Chef Kelli Ferrell is taking the adage, “if you can’t stand the heat, get out the kitchen,” to a whole new level as she joins The Real Housewives of Atlanta for its sixteenth season. Best known for her success in the culinary world as an alum on Food Networks Guy’s Grocery Games, and Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge, as well as OWN’s Food Fantasies, Ferrell is now opening up about her personal life, business, and the challenges of navigating reality television.
Since its debut in 2008, The Real Housewives of Atlanta has been a legacy reality TV show, setting the standard for drama, luxury, and sisterhood. With original stars like Nene Leakes, Sheree Whitfield, and Kandi Burruss shaping its early days, the show has continually evolved to reflect the dynamic lives of its cast. Now in its sixteenth season, Housewives is ushering in a new era with a fresh roster of boss women who balance thriving careers, personal struggles, and, of course, drama. The term “housewives” has become a misnomer—these women are CEOs, entrepreneurs, and influencers redefining what it means to be on reality TV. Over the years, RHOA has also been a cultural force, influencing everything from memes to music, and giving audiences an unfiltered look at the ambition, challenges, and triumphs of Black women in the spotlight.
“This was the third time of me interviewing for Housewives,” Ferrell shares. “So I always feel like the third time’s the charm.” The opportunity came at a significant moment for her, as she’s going through a divorce from her ex-husband, Chuvalo Mark Ferrell. “This was probably, if not the best time of my life to join the cast,” she tells ESSENCE.
Though new to the world of reality TV, Ferrell is no stranger to high-pressure environments. Having competed on cooking shows, she’s used to thinking quickly on her feet. However, the dynamics of Housewives required a different kind of adjustment. “You just never know which end is coming towards you,” she says. Still, she describes herself as a “girl’s girl” and found the transition into the established cast to be smooth. “I knew a few of the girls prior to the show, and it was a very easy transition for me.”
Cooking competitions test skill and strategy, but reality television adds an emotional unpredictability that no recipe can prepare you for. The same precision Ferrell applies in the kitchen—balancing flavors, timing, and presentation—now comes into play in a completely different arena. And if reality TV has taught us anything, it’s that the heat is always on. For Ferrell, the old saying rings especially true: if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Yet, instead of stepping away, she’s embracing the fire, proving that she can withstand the pressure in both worlds.
