The “Real Housewives” franchise is one of Bravo’s long-standing reality TV shows. Since 2006, Bravo has introduced us to many women from affluent areas nationwide. While some early installments of the franchise featured primarily white women, the show became more diverse over time. With that, many Black women from different backgrounds joined the show.
Although these women may be labeled housewives, several Black cast members from various installments led successful careers before joining the show. Let’s not get it twisted! In fact, some Black Bravo housewives have a history in the beauty pageant circuit. Here are five of Bravo’s Black beauty queens you should know.
1. Candiace Dillard-Bassett (RHOP)
Audiences were introduced to Candiace in 2018 when she joined the third season of “The Real Housewives of Potomac.” According to Bravo, Dillard-Bassett began competing in pageants while she attended Howard University. Although she did not win those particular pageants, she continued to persevere. She went on to win Miss United States in 2013.
2. Kenya Moore (RHOA)
Known for her iconic moments on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” Kenya Moore is a franchise staple. As one of Bravo’s Black beauty queens, Moore became a castmate in 2012 during the Atlanta franchise’s fifth season. Moore has never been shy about her accomplishments and schooled her coworkers on her pageant past.
In 1993, Moore was crowned Miss USA. And make sure you get it right! Viewers remember the start of her and Porsha Williams’ long-standing beef — Williams accidentally introduced Moore as Miss America at an event, and she was not having it! Nevertheless, Moore broke down many barriers for Black women, as she was the second Black woman ever to be crowned Miss USA.
3. Ashley Darby (RHOP)
Ashley Darby, an original cast member of “The Real Housewives of Potomac,” stepped into Bravo territory in 2016. A native of the District of Colombia, Darby attended the University of Maryland College Park. Before joining the show, she competed in pageants in her area. She went on to win Miss District of Colombia in 2011. Darby did compete in Miss America in 2012 but did not place.
4. Claudia Jordan (RHOA)
Although she is not mainly known as a former pageant girl, Claudia Jordan is undoubtedly one of Bravo’s Black beauty queens. To the surprise of many viewers, Jordan is a former Miss Rhode Island Teen USA. She was crowned at 16 years old in 1990. The radio show host did not stop there. In 1997, she was crowned Miss Rhode Island, USA. Jordan competed for the subsequent Miss USA crown but ultimately placed in the Top 10.
5. Eboni K. Williams (RHONY)
She may not have won any major pageants, but her beauty queen upbringing made her the woman she is today! Eboni K. Williams was introduced to audiences as the first Black cast member of “The Real Housewives of New York” in 2020. The attorney has led a successful career in law and broadcasting, as she hosts her legal show on TheGrio. Williams participated in many pageants that aided her professional development as a young girl. As one of Bravo’s Black beauty queens, she is considered one of the most successful housewives.
These beauty queens continue to break barriers and give new meaning to the term “housewife.” Bravo’s Black beauty queens bring talent and intelligence to the table, as many of them use their quick wit to establish their status among the cast while entertaining us.
Who is your favorite Black beauty queen from the Housewives franchise? Let us know in the comments below.
Follow MEFeater on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for more reality TV updates!
