Lisa Rinna recently made her debut on American Horror Stories, and many fans are wondering how she did. Though the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star has an acting background, she’s certainly better known for her reality TV blowups. While some fans may be hoping she bombed, they’re probably going to be disappointed. It turns out that Lisa fit right in on the creepy spin-off, and it may lead to a new chapter in her TV career.
American Horror Stories is a spin-off of American Horror Story, and the series’ third season recently dropped on Hulu. Just in time for Halloween, fans of all things spooky have four brand new episodes to feast upon. One of those episodes, titled “Tapeworm,” stars Lisa Rinna. While Lisa has said that it would take “a lot of cash” to return to reality TV, based on her performance in AHS, her future might not be in reality TV at all.
So how good was Lisa Rinna in American Horror Stories? You may be surprised.
‘Tapeworm’ Is a Doozy
Lisa’s episode of AHS was pretty intense, and not one to watch if you’re squeamish. Then again, the entire American Horror Story franchise might not be for you if you’re squeamish.
“Tapeworm” is the story of idealistic young model, Vivian, who is looking to break into the industry to become an inspiration for other girls like her. However, Vivian’s dreams are quickly crushed when ice-cold talent agent Sheila Klein (Rinna) tells the svelte size-4 model that she’s “too fat” to make it in fashion.
A despondent Vivian goes to extreme lengths in order to slim down, and the results are…not glamorous. Vivian’s hunger for fame and success lead her to misery and the episode to a shockingly visceral climax.
The episode is a clear indictment of the Ozempic craze, which feels particularly relevant in the context of reality TV. Many a Real Housewife has also gone to extreme lengths to lose weight, so it’s almost poetic that RHOBH queen Lisa Rinna make an appearance in the episode.
Lisa Rinna’s AHS Role
I’ll admit, when I started the episode, I expected to get a campy, cringey performance from Lisa, but I was pleasantly surprised! She came across very naturally on screen, and perfectly embodied a cutthroat fashion industry shark.
Lisa’s character was like the love child of Janice Dickinson and Miranda Priestly—with all of Dickinson’s venom, but Miranda Priestly’s toned-down attitude and withering stare. The Bravo star certainly did a better job than Kim Kardashian, who’s currently starring in American Horror Story: Delicate and doing a so-so job.
One thing that did surprise me, however, was how small Lisa Rinna’s role was. While the Bravo star was the first billed in the episode’s credits, she doesn’t actually appear much on screen, and her role in the story is minimal. But as they say, there are no small roles, only small actors, and Lisa was determined to make a big impact.
Overall, Lisa did an excellent job. She played her character with surprising depth and nuance, while being natural and not stealing the show.
Lisa Rinna’s Acting Background
Of course, it shouldn’t come as too much of a shock that Lisa Rinna was good in American Horror Stories, after all, she has experience. Before joining the cast of RHOBH, Lisa had multiple acting roles on stage and screen, including Days of Our Lives, Melrose Place, and Chicago.
Lisa’s acting roles after joining the RHOBH cast have mostly consisted of one-off episodes, so it’s clear that she’s comfortable playing different parts. Some would even argue that Lisa’s acting talent is what made her so compelling on RHOBH. Now that Lisa has stepped away from Real Housewives, it could be time for her to pivot and pursue acting instead of reality TV.
Does Lisa Rinna Have a Future In the AHS Franchise?
It’s notable that Lisa Rinna was good in American Horror Stories, because it could lead to further opportunities. As Ryan Murphy fans know, the AHS showrunner loves re-casting his favorite actors in different roles on different shows he produces.
If you impress him in one role, chances are good that he’ll keep you in mind for others. Ryan Murphy is also known for casting less-experienced actors, including reality TV and sports stars. This isn’t even the first time Murphy has tapped one of the Real Housewives for his shows—NeNe Leakes played a small role in Glee.
Though Lisa Rinna’s role in American Horror Stories wasn’t large, she performed it well, and as a major Reality TV star, she almost certainly stood out to Ryan Murphy. The fact that she was first billed is also notable, and could be a sign that Murphy saw her as a standout in the episode. All signs suggest that Lisa made a strong impression on Ryan Murphy, and it’s entirely possible that we’ll be seeing her again in the American Horror Story franchise.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF LISA RINNA IN AMERICAN HORROR STORIES? SHOULD RYAN MURPHY CAST HER AGAIN?
