House of Villains Season 2: How did Larsa Pippen's late arrival affect her game?

House of Villians Season 2
Larsa Pippen of House of Villians Season 2 | Image Source: Instagram/@larsapippen

Reality TV star Larsa Pippen joined E! Network's House of Villains Season 2 on October 16, 2024. The 50-year-old Real Housewives of Miami personality emerged through a wall during episode 3's banishment ceremony, catching the existing cast off guard. House of Villains, a competition show featuring notorious reality TV figures, offers a $200,000 prize to the winner.

Pippen's unexpected arrival during the third episode immediately altered the show's dynamics, forcing contestants to reassess their strategies. Her background on Bravo's Real Housewives franchise and recent participation in Peacock's The Traitors Season 2 positioned her as a formidable late-game entrant. Pippen's introduction to the show sparked immediate conflicts and reshaped existing alliances among the contestants.


Larsa Pippen joins House of Villains mid-season, sparks bedroom drama

Dramatic first night and bedroom controversy

Pippen's first night in the House of Villains was marked by conflict over sleeping arrangements. She entered and immediately expressed her severe disapproval of sharing a room. This refusal created tension among the housemates, as the living quarters were already established before her arrival.

The situation escalated when Pippen demanded alternative accommodation, disrupting the existing room assignments. In response to the conflict, Victoria Larson, known from The Bachelor, offered Pippen her bed to diffuse the situation.

While resolving the immediate issue, this gesture set precedence for how other House of Villains contestants might interact with Pippen.


Strategic gameplay and alliance formation

Following her dramatic House of Villains entry, Pippen quickly adopted a strategic approach to her gameplay. She openly stated her intention to befriend everyone in the house. This approach was paired with deliberately downplaying her competitive spirit, as Pippen claimed she "doesn't need the $200,000" prize money.

Despite her efforts to appear non-threatening to the group, Pippen swiftly formed a strong alliance with Teresa Giudice, a fellow Bravo network star from The Real Housewives of New Jersey. However, recognizing the potential target this alliance could place on their backs, Pippen attempted to conceal the depth of her relationship with Giudice from the other contestants.


Larsa's evolving villain persona

Upon entering the House of Villains Season 2, Pippen presented herself as a non-threatening competitor. She attempted to distance herself from the antagonistic role often associated with reality TV personalities. However, she hinted at a hidden depth to her character, warning that she could transform into a "supervillain" if provoked. She said:

“I'm not a villain initially. However, if pushed, I can be a supervillain. If you poke the bear, I'm definitely that person. If you do come for me, I have a sharp tongue, so I'm a villain at times, I guess.”

She remained vigilant while maintaining a friendly facade, observing her fellow contestants' behavior and strategies. She paid particular attention to those she deemed "silent assassins," contestants who appeared overly friendly but whom she suspected of harboring hidden agendas.

Pippen's strategic gameplay paid off in her first episode, as she successfully avoided being nominated for elimination. This early victory demonstrated her ability to integrate quickly into the group.


Adapting to house challenges

Pippen's adjustment to life in the House of Villains came with obstacles. The lack of privacy proved particularly challenging for her, as the bedrooms lacked doors, creating an environment of constant exposure. She stated:

“It's not easy. It's challenging not having a door in your room. You have no privacy. I knew people were going to be losing their minds, so just being able to be cool with everyone and being able to be a butterfly and move amongst different groups of people, I think that's the Housewives angle.”

Pippen's approach of maintaining a low profile while keenly observing her fellow House of Villains contestants positioned her as a potential dark horse in the competition. Her self-proclaimed ability to become a "supervillain" if necessary hinted at a more aggressive gameplay that could emerge as the show progresses.

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Edited by pshmueni