From The Real World to the Real Housewives: Devyn Simone Joins RHONY Season 16

Reality TV has a way of bringing people back around—and Devyn Simone is proof that timing, persistence, and a recognizable face can open doors years later.

The former Real World: Brooklyn cast member is officially joining The Real Housewives of New York City Season 16 as a friend of the Housewives, marking her return to the Bravo fold after appearing during Season 13 and even testing for a full-time role ahead of the franchise’s recent reboot. It’s the kind of comeback that feels earned rather than random—Simone has spent nearly two decades building her pop culture presence, from her 2009 debut on The Real World: Brooklyn, to stints on The Challenge, and a five-year run as a guest panelist on The Wendy Williams Show from 2017 to 2022.

This isn’t a desperate grab for relevance. Simone’s joining a reimagined cast that includes returning stars Erin Lichy, Sai de Silva, and Jessel Taank, alongside newcomers Hailey Glassman, Erika Hammond, and Daisy Toye. Even OG RHONY alum Carole Radziwill is making a friend role return. It’s a season positioned as a mix of familiar faces and fresh energy—exactly the kind of blend that suggests the network is thinking strategically about who brings chemistry and history to the table.

What’s interesting here is that Simone didn’t land the full-time spot, even after testing. Instead, she’s coming in as a friend, which actually positions her perfectly. She has enough history with the franchise and enough name recognition to matter, but enough distance to offer perspective. In a show built on conflict and alliance-building, that kind of positioning can be surprisingly powerful.

The Real Housewives franchise has always thrived on bringing back people with real résumés outside the show. Simone’s trajectory—from reality TV pioneer to panelist to podcaster, across nearly two decades—gives her credibility that newer cast members often lack. Whether that translates to compelling television remains to be seen, but she’s walking in with more institutional knowledge than most friends of the Housewives ever do.