‘Real Housewives of Miami’ star is dealing with a different kind of drama — on stage
“Real Housewives of Miami” fans may recall grabbing the tissues during a viral episode in Season 6 in May 2023.
A handful of the ladies gathered to celebrate castmate Martina Navratilova’s recent victory over throat and breast cancer. At one point during the fancy affair, the tennis legend’s wife of 10 years, Julia Lemigova, stands up nervously and heads to the piano. Navratilova looks shocked as Lemigova launches into a surprise duet of “Libiamo” (“Let’s drink”) from Verdi’s “La traviata” with renowned vocalist Jonathan Hawkins.
After the former beauty queen gives it her all (in lightning fast Italian, no less), Navratilova bows down to her repeatedly, and they embrace.
Later, in the confessional with producers, Lemigova admits that despite hitting some “wrong notes,” her wife’s reaction was priceless.
“Seeing her smile means everything to me,” she said.
The small screen moment had another, more personal meaning. Lemigova had been secretly practicing for months to sing the very same aria that Navratilova listened to during her grueling cancer treatments.
Starting this weekend, Lemigova is going a step further, to an even grander stage. The 52-year-old is co-starring in the Florida Grand Opera’s “Carmen,” Georges Bizet’s haunting tragedy of a free-spirited gypsy turned freedom fighter. Director Maria Todaro has reimagined the tale, taking it out of Bizet’s early 19th century Spain, placing it in the midst of the Spanish Civil War in 1937.
In her so-called supernumerary role (aka, an extra) playing Carmen’s nemesis Manuelita, the TV personality doesn’t sing. But Lemigova makes her presence known, screaming, taunting and brawling, familiar ground from her hit reality show.
“Usually, the character is seen for about 10 seconds and, in some productions you don’t even see her, she is just mentioned,” Todaro told the Miami Herald. “In my version, you’ll see her in all four acts.”
The decision to bring a Bravolebrity on board was entirely why you think: to shake things up.
“Purists would say, ‘What are you doing?’” says FGO spokeswoman Joanna Black. “But for us, it’s a win-win. You need to make opera relatable to younger audiences who are connected through social media and pop culture.”
As a lifelong opera fan, Lemigova is equally thrilled. She’s been dreaming of this moment since she was a child.
“There were a lot of bad things about growing up in the Soviet Union, of course, but the good thing was the incredible discipline and education,” the Moscow native said. “I was exposed to theater, ballet and opera since I was able to walk and talk. My parents would save money, and once a month we would go.”
Lemigova recalls seeing “Carmen” as a young girl.
“I remember it so vividly, and mentally being on the stage, too. I would travel in time, thinking I’ll be in Spain one day, living in another part of the world. It kind of took me out of my reality. That was my escape.”
Eventually, the statuesque stunner did leave, embarking on a career in international modeling and beauty pageants. Despite her success, the former Miss USSR’s kept unlocking those magical core memories when she was sitting in the dark theater with her family.
“Opera was always on my mind, even though I was doing different things,” she said. “I was listening to it everywhere, without realizing it.”
Lemigova eventually found a kindred spirit in Navratilova, a fellow opera aficionado who we hear has a running Maria Callas playlist in her car at all times. After the Grand Slam champ — already a breast cancer survivor — was diagnosed again, Lemigova became more serious about learning her partner’s favorite songs.
“I thought, I need to do something for her,” said Lemigova, who trains with retired baritone extraordinaire Louis Otey. “I started practicing by myself, and then decided to use my platform to shine light on this beautiful art form. It was therapeutic for me, too. I got so hooked.”
Also hooked? The Miami Beach-based couple’s two sons they adopted last summer, Jaxon, 3, and Luca, 2. (The pair also coparent Lemigova’s two college-age daughters Victoria 23, and Emma 19, from her first marriage to French skincare giant Jacques Courtin-Clarins.) The little boys, Florida born brothers, have attended many of the rehearsals and not fidgeted a bit.
“They came from foster care, and they had a lot of stress in their little lives so I think find the classical music soothing,” Lemigova said. “They say, ‘Mama, put on opappa!’ They love it, and I love giving them what I had when I was growing up.”
So who can reality show watchers spot at the upcoming performances in town? A few “RHOM” besties like Alexia Echevarria and Marysol Patton, no doubt. Lemigova is a popular member of the long running series, with, shockingly, only one frenemy (Google it).
And of course, Navratilova, cheering in the front row.
“She sees how happy doing this makes me,” Lemigova gushed. “She’s my biggest supporter.”
This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM.
