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Tamra Judge and Alexis Bellino’s relationship took a dramatic turn after The Real Housewives of Orange County season 18 reunion. Once allies during the season, their bond was strained when Alexis questioned Tamra’s loyalty, asking,
“Are you my friend or my TV friend?”
This revelation came after Alexis faced heated moments during the reunion and subsequent fallout from viewers. Tamra addressed the tension during her podcast, Two Ts In A Pod, on December 24, where she disclosed the conflict and shared insights into their off-screen conversations.
The drama comes amidst Alexis Bellino’s unexpected exit from The Real Housewives of Orange County. While Alexis played a significant role during season 18, including her dynamic with John Janssen and Shannon Beador, she was not asked back for the next season.
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The fallout between her and Tamra seems to mirror the larger tensions within the cast, with Tamra’s rekindled friendship with Shannon Beador adding to the complexity.
The Real Housewives of Orange County: What Tamra revealed about Alexis
Tamra Judge detailed the conflict with Alexis Bellino during the December 24 episode of Two Ts In A Pod. She revealed that Alexis confronted her after the reunion by asking if their friendship was genuine or just for the cameras. Tamra defended her support for Alexis during the season, saying,
“I actually threw myself under the bus. And got myself ran over for some reason. Because I was friends with her.”
She pointed to moments when she stood by Alexis during her feud with Emily Simpson over the size two dress debacle and her turbulent relationship with John Janssen.
The rift deepened after a scene filmed post-reunion aired, where Tamra and Heather Dubrow discussed allegations involving John Janssen and Shannon Beador’s DUI incident. Alexis was upset she wasn’t informed about the scene beforehand, but Tamra explained that production had prohibited her from sharing details, citing concerns about leaks to the press.
Tamra reacts to Alexis leaving The Real Housewives of Orange County
Alexis Bellino’s exit from The Real Housewives of Orange County came as a surprise to fans, especially given her involvement in some of the season’s most dramatic moments. On the Going Rogue podcast, Alexis revealed she wasn’t invited back for season 19. Tamra addressed this on her own podcast, saying,
“Obviously, I knew that. I wasn’t allowed to say anything.”
Despite Alexis' role in the season, including contributing to the high ratings, Tamra hinted that her portrayal might have worked against her.
“We could not keep going the way we were going.”
She explained, referencing Alexis’ tense feud with Shannon Beador. Tamra also admitted that she and Heather Dubrow had tried to caution Alexis about how she was presenting herself on the show.
The strained dynamic between Alexis and Tamra wasn’t limited to on-screen events. According to Tamra, Alexis felt blindsided by her decision to reconcile with Shannon Beador during the reunion.
The aftermath of the fallout
Following The Real Housewives of Orange County reunion, Alexis and Tamra had multiple discussions about their friendship. Tamra shared that Alexis was particularly upset about the post-reunion scene involving John Janssen and Shannon Beador’s car crash. During that scene, Tamra and Heather disclosed allegations that John had overheard the crash and claimed Shannon had assaulted him.
Production reportedly feared that Alexis and John might leak the details to the press. “I think I’ve proven to you that I am your friend,” Tamra told Alexis during their conversation, reiterating her loyalty throughout the season.
Despite the tension, Alexis has expressed hope for mending her relationships with Tamra and Heather. On the Going Rogue podcast, she said,
“Tamra, Heather, and I are working through it.”
Alexis and John’s reaction to viewer criticism
The backlash from The Real Housewives of Orange County viewers added another layer of complexity to Alexis Bellino’s experience during season 18. In an October 2024 interview with Us Weekly, Alexis admitted that the season didn’t unfold as she had anticipated. She said,
“It’s been a rough season. I thought it would go one way, and it went the other."
John Janssen echoed his sentiments, expressing frustration over what he perceived as unwarranted criticism. He remarked,
“The hate has been overwhelming. And what’s so difficult is like we’re in a vortex where all the hate is based off of things that aren’t true.
The Real Housewives of Orange County is available for streaming on Peacock.
