Dorit Kemsley Names Surprising Person Who Convinced Her to Return to RHOBH for Season 14

Dorit Kemsley says Lisa Rinna convinced her to return to “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” —with a vengeance— when she was having doubts about her role on the show.

In a March 2025 sitdown with Interview magazine, Kemsley talked about her continued friendship with Rinna, who exited the Bravo reality show in 2023 after eight seasons. Kemsley noted that she met up with Rinna right before RHOBH filming began last May.

“I had dinner with her before the season and I had expressed my thoughts about not wanting to return,” Kemsley said. “I shared everything with her. And she said to me, ‘Dorit, if you decide you don’t want to do it and you’re done and you’re ready, then walk away and feel good about it. Don’t do it unless you’re a hundred percent in. Because if you do it, you’ve got to do it. Be bold, unapologetic, unafraid, but do it.’ And I took that advice.”

“It resonated,” Kemsley continued. “And I’m not somebody who’s easily persuaded… She [activated something in me], and I didn’t look back after that. So Rinna has been a part of my journey and a very big part of this season in how comfortable and confident I was in being as vulnerable, open, honest, and transparent.”

Dorit Kemsley Wants Lisa Rinna to Return to the Show

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Rinna has been vocal about her permanent leave from RHOBH. During a 2024 appearance on the “Jennifer Hudson Show,” she was asked about a potential return to the  Bravo reality show.

“No. Never. No I wouldn’t,” she replied. “But listen, I’m grateful for the experience.”

More recently, she told E! News that she knew she had to go by the time she resigned from the show. “I did eight years, eight great years,” she said of her RHOBH reign. “It was a great experience on many levels. I wouldn’t change it for anything, [but] I think it was time once I decided to go …I’m glad I’m not there. “

While Rinna has made her position clear, Kemsley told Interview mag she would love for her pal to return to RHOBH. “Hands down, there’s no question, I would have Lisa Rinna back,” she said. “I was brokenhearted when I found out that she wasn’t coming back. I called her crying. She still remains one of my closest friends.”

Tamra Judge Thinks Dorit Kemsley Tried to Step Into Lisa Rinna’s Shoes

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Kemsley isn’t the only one who wants Rinna back on Bravo.

On a March 2025 episode of the “Two Ts in a Pod” podcast, “Real Housewives of Orange Country” alum Tamra Judge said  RHOBH has been missing something in recent seasons. “I’m going to say they need Lisa Rinna back bad,” Judge said, explaining that the former RHOBH star was known for saying “what everybody else wants to say” when cameras were rolling.

“But it’s not being said. There’s that aspect of the show that’s missing. Dorit has tried to step into [Rinna’s] shoes, but it’s not landing as well.”