Dec. 2, 2020, won't just be remembered as the day Britney Spears turned 39. It will also go down in history as the biggest Housewives news day ever. There was so much going on in the Bravolebrity community, it was enough to make your head spin — and not in the good, tipsy on Skinnygirl Margarita kind of way.
For those who might have had trouble keeping up with all the drama, I've got a complete breakdown of all the biggest Bravo news.
The Morning
This Real Housewives Blind Item Points To Potential Legal Scandal
We start out the morning with a breakfast blind item involving a Housewife and alleged money laundering. On Nov. 29, the gossip website Crazy Days and Nights shared the following blind item, "the feds are investigating this east coast Housewife for laundering money through her failed business," and fans have been in heated debates wondering who the housewife is.
The item doesn't have many clues, but we do know that it is an "east coast Housewife," which points to someone appearing on RHONJ, RHONY, or RHOP. (Though some have suggested that RHOA is also an "east coast" brand, I'm not sure Atlanta really counts here.) Unfortunately, even with that helpful clue, it's hard to narrow down. There have been a lot of housewives over the years, and perhaps even more failed businesses.
Erika Jayne Was Accused Of Embezzlement
Moving on to another potentially sticky legal sitch, on Dec. 2, this Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star found herself on the receiving end of a lawsuit. Barely one month after filing for divorce, Erika Jayne and Tom Girardi are being accused of embezzlement. More than that, the suit alleges that the two are using their divorce to hide financial assets from the plaintiffs.
According to reports, Tom, a lawyer, is being accused of embezzling settlement funds meant for a variety of former clients, including multiple families affected by the Lion Air Flight 610 crash. "Tom has resorted to embezzling the proceeds of settlements that should have been directed to his clients ... in order to continue funding his and Erika's lavish Beverly Hills lifestyles," read the documents per People.
The suit goes on to claim that Tom's law firm, Girardi & Keese (GK) is facing enormous debt, and that he and Erika are using their divorce to "hide and divert assets" so that they may not be seized to pay out existing debts. "That 'divorce' is simply a sham attempt to fraudulently protect Tom and Erika's money," the document states.
Neither Erika nor Tom have commented on the suit, though Erika did post a cryptic Instagram on Dec. 2, with the caption, "High drama."
Braunwyn Windham-Burke Came Out
In happy Bravo news, Real Housewives of Orange County star Braunwyn Windham-Burke came out as gay on Dec. 2. She announced the news in a lengthy interview with GLAAD, saying, "I'm a member of the LGBTQ+ community. It has taken me 42 years to say that, but I am so proud o where I am right now." She continued, "It's just now starting to feel like I'm becoming the woman I'm supposed to be."
The Afternoon
Three Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Have COVID-19
At the sun's highest point in the day, one city's filming goes dark. COVID hits the Beverly Hills housewives hard when it was reported that filming on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills had been paused after three cast members tested positive for COVID-19. According to TMZ, Dorit Kemsley, Kyle Richards, and Kathy Hilton all tested positive, though the report also claimed they "did not contract COVID on set." All three are at home and recovering well.
Braunwyn Shares First Photo With Girlfriend
Later in the day, Braunwyn revealed that she is seeing someone, following her coming out Instagram, seemingly introducing her girlfriend, Kris. People confirmed that Kris and Braunwyn are dating, though she has yet to officially confirm the identity of her partner.
One thing fans do know about her new girlfriend is that her husband, Sean Burke, seems to approve. "[He] knows the girl I'm dating," Braunwyn told GLAAD, while confirming that she had no immediate plans for divorce. "We are not sleeping in the same bedroom right now, but we are in the same house. We are raising our kids together, he's my best friend."
The Evening
Real Housewives Of Atlanta Resumes Production With New COVID Protocols
Just as one Real Housewives series must pause, another begins anew. RHOA is officially back in production after a two week pause. Filming on the reality show temporarily shut down after crew member tested positive for coronavirus in early November.
According to star Cynthia Bailey, RHOA had been filming with strict COVID protocols, including only allowing a limited number of crew into the house with cast members, and weekly temperature checks. "It will be a very different show this time because we do follow all the COVID-19 rules," she told Page Six, adding. "We get tested every Monday and we do the temperature checks."
Since the COVID scare, however, sources told Page Six that Bravo has kicked it up a notch. Moving forward, the source claimed the stars will be "spending more time together outdoors, avoiding crowds, and having daily health checks and getting tested regularly." The source also added that the crew had increased "sanitization protocols for the equipment."
And with that, good luck recovering from your Bravolebrity news hangover. May I suggest a little hair of the dog — Vanderpump Rosé anybody?
Image: Kathy Boos/Bravo