The truth on Lisa Rinna’s possible firing from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is now known, as Bravo host Andy Cohen reveals that it was Lisa herself who pulled the plug, quitting shortly after the season 12 reunion was filmed. Lisa first appeared on RHOBH in season 5, lasting until season 12. Here, her storyline took a darker turn, as Lisa attempted to take down Kathy Hilton. Lisa made claims that could not be substantiated, consisting of Kathy using racial slurs at a club. Lisa then played the victim at the season 12 reunion when her cast mates turned on her, calling out her mean spirited behaviors.
While on tour for his recently-released book, The Daddy Diaries: The Year I Grew Up, Andy Cohen addressed Lisa’s exit in an interview on SiriusXM’s Smith Sisters Live. Referencing the gossip shared in his new book, Andy asked the hosts, “What did you think about the tea that I spilled about Rinna quitting the show after the Beverly Hills reunion?”
“That was wild to me because I had understood the narrative as her having been fired,” begins the host, adding that she was “mind blown” to read that Lisa had instead texted Andy that night, immediately following the reunion, to say that she was done with the show.
Lisa has often been accused of leaking storylines, rumors, texts, and fellow cast members missteps to the press, often to take heat away from her own failings. When the hosts went on to ask Andy if he has noticed fewer leaks occurring in Lisa’s absence, Andy answered, “Well, you know it’s funny, because… Rinna is blowing up my phone and she’s like, ‘I’m gonna put Kathy on blast.” Shortly after, stories on what went down during a cast trip to Aspen were indeed leaked, and Kathy was herein accused of using racial slurs. However, on if Lisa truly was behind that leak, Andy simply states “I don’t know.”
Lisa had a solid eight-year-long run on RHOBH. Starting off strong, Lisa was first viewed as the witty side-kick, however, once she found her footing, Lisa began to fight with many of the RHOBH cast members, most of whom have since quit the show. These housewives consist of Lisa Vanderpump, Kim Richards, Yolanda Hadid, Eden Sassoon, Denise Richards, and now, Kathy Hilton. That said, once Lisa announced her departure, Kim and Denise began to pop back up in various filming locations for the upcoming season 13. It appears that in Lisa’s quitting, the show will gain back those whom Lisa once alienated.
Even though Lisa quit in a moment of exhausted passion, Andy has made it clear that he feels Lisa to be more-so on “a pause.” Meaning, the door for Lisa’s return is not shut. As Lisa sits season 13 out, her former cast members are making their way back in to film. Should all go well, it will be interesting to watch the character development build within the former housewives as they return to the spotlight minus Lisa, their antagonist. Should Lisa return to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills one day down the road, her redemption, or lack thereof, will make for a highly watchable season.
Sources: Smith Sisters Live/YouTube. Lisa Rinna/Instagram
