Meet the Real Housewives of Rhode Island: The Full 2026 Cast Bringing Small-State, Big Drama

Bravo is expanding the Real Housewives empire with its newest franchise: The Real Housewives of Rhode Island (RHORI).

Premiering on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 9/8c on Bravo (with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock and moving to Sundays starting April 5), the series follows a tight-knit group of charismatic women navigating family, friendships, business ambitions, and shifting loyalties in America’s smallest state.

In a place where “everyone knows everyone,” secrets travel fast along the scenic New England coastline.

The show promises classic Housewives drama—luxury lifestyles, explosive confrontations, and heartfelt moments—mixed with Rhode Island’s unique charm. Adding extra spark is a familiar face: RHONJ star Dolores Catania joining as a “friend of the housewives.”

Here’s your complete guide to the Season 1 cast.

The Full-Time Housewives on RHORI Season 1

Housewife	Location	Background & Occupation	Family / Relationship	Key Storylines & Personality Highlights
Alicia Carmody	Providence	Stepping into family pizza business (Angelo’s Palace Pizza, Antonio’s, Pizza Mamma)	Engaged to restaurateur Billy Kitsilis	Rhode Island to the core; self-described “flip-flopper”; opening up about her past; potential blindsides
Rosie DiMare	North Kingstown	Former TV news anchor & reporter; current lifestyle host and DJ/emcee	Married to Rich; upgrading to dream home	No-nonsense truth-teller; reassessing group loyalties; sharp observations
Ashley Iaconetti	West Greenwich	Bachelor/Bachelor in Paradise alum; social media influencer; co-owner of Audrey’s Coffee House & Lounge	Married to Jared Haibon; mother of two boys	Adjusting to Rhode Island life; feeling out of her element; clashes with other ladies
Liz McGraw	Rhode Island	“Rhode Island’s cannabis queen”; owner of a top dispensary	Married to Gerry; soon-to-be grandmother	Dominant personality; refuses to slow down; close friend of Dolores Catania; launching menopause gummy brand
Rulla Nehme Pontarelli	Rhode Island	Certified financial planner & wealth manager; proud Lebanese-American	Married; mother of two; faith and family first	Marriage rumors will test her values and resilience; balancing tradition and spotlight
Kelsey Swanson	Rhode Island	Former Miss Rhode Island 2017; successful makeup artist	In a 10-year relationship with wealthy boyfriend; lives in a castle	At a crossroads between comfort and independence; loyalty to Liz tested
Jo-Ellen Tiberi	Rhode Island	Self-proclaimed town gossip; juggles career and family	Married; mother of three	Knows “everything” happening in RI; caught between honesty and discretion; confronting childhood issues with her mother

Name	Role	Background	Connection to Group	Notable Ventures
Dolores Catania	Friend of the Housewives	RHONJ fan-favorite; winner of The Traitors Season 3	Close friend of Liz McGraw	Spending the summer in RI; launching menopause gummy brand with Liz

1. Alicia Carmody (Providence)

Rhode Island to the core, Alicia is engaged to restaurateur Bill “Billy” Kitsilis, who owns popular spots including Angelo’s Palace Pizza, Antonio’s Pizza by the Slice, and Pizza Mamma.

She’s stepping into the family pizza business and embracing her “boss-babe” era. Bravo describes her as a flip-flopper who can go from fierce to friendly in seconds. Expect drama as she opens up about her past and potentially blindsides lifelong friends.

2. Rosie DiMare (North Kingstown)

A former television news anchor and reporter, Rosie now hosts a lifestyle program and works as a DJ and emcee. She and her husband Rich are upgrading to a dream home.

Known for being a no-nonsense truth-teller who “clocks everything,” Rosie is reassessing loyalties in the group and isn’t afraid to call out anyone who doesn’t have her back. Her sharp observations could make her a central figure in group dynamics.

3. Ashley Iaconetti (West Greenwich)

Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise alum Ashley married RI native Jared Haibon in 2019 at Newport’s Rosecliff.

The couple has two boys and co-owns Audrey’s Coffee House & Lounge. As a social media influencer adjusting to life in Rhode Island, Ashley has hinted at feeling out of her element, famously saying, “This is not the kind of people I’m usually around.”

Her clashes—especially with Rosie—and outsider perspective are expected to create compelling storylines.

4. Liz McGraw

Dubbed “Rhode Island’s cannabis queen,” Liz owns one of the country’s top dispensaries. Married to Gerry and soon-to-be a grandmother, she refuses to slow down or “trade couture for a rocking chair.”

As a dominant personality and the person “everyone knows” in the small state, Liz’s shifting family dynamics and influence within the group will be key. She’s also close friends with Dolores Catania, who is launching a menopause gummy brand with her.

5. Rulla Nehme Pontarelli

A certified financial planner and wealth manager, Rulla is a proud Lebanese-American mother of two who puts faith and family first.

She projects confidence and tradition, but rumors swirling about her marriage will test her values and resilience. Her storylines involve balancing professional success with personal challenges in the spotlight.

6. Kelsey Swanson

Former Miss Rhode Island 2017 and a successful makeup artist, Kelsey has lived a “charmed life” in a literal castle with her wealthy boyfriend of 10 years.

Now at a crossroads between comfort and independence, her loyalty to Liz (the group’s “heaviest hitter”) will be tested. Viewers can expect tension as she weighs going against powerful personalities in the circle.

7. Jo-Ellen Tiberi

Self-proclaimed town gossip and mother of three, Jo-Ellen knows “everything” happening in Rhode Island. She’s juggling her career, marriage, and unresolved issues with her own mother.

Caught between honesty and discretion—especially when marriage rumors about Rulla surface—Jo-Ellen will also confront childhood wounds, adding emotional depth to the season.

The Friend: Dolores Catania

RHONJ fan-favorite and winner of The Traitors Season 3, Dolores spends the summer in Rhode Island with her close friend Liz McGraw.

She brings her signature no-filter energy, loyalty, and outside perspective to the group. Fans are excited to see how her presence influences the tight-knit Rhode Island circle while she explores new ventures, including the menopause gummy line with Liz.

What to Expect This Season

In Rhode Island’s interconnected social scene, friendships run deep—but so do the betrayals. Major themes include overlapping family and business ties, fast-moving secrets (including polygamy rumors teased in promos), loyalty tests, and the clash between old-school Rhode Island values and modern ambitions.

The tone blends coastal luxury with raw, unfiltered drama, described by some as a mix of New York and New Jersey energy.

The cast has already hinted at shade, playful antics, and genuine personality clashes that will keep viewers hooked.

Why RHORI Could Be a Must-Watch

As the Real Housewives franchise celebrates its 20th anniversary, RHORI brings fresh faces and a new regional flavor.

The combination of relatable New England women, one Bachelor Nation crossover, and a beloved RHONJ veteran creates the perfect recipe for addictive reality television.

Don’t miss the premiere on April 2, 2026—because in the Ocean State, the drama is anything but small.

How to Watch:

• Thursdays (premiere) / Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo
• Next day on Peacock

Are you excited for The Real Housewives of Rhode Island? Which cast member are you most looking forward to seeing? Let us know in the comments!