Bravo Media is going Down Under with the next iteration of its “Real Housewives” franchise.
The Real Housewives of Melbourne – in this case six socialites from the Australian capital – is set to bow on Bravo on Sunday, Aug. 3 at noon (ET/PT) with back-to-back installments. The 12-episode series tracks the lavish lives of Gina Liano, Andrea Moss, Chyka Keebaugh, Janet Roach, Lydia Schiavello and Jackie Gillies. The season wraps with a two-part reunion special hosted by Australian fashion designer, Alex Perry.
After already airing on the Arena channel in Australia, Melbourne marks first Bravo's first Housewives' international adventure in the U.S., following Stateside looks at the affluent, arrogant and amusing in Orange County, New York City, Atlanta, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Beverly Hills and Miami.
Moreover, Melbourne also represents the first time that first-run Housewives will debut in daytime.
The Real Housewives of Melbourne is produced by Matchbox Pictures, part of NBCUniversal International Television Production and distributed in the States by NBCUniversal Television & New Media Distribution. Foxtel recently announced it has commissioned a second season of the reality series for Arena in Australia.
Here's Bravo's guide to the "Aussie Housewives”
Andrea Moss:
Andrea Moss is a busy mom and owner of the exclusive Liberty Belle Skin Centre in the prestigious Melbourne suburb of Toorak. This savvy, hard-working mother of three, juggles the daily demands of business and home life. Married to Dr. Chris Moss, one of Australia’s most successful plastic surgeons, Andrea also manages his business while dealing with major expansion plans required to serve their ever growing Melbourne, national and international clientele. Andrea is also working towards finishing a lifelong dream of writing and launching a book designed to help other busy mothers return to work. This strong, competitive mother firmly believes that women should seek paid employment and contribute to the household income once their children are of school age – even if that’s only a casual or a part time job.
Chyka Keebaugh:
Chyka Keebaugh married her best friend Bruce and together they built one of Australia’s largest privately owned catering and event companies, ‘The Big Group’. Growing the company for the past 22 years, they have some of the most elite clients ranging from Middle Eastern Sheiks to European aristocracy; the National Gallery of Australia, to high profile celebrities and corporate and political VIP’s. Now, this powerful duo is extending their business even further to include two new Melbourne venues and become Australia’s most sought-after event locations. Chyka and Bruce have two teenage children, Chessie, 19, and BJ, 18, who are following in their parent’s footsteps as upcoming entrepreneurs in Melbourne.
Gina Liano:
Gina Liano is a Barrister and a single mom of two boys and her Poodle, Ninja. She is the glue that keeps her family together even though she has personally gone through the struggles of a divorce and beat cancer. Often found in the courtroom representing the underdog, Gina has been in the legal field for 14 years and has represented some of Australia’s highest profile clients. Passionate about fashion, Gina loves to shop, and it’s ‘Versace’ living all the way. As far as she is concerned with her home interiors, she can have nothing less than glamorous. Gina takes great pride in her appearance - she gets a spray tan every week and her hair and nails are always professionally maintained. With a unique and bold style, Gina cannot be judged by her appearance alone as it would only be a glimpse of the complete picture.
Jackie Gillies:
Jackie Gillies, the youngest of the Housewives, is confident, opinionated and spiritual. Married to Australian rocker, Silverchair drummer Ben Gillies, Jackie and Ben have recently relocated from Newcastle to Melbourne and are reveling in the city’s vibrant culture. Reconnecting 14 years after they had first met, these childhood sweethearts tied the knot in 2010. While Ben works on his second solo album, the couple is beginning to branch out in a new beverage brand endeavor – La Máscara. Croatian-born, Jackie is a highly in-demand professional psychic. Also a philanthropist and humanitarian, when Jackie isn’t attending or hosting a high profile event, she’s likely to be found enjoying an impromptu family dinner or cocktails and a dance with her girlfriends.
Janet Roach:
Janet Roach is a Property Developer and a newly single bombshell. Having caught her ex-husband cheating online last year, she promptly kicked him to the curb the very next day. A self-made woman, Janet is worth more than her ex –husband and is proud to say she can buy anything she desires - without looking at the price tag! Now on a journey to discover herself and what makes her happy, Janet is looking for a new man on her intensive ‘man program’ and having fun doing it. Janet is a mother of two boys, Paul, 29, and Jake, 25 as well as three step-children from her second marriage with whom she is very close. A successful property developer, Janet is currently developing a massive over-55’s lifestyle village in Mildura. This fun-loving, spontaneous, social butterfly enjoys attending luncheons and charity events and when the snow season comes – she’ll sneak away to hit the slopes.
Lydia Schiavello:
Lydia Schiavello is honest, self-assured and calls it as she sees it. A devoted mother of two boys, a girl and three step-children (all boys), she boasts a beautiful home in Malvern and an exclusive holiday home in Thredbo - complete with her own private plane. Lydia recently married the renowned architect and property investor Andrew Norbury in Florence. Together, Andrew and Lydia have an active and adventurous lifestyle, always wanting to fly Australia-wide at the drop of a hat. Lydia’s passions lay in interior design and she is currently making her way through her degree at the distinguished RMIT. A philanthropist at heart, Lydia gives back to the community whenever she can, including being involved with the prestigious Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. If that wasn’t enough, Lydia is also an accomplished gourmet chef and a die-hard fashionista to boot – which means her darling Italian greyhound Figaro - never leaves home without his very own Burberry coat.
