Garcelle Beauvais officially kicked off her first season as the newest co-host on “The Real” and was left speechless after being surprised with a heartfelt message from her friend and former co-star Jamie Foxx.
Season seven premiered on Monday, Sept. 21, and the show’s returning hosts Jeannie Mai, Loni Love, and Adrienne Houghton welcomed Beauvais to the daytime talk show with excitement, optimism and surprises.
The addition of Beauvais to the cast was announced on Aug. 24, weeks after both Tamera Mowry-Housley and Amanda Seales revealed they wouldn’t be renewing their contracts in favor of focusing on exploring other opportunities moving forward. Seales cited her disapproval of the lack of Black voices at the top of the network chains as a large part of her decision not to return.
“I’m not in a space where I can, as a full black woman, have my voice and my co-workers also have their voices and where the people at the top are not respecting the necessity for black voices to be at the top too,” Seales opened up during an Instagram Live conversation.
It appears that Love, Mai and Houghton are back on their game after the news of the departures broke over the summer, just a month apart, and the show is going on. They enthusiastically welcomed the first Black female cast member of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” to their virtual table, and she was thrilled to be there.
“What I’m really happy about, now more than ever we need our sisterhood,” Beauvais told her co-hosts during her introduction. “We need our sisterhood, we want to support each other, uplift each other, have amazing conversations. Even if we disagree, we’re going to disagree respectfully and I am thrilled for the opportunity.”
After celebrating with virtual streamers and festive music, Foxx surprised his former co-star, who played his “Jamie Foxx Show” love interest Francesca “Fancy” Monroe from 1996 to 2001, with a heartfelt congratulatory message.
“Garcelle, congratulations on your new job on ‘The Real,’ and it makes sense because you are the realest, you are the best, you are blessed. I love you beyond,” gushed the Academy Award-winning actor. “You’re going to bring something to that show that is so wonderful and beautiful, and at the same time you know what you’re talking about so let it all hang out. I’m sending you blessings on your wonderful, wonderful accomplishment and continue to bless us with your beauty and your mind. Thank you so much.”
The message left Beauvais speechless as her co-hosts laughed and cheered her on.
The team’s first interview of season seven was with Beauvais’ former “RHOBH” co-star and fellow actress Denise Richards, and no time was wasted with putting “The Real” rookie on the spot. Houghton reminded her that she’d previously stated that she’d leave the franchise if Richards did, and asked what her plans are now that it’s a reality.
“I did say that and, you know what, I had a really great time doing the show,” Beauvais replied. “It’s up to Bravo, but definitely up for a next season.”
Upcoming guests for the kickoff week include Ray J, Stacey Abrams, DJ D-Nice, Janelle Monáe and Kiersey Clemons.
New episodes of the “The Real” air weekdays at 1 p.m. EST on FOX.
