‘Real Housewives of Miami’ Unleash Latin Flair

By Michael Lopez

The second we heard that Bravo’s Real Housewives reality series was headed to Miami, we knew it would be full of colorful Latinas. The series’ big premiere this week confirmed our predictions, and then some. Brazilian bombshells, Latin basketball wives, and a “Cuban Barbie” take the franchise in an interesting direction.

Believe it or not, Miami is the seventh spinoff of the popular Real Housewives brand. Since the first batch of Orange County ladies debuted in 2006, Bravo has introduced us to memorable socialites from New York, Atlanta, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Beverly Hills.

Though Orange County’s Peruvian Jo de la Rosa was the franchise’s first Latina housewife, Miami features the most Spanish-speakers yet. Four of the six cast members have Latin-American roots.

Cristy Rice, a self-described “sassy Latina” who is divorced from basketball star Glenn Rice and is the mother of three, is already building tension with castmate Larsa Pippen, who also happens to be married to NBA legend Scotty Pippen.

Marysol Patton may well account for two Latinas on the show, as her eccentric mother Elsa Carreras Patton is already becoming a fan favorite. A single socialite who runs her own PR firm, she considers herself the queen of Miami’s elite party circuit.

Alexia Echevarria, executive editor of the city's Venue Magazine, has already dubbed herself “Cuban Barbie.” Living in a “blended family” with a new husband and children from a prior marriage, she’s all about the glitz and glam.

And what fun is a season without a firecracker? That would be Brazilian Adriana De Moura. Recently single, she’s openly admitted that she’s addicted to gossip and has some very flirtatious ways. Could that create some friction with the hubbies? It wouldn’t surprise us.

Of course, the real question is, how did the Miami Housewives stack up after Wednesday's premiere? Ratings were lower than expected — the ladies tied with the Food Channel’s Cupake Wars —but we imagine things will perk up once the catfighting begins.

What did you think of the Real Housewives of Miami? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Bravo, Chisme, Cultura, Miami, Real Housewives, Real Housewives Of Miami, Television