they have been capable of react a little bit bit extra in actual time. I believe there was a little bit little bit of a shock response once they have been at Marysol’s wedding ceremony get together.
ANDERSON There’s been some dialogue about that after that episode aired. That is an edited present, so we are able to’t present each response and every thing that occurs. Actually there have been individuals on the solid who weren’t thrilled concerning the water throwing, and so they expressed that to Julia, [but] not every thing all the time makes it onto air. May there have been extra of that? Presumably, possibly the viewers might have been happier with that, you simply can’t predict what the viewers response goes to be, what they need extra of or much less of. And that’s a fantastic factor for the reunion to deal with [which films Thursday]. There was undoubtedly a sense that they didn’t love the water throwing, however everybody was all in the identical place on the similar time with the textual content factor. And the additional you get into [the] season, the longer they’re beneath kind of that microscope of doing Housewives, and I believe the reactions are inclined to begin to amplify, as a result of it’s actual life, however it’s type of a social experiment on the similar time residing your life on digital camera. I do suppose that their rapid response to the textual content messages was definitely extra visceral at that time, however they have been kind of working the marathon a little bit bit longer at that time too.
Forward of season seven, Dr. Nicole left the present, however she not too long ago made a cameo. On that episode, Guerdy requested what she wanted to do for her to return, and she or he stated that it’s “TBD.” Is the door open for her potential return after this season and have these conversations occurred?
ANDERSON I might have run into scene and gave Guerdy a excessive 5 after she requested her that query. I’m like, “That’s what the viewers needs [Laughs].” It was such a good way of placing the query and I liked the best way Nicole answered it. I truly simply noticed Nicole this weekend, and I used to be telling her and [her husband] Anthony [Lopez], “Everybody actually liked the best way the scene turned out.” And her reply is all the time the identical, she’s like, “By no means say by no means.” She actually was going by a private factor, and she or he determined to depart on her [own], however there may be all the time a door open for Dr. Nicole. Nevertheless it comes all the way down to if she needs to do it or not.
We even have the brand new version of Stephanie this season. She has a really, very free connection to Nicole as a result of she beforehand dated her husband, Anthony. Why was she the right new addition to return into this tight-knit group of girls?
FRENCH I really like the concept of getting somebody on The Actual Housewives of Miami who’s in the actual property enterprise, as a result of actual property is an enormous factor in Miami, and I believe that she represents it effectively. And she or he was such a fantastic match with the solid. I imply, she match proper in. She’s self-admittedly not a “lady’s lady,” but it surely’s attention-grabbing to look at her, over the course of the season, acknowledge and and wish to be girlfriends with this good group of mates. And, to inform you the reality, my affiliate, Pamela Gimenez, and [I], we didn’t know that Stephanie had dated Anthony till weeks into the method. In order that wasn’t a part of the grasp plan, however Miami is a small city.
ANDERSON Properly, that’s an enormous choice, as a result of the dynamic had been locked in for 3 seasons, so bringing in a brand new component is all the time an attention-grabbing factor to do. I used to be actually thrilled [about] the brand new dynamic and concepts and ideas that Stephanie dropped at the desk. Nevertheless it’s all the time a danger. You don’t know in the event that they’re going to click on, and Stephanie is a really daring voice. Her storyline this season, she talks about not having a number of feminine mates. And so initially, [that] gave us a little bit little bit of a pause, like, Oh, is she going to combine? I imply, the essence of a [Real] Housewives present is that it’s a buddy group. We bought on the cellphone together with her, and it was very, in my thoughts, 50/50, whether or not she could be a match, however she was so humorous and so charming. I used to be like, Oh, she’s gonna be nice.
The entire information of her information, or knowledge level, of her having dated Anthony didn’t even come to us till a second or third dialog the place we’d already determined we have been going to maneuver forward together with her. And, you recognize, on [the] floor, it appears to be like like, “Oh my God. They have been like, Nicole’s up and Stephanie’s in, and he dated Stephanie, and she or he’s type of her alternative.” That was by no means the trajectory of that, that was simply type of a cheerful accident. And it’s humorous, as a result of I noticed Nicole and Anthony this week, and I simply requested him what he thought, [and] he’s like, “I believe she’s actually nice for the present.”
Stephanie Shojaee, Larsa Pippen, Kiki Barth on ‘RHOM’ season seven.
Jose Haro/Bravo
What do you hope lies sooner or later for The Actual Housewives of Miami?
FRENCH I’m with you — I believe [RHOM] is a little bit little bit of the unsung hero on the Housewives franchise proper now. I simply wish to see viewers discover it, turn into followers and love the present as a lot as we do, as a result of we simply suppose it’s spectacular. We love the solid, we love Miami as a backdrop. It’s multicultural; these girls are from everywhere in the world. I really like that the ladies are bilingual; they converse Spanish and English on the present. There’s so many issues about it [that] you’re not going to see in any of the opposite Housewives franchises. And I need the recognition to develop. I believe it’s a fantastic collection for us.
ANDERSON Properly, I’ve many hopes, however the first and most blatant could be that we go on for a lot of, many seasons. These girls have many extra tales and diamonds to offer us. A extra particular hope could be I might like to get a Latin pop star onto the present. There’s an enormous music group in Miami, and it could be enjoyable to get an enormous Latin pop star on [RHOM]. Once I was a contract showrunner for Actual Housewives of Atlanta season two, and so they let me into the casting course of and confirmed me all of the tapes, and I noticed Kandi Burruss, I used to be like, “We’ve to get Kandi!” There was such an enormous R&B music scene there that [Kandi’s casting] would signify a vertical of Atlanta that had not been capped but for Actual Housewives of Atlanta. And I all the time take into consideration that, as a result of you need to service town in addition to the person characters inside it. It provides it uniqueness between every totally different iteration within the franchise. So, quite a bit like Atlanta, for Miami, I might like to see a Latin pop star. That may be my hope, so keep tuned.
Do you’ve gotten anyone particularly in thoughts?
ANDERSON I might like to get Shakira. How superb would that be? There was a rumor that began about that, and I used to be like, I really like this rumor. “Shakira, Shakira,” let’s do it! She has a home down there, she’s lovely, she’s dynamic, she’s at an attention-grabbing level in her life, how superb would that be? And you recognize what I really like about The Actual Housewives Miami is that there’s a very sturdy Latin throughline by it, and I believe that’s vital to the present. And it’s additionally this subsequent technology Latin American, which they name themselves the 200 percenters, the place they consider themselves as 100% Latin, but additionally 100% American. I believe that will be actually attention-grabbing to get like a worldwide Latin pop star that appeals in the identical method.
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New episodes of The Actual Housewives of Miami air Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Bravo. New episodes can be found to stream on Peacock on Thursdays.