Surprise! ‘Real Housewives Of Miami’ Star Larsa Pippen Joins E!’s ‘House Of Villains’ For Season 2

<p>Just as one villain gets banished, another iconic villain arrives! House Of Villains fans were shocked when Real Housewives of Miami star Larsa Pippen made a surprise entrance into the competition as 90 Fiancé Day ’s Larissa Lima exited the game. Fresh off a memorable turn on The Traitors (Janelle Pierzina is still shaking), Pippen was excited to get the call to join the hit E! reality TV series. “I’ve been loving doing these competition shows,” said Pippen. While she found The Traitors to be more “physical,” Pippen thought House Of Villains was more “fun.” She even compared the show to Friends , but “ Friends with a bunch of villainous, good-looking people.” Pippen wisely played it cool upon entering the house, not wanting to show how excited she was to see her pal, Real Housewives Of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice. “I love her so much,” gushed Pippen. “We always end up having the best time when we’re together.” Pippen insists her goal coming into the house was “to be friends with everyone.” She also made a conscious effort to dress demurely instead of wearing the designer outfits she’s known for. “I wanted to blend in,” said Pippen. “I wanted everyone to feel like I was one of them.” Sweet, but shrewd, Pippen wanted to give the impression “that [she] didn’t care if [she won.” “But I really did,” confessed Pippen. As all Bravo fans know, it’s best to be on Pippen’s good side, a lesson that some of her housemates, most notably RuPaul’s Drag Race star Kandy Muse, need to learn. When Pippen expressed her dismay of having to room with two men, Muse wasn’t very hospitable at all. Instead of swapping rooms with Pippen, Muse threw a fit . “It was hard because I thought people would be more welcoming,” remembered Pippen. “No one was willing to give up their room or their bed to make me feel a little more comfortable.” While Muse later apologized and Pippen accepted (“What other choice did I have?” asked Pippen), only time will tell if she will be able to rely on Muse later in the game. Pippen hopped on a Zoom call with DECIDER to chat about her strategy, which villain made the best first impression, and what audiences can expect later this season. DECIDER: You make an iconic entrance on House of Villains . What was it like flipping into the room on that chair? LARSA PIPPEN: That’s kind of how I want to enter every room. I want to be that person that walks into a room and everyone is completely shocked. That was so much fun. You are a woman in demand. Why did you say yes to House of Villains ? I’ve been loving doing these competition shows. I did Traitors , and I felt like this one would be super fun. It’s shot in L.A. I live in L.A. part-time. I watched season one, and I loved it. It’s such a fun idea. With all of us in the house, it felt almost like that show, Friends . Friends with a bunch of villainous, good-looking people. I was like, “I’ll do it.” How did your House of Villains experience differ from your Traitors experience? House Of Villains is a little bit lighter. The challenges were a more fun. Living in a house, you get to be really, really close with everyone. There are no doors in the House Of Villains [laughs]. Traitors was more physical. House of Villains was more fun. What was your strategy going into House Of Villains ? My whole game plan was to be friends with everyone. I didn’t want people to think that I had one friend in the house. I wanted to be a floating butterfly and bond with everyone. I just let everyone know I wanted to be in the house to have a good time. I wanted to let people think that I didn’t care if I won. But I did [laughs]. I also have to ask about your packing strategy. I saw Safaree lugging your suitcases up the stairs! I packed for comfort because I knew I was going to be sitting around the house all day. Nothing that was too over-the-top. Normally, I’m in designer all the time. I had to stop myself and say, “no, this is almost like going on a weekend getaway or a camping trip. There are no doors. You’re not going to have any privacy.” I literally packed the most casual, easy clothes. That approach is strategic, though. When you’re in head-to-toe designer wear, looking fabulous, you stand out. You could potentially be seen as a target. Totally. I wanted to blend in. I wanted everyone to feel like I was one of them and that I wasn’t a threat coming into the game late. Were you excited to see your fellow Real Housewife Teresa Giudice in the house ? I was so excited to see Teresa. I love her so much. We always end up having the best time together. I was trying not to act like, “Oh my God, I’m so happy you’re here!” I tried to play it cool. I really tried to float around and be friends with everyone. Did you recognize any other faces in the house? New York. Obviously, I’m obsessed with her. She has the best personality. She is the queen. Which villain made the best first impression on you and why? Safaree. When he first saw me, I think he recognized that we move in similar circles. We both live in Miami. Which villain made the worst first impression on you and why? I feel like Kandy made the worst first impression on me because we got into an issue right off the bat. I was like: “Hey, guys, I’m your new roommate. I’m super excited to be here. I just need a bed in a room with other women.” Kandy was like, “I am not leaving my room.” It was hard because I thought people would be more welcoming, and no one was willing to give up their room or their bed to make me feel a little more comfortable. I’m glad you confirmed that the hostility was there right off the bat because it felt very, very unexpected on the show. It was! I literally sat down and I was like, “I just came in through the wall to hang out with you guys.” Kandy was like, “I wish you would pack my stuff!” I’m like, “I don’t even pack my stuff so I definitely wouldn’t be packing your stuff.” Kandy did eventually apologize, which was nice to see. It seemed like she cooled down quickly. There was way more yelling and screaming that went on before she apologized, but I had to accept she was sorry. What choice did I have? I was new in the house. There were no doors. I was at the mercy of my new roommates. I love that the women in the house seem to be forming an alliance. Were you open to all alliance conversations? Or did you know you wanted to stick with the women? I was open to all alliances. It was my first day there. I didn’t know who I was going to get along with, who was actually going to keep their word. I didn’t necessarily want it to be girls versus boys. That was not my intention. I wanted to be cool with everyone. After The Traitors and House Of Villains , are there any other reality TV shows you’d like to go on? I feel like there are so many good ones right now. I’m not sure. I love challenges. I’m super competitive, and I love getting to know new people. Being on House Of Villains was such an interesting experience. I was around people from different shows who I would have never met if I hadn’t done the show. I’m excited to see what people think. What can you tease about the rest of the season? There is a lot of action. There’s a lot of twists and turns, but don’t judge me [laughs]. Just don’t judge me until the very end. E!’s House of Villains airs Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT on E! and the first two episodes are available to stream on Peacock.</p>