As NYC's "Real Housewives" kick off a new season this week, we're digging into the archives to find out what the other Bravo housewives looked like in their younger days. — Kathleen Perricone, Yahoo! TV
Kim Zolciak (Atlanta)
So that is what Kim has going on beneath her ever-present wig! The now-blond Atlanta housewife used to rock a permed and teased ‘do before she went the fake hair route. Surely, Kim’s hunky husband and father of her one-year-old son KJ (and another on the way), NFL player Kroy Biermann, loves her either way.
Teresa Giudice (New Jersey)
Who would have imagined this little angelic girl would grow up to become one of the most troublemaking housewives of all time? Teresa had those thick eyebrows and low hairline when she was just a little guidette in Patterson, New Jersey… but we doubt she had the strength to flip tables back then.
Camille Grammer (Beverly Hills)
Who knew Camille Grammer wasn’t a real blonde? The Beverly Hills hottie was not only a brunette, but a curly one at that, growing up in New Jersey before she married “Frasier” star Kelsey Grammer in 1997. They had two kids before splitting in the middle of the first Beverly Hills season back in 2010.
Vicki Gunvalson (Orange County)
Surely, Vicki would give a “woohoo” for her flat iron. The bubbly Orange County star may have ditched her ‘80s perm, but those dimples are classic Vicki. And she has every reason now to smile: After ending a loveless marriage, her “love tank” is now full, thanks to new beau Brooks.
NeNe Leakes (Atlanta)
Two, four, six, eight -- we really appreciate this childhood photo of NeNe Leakes as a cheerleader. Back when she was a young girl in Queens, New York, the housewife-turned-actress (NeNe plays a swim coach on “Glee”) waved her pom-poms for her local squad. That big mouth and booming voice has also come in handy for the now-blonde during her many spats with fellow Atlanta housewives Kim Zolciak and Sheree Whitfield.
Kim and Kyle Richards (Beverly Hills)
Decades before they were stirring up drama as Beverly Hills housewives, Kim and Kyle Richards were famous for being child stars. Older sister Kim (the blonde) was one of the most recognizable young faces in the ‘70s, thanks to big roles in “Escape From Witch Mountain” and “Nanny and the Professor.” And soon after, younger sibling Kyle followed suit with parts on “Little House on the Prairie” and the horror flick “Halloween.” Although the two sisters have had their fair share of tearful
Melissa Gorga (New Jersey)
New Jersey’s youngest and arguably hottest housewife, Melissa Gorga, was once a pig-tailed cutie. But after marrying Teresa Giudice’s younger (and richer) brother Joe, the mom of three has traded gingham for Gucci – no wonder she always feels like she’s “on display.”
Tamra Barney (Orange County)
California girl Tamra Barney has always had that blond hair – although she’s progressed from pigtails. After two failed marriages and four children, the real estate agent is loving life with her new boyfriend Eddie as she prepares her next business venture: opening a gym.
Kandi Burruss (Atlanta)
There’s no denying Kandi Burruss’ mega-watt smile – or her apparent love of the color red. Before joining “Real Housewives” during the second season, the Atlanta native had made a name for herself in the music business as a member of the ‘90s girl group, Xscape, as well as a Grammy-winning songwriter (she penned TLC’s “No Scrubs” and Destiny’s Child’s “Bills, Bills, Bills”). Next up for the single mom: her own Bravo spinoff, “The Kandi Factory,” where she will turn two amateur singers into
Jacqueline Laurita (New Jersey)
Blame it on the ‘80s! Before she became a drama queen on “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” Jacqueline Laurita was very familiar with hair spray and blue eyeliner. Lucky for her, the mom of three (she’s married to Caroline Manzo’s brother, Chris) stopped perming her hair.
Gretchen Rossi (Orange County)
It looks like Gretchen Rossi was always a fan of short shorts; now she just accessorizes with lots of bling and makeup. So it makes sense then that the O.C. housewife, who has been dating bad boy Slade Smiley for years, has a moderately successful handbag and makeup line, Gretchen Christine, which embodies her California-girl style.
Cynthia Bailey (Atlanta)
Model-turned-housewife Cynthia Bailey wasn’t always the fashion plate she is today. Growing up in Alabama, she was a tall, awkward girl… who apparently was a fan of oversized collars and ugly vests. Now the Bailey Agency founder is as well known for her chic style as she is for her ever-changing hair pieces.
Heather Dubrow (Orange County)
Before she was the “98% real” wife of an Orange County plastic surgeon, Heather Dubrow was a working actress in New York City with credits including Jenny McCarthy’s sitcom “Jenny” and “Stark Raving Mad” with Neil Patrick Harris. Four kids later, Heather is content to be a stay-at-home mom – and the O.C. cast’s voice of reason.
Phaedra Parks (Atlanta)
“Everybody knows” Phaedra Parks is a Southern Belle – but we didn’t realize she also used to style her hair like one. The Atlanta housewife and powerhouse entertainment lawyer has since polished her look and upgraded her wardrobe to only the best designer labels… but she still loves those dangly earrings.
Kim Zolciak (Atlanta)
So that is what Kim has going on beneath her ever-present wig! The now-blond Atlanta housewife used to rock a permed and teased ‘do before she went the fake hair route. Surely, Kim’s hunky husband and father of her one-year-old son KJ (and another on the way), NFL player Kroy Biermann, loves her either way.
Teresa Giudice (New Jersey)
Who would have imagined this little angelic girl would grow up to become one of the most troublemaking housewives of all time? Teresa had those thick eyebrows and low hairline when she was just a little guidette in Patterson, New Jersey… but we doubt she had the strength to flip tables back then.
Camille Grammer (Beverly Hills)
Who knew Camille Grammer wasn’t a real blonde? The Beverly Hills hottie was not only a brunette, but a curly one at that, growing up in New Jersey before she married “Frasier” star Kelsey Grammer in 1997. They had two kids before splitting in the middle of the first Beverly Hills season back in 2010.
Vicki Gunvalson (Orange County)
Surely, Vicki would give a “woohoo” for her flat iron. The bubbly Orange County star may have ditched her ‘80s perm, but those dimples are classic Vicki. And she has every reason now to smile: After ending a loveless marriage, her “love tank” is now full, thanks to new beau Brooks.
NeNe Leakes (Atlanta)
Two, four, six, eight -- we really appreciate this childhood photo of NeNe Leakes as a cheerleader. Back when she was a young girl in Queens, New York, the housewife-turned-actress (NeNe plays a swim coach on “Glee”) waved her pom-poms for her local squad. That big mouth and booming voice has also come in handy for the now-blonde during her many spats with fellow Atlanta housewives Kim Zolciak and Sheree Whitfield.
Kim and Kyle Richards (Beverly Hills)
Decades before they were stirring up drama as Beverly Hills housewives, Kim and Kyle Richards were famous for being child stars. Older sister Kim (the blonde) was one of the most recognizable young faces in the ‘70s, thanks to big roles in “Escape From Witch Mountain” and “Nanny and the Professor.” And soon after, younger sibling Kyle followed suit with parts on “Little House on the Prairie” and the horror flick “Halloween.” Although the two sisters have had their fair share of tearful
Melissa Gorga (New Jersey)
New Jersey’s youngest and arguably hottest housewife, Melissa Gorga, was once a pig-tailed cutie. But after marrying Teresa Giudice’s younger (and richer) brother Joe, the mom of three has traded gingham for Gucci – no wonder she always feels like she’s “on display.”
Tamra Barney (Orange County)
California girl Tamra Barney has always had that blond hair – although she’s progressed from pigtails. After two failed marriages and four children, the real estate agent is loving life with her new boyfriend Eddie as she prepares her next business venture: opening a gym.
Kandi Burruss (Atlanta)
There’s no denying Kandi Burruss’ mega-watt smile – or her apparent love of the color red. Before joining “Real Housewives” during the second season, the Atlanta native had made a name for herself in the music business as a member of the ‘90s girl group, Xscape, as well as a Grammy-winning songwriter (she penned TLC’s “No Scrubs” and Destiny’s Child’s “Bills, Bills, Bills”). Next up for the single mom: her own Bravo spinoff, “The Kandi Factory,” where she will turn two amateur singers into
Jacqueline Laurita (New Jersey)
Blame it on the ‘80s! Before she became a drama queen on “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” Jacqueline Laurita was very familiar with hair spray and blue eyeliner. Lucky for her, the mom of three (she’s married to Caroline Manzo’s brother, Chris) stopped perming her hair.
Gretchen Rossi (Orange County)
It looks like Gretchen Rossi was always a fan of short shorts; now she just accessorizes with lots of bling and makeup. So it makes sense then that the O.C. housewife, who has been dating bad boy Slade Smiley for years, has a moderately successful handbag and makeup line, Gretchen Christine, which embodies her California-girl style.
Cynthia Bailey (Atlanta)
Model-turned-housewife Cynthia Bailey wasn’t always the fashion plate she is today. Growing up in Alabama, she was a tall, awkward girl… who apparently was a fan of oversized collars and ugly vests. Now the Bailey Agency founder is as well known for her chic style as she is for her ever-changing hair pieces.
Heather Dubrow (Orange County)
Before she was the “98% real” wife of an Orange County plastic surgeon, Heather Dubrow was a working actress in New York City with credits including Jenny McCarthy’s sitcom “Jenny” and “Stark Raving Mad” with Neil Patrick Harris. Four kids later, Heather is content to be a stay-at-home mom – and the O.C. cast’s voice of reason.
Phaedra Parks (Atlanta)
“Everybody knows” Phaedra Parks is a Southern Belle – but we didn’t realize she also used to style her hair like one. The Atlanta housewife and powerhouse entertainment lawyer has since polished her look and upgraded her wardrobe to only the best designer labels… but she still loves those dangly earrings.
