'The Real Housewives of Dubai'. Picture: Screengrab
Big news was announced earlier this week in the world of reality TV. The Real Housewives franchise is going international with a new franchise set to make its debut in the oil-rich country of Dubai.
Known for its unparalleled shopping experience and being a playground for ultra-wealthy, the popular franchise has welcomed The Real Housewives of Dubai and fans are extremely excited for this one.
Bravo TV made the announcement on Twitter.
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What also grabbed social media users’ attention was the claim by Bravo that this is their “first original international Housewives franchise”. Fans quickly pointed out that there are many international adaptions of the show – here in South Africa, London and Sydney, Australia.
But Bravo‘s statement is correct. Real Housewives of Johannesburg, Durban and other cities never appeared on Bravo but were licensed to other networks since The Real Housewives series format has previously been sold around the world.
Host of The Real Housewives reunions and one of the executive producers of the franchise, Andy Cohen, told the Today Show this is their 11th city. He didn’t give away much about the women who will appear but rumours had it that it will be actress Lindsay Lohan.
Lohan has been living in Dubai for a few years after her tumultuous years in the public eye in the US. However, TMZ reported that she won’t be joining.
The announced cast includes Caroline Sara Al Madani, Caroline Brooks, Lesa Milan Hall, Chanel Ayan, and Nina Ali. Since local socialite Khanyi Mbau is in Dubai with her partner Kudzai Mushango, we wonder how she didn’t get the call.
Brooks is a real estate broker, Sara is a doctor, Lesa and Nina are actual housewives, Chanel is a model and Caroline runs her own luxury goods company.
“We have a great group of friends. This is gonna blow the lid off the entire franchise,” Cohen said.
He will be the executive producer on The Real Housewives of Dubai and says the reason they chose this city was due to his fascination and that everything is bigger in Dubai.
“Whether they’re coasting on a private plane, running their own empires or hosting on a private island, these glamourous, successful women are ready to serve up scorching hot drama and unexpected twists,” the Bravo statement read.
Just like many fans around the world, we can’t wait for this one and there is a big expectation that this group of women will come from “real money”.
Compiled by Sandisiwe Mbhele