Top 10 Biggest Bravo Scandals
#10: Stassi Schroeder & Kristen Doute's Firings “Vanderpump Rules” (2013-)
2020’s racial reckoning saw several bar stars’ skeletons resurface. Then-“Vanderpump Rules” cast member Stassi Schroeder had previously come under fire for her comments about race and the
#MeToo movement. But an even bigger scandal ultimately got her and Kristen Doute axed from the series. In an old podcast episode, Schroeder admitted to calling the police with Doute on their Black co-star Faith Stowers, falsely accusing her of a crime. Both Schroeder and Doute expressed remorse over the situation after Stowers shared the story, and the former notably made an appearance on “Tamron Hall” in the aftermath. Still, the damage was done.
#9: Jax Taylor's Cheating Scandals “Vanderpump Rules” (2013-)
Top 10 Biggest MTV Scandals
During Jax Taylor’s eight seasons on “Vanderpump Rules,” his womanizing ways regularly played out on camera. Taylor had a blowout fight with then-girlfriend Stassi Schroeder in season 1, after he got another woman pregnant while on a trip to Las Vegas. The following season, it was revealed that he also hooked up with Schroeder’s best friend Kristen Doute — whose boyfriend at the time was Taylor’s bestie Tom Sandoval. Things remained bumpy once Taylor moved on with his now-wife Brittany Cartwright, whom he also cheated on with Faith Stowers. Cartwright and Taylor’s relationship seems healthier now, and they welcomed a child in 2021. However, they’re no longer part of the “VPR” cast.
#8: The Kandi Burruss Rumor “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (2008-)
Top 10 Real Housewives Scandals & Controversies
This was the scandal that had everyone asking, “Who said that?” In season 9 of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” the group was plagued by a terrible accusation. The rumor was that Kandi Burruss and her husband Todd Tucker were planning to take advantage of Porsha Williams in a secret dungeon in their home. The ladies speculated over the defamatory rumor all season. But it wasn’t until the explosive reunion that they discovered its source within the group: Burruss’ former best friend turned Williams’, Phaedra Parks. Publicly backed into a corner after Williams revealed the truth, Parks admitted to her role. She subsequently exited the show.
#7: Dani Soares’ Pregnancy “Below Deck Sailing Yacht” (2020-)
During the airing of “Below Deck Sailing Yacht”’s second season, second stewardess Dani Soares made waves by announcing her pregnancy with a mystery man. Viewers soon speculated that the father was deckhand Jean-Luc Cerza-Lanaux, with whom she’d had a fling on the show. He claimed he would step up as the baby’s father if a DNA test could prove his paternity — which it eventually did. He shared this news on Instagram, saying that he would be “striving to be the best man and father that [he] can be.” However, some of his former co-stars have spoken out against him for an alleged lack of presence in his daughter’s life.
#6: Allegations Against Thomas Ravenel “Southern Charm” (2014-)
Thomas Ravenel faced multiple harrowing assault allegations starting in 2018, when the fifth season of “Southern Charm” was airing. He was already a controversial figure over the years on the show, especially due to his treatment of his ex Kathryn Dennis, with whom he has kids. These accusations against him were both serious and disturbing, and they briefly blew the lid off the Charleston-based show. Ravenel did not attend that season’s reunion, and the whole thing ended up marking the end of his stint on the reality series. In 2019, he pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and battery.
#5: Jen Shah’s Conviction “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” (2020-)
Thanks to her flamboyant personality and fiery temper, Jen Shah was a breakout star on “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.” While she attributed her lifestyle to a career in “direct response marketing,” a different picture emerged in season 2. Shah was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, first leaving the scene before the authorities descended while cameras were rolling in 2021. She stayed on the show and repeatedly claimed she was innocent for a long while after that. However, she ultimately entered a guilty plea for the wire fraud in 2022, subsequently being sentenced to 78 months in prison.
#4: Luann de Lesseps’ Arrest “The Real Housewives of New York City” (2008-)
Luann de Lesseps began “The Real Housewives of New York” as the buttoned-up Countess Luann, but eventually revealed a more free-spirited side. This later led to a romance with Tom D’Agostino, despite warnings from her co-stars that he had cheated on her. After the pair’s marriage ended, de Lesseps made further headlines when an altercation with a Palm Beach police officer led to her arrest. She later pleaded guilty to several misdemeanors, and sought treatment for alcohol use. The 2017 incident, which occurred while she was intoxicated, came as a big surprise to viewers of the series. However, de Lesseps’ later went on to make something of a comeback as a cabaret star.
#3: Scandoval “Vanderpump Rules” (2013-)
In 2023, it was revealed that original “Vanderpump Rules” cast member Tom Sandoval had a lengthy affair with co-star Raquel Leviss. Now, cheating scandals aren’t exactly uncommon on “VPR,” but things felt different this time. Sandoval and fan-favorite partner Ariana Madix – who ended things once she learned of his infidelity – were often touted as couple goals, having been together for roughly 9 years. To make matters worse, Madix and Leviss were also extremely close friends. Leviss’ previously sweet and innocent persona made the exposé even more shocking, resulting in a massive outpouring of sympathy for Madix.
#2: The Girardis’ Legal Issues “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (2010-)
Erika Girardi, also known by her pop star moniker Erika Jayne, had largely come across as half icy fashionista, half light comic relief during her time on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” That all changed in 2020. Not long after news of her split from attorney Tom Girardi broke, a Los Angeles Times exposé accused him of embezzling former clients and bankrolling her music career with the funds. Both Girardis faced intense public scrutiny, as Erika’s knowledge of the allegations was called into question – though she denied any involvement. Her co-stars repeatedly put her in the hot seat in the aftermath, leading to some major blow-ups. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Peter Hunziker’s Firing, “Below Deck Mediterranean” (2016-) The Deckhand Was Edited Out & Axed from the Show After a Racist Post Resurfaced Claire Buitendorp Disqualified, “Project Runway” (2004-) The Cheating Contestant’s Previous Win Was Revoked Jenni Pulos & Jeff Lewis’ Fallout,“Flipping Out” (2007-18) A Rift Formed Between the Duo After He Fired Her “Puppygate,” “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (2010-) Dog Shelter Drama Led to Lisa Vanderpump’s Exit White House Crashers, “The Real Housewives of D.C.” (2010) The Short-Lived Series’ Star Evaded the Secret Service
#1: Teresa & Joe Giudice’s Arrests “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (2009-)
Teresa and Joe Giudice’s financial situation first raised red flags in season 1 of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” after they paid for pricey furniture with cash. It wasn’t long before the couple filed for bankruptcy. From then on their issues compounded, with both of them pleading guilty to multiple counts of fraud in 2014. Teresa was sentenced to 15 months in prison but was released early, while Joe was ultimately deported to Italy after serving time. The pair also ended up divorcing. While similar cases have occurred in the Bravo-verse, this was one of the first to captivate the national news.
