The year is 2013, and Sky tops and statement necklaces are in. On our screens, Gretchen Rossi and her beau, Slade Smiley, are wearing their finest wares as a helicopter arrives to take them to the top of the AT&T building in Los Angeles. Once their ride ends, Gretchen collects her ladyballs and proposes to her man, who says yes. It was the best of times, but at the end of Season 8, Gretchen learned she had lost her spot on Real Housewives of Orange County. Eleven years have passed, but my thoughts keep returning to Gretchen, as there are many reasons why she should return to RHOC for Season 19.
And yes. Gretchen and Slade are still together. However, they have yet to walk down the aisle. Could Gretchen also be waiting for Bravo to bring her back to film her nuptials?
Maybe. And if so, I respect the hustle. But if not, it might be time to find out why.
We need an update on Gretchen Rossi’s life post-RHOC
Gretchen has not been a cast member for many years. However, her ties to Bravo remain solid. Earlier this year, Gretchen and Slade appeared on the Hot Mic podcast, where Alex Baskin noted their 15 years of love. They care deeply about each other, but they are in no rush to get legally joined.
In 2021, Gretchen stated that their wedding was on hold as they were focusing on IVF treatments instead. She spoke these words three years ago, but no wedding has since transpired. Long engagements are not a bad thing. But Gretchen was beyond eager to marry Slade, so something is not tracking.
But you can bet that if Gretchen returns to RHOC for Season 19, her costars will kindly (heh) tackle this ask. Once this life update gets accounted for, likely in the first episode, Gretchen can move forward with her storylines. Maybe. But a lot has happened in her life since Bravo bounced from her person, so her return to RHOC would likely see her covering a lot of ground, trying to update us to the best of her abilities about her present-day narratives.
For example, thanks to IVF, Gretchen is a mother now. I would love to hear more about her journey while meeting her sweet baby girl, Skylar. And Skylar might enjoy playing with some of the older children in this cast.
Gretchen Rossi was supposed to return via RHUGT, but her season is unlikely to air
Bravo continues to keep Gretchen in their sights. Her name still holds weight, so they brought her back to film for Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip Season 5. However, some messy stuff went down during filming. So, this season might not even see the light of day.
While filming, Caroline Manzo accused Brandi Glanville of sexual assault. Multiple lawyers then entered the chat. Now, the fate of RHUGT Season 5 is unknown.
As an aside, according to an executive producer on RHUGT, Brandi did not sexually violate Caroline. According to Caroline, she did. But even still, the air date (if it even airs) for Season 5 remains a mystery.
This possibly canceled return must suck for Gretchen. And by must, it does. She recently appeared on the Hurrdat Entertainment podcast, where she opened up about this sticky situation.
Gretchen wants this case settled and closed. From there, Bravo can sort through their footage to air all other storylines. This season has solid content, which we would have enjoyed watching. However, Gretchen does not have high hopes that her return via RHUGT Season 5 will ever air, so if you ask me, RHOC needs to step up and bring her back for Season 19.
Gretchen Rossi is friendly with many RHOC stars
Gretchen remains on friendly terms with many RHOC cast members, both past and present. Her connections are genuine. Ingenuous friendships make filming easy for most of the involved parties.
Yes, I said most. You can read more about why in the section below.
Sometimes, new Housewives will grace their series and fall flat, as their connections come across as forced and inauthentic. However, Gretchen would not have to carry this cross. Katie Ginella and Jennifer Pedranti are her true friends, and this trio is tight, often posting together on their various social media accounts. Katie and Jennifer are fun girls, and I would love to see their interactions with Gretchen, which would likely show us a different side of this former red, white, and blue bikini-wearing Bass Lake vacationer from RHOC seasons past.
Likewise, Gretchen now counts Heather Dubrow as a friend. These two ladies were at odds during Season 8, but this is all water under a fancy bridge now. These friendships could further blossom should the network decide to bring Gretchen back for RHOC Season 19.
RHOC Season 19 could bring healing for the RHOC relationships that Gretchen Rossi remains at odds with
Gretchen has been able to make amends with Heather, but her relationships with Tamra Judge and Alexis Bellino remain spotty. Yet, in July, Tamra took to her podcast to play some games, and her answers gave me hope that a path forward for all might exist.
When asked if Tamra would prefer to be stuck on an island with Gretchen or Vicki Gunvalson, her Amiga turned AmigNO, Tamra answered Gretchen. “I’m gonna shock you all, and I’m gonna pick Gretchen,” Tamra answered, adding, “I just feel like I have not seen her in 11 years or something like that, and she had a lot to say about me when she left, and I’d like to confront her.”
But after her confrontation, Tamra would like to move forward with Gretchen, her former filming foe. Teddi Mellencamp squeezed these details out of Tamra by asking her podcast cohost if her confrontation might lead to a reconciliation and, perhaps, a renewed friendship. “Probably, yeah. I forgive very easily,” Tamra quipped. “Just move on.”
That said, Gretchen has been very vocal about Tamra lately, and her words have been harsh. Likewise, Gretchen and Alexis have yet to mend their fences.
However, the toxicity seen in these series is stupidly high now, as many of the stars are finally realizing. Therefore, call me a dreamer, but I would love to see Gretchen returning for RHOC Season 19. But only if she and her fellow costars could tackle things from a different angle, working together to play nicely in their affluent sandboxes.
TELL US – WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE GRETCHEN ROSSI RETURN TO FILMING ON REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY? WHAT MIGHT GRETCHEN BRING TO THE SEASON 19 TABLE IF SO?
