Why Did Alexis Bellino Leave Real Housewives of Orange County?
Alexis Bellino has confirmed her exit from the Real Housewives of Orange County amid her ongoing feud with costar Shannon Storms Beador. Why did Alexis leave the show and what has she said about her exit?
Alexis Bellino Confirmed Her ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ Exit
The Bravo star revealed that she was “not asked back next season” while appearing on the December 20, 2024, episode of her “Going Rogue” podcast.
“I can’t say it came as a shock, it did not come as a shock,” she told her listeners. “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.”
She made her Real Housewives debut during season 4 in 2008, and she left in season 8 before returning as a “friend” in season 18.
“It was a little bit of a relief,” she added about her latest exit from the show. “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!”
Alexis Bellino’s ‘RHOC’ Exit Comes Amid Her Feud With Shannon Storms Beador
Alexis and Shannon experienced major drama during season 18, which partly stemmed from Alexis’ romance with Shannon’s ex-boyfriend John Janssen. After Shannon and John split in 2022, he began dating Alexis in 2023 and they announced their engagement in August 2024.
“On Cloud 9, celebrating 9 months of love and laughter, and looking forward to my forever with you. Every moment together has been a gift. I am so in love with you and the beautiful life we’re building together with our kids. And the answer is 100000000 [percent] yes,” Alexis wrote via Instagram while announcing the engagement. “1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Shannon previously admitted that she didn’t enjoy filming with Alexis. “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 told Journalposts in November 2024. “If they choose to bring Alexis back on the show, enjoy, but I’m not filming with you.”
When discussing her plans for returning for season 19, she added, “But if Alexis Bellino comes back, sorry, not gonna be around [her].”
Andy Cohen Insists That Alexis Will Always Be Part of ‘RHOC’
While Alexis is no longer returning for season 19 of RHOC, Bravo boss Andy Cohen assured Journalposts that she will “always exist” in the cast’s world.
“Here’s the thing about the Housewives — and especially the Housewives of Orange County — that is a group of people that is always kind of weirdly in each other’s lives in some dotted line way, or running into each other at Javier’s, The Quiet Woman,” he told the outlet just days before she confirmed her exit.