‘Real Housewives of Dubai’: Everything to Know About Bravo’s 1st International Series in the Franchise

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‘Real Housewives of Dubai’: Everything to Know About Bravo’s 1st International Series in the Franchise

Going global! The Real Housewives of Dubai is coming to Bravo, the network announced in November 2021. The newest Housewives series will shine a light on “a group of women navigating their relationships, careers and supremely lavish and ultra-wealthy lifestyles in the United Arab Emirates,” according to a press release. The network added that the “desert paradise” of Dubai will serve as the backdrop for the lavish lifestyles in which the new cast live. “This billionaire’s playground is known for its over-the-top opulence, jaw-dropping modern architecture and wild nightlife scene,” per the press release. Producer Andy Cohen also released a statement on the upcoming show, saying, “Everything’s bigger in Dubai, and I couldn’t be more excited to launch Bravo’s first international Housewives series in a city I’ve been fascinated by for years, with an outstanding group of friends as our guides.” The same day, the network, which already has 10 Housewives series, released the first teaser for Dubai, hinting at even more opulence and wealth than any of its U.S. installments. “Pack your bags for Bravo's first original international Housewives franchise, The Real Housewives of Dubai!  ✈️ 🌴 🇦🇪 ,” Bravo captioned the clip via social media. In the teaser, a title card reads, “This is no mirage. This is real,” as footage of a woman running through the desert appears on the screen. [jwplayer Vs8yq03f-zhNYySv2] “It’s the land of opportunity. It’s the new American dream,” the voiceover says as the lady frolics through the sand. The cast of the show has yet to be revealed, but Ladies of London alum Juliet Angus hinted in late 2021 that her longtime pal and former costar Caroline Stanbury could be a big player. “YESSSS @carolinestanbury 🙌💓,” Angus, who starred on the London-based series from 2014 to 2017, commented on Bravo’s Instagram announcement on November 1. Millionaire Matchmaker’s Patti Stanger fueled casting rumors via Instagram, writing, “Go @carolinestanbury so happy for [you] my friend. #breakaleg 👏👏👏.” The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah didn’t mention Stanbury’s alleged part in the new show, but she did celebrate the big news, writing, “Yasss!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽.” Scroll down for everything we know about The Real Housewives of Dubai so far: [podcast_block]

Credit: Courtesy Bravo/Twitter

Hashtag Will Be Decided by Fans

Since the Real Housewives of Dallas, which Bravo announced in August 2021 will not be coming back next year, uses the “RHOD” hashtag, fans have been asked to pick the Twitter tag for the upcoming series. Viewers can use Twitter conversation cards to cast their vote for either #RHODubai or #RHODXB.

Credit: Courtesy Bravo/Twitter

Bravo Goes International

The new show will mark the first international Housewives series produced by Bravo. While there have been other installments over seas, including The Real Housewives of Melbourne, this is the first international spinoff that the network has been fully involved with.

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Andy Cohen Teases What’s to Come on ‘Today’

“Get your passports! Our 11th city. We’re going to the billionaire’s playground. The city of gold. The desert oasis,” the Housewives producer said during a November 2021 appearance on the Today show. “This is going to blow the lid off the entire franchise.”

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Is Caroline Stanbury Joining the Cast?

Ahead of the cast announcement, fans of the Bravo universe are speculated that the Ladies of London alum would be part of the group after her move from London to Dubai in 2016. Stanbury starred on the England-set series from 2014 to 2017 before bidding farewell to the U.K. and heading to the United Arab Emirates city with her then-husband, Cem Habib, and their three children, daughter Yasmine, and twin boys Zac and Aaron.

Stanbury has since split from Habib — the two announced their breakup in December 2019 after 17 years of marriage — and is engaged to Sergio Carrallo.

In April 2022, Bravo confirmed that Stanbury will appear on The Real Housewives of Dubai.

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The Cast Is Already Set

"The show is cast. We haven't announced the cast yet. But it's really interesting,” Cohen said during a November 2021 talk event promoting his book, Glitter Every Day, in New York City. “I can't say a word [about the Caroline Stanbury rumors], but it's a great cast and it's diverse and interesting. Americans and non-Americans and expats and not. I'm excited."

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Could Lindsay Lohan Appear?

Because the Mean Girls actress has been living in Dubai since 2014, fans have already tapped her as a possible candidate for the cast. During a November 2021 interview on The Talk, Cohen didn't deny that she would be a fun addition to the show. "Let me tell you something," he told cohost Jerry O'Connell. "It’s a good idea, Jerry."

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Will the 'Ladies of London' Make a Cameo?

Stanbury isn't the only Ladies of London alum who fans will spot on the newest Housewives installment: her sister-in-law Sophie Stanbury, Caroline Fleming and Luke Henderson will all make cameos. "They came for my wedding," the stylist revealed during an April 2022 appearance on the "Two Ts In A Pod" podcast. Juliet Angus also attended Stanbury's December 2021 nuptials.

While there will still be plenty of drama among the Housewives, Stanbury revealed that filming wasn't as intense for her this time around. "It's different because [the cast of Ladies of London] were my friends and family. And [these ladies], I've only known for a few years, so they can't get to me the way my family can," she explained. "[The Housewives and I] all knew each other ... but your family know how to rile you. ... It's different because they were my friends and family. And [these ladies], I've only known for a few years, so they can't get to me the way my family can."

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When Will It Premiere?

The Real Housewives of Dubai premieres on Bravo Wednesday, June 1, at 9 p.m. ET.

Credit: Chris Haston/Bravo

The Cast Is Set

Bravo confirmed in May 2022 that Nina Ali, Chanel Ayan, Caroline Brooks, Dr. Sara Al Madani and Lesa Milan will join Stanbury in the high desert for season 1 of the international series.

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Go Big or Go Home

"I think people are going to be very surprised how much Dubai plays into things and the rules of Dubai and what's allowed for women there and what's not,” Cohen told Entertainment Tonight at the NBCUniversal upfronts presentation in May 2022. “And I think it's gonna blow a lot of stereotypes out of the water. You're gonna see a lot of things that you didn't expect to see in Dubai."

He teased: "There's a lot of expats [in Dubai] and the lifestyle is bigger there, the glamour is intense and it's just a totally different playground for them. I mean, it's somewhere we've never seen before."

Credit: Bravo/YouTube

An Explosive Trailer

“Anything is possible in Dubai,” Stanbury said in the May 2022 trailer, before the cast was formally introduced. “In Dubai, the women are far from submissive. The women are running this town.”

Ayan, who is a Kenyan-born model, playfully revealed: “There’s a lot of gold here … and a lot of gold diggers as well.” She later joked about her sex life, saying, “The only exercise I do, is doing my husband.”

While the group of women appears to be fierce and fabulous, they don’t always get along, per the teaser. In fact, viewers got a taste of how Milan feels about Stanbury’s relationship with her husband, Sergio Carrallo, ahead of their million-dollar wedding. "Play with your boy-toy, bitch, don't play with me,” Milan, who is a fashion designer, told Stanbury while out to dinner.

The biggest surprise, however, came when Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Phaedra Parks made a cameo, chatting with one of the new Housewives at lunch in Dubai. “Give me the tea. I'm very thirsty today," she teased.