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Tamra Judges breast implants are smaller than I expected.
Or is it that theyre bigger?
Maybe its just that I never expected to see them at all.
A three-day ticket wasreportedly listedfor resale at $9,500.)
Have you seen the movieCrank?
The first face I see at BravoCon is Andy Cohens.
Like he was meant to make it to BravoCon.
This is just our lifeline, Shaw says.
And were just having the best weekend of our fucking lives.
I count two pregnant women in Future Bravo Fan tees, with arrows pointing down to their bellies.
At a singleBelow Deckevent, three strangers wear June, June, Hannah shirts of completely different designs.
We speak a common language, thats for sure.
At the Skylight Modern event space,Housewivescatchphrases like Bloop!
and Clip Clip Clip are enshrined in neon on the wall.
I am anything but an impartial observer: I love Bravo.
Whos getting demoted to a friend of?
Who leaked what to where?
And theyve acknowledged on the show that [the cast is] famous, she tells me.
Because when theyre fighting about press if theyre not famous, then how come theyre doing that?
BravoCon itself proves ripe for behind-the-scenes analysis.
Theres the politics of whos going where, Galli says.
Whos participating in what?
I met people today from London, Australia, and Spain that flew here just for this.
Its one thing for aDeadpoolfan to meet Ryan Reynolds.
People love to talk about them, and argue about them, and they get deep into their backstories.
(Except for Manzo and Lisa Vanderpump, who left early before their ex-castmates came out.)
And living that life may mean something different to each of us.
I happen to have some ham, he says.
just, will you throw a piece of ham on my face?
I am momentarily blinded, losing my grip on the shaker.
I jokingly ask the man directing theVanderpump Rulesinstallation if this how they really shoot their credits.
About, he answered, wearily.
As far as I can tell, and as far as Ive heard, that holds remarkably true.
In Manzos experience, upon meeting her fans, they tend to want a hug.
A lot of them shed tears when they meet her.
Its a deep, deep connection, she says.
Andy explained it best to me years ago.
He said, Caroline, an actor plays a role.
A singer sings a song.
When you cry, they cry.
When you laugh, they laugh.
Theyre in their living room with you.
So theyre living your life with you.
I think that you’re able to tell on their face, you know?
Their eyes light up, says Zarins daughter Ally Shapiro, a frequent object of fan recognition herself.
A lot of the time someone will just say, Im friends with your mom.
BravoCon provides ample opportunity for fans to express our affection, including through cash.
(Am I now the proud owner of an autographed Dorinda mug?
Will I be figuring out a way to invoice Vulture for this unavoidable business expense?
God knows Ill try.)
Logans going to be on the next episode ofVanderpump Rules, says Lindsay.
Shep, youre so hot!
I myself squawk, Youre so beautiful!
at a passing Cynthia Bailey.
Two women sitting behind me have no patience for her behavior.
Go home, bitch, one shouts.
Thats why shes not married, her friend hisses.
On Saturday night, the Hammerstein Ballroom transforms into theVanderpump RulesAfter Party, starring DJ James Kennedy.
Despite theWhite Kanyes best efforts, there is little dancing.
Theyre all kind of just sitting up there, says after-party attendee Kaira Ednie.
Its fun, but I thought it was gonna be more interactive.
In the lobby, I am handed a complimentary plastic coupe of BravoCon-exclusive Pepsi Sparkling Rose.
The effect, like the evening, is disingenuous.
And however well-intended the gesture, a little nauseating.
On Sunday morning,Real Housewife of New YorkDorinda Medley leads an 80s-themed aerobics class.
But then Dorinda takes the stage.
Within minutes, we are lost in the sweaty, unself-conscious choreography, hip-thrusting and grapevining to Wham!
What we lack, collectively, in coordination, we make up for in enthusiasm.
The energy is infectious.
Housewives enthusiast Laurie Hemberger, tugging on a convention-provided orange resistance band beside me, agrees.
We want to be in their world, for just five seconds.
Just not on camera.
