“Insufferable cast”: Bravo fans criticize Southern Hospitality premiere and compare the show to Vanderpump Rules
Bravo launched Southern Charm’s spin-off, titled Southern Hospitality, on Monday, November 28, featuring Leva Bonaparte as the leading cast member.
The show revolves around Leva and her husband Lamar Bonaparte’s restaurant business, with the main focus being their nightclub Republic Garden & Lounge and its staff members. The first episode premiered on Bravo on Monday.
While viewers were treated to several dramatic moments and fun elements, many of them did not find Southern Hospitality to be an interesting show. One fan called it "boring" and even criticized the cast members.
In addition to Leva Bonaparte, the cast of the Bravo show includes Mikel Simmons, Grace Lilly, Maddi Reese, Mia Alario, Bradley Carter, Emmy Sharrett, Will Kulp, Lucía Peña, TJ Dinch, and Joe Bradley.
Fans compare Southern Hospitality to Vanderpump Rules
Bravo fans felt that Southern Hospitality was similar to Vanderpump Rules. For those unaware, Vanderpump Rules is a Bravo show that focuses on socialite Lisa Vanderpump and her restaurant business.
Due to the similar backgrounds of both the shows, viewers felt that Southern Hospitality didn’t offer anything new and that the cast was trying hard to create drama for the cameras.
Take a look at fans’ reactions here:
Southern Hospitality season 1 episode 1 recap
Episode 1 of Southern Hospitality season 1 was filled with drama and entertainment. It started off with an introduction to Leva Bonaparte’s restaurant business and employees of the Republic Garden & Lounge.
The official synopsis of Southern Hospitality season 1 episode 1, titled The Republic of Leva, read:
“Charleston, S.C., restauranteur Leva Bonaparte celebrates her birthday at her club, Republic, but fighting between her staff threatens to disrupt the party; Grace Lilly feels betrayed by former best friend Maddi for calling out her failures at work.”
Drama kicked in with Maddi complaining about Grace Lilly not being serious about her work. The two apparently used to be best friends, but soon became competitive, prompting Leva to seperate them. While Maddi became the VIP coordinator at Republic nightclub, Grace was the VIP concierge at Leva’s other restaurant, Bourbon N’ Bubbles.
Maddi’s love life was also highlighted in episode 1. She confessed that she was in a serious relationship last year, but broke up with her then-boyfriend as he had cheated on her. In the latest episode, he attended Leva’s birthday party and reconnected with Maddi. Even after her friends warned her, she went out with him.
Her co-star Joe Bradley, who confessed on the show that he was in love with Maddi, was seen heartbroken by the incident. He felt that he lost his chance with her because he didn’t express his feelings soon enough. He mentioned that he was afraid of losing Maddi as his friend. Maddi, on the other hand, told Mikel Simmons that she knew Joe liked her.
Apart from Maddi, season 1 episode 1 also featured Mikel, Republic’s VIP host, being suspended. Leva made the decision after finding out that Mikel had taken some VIP guests to her rival restaurant. After he was suspended, the boys at the restaurant gave him the cold shoulder.
The premiere episode ended with Leva calling Grace on her phone while the latter was out for lunch with Maddi, Mia, and Lucia. The boss lady was not happy with Grace leaving work the night before when Maddi took some guests to Bourbon N’ Bubbles. The drama will continue in the next episode.
Southern Hospitality airs new episodes every Monday on Bravo at 9 pm ET.
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Sushmita Sen