Leah Remini has built a decades-long career in television, best known for portraying Carrie Heffernan on the hit sitcom “The King of Queens.” She was also a longtime member of the Church of Scientology before leaving in 2013 and later becoming an outspoken critic of the religion. Now, she is taking on a very different role as the newest cast member of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”
Season 16 of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” is currently in production, with the cast filming both in Beverly Hills and international locations. On August 26, reports surfaced that the long-running Bravo reality show has added a new cast member: Leah Remini.
Shortly after the news spread, Remini took to Instagram to confirm the report, posting an article about her joining the franchise and writing, “It’s true!”
Remini is the second new cast member announced for the upcoming season. As The Blast previously reported, “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” alum Tracy Tutor will also be a full-time cast member of “RHOBH.”
The two women will join returning housewives Kyle Richards, Erika Jayne, Dorit Kemsley, Sutton Stracke, Bozoma Saint John, and Rachel Zoe, along with friends of the show, Kathy Hilton and Jennifer Tilly.
‘RHOBH’ Season 15 Had An Explosive Conclusion
Dorit Kemsley to Kyle Richards: “I trust Boz, I don’t trust you.”
Kyle in her confessional says Dorit is up Boz’s a** and that it’s off-putting.#RHOBH pic.twitter.com/g5V9Gbr2N8
— Bye Wig Hello Drama (@HousewivesHub) March 27, 2026
“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” Season 15 showed fractured friendships among some of the women, most notably between Erika Jayne and Kemsley. During the reunion show, the former cited the latter’s erratic behavior and said their friendship was “done for good.”
Richards and Kemsley also had a falling out. Their friendship was already on the rocks from previous seasons, but it fell apart during the girls’ trip to Italy. They had a heated confrontation at the reunion, and in early August, Richards said that she had not received a response after congratulating Kemsley after the release of her memoir, per Bravo TV.
Season 16 is expected to bring plenty of drama as the housewives navigate shifting friendships amid their personal conflicts. With the addition of Tutor and Remini, the new season will introduce fresh personalities to the group that could shake up existing dynamics.
Leah Remini Will Start Filming Soon
While the production for “RHOBH” began early in the summer, reports say that Remini will start filming soon in Los Angeles.
The housewives seem excited about the addition. Tilly commented on Remini’s post, writing, “Oh my gosh! Welcome! We are going to have so much fun!” Hilton also welcomed the actress and wrote, “Can’t wait to meet you!!!” Saint John expressed her enthusiasm by commenting, “Wooohooooo!!! Let’s gooooooo!!!”
Fans of the show are thrilled as well, with many saying the upcoming season will be a hit. “THIS is brilliant. RHOB better buckle up cos things are about to get bumpy,” one user said.
Leah Remini Is An Anti-Scientology Advocate
Remini grew up in Scientology, joining the church at 9 years old after her mother began dating a member. She was an active participant but left the organization in 2013 after questioning policies and looking into the whereabouts of the church leader’s wife, who has not been seen in public since 2007.
Remini has since gone public with her opposition to Scientology, using her platform to discuss her experiences and those of other former members.
Her docu-series, “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath,” premiered in 2016. In the span of three seasons, the show examined the organization through interviews with former members, focusing on their experiences and allegations of abuse and harassment. The show won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Informational Series in 2017 and Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series in 2020.
The Actress Has No Interest In Dating After Her Divorce
Remini and Angelo Pagán were together for 28 years, including 21 years of marriage, before finalizing their divorce in 2024. The former couple shares one daughter, Sofia.
Remini said it was an amicable split, and they simply grew apart. Despite no longer being romantic partners, the two maintain a close friendship and still spend time together.
In 2025, Remini said that her daughter is protective of her and her ex-husband and prohibited them from dating other people. Despite friends trying to set her up with potential partners, the actress said she wasn’t interested. “Don’t even continue your sentence. I have zero interest,” she tells them.
