While The Real Housewives franchise has been around since dawn, Andy and Bravo debuted its first series, The Real Housewives of Orange County, in March 2006. The series, inspired by the ABC show Desperate Housewives, gave viewers an inside look into the lives of Orange County’s elite, including Vicki Gunvalson, Kimberly Bryant, Jo De La Rosa, Jeana Keough, and Lauri Waring.

Following the success of RHOC, the franchise expanded to New York City, Atlanta (which has long been considered the one that put the franchise on the map), New Jersey, etc. As the franchise grew, stars like NeNe, Kandi Burruss, Bethenny, Teresa Giudice, and Taylor Armstrong from Beverly Hills and Orange County, to name a few, became notable stars.

While NeNe, Kandi, Bethenny, Taylor, Teresa, and other transparent Housewives had no problems reading their castmates for filth, what earned them their massive followings was their ability to share their stories on their respective shows bravely.

In her prime, NeNe opened up to fans about finding her biological dad, divorcing and remarrying her husband, Gregg Leakes, and her familial issues with her son, Bryson, which made her relatable.

Unfortunately, moments like NeNe’s, Teresa’s 11-month prison sentence, or Kandi showing us the ins and outs of her relationship with her mother, Mama Joyce, are no longer required for the cast to keep their jobs. Not to intentionally quote Kim K, but these new ‘wives refuse to “get you f—ing a-- up and work.”