Lisa Rinna spills all the 'Housewives' tea in a new memoir

Key Concepts

• Reinvention: Lisa Rinna’s career has been marked by consistent reinvention across various entertainment platforms (soap operas, reality TV, entrepreneurship, modeling).
• Public Perception vs. Reality: Rinna addresses the common misconception of her being a “villain” and discusses the impact of public image versus her true self.
• The Housewives Franchise & its Fallout: The interview heavily focuses on her experiences on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, including conflicts, betrayals, and the impact of reality TV fame.
• Aging & Empowerment: Rinna discusses embracing aging and finding freedom in expressing herself without the pressure to conform to societal expectations.
• NEPO Baby Discussion: The conversation touches on the advantages and expectations surrounding being a “NEPO baby” (child of famous parents).
• Grief & Public Scrutiny: Rinna details the challenges of navigating grief publicly while filming a reality show.

Lisa Rinna: A Career of Reinvention and Confronting Public Perception

This interview with Lisa Rinna provides a comprehensive look into her decades-long career, her public persona, and her recent memoir, You Better Believe I'm Gonna Talk About It. The conversation centers around her experiences with fame, controversy, and the complexities of navigating reality television.

Early Career & Hollywood Breakthroughs

Rinna’s entry into Hollywood began with a breakthrough role in 1992 as Billy Reed on Days of Our Lives. She describes Billy as a “complicated character” – a former drug addict, porn star, and hooker – who resonated with audiences. This role, and her subsequent part as Taylor McBride on Melrose Place, established her as a prominent figure in the soap opera world. She contrasts the loyalty of soap opera fans, who offered “love up,” with the often-critical and vocal nature of modern reality TV fandom, fueled by social media. Fans could “sit behind their keyboards and say whatever they’d like.”

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills & The “Villain” Narrative

Rinna joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in its fifth season (2014) and quickly became a central figure, known for her dramatic confrontations. A defining moment from her time on the show is the infamous incident in Amsterdam with Kim Richards, where Rinna broke a glass after lunging at Richards, explaining she did so to avoid potential arrest. She attributes her “villain” status to her final season on the show, stating she “became the villain just [her] last year.” She acknowledges the negative reactions from fans, but doesn’t necessarily disagree with the portrayal, stating, “they portray you how you are.”

Grief, Filming & Betrayal

Rinna reveals the immense pain she experienced while filming her final season, returning to set just days after the death of her mother, Lois. She acknowledges being “in a really bad place” and unable to “handle any of it,” but doesn’t blame the fan base for their reactions. A significant point of contention was her perceived betrayal by Andy Cohen, Bravo’s host and executive producer. She felt “left in the ditch to have [her] eyes pecked out by the vultures,” and explicitly states she “did feel betrayed by Andy.” However, she also expresses a capacity for forgiveness, suggesting both she and Cohen are able to “move on.” Bravo and Cohen’s representatives declined to comment on these claims.

Entrepreneurial Ventures & Embracing Aging

Beyond television, Rinna has demonstrated a knack for entrepreneurship, selling her designs on QVC and even becoming the face of Depend adult diapers. She highlights the positive impact of the latter, noting that 50 million people suffer from incontinence and she was able to “help people” while earning a substantial income. She describes this deal as her “most lucrative” to date.

At 62, Rinna is embracing aging with a newfound sense of freedom. She feels a “duty to be fabulous” to inspire other women and is enjoying experimenting with “quirky, fun looks,” stating she no longer feels the need to be “sexy mama sex pot.” She humorously remarks that menopause brings a liberating attitude: “Honey, give me a cigarette and a drink and I can do whatever I want.”

The Memoir & Unfiltered Honesty

Rinna’s memoir promises to be as unfiltered as her reality TV persona. She admits to calling fellow housewives “frumpy with no sex appeal and having a weird body,” justifying it as simply “how [she] feel[s].” She anticipates the book will “ruffle a hundred feathers” but maintains she doesn’t intend to be deliberately devastating, only honest. Chapters are named after her most memorable quotes from the show, including one titled “Oof,” referencing her intense anger during a fight with Denise Richards.

Family & Legacy

Rinna’s husband, actor Harry Hamlin, has been a constant presence throughout her career. Their daughters are both models, and Rinna acknowledges their status as “NEPO babies” (children of famous parents). However, she emphasizes their work ethic, stating they “did something with it” and that “if you don’t hustle, then nothing’s going to happen.”

Ultimately, Rinna hopes to be remembered for bringing people joy and being seen as an “icon” and “legend.”

Data & Statistics

• 50 million people suffer from incontinence, a fact that motivated Rinna to become the face of Depend.

Notable Quotes

• “I hope that I brought people joy and they think of me as, ‘Oh, I loved her. She was a icon. What a legend.’” – Lisa Rinna, on her desired legacy.
• “If you touch her, you are going to go to prison in Amsterdam.” – Lisa Rinna, describing the thought process behind breaking the glass during her confrontation with Kim Richards.
• “Nobody had my back, not even Andy. Especially Andy. He left me in the ditch to have my eyes pecked out by the vultures.” – Lisa Rinna, on her feelings of betrayal by Andy Cohen.
• “Once you’re like in menopause, you’re like, ‘Honey, give me a cigarette and a drink and I can do whatever I want.’” – Lisa Rinna, on the liberating feeling of aging.

Conclusion

Lisa Rinna’s career is a testament to the power of reinvention and the complexities of navigating fame. The interview reveals a woman who is unapologetically herself, willing to confront controversy, and embracing a new chapter of freedom and self-expression. Her story highlights the challenges of maintaining authenticity in the public eye, the impact of grief on public perception, and the enduring power of a strong personal brand. Her memoir promises to offer an even deeper dive into her life and experiences, solidifying her place as a captivating figure in the world of entertainment.