At first glance, Real Housewives of New York could not be more different. Pump Rules started out as a show about young adults, trying to make it in the entertainment industry, while working at SUR. In contrast, RHONY focuses on women who are already established in life. Now, the SURvers' dreams of being famous actors and models are out the window and there are no actual wives on RHONY. In short, both groups have adapted well to their circumstances.
There are actually a lot of similarities between the Vanderpump Rules stars and the Real Housewives of New York ladies. Both shows have cast who were friends many years before their time on reality TV. These organic relationships and complicated histories make both shows so compelling. Not only that, but both groups know how to party during a cast trip. It's as if they're immune to the effects of alcohol. Still, there's much more to the comparison. Every Big Apple Housewife has a West Hollywood counterpart.
Ramona As Scheana
Both Ramona Singer and Scheana Shay have been labeled as "boy crazy." Scheana catches heat for flirting with the employees at restaurants. Meanwhile, the RHONY women rip on Ramona for flirting patrons at restaurants. Or leaving them behind at her own home to go meet prospective life partners in the Hamptons. Scheana hazing Dayna Kathan by making her polish every glass at SUR was pretty similar to when Ramona made Leah McSweeney bring the plates into the kitchen after lunch and go outside to make sure there were forks wrapped up in the napkins.
They also both get some flack for their age, which shouldn't ever be a thing, but it tends to happen on these shows. Brett Caprioni called Scheana "middle aged." Meanwhile, Ramona's castmates love to remind her that she's in her sixties. But who cares? Not the men who flirt back with them, that's for sure. Their haters need to take several seats.
Dorinda As Lala
Dorinda Medley and Lala Kent are infamous for (self-proclaimed) "gangster" moments, ripping into their co-stars when they feel crossed. Dorinda yelling at Tinsley Mortimer for not sharing enough with the group is very reminiscent of Lala screaming at Raquel Leviss at wine night, both seemingly unprovoked. Dorinda shouting out "Jovani" at Luann de Lesseps because she felt like Lu was ungrateful for her had the same level of anger that Lala had toward James during their pasta-fueled fight. Lala reminded James that she was the one who had his back when no one else did and Dorinda attempted to send a similar message to Lu.
Tinsley As Stassi
Fans have seen Tinsley and she and Scott Kluth got engaged a long time after that. Speaking of Dale, Stassi has one of those too. Whenever Dayna Schroeder comes into town, Stassi gets hit with some harsh comments. Dale wearing a pair of shoes designed by Tinsley's ex-husband's new wife while telling Tinsley that their baby is "the most beautiful baby [she's] ever seen" is very much on par with Dayna saying that she hopes Stassi "becomes half the woman" that Kristen Doute is.... in front of Stassi, no less. And, on a more fun note, Tinsley and Stassi do have a similar sense of fashion, opting for trendy, conservative styles. They both keep their blonde hair at a healthy shoulder length.
Luann As Kristen
Luann walked so Kristen could run. Scratch that, Luann drunkenly fell in a bush post-tequila tasting in Mexico so Kristen could plop down on a table mid-wine tasting in Solvang. Luann miffed the New York Housewives with her constant talk about the cabaret, just like Kristen bothered Stassi and Katie Maloney with so many conversations about Carter. They both work it with short, brunette hairstyles (i.e. the look that Luann said Bethenny Frankel copied). Luann got with Tom D'Agostino after Ramona Singer and while he had a "friends with benefits" thing going with Sonja Morgan. On Vanderpump Rules, Kristen hooked up with Stassi's ex Jax Taylor. But, above all else, these two always deliver entertaining television, even if it's at their own expense.
Leah As Dayna
Does anyone else close their eyes when Leah talks just to confirm that she sounds exactly like Dayna Kathan? These two have the same voice. They're both blonde and they actually look pretty similar. Most importantly, they're both well-received as the new cast on their respective shows. They don't stand for nonsense and refuse to comply with the new girl hazing that comes their way. Leah and Dayna have the most on-point observations during their confessional interviews. They've also managed to share so much about their family and personal backstory in just a few episodes, more than some reality stars divulge when they're on shows for years.
Sonja As Schwartz
Sure, this one seems a little bit out of left field. Sonja as Tom Schwartz!? But, there is some reasoning behind the comparison. First off, they're both oozing with charm. They can get away with saying some awful things on the show, yet they're still beloved by their co-stars and fans. This is because everyone knows that they have the biggest hearts deep down. Neither of them has an issue throwing inhibition to the wind and getting hammered to create great television. Sonja held a funeral for her dog Millou, leading the way for Schwartz to throw that pool-side memorial for his Lizard.
Schwartz openly struggled to figure out his career path, which included a panic attack behind the bar at Pump and a failed pitch to sell Vanderpump Sangria. Sonja worked for years to get her toaster oven in stores, which still hasn't happened. Ultimately, they both figured out their ions in life. Schwartz stepped up to succeed as a junior partner at TomTom. And, just like TomTom, the Sonja by Sonja Morgan fashion line is thriving, proving all the haters wrong.