Who Won Big at The Bravos? Everything That Happened at the BravoCon 2023 Event
The first-ever Bravos led to some unexpected award moments — and a touching tribute from some RHOC OGs to Vicki Gunvalson.
When you get over a hundred Bravo stars in a room, you know you're bound for a wild and unpredictable evening — and that's exactly what happened at the first-ever The Bravos, an awards show honoring the most iconic Bravo moments of the year.
The event, held Friday, November 3 on Day 1 of BravoCon 2023 at The Paris Theater in Las Vegas, was hosted by Andy Cohen who kicked things off with an elaborate dance number featuring some surprise guests. What followed next was a parade of unexpected Bravo pairings, illustrious honors like the "Who Said That Award for Colloquial Excellence,” a lively game of "Squash That Beef," and heartwarming tribute to one of the most famous Real Housewives of all time. Move over, Oscars – The Bravos may just be the most influential award show of the year.
Here's everything that happened at The Bravos:
Andy Cohen's Dance Number at The Bravos
Andy kicked off the festivities with an elaborate song-and-dance number, much to the delight of the crowd. In an ode to the Las Vegas setting, Andy danced amongst Vegas showgirls in colorful costumes holding massive feathers (the stage, which featured dice and playing cards in neon lights, was also a reference to Sin City).
His song touched upon some of the biggest Bravo moments ever across franchises, including Summer House's Lindsay Hubbard's infamous "How many sandwiches have you made for me?!" and Jessel Taank's Tribeca blunder.
RELATED: BravoCon 2023 Photos: Bravolebrities & Top Fashion Trends
But the biggest surprise of the musical opening? Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay, Ariana Madix, and James Kennedy from Vanderpump Rules made an appearance in the number to show off their good as gold singing skills. (And yes, James proclaimed himself "the number one guy in the group.")
Amanda Batula vs Robyn Dixon and Gizelle Bryant
While the focus of The Bravos is, naturally, The Bravos, Andy still made some time for Watch What Happens Live-style games with the plethora of Bravolebs in attendance. That included Squash That Beef — which saw Amanda Batula from Summer House finally get some closure with Robyn Dixon and Gizelle Bryant from The Real Housewives of Potomac.
Here's a refresher on this particular beef: Gizelle and Robyn revealed on their podcast after last year's BravoCon they were disgusted to see a Summer House cast member walk around the bathroom barefoot. Amanda was the woman behind the blind item, but it seems there's no hard feelings anymore. She confidently strolled up — barefoot again! — to the stage to laughingly confront Robyn and Gizelle.
Although Robyn and Gizelle maintained it was disgusting (Amanda seemed confused by their assertion there's urine on the bathroom floor, asking if they regularly pee on the floor), but Amanda pointed out they didn't have to like it. Ultimately, the women all hugged it out. Consider this beef squashed.
Even more evidence: Gizelle herself walked the floors of BravoCon 2023 barefoot, eliciting a playful response from Amanda.
Vicki Gunvalson Honored by Past RHOC Cast Members
Everyone knew from the beginning of The Bravos that Vicki Gunvalson was the recipient of the Wifetime Achievement Award. What they didn't know, however, was who would present that award to her.
To the delighted gasps of the audience, RHOC alums Lauri Peterson, Jo De La Rosa, Alexis Bellino, and Gretchen Rossi came out to fete Vicki for her contributions to Bravo history. Vicki herself seemed stunned her former castmates came out for the event.
“If you would’ve told me back in 2006 that Vicki Gunvalson would still be on TV 18 years later, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Lauri said, as the four women joked about Vicki's contributions to the Bravo sphere.
Vicki received a loud standing ovation from the crowd as she accepted the Wifetime Achievement Award. She visibly teared up while thanking Andy, the fans, and her castmates, but she pulled it together to recite one of her most infamous lines: "I HAVE NEVER BEEN WITH MULTIPLE PARTNERS IN MY LIFE!"
She also made sure to allude to Andy she's ready to rejoin the franchise at any time, teasingly handing him an orange at the conclusion of her speech.
The Bravos: A Complete List of Winners
The Bravos were handed out by the Gay Shark, on hand as always, but named by interesting Bravo pairs. Presenters included The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Kyle Richards and The Real Housewives of New Jersey's Teresa Giudice; Kenya Moore and Shereé Whitfield from The Real Housewives of Atlanta; RHOC's Tamra Judge with Southern Charm's Austen Kroll and Craig Conover; RHOBH's Garcelle Beauvais, who got an assist from John Mayer via video; RHOP's Karen Huger with Southern Charm's Shep Rose; The Real Housewives of Miami's Alexia Nepola and Dr. Nicole Martin; Summer House's Kyle Cooke with Married to Medicine's Quad Webb; Phaedra Parks, and RHOBH's Dorit Kemsley, who came armed with wind chimes.
Here's who won what:
WHO SAID THAT? AWARD FOR COLLOQUIAL EXCELLENCE
“You’re a worm with a mustache,” James Kennedy in Vanderpump Rules — WINNER
“This neighborhood is like really up and coming,” Jessel Taank in The Real Housewives of New York City “The rumors, the nastiness about her… oh, I can do that… You! Can! Leave!” Meredith Marks in The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
“I do not acknowledge Sesame Street characters, they are make-believe, they belong at Sesame Street. Next,” Candiace Dillard Bassett in The Real Housewives of Potomac
“I’m on play all the time,” as said by Lisa Barlow in The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
"Everyone wanted to know what crazy thing I’d do if I didn’t win and I guess we’ll never know," James said.
VICKI GUNVALSON GAG AWARD
John Fuda getting his chest waxed in The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Emily Simpson drinking water out of a dog bowl in The Real Housewives of Orange County — WINNER
Luann de Lesseps eating testicles in Luann & Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake
Phil purposefully not flushing Nicholas Arrington’s toilet in Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard
Aesha Scott putting Captain Jason Chambers’ contacts in for him in Below Deck Down Under
Emily Simpson dedicated the award to her dog, who has since sadly passed.
GREATEST SHADE THROWER
Karen Huger, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Dr. Heavenly Kimes, Married to Medicine
Lala Kent, Vanderpump Rules — WINNER
Kenya Moore, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Kate Chastain, Below Deck/The Traitors
Lala noted she was shocked to win an award, claiming she didn't even realize she had been nominated.
THE BUNNY HONOREE FOR MOST ICONIC ITEM OF THE YEAR
Gizelle Bryant’s missing tequila bottle, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip
Captain Jason Chambers’ disco helmet, Below Deck Down Under — WINNER
Kyle Cooke’s tiny cowboy hat, Summer House
Robyn Dixon’s BlueTooth speaker, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Shereé Whitfield’s She News newspaper, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Captain Jason isn't just a winner of this award. Andy tried to set him up with multiple Bravolebs, including Lala.
THE DORIT KEMSLEY AWARD FOR CHICEST BRAVOLEBRITY
Chanel Ayan, The Real Housewives of Dubai — WINNER
Sai De Silva, The Real Housewives of New York City
Ariana Madix, Vanderpump Rules
Marlo Hampton, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Sutton Stracke, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Chanel lived up to the honor by accepting it in a massive yellow two-piece gown.
BRAVOCON FOLLIES: SONG OF THE YEAR
“Drive Back,” Candiace Dillard Bassett in The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip — WINNER
“Away In A Manger,” Lisa Barlow in The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
“Good As Gold,” Scheana Shay at BravoCon 2022
“Throw Us Away,” Drew Sidora in The Real Housewives of Atlanta
“O, Holy Night,” Erika Jayne in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Yes, Candiace was played off by her own song, "Drive Back," as she slammed the "miserable, sad souls" who gossip about her man.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 new cast members
Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard Season 1 cast
Southern Hospitality Season 1 cast
The Real Housewives of New York City Season 14 cast — WINNER
The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 17 new cast members
Although Jessel and Jenna Lyons were not present, the other members of the RHONY cast were thrilled and touched to receive this award.
BEST DRESSED… IN A COSTUME
Ciara Miller dressed as Karma Brown, Summer House — WINNER
Tamra Judge dressed as Heather Dubrow, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Whitney Rose dressed as “Little Girl,” The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Garcelle Beauvais dressed as a disco diva, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan’s dressed in Christmas In July looks, Luann & Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake
Ciara said she was accepting on behalf of alter ego Karma Brown and shouted out the beauty supply store on 35th and 8th.
What made it into the In Memoriam for Bravo?
The Bravos didn't just honor iconic cast moments. The award show also took a moment to honor the things the Bravoverse has lost this year, and it was quite the list.
A dramatic video paid homage to Gizelle Bryant's tequila bottle, Captain Jason's pants, Tom Sandoval's penis flute, Lisa Barlow's $60,000 ring, and more.
Watch BravoCon 2023 panel highlights, exclusive interviews, and more on Peacock and BravoTV.com.
