I’m so pleasantly surprised by how good Real Housewives of Orange County Season 16 is right off the bat. We’re just a couple of episodes in and the drama is already better than the entirety of last season. Kelly Dodd and Braunwyn Windham-Burke’s absence feels like a weight lifted off the shoulders of the show itself. Heather Dubrow is back on her throne and understood the assignment. She reignited her feud with Shannon Beador on day one, baby, during an over-the-top party that Kelly probably wishes she was there to ruin.
I’m sure after Season 15 that all of the RHOC girls thought they were on the chopping block. To be honest, I could’ve done with an entirely new cast after last year — I had no positive strong feelings about any of them. But I’m actually loving Emily Simpson and Gina Kirschenheiter this go around. They entertain me with their over-the-top antics and quick clap backs. Especially Gina — I love the way she respects Fancy Pants for who she is. And apparently, she’s loving her new friendship with Heather as well.
Ramona Singer’s doppelgänger Gina spoke with Us Weekly about this season of RHOC and gushed about her new BFF returning to the show. “I was actually relieved because for a minute I was like, ‘Oh, they fired half the cast, oh my gosh. It’s so much pressure now,'” Gina said. But those nerves subsided once they announced Heather was back. “I was like, ‘Oh, this is way better.’ So I felt really good about it.” Gina said that in general, she feels really good about the way this season went down, even if there was drama. And unlike last year, Gina’s actually friends with her castmates — unlikely Boringwyn and Kelly Fraud who frankly just “suck,” in Gina’s words.
RELATED: Teddi Mellencamp Describes Rude Encounter With Ramona Singer Who Thought She Was Gina Kirschenheiter
Casita Lady also admitted that it crossed her mind that she might also be booted from the show prior to this season. “I mean, you’re probably gonna get fired if you don’t think it’s a possibility (I love the Kelly shade). But I’m just happy to be here.” Gina does seem like a very genuine person, even if her road has been extremely rocky. I love that she seems to have real friends and a solid relationship, as those aren’t as common as you may think in the OC.
Gina was excited to meet Lady Dubrow because they’re both New York ladies. “I always found her to be — when I watched the show — very reasonable. But I was surprised by how cool she was,” Gina said. “I thought it was going to be one of those relationships where we respect each other and we’re fine and I was pleasantly surprised by how close we got.” The new duo I didn’t know I needed. Well now that Tamra Judge isn’t on RHOC anymore, Heather needed a new partner in crime.
RELATED: Gina Kirschenheiter Says Braunwyn Windham-Burke “Sucks”
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF GINA’S ASSESSMENT OF HEATHER? DID YOU THINK GINA WAS GOING TO GET FIRED FROM RHOC LAST YEAR?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
