Bravo Expands Franchise with Real Housewives of Rhode Island
The reality television landscape is set to welcome a new addition as Bravo prepares to launch Real Housewives of Rhode Island, the latest installment in its popular franchise. The network has confirmed seven main cast members who will bring their personal and professional lives to the screen, with a trailer released this week hinting at substantial drama ranging from emotional heartbreak to career and financial pressures.
Meet the Seven New Housewives
The inaugural season will feature Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, Kelsey Swanson, and Jo-Ellen Tiberi as the primary cast. Additionally, Real Housewives of New Jersey alum Dolores Catania will appear in a guest capacity as a friend to some of the women, adding an extra layer of franchise connection.
Detailed Cast Profiles and Storylines
Alicia Carmody is engaged to businessman Billy Kitsilis, with whom she shares a daughter named Celina. Despite being engaged for approximately eight years, the couple has not yet married. Carmody assists with Kitsilis's restaurant, Pizza Mamma, through social media promotion. Her Bravo bio describes her as a 'flip-flopper,' and the season will see her revisiting her past, navigating long-standing relationships that lead to personal growth and blindsiding a lifelong friend.
Rosie DiMare, a former Rhode Island television news anchor and DJ, recently celebrated her one-year wedding anniversary with singer husband Rich DiMare. The couple is upgrading to a 'sprawling dream home.' DiMare is portrayed as unafraid to confront others, and her storyline involves challenges within her inner circle, forcing her to reassess loyalties within the close-knit group.
Ashley Iaconetti, a Bachelor alum, moved to Rhode Island with her husband Jared Haibon, a native of the state. The couple, who met on Bachelor In Paradise and married in 2019, are parents to two children. Iaconetti helps run Haibon's cafe, Audrey's Coffee House & Lounge, while maintaining a social media presence with over 1 million Instagram followers. The trailer shows her grappling with financial pressures from the cafe and emotional moments, with her loyalty tested by castmate Rosie DiMare.
Liz McGraw, dubbed 'Rhode Island royalty' and the 'cannabis queen,' owns The Slater Center, the state's largest cannabis dispensary. Married to husband Gerry, she is a stepmother to three children. In season one, McGraw learns she will become a grandmother but refuses to trade 'couture for a rocking chair.' Her influence and bonds are tested by shifting dynamics within her circle, and she is friends with Dolores Catania.
Rulla Nehme Pontarelli works as a financial planner and wealth manager, married to podiatrist Brian Pontarelli, with whom she has two children. The trailer highlights her confidence and Lebanese roots, but rumors about her marriage circulate, forcing her to confront uncomfortable questions. Notably, her husband was arrested in October for misdemeanor domestic violence related to allegedly placing a tracking device on her car, though charges were dropped two months later.
Kelsey Swanson, crowned Miss Rhode Island in 2017, has been dating a 'wealthy boyfriend'—one of Rhode Island's most notable figures—for about ten years, though his identity remains undisclosed. At a crossroads, she must choose between her comfortable arrangement and a future on her own terms. Her loyalty to Liz McGraw is tested, and she worries about opposing the group's 'heaviest hitter.' Swanson previously survived a car accident that led to the discovery and removal of a non-cancerous brain tumor.
Jo-Ellen Tiberi, a self-proclaimed town gossip, is married to high school sweetheart and loan officer Guy Tiberi. Her storyline involves being caught between honesty and discretion when sensitive information about Rulla's marriage circulates. Unresolved issues with her mother resurface, forcing her to confront childhood wounds. Castmates describe her as knowing 'everything,' with one joking about calling her as an 'FBI agent' for information.
Trailer Teasers and Dramatic Highlights
The recently released trailer promises intense drama, including rumors of an affair involving Rulla Pontarelli's husband, which she denies. Dolores Catania insists on the affair's validity, adding fuel to the fire. Financial struggles are also highlighted, with Ashley Iaconetti and her husband discussing insecurities about their cafe's revenue. Other plotlines involve starting a family, dealing with childhood pain, and seeking a 'big fairytale moment.' One cast member's busy schedule even leads to questions about having 'two boyfriends,' sparking further intrigue.
Premiere Details and Availability
Real Housewives of Rhode Island is scheduled to premiere on April 5 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo. Episodes will be available for streaming the following day on Peacock, ensuring fans can catch up on all the drama from the Ocean State's newest reality stars.
