The Bravo network has been home to a number of reality television shows that have changed the game. From The Real Housewives franchise to shows like Vanderpump Rules, fans of the genre can’t stop talking about the antics of their favorite reality stars. Many of these antics are the reason why viewers tune in to these shows in the first place. People love drama.

However, one must question how much of a role the network plays in ensuring that drama takes place? Many of the cast members on past Bravo shows have a criminal background. Some are currently facing legal issues. Does the network intentionally seek out these kinds of characters or is it just a coincidence? One network executive has answered these questions recently and put these theories to rest.

Bravo Executive Clarifies Whether The Network Intentionally Casts Criminals

Bravo executive Frances Berwick is the chair of Bravo and Peacock Unscripted. She recently spoke to Fast Company, where she addressed the common trope of criminals being cast on the network’s reality shows. Frances told the outlet that it wasn’t something the network did intentionally, and they tried to be careful in navigating those storylines.

“It really defies all logic that if you are engaged in criminal activity, you would want to go on television because you’re probably going to get worse ramifications and be made an example of,” she said. “That is really the furthest thing that we want. It’s always a surprise and a disappointment.”

Frances was then asked when she knew a cast member needed to be fired after something controversial. She replied, “It really varies and there’s lots of gray area. If we’ve got a whole cast who won’t film with somebody, right, then you can’t bring them back. I will say people redeem themselves.”

Frances continued, “We put people on television who are flawed, as we all are. But those flaws aren’t criminal. We want to give people a bit of grace in terms of getting some forgiveness and being able to move on. There is talent that we’ve had on the shows where they’ll have a bad season where they didn’t get on well with their cast members. Then, without changing their personality, they may then redeem themselves by other actions.”

Sometimes a cast member is struggling with addiction. Frances explained the ethics of how the network deals with these issues playing out on camera. “There have been times when we’ve said to cast members we’re not going to film with them,” she said. “We’re also much more careful on our productions with alcohol consumption than we were a few years ago. But often it will be their [fellow] cast members who will hold them accountable.”

Rehab is something Jax Taylor was in need of recently. The Bravo star has appeared on Vanderpump Rules and The Valley. His relationship and marriage to Brittany Cartwright played out for viewers to see. During their divorce, Jax admitted to struggling with his mental health. This caused him to check into a 30-day inpatient treatment program.

“I was just kind of spiraling, to be honest,” he said at the Us Weekly + Pluto TV Reality Stars of the Year Party. “[Rehab] was an amazing thing. I’m so glad I did it. I got a lot of help that I needed. I got a lot of tools that I needed, [and] came out feeling so much better. I feel good… Like I said, it’s day by day. There’s good days and there’s bad days.”

Some Current Bravo Stars Are Experiencing Legal Issues

Karen Huger from The Real Housewives of Potomac also sought rehab after a DUI last year. After the March 2024 incident, Karen sought treatment at a private rehab center. Her manager, Ryan Tresdale, spoke to The Daily Dish explaining her rehab stay led to her absence from the season nine reunion special.

“Karen made the important decision to enter a private recovery program, so was unable to attend the reunion taping today,” Ryan said in a statement. “She was fully supported in this choice. We stand behind Karen as she embarks on this meaningful journey and are proud of her for taking such a significant step forward in her personal growth.”

However, her fellow cast members, particularly Wendy Osefo, wondered if her rehab stay was a ploy to lighten her sentence. “It’s kind of interesting that she’s doing it before her sentencing,” Wendy wondered aloud during the reunion special. “And I’m wondering, ‘Is she doing it because she feels like she needs help, or is she doing it because she feels it will lighten the blow of the sentence?'”

Erika Jayne may have become a reality star from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but now she’s facing civil lawsuits. Her attorney, Ronald Richards, has made a public statement, and it doesn’t sound like things are going well. Tom Girardi, Erika’s husband, was found guilty of embezzling millions of dollars from his former clients. This landed him a prison sentence of seven years and three months. In addition to jail time, Tom has been ordered to pay millions in fines and restitution to victims.

Unfortunately, Erika has been caught in the crossfire and could face legal repercussions. The reality star has been accused of using over $25 million from the operating account of Tom’s law firm. Erika is said to have used the money to pay expenses for EJ Global. EJ Global is a company whose purpose is to help Erika’s career in entertainment.

Erika has said she was unaware of Tom’s business dealings and had no knowledge of where the money came from. Of course, this hasn’t stopped Ronald and his legal team from seeking justice. They want to see Erika pay the money back and this could lead to a jury trial.

“Erika Jayne’s spouse that she abandoned is on his way to a defacto almost life sentence,” Ronald posted on X. “Meanwhile the judge in the $25 million fraudulent conveyance action we filed wants additional briefing on how to try this case. Erika’s defense is the money went to her personal service company EJ Global. This defense is definitely a loser so her best shot is to keep delaying. Money is tight for her now and she hates paying her own legal bills. Walls keep closing.”

During The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills After Show, Erika opened up about how she was handling the situation. “It’ll be four years in like two weeks that I left home and everything happened,” she said. “Yeah, four years. So in that four years I’ve been able to accept a lot of things, heal through a lot of things, and I will continue to do that.”

Erika continued, “And I’m almost — I’m not completely out of the woods, I’m still being sued in a lot of places — but those things will resolve. It just kind of … it is what it is. I just try to maintain the healthiest attitude possible going forward.”

Erika Jayne Is Also Fighting Another Lawsuit At The Moment

Erika is also being sued in two separate states by the co-founders of the Marco Marco costume design company. The company is hitting back at claims they overcharged her up to $900,000 illegally. Erika has maintained there was no wrongdoing on her part. While Erika wanted to dismiss the case, her lawyer and close friend, Jim Wilkes, made an error which caused that possibility to fly out of the window. Jim reportedly didn’t file the motion to dismiss correctly.

This means Erika is now facing default in this case. To top it all off, Jim spoke to The U.S. Sun, where he said it was causing her a lot of stress. He didn’t even show up to the court hearing regarding the suit, a move that could cost Erika over $300,000.

Jim said that he is “fighting all the way” to extricate Erika from the situation. “My staff made a mistake. I am in the process of winding down my practice to focus on fewer cases,” Jim told the outlet. “All I’m going to say now is, ‘Your honor, I apologize.’ I’m going to file a new motion and go from there.”

Jim also said that he believed the other side had a weak case, telling the outlet, “They have no chance. I’m doing everything I know how to do to end this.” Erika herself said that she is currently “dealing with a lot of stress” over the whole ordeal.