Before her new show Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, Denise Richards‘ previous forays into reality TV touched on her frenemy relationship with Heather Locklear. Her first series, Denise Richards: It’s Complicated, came on the heels of a mini scandal regarding her and Heather. And Lisa Rinna shadily brought up Denise’s fellow actress on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. What happened between the two blonde bombshells? We have a refresher for you below.
Denise Richards and Heather Locklear share an ex in Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora
After her split from Charlie Sheen, Denise entered another high-profile romance. In 2006, she began dating Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi. This was just after he split from Heather. Richie and Heather were married in 1994, and their divorce was finalized in 2007.
Denise claimed that she and Richie bonded over their respective high-profile divorces. Like Denise and Charlie, Richie and Heather announced their split in 2006. According to People, she claimed the relationship was the “last thing I was looking for,” amidst her divorce. “You can’t help who you fall for,” she added. In an interview with Redbook, she said, “If either Richie or I had felt our marriages were fixable, we wouldn’t have crossed that line.”
Denise was adamant that she didn’t steal Richie from Heather. “I did not steal someone’s husband,” she insisted in a 2007 interview with Us Weekly. “Did I date a former friend’s ex-husband? Yes. Did I break up a marriage? No.” Denise addressed these accusations of husband stealing against Denise Richards: It’s Complicated. She also claimed that, for a time, Heather would drive by her house playing Bon Jovi songs.
Denise and Richie split in 2006 but remained on good terms. They got back together in 2011 but split again the next year. Denise insisted to Us Weekly that they would remain friends. Now, Denise is married to Aaron Phypers.
Were Denise Richards and Heather Locklear friends?
The accusation she stole Richie from Heather wasn’t the only thing Denise had to address at the time. When the news of Denise and Richie dating came out, the assumption was that Denise and Heather had been best friends. The two publicly hung out in years prior and lived in the same neighborhood. The actresses even shared a kiss when Denise guest starred on Heather and Charlie’s sitcom Spin City.
However, in an interview with Redbook, Denise claimed that the friendship was over months before she began dating Richie. She even said it was “not salvageable.” “If Heather and I had been friends at that time, I would never have crossed that line.” She also insisted that they were close friends at one point, but never best friends. However, she told Redbook that she understood why she got backlash for dating Richie.
On RHOBH, Denise claimed that Heather was more Charlie’s friend than hers. It’s unclear where she stands with Heather Locklear now. But the last time their feud came up, Heather made it clear they were still foes. Heather sided with Brandi Glanville in 2020.
Lisa Rinna brought up Heather Locklear and Denise Richards during RHOBH reunion
Lisa brought up Denise’s dating history on the RHOBH Season 10 reunion. When Andy Cohen asked about her involvement in the Brandi hookup rumours, Lisa admitted it affected her friendship with Denise. She said they hadn’t spoken in six months. Then she said, “You know, I go back to when she was friends with Heather Locklear …”
Denise cut in, “I actually wasn’t, Lisa, and you know that. To bring that up, I mean, really? She was friends with my ex-husband. C’mon.” Lisa said, “Well, you calling me a bad friend, I guess it’s like …”
Denise denied insinuating Lisa was a bad friend and then accused her of “grasping at straws.” Meanwhile, Andy was confused about why Heather Locklear was brought up. Lisa advised him to Google it.
After the reunion, Brandi appeared on Watch What Happens Live. She claimed that Heather supported her claims that she and Denise had an affair. According to Brandi, Heather sent her a message with prayer hand and heart emojis.
Denise Richards & Her Wild Things is available to stream on Peacock.
