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The Ultimate List: 9 Real Housewives Stars Who Dared To Pose For Playboy—And The Shocking Drama That Followed

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The intersection of reality television and the iconic legacy of Playboy magazine has always generated headline-grabbing controversy, and the Real Housewives franchise is no exception. For decades, the magazine represented a unique blend of celebrity, sexuality, and business savvy, making a cover appearance a milestone for many stars. As of December 2025, a significant number of Bravo’s most famous faces have stripped down for the cameras, either before or during their time as a Housewife, creating some of the most memorable and dramatic storylines in franchise history.

This deep dive reveals the full, uncensored list of the women who traded diamonds for the Bunny logo, detailing their specific issue dates, the context of their shoots, and the current, updated reflections on their bold career moves. From original Playmates to recent cover stars, these women cemented their status as pop culture icons long before they ever uttered the words, "I'm not here to make friends."

The Definitive Roster of Real Housewives Playboy Models

The list of Housewives who have posed for Playboy spans multiple decades and franchises, demonstrating a consistent link between the magazine and the world of high-profile reality TV. Here is the complete breakdown of the stars and their legendary pictorials:

  • Jeana Keough (RHOC): Playmate of the Month, November 1980.
  • Camille Grammer Meyer (RHOBH): Multiple appearances, including a cover on a special edition, January/February 1997.
  • Lisa Rinna (RHOBH): Featured pictorial and interview, September 1998.
  • Denise Richards (RHOBH): Cover and feature, December 2004.
  • Joanna Krupa (RHOM): Multiple covers, including July 2005 and December 2009.
  • Garcelle Beauvais (RHOBH): Cover and feature, August 2007.
  • Kelly Bensimon (RHONY): Cover and feature, March 2010.
  • Michaele Salahi (RHODC): Posed for a pictorial in 2011, though the outcome was controversial.

Jeana Keough: The Original Playmate Housewife

Before the sprawling mansions of Orange County became a national obsession, Jeana Keough was already a recognized figure in pop culture. The original cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County was named Playmate of the Month in the November 1980 issue of Playboy.

Her time as a Playmate was a significant part of her early career, preceding her role as a model for artist Patrick Nagel and her appearance in the iconic ZZ Top "Eliminator" music videos. Her history with the magazine was never a secret on RHOC, establishing her as one of the first Bravo stars with a background in high-profile nude modeling.

The RHOBH Connection: Four Stars Who Bared All

The Beverly Hills franchise boasts the most Playboy veterans, with four main cast members having posed for the publication, often causing on-screen drama years later.

Denise Richards: The Post-Baby Cover

Denise Richards, a prominent actress and later a cast member on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH), graced the cover of the December 2004 Gala Christmas Issue. What made her shoot particularly newsworthy was the timing: Richards posed just five months after giving birth to her daughter, Sam Sheen, making a powerful statement about post-pregnancy body confidence. Her decision to pose was a topic of discussion during her time on RHOBH, showcasing her continued comfort and ownership of her sexuality.

Lisa Rinna: The 90s Soap Star Feature

Known for her signature lips and dramatic flair, Lisa Rinna of RHOBH posed for a pictorial and interview in the September 1998 issue. At the time, she was a well-known soap opera star from Melrose Place and Days of Our Lives. Rinna has always been unapologetic about her career choices, often citing the financial motivation and the empowering nature of the shoot. Her history with the magazine has been a recurring entity in her reality TV narrative, reinforcing her image as a bold, no-nonsense celebrity.

Camille Grammer Meyer: The Modeling Veteran

Camille Grammer Meyer’s modeling career with Playboy predates her marriage to actor Kelsey Grammer and her time on RHOBH. She began modeling for the publication in 1988 and appeared a total of 13 times in various special editions, such as Playboy's Book of Lingerie. She even secured a cover on the January/February 1997 Readers' Choice Supermodels issue. On the show, her past was often a point of contention and a source of snide comments from co-stars, though Camille consistently defended her work as a legitimate part of her professional history.

Garcelle Beauvais: Redefining Age and Beauty

In a move that challenged traditional beauty standards, Garcelle Beauvais, another RHOBH star, graced the cover of the August 2007 issue. Beauvais was 40 years old at the time of her shoot, a fact she embraced, stating she wanted to do it "for me" and to show that a woman can look stunning at any age. Her appearance was a major career highlight, coming years before she joined the Bravo universe, but it solidified her status as a glamorous and confident figure.

The East Coast & Miami Stars: Drama and Double Features

The New York and Miami franchises also contributed to the list, with shoots that were often central to their on-screen storylines.

Kelly Bensimon: The RHONY Controversy

Kelly Bensimon's decision to pose for Playboy was a major storyline during Season 3 of The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY). She appeared on the cover of the March 2010 issue. The controversial shoot, which she described as a test to show that you can still look good at any age, was a significant talking point among her co-stars, particularly Bethenny Frankel, who questioned the career move. Bensimon has since reflected positively on the experience, noting she was "flattered to be on the cover" of such an iconic magazine.

Joanna Krupa: The Miami Cover Queen

Polish-American model and The Real Housewives of Miami (RHOM) star Joanna Krupa had a long and fruitful relationship with Playboy. She appeared on multiple international covers and was featured in the US edition several times, including the July 2005 and December 2009 issues. Her extensive modeling portfolio, particularly her work with Playboy, was part of her established glamour identity when she joined the Miami cast.

The Unclear Outcome: Michaele Salahi's Rejected Pictorial

The story of Michaele Salahi, a cast member from the short-lived The Real Housewives of D.C. (RHODC), provides a fascinating, and somewhat tragic, footnote to the Playboy Housewife legacy. After her infamous White House gatecrashing incident, Salahi announced in 2010 that she would be posing nude for the magazine.

Reports confirmed that Salahi did, in fact, complete the nude photo shoot. However, in a surprising turn of events, TMZ reported in April 2011 that Playboy had informed her she would not be on the cover, and some sources even suggested the pictorial was ultimately rejected for publication in the main magazine. This makes Salahi the only Housewife to publicly announce a shoot that seemingly resulted in a controversial or unreleased pictorial, highlighting the unpredictable nature of celebrity modeling.

The Future of Playboy Housewives: A Countess Wants In

The legacy of the Playboy Housewife is not over. In a recent and highly newsworthy development, The Real Housewives of New York City veteran, Luann de Lesseps, has openly expressed her desire to pose for the magazine. The Countess shared in recent interviews that she would "totally sign up" if Playboy were to do a special "Housewives" edition, provided the shoot was done "tastefully."

De Lesseps, known for her glamorous cabaret show and embracing her life post-divorce and sobriety, would join the ranks of her former co-star Kelly Bensimon. Her willingness to pose, even in her 60s, speaks to the enduring appeal of the Playboy brand as a symbol of female empowerment and confidence, regardless of age or past controversies. This potential future collaboration ensures that the topic of Real Housewives and their modeling pasts remains a current and compelling point of discussion for Bravo fans and celebrity culture enthusiasts alike.

real housewives in playboy
real housewives in playboy

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