Real Housewives Star Alicia Carmody: Hard Work, Honesty, and the American Dream
Rhode Island's newest reality TV sensation, Alicia Carmody, is proving that the American Dream is alive and well. Five months after The Real Housewives of Rhode Island debuted on Bravo, Carmody says the show has completely transformed her life, teaching her lessons about grit and determination she never knew she had.
“I never knew I could work this hard,” Carmody told The Hollywood Reporter. “It keeps you young. It keeps you moving. You're always pushing yourself to different limits.”
Why is Alicia Carmody partnering with Ferrero for Halloween?
Carmody has teamed up with Ferrero, the company behind beloved American snacks like Butterfinger and Kinder, to celebrate “Adultoween.” The campaign encourages grown-ups to embrace the playful spirit of Halloween.
“Halloween has always been one of my favorite times of year,” Carmody said. “It's really about embracing that sense of play and not taking yourself too seriously. That's exactly what Adultoween is about: Giving adults permission to be creative and have fun again, the way we did as kids.”
The Ferrero Halloween collection includes Kinder Joy x Stranger Things Eggs, Butterfinger Skulls, Keebler Spookie Fudge Stripes, and more.
How did The Real Housewives of Rhode Island change Carmody's life?
Carmody admits she never expected to become a Housewife. But the show's success has been staggering. Bravo revealed in May that Rhode Island is pacing as the network's second-biggest series across platforms, trailing only The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
“I actually really never thought I was going to even be a Housewife,” she said. “I really didn't know what to expect, to be honest.”
Carmody credits her authenticity for connecting with viewers. On season one, she opened up about her 10-year engagement to Billy Kitsilis and her desire to be more involved in their business, Pizza Mamma.
“I don't know how to not be myself, and I think people could see that,” she said. “I shared my family, my aunts, building a business with my fiancé. I just think that I was so honest about my life.”
What's next for Carmody on season two?
Carmody is staying tight-lipped about season two details, but she hints at a major storyline: wedding planning. After a decade-long engagement, she says the work is real.
“It's a lot of work, to wedding plan,” she said. Would she let Bravo film the big day? “You never know. I don't even know what day it is right now, so you never know what it will be like when it actually happens.”
She's also gearing up for Bravo Fan Fest Charleston this October, her first fan event as a Housewife. “I'm preparing to take up every moment that I can,” she said.
What is Ferrero's Adultoween campaign?
Ferrero's “Adultoween” is more than a marketing gimmick. It's a cultural movement, according to Chad Stubbs, chief marketing officer of Ferrero North America.
“Adultoween started as an insight the Ferrero Group discovered and has grown into a cultural movement,” Stubbs said. “We're excited to see where this year's trends land and how they'll shape the way we engage and show up for our fans in bigger and better ways this Halloween and beyond.”
Carmody, meanwhile, is giving fans a peek into her Halloween celebrations on Instagram, complete with a giveaway of Ferrero goodies. Her advice for the holiday? “You can be creative and you can be whatever. You can make yourself into whatever you want.”
That's the kind of self-made spirit this country was built on.