Brynn Tried To Pull a Brandi on 'RHONY' and Failed Disastrously

When you learn about characters in stories, oftentimes, the discussion revolves around heroes and villains. The good and evil. One needs the other because they're foils. Not every story has a clear hero and villain, yet they always have a protagonist and an antagonist. Reality TV loves to assign labels to those on the show, painting them as the villain. Yet, often, those given the title of antagonist are just misunderstood. No matter what, they stirred the pot. Throughout the history of The Real Housewives, there have certainly been some major antagonists. Known for causing chaos and bringing animosity to the group, these characters haven't always had an easy go in their friend groups.

Some women in The Real Housewives Cinematic Universe are cut from the same cloth, like Brandi Glanville and Brynn Whitfield, who both have enjoyed the title of antagonist in The Real Housewives franchise, though their strategies received different results. When Brandi Glanville joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, she was a divisive character. Sure, she was flirty, fun, and a complete wildcard, but she was bogged down by controversy.

Brandi Glanville had the innate power to cause chaos and sow discourse within the group, which, admittedly, makes for good TV. At the time of her tenure, Brandi received many free passes because the cast was divided, and certain individuals needed a number. Even if she performed some deceitful misdeeds and told some long-lingering lies, Brandi would turn on the tears, take a moment of accountability, and it was over.

Now, years later, on the reboot of The Real Housewives of New York City, Brynn Whitfield has had her hands dirtied in explosive controversy. Brynn uses a similar playbook, but her outcome has not been drastically different. Unlike Brandi, Brynn's feet have been held to the fire, but her tears are not getting anyone to give her any free passes despite her personal hardships. Now, the question remains: why? If Brandi and Brynn have utilized moments of vulnerability and fabrication to pry on the other women, why is Brynn getting it so hard? It's time to explore the evolution of The Real Housewives' resident antagonists.

Brynn and Brandi Have a Way With Words

Usually, something specific makes someone an antagonist in The Real Housewives franchise, deserves or not. For Brandi Glanville, it's really just an endless track list of greatest hits that caused her to be the resident antagonist in the 90210. Did she plant the magazine in Lisa Vanderpump's luggage? Was she telling the whole truth about the alleged affair she was having with Denise Richards? It goes on and on. On the other hand, Brynn Whitfield's great moment of disdain came on the final night of the RHONY Puerto Rico trip.

The women were sent into a tizzy after a major blow-up between herself and Ubah Hassan led to Brynn accusing Ubah of knowing about her rape story. The other women were set off learning that Ubah had previous knowledge. Until Brynn subtly, or not so subtly, admitted that she didn't actually know if Ubah clocked this crucial fact or not. From there, Brynn's credibility was shot despite her very real experience.

In these situations, intention is everything. And every word must be intentional while trying to manipulate emotions. Both Brandi and Brynn have utilized their arsenal of witty vocabulary to influence a situation. The beauty of being a smart and intelligent antagonist is knowing how to use every word to their advantage. And, in turn, they just so happen to leave out certain words that might incriminate them.

The point of their characters is that Brandi and Brynn have the ability to tell the truth, just through fabrication and embellishment. Both women have held true to their convictions. When you believe something so fervently, you make it your reality. So, when you misuse certain words, misplace part of the story, or cater a narrative to a specific individual, it allows you to antagonize a moment and spin the power. And Brandi and Brynn have both demonstrated this skill.

On 'The Real Housewives,' Timing Is Everything

If you truly examine Brynn and Brandi, they are two peas in a pod, partially because they are the perfect antagonists. Yet the exterior they present is similar, too. They're both jovial. They are both cutesy. They have a lightheartedness to their demeanor. They have good intentions inside, but when you flick that switch, something changes in them both, and that person eager to bring fun to the group becomes something darker. Oddly enough, Brynn Whitfield could easily be Brandi Glanville's Real Housewives' kid sister. They fit the exact same casting type and fill the role of the single lady of their respective group. They've both endured hardships that have given them the exterior they have. But, more importantly, neither one seems to know how to truly maintain a situation without it going off the rails.

Unfortunately for Brynn Whitfield, timing is everything. It was a very different world when Brandi Glanville joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills compared to Brynn Whitfield's time on The Real Housewives of New York City. These days, there's no way Brandi could ever get away with anything she attempted to pull in the past.

Even when she's tried to do so in regard to the drama surrounding Ultimate Girl's Trip, she was called out for it. So it shouldn't surprise fans that Brynn cannot pull it off, either. What Brynn did has been met with increasing fallout from her cast. Yes, some of the women have given Brynn some grace, but even so, their friendships are truly shattered.

In reality, several of the things Brandi has done are worse in theory, but she was never shamed in the manner Brynn has. If Brynn and Ubah had the exact same argument years ago, it might have been a more passing situation. However, as things are, it is proof that times have changed. Stirring the pot and then crying to pass off the shame no longer works, which Brandi got away with for so long. Brynn cannot use that playbook ever again, nor can any other antagonist. It's hard out here for a bad girl.