Lisa Rinna Breaks Silence on the Co-Star Who Turned Her Life Into a 'Living Hell'

After years in television, this reality TV star says she is done holding back. In a new memoir, she recounts an alleged behind-the-scenes feud that she claims turned her daily work life into turmoil — and identifies the actor at the center of it.

She has built a reputation on saying exactly what others are too afraid to whisper. But now, Lisa Rinna is pulling back the curtain on what she claims was the most miserable chapter of her career — and it has nothing to do with shattered wine glasses or table-flipping chaos on reality TV.

The 62-year-old actress, widely recognized for her explosive run on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," revealed that her most challenging on-set experience happened decades earlier — long before Bravo cameras ever began rolling.

Instead, she traced the turmoil back to the early 1990s, when she was a rising star on the daytime soap "Days of Our Lives." In her new memoir, "You Better Believe I'm Gonna Talk About It," Rinna writes that her worst professional ordeal unfolded during her time portraying Billie Reed on the beloved NBC series.

According to Rinna, tensions with a male co-star boiled over behind the scenes. She wrote that they disliked each other off-camera and described their working relationship as nothing short of hostile.

A 'Living Hell' Behind the Cameras

Rinna did not mince words when addressing past criticism that painted her as a bully in Hollywood. Referencing a remark that labeled her exactly that, she flatly rejected the claim — and instead offered her own account of alleged bullying within the industry.

She identified her former co-star, Robert Kelker-Kelly, as a prime example. In the book, she alleged that he made her life "a living hell. He was horrible to me" on set. She described his behavior as verbally abusive, passive-aggressive, and manipulative, claiming he engaged in what she characterized as relentless mind games.

The emotional toll, she suggested, was crushing. Rinna wrote that she frequently had to work in close quarters with him — including during intimate scenes that required vulnerability and trust. If she failed to meet what she perceived as his expectations, she alleged he would abruptly stop speaking to her.

She described Kelker-Kelly as unpredictable, writing that the constant uncertainty created a draining and toxic work environment that left her on edge. "We had rent-a-cops parked outside our houses and trailers for three weeks and were driven to and from work," she said.

Sudden Exit — And Shock Security Measures

Rinna first joined "Days of Our Lives" in 1992 and remained on the show until September 1995, when she was replaced by Krista Allen. Over the years, she returned to the role several times — from 2002 to 2003, 2012 to 2013, and again in 2018 — proving that Billie Reed never fully left her life.

Her co-star Kelker-Kelly appeared on the soap from 1992 until 1995, exiting the series several months before Rinna. But according to Rinna, his departure from "Days of Our Lives" marked a turning point. She wrote that she felt an overwhelming sense of relief when he left and was replaced by Peter Reckell, who had previously portrayed Bo Brady.

What happened next, she claims, was startling. Rinna further alleged that after his exit, she and fellow cast member Kristian Alfonso — who played Hope Brady — were suddenly assigned security by NBC.

According to Rinna, the added protection appeared almost overnight. She wrote that one day, Kelker-Kelly was gone — and shortly afterward, she and Alfonso had full-time security.

The actress maintained that she did not believe she was in physical danger, but suggested the network may have been acting out of caution. For several weeks, she alleged, security personnel escorted them to and from work.

Life After Salem — And a New Chapter of Reckoning

After leaving "Days of Our Lives" in 1995, Kelker-Kelly continued to work in daytime television, appearing on "Another World" and later on "General Hospital." In recent years, he stepped away from Hollywood, reinventing himself as a professional pilot and flight instructor.

In Rinna's latest memoir, she also turns her focus to her years on Bravo — and the machine behind "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."

In the book, Rinna makes it clear that she is not changing names and that the accounts reflect her personal views. She signals her intention to speak candidly about her time on the franchise, where she appeared from 2013 to 2022.

In the opening chapter, she recalls her first day filming the hit series. She claims producers were worried the show felt "boring" and were desperate for stronger moments. According to Rinna, cast member Brandi Glanville stirred up drama and reassured the others that editing could shape the final result.

Fines, Grief, and a Painful Goodbye

Rinna also reveals that she was fined $50,000 by Bravo for comments she posted on Instagram. The California native said the penalty was a significant factor in her eventual departure from the show.

Reflecting on her time as a Housewife, she writes that she genuinely enjoyed much of the experience. Only the final year, she claims, felt dark and negative, while earlier seasons were filled with humor and unforgettable moments.

But the memoir takes a deeply personal turn when Rinna addresses the death of her mother, who died in November 2021 at 93 years old. Rinna writes that three days after her mother's passing, she was expected to board a flight to Mexico to film season 12.

She claims the request did not feel optional. According to the book, she believed the network should have urged her to take time off to grieve. Instead, she traveled to Mexico while still reeling from the loss, describing herself as being in shock during that period and feeling unsupported by production.

Technically, she acknowledges, she could have refused. But she believed the show depended heavily on her presence. Beyond past conflicts and behind-the-scenes clashes, Rinna's book delivers pointed remarks about figures within the Bravo universe.

She addresses host and executive producer Andy Cohen directly. The actress outlined disagreements and moments of tension during her tenure on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."

Rinna also confronts long-standing rumors about her husband, actor Harry Hamlin. In the memoir, she states unequivocally that he is heterosexual and rejects speculation about his sexuality. She adds that there would be nothing wrong with being gay, but says the claims about her husband are unfounded.

The book includes intimate details about her family life as well. Rinna writes about her daughters and references interest from high-profile suitors, offering glimpses into how they navigated life under public scrutiny.

Taken together, the revelations reinforce the memoir’s central promise: Lisa Rinna is done staying silent. From former co-stars to network executives to the rumors that have swirled around her marriage, she makes clear that she intends to tell her story — loudly, unapologetically, and on her own terms.