Lisa Rinna Reflects on Her ‘RHOBH’ Departure: ‘I Wish I Would’ve Been Brave Enough to Do This One Thing’

Lisa Rinna, the actress-turned-reality star, spent eight years on Bravo’s hit series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable drama, explosive confrontations, and countless moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats. However, as Lisa Rinna recently shared, her departure from the show came with a touch of regret—and one thing she wishes she had done differently.

During the premiere episode of her new podcast with husband Harry Hamlin, Rinna opened up about her time on RHOBH, giving fans a closer look at what it was really like behind the scenes. Reflecting on her final season, she admitted that there was a pivotal moment when she almost resigned from the show during the season 12 reunion, which aired in October 2022.

“I wish I would’ve now that I look back on it,” Rinna revealed.

Although Rinna ultimately quit the show after filming the reunion, she confessed that her original plan had been to make the announcement on camera. “I was going to do it on camera,” she said. “And I wish I would’ve done that.”

According to Rinna, had she been “brave enough” to follow through with her plan, she would have taken the opportunity to express to Andy Cohen and her co-stars how much she appreciated the eight years she spent on RHOBH. However, she admitted that the fear of missing out or possibly changing her mind in the moment held her back.

Rinna first appeared on RHOBH in season 5, instantly becoming embroiled in drama with the likes of Brandi Glanville, Yolanda Hadid, Kim Richards, and Lisa Vanderpump. As the years went on, the conflicts continued to escalate, and by the time Rinna’s final season rolled around, public backlash on social media had added even more strain to her reality TV journey.

“Some of the most horrible things I’ve ever seen in print, and it’s a reality show! It’s a stupid show! I thought: ‘It’s time to go.’ I’m not sure how much longer that can exist in the zeitgeist,” she explained.

After enduring years of tension, Lisa Rinna made the decision to leave the show and sent an email to producers, letting them know she wouldn’t be renewing her contract. The email, which read, “I will not be renewing my contract, and I will not be coming back to ‘RHOBH.’ Thank you so much for [eight] years. All the best, Lisa,” was later shared during an episode of RHOBH.

The reality star was quick to address the rumors surrounding her exit, noting that many fans assumed she had been fired. “Because, of course, everyone thought I’d been fired. But no, I made that decision,” she said in an interview with Cosmopolitan. “I sent text messages to the rest of the people. I sent an email to the head of Bravo, but I sent text messages to everybody else.”

Ultimately, Rinna defended her decision to leave the show, calling it the “right decision.” “And this show has a way of always coming around and them showing that was a moment of them coming around and doing the right thing, I think,” she reflected.

Though Lisa Rinna’s exit from RHOBH marked the end of an era, her time on the show will undoubtedly remain one of the most iconic in reality TV history. Even though she may have some regrets, it seems that leaving the drama behind was ultimately the right choice for the star.