We’re post-cigarette Dorit Kemsley. Kyle Richards-Umansky is officially bisexual, and her still husband, Mauricio Umansky is proudly in his “hoe phase.” Erika Jayne is being her most vulnerable. And Sutton Stracke is a newer, zen-er, Sutton Brown. But the real headline of Season 15 of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is the return of Rachel Zoe to both Bravo and reality TV!
Formerly of 2008-2013’s The Rachel Zoe Project, Zoe is now in her freshman season as a Housewife, thirteen years after her original hit ended its run on Bravo. A seamless jump to an ensemble cast wasn’t guaranteed for a woman whose previous show bore her name. The docuseries highlighted the life of an unbelievably successful stylist throughout awards seasons, photoshoots, and events, featuring cameos from celebrities like Demi Moore, Jennifer Garner, and Cameron Diaz.
Anyone familiar with her original stint on reality TV knows Rodger Berman, Zoe’s former partner of multiple, multiple decades. The two were intertwined romantically and as a business entity. Viewers watched in real time as Zoe, like so many women before and after her, had to reconcile her professional ambitions with her familiar ones. Ultimately, her marriage didn’t survive, but their relationship was a success in that it resulted in two beautiful boys, Kaius and Sklyer.
Anyone unfamiliar with Zoe’s first show may not know she introduced both stylist Brad Goreski of Canada’s Drag Race and Queer Eyes’ Jeremiah Brent to the cultural zeitgeist. Peacock is streaming old seasons of The Rachel Zoe Project for fashion fans, the curious, and faithful rewatchers. I recently turned it on, and I’m here to report that the pilot episode holds up in terms of quintessential late-aughts energy.
Fabulous, decadence, fashion, fun, giant coffees, and giant sunglasses are only scratching the surface of everything Zoe brings to the current season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. But diva-like behavior isn’t even close to being on the list. She’s particularly compassionate to fellow castmate Kemsley, who, like Zoe, is in the midst of a divorce, giving her the support every woman facing a long, looming legal battle needs. No judgment, just gentle understanding. Also, absolutely no problem playing a supporting role, even though she herself is facing the same adversary.
A new alliance is also forming amongst the more fashionable of the group: Rachel, Erika, Bozoma “Boz” Saint John, Dorit, and friend of the Oscar-nominated actress Jennifer Tilly. The new force five, but make it fashion.
As a longtime fan of Zoe, I was ecstatic to see her return to reality TV, but surprised. Now that the season is almost over and she has repeatedly stressed how badly she wants a “hot girl summer,” I get it. It’s like the best advertisement to ALL single, hot, available, heterosexual men: Rachel Zoe is back on the market. Which, respect. I’d do the same. Who needs Raya or Hinge when you have a large audience, impeccable style, a genuine kindness, and you’re Rachel Zoe – the package sells itself.
This season, she admits that after over two decades of marriage to Berman, the trust in their relationship was irrevocably broken. She speaks of sobbing on the floor only a year prior to the dinner she’s seated at with Richards-Umansky and Kemsley, retelling the moment her 33-year relationship ended. Bananas. I literally can’t.
I’m biased, in all the ways, but for her tragic, awful, dreadful heartbreak, ideally Zoe walks away with the ultimate “hot girl summer” accessory – a male model, because it’s what she deserves. Rachel Zoe is by far, my favorite addition of any Real Housewives franchise to date. Obsessed.
