20 throwback reality stars we'd love to see return to television

NeNe Leakes is one of reality TV’s most iconic faces and starred on The Real Housewives of Atlanta from 2008 to 2020. She was undoubtedly Bravo’s breakout star until her firing in 2020. After, she filed a lawsuit against the network and production company for alleged racial discrimination. 

Another OG Real Housewives cast member, Vicki Gunvalson, has been missed on the Orange County iteration since she departed the series after Season 14 in 2019. Although she’s not a full-time cast member, she’s starred in a few spin-offs, including two seasons of Peacock’s The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. 

She’s one of the biggest pot-stirrers The Real Housewives of New York City has ever seen, so you can understand why her quitting the series was a big deal for reality TV lovers. Since leaving, she’s spoken poorly about the franchise, the network, and her former boss, Andy Cohen. But even then, viewers recognize her star power and understand she makes must-watch TV. 

She started making beats and stirring up drama on MTV’s Making The Band in 2005 but has since starred in shows like Marriage Bootcamp, Ex on the Beach, and Famously Single in 2016.

There are too many reasons to list why we miss Rob Kardashian on the reality series that shot his family to superstardom. But since he has no desire to return, we’ll have to cherish the throwback seasons of Keeping Up while we have them. 

These two are some of the most legendary reality stars the genre has ever birthed, and their time on The Hills proves exactly that. 

Kim Richards gave us several classic scenes on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but her fights with her sister, Kyle, and Beverly Hills’ biggest instigator, Lisa Rinna, were the most entertaining to watch. 

This Real Housewives star was never afraid to say what everybody else was thinking — even if it did get her fired in 2015. She hasn’t returned to Beverly Hills as a series regular since; however, she did star in Peacock originals The Traitors and RHUGT. 

Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Baskett laid it all out there in their series Kendra on Top from 2012 to 2017. But the rumors and allegations regarding Hank and his alleged affair might’ve been too much for the couple to handle. They divorced in 2018, and now that she’s baggage-free, this would be the perfect time for her return. 

She’s more than just Paris Hilton’s best friend. To us, she’s a reality TV giant who gave us several memorable moments in the early 2000s on The Simple Life and Candidly Nicole in 2014.

One thing about The Hills is that there was never a shortage of characters to stir up trouble, and Kristin Cavallari is a prime example. She fought incessantly with Lauren Conrad and the rest of her co-stars over boys, rumors, and who the No. 1 girl of the group was. 

If your TikTok has been flooded with throwback clips from Dance Moms, then you know why Abby Lee Miller is on the list of reality stars who have to return to television. However, this time, we could do without her screaming at little kids and facing off against someone her own size. 

Before Vicki Gunvalson, the real OG of the OC was Lauren Conrad. She was the star of MTV’s The Hills; however, she departed the series in 2009 and hasn’t been associated with the franchise since. 

Dorinda Medley "made it nice" on The Real Housewives of New York City but was "placed on pause" after her drinking allegedly became a liability on the show.  

She was an OG Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member who only appeared full-time in the first two seasons, but since then, viewers have begged for Danielle Staub’s return in some form. She’s known for fighting primarily with stars Teresa Giudice and Margaret Josephs. 

Dina is one of the most unbothered Real Housewives the series has ever seen. She left the Jersey group after two seasons in 2010 and returned for another year in 2014 before leaving for good. Many of the show’s current cast members, including Teresa, have said they’d love for the former reality star to return. 

This Real Housewives star was an original cast member of the Beverly Hills iteration, which aired in 2010. She’s remembered for her most chaotic moments, which took place with her co-stars Kim Richards, Taylor Armstrong, and Kyle Richards. She was slammed as “America’s most hated Housewife” at the Season 1 reunion, but hey, we think she’s great. 

They don't call her "Eva the Diva" for nothing. Her reign on America's Next Top Model and Housewives of Atlanta were stellar, and watchers want nothing more than for her to return. 

RHOP fans loved Monique because she was Gizelle and Robyn's most prominent foe. However, after her physical fight with co-star Candiace, she chose to leave the series after Season 5. Since her departure, new women have joined the group, stirring up conversation about how Monique would interact with the newbies. 

Lisa's last appearance on The Real Housewives during Season 9 wasn't all smiles, but that doesn't mean fans don't want to see her back. She still stars in her Bravo spin-off, Vanderpump Rules; however, seeing her back in the fold with the other Beverly Hills ladies would do our hearts well.