25 of the best quotes in reality TV history

Believe it or not, NeNe Leakes singlehandedly caused the downfall of white refrigerators everywhere. Since her statement during a Season 6 episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, stainless steel appliances have been a must-have.

When Shereé Whitfield uttered these words during a Season 2 argument with a party planner on RHOA, she birthed a saying that would live forever. 

The Real Housewives of New York City’s Ramona Singer let her co-star Bethenny Frankel have it in the middle of a busy intersection for not supporting other women. “Your problems are with yourself, so don’t put them on me,” she said. “You cut everybody down to make yourself look good, and that’s what you’re trying to do to me, and I’m not gonna have any part of it, so I’m hanging up now. Bye!”

Who knew this one line would wreak such havoc at a fancy dinner in Amsterdam? This quote alone brings up so much emotion in RHOBH fans that it's hard to explain.

The Real Housewives is all about the drama. During this feud with Luann and Alex from the early days of the New York edition, the ladies fought over what some would consider highly petty. “You came in — in your Herman Munster shoes,” Luann said, to which Alex replied, “Um, they’re Louis Vuitton shoes.” 

“Well, you know, even Louis Vuitton makes mistakes,” Luann fired back with a posh-like accent. Now, that is a classic read.

Before Teresa Giudice flipped the table on her Real Housewives of New Jersey co-star Danielle Staub, she called out the inconsistencies in her life — primarily the number of times she was engaged. “Obviously, there has to be something else,” Teresa shouted. “It’s not just name change and arrested. … You were fu**ing engaged *bangs table* 19 times?” 

We can’t have James Kennedy on every other reality TV list and not include his most memorable quote here. During an emotional breakdown with one of his co-stars, he kept shouting that his anger wasn't because of the missing pasta. Spoiler: his anger was because of the pasta. 

Even if you're no fan of Snooki, Pauly D, and the rest of their pals on MTV's Jersey Shore, you heard the saying "gym, tan, and laundry" or "GTL" in 2009. You know — typical gym-bro language. 

Although we live for the drama now and then, sometimes we have to disengage. Whenever you sense negative energy coming your way, channel your inner Karen Huger by reciting this quote.    

Kim Kardashian is a mega-millionaire, and when she threw a fit on their family show Keeping Up With the Kardashians after losing her $75K diamond earrings, fans blasted the reality star for her lack of self-awareness. Her big sister, Kourtney, rubbed it in even more when she reminded her there were much bigger problems in the world. And she had insurance! All will be well, Kim. 

This quote from the TLC show 1000-Lb. Sisters became a viral sound on social media platforms because of its versatility. Whether it’s your car note or monthly Netflix subscription, remember to give yourself some props the next time your card is charged by saying, “I pay my bills; my bills are paid!” 

Judi changed the trajectory of The Bad Girls Club when she served her co-star breakfast in bed. But this wasn’t your typical platter. “Are you hungry?” Judi asked before tossing milk and cereal (out of a saucepan) on her sleeping cast mate. “I served you breakfast in bed.” 

This quote is MoNique’s way of saying, “What goes around comes around.” She recited it to one of the contestants on her early 2000s reality show Charm School. 

This quote is a personal favorite. It’s another from The Real Housewives of New York’s Luann, and you can use it for many circumstances; however, it’s most effective whenever there’s a much-needed vibe reset.

Because using the word "serious" just doesn't cut it for the Kardashian-Jenner clan. "Bible."

Thank you, NeNe Leakes, for speaking for us all. There’s too much fine cuisine out there for us not to eat. 

We can learn valuable lessons, like self-love, from The Real Housewives. Take this tagline from RHONY’s Ramona Singer, for example. She was always her own biggest cheerleader who refused to be humbled — no matter how hard her co-stars tried. 

We're still not over Dwight's incredibly shady commentary over Shereé's (unfinished) fashion show during the early years of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

RHONJ fans know Teresa Giudice hates it when people treat her like she’s less than. Still, we must thank Danielle Staub for uttering these words. It led to one of the most iconic moments in reality television.

That's right — Luann is so iconic she's listed three times. The moment she used voice-to-text to ask her then-husband how he could cheat on her is truly a classic. 

The moment Porsha Williams looked around the table during an RHOA dinner and mouthed, "Who said that?" about a circulating rumor she started always takes us out. It's since become a popular sound used on TikTok, Watch What Happens Live, and X (formerly known as Twitter). 

America's Next Top Model host Tyra Banks taught her watchers a new way to smile... with their eyes. And she called it the "smize." Now, there's a generation of people out there who can't take a photo without hearing Tyra's critique in the back of their heads. 

For the most part, the husbands of Real Housewives don’t get involved in the show’s drama, but Lisa Vanderpump’s husband never got that memo. He’s had explosive arguments with Yolanda Hadid, Lisa Rinna, and  Kim Richards. However, his most intense had to be with Kyle Richards. The pair blew up on Kyle after she said she believed specific rumors about them. Eventually, Ken shouted these words as he kicked Kyle out of his Beverly Hills mansion, and although he was serious, it’s become a long-standing joke among Bravo fans. 

Tiffany "New York" Pollard is the queen of reality TV in our eyes, and she's credited with creating this iconic catchphrase (head b-tch in charge) that people still use today. Her latest appearance in a queen bee role was on E!'s House of Villains. 

Paris Hilton has been an icon since her days on The Simple Life in 2003. Then, she starred alongside her bestie, Nicole Richie, who had the same response for basically anything: "That's hot." This quote has become such a big part of Paris' brand that she trademarked it.