5 Shocking Ways A Young Lisa Rinna Defined The '90s Before RHOBH Fame

Few celebrities have a career trajectory as dynamic and polarizing as Lisa Rinna. While the current generation knows her as the unapologetic, high-fashion star of *The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* and the entrepreneur behind Rinna Beauty, her journey began decades ago in the high-stakes world of '90s soap operas and prime-time drama. This deep dive, updated for December 2025, explores the definitive moments of a young Lisa Rinna, revealing how her ambition, iconic style, and a singular, controversial beauty decision cemented her status as a pop culture fixture long before she was "owning it" on reality television.

The fascination with "Lisa Rinna young" centers on a dramatic transformation—a shift from the classically elegant, fresh-faced soap star to the bold, signature look she sports today. Her early years are a masterclass in '90s glamour, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of fame that she openly admits was her goal from the start.

Lisa Deanna Rinna: A Biography of Ambition

To fully appreciate the evolution of Lisa Rinna, one must understand the foundation of her career. Her early life was marked by a clear drive to succeed in Hollywood, leading to a series of roles that defined her generation's television landscape.

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• Full Name: Lisa Deanna Rinna (now Lisa Deanna Hamlin)
• Date of Birth: July 11, 1963
• Place of Birth: Newport Beach, California, U.S.
• Early Life: Moved to Medford, Oregon, at age 7. Briefly attended the University of Oregon before dropping out to pursue acting after being rejected from a theater course.
• Spouse: Harry Hamlin (m. 1997)
• Children: Delilah Belle Hamlin, Amelia Gray Hamlin
• Breakout Role (Daytime): Billie Reed on *Days of Our Lives* (1992–1995; recurring thereafter).
• Breakout Role (Primetime): Taylor McBride on *Melrose Place* (1996–1998).
• Other Ventures: Author, fashion designer (QVC), entrepreneur (Rinna Beauty).
• Reality TV Tenure: Main cast member on *The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* (2014–2022).

1. The Unforgettable Debut as Billie Reed on 'Days of Our Lives'

Lisa Rinna’s career truly launched in 1992 when she stepped into the role of Billie Reed on the long-running NBC soap opera, *Days of Our Lives*. This character was her star-making vehicle, transforming her from a working actress into a household name.

The '90s Soap Opera Phenomenon

In the early to mid-'90s, soap operas were a cultural powerhouse, and Rinna’s character, Billie Reed, was a fan favorite. Billie was an ISA agent, a woman with a complex past, which allowed Rinna to showcase her acting chops. The character was so beloved that Rinna has returned to the role multiple times over the decades, most recently for the Peacock spin-off *Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem*.

Rinna has consistently expressed her affection for the character, stating that she "holds a special place in my heart for Billie Reed," a sentiment that keeps the door open for future appearances, reflecting the enduring legacy of her young career.

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2. The Prime-Time Pivot: Taylor McBride on 'Melrose Place'

After her successful run on daytime television, Rinna made the critical jump to prime-time drama, joining the cast of the Aaron Spelling-produced hit, *Melrose Place*, in 1996.

Her character, Taylor McBride, was a quintessential '90s soap villainess—scheming, glamorous, and perpetually entangled in dramatic love triangles. This role cemented her status as a prime-time star, showcasing a more sophisticated, high-stakes version of the persona she had cultivated on daytime. The success of *Melrose Place* ensured that the "Lisa Rinna look" became synonymous with late '90s Hollywood glamour.

Interestingly, Rinna has recently expressed strong interest in being part of a potential *Melrose Place* reboot, indicating that her connection to these early roles remains a central part of her professional identity as she seeks a "third chapter" in her acting career.

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3. The Iconic '90s Style: Hair, Fashion, and The Lips

The "young Lisa Rinna" aesthetic is inseparable from the '90s moodboard. Her signature choppy, layered shag haircut became one of the decade's most requested styles, a look she has maintained and evolved over the years.

Fashion and Beauty Evolution

In her early career, Rinna’s style was often described as classically elegant and First Lady-like, a stark contrast to the avant-garde, high-fashion looks she sports today. Her red-carpet appearances in the '90s were characterized by sleek silhouettes and polished glamour.

However, the most defining and controversial aspect of her young look was a decision she made at the age of 24: augmenting her upper lip with silicone injections.

The Lip Story: A Controversial Choice at 24

Lisa Rinna has been remarkably transparent about her cosmetic procedures, making her one of the first celebrities to openly discuss the journey. She revealed that she had permanent silicone injected into her top lip when she was just 24 years old.

This procedure, done in the late 1980s before the widespread use of temporary fillers, led to complications. The initial look became her trademark, but over time, the silicone hardened and caused issues. Around 2010, Rinna underwent reconstructive surgery to reduce the size of her upper lip, a procedure she described as removing "the damaged tissue."

This youthful decision became a lifelong talking point, shaping her public image and eventually inspiring her to launch Rinna Beauty, a brand focused on lip products, effectively turning a controversy into a successful business venture.

4. The Power Couple Origin: Meeting Harry Hamlin

While establishing her career, a young Lisa Rinna began dating actor Harry Hamlin, whom she married in 1997. Their relationship was one of the most high-profile pairings of the late '90s Hollywood scene.

The coupling of the soap opera siren and the established leading man (known for *L.A. Law*) created a power couple that has endured for decades, a rarity in the entertainment industry. Their marriage and family life, including daughters Delilah Belle and Amelia Gray, became central to her later career on reality television, but the foundation was laid during her prime-time success on *Melrose Place*.

5. The Legacy: From Young Starlet to Fashion Icon

The most striking element of Lisa Rinna’s journey is how she has leveraged her '90s fame to remain relevant and influential today. Her early career was the training ground for the persona that would explode on *RHOBH*.

Today, Rinna is redefining her image post-reality TV, focusing on high fashion, walking runways, and attending prestigious events like the Fashion Awards, often debuting dramatic couture looks.

She has also taken on the role of a mentor, guiding her daughters, Delilah Belle and Amelia Gray Hamlin, as they navigate the high-fashion modeling world. This connection demonstrates a full-circle moment, as the lessons she learned as a young model and actress are now being passed down to the next generation. The young Lisa Rinna was a star in the making; the current Lisa Rinna is a self-made brand icon.