The Real Housewives of Miami (RHOM) has a new firecracker in town, and her name is Stephanie Shojaee. The season seven newbie is spilling the tea on her explosive debut, from a long-buried romance with Anthony Lopez, the fiancé of former cast member Dr. Nicole Martin, to a shocking betrayal by an unexpected co-star. Add in her fiery clashes with Alexia Nepola and the buzz about her being the “richest” Housewife ever, and Stephanie’s arrival is nothing short of a Miami hurricane. In an exclusive chat with Entertainment Tonight on July 2, she laid bare the drama, the glamour, and the price of stepping into the RHOM spotlight.
A Forbidden Romance That Still Sparks Curiosity
Stephanie’s past with Anthony Lopez, a prominent attorney and Nicole Martin’s fiancé, is raising eyebrows, but she’s quick to downplay the scandal. “We dated 20 years ago. He was my dad’s attorney. We ended up meeting that way. We got along great. We dated. It didn’t last longer than like a year or so. It’s really not that big of a deal,” she told Entertainment Tonight. The romance may be ancient history, but its revelation adds a juicy layer to her dynamic with Nicole.
Surprisingly, there’s no bad blood between the two women. “Nicole and I don’t have any bad blood. I met her … maybe mid-season. We get along great. She’s fabulous. I’m fabulous. Who can blame Anthony for liking us both?” Stephanie quipped with a wink, proving she’s not here to stir up old flames but to forge new friendships. Their bond, formed amidst the season’s chaos, shows that Stephanie’s charm transcends past connections.
Advice, Warnings, and a Housewife’s Dilemma
Before diving into the RHOM whirlwind, Stephanie sought counsel from some of Bravo’s biggest stars, and the advice was a mixed bag. Caroline Stanbury, the Real Housewives of Dubai icon, warned her to steer clear, saying, “Don’t do it.” Meanwhile, RHOM veteran Larsa Pippen was all in, threatening, “If you don’t do it with me, I’m going to kill you!” Lisa Rinna, ever the wildcard, initially hesitated, telling Stephanie, “I don’t think you need this,” only to flip three days later with an enthusiastic, “You’re going to be perfect. Just do it.” Torn between caution and encouragement, Stephanie took the plunge—and hasn’t looked back.
The “Richest” Housewife? A Crown with a Catch
Dubbed potentially the “richest” Housewife in the franchise’s history, Stephanie isn’t shy about her wealth. “I am. I do like to dress expensive,” she admitted, embracing her “new money” persona with a playful smirk. But she’s quick to add a dose of humility: “You never really know who’s the richest because you don’t know who has it and isn’t flaunting.” Her unapologetic flair for the finer things—designer threads, lavish accessories—sets her apart, but it also paints a target on her back in a world where wealth is both a badge and a burden.
Clashing with an Alpha: The Alexia Nepola Feud
Stephanie’s entrance into RHOM wasn’t all glitz and glamour. Her clashes with Alexia Nepola, a franchise veteran, are a season seven highlight. “We go at it a lot this season. I think she’s very opinionated. I’m very opinionated. She’s an alpha. I’m an alpha,” Stephanie explained. “I’m a very reactive person, and I don’t even think before I speak. And I think Alexia’s a little like that, and some of the things she says really irk me. So I’m not going to stay quiet.” Their head-to-head battles promise fireworks, as two strong-willed women vie for dominance in Miami’s social scene.
A Shocking Betrayal from an Unexpected Corner
Perhaps the most tantalizing revelation is Stephanie’s claim of being “stabbed in the back” by a co-star she never saw coming. “They did it from behind. So I really, I didn’t even notice it was them until really the end of the season,” she teased. This cryptic betrayal adds an element of suspense to her storyline, leaving fans guessing who among the RHOM cast could have blindsided the confident newbie. Was it a friend turned foe or a quiet player in the group? Only time—and the season—will tell.
A Rollercoaster Ride Worth Taking
Reflecting on her RHOM journey, Stephanie described it as “so much fun” but admitted it was no walk in the park. “I think it’s been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. No joke,” she confessed. The emotional highs and lows, from forming bonds with Larsa and Nicole to navigating feuds and betrayals, made her debut season a true rollercoaster. Yet, Stephanie’s resilience and larger-than-life personality shine through, cementing her as a Housewife to watch.
As Real Housewives of Miami season seven unfolds, Stephanie Shojaee is proving she’s more than just a glamorous addition to the cast. With a past romance that lingers, a feud that’s heating up, and a betrayal that cuts deep, she’s bringing the drama—and the heart—to Miami’s elite. Buckle up, because this newbie is rewriting the RHOM rulebook, one fabulous moment at a time.