Season 18 of The Real Housewives of Orange County was a return to form for the series that started it all. Alexis Bellino, who held an orange for Seasons 4 through 8, returned as a friend of the housewives. However, her interactions with Shannon Beador were anything but friendly. And now, after just one season, Alexis is exiting RHOC.
Why is Alexis Bellino making her second RHOC exit?
Recently, Alexis was the guest host of the Going Rogue podcast, and she shared her big news. “I was not asked back next season,” she stated.
“I can’t say it came as a shock, it did not come as a shock. It was a hard conversation. … I guess I wasn’t really prepared [because] I didn’t think contracts were coming out – like, I thought we had more time,” Alexis explained. “[So] it was a shock when the call came, but I was never shocked about that information.”
In fact, Alexis actually felt some peace after that conversation. “It was a little bit of a relief. I mean nobody wants the rejection, and no one wants to [hear] you’re not asked back,” Alexis shared. “But it already happened to me. It happened to me in season 8.”
She added, “I’ve been there, done that!” In addition, Alexis felt that she received a villain edit this season.
Alexis Bellino’s feud with Shannon Beador rocked RHOC Season 18
Alexis not snagging an invite for Season 19 of RHOC is sad, but not a surprise. After all, Alexis is now engaged to Shannon’s ex-boyfriend, John Janssen. Plus, John sued Shannon for $75,000 over funds for a facelift and other expenses. While John insisted the cash was a loan, Shannon thought it was a gift. Finally, the warring exes settled the lawsuit.
Still, Shannon insisted that she would not film with Alexis again. However, she planned on returning to RHOC. “Oh, absolutely I am [returning]. I’d be grateful to come back,” Shannon previously stated. “But if Alexis Bellino comes back, sorry, not gonna be around [her].”
Naturally, Alexis hoped that somehow, all the cast could film together. “I still thought there might be a way they can make it work for everybody to come back. But you know, the cards played the way they did,” she said.
“How do they bring someone back who is not a fan favorite vs. the fan favorite?” Alexis commented, referencing Shannon. “And I get that.”
While Alexis seems to be taking the news in stride, I’m disappointed that she won’t be back for Season 19. I think that her feud with Shannon was just what the series needed to help pump up the ratings.
Real Housewives of Orange County is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – ARE YOU SAD THAT ALEXIS IS MAKING HER SECOND RHOC EXIT? ARE YOU TEAM ALEXIS OR TEAM SHANNON?
