Now that Bravo has (finally) confirmed a Dallas show is coming, the real fun — and hype machine — begins.
Remember this hashtag: #RHOD. The Real Housewives of Dallas will descend upon the city sometime in 2016, and we already have some solid rumors (how's that for an oxymoron?) as to the core cast.
Not everyone is pleased about this new Dallas-centric entertainment option, of course. There is at least one Change.org petition attempting to keep the show from going forward and I've personally seen my fair share of eye-rolls by merely muttering the show's local incarnation aloud. That's likely due to the potential the program has for reinforcing certain Dallasite clichés and stereotypes. We can only hope that it will be surprisingly anomalous.
As The News' Robert Wilonsky originally reported, those involved have submitted to non-disclosure terms, so it's been a little tricky to get anything confirmed. However, that hasn't stopped the endless speculation. Allow us to throw gasoline on that fire by adding to the ifs and maybes with our most educated guesses about the cast. The Dallas Observer's Paige Skinner has a very similar list, with the same top four names popping up on Reddit.
We'll start things off with a woman who gave us a very eyebrow-raising response when asked if she is involved:
Cynthia Smoot
The former D CEO employee and partner at Gangway Advertising has tweeted about it. She's blogged about it. She also posted a photograph of herself wearing a "Real Housewives of Freaking Dallas" T-shirt.
Smoot may or may not be involved, but she is by far the most visible local making mentions of the show. When asked for comment, she said via email: "As Andy Cohen loves to say, you'll have to 'watch what happens.' But isn't it fun to speculate!?" Cynthia's email signature says she covers "Dallas' hottest events and coolest people," so clearly she is the type to keep up with this sort of activity, but she has offered plenty of ominous suggestions that she is somehow involved.
Cary Deuber
Deuber is a registered nurse who contributes to her husband Dr. Mark Deuber's plastic surgery practice. She has been named on a couple of reality show spoiler blogs as possibly being in the cast. She has yet to reply to our request for comment.
Gina Ginsburg
This proud Southern Methodist University grad (magna cum laude 2001) is an overachieving entrepreneur who serves on the boards of everything from the Junior League of Dallas to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to the Dallas Zoo. She is the founder of the Hair Bar, a blow-out salon with locations in Southlake and Dallas. She was tied to the original Real Housewives of Dallas rumors that go back to 2011. She gave a "No comment" via email on housewives rumors.
Tiffany Hendra
Offering lifestyle advice is a somewhat common theme among the reality-show housewife set and the term "lifestyle expert" was called into question on the Real Housewives of New York. Tiffany Hendra is a little different — she refers to herself as a "lifestyle mentor," which is at least slightly more explicit about her intentions. Hendra has a blog and online video series called Sanctuary of Style and an interesting back story. "From the trailer park to Beverly Hills and now back to Texas" begins her bio. She's also done some acting, including a somewhat recent turn as a cocktail waitress in a 2013 rom-com called Slightly Single in LA. Hendra did not reply to our request for comment.
Stephanie Hollman
Stephanie Hollman is a philanthropist involved with various major charities around town, most notably the Family Place and the accompanying Trailblazer Luncheon. She is married to Travis Hollman, son of Joe Hollman, who now presides over the family business, Hollman Inc. The namesake company is self-described as "the largest producer of wood veneer and plastic laminate lockers in the United States." She is a bit more mysterious than others on this list, but her name has been linked to other rumored Real Housewives cast members. Hollman has yet to reply to our request for comment.
Laurie Graham
Laurie Graham, a stylist based in Los Angeles and Dallas, offers personal shopping and "wardrobe audit" services. Her numerous TV appearances, including Good Morning Texas and Good Day LA, make her an inviting prospect. Reached by phone, she says: "Nobody is allowed to disclose any of those details, but thank you for your call."
Cortney Bailey
This real estate heavy hitter has nearly a half-billion in sales and a listing on her website for a $699,000 pending transaction for a lakeside home in Heath. With that kind of money being thrown around, a show could focus on Bailey herself. She's also worked PR for the NFL. Bailey has yet to reply to our request for comment.
Heidi Dillon
What Dillon means exactly in a recent tweet is anyone's guess, but "More information to come!! Real Housewives of Dallas" sounds a bit loaded. Dillon was also tied to the same show when it was rumored to be filming in Dallas four years ago. She eventually ended up on Big Rich Texas. She has yet to reply to our comment request.
LeeAnne Locken
Last but not least is the alliterative LeeAnne Locken. She's the surest thing as far as everyone on this list is concerned, but that's not to say it's confirmed. Locken is a renaissance woman, with a lengthy résumé that includes reality TV, public speaking, writing and philanthropy. She's made a radio appearance on KVIL-FM (103.7) on behalf of the show, but like most of the women mentioned, has yet to comment.
Christopher Mosley is FD magazine's digital editor. Twitter: @christopmosley
