As Bravo fans have learned over the years, not every Real Housewives is created equally. Within every franchise, there are a few women who slip between the cracks. Usually, another overpowering co-star takes the reins and produces the drama. But none the less, these women are still valuable assets to their franchise. After a deep dive, I discovered that some fan favorites were overlooked. And it is time to give these housewives a standing ovation for all their hard work.
Heather Gay – Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Heather Gay has been on quite the journey since the premiere of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Between juggling motherhood, divorce, family drama, friend issues, and navigating her way out of Mormonism, she hasn’t had the easiest road. During Season 1 and Season 2, Heather didn’t do herself any favors when it came to supporting Jen Shah. I felt pity for her when she chose to lie about Jen punching her in the eye instead of coming clean. But the mother of three does make some great made-for-TV moments. Heather is a great narrator for the series, smart, and overall a down-to-earth and likable person.
Season 4, however, put Heather on the map. After learning that Monica Garcia was behind the troll account that had been plaguing the cast for years, @Reality Von Tease. During the last supper, pun intended, Heather lays out her case, saying she has “Receipts, proof, timeline, screenshots — f*cking everything! — that proves that you are a fucking bully and a fucking troll.” I still have shivers when I think back to the soliloquy. Too bad she chose to lie to viewers about her damn black eye.
Jackie Goldschneider – Real Housewives of New Jersey
Never have I met such a flip-flopper, but Jackie Goldschneider does make for some memorable moments. Jackie has been underestimated, but I didn’t know how badly she wanted a spot on the Real Housewives of New Jersey until I watched her make the dreaded analogy. Jackie was frustrated with Teresa Giudice for spreading rumors that her husband “screws around.” So, in a calm, educated fashion, she compared repeating baseless rumors about someone’s husband cheating to saying she “heard that Gia snorts coke in the bathroom at parties. How is that not the same thing?”
Needless to say, the comparison didn’t go over well, but it got me thinking that Jackie is way smarter than half the long-running housewives. The lawyer knows how to play the game. No one had ever challenged the OG like that. Now fast forward to Season 14, where Jackie is friends with Tre. Honestly, has the world gone mad? Only Jackie could have insulted the mother of four’s speech and education for years just to turn around and become besties—the most underrated move in Real Housewives history, and maybe the most desperate.
Shannon Beador – Real Housewives of Orange County
Shannon Beador has been underrated for most of her time on the show. It’s only recently that people have started to like her. But I think back to her early time on the Real Housewives of Orange County, and she gave us so much to work with. The Real for Real founder was funny and introduced herself as the woman who was trying to plant crystal beneath her organic, green mansion. Personally, I appreciate her deranged but generally harmless (unless she’s drinking!) energy. In most scenes, she comes across as confused. But she’s one of the only housewives that’ll make me stop in my tracks to see what she’s yelling about. And that type of TV presence can’t be taught.
But what makes Shannon one of the most overlooked Real Housewives is the fact that she has always been the underdog. That said, Shannon 100% puts herself in the underdog position. What makes Shannon great is that she is up for anything. It doesn’t matter if it is a theme party or vacation; she commits one hundred percent and understands the assignment. In a day and age where Bravo personalities cry over their glam team, Shannon is just unapologetically Shannon. Spanx and all.
When it comes to the OC star, there’s something truly relatable about how desperate she acts, and it could be argued that it is truly authentic. Fans can relate to her insecurities and anxiety. Hopefully, though, they aren’t relating to her drunk driving and house-smashing.
Next time you are trying to figure out your favorite Real Housewives, don’t sleep on these ladies!
TELL US — WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST UNDERRATED REAL HOUSEWIVES STAR STILL ON A SERIES?
