Why Jennifer Tilly Was Terrified to Join Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Jennifer Tilly is no stranger to screaming on camera. But the Chucky star's latest TV project might just be her scariest to date.

Over a month after it was revealed that the actress is joining The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' upcoming 14th season as a Friend, the 65-year-old recently revealed how she really feels about entering the dramatic world of Bravo reality TV.

"Oh my god, it's insane," Tilly said during the July 2 episode of the It Happened in Hollywood podcast. "It's, like, scarier than Chucky. I'll tell you that."

Most of all, the Oscar nominee wanted to try her hardest to steer clear of her costars' feuds, but she feels confident she’ll be able to dodge some bullets.

"I'm not a Housewife," Tilly noted. "I'm a Friend, though, which is a lot easier. You just dip in and out. You try to avoid, like, flying shrapnel. And you know, if drinks are thrown, I have good reflexes."

And Tilly's former Bound costar Gina Gershon, who also guested on the latest episode, totally understood her longtime friend's hesitance.

"They approached me," Gershon admitted. "I was too scared."

Although Tilly said she thought Gershon "would be great" on RHOBH, the latter believed Tilly is much more fitted for the Bravo series.

"You know what? You're gonna be genius on that," Gershon told her. "You'll take over that whole set, Jen. I have no doubt. I'd actually even watch it with you on it!"

Of course, Tilly has already gotten a taste of what it's like navigating the drama of RHOBH. She previously made cameos during season 13 alongside her BFF and longtime castmember Sutton Stracke.

Tilly won't be the only fresh face joining the ensemble of RHOBH next year. In addition to returning Housewives Stracke, Kyle Richards, Garcelle Beauvais, Erika Jayne and Dorit Kemsley will be new Housewife Bozoma Saint John.

Plus, Kathy Hilton is making her return as a Friend after taking season 13 off.

While fans wait for Tilly to make her return, keep reading to read E!'s definitive ranking of every Real Housewife ever.

Bravo's ill-fated attempt at highlighting our nation's capital brought together four women so forgettable you'd be forgiven for erasing them from your memory—though their names are Mary Amons, Lynda Erkiletian, Cat Ommanney and Stacie Scott Turner—and one so desperate for fame that she gate-crashed a party at the White House. More on her later.

Who?

Vaguely familiar, but...

Once upon a time, DeShawn starred on the same TV show as NeNe Leakes. Surprising, we know.

This one-season Housewife brought nothing to the Orange County table.

Utah's newest season two Housewife went out with a bang (and not in a good way). In January 2022, Jennie was fired after "offensive" and racially insensitive old Facebook posts resurfaced online. Jennie later apologized but the damage was done.

Her defining trait was "cougar."

The Orange County doctor was never a source of drama during season 16 and her brief marriage troubles with eternally shirtless husband Ryne (or Ryan?) were less than riveting. However, we will never forget Dr. Jen getting absolutely wasted on wine during the Dubrows' insanely awkward—yet wildly entertaining—dinner party.

The nurse anesthetist's flop first season can be summed up in one cringe-worthy word we hope we never hear again: Esophagus-gate. 

Katie loved to talk about her charity work, but...didn't do much else on screen. She was one and done, only to come back and not contribute much as a friend. Leaving the cast trip early? A Housewives no-no.

Her marriage problems were on full display the two seasons she was a full-time Housewife...that and her champagne room are the two memorable things about Charrisse.

A one-and-done Housewife, Shamari was at least fun?

While it was nice to see some diversity in the lily-white O.C., Peggy ultimately proved to be a frustrating presence in season 12. The fights she chose to pick were bizarre, and often involving someone using a word she simply didn't understand, and her decision to simply hide out in her room for an entire day during the trip to Iceland proved that she wasn't really cut out for this Real Housewives life.

Instead of bonding with fellow Nigerian costar Wendy Osefo during season eight, Nneka's first season storyline centered entirely around her allegedly accusing Wendy's mom of being a witch (yes, seriously). We wish we could have seen the two bond over their shared culture rather than fighting with no resolve.

Noella spun through season 16 like a tornado of frantic energy. While her personal struggles were somewhat compelling (her husband James up and left the country and asked for a divorce right before filming started), it was her constant drama with queen bee Heather Dubrow that helped her not land completely at the bottom of the list. Maybe with more time and another season, we'll warm up to Mrs. Bergener.

From peacekeeper in her first season to unrelenting complaints about a thrown cake and unfounded claims of anti-Semitism in her second (and last) season, we're not sure we've ever seen a quicker Real Housewives fall from grace than this one.

The America's Next Top Model veteran picked up a peach for seasons 11 and 12, but never really made an impression in the world of RHOA, aside from being pregnant for what felt like her entire tenure. Points for that epic read of Marlo Hampton while in Tokyo, though.

All we remember about Karent is that she was a dentist and none of her co-stars seemed to like her at all. Next!

This was a real person with a show on Bravo. We promise.

As one of RHONY's more recent one-and-dones, Jules' tenure was too brief to rank any higher. However, she sure did deliver her fair share of drama. 

So unnecessary they couldn't even get individual taglines.

Everything Amber and her husband Jim did seemed to reek of desperation. Plus, he was involved in more of the drama than she was. Not a good look.

Much like co-star Sara Al Madani, Nina exemplified a multidimensional, successful Arab woman who is blending modern life with centuries-old cultural traditions. She avoided most of the season one drama and was sometimes overshadowed by her co-stars' bigger, louder personalities.

Sara's positive, enlightened outlook on life was certainly pleasant, but didn't provide for much drama (besides that one time she offered co-star Caroline Brooks some not-so-well received parenting advice). However, the tech entrepreneur shattered stereotypes of what it means to be a modern Muslim woman in the Middle East and for that we applaud her. 

RHONJ's season 13 newbies certainly fit the mold of your typical Garden State Housewife and quickly found themselves in a season-long fight over literally nothing that Andy Cohen deemed pointless at the reunion. We'd love to see both return for season 14 for a chance to move up even higher on the list after an entertaining first go-around.

Larsa didn't make a big impression on season one before leaving the series. When Peacock revived RHOM for season four in 2021, her whole storyline was about being the ex-BFF of Kim Kardashian. (and selling sexy feet pics on OnlyFans...)

Ana followed up her one season as a Bravolebrity by competing on season 12 of Next Food Network Star in 2016. She didn't make it there, either.

Unfortunately, she was nothing more than a punching bag for Brandi Glanville. Plus, her tagline celebrating the icky notion that you can never be too skinny was gross.

Cindy was supposed to be the new Bethenny Frankel. Cindy was no Bethenny Frankel.

Brooks' gift to season one of RHODubai was a cameo from Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Phaedra Parks, who popped up on one episode to get all the tea on the co-stars' drama. However, Brooks did cause a lot of unnecessary drama during season one (much of which occurred while she was a little too tipsy).

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