Lisa Rinna gave fans a heartfelt glimpse into her reality TV journey during her latest appearance on Peacock’s hit series The Traitors, reflecting on her emotional departure from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
On Thursday, the 62-year-old television personality became the newest contestant to be banished at the Traitors roundtable. In a confessional, Rinna opened up about the challenges of leaving RHOBH, her long-time reality home.
“The end of ‘Housewives’ was very difficult for me,” she admitted through tears. “It was just so nice to be me. I am just so grateful for the entire experience. Thank you.”
Rinna first joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in its fifth season and spent eight seasons on the Bravo series before her exit in 2022. At the time, she described the show as the longest professional commitment of her 35-year career.
“This is the longest job I have held in my 35-year career and I am grateful to everyone at Bravo and all those involved in the series,” Rinna told People in a statement. “It has been a fun eight-year run and I am excited for what is to come!”
Sources have noted that Rinna’s departure from Bravo was mutually agreed upon, marking the end of an era for one of the show’s most outspoken personalities.
Beyond reflecting on her past, Rinna also addressed recent controversy surrounding her Traitors co-star, Colton Underwood. Earlier this month, she backtracked on a comment she made labeling Underwood a “stalker” after a resurfaced restraining order led to death threats aimed at him.
Taking to Instagram Stories, Rinna pleaded for her followers to “please be gentle” with Underwood. She explained:
“It’s come to my attention that my post that I responded to in my ‘housewife mode’ is taking on a life of its own and it’s causing real problems for Colton. I do not want this because Colton and I are great. He was a great and is a great nemesis for me on the show [and] in the game.”
She further clarified that her remarks were entirely part of the game, emphasizing the playful nature of their rivalry. “If you asked me to be a housewife, I’ll bring it to you, right? That’s what I was doing all in the name of the game. But, just so you know, I am totally great with Colton. We’ve been texting,” Rinna said.
The reality star urged fans not to take her in-game comments too seriously, adding:
“The fact that the backlash is happening, I feel horrible about because I don’t want to hurt anybody. I’m here to play the game and have fun. We had so much fun. I’ve only always had a great time with him. So, please guys be gentle. It’s a game, it’s a TV show. We’re all doing the best we can. Don’t send death threats or do anything to jeopardize somebody’s family.”
Closing her message, Rinna reaffirmed that her controversial comment was made entirely in the spirit of reality TV competition, not personal animosity.
With her Traitors journey underway and a storied tenure on RHOBH behind her, Lisa Rinna continues to navigate the complex world of reality television with candidness and grace, proving why she remains one of the genre’s most enduring personalities.