Stars of various Real Housewives franchises took to Capitol Hill to advocate for HIV prevention, dazzling lawmakers in the process.
The stars included NeNe Leakes and Phaedra Parks of Atlanta, Erika Jayne of Beverly Hills, Luann de Lesseps of New York City, Melissa Gorga of New Jersey, Marysol Patton of Miami, and Candiace Dillard Bassett of the DC-area local Potomac franchise.
The ladies put their wild – and sometimes petty – personalities typically seen on TV aside to join forces in their advocacy.
They advocated on behalf of MISTR, led by CEO Tristan Schukraft, a major online provider for PrEP, a daily HIV prevention pill. MISTR’s services are provided as virtual telehealth services.
Steve Clemons, a longtime DC journalist, podcaster, and former political adviser, served as the event’s organizer.
Dillard Bassett, who worked in the Obama White House before kicking off her reality TV journey, including fame on Peacock’s Traitors, noted during the event that the science to end HIV already exists, but it can no longer be only ‘cured with money.’
The Housewives were also joined by members of both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate at Tuesday’s event.
Wisconsin Democrat Senator Tammy Baldwin, America’s first openly gay senator, noted that HIV prevention and treatment is neither a Republican nor a Democrat issue, adding that ‘saving people from HIV is an American thing.’
Housewives cast members from various franchises listen to Wisconsin Democrat Senator Tammy Baldwin speak
Senator Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, attends ‘Housewives on the Hill’ for HIV Prevention presented by MISTR on March 18, 2026 in Washington, DC
Erika Jayne of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills with fan Carly Eason
US Senator Cory Booker also spoke at Tuesday’s event, as did Democratic representatives April Delaney of Maryland and Frederica Wilson of Texas.
Booker told the crowd that ‘we are in a very dark time.’
But he went on to say that ‘here we have people standing up and saying, in a dark time, I’m going to shine my light brighter.’
Tuesday’s event was not the first trip to Capitol Hill for a Housewives cast member in 2026.
Angie Katsanevas, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star and founder of the iconic hair salon brand Lunatic Fringe, was the first franchise cast member in over 15 years to testify before Congress as an invited witness earlier this year.
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Congresswoman April McClain Delaney attends ‘Housewives on the Hill’ for HIV Prevention presented by MISTR on March 18, 2026 in Washington, DC
A view of The Kennedy Caucus Room during ‘Housewives on the Hill’ for HIV Prevention presented by MISTR on March 18, 2026 in Washington, DC
Erika Jayne of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills speaks as fellow Housewives look on
During the hearing, she recalled the viral ‘you do French Fries. I do franchise’ statement she made on the show, which went viral and ultimately led her to the Capitol Hill visit in January.
Testifying on behalf of the International Franchise Association before the House Small Business Committee that day, Katsanevas urged passage of the bipartisan American Franchise Act alongside her fellow witnesses.
