Real Housewives of Rhode Island Trailer Drops and It’s Giving Jersey Drama With a Boston Twist

At BravoCon 2025, the network dropped the first trailer for The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, and let’s just say it’s hitting with serious New Jersey energy but with a distinctly New England edge.

A Tiny State With a Big Attitude

The teaser with a voiceover that sets the tone: “Rhode Island is a blip on the map, but to us, it’s the center of the universe.” From there, the drama rolls in: one cast member claims, “In Rhode Island, nobody tells anybody the truth … everyone just lies to your face.” Welcome to a place where everyone grew up together — if you didn’t sit next to someone in kindergarten, apparently that’s a problem.

This isn’t just coastal New England luxury, though the houses are shiny and the accents are charming. Bravo promises a vibe that is “Italian with a capital I” while hinting at early Jersey-style drama. Think big family ties, overlapping social circles, and a tight-knit community where secrets are rare and gossip is currency.

Meet the Housewives (and One Friend)

The cast includes seven powerhouse Rhode Islanders, each bringing her own personality and history:

• Alicia Carmody, self-described runaway bride and Rhode Island to the core

• Rosie DiMare, former local news anchor turned DJ and lifestyle host

• Ashley Iaconetti, Bachelor in Paradise alum raising two boys

• Liz McGraw, the “cannabis queen” and co-owner of the state’s largest dispensary

• Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, financial planner and prominent mom

• Kelsey Swanson, former Miss Rhode Island and top-tier makeup artist

• Jo‑Ellen Tiberi, self-proclaimed town gossip, aesthetic practice boss, and mom of three

Adding extra spice, Dolores Catania from Real Housewives of New Jersey appears as a friend of the housewives, cementing the Jersey comparison.

Why It’s Giving Jersey With a Side of Clam Cakes

The Jersey vibes aren’t just from Catania’s cameo. It’s in the way these women talk about loyalty, family, and how small their world really is. One cast member quips, “If they didn’t see you in kindergarten, it’s a problem.” Rhode Island may only be 48 miles across, but the social map is dense, and secrets are a luxury no one can afford.

Yet there’s a New England twist: coastal mansions, historic family ties, and understated wealth that doesn’t flash like New Jersey mansions. The trailer makes it clear that these women are a charismatic, interconnected group whose lives are deeply rooted in the Rhode Island social scene.

What to Expect When It Hits

Based on the trailer, Real Housewives of Rhode Island is shaping up to be Bravo’s next big hit. Expect:

• Deep-rooted relationships fueling major conflict

• Business drama from cast members owning dispensaries, beauty practices, and more

• Cultural pride mixing Italian heritage with New England tradition

• Cross-franchise appeal thanks to a RHONJ alum cameo

The show is set to premiere in 2026, and if the trailer is any indication, it’s playing for keeps.

The Final Word

Bravo’s first look at Real Housewives of Rhode Island delivers exactly what a Housewives junkie could hope for: high-stakes drama, tight social circles, and that unmistakable “talk behind your back then hug in public” energy. It feels like an East Coast cocktail mixed with old-school Jersey franchise vibes, but with clam chowder instead of Taylor ham.

If you’re ready for a new Housewives chapter filled with generational feuds, business flexing, and salty New England charm, RHORI might just be your next guilty pleasure.