There are so many actresses and reality TV stars who have one good run and then quickly fade into obscurity. But there are a few stand-out stars who stay on our screens and in our minds for years because of their unforgettable presence and staying power. That’s Lisa Rinna.
She’s a pop culture icon known for her longstanding daytime TV fame, dynamic personality, and bold fashion choices. And from The Real Housewives to Days of Our Lives, Lisa’s been gracing our screens in many ways for years. As longtime fans of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, we love hearing stories and opinions from cast members about the show.
So, we were beyond excited when Lisa Rinna and her husband, Harry Hamlin, sat down with Lauryn and Michael on the Him & Her Show to discuss all things reality TV and beyond. You can listen to the full episode below! But if you’re not familiar with Lisa Rinna and her career, we’ll fill you in on all the details below.
Who is Lisa Rinna? Inside Her Career, Fame, and Controversy
Lisa Rinna is an actress, reality TV personality, and entrepreneur. She’s married to actor Harry Hamlin and has two adult daughters, Delilah and Amelia. She lives in Los Angeles and is best known for her long-running soap opera career and outspoken presence on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
What Is Lisa Rinna Famous For?
Cast Member on Multiple Reality TV Shows
Lisa Rinna is one of the most recognizable reality TV personalities to date. Most notably, she appeared on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills from 2014 to 2022. She also competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2006 and The Celebrity Apprentice in 2015. In the early 2000s, she hosted her own talk show called Soap Talk.
The show was so good that she was nominated for 4 Daytime Emmy Awards spanning 2003–2007 for “Outstanding Talk Show Host.” Altogether, Lisa’s career spans decades of television, blending soap stardom, reality fame, and pop-culture staying power.
If you haven’t ever watched RH before, here’s the ultimate guide to watching Real Housewives like a pro.
Actress on Soap Operas, Primetime Drama, and TV Movies
Before her reality TV fame, Lisa Rinna built a long career in daytime television—mostly soap operas. She played Billie Reed on one of the most iconic soaps of all time, Days of Our Lives, from 1992 to 2013. This role earned her two Soap Opera Digest Awards, including “Outstanding Female Newcomer” and “Hottest Soap Couple.”
She also appeared on Melrose Place as Taylor McBride and had guest roles on shows like Veronica Mars, Baywatch, House Rules, 8 Simple Rules, and Entourage. You may also recognize her from a variety of made-for-TV movies from the 1990s and early 2000s.
For more on her move from daytime TV to reality shows, jump into the podcast where she discusses the journey from soap operas to Hollywood stardom.
Entrepreneur Behind the Lisa Rinna Collection
Lisa Rinna is known for two things: her dynamic personality and bold fashion. She loves statement prints, elevated basics, and structured silhouettes. With such a strong style presence, it only made sense for her to launch her own clothing line. The Lisa Rinna Collection was sold primarily through QVC and became one of the network’s top-performing celebrity brands.
Author of Candid Lifestyle and Memoir-Style Books
Lisa Rinna is also known for her work as an author. She published The Big, Fun, Sexy Sex Book in 2009 on sex, intimacy, and relationships. During her time on RHOBH, she released Rinnavation, which focused on wellness, confidence, and reinvention. Writing has long been another outlet for Lisa to speak directly to her audience—separate from scripted roles or reality TV storylines.
What Happened to Lisa Rinna?
She left RHOBH with a bang.
Lisa Rinna was always a “villain” on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She’s an actress first and fully understands that drama is part of the job when it comes to reality TV. However, her twelfth season was defined by nonstop conflict, emotionally charged storylines, and escalating fan outrage. This ultimately led her to step away from RHOBH in favor of healthier work.
Her priorities changed after personal loss.
If you’re a fan of RHOBH, you probably remember Lisa’s mother, Lois Rinna. She was a beloved presence on the show. After her unexpected death, Lisa struggled deeply with grief. That loss caused her to reevaluate her life, establish new boundaries, and move forward with a clearer sense of what mattered most.
She leaned into her love for fashion.
Lisa Rinna is known for her distinctive, almost avant-garde sense of style—fashion has always been a passion for her. After running her own clothing line, it made sense to continue pursuing a high-fashion identity.
She went viral for bold statement looks, returned to modeling, collaborated with major designers, and appeared in editorial fashion photography. To this day, all eyes are still on Lisa Rinna and what she’s wearing.
Her ambitions shifted to her daughters’ success.
As her daughters’ modeling careers gained momentum, Lisa stepped into a significant behind-the-scenes support role. She wanted her girls to build careers of their own and have the tools they needed to succeed. This shift pulled Lisa out of the spotlight and into a quieter Hollywood life.
You can hear her discuss this further in her interview with TSC, where she talks candidly about the reality of having fame and a family.
She still makes appearances, takes acting roles, and connects with fans.
Despite the negativity surrounding her time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Lisa Rinna still loves performing. She continues to act, guest host, and appear on select competition shows. She’s simply more intentional about the projects she accepts. Beyond television, she stays connected with fans through social media.
Lisa Rinna’s Most Controversial Housewives Moments
- Accusing Kim Richards of being “close to death” during an explosive limo argument
- The infamous Amsterdam dinner confrontation that nearly turned physical
- Repeatedly questioning and exposing Denise Richards’ private life on camera
- Bringing printed text-message “receipts” to reunions to confront castmates
- Allegedly leaking stories to the press while denying involvement on the show
- Aggressively confronting Yolanda Hadid over Munchausen claims
- Doubling down at reunions rather than apologizing, even amid heavy backlash
Why Did Lisa Rinna Leave Housewives?
Lisa Rinna left The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills after season 12 due to burnout, grief, and intense criticism surrounding the show’s storylines. She had long played the antagonist role, and she realized it was time for a change. Over time, each season grew heavier and darker, and the emotional toll became overwhelming. The negativity extended beyond the show, leading to relentless online attacks.
In addition to the backlash, Lisa was grieving the loss of her mother and reassessing her priorities. She and Bravo mutually agreed that her time on the show had run its course. Lisa chose not to renew her contract for season 13.
To hear it straight from Lisa, here’s her discussing the drama and her divisive departure on the Him & Her Show.
What Is Lisa Rinna Doing Now?
Ongoing Work in Fashion, Modeling, and Brand Partnerships
Lisa is still deeply involved in fashion. She regularly attends major fashion weeks, appears in high-fashion editorials, and collaborates with brands that align with her bold, avant-garde aesthetic. Her work today is editorial, experimental, and style-forward.
An Unfiltered Social Media Presence
Lisa remains highly active on social media, where she engages directly with fans and critics. She shares fashion-forward looks, personal moments, and candid commentary. The drama still exists—but nothing like the RHOBH days.
Engages in Podcast and TV Interviews
Lisa frequently appears on podcasts and television interviews where she can be herself and control the narrative. In some cases, like in the Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin podcast with TSC, she’s joined by her longtime husband! These conversations cover everything from relationships and Hollywood stories to fitness and favorite books.
If you love Real Housewives podcast interviews, here are the best podcast episodes with the cast of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules.
Hosts Let’s Not Talk About the Husband with Harry
You can hear Lisa and Harry every week discussing marriage, family, their careers, RHOBH, and life in the public eye on their podcast. It’s called Let’s Not Talk About the Husband, and it’s part of the Dear Media network, which Lauryn and Michael own. The show gives Lisa and Harry a space to share their lives and perspectives with fans, without the pressure or intensity of high-octane celebrity drama.
Acts Selectively and Makes TV Appearances
Of course, Lisa continues to make regular TV appearances and take acting roles. Instead of committing to long-running franchises, she chooses one-off projects. This allows her to prioritize family, pursue creative interests, and maintain balance. Her recent work includes:
- Guest Host on Live with Kelly and Mark, The Talk, The Real, etc.
- Guest Judge on King of Drag, Canada’s Drag Race, RuPaul’s Drag Race, etc.
- Contestant on The Traitors, Name that Tune, Celebrity Family Feud, etc.
- Minor Roles in Mommy Meanest, Lopez vs Lopez, American Horror Stories, etc.
Releasing Her First Memoir
Lisa is also stepping into a new chapter as a memoirist. Her upcoming book, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It, is her first full autobiography. In it, she reflects on her decades-long career, life in the public eye, family, grief, reinvention, and the moments that made headlines along the way. The memoir allows Lisa to tell her story in her own voice—unfiltered, self-aware, and entirely on her own terms.
Lisa Rinna is a pop culture legend with an impressive TV resume.
Lisa Rinna’s career is a reminder that longevity in entertainment rarely looks neat or linear. Her career has spanned daytime soap operas, reality television, fashion, and business, with each chapter building on the last rather than replacing it. Stepping away from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills didn’t mark an ending so much as a recalibration.
Today, she’s more selective, more fashion-focused, and far less interested in playing a role that no longer fits. Whether she’s walking a runway, appearing on daytime television, or connecting directly with fans, Lisa Rinna continues to shape her public life on her own terms.
For more podcast interviews like this, jump into these RHOBH episodes of Him & Her:
- Him & Her Show: Dorit Kemsley – Clearing the RHOBH Air, Reunion Updates, Trauma Processing, & How to Filter Truth in Reality TV Land
- Him & Her Show: Teddi Mellencamp Gets Real on Marriage Struggles, Personal Struggles, Skin Cancer Battle, & Lessons from RHOBH
- Him & Her Show: Denise Richards Exposes the Dark Side of Fame: Her Public Divorce, Dealing with Negativity, RHOBH, & Surviving Hollywood