Actual Housewives of Miami EP on Present’s Underdog Standing, Julia’s Drink Throw

On the subject of the Actual Housewives, Miami is Bravo’s hidden gem. 

After kicking off its first season in 2011, the present was delivered to 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 presently airing on Bravo weekly. Miami has every little 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 along with her third divorce. Lisa Hochstein is reeling from the lack of her father. Julia Lemigova just lately adopted twins along 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 learn how to reside life after battling and beating most cancers. 

There’s no scarcity of drama from the primary forged, and that doesn’t even embody the “associates 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 the primary six episodes of season seven, scores are up 14 % 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 feel that the fan engagement with this present specifically, as a result of I feel they really feel in a means chargeable for bringing it again, [fans] wish to be certain that every little thing is being executed 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 onerous 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 vice chairman of NBCUniversal Leisure’s unscripted present manufacturing) tackle 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 forged. 

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When RHOM initially bought rebooted 4 years in the past, did you ever anticipate that it might get such an incredible reception from followers and efficiently keep on air as a as soon as “paused” Bravo present?

FRENCH Completely. We’ve executed 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 forged, and sticking with a couple of OG gamers. Why do you assume that this development has actually caught wind within the Bravosphere?

ANDERSON Having that baseline from legacy characters primarily based right into a reboot is a vital 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, demise, marriages, I imply actually large life-changing issues. That was a very key piece within the profitable reboot of it. After which bringing within the new characters can be a possibility to say, what does a brand new 2.0 Housewives imply? What might that be? And once we have been these unimaginable girls, like Dr. Nicole Martin, she felt like a really 2.0 housewife. She was a health care provider, she had her personal profession. She was coming to the desk with an fascinating husband and wealth and a good looking home, however she had her personal factor going. Similar 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 completely different factor that we’re doing?” And bringing within the first married lesbian housewife felt vital and felt necessary, as a result of we’ve seen some bisexual girls, however we hadn’t seen a married couple, in order that felt actually necessary to us. In bringing in new individuals, all of them needed to symbolize what may very well be completely different about Housewives going into the longer term. 

One other distinctive ingredient about Miami is that this ongoing use of “associates of” the housewives. Marysol, Adriana and Kiki are so integral to this group, which is completely different from different franchises, who generally swap out “associates” yearly. Why do you assume this trio matches so nicely on the present within the “good friend of” standing?

FRENCH We’ve associates on Beverly Hills as nicely which can be core to the present. It is determined by what the forged member themselves is comfy with. In some instances, they could have youngsters in the home that they don’t need on the present, or their very own private life. Like Jennifer Tilly, her boyfriend, Phil [Laak], isn’t inquisitive about being on the present. When you may have conditions like that, it may possibly decide how and if you shoot with a forged member. Nevertheless it doesn’t imply they’re not as very important and necessary. It simply is determined by how [and] what they’re comfy with, and the way we comply with their lead.

ANDERSON We name them “tremendous associates,” as a result of they’re. They do interviews, they go on each journey, they’re nearly at each forged occasion. I feel that’s somewhat little bit of our secret to the present, is their inherent integration and the dedication from the viewers concerning the associates. I like it, as a result of there’s lots of speak 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 share that they really feel this dedication to them. There are different good associates [in other franchises]. I feel Kathy Hilton is a good “good friend of,” I feel Jennifer Tilly is a good “good friend of,” however they’re utilized somewhat in a different way than we do on Miami.

Miami is arguably one of the crucial dynamic, drama-filled fashionable Actual Housewives that Bravo has, however there are nonetheless followers that assume that the present is underrated. Why do you assume that Miami has this fame of being underrated in comparison with different Actual Housewives franchises? 

ANDERSON It’s an excellent query. I feel that the fan engagement with this present specifically, as a result of I feel they really feel in a means chargeable for bringing it again, [fans] wish to be certain that every little thing is being executed for it. And so the quantity of engagement, whether or not it’s [fans saying] we should always have all these promos and every little 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 trustworthy with you. So, I don’t thoughts it. And there’s something about being the underdog that offers 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 lots of dialogue about that on-line, and I’m actually proud about that. 

From the skin trying in, it seems just like the advertising rollout varies by franchise. There’s been this dialog amongst followers {that a} Miami housewife wasn’t featured on Watch What Occurs Reside through the premiere, and it feels just like the advertising technique for Miami is perhaps missing in comparison with different franchises, like Beverly Hills or the brand new New York. Why do you assume that’s and do you agree with that?

FRENCH The rationale why there wasn’t a housewife on Watch What Occurs Reside is that it was on hiatus through the premiere week. Andy did a throw to it from [the] Watch What Occurs Reside 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 out there. 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 Nicely, I feel we now have to construct momentum. I feel the present is again, we’ve had longer hiatus occasions between seasons, it’s now stepping into a daily [schedule] of seeing a brand new season yearly now, [and] I feel that’s necessary for fan viewership. However though we’ve had the present on the air [for] a couple of years, there nonetheless was a reasonably lengthy hiatus interval, so it’s nearly 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 nearly 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 corporations to and likewise our forged members. There have been sturdy conversations with Julia afterwards. When you noticed Watch What Occurs Reside [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 executed that, so we take it very severely. We undoubtedly have conversations with our forged members. We don’t wish to see that happen once more sooner or later, and we anticipate them to do the suitable factor and take duty and apologize.

ANDERSON As quickly as one thing like that occurs, we gotta step in, as a result of we don’t assist any sort 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 referred to 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 attempt to verify individuals really feel secure in a scenario. And the subsequent day, we had lots of conversations. I personally referred to as Julia, I referred to as Guerdy to type of work out, from their views, what occurred, [and] what’s the finest path to maneuver ahead. Since you wish to ensure that everybody feels okay about persevering with to shoot the present, as a result of the present is just pretty much as good because the forged involvement. We will’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 indicate as much as a spot that they wish to be, in order that they provide the perfect variations of themselves. 

Have been you shocked that many of the forged was extra upset about Guerdy sharing her textual content messages with Julia, versus Julia throwing a drink on Guerdy?

FRENCH I’m unsure that I noticed it fairly that means. I assumed they have been somewhat extra surprised within the second when the drink throwing occurred, and I feel that it was a special set of circumstances with Guerdy. I imply, she was on a stage making a presentation, so I feel they have been in a position to react somewhat bit extra in actual time. I feel there was somewhat little bit of a shock response once they have been at Marysol’s marriage ceremony occasion.

ANDERSON There’s been some dialogue about that after that episode aired. That is an edited present, so we will’t present each response and every little thing that occurs. Definitely there have been individuals on the forged who weren’t thrilled concerning the water throwing, they usually expressed that to Julia, [but] not every little thing all the time makes it onto air. Might 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 an incredible 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 identical time with the textual content factor. And the additional you get into [the] season, the longer they’re below type of that microscope of doing Housewives, and I feel the reactions are inclined to begin to amplify, as a result of it’s actual life, however it’s sort of a social experiment on the identical time dwelling your life on digital camera. I do assume that their fast response to the textual content messages was definitely extra visceral at that time, however they have been type of working the marathon somewhat bit longer at that time too. 

Forward of season seven, Dr. Nicole left the present, however she just lately 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 cherished 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 cherished 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 via a private factor, and she or he determined to go away on her [own], however there’s all the time a door open for Dr. Nicole. Nevertheless it comes right 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 proper new addition to return into this tight-knit group of girls?

FRENCH I like the thought of getting somebody on The Actual Housewives of Miami who’s in the true property enterprise, as a result of actual property is a giant factor in Miami, and I feel that she represents it nicely. And he or she was such an incredible match with the forged. I imply, she match proper in. She’s self-admittedly not a “woman’s woman,” but it surely’s fascinating to observe her, over the course of the season, acknowledge and and wish to be girlfriends with this good group of associates. 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 Nicely, that’s a giant determination, as a result of the dynamic had been locked in for 3 seasons, so bringing in a brand new ingredient is all the time an fascinating factor to do. I used to be actually thrilled [about] the brand new dynamic and concepts and ideas that Stephanie delivered to the desk. Nevertheless it’s all the time a threat. 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 lots of feminine associates. And so initially, [that] gave us somewhat 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 good friend group. We bought on the cellphone along with her, and it was very, in my thoughts, 50/50, whether or not she can 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 along with her. And, you already know, on [the] floor, it appears like, “Oh my God. They have been like, Nicole’s up and Stephanie’s in, and he dated Stephanie, and she or he’s sort of her alternative.” That was by no means the trajectory of that, that was simply sort 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 feel she’s actually nice for the present.” 

What do you hope lies sooner or later for The Actual Housewives of Miami? 

FRENCH I’m with you — I feel [RHOM] is somewhat little bit of the unsung hero on the Housewives franchise proper now. I simply wish to see viewers discover it, grow to be followers and love the present as a lot as we do, as a result of we simply assume it’s spectacular. We love the forged, we love Miami as a backdrop. It’s multicultural; these girls are from everywhere in the world. I like that the ladies are bilingual; they communicate 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 feel it’s an incredible collection for us. 

ANDERSON Nicely, I’ve many hopes, however the first and most evident can be that we go on for a lot of, many seasons. These girls have many extra tales and diamonds to provide us. A extra particular hope can be I might like to get a Latin pop star onto the present. There’s a giant music group in Miami, and it might be enjoyable to get a giant Latin pop star on [RHOM]. Once I was a contract showrunner for Actual Housewives of Atlanta season two, they usually 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 a giant R&B music scene there that [Kandi’s casting] would symbolize 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 it’s important to service town in addition to the person characters inside it. It provides it uniqueness between every completely different iteration within the franchise. So, loads like Atlanta, for Miami, I might like to see a Latin pop star. That will be my hope, so keep tuned.

Do you may have 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 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 fascinating level in her life, how superb would that be? And you already know what I like about The Actual Housewives Miami is that there’s a very sturdy Latin throughline via it, and I feel that’s necessary 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 one hundred pc Latin, but in addition one hundred pc American. I feel that will be actually fascinating to get like a worldwide Latin pop star that appeals in the identical means. 

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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.