‘The Golden Life’ cast ‘honored’ to receive coveted Golden Kettle at 2026 VRT Awards: ‘Ultimate compliment’

The ladies of E!’s “The Golden Life” are “honored” to be recognized with the lifetime achievement award at the 2026 Virtual Reali-Tea Awards.

Countess Luann de Lesseps, Dorinda Medley, Sonja Morgan, Ramona Singer and Kelly Bensimon are slated to receive the coveted Golden Kettle Award, presented by Tri-State Cadillac, at Virtual Reali-Tea’s second-annual VRT Awards on Oct. 6.

“I’m honored to receive the Golden Kettle as a testament to the entertainment I’ve brought to viewers over the past nearly two decades on television,” de Lesseps, 61, said in a statement to Page Six. “I’d also love to thank my fellow OGs, the ladies who always keep it ‘cool’ — it’s been so fun to reunite with them for ‘The Golden Life.'”

The Golden Kettle honors game-changers who paved the way in the world of reality TV — and who better to recognize than the ladies who put “The Real Housewives of New York City” on the map nearly 20 years ago and are now back for more?

From Morgan dubbing herself the “straw that stirs the drink” to Singer’s infamous “Turtle Time,” this group has no doubt delivered countless iconic moments over the years.

And with their upcoming spinoff series on the horizon, there’s no better time than now to give them some much-deserved recognition for all they’ve contributed to the unscripted space.

“I am honored to receive this award alongside my girls,” Singer, 69, told us in a statement. “Sharing my life on screen has not always been easy, but this award is proof that it has made an impact with audiences.”

Morgan, 62, shared that she is “so excited” to be “recognized as one of the best in reality television,” while Bensimon, 58, described the acknowledgement as the “ultimate compliment.”

Medley, 61, said she was “surprised” yet “so touched” when she found out she and her fellow “Golden Life” co-stars would be receiving the Golden Kettle.

“Reality television has been a wild ride, filled with so many unexpected, challenging, hilarious, and, of course, rewarding experiences with incredible people along the way,” Medley said.

“To receive this kind of recognition for all of it, and to know that I’ve connected with so many people — making them laugh, or cry, or maybe even teaching them a thing or two along the way — means more to me than I can say.”

Hosted by VRT faces Danny Murphy and Evan Real, the Virtual Reali-Tea Awards will bring together a star-studded lineup of reality stars to celebrate the genre’s biggest moments of the past year.

In addition to the “Golden Life” cast, the VRT Awards — which will take place at Edison Ballroom in NYC on Oct. 6 — will feature live performances by de Lesseps, Scheana Shay, Ashley Darby, and Drew Sidora, as well as appearances by Miranda Hope, Layla Taylor, Kyle Cooke, Whitney Rose and more.

Tickets to the gala-style event are currently available to purchase.

Voting for the awards categories — including “Hot-Tea of the Year,” “Favorite Dynamic Duo,” “Quote of the Year” and “Best Reunion Performance” — will be open until Sept. 29.

Winners will be announced live at the event.