Yahoo Lifestyle 
Where are the former Real Housewives of Melbourne stars now?
After a three and a half year break, the Real Housewives of Melbourne are back to entertain us with their drama, gossip and high spending ways.
But what has become of the beloved wives that left the show?
Chyka Keebaugh
Chyka Keebaugh, 52, quit the show back in 2016 when some off-screen gossip became part of a scandalous storyline on the show.
"Reality TV is a ride and I have enjoyed it thoroughly, but that ride for me is now over," she wrote on Instagram at the time. "I have decided to close this door in order to make way for some exciting new opportunities within the lifestyle arena, for the 'Chyka Home and Life' media brand."
And pandemics aside, that is just what she has done. Covid-19 has been tough for Chyka and her husband Bruce, who own hospitality company The Big Group. Like many in the industry, the forced shutdowns have created hardships.
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"COVID-19 has had a huge impact on our business," she said in an interview last year with Domain. "Hospitality was one of the first industries to go. It’s been hard to watch and know that the business we have built over 30 years will never be the same. We are using this time to be creative and think outside the box," she added.
And it hasn't got easier for the couple and their business the pandemic continues to affect businesses, particularly in Melbourne.
"We are doing it seriously tough here at the moment and fatigue has really set in," she said on a post late last month. "I do know that as a state we need to get our vaccine levels up... we are so behind the other states and I find it so disheartening when we have had the toughest 18 months
"This is something that only we can do to let us get some of our freedom back… I also want to see shop doors open and people sitting in cafes and bars… music being played and friends and family chatting and laughing together."
But there have been celebrations as well. Chyka has just celebrated her 29th wedding anniversary with her husband Bruce. Daughter Francesca, 'Chessy' is now carving out her own career in LA and son BJ returned home during the pandemic to be with his family.
You can follow Chyka's lifestyle blog at www.chyka.com.
Lydia Schiavello
Lydia, 50, was a shock departure from the Real Housewives when she revealed she was leaving the show in April this year. "The changes of this world caused me to pause and re-evaluate my life," Lydia wrote on Instagram.
"The last four seasons have truly been an extraordinary journey, incredibly entertaining and good fun but with much consideration, I have made the personal decision to step away from RHOMelbourne.
"I will miss the camaraderie the interaction with viewers and the challenges that my fellow cast members presented," she added
However, that didn't stop the controversies she caused as in August she was accused by fans of Real Housewives of photoshopping a throwback photo of her with fellow show cast Chyka, Janet and Pettifleur which resulted in Chyka looking bigger than she actually is.
"Lydia this is so rude," New Idea reported one fan saying of the now deleted post. "Dying at the photoshop. Poor Chyka doesn't deserve an extra 47kg Lydia."
Current Housewife Jackie Gillies chimed in later telling Yahoo Lifestyle: "I just think that – this is my only comment on that – is that women should be uplifting women on every level."
"It just didn't need to happen and it caused a s*** show for both parties, and I did feel sorry for Chyka because it's just bulls***," she added. "You know, nobody should be exposed like that, like in a way that's derogatory to someone, you know what I mean?"
But Janet thinks Lydia is just trying to get some publicity now that she is no longer involved in the franchise show.
"Now that there's talk of Housewives [coming back], clearly Lydia has maximum FOMO in the world," Janet said on the Unpopular Podcast.
Lydia is now focused on her family – her three children from her previous marriage, three step-children, her grandchildren and hubby Andrew Norbury – and her new food and lifestyle blog which can be followed at www.lydiaschiavello.com.
Gina Liano
Glamorous barrister Gina Liano, 56, also announced she was leaving the Real Housewives franchise in April this year. Foxtel exec Brian Walsh told the Daily Telegraph that the pandemic had given Gina a chance to look at what she wanted in her life.
"It gave her an opportunity to re-evaluate and rediscover her love of practising law and she conducted a lot of her business virtually last year and she rekindled that great deep affection she has for her profession," he said.
Brian also revealed that Gina had left Melbourne as well, choosing to move to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula.
While Gina has been very quiet on social media over the last two years, she did take to Insta to say goodbye.
"An extra big thank you to all my gorgeous followers who have travelled through the last 4 glorious seasons of #RHOMelbourne with me and have made it the most enjoyable ride," she said in the post. "I have loved it and am eternally grateful for all your love and support ❤️"
Venus Behbahani-Clark
Iranian Venus, 39, is enjoying a more low-key life away from the cameras for now. Gone are the bleached blonde locks and heavy make-up as the former child protection lawyer has now embraced a more natural look after becoming a mother again.
Venus and her husband James Clark welcomed a son, Izak, in June last year and with her two daughters, she says her family is complete.
"3 kids done," she said as she showed off her figure 12 months postpartum on Instagram.
Venus has admitted to multiple plastic surgeries in the past including breast enlargement, a nose job, fillers and Botox.
Now she and husband James seem to be enjoying life out of lockdown in New York.
"Finally made it to #newyork ... now we just need the in-laws to safely join us from UK," she says on Instagram. "As I reflect since my pregnancy, we’ve been in lockdown!
"James hasn’t seen his parents in years and my lovely in-laws have never met their grandson Izak in their old age and our businesses just couldn’t suffer or wait any longer!"
Only time will tell what's next for Venus!
Pettifleur Berenger
Property developer Pettifleur Berenger, 56, was the first of the main wives to leave the series. Despite being controversial and getting a lot of hate for the dramas she caused while on the show, Pettifleur has revealed that she was just playing a role.
"The show was based on extreme wealth and extreme drama and I thought I did my job well, but the downside to doing a job like well is that people tend to hate you.," she confessed to The Herald Sun.
People got to know the real Pettifleur a little more when she appeared in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here earlier this year.
"I never go on dates. Not interested," she told The Block star Jess Eva on the show. "I know I tease the boys, but I have no feelings - I'm just broken. I don't know what it is, I really don't. But I just don't feel anything for anyone, and it's a s**t way to be."
Now her fans are keen to see her find love again and return to Housewives!
"It’s been 1 season since my departure from the show but I have to say, today I have been overwhelmed by you the fans... for sliding in to my DM’s, tagging me in posts and making comments about a hopeful Pettifleur return," she said as season five was announced.
"Not this time. Please know I appreciate your love and support always."
But she hasn't left the small screen completely, appearing on SBS's Celebrity Mastermind recently. And maybe she will become the next Bachelorette - that's what her fans hope for anyway!
Real Housewives of Melbourne begins Sunday 10th October at 8.30pm on FOX ARENA
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