Lisa Rinna Discloses She Almost Strangled Kim Richards in Explosive RHOBH Feud
Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rinna has shockingly revealed that she nearly strangled her co-star Kim Richards during a traumatic and explosive argument that erupted during a girls' trip to Amsterdam in 2015. The 62-year-old reality television personality, who departed the Bravo series in 2022, explained in a recent interview that her infamous act of throwing a drink in Kim's face and smashing a wine glass was a desperate tactic to prevent herself from committing a violent act.
The Amsterdam Confrontation: A Tactical Move to Avoid Strangulation
Speaking candidly to Entertainment Tonight on Wednesday, Rinna described the intense moment with raw honesty. "I'd do it all over again, because I did stop myself. I was going across that table to, like, strangle her," she admitted. "And I had a gift from God that literally said to me, 'If you touch her, you will go to prison in Amsterdam'. And I was like, oh, okay, right, and I backed off." She elaborated that the drink-throwing incident was a direct result of restraining her overwhelming anger, stating, "Because, yeah, you see that and then you see me back off. And I had so much in me. That's when I take the glass and do that, because I stopped myself."
Reflecting on the chaotic scene, which has since become a viral meme in pop culture, Rinna acknowledged the lasting impact. "I watch it now, like it's a character I'm watching. Really, you can't identify with me. It was really traumatic at the time," she said. "You know I know we can laugh about it now - and kind of it's become its own meme and so I understand that - but at the time, it was really, really horrible, just for everyone. So we were all just so shook by it." With the benefit of distance, she now views it as "one of the best pieces of television," noting the rapid escalation: "We sat down five minutes before that happened... It wasn't like we were sitting there for a long time, it was five minutes. Boom. Wow. So it was hot."
Background of the Feud: Sobriety Concerns and Personal Attacks
The feud between Rinna and Richards had been simmering throughout season five of RHOBH, reaching a boiling point in Amsterdam when Rinna questioned Richards' sobriety. Richards retaliated by referencing Rinna's husband, Harry Hamlin, saying, "Let's talk about the husband," which triggered Rinna's furious reaction. Enraged, Rinna leapt from the table, lunged at Richards, threw the drink, and smashed the glass.
Their conflict continued to escalate in later seasons. During season seven, Rinna reportedly told former castmate Eden Sassoon that Richards was "close to death" due to substance use, a claim she initially denied before confessing to Richards about doubting her sobriety. In an attempt to reconcile, Rinna presented Richards with a bunny stuffed animal as a peace offering, but Richards later threw it back at her during a reunion episode, reducing Rinna to tears.
Broader Context: Rinna's Allegations of Bullying in Hollywood
This revelation comes amid Rinna's promotion of her new book, You Better Believe I'm Gonna Talk About It, where she accuses a former co-star of being Hollywood's "biggest bully." Contrary to expectations of naming a RHOBH colleague, Rinna identified Robert Kelker-Kelly, her on-screen love interest Bo Brady on Days of Our Lives in the early 1990s, as the culprit. She described him as "verbally abusive," "passive aggressive," and "manipulative," making her life "a living hell" on set.
Rinna detailed unpredictable behavior, stating, "I never knew when I arrived on set each morning if I'd get nice Robert Kelker-Kelly or dark Robert Kelker-Kelly. He was unpredictable and it was exhausting." She expressed relief when he was replaced by Peter Reckell and alleged that NBC provided security for her and co-star Kristian Alfonso after his exit, though she did not perceive a physical threat. "NBC had to cover their ass," she claimed, noting rent-a-cops were stationed for three weeks. NBC declined to comment, and Kelker-Kelly has been contacted for response.
