Not so 'Real' housewives

Reality show and housewives

 From "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" and "New York City" to shows about the wives of sports stars and rock stars, one thing is clear: Reality television should be taken with a grain of salt. Most of the women aren't actually married.


Royce Reed

Basketball Wives'

 

This former NBA dancer is currently single and was under a gag order during filming that she could not use the name of her famous ex-boyfriend on the series. (Get the scoop on their former relationship.)

 

AJ Celi

'Married to Rock'

 

Though she's not married to her rock star boyfriend, AJ still made the cast of the E! series. She works as a VIP director at a well-known Hollywood club.

 

Gretchen Rossi

'The Real Housewives of Orange County'

 

When she joined the cast,she was engaged to a man 24 years her senior. Whether he was her sugar daddy or not, his health was a focus of the show.

 

Kandi Burruss

'The Real Housewives of Atlanta'

 

This former member of a platinum-selling musical group suffered a loss during the filming of the show and is rebuilding her life.

 

Brittany Pigrenet

'Football Wives'

 

"Girlfriend of a football pro" isn't the title this non-wife wants on her résumé. She's in school and refuses financial help, preferring to pay her own way for her degree.

 

Kelly Killoren Bensimon

'The Real Housewives of New York City'

 

This divorced mother of two and former Playboy model has gotten into a scrape or two while filming the popular series.

 

Sheree Whitfield

'The Real Housewives of Atlanta'

 

In Season 1, Sheree had just finalized her divorce from this NFL player. She appealed her divorce settlement for an interesting reason. The fashionable divorcee's work on her clothing line is one of the show's plotlines.

 

Suzie Ketcham

'Basketball Wives'

 

She was with her pro basketball ex for 10 years, which might make her an honorary wife, but she was single when she joined the show and made headlines fast.

 

Kim Richards

'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'

 

This former Disney child star and three-time divorcee plays aunt to a famous twosome when she's not busy with her acting projects.

 

Mercedes Nelson

'Football Wives'

 

Though she's on the show because of her pro football ex, Mercedes clearly has moved on, and she has a backup plan outside of entertainment. 

 

Evelyn Lozada

'Basketball Wives'

 

Here's another basketball "wife" who's really just the ex of a pro player. In addition to the show, she has a side career that keeps her on her toes.

 

Sonja Morgan

'The Real Housewives of New York City'

 

Since divorcing her husband, she's had financial trouble and a run-in with the law, but she plays the role of socialite to a tee.

 

Jeana Keough

'The Real Housewives of Orange County'

The one-time Playboy Playmate was separated from her now ex-husband when shooting began for Season 1. She went out with a bang when the show wrapped for good and is now on a new show.

Gloria Govan

'Basketball Wives'

 

This young cast member has twin toddlers with her basketball beau and stays busy with her charity work when she's not trashing the show.

 

Kim Zolciak

'The Real Housewives of Atlanta'

 

A single mom of two Kim is an Atlanta socialite with an interesting business and a new boyfriend.

 

Tami Roman

'Basketball Wives'

 

No stranger to reality TV, Tami first made a splash on this MTV show. When she left her NBA player ex, she knew she'd get nothing.