What Exactly Is 'WAGs to Riches' Supposed to Be? Even It Doesn’t Know

Instead of insight into the high-profile WAG world, we got disorganization.

Now, when the trailer of Netflix’s new series WAGs To Riches dropped, I anticipated this being another fun binge of petty drama and seeing women come together in a setting that mirrored the Real Housewives or Basketball Wives franchises. The show's premise shares the lives of the wives and girlfriends of athletes and rappers, shifting the narrative, bossing up and calling the shots in their relationships.

Sharelle Rosado, Selling Tampa alumna and ex-fiancée to Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, anchors the show and follows the lives of Maranda “Mjaé” Johnson (girlfriend of Kodak Black), Ashley Wheeler (Wife of Philip Wheeler), Alexis Welch Stoudemire (Ex-wife of Amar’e Stoudemire), Porsha Berto (Wife of Andre Berto), Sadé Vanessa (Engaged to Robbie Chosen Anderson), Lastonia “Stoni” Leviston (mother of Rick Ross’ first child), Keeta Hill (Wife of Tyreek Hill) and Julz “YesJulz” Goddard (Ex-fiancée of Duke Riley).

When I started the show, little did I know that my expectations would soon come crashing down. Let’s begin with the casting selection. The group felt off in terms of flow and chemistry. From an outside perspective, the characters' choices lacked diversity.

By 2025, many viewers feel worn out by the repetitive aesthetics and cookie-cutter portrayals of a flashy, glamorous lifestyle that have started to seem too predictable. For starters, Sharelle Rosado and Stoni Leviston are at odds at the beginning of the season because Rosado does not want to be associated with Leviston due to her past sex tape being leaked by rapper 50 Cent. Now, instead of Leviston being looked at as a victim of revenge porn, she’s immediately judged and shunned, becoming an instant turn-off as a viewer.

Throughout the show, the constant mean girl moments weren’t rooted in fun shade but rather exclusion and division, making it hard to enjoy binge-watching. Then, we add Julz Goddard in the mix, adding an extra layer of confusion due to this being a predominantly Black cast, and she’s had a controversial digital footprint that includes cultural appropriation and use of the n-word. Goddard had an explosive moment on the show, getting into an altercation with Kenea, Sharelle’s former agent, after being confronted for being a “culture vulture.”

As if it weren’t enough of a surprise with her being on the cast, the shock value moments kept happening, from being in braids while filming to asking Kenea what she does for the culture (yes, you read correctly).

This kicks off the following issue with the show, which is the structure. As someone from a background of binging Real Housewives, Basketball Wives, and Bad Girls Club, I welcome chaos as long as it's organized. After watching this eight-episode series, I honestly couldn’t tell you what the direct focus of the show is.

It felt like 10 concepts in one. On the one hand, we have several lifestyle set scenes, like the classic franchise formula, but on the other, we’re looking at houses like we’re back on Selling Sunset. As a viewer, it became a daunting task to remain focused because so much was happening, yet I didn’t gain much from watching.

Let’s face it: the show lacked a clear goal and didn’t fully clarify what viewers should take away from exploring the world of WAGs. There’s always a necessary space on television to showcase women cultivating a luxurious lifestyle for themselves, but only when it’s meaningful. Many scenes often left me feeling irritated and exhausted from beginning to end, highlighting the gap between my expectations and the reality of this show.

The series focuses on unnecessary conflicts instead of exploring high-profile relationships. Successful reality shows benefit from natural chemistry among cast members, whether in friendships or rivalries. However, WAGs to Riches groups women lacking connection, making the drama feel inauthentic. Without clear roles or organic interactions, the tension seems forced, leaving viewers disconnected from the cast and their conflicts.

If there’s a second season, the showrunners need to decide exactly what WAGs to Riches wants to be because right now, even the show doesn’t seem to know.