Entertainment

The Most Cringe-Worthy 'Real Housewives' Moments

by Taylor Ferber

When housewives, booze, and a TV camera crew come together — madness ensues. And when it comes to The Real Housewives franchise, absolutely nothing is off limits. These ladies have a knack for being completely savage and entertaining as hell at the same time. Most of them experience YOLO mentality harder than Drake himself, which is what makes this such golden television. That said, there are some moments that are so awkward, you can barely watch them. But that’s also what makes it so addicting, because everything, and I mean everything, is fair game. Every single episode known to man has uncomfortable scenarios, but there are a select few that will truly stand the test of time.

Some awkward moments are more serious in nature than others. Because being completely uncomfortable as an audience member takes many forms. Some cast members have learned news about cheating fiancés or their partner’s false cancer claims, on camera. In other cases, RH stars had total privacy issues — from eating disorders to alcohol problems — publicly revealed on the show. Or, they’re just straight-up ignored in front of everyone. But regardless of how much time passes or how many new housewives are added to the series, this collection of moments truly makes the Cringe-Worthy Hall of Fame.

1. When Kyle Richards called her sister Kim out for being an alcoholic, on camera.

Kyle and Kim Richards had unbearable tension since the premiere of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills six years ago. But perhaps the most uncomfortable moment of their tumultuous relationship was when Kyle threw Kim's alcohol problem right in face when their season one bickering same to a head in a limo fight. "You are a liar and an alcoholic. I said it now everybody knows," she said. Her sister's defenseless face will leave you cringing every time.

2. Kelly Dodd revealing the truth about her marriage.

Dodd had a handful of uncomfortable moments on Real Housewives of Orange County. One for the books, though, was when she explained how she went back with her husband Michael, the father of her daughter, after they had filed for divorced for two years. "When we got married, he became like Hitler," she said. "I went through a divorce and I got engaged." When asked if she loved him, she responded, "He's a really nice person." In return, the women all looked at her with confused, blank faces (pictured above).

3. That time Kevin Jonas showed up for some reason.

When Real Housewives of Orange County's Kathy Wakile needed a contractor, she looked no further than architect expert Kevin Jonas. When the singer randomly popped up on the show like a daisy, everyone was confused, including one of the women on set who was prompted to ask, "Don't you sing or something?" It hurts.

4. When Bethenny Frankel confronted Jules Wainstein about her eating disorder.

After the women of Real Housewives of New York had been speculating Wainstein had an eating disorder (behind her back), Frankel called her out on-screen for not being "naturally thin." Frankel said, "She looks like a really thin girl… she looks like there’s an issue." The moment was extremely uncomfortable, as it turned out Wainstein had issues with anorexia.

5. Shannon Beador's totally awkward night with her husband David.

Fans collectively cringed when Real Housewives of Orange County's Beador chugged straight vodka (from the bottle) out of nervousness just before having some intimate alone time with her husband David. The vibe was so unbelievably uncomfortable, but as Beador later explained, she just felt nervous being on camera during the overnight her husband planned for the world to see.

6. When Bethenny Frankel confronted Luann de Lesseps about her fiancé's cheating.

In true Frankel fashion, the uncensored star revealed that Tom D'Agostino, Jr. had been unfaithful to Lesseps while they were engaged — on camera. In these scene, Frankel pulled out photographic evidence of D'Agostino intensely kissing another woman. Lesseps proceeded to look at the photos then attacked Frankel while claiming how much they loved each other. It's still hard to watch.

7. Kenya Moore unexpectedly showing up as a Grinch to the holiday party.

Tensions were high when Phaedra Parks and Kandi Burruss dealt with their drama on the season finale of Real Housewives of Atlanta in March. To stir it up some more, Moore showed up to Parks's Christmas party dressed as none other than the Grinch. She was painted green in head-to-toe costume while everyone else at the party was dressed in fancy attire. Trying to take her seriously as she was brewing the drama pot was an experience, to say the least.

8. When Lizzie Rovsek rented a party bus for her birthday and no one showed up.

OK, one person did show, but still. When Rovsek threw herself a birthday party, the Real Housewives of Orange County ladies acted "sick," and the only one who made it was Vicki Gunvalson. Meanwhile, the party bus Rovsek rented was empty.

9. When Phaedra Parks was too repulsed by Apollo Nida to hug him.

After learning about her husband's prison sentence, Parks wouldn't even acknowledge him. So when Nida tried to hug her at a party for Demetria McKinney's music video, she wasn't at all into it and completely denied him the chance of kissing her. Uncomfortable doesn't even do the moment justice.

10. When Vicki Gunvalson learned the truth about Brooks Ayers's cancer.

As proven here, the ladies of Real Housewives of Orange County are nothing short of savage. After questioning the legitimacy of Ayers's cancer claim, the women confronted Gunvalson with their beliefs regarding her boyfriend. It was a major plot of the season, and as it turned out, Ayers forged medical documents.

11. The time Porsha Williams acted like Claudia Jordan didn't exist.

When Jordan was a Real Housewives of Atlanta newcomer, she tried hard to be friends with Williams, especially when they were working at the radio station together. In a peak awkward scene, she greeted Williams and Williams completely ignored her while continuing to put lip gloss on. It's too uncomfortable to make up. (See what I did there?)

Second-degree humiliation exists. Luckily, you have a glass of wine and the comfort of your living room, without America watching, to experience it.

Images: Bravo (4); Giphy (8)