**‘The Real Housewives of Rhode Island’ Set to Debut on Bravo**
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The latest addition to the widely-popular *Real Housewives* franchise, *The Real Housewives of Rhode Island* (RHORI), is poised to premiere on Thursday, April 2, at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo. This new series introduces a fresh dynamic to the reality television landscape, featuring a diverse group of women navigating life in the Ocean State.
Ashley Iaconetti, a familiar face from the *Bachelor* franchise, is among the cast members set to make her mark on this new show. Speaking to PEOPLE, Iaconetti shared insights into her experience joining the RHORI cast, highlighting the challenges she faced despite her previous reality TV background. Although she has spent a decade in the spotlight, Iaconetti admits her familiarity with the *Real Housewives* series is limited.
“I know this is crazy; I haven’t watched much,” Iaconetti revealed. Her connection to the franchise primarily stems from her mother’s admiration for the original New York cast. “Those ladies are pretty legendary to me,” she notes, although she confesses that she came into the series largely unaware of its nuances.
Noting her own surprises upon joining RHORI, she commented wryly on previous contestants of the *Bachelor* who entered the show blind to the experience. “I always thought that people that went into *Bachelor* blind were wacky,” she joked, now acknowledging her initial naivety about the *Real Housewives* universe.
Originally from Virginia, Iaconetti moved to Rhode Island in 2021 with her husband, Jared Haibon, to be closer to family. The couple has since established roots in the state, welcoming two children. However, the integration into the established social circles of Rhode Island has proved to be an eye-opening experience for Iaconetti.
“The community can be very exclusive, especially towards newcomers,” she remarked, reflecting on the warm yet guarded nature of Rhode Island locals. “They cannot place you. They’re super weirded out if you’re not from Rhode Island.” Despite her fame, the cast’s scepticism towards Iaconetti was palpable, as many members were keen to understand her place in their tightly-knit community.
Her motivations for joining the cast extend beyond mere television exposure. Iaconetti expressed a strong desire to build a supportive community for herself while tackling the challenges of motherhood and her role as a wife. “At this age, my friends are all over the country. I wanted to create a new hub for my family,” she explained, acknowledging how motherhood has shifted her priorities and relationships.
As the series unfolds, Iaconetti hopes viewers will recognise her growth. “I would like people to see I’m the same old Ashley,” she stated, adding that she has evolved into “more mature, evolved Ashley” since her time on *Bachelor in Paradise*. “We saw single Ashley, and now we’re seeing married-with-kids Ashley,” she continued, emphasising that while she hopes to retain her personality, changes have inevitably accompanied her new life stage.
In addition to personal growth, Iaconetti promises drama as the show’s narrative unfolds, teasing that viewers will see “a lot more rough-around-the-edges” personalities than she has encountered before. “They’ve got stuff going on, I’ll say that,” she remarked about her fellow cast members, hinting at the intensity that will characterise the series.
*The Real Housewives of Rhode Island* is not just another addition to reality TV; it reflects the lived experiences of its cast as they navigate personal and collective challenges in a unique setting. Viewers can catch the premiere on April 2, and subsequent episodes will air on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo. The show will also be available for streaming the following day on Peacock, ensuring fans won’t miss a moment of the action that the *Real Housewives* brand is known for.