While networks like MTV and CBS ruled reality TV at its inception, Bravo has become the genre’s go-to, cornering the market with hit, long-running franchises such as “The Real Housewives,” “Below Deck,” “Southern Charm,” and their vast array of spinoff series. From “Vanderpump Rules” to “Below Deck Down Under” to “The Valley,” Bravo has no shortage of entertaining characters, and “Watch What Happens Live” host Andy Cohen leads the charge on producing the drama-filled must-watch TV.
While it may seem easy to become a Bravolebrity, not everyone is cut out to be an enduring internet meme. You must have a strong personality, get along with existing cast members, and be OK with not censoring yourself in front of cameras. Think you have what it takes to be the next Bravo breakout star? Our guide will help you navigate the casting processes behind the network’s biggest shows, including ways to impress casting directors and tips for a memorable, successful audition.
JUMP TO
The casting process for Bravo varies for each of its hit series. For example, those who want to become part of the yachting crew on “Below Deck” must have experience on the high seas. When submitting your application, you’ll answer questions pertaining to your yachting history. In this case, you’ll highlight your boating experience, including if you’ve ever worked on a yacht, positions you’ve held, and training certificates you’ve earned. All this will come in the form of your short bio and résumé.
“Below Deck” star Capt. Lee Rosbach claims he was cast “by accident.” With more than 30 years of yachting experience under his belt, the longtime captain (who left the show ahead of Season 11 for health reasons) told “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” he was never meant to appear on-camera. According to Rosbach, his boss at the time called to say, “‘Some TV network wants to do a TV show on the boat and they want to charter it for six weeks, and all you have to do is go down to St. Martin [and] drop the boat off.’” That team was supposed to have its own captain and crew, but things ultimately took a turn.
“For one reason or another, the captain that they had selected couldn’t fulfill his obligations. So they had a conundrum, because we were already late into the game,” Rosbach shared. “And they needed a captain, so they said, ‘Well, I guess we’ll use the old guy.’”
Meanwhile, when it comes to casting shows like “Southern Charm” and the “Real Housewives” franchise, CDs typically pull candidates from those who are prominent amid the given locale’s social scene—but that doesn’t mean they’ll cast just anyone. Not only must potential Housewives undergo both phone and video interviews with the casting directors, but they must also agree to a home visit, where the team will come in and film their natural family dynamic to simulate what goes into making the show.
Thomas Kelly, former “Housewives” and current “Southern Charm” showrunner, told Bustle that CDs seek those who “have an authentic connection to the group and live within a reasonable perimeter of where the show’s filmed.” He noted, “Producers want someone [who’s] smart, interesting, funny, attractive. Being an open book is a must.”
Once the interview process concludes, “casting directors compile a list of the best candidates and pitch them to higher-ups at the production company, who will vote on their favorites. That short-list is eventually presented to executives at Bravo, who’ll select their favorites and give the green light to pursue any potential newbies,” Kelly said. Next, the team will visit the top candidates’ homes to assess their on-camera performance. “A couple years ago in Orange County, a candidate was great on paper, but the dynamic with her husband at home was so awkward,” he explained. “That’s why a home shoot, as we call it, is a necessary part of the process.”
While Bravo and the “Real Housewives” franchise have become synonymous, only certain offshoots are actively prepping for their next season. In May, the network confirmed these locales had been renewed:
- “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Season 15)
- “The Real Housewives of Orange County” (Season 19)
- “The Real Housewives of Potomac” (Season 10)
- “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” (Season 6)
Bravo also announced a new extension of the franchise: “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island.” Set in the Ocean State, this series marks the franchise’s 11th location. Bravo will also welcome three additional series to its already expansive lineup: a reimagined “Ladies of London,” “The Valley Persian Style” (tentative title), and “Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition.”
Fans will be thrilled to learn that these series are slated to return, too:
- “Below Deck Mediterranean” (Season 10)
- “Below Deck Down Under” (Season 4)
- “Married to Medicine” (Season 12)
- “Southern Charm” (Season 11)
- “Southern Hospitality” (Season 4)
Credit: Griffin Nagel/Bravo
Since many of Bravo’s shows seek out potential cast members based on the social circles associated with the given locale, public casting calls are rare—but that doesn’t mean you are out of luck! In 2024, to assemble its new “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” cast, the team issued a public call for “Rhode Island-based families, groups of friends and/or businesses” on Instagram, opening up an opportunity for unknowns to get in on the ground floor of this fledgling “Housewives” series.
Bravo has also posted multiple open calls for “Below Deck” and its spinoffs in the past. Currently, on the network’s casting page, fans can find a notice seeking charters for “Below Deck Mediterranean.” Bravo’s listing notes that “charters will be three to four days long and will take place this September and October in one of the most spectacular areas of the western Mediterranean,” while adding, “the fee of the charter is a highly discounted rate of what the normal charter fee for this particular motor yacht would be.” (The network turned to Backstage to fill such roles for the original “Below Deck,” too.) Those who wish to become part of the crew can submit an application, but potential members must meet certain criteria: They must be at least 21 years old and hold the proper licenses, certifications, and work visas for the given locale.
Beyond that, you can learn more from our dedicated casting guides, including one on how to audition for Peacock, the streaming home of Bravo’s past and present catalog:
- How to Audition for Peacock
- How to Get Cast on ‘The Real Housewives’
- How to Get Cast on ‘Below Deck’
With many of its core series having aired for a decade or more, Bravo has worked with numerous casting directors across its primary franchises. The most prominent CDs have worked on more than one show, in fact. Erika Landin and Duffy Rich worked on “Below Deck” and three of its spinoffs: “Below Deck Mediterranean,” “Below Deck Down Under,” and “Below Deck Sailing Yacht.” Tracy Sinclair also cast for the franchise, excluding “Down Under.” Matthew Solomon, on the other hand, briefly worked with “Mediterranean,” later transitioning to cast on both “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and “The Real Housewives of Orange County.”
However, Jennifer Redinger may hold the record for casting the most Bravo shows. Beyond the multiple “Real Housewives” series she’s cast—including “Miami,” “Beverly Hills,” “Orange County,” and “Dallas”—she’s also worked on “Southern Charm,” “Married to Medicine,” and “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles,” among others.
As for who makes an ideal reality star, Cohen—the “Real Housewives” franchise’s gatekeeper, in a sense—told Bravo, “They all [want] to be famous. They’re very opinionated. They’re not afraid; they’re not shy. They’re outgoing. Many of them are very funny but don’t even realize how funny they are. And often, you know, through all those things, there’s some sort of relatability about them that keeps you watching.”
As Kelly said, ideal prospects “have a large and intriguing social media presence, they’re a pillar of their community, or they’ve been recommended by someone in the industry.” That’s why it’s essential to beef up your overall social media presence if you hope to get cast on reality TV.
To that end, we recommend checking out the guides below to ensure you put your best foot forward: