Alexis Bellino will not return for the 19th season of The Real Housewives of Orange County.
During an episode of the “Going Rogue” podcast that aired on Friday, December 20, the reality star officially announced her exit while serving as a guest host.
“I was not asked back next season,” Bellino, 47, revealed.
Bellino, who particularly clashed with castmate Shannon Storms Beador, 60, said she wasn’t overly surprised when she learned she was unable to return.
“I can’t say it came as a shock, it did not come as a shock,” Bellino said on the podcast. “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. … [So] it was a shock when the call came, but I was never shocked about that information.”
Bellino had returned to the Housewives franchise as a “friend” following a decade-long absence. (Bellino kicked off her first stint in 2008’s season 4 before leaving in season 8.)
On the podcast, Bellino said that having previously dealt with leaving the show meant she was able to take the news in her stride.
“It was a little bit of a relief,” Bellino said. “I mean nobody wants the rejection, and no one wants to [hear] you’re not asked back. But it already happened to me. It happened to me in season 8. I’ve been there, done that!”
Storms Beader and Bellino clashed throughout season 18. Part of their feud stemmed from Bellino choosing to date Storms Beader’s ex-boyfriend John Janssen, whom she split from in 2022. Bellino and Janssen, 64, became an item in 2023 and in August, they announced they are engaged.
Speaking to Us Weekly in November, Storms Beader confirmed she did not enjoy filming with Bellino.
“I was on Nick Viall’s podcast, and he said, ‘What will you do if Alexis is back on the show?’ And my answer was, ‘I’m not filming with Alexis ever again,’” she recalled. “If they choose to bring Alexis back on the show, enjoy, but I’m not filming with you.”
She added, “I’ve never said I’m not coming back. I might have done that in my third or fourth year and I’ve never done it since.”
Storms Beader said that she would like to return for season 19, but added, “But if Alexis Bellino comes back, sorry, not gonna be around [her].”
